Refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides a refrigerator, which is characterized in that an ice box is placed by using an ice making box support fixed at the top of a freezer tank, a supporting part is arranged on the ice making box support, a supporting space is formed on the supporting part, the ice making box is placed on the supporting part, and the ice making box can be directly taken out or placed from the opening of the supporting space, so that a user can take out or place the ice making box from the ice making box support by using one hand, and the ice making box can be easily operated even when the tray is fully loaded and the refrigerator is opened and closed by using one hand. The ice making box does not move with the tray, so that displacement and overturning, ice spilling or unfrozen water leakage can be avoided, and cleaning trouble is reduced. Because the ice making box is suspended, cold air circulation is more uniform, the distance from the upper air outlet is shorter, ice making is faster, the influence of temperature fluctuation of the tray is small, and the probability of ice block adhesion and deformation is reduced. The suspension design also realizes the vertical layout of upper ice making and lower tray storage, does not occupy the tray space, improves the flexibility of the volume of the freezer chamber, reduces the friction between the ice grid and the tray, and prolongs the service life of the components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application pertains to the field of home appliances, and more specifically, relates to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] There are two main ways to make ice in a refrigerator. The first is to use a built-in ice maker that makes ice automatically. The second is to manually make ice using an ice maker in the freezer compartment. This involves manually adding water to the ice maker and placing it in the freezer, where the low temperature of the freezer will produce ice. The latter method is relatively cheaper and suitable for scenarios where the amount of ice needed is relatively small.

[0003] Currently, most ice makers are placed directly in the freezer tray in the freezer compartment, which is inconvenient to take out and put in. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a refrigerator to solve the technical problem of inconvenient ice box placement and removal in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is: to provide a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising:

[0006] case;

[0007] Freezer liner; the freezer liner is located inside the housing and has a first opening for taking out and putting in items;

[0008] Ice box support; the ice box support is installed inside the freezer liner and includes a first connecting part, a second connecting part and a supporting part. The first connecting part is connected to the inner top of the freezer liner. One side of the second connecting part is connected to the first connecting part, and the other side extends away from the inner top of the freezer liner and connects to the supporting part, so that a supporting space is formed above the supporting part. The supporting space has a second opening on the side facing the first opening.

[0009] An ice maker; the ice maker includes a mating part that mates with a support part, the ice maker being placed on the support part through the mating part such that the ice maker is at least partially located within the support space, the ice maker being configured to be movable relative to the ice maker support along a first direction, the first direction being the direction of entering or leaving a second opening.

[0010] Optionally, the ice box support includes side plates disposed on both sides of the support space, the side plates forming a second connecting part, and the side plates on both sides respectively being connected to a first flange, the first flange protruding toward the support space and extending along a first direction, the first flange forming a support part;

[0011] The ice maker has a second flange on each side, the second flange extends along the first direction, and the second flange forms a mating part;

[0012] The second flanges on both sides are respectively placed on the first flanges on both sides, and the first flanges and the second flanges can slide relative to each other along the first direction.

[0013] Optionally, a first gap is provided between the first flanges on both sides;

[0014] The ice maker includes an ice tray disposed between two second flanges on both sides, with the ice tray extending at least partially from the first gap into a support space.

[0015] Optionally, the freezer liner or the first connecting part forms the top wall of the supporting space, and the second connecting parts on both sides form the side walls of the supporting space;

[0016] The ice container has a first gap between its top and top wall, and a second gap between its second flange and side wall;

[0017] The width of the first gap is 0.5-1.5mm, and the width of the second gap is 1-2mm.

[0018] Optionally, a reinforcing rib is provided on the side of the side plate away from the supporting space, and the reinforcing rib is connected in sequence to the first connecting part, the side plate and the first flange.

[0019] Optionally, a connecting plate is connected between the two side panels. The connecting plate is located on the side of the supporting space away from the second opening, and a first limiting member for blocking the ice box is provided on the connecting plate.

[0020] Optionally, the ice box support includes side plates disposed on both sides of the support space, the side plates forming a second connecting part, and a support plate connecting the two side plates, the support plate forming a support part;

[0021] The bottom of the ice maker forms a mating part, and the bottom of the ice maker is placed on the tray.

[0022] Optionally, the freezer liner or the first connecting part forms the top wall of the supporting space, and the second connecting parts on both sides form the side walls of the supporting space;

[0023] There is a first gap between the top of the ice maker and the top wall, and a second gap between the side of the ice maker and the side wall.

[0024] The width of the first gap is 1-3mm, and the width of the second gap is 2-4mm.

[0025] Optionally, a second limiting member is provided on the side of the tray away from the second opening of the support space, the second limiting member being used to block the ice maker.

[0026] Optionally, a fixing post is provided at the top of the inner wall of the freezer. The fixing post includes a column body and a third flange, and the third flange is located at the end of the column body away from the freezer wall.

[0027] The first connecting part includes a mounting plate, on which an elongated mounting hole is provided, the elongated mounting hole including an enlarged part and a reduced part that are interconnected;

[0028] The fixing post and mounting elongated hole are configured such that the third flange can pass through the enlarged portion, and the fixing post can move relative to the mounting plate from the enlarged portion to the reduced portion, and the third flange engages with the reduced portion.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the refrigerator provided in this application are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the ice maker in this embodiment is placed using an ice maker bracket fixed to the top of the freezer compartment. The ice maker bracket is provided with a support part, forming a support space. The ice maker is placed on the support part, and can be directly removed or placed from the opening of the support space. Users can easily remove or place the ice maker from the ice maker bracket with one hand, even when the tray is full or when opening and closing the refrigerator with one hand. The ice maker is not placed directly on the tray and moves with the tray, which avoids the ice tray shifting or tipping over, prevents ice from spilling or water from leaking before it freezes, and reduces cleaning trouble. Since the ice maker bracket is set at the top of the freezer compartment, the ice maker is suspended, the cold air circulation is more uniform, the ice maker is closer to the upper air vent, the ice making effect is faster and less affected by the temperature fluctuation of the freezer tray, and the probability of ice sticking or deforming is reduced. The fixed hanging design of the ice maker allows for a vertically layered layout, with the ice maker hanging on the upper layer and the lower tray for storage. This avoids the ice maker taking up tray space and increases the flexibility of the freezer tray's internal volume. It also reduces physical friction between the ice tray and the tray, preventing wear or deformation of plastic parts from frequent pushing and pulling, making it especially durable for households that frequently use the freezer tray and ice maker. This hanging design also allows the ice maker to be individually removed for cleaning, combining hygiene and practicality. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall appearance of the refrigerator in the embodiments of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the refrigerator in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the freezer liner in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an ice maker and its support in one embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an ice maker's holder in one embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 7 For this application Figure 5 Front view of the embodiment;

[0038] Figure 8 For this application Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another aspect of the embodiment;

[0039] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making box and its support in another embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 10 For this application Figure 9 Front view of the embodiment;

[0041] Figure 11 For this application Figure 9 A schematic diagram from another angle in the embodiment;

[0042] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting plate in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the fit between the mounting elongated hole and the fixing post in an embodiment of this application.

[0044] The following are the labeling elements in the figure:

[0045] Shell 1; Freezer liner 2; First opening 21; Ice box bracket 3; First connecting part 31; Mounting plate 311; Mounting elongated hole 312; Enlarged part 313; Reduced part 314; Second connecting part 32; Side plate 321; Reinforcing rib 322; Support part 33; First flange 331; Support plate 332; Support space 34; Second opening 35; First interval 36; First gap 371; Second gap 372; Connecting plate 38; First limiting member 381; Ice box 4; Fitting part 41; Second flange 411; Ice tray 42; Fixing post 5; Column 51; Third flange 52; First direction a. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0047] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0048] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0049] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0050] There are two main ways to make ice in a refrigerator. The first is using a built-in ice maker. These makers are usually integrated into a specific area inside the refrigerator and have independent water inlet and cooling systems. No manual intervention is needed for water filling or freezing; the entire process, from water intake to ice formation, is automated. Users simply take ice when needed, making it more convenient and efficient. The second method involves manually making ice using ice trays in the freezer compartment. Users need to clean the ice trays first, then manually pour an appropriate amount of water into each ice compartment. The ice trays are then placed in the freezer compartment, where the consistently low temperature allows the water to gradually freeze into ice. Compared to the first method, the latter doesn't require a separate ice maker, resulting in lower overall costs. It's more suitable for families or usage scenarios with relatively low daily ice needs, such as occasionally making cold drinks or refrigerating small amounts of food.

[0051] However, most ice makers that come with refrigerators on the market still present several inconveniences during use. These ice makers typically need to be placed directly into the freezer tray in the freezer compartment. The freezer tray is the primary space in the freezer for storing food, and the ice maker directly occupies part of that tray's surface area, reducing the amount of food it can hold. This space constraint becomes even more pronounced when storing a large quantity of frozen food. Furthermore, retrieving the ice maker is inconvenient, especially when the freezer tray is cluttered. The ice maker may end up underneath the food, requiring rummaging through it, and it can easily disrupt the arrangement of surrounding food. Additionally, when the freezer tray is pushed or pulled, the ice maker inside easily wobbles as the drawer moves. Because the ice maker has no fixed position within the tray, it cannot maintain its stability and may slide during drawer movement, sometimes even tipping over. If the water in the ice maker has frozen into ice cubes, the ice cubes will fall out of the ice tray and scatter in the tray or drawer. If the water has not completely frozen, the unfrozen water will leak out of the ice maker and flow into the tray, drawer gaps, or even the bottom of the freezer. This will not only affect the storage environment of other food items, but also increase the amount of cleaning work for the user, requiring extra time to clean up the scattered ice cubes or wipe up the leaked water stains.

[0052] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a refrigerator; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The refrigerator provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described. The refrigerator includes:

[0053] Casing 1;

[0054] Freezer liner 2; Freezer liner 2 is disposed inside the housing 1, and freezer liner 2 has a first opening 21 for taking out and putting in items;

[0055] Ice box support 3; The ice box support 3 is disposed inside the freezer liner 2. The ice box support 3 includes a first connecting part 31, a second connecting part 32 and a supporting part 33. The first connecting part 31 is connected to the inner top of the freezer liner 2. One side of the second connecting part 32 is connected to the first connecting part 31, and the other side extends away from the inner top of the freezer liner 2 and is connected to the supporting part 33, so that a supporting space 34 is formed above the supporting part 33. The supporting space 34 has a second opening 35 on the side facing the first opening 21.

[0056] Ice maker 44; Ice maker 44 includes a mating part 41 that mates with the support part 33. Ice maker 44 is placed on the support part 33 via the mating part 41 so that ice maker 44 is at least partially located within the support space 34. Ice maker 44 is configured to be movable relative to ice maker support 3 along a first direction a, the first direction a being the direction of entering or exiting the second opening 35.

[0057] The outer shell 1, serving as the refrigerator's external frame structure, primarily protects internal components, insulates against external heat, and supports the overall shape. It forms the foundation for all internal parts, providing a stable environment for core components such as the freezer compartment 2. The freezer compartment 2, located inside the outer shell 1, is the core cavity for the refrigerator's freezing function. It maintains a consistently low temperature environment and is used to store food items that need freezing and to house ice-making components. The freezer compartment 2 has a first opening 21 for accessing items, allowing users to operate the freezer trays, food items, and ice maker 44 inside.

[0058] The ice maker support 3 is entirely located inside the freezer liner 2 and is a structural component specifically designed to support and fix the ice maker 44. It mainly consists of three parts: a first connecting part 31, a second connecting part 32, and a support part 33. The first connecting part 31 is directly connected to the inner top of the freezer liner 2, providing fixed support for the entire ice maker support 3. One side of the second connecting part 32 is connected to the first connecting part 31, and the other side extends away from the inner top of the freezer liner 2, eventually connecting to the support part 33. Through this structural design, a support space 34 for accommodating the ice maker 44 is formed above the support part 33. The support space 34 has a second opening 35 on the side facing the first opening 21 of the freezer liner 2. The second opening 35 is the passage for the ice maker 44 to enter and exit the support space 34.

[0059] The ice maker 44 is a component used to hold water and freeze it into ice at low temperatures. Its outer side has a mating part 41 that cooperates with the support part 33 of the ice maker bracket 3. The ice maker 44 is placed on the support part 33 of the ice maker bracket 3 via this mating part 41, so that at least a portion of the ice maker 44 is located within the support space 34. Simultaneously, the ice maker 44 is configured to move relative to the ice maker bracket 3 along a first direction a, specifically the direction of entering or leaving the second opening 35 of the support space 34, to facilitate the placement and removal of the ice maker 44. The ice maker 44 typically consists mainly of an ice tray 42 and a lid. The lid covers the ice tray 42 to form a sealed space for ice making. Some ice makers 44 may have symmetrical ice trays 42, which, when joined together, form a sealed space for ice making.

[0060] The ice maker support 3 can be fixed to the top of the freezer liner 2 by means of the first connecting part 31. The second connecting part 32 extends away from the top of the freezer liner 2 and connects to the support part 33, so that the support part 33 is in a suspended state, thereby forming a support space 34 above the support part 33. The support space 34 has a second opening 35 on the side facing the first opening 21 of the freezer liner 2. The ice maker 44 is stably placed in the support space 34 by its own mating part 41 docking with the support part 33, and can move freely in the first direction a, entering or leaving the direction of the second opening 35, which is convenient for users to pick up and put down.

[0061] During the ice-making process, the user first pours an appropriate amount of water into the ice maker 44, then pushes the ice maker 44 into the second opening 35 of the supporting space 34 along the first direction a, so that the ice maker 44 is stably placed on the supporting part 33; then, using the low temperature environment continuously maintained inside the freezer liner 2, the water in the ice maker 44 gradually freezes into ice cubes; when ice needs to be removed, the user only needs to pull the ice maker 44 out from the second opening 35 of the supporting space 34 along the first direction a. In addition, since the ice maker 44 is fixed to the top inside the freezer liner 2 by the ice maker bracket 3 and does not directly contact the freezer tray, the pushing and pulling of the freezer tray will not affect the ice maker 44. The two form a layered layout in terms of space, with the ice maker 44 placed on the upper layer and the freezer tray used for storage on the lower layer.

[0062] The ice maker 44 is fixed to the top of the freezer liner 2 via the ice maker bracket 3, and can be directly removed and placed from the second opening 35 of the support space 34 along the first direction a, without having to search or adjust its position in the freezer tray. Users can easily remove and place the ice maker 44 with one hand. Even when the freezer tray is full of food and the refrigerator needs to be opened and closed with one hand, there is no need to hold the ice maker 44 steady, completely solving the problem of inconvenience in removing and placing the traditional ice maker 44 and greatly reducing the difficulty of operation.

[0063] Because the ice maker 44 is not placed directly on the freezer tray, but is stably connected to the support part 33 of the ice maker bracket 3 via the mating part 41, it will not move with the push or pull of the freezer tray. This design effectively prevents the ice maker 44 from shaking, sliding, or even tipping over in the freezer tray, thereby preventing frozen ice from spilling due to tipping over, or unfrozen water from leaking out of the ice maker 44 due to displacement, reducing the user's subsequent cleaning workload.

[0064] The ice maker support 3 suspends the ice maker 44, allowing the cold air inside the freezer chamber 2 to circulate more evenly around it, ensuring a consistent temperature across all areas and preventing uneven ice making due to localized temperature differences. Furthermore, the suspended ice maker 44 is closer to the air vent above the freezer chamber 2, enabling it to receive cold air more quickly and accelerating the freezing process of the water inside, thus shortening the ice-making time. Simultaneously, because the ice maker 44 does not directly contact the freezer tray, it is less affected by temperature fluctuations when the freezer tray door is opened or closed, effectively reducing the probability of ice cubes sticking together or deforming due to temperature fluctuations and ensuring the ice cubes retain their integrity.

[0065] The ice maker 44 is suspended from the top of the freezer compartment 2 via the ice maker bracket 3, forming a vertical layered layout where the ice maker 44 is placed on the upper layer and the freezer tray is used for storage on the lower layer. This design completely avoids the ice maker 44 occupying the flat space of the freezer tray, allowing the freezer tray to hold more food that needs to be frozen, significantly improving the efficiency and flexibility of the internal space of the freezer, and is especially suitable for families with a lot of frozen food.

[0066] The ice maker 44 has no direct physical contact with the freezer tray, reducing friction between them during daily use. This avoids wear and deformation of the ice maker 44 or the tray's plastic parts caused by prolonged pushing and pulling of the freezer tray, extending the lifespan of the components. This is especially suitable for households that frequently use the freezer tray and ice maker 44. Furthermore, the ice maker 44 can be detached separately from the ice maker support 3. When water stains or dirt remain inside the ice maker 44 and require cleaning, the user can completely remove the ice maker 44 for thorough washing, effectively preventing bacterial growth and balancing hygiene and practicality.

[0067] Once fixed in place, the ice maker 44 is less likely to come into contact with food scraps or condensation that may remain on the bottom of the freezer tray, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. This is especially suitable for storing ready-to-eat ice cubes. It also prevents the ice maker 44 from colliding with the freezer tray during movement, thus improving the quietness of the user experience. The hanging design further reduces direct contact between the ice maker 44 and the freezer tray, preventing freshly placed hot food in the tray from briefly affecting the temperature of the ice cube tray 42 and maintaining a stable freezing environment.

[0068] Please see Figure 5 In some embodiments of this application, the ice box bracket 3 includes side plates 321 disposed on both sides of the support space 34. The side plates 321 form a second connecting portion 32. The side plates 321 on both sides are respectively connected to a first flange 331. The first flange 331 protrudes toward the support space 34 and extends along the first direction a. The first flange 331 forms a support portion 33.

[0069] The ice container 44 has a second flange 411 on each side. The second flange 411 extends along the first direction a and forms a mating part 41.

[0070] The second flanges 411 on both sides are respectively placed on the first flanges 331 on both sides, and the first flanges 331 and the second flanges 411 can slide relative to each other along the first direction a.

[0071] Side plates 321 are provided on both sides of the support space 34 of the ice box bracket 3. These side plates 321 directly form the second connecting part 32 of the ice box bracket 3. One end of the side plate 321 is connected to the first connecting part 31 fixed to the top of the freezer liner 2, and the other end extends away from the top of the freezer liner 2. On the side of the side plates 321 facing the support space 34, a first flange 331 is provided respectively. The first flange 331 protrudes into the support space 34, and the extension direction is consistent with the first direction a. The first flanges 331 on both sides together form the support part 33 of the ice box bracket 3, directly bearing the weight of the ice box 44. The ice box 44 has a second flange 411 on both sides corresponding to the first flange 331 of the side plate 321 of the ice box bracket 3. The extension direction of the second flange 411 is also consistent with the first direction a, and its size and shape are adapted to the height of the support surface of the first flange 331, so that it can contact the first flange 331 just right, and will not be unstable due to size deviation.

[0072] When placing the ice maker 44, the user simply aligns the second flanges 411 on both sides of the ice maker 44 with the first flanges 331 on the side plates 321 of the ice maker support 3, and pushes the ice maker 44 into the supporting space 34 along the first direction a. Since the extension direction of the second flanges 411 and the first flanges 331 is the same as the first direction a, and their sizes are compatible, the second flanges 411 will naturally rest on the supporting surface of the first flanges 331, so that the ice maker 44 is stably placed in the supporting space 34 through the cooperation of the two flanges, without lateral displacement. When the user removes the ice maker 44, they pull the ice maker 44 outward along the first direction a, and the second flanges 411 will slide smoothly along the supporting surface of the first flanges 331. The entire process is synchronized on both sides to avoid tilting or jamming of the ice maker 44, ensuring that the ice maker 44 can smoothly enter and exit the second opening 35 of the supporting space 34 along the first direction a.

[0073] Please see Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments of this application, a first gap 36 is provided between the first flanges 331 on both sides; the ice box 44 includes an ice tray 42 disposed between the second flanges 411 on both sides, and the ice tray 42 extends at least partially from the first gap 36 into a support space 34.

[0074] The ice tray 42, serving as a cavity structure for holding and freezing water, is integrally positioned between the second flanges 411 on both sides of the ice maker 44, forming a unified structure with the second flanges 411. The second flanges 411 are located on the outer walls of both sides of the ice tray 42, serving both as mating parts 41 that connect with the first flanges 331 and providing structural support for the ice tray 42. Since the ice tray 42 is positioned between the second flanges 411 on both sides, and there is a first gap 36 between the first flanges 331, after the ice tray 42 is placed on the support part 33 along with the ice maker 44, it will naturally align with the first gap 36. Consequently, at least a portion of the structure extends downwards from the first gap 36, exceeding the range of the support space 34 of the ice maker bracket 3.

[0075] After the ice tray 42 extends from the first interval 36 into the supporting space 34, its outer surface is no longer obstructed by the structure of the ice box bracket 3, and can be directly exposed to the low-temperature environment of the freezer liner 2. On the one hand, the cold air inside the freezer liner 2 can circulate freely from all sides of the ice tray 42, without any local obstruction of cold air circulation due to structural obstruction; on the other hand, the extended ice tray 42 is closer to the cold air flow in the freezer tray area, which can absorb cold energy more quickly, accelerate the freezing process of the water inside the ice tray 42, shorten the ice-making time, and reduce the differences in ice-making caused by uneven temperature distribution.

[0076] Please see Figure 5 and Figure 7 In some embodiments of this application, the freezer liner 2 or the first connecting part 31 forms the top wall of the supporting space 34, and the second connecting parts 32 on both sides form the side walls of the supporting space 34; there is a first gap 371 between the top of the ice box 44 and the top wall, and there is a second gap 372 between the second flange 411 and the side plate 321; the width d1 of the first gap 371 is 0.5-1.5mm, and the width d2 of the second gap 372 is 1-2mm.

[0077] The top wall of the supporting space 34 has two different configurations, each adaptable to different internal refrigerator designs. In the first configuration, the top wall is directly formed by the freezer liner 2. In this case, the inner top surface of the freezer liner 2 directly serves as the top boundary of the supporting space 34. The first connecting part 31 of the ice maker bracket 3 is fixed to this top wall surface, and then connects to the second connecting part 32, allowing the second connecting part 32 to extend downwards and form the side wall of the supporting space 34. In the second configuration, the top wall is formed by the first connecting part 31. In this case, while the first connecting part 31 connects to the inner top of the freezer liner 2, its surface facing the supporting space 34 directly becomes the top boundary of the supporting space 34. The second connecting part 32 extends downwards from the edge of the first connecting part 31, together with the top wall, forming the frame of the supporting space 34. The second connecting parts 32 on both sides themselves are the side walls of the supporting space 34, providing lateral restraint for the ice maker 44.

[0078] When the ice maker 44 is placed in the supporting space 34 through the engagement of the second flange 411 and the first flange 331, a first gap 371 is formed between its top and the top wall of the supporting space 34, and the width d1 of this gap is fixed within the range of 0.5-1.5mm. At the same time, a second gap 372 is formed between the second flange 411 on both sides of the ice maker 44 and the side plate 321, and the width d2 is controlled within the range of 1-2mm.

[0079] On the one hand, the ice maker 44 will slightly shrink due to the low temperature in the freezing environment. After water is poured in, the water will freeze and expand in volume, which may cause slight deformation of the ice maker 44. The first gap 371 of 0.5-1.5mm can provide a buffer space for this deformation, avoiding the top of the ice maker 44 from being squeezed against the top wall, and preventing the ice maker 44 from being damaged or deformed. On the other hand, the ice maker 44 needs to be slid in the first direction a for placement and removal. The second gap 372 of 1-2mm can avoid direct contact and friction between the second flange 411 and the side plate 321, ensuring smooth sliding. At the same time, the width of the second gap 372 can limit the lateral movement range of the ice maker 44, preventing the ice maker 44 from swaying left and right in the support space 34. The width limitation of the first gap 371 and the second gap 372 can also prevent the ice maker 44 from falling off the first gap 36 after tilting.

[0080] like Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the width d1 of the first gap 371 is 1 mm, and the width d2 of the second gap 372 is 1.5 mm.

[0081] Please see Figure 5 In some embodiments of this application, a reinforcing rib 322 is provided on the side of the side plate 321 facing away from the supporting space 34. The reinforcing rib 322 is sequentially connected to the first connecting part 31, the side plate 321, and the first flange 331. The reinforcing rib 322 connects the first connecting part 31, the side plate 321, and the first flange 331, which can more tightly connect these three components into an integral structure, reduce the relative displacement of each component during use, thereby improving the overall structural stability of the ice box bracket 3 and preventing the bracket from shaking due to loose connections between components. When the ice box 44 is placed on the first flange 331 or slides along the first direction a, it will exert a force on the first flange 331 and the side plate 321. The reinforcing rib 322 can distribute these forces to the first connecting part 31 and the side plate 321, avoiding excessive local stress that could cause deformation or damage to the components and extending the service life of the ice box bracket 3. Multiple reinforcing ribs 322 can be provided, such as Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, multiple reinforcing ribs 322 are arranged in a specific pattern.

[0082] Please refer to 8. In some embodiments of this application, a connecting plate 38 is connected between the side plates 321 on both sides. The connecting plate 38 is located on the side of the supporting space 34 away from the second opening 35. A first limiting member 381 for blocking the ice box 44 is provided on the connecting plate 38.

[0083] A connecting plate 38 is connected between the two side plates 321. The connecting plate 38 is located on the side of the supporting space 34 away from the second opening 35, forming the rear end boundary of the supporting space 34. A first limiting member 381 is provided on the connecting plate 38. Its main function is to limit the movement range of the ice maker 44 in the first direction a into the supporting space 34, and prevent the ice maker 44 from being pushed in excessively and exceeding the preset position.

[0084] When the user pushes the ice maker 44 into the supporting space 34 along the first direction a, the ice maker 44 will gradually move away from the second opening 35 until it contacts the first limiting member 381 on the connecting plate 38. At this time, the first limiting member 381 will prevent the ice maker 44 from moving further, so that the ice maker 44 stops precisely in the preset position within the supporting space 34, ensuring the relative position of the ice maker 44 and the supporting space 34 is stable, and avoiding difficulty in picking up or placing it or structural interference due to pushing it in too deeply.

[0085] The first limiting component 381 can specifically adopt a protrusion structure, a baffle structure, or a rib structure, such as... Figure 8 The implementation shown employs a ribbed structure.

[0086] Please see Figure 9 In some other embodiments of this application, side plates 321 are provided on both sides of the supporting space 34, the side plates 321 form a second connecting part 32, and a support plate 332 is connected between the side plates 321 on both sides, the support plate 332 forms a supporting part 33; the bottom of the ice box 44 forms a mating part 41, and the bottom of the ice box 44 is placed on the support plate 332.

[0087] Side plates 321 are provided on both sides of the supporting space 34. These side plates 321 directly form the second connecting part 32, one end of which is connected to the first connecting part 31 fixed to the top of the freezer liner 2, and the other end extends away from the top of the freezer liner 2. A support plate 332 is connected between the two side plates 321. The support plate 332 is flat and is horizontally placed between the two side plates 321 to form the supporting part 33, providing a bottom support surface for the ice maker 44. The bottom of the ice maker 44 directly forms the mating part 41, which can be placed stably on the support plate 332.

[0088] When placing the ice cube tray 44, align the bottom of the ice cube tray 44 with the support plate 332 and push it into the supporting space 34 along the first direction a. The bottom of the ice cube tray 44 will land smoothly on the support plate 332, which will bear the entire weight of the ice cube tray 44. At the same time, the side plates 321 on both sides will form a lateral limit on the ice cube tray 44, restricting its left and right movement and ensuring that the ice cube tray 44 moves smoothly along the first direction a. When the ice cube tray 44 needs to be removed, pull it outward along the first direction a. The bottom of the ice cube tray 44 will slide along the surface of the support plate 332 until it is removed from the supporting space 34.

[0089] The tray 332, as an integral support 33, forms a surface contact with the bottom of the ice container 44, which can more evenly distribute the weight of the ice container 44 and avoid deformation caused by excessive local stress. Compared with the flange mating structure, the tray 332 provides a larger support area, so even if there is a lot of water in the ice container 44, it can remain stable and reduce the possibility of tilting or shaking.

[0090] The tray 332 directly connects to the two side plates 321 to form the support part 33, which is simpler in structure and does not require the separate processing of complex structures such as flanges, thus reducing the production difficulty of the ice box bracket 3. At the same time, the ice box 44 only needs to mate with the tray 332 through its bottom, without the need to design a special flange structure, which simplifies the mold design and manufacturing process of the ice box 44 and helps to reduce production costs.

[0091] The tray 332 type support part 33 is more adaptable to ice makers 44. As long as the bottom size of the ice maker 44 matches the tray 332, the support space 34 can accommodate the ice maker 44, and it can be placed stably regardless of its top or side structure design. This versatility allows the structure to be adapted to ice makers 44 of various capacities and shapes, meeting the ice needs of different users.

[0092] Please see Figure 10 In some embodiments of this application, the freezer liner 2 or the first connecting part 31 forms the top wall of the supporting space 34, and the second connecting parts 32 on both sides form the side walls of the supporting space 34; there is a first gap 371 between the top of the ice box 44 and the top wall, and a second gap 372 between the side of the ice box 44 and the side wall; the width d1 of the first gap 371 is 1-3mm, and the width d2 of the second gap 372 is 2-4mm.

[0093] When the ice maker 44 is placed on the tray 332, there is a first gap 371 between its top and the top wall of the supporting space 34, with a width of 1-3mm; there is a second gap 372 between the side of the ice maker 44 and the side wall of the supporting space 34, with a width of 2-4mm. When the freezer liner 2 serves as the top wall, the first connecting part 31 is fixed to the top inside the freezer liner 2. By adjusting the extension length of the second connecting part 32, the height of the supporting space 34 is controlled to ensure that the top of the ice maker 44 forms a first gap 371 of 1-3mm with the inner surface of the freezer liner 2. When the first connecting part 31 serves as the top wall, the lower surface of the first connecting part 31 directly serves as the top wall. By designing the height of the second connecting part 32, the top of the ice maker 44 maintains a preset first gap 371 with the lower surface. Both forms can achieve precise gap reservation through structural dimension control.

[0094] The tray 332 type support part 33 supports the bottom of the ice maker 44 through an integral flat plate. The support area is much larger than the local support of the flange mating structure. There is no risk of the ice maker 44 falling off the support part 33 when placed. This is completely different from the flange mating structure, which relies on the precise alignment of the flanges and may shift and fall if there is a slight deviation. Therefore, the tray 332 type structure does not need to limit the shaking of the ice maker 44 by reducing the gap. Instead, the first gap 371 and the second gap 372 can be set to be larger.

[0095] Compared to the aforementioned small-gap design of the flange fit, the 1-3mm first gap 371 and 2-4mm second gap 372 of the tray 332 structure can effectively accommodate the low-temperature deformation of the ice maker 44: when the water inside the ice maker 44 freezes and expands, it will not be squeezed against the top and side walls due to insufficient gaps; when the ice maker 44 itself contracts due to low temperatures, it will not jam against the surrounding structure due to excessively small gaps. At the same time, the larger gaps reduce the contact between the ice maker 44 and the top and side walls, reducing the probability of water vapor freezing and sticking at the contact surface, ensuring that the user can always smoothly take the ice maker 44 out along the first direction a without having to pull it forcefully.

[0096] If water overflows during the filling of the ice maker 44 due to improper water control, the flat structure of the tray 332's support part 33 can directly catch the overflowing water, preventing it from dripping directly onto the food in the lower freezer tray. This contrasts sharply with the situation where overflowing water drips directly from the flange gap in a flanged assembly. Furthermore, the tray 332 can guide the overflowing water to the drainage area of ​​the freezer liner 2 through a pre-designed drainage structure (such as edge protrusions or a slight tilt angle), further reducing cleaning workload and protecting the food from contamination.

[0097] The suspended design with flanges, due to its small gap and reliance on precise flange-to-flange alignment, typically only fits ice cube trays 44 of specific shapes and materials (such as hard plastic trays with fixed flange dimensions), exhibiting extremely poor compatibility with easily deformable materials like soft silicone. In contrast, the large gap design of the tray 332 structure significantly reduces restrictions on the shape and material of the ice cube tray 44: both the regular shape of the hard plastic ice cube tray 44 and the elastic deformation of the soft silicone ice cube tray 44 can be freely placed within the large gap; the sides and top of the ice cube tray 44 do not need to strictly match specific dimensions, as long as the bottom can rest stably on the tray 332, making it compatible with most sizes of ice cube trays 44 on the market.

[0098] Please see Figure 11 In some embodiments of this application, a second limiting member is provided on the side of the tray 332 away from the second opening 35 of the supporting space 34. The second limiting member is used to block the ice maker 44. The second limiting member is provided on the side of the tray 332 away from the second opening 35 of the supporting space 34, that is, at the end of the tray 332 near the deep interior of the freezer liner 2. It can usually be integrally formed or fixedly connected to the tray 332 in the form of a protrusion, baffle, etc., to form a blocking structure at the rear end of the tray 332, which directly acts on the ice maker 44 placed in the supporting space 34.

[0099] When the user pushes the ice maker 44 deeper into the tray 332 along the first direction a, the end of the ice maker 44 away from the second opening 35 will gradually approach the second limiting member until it contacts the second limiting member. At this time, the second limiting member physically blocks the ice maker 44 from moving further into the tray, so that the ice maker 44 stops precisely at the preset position on the tray 332, avoiding difficulties in subsequent removal or placement due to pushing it too deep, or collision with other structures inside the freezer liner 2.

[0100] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 In some embodiments of this application, a fixing post 5 is provided at the top of the inner side of the freezer compartment 2. The fixing post 5 includes a post body 51 and a third flange 52. The third flange 52 is provided at the end of the post body 51 away from the freezer compartment 2. The first connecting part 31 includes a mounting plate 311. The mounting plate 311 is provided with a mounting elongated hole 312. The mounting elongated hole 312 includes an enlarged part 313 and a reduced part 314 that communicate with each other. The fixing post 5 and the mounting elongated hole 312 are configured such that the third flange 52 can pass through the enlarged part 313, and the fixing post 5 can move relative to the mounting plate 311 from the enlarged part 313 to the reduced part 314, so that the third flange 52 is engaged with the reduced part 314.

[0101] A fixing post 5 is provided at the top inner part of the freezer compartment 2. The fixing post 5 consists of two parts: a post body 51 and a third flange 52. One end of the post body 51 is connected and fixed to the top inner part of the freezer compartment 2, and the other end extends away from the freezer compartment 2. The third flange 52 is installed at the end of the post body 51 away from the freezer compartment 2. Its lateral dimension is larger than that of the post body 51, and its overall shape is thicker at one end and thinner at the other, which can play a role in axial limiting.

[0102] The first connecting part 31 includes a mounting plate 311, on which a mounting elongated hole 312 is formed. The mounting elongated hole 312 is composed of two interconnected parts: an enlarged part 313 and a narrowed part 314. The size of the enlarged part 313 matches the third flange 52 of the fixing post 5, allowing the third flange 52 to pass through completely. The width of the narrowed part 314 is smaller than the lateral dimension of the third flange 52, but larger than the diameter of the post 51. This allows the post 51 to move within the narrowed part 314, while the third flange 52 cannot pass through the narrowed part 314.

[0103] During installation, first align the enlarged portion 313 of the mounting plate 311 with the third flange 52 of the fixing post 5, ensuring the third flange 52 completely passes through the enlarged portion 313. At this point, the post 51 enters the interior of the enlarged portion 313, and the mounting plate 311 contacts the top of the freezer liner 2. Push the mounting plate 311 along the extension direction of the mounting hole 312, allowing the post 51 of the fixing post 5 to move from the enlarged portion 313 to the reduced portion 314, while the third flange 52 is positioned on the side of the mounting plate 311 away from the freezer liner 2. Since the width of the reduced portion 314 is smaller than the lateral dimension of the third flange 52, the third flange 52 will be engaged in the position of the reduced portion 314 and cannot pass through it, thus fixing the mounting plate 311 to the fixing post 5, achieving the connection and fixation between the first connecting portion 31 and the freezer liner 2.

[0104] This snap-fit ​​structure does not require additional fastening parts such as screws or clips. It can be fixed by a simple through-and-move operation, which greatly simplifies the installation steps of the ice maker bracket 3, reduces the assembly difficulty, and helps to improve the assembly efficiency in the refrigerator production process.

[0105] When the ice box bracket 3 needs to be disassembled for maintenance or replacement, simply push the mounting plate 311 in the reverse direction to move the fixing post 5 from the shrinking part 314 back to the enlarged part 313, and the third flange 52 can be removed from the enlarged part 313 without damaging any structure, simplifying the after-sales maintenance process and reducing maintenance costs.

[0106] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes: case; A freezer compartment; the freezer compartment is disposed within the housing, and the freezer compartment has a first opening for taking out and placing items; Ice box support; the ice box support is disposed inside the freezer compartment, the ice box support includes a first connecting part, a second connecting part and a supporting part, the first connecting part is connected to the inner top of the freezer compartment, one side of the second connecting part is connected to the first connecting part, and the other side extends away from the inner top of the freezer compartment and connects to the supporting part, so that a supporting space is formed above the supporting part, and the supporting space has a second opening on the side facing the first opening; An ice maker; the ice maker includes a mating part that mates with the support part, the ice maker is placed on the support part through the mating part such that the ice maker is at least partially located within the support space, the ice maker is configured to be movable relative to the ice maker support in a first direction, the first direction being the direction of entering or leaving the second opening.

2. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice box support includes side plates disposed on both sides of the support space, the side plates forming the second connecting portion, and the side plates on both sides respectively being connected with a first flange, the first flange protruding toward the support space and extending along the first direction, the first flange forming the support portion; The ice maker is provided with a second flange on each side, the second flange extends along the first direction, and the second flange forms the mating part; The second flanges on both sides are respectively placed on the first flanges on both sides, and the first flanges and the second flanges can slide relative to each other along the first direction.

3. The refrigerator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, There is a first gap between the first flanges on both sides; The ice maker includes an ice tray disposed between two second flanges on both sides, and the ice tray extends at least partially from the first interval out of the support space.

4. The refrigerator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The freezer liner or the first connecting part forms the top wall of the supporting space, and the second connecting parts on both sides form the side walls of the supporting space; There is a first gap between the top of the ice maker and the top wall, and there is a second gap between the second flange and the side wall; The width of the first gap is 0.5-1.5mm, and the width of the second gap is 1-2mm.

5. The refrigerator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The side plate is provided with a reinforcing rib on the side away from the supporting space, and the reinforcing rib is connected to the first connecting part, the side plate and the first flange in sequence.

6. The refrigerator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A connecting plate is connected between the two side plates. The connecting plate is located on the side of the supporting space away from the second opening. A first limiting member for blocking the ice box is provided on the connecting plate.

7. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice box support includes side plates disposed on both sides of the support space, the side plates forming the second connecting part, and a support plate connecting the two side plates, the support plate forming the support part; The bottom of the ice maker forms the mating part, and the bottom of the ice maker is placed on the tray.

8. The refrigerator as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The freezer liner or the first connecting part forms the top wall of the supporting space, and the second connecting parts on both sides form the side walls of the supporting space; There is a first gap between the top of the ice maker and the top wall, and a second gap between the side of the ice maker and the side wall. The width of the first gap is 1-3mm, and the width of the second gap is 2-4mm.

9. The refrigerator as described in claim 7, characterized in that, A second limiting member is provided on the side of the tray away from the second opening of the supporting space, and the second limiting member is used to block the ice maker.

10. The refrigerator as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, A fixing post is provided at the top of the inner side of the freezer container. The fixing post includes a column body and a third flange. The third flange is located at the end of the column body away from the freezer container. The first connecting part includes a mounting plate, and the mounting plate is provided with an elongated mounting hole, the elongated mounting hole including an enlarged part and a narrowed part that communicate with each other; The fixing post and the mounting elongated hole are configured such that the third flange can pass through the enlarged portion, and the fixing post can move relative to the mounting plate from the enlarged portion to the reduced portion, and the third flange engages with the reduced portion.

Images