An ice making unit for cooling devices and a cooling device having the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S), comprising a device body (200); at least one ice forming chamber (210) which is disposed in the device body (200); at least one ice storage receptacle (300) for storing the ice pieces formed in the ice forming chamber (210); an ice forming unit (220) which is disposed in the ice forming chamber (210) and which has a plurality of ice cells for converting water into ice pieces; at least one ice transfer duct which connects the ice forming chamber (210) to the ice storage receptacle (300) so as to form a path for transferring the formed ice pieces to the ice storage receptacle (300); an air blowing unit (400) for blowing cold air; and an air duct (230) one end of which opens into the ice forming chamber (210) for delivering the cold air blown from the air blowing unit (400) to the ice forming chamber (210), and also relates to a cooling device (S) comprising the said ice making unit (100).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice making unit suitable for cooling devices with improved energy efficiency and increased economic life, and also relates to a cooling device having the said ice making unit.

[0002] Ice making units are components which are typically disposed within cooling devices, which form ice by cooling water and which are capable of storing the ice pieces thus formed. The ice making units comprise an ice forming chamber having an ice forming unit with a plurality of ice cells for converting water into ice. The cold air is delivered to the ice forming chamber through an air duct by means of a fan. The cold air freezes the water in the ice cells and turns the same into ice pieces. The formed ice pieces are transferred to an ice storage receptacle through an ice transfer duct for storage. During the ice forming process, the ice pieces in the ice storage receptacle continue to be cooled by the cold air delivered through the ice transfer duct and / or the air discharge openings arranged on the ice forming chamber. Thus, the ice pieces in the ice storage receptacle are prevented from melting and remain in a usable form. Even when there is no need for forming ice pieces, the ice pieces in the ice storage receptacle still require to be cooled. Therefore, even when there is no need for forming ice pieces, the cold air continues to be delivered to the ice forming chamber by means of a fan. Thus, by means of the ice transfer duct, the cold air ensures that the ice pieces in the ice storage receptacle do not melt and remain in a usable form. When there is no need for forming ice pieces, the circulation of the cold air through the ice forming chamber and through the air discharge openings arranged on the ice transfer duct and / or the ice forming chamber causes the temperature of the cold air to increase by convection. The increase in the temperature of the cold air causes the fan and the cooling device, wherein the ice making unit is disposed, to operate for longer durations and at higher power. This reduces the economic life and the energy efficiency of the ice making unit and the cooling device. Moreover, the said decrease in energy efficiency makes it more difficult to maintain the selected temperature values in compartments such as the freezer compartment or fresh food compartment, which may be present in the cooling device.

[0003] In the state of the art United States Patent Document No. US2021301452A1, the cold air flow system of the side-by-side refrigerator comprises a ventilation chamber which is mounted on the upper rear side of the freezer, a damper which is mounted on the upper part of the cold chamber to communicate with the ventilation system, and a cold air distribution device which provides the cold air of the freezing compartment and the freezer directly to the cold chamber. The cold air distribution device forming a partition between the freezer and the cold room comprises an air vent which connects the freezer and the cold chamber, a ventilation fan which transfers the cold air of the freezer to the cold chamber, a drive motor which is connected to the ventilation fan and a fin which controls the transfer of the cold air by opening and closing the ventilation.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of an ice making unit suitable for cooling devices with improved energy efficiency and increased economic life, and also relates to a cooling device having the said ice making unit.

[0005] Another aim of the present invention is the realization of an ice making unit wherein the cold air is directly transferred to the ice storage receptacle without being transferred to the ice forming chamber in case there is no ice formation, and of a cooling device having the said ice making unit.

[0006] Another aim of the present invention is the realization of an ice making unit wherein the cold air is prevented from being transferred to the ice forming chamber but is enabled to be directly transferred to the ice storage receptacle in case there is no ice formation, and of a cooling device having the said ice making unit.

[0007] The ice making unit of the present invention suitable for cooling devices comprises a device body; at least one ice forming chamber which is disposed in the device body; at least one ice storage receptacle for storing the ice pieces formed in the ice forming chamber; an ice forming unit which is disposed in the ice forming chamber and which has a plurality of ice cells for converting water into ice pieces; at least one ice transfer duct which connects the ice forming chamber to the ice storage receptacle so as to form a path for transferring the formed ice pieces to the ice storage receptacle; an air blowing unit for blowing cold air; and an air duct one end of which opens into the ice forming chamber for delivering the cold air blown from the air blowing unit to the ice forming chamber.

[0008] The ice making unit further comprises a storage duct opening which is arranged on the air duct and which opens into the ice storage receptacle; at least one duct lid unit which, in a first position, closes the storage duct opening so as to prevent the air from passing through the storage duct opening and which, in a second position, at least partially opens the storage duct opening so as to allow the air to pass through the storage duct opening and closes the end of the air duct opening into the ice forming chamber so as to prevent the air from passing into the ice forming chamber from the air duct; and at least one actuator for moving the duct opening lid into the first position and / or the second position.

[0009] In this embodiment of the present invention, when the duct lid unit is in the first position, the ice making unit is suitable for actively forming ice pieces. In this position, the ice making unit performs the formation of ice pieces by means of the ice forming unit and the cooling of the stored ice pieces in the ice storage receptacle. Since when the duct lid unit is in the first position, the storage duct opening is closed, there is no direct cold air passage into the ice storage receptacle. However, when the duct lid unit is in the first position, the duct lid unit does not close the end of the air duct which opens into the ice forming chamber. Thus, the entire amount of the cold air blown by the air blowing unit is delivered into the ice forming chamber through the air duct for ice formation. When the duct lid unit is in the second position, the ice making unit does not actively form ice pieces. In this position, the ice making unit only performs the cooling of the stored ice pieces in the ice storage receptacle. When the duct lid unit is in the second position, the storage duct opening is open. However, the duct lid unit closes the end of the air duct opening into the ice forming chamber and prevents the passage of the cold air into the ice forming chamber. Thus, the entire amount of cold air blown by the air blowing unit is delivered to the ice storage receptacle through the air duct to keep the stored ice pieces cold. As a result, when there is no need to form ice pieces in the ice making unit, the cold air is prevented from circulating through the ice forming chamber and passing through the ice transfer duct. Thus, the temperature of the cold air is prevented from increasing by convection. The direct delivery of the cold air to the ice storage receptacle ensures that the temperature of the cold air is maintained. As a result, a cooling device comprising the air blowing unit and the ice making unit is enabled to operate for shorter durations and at lower power. This increases the economic life and the energy efficiency of the ice making unit and the cooling device.

[0010] Moreover, the said energy efficiency makes it easier to maintain the selected temperature values in compartments such as the freezer compartment or fresh food compartment, which may be present in the cooling device.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises the duct lid unit having a duct opening lid and a duct end lid; the duct opening lid which, in the first position, closes the storage duct opening so as to block air passage through the storage duct opening, which can perform either a linear movement or a rotational movement toward the ice storage receptacle to shift to the second position, and which, in the second position, at least partially opens the storage duct opening so as to allow air passage through the storage duct opening; and the duct end lid which has, on at least a portion of the surface thereof, at least one air passage opening allowing air passage, and, on at least another portion of the surface thereof, at least one air blocking section preventing air passage, which, in the first position, is positioned such that the air passage opening is aligned with the end of the air duct opening into the ice forming chamber, which can perform a linear movement toward the ice storage receptacle to shift to the second position, which, in the second position, is positioned such that the air blocking section is aligned with the end of the air duct opening into the ice forming chamber and which closes the end of the air duct opening into the ice forming chamber so as to prevent air passage from the air duct to the ice forming chamber.

[0012] In a variation of this embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises the duct end lid which is attached to the duct opening lid at the edge thereof in the vicinity of the ice storage receptacle. By means of this embodiment, the movement of the duct opening lid moves the duct end lid attached thereto. Alternatively, the movement of the duct end lid moves the duct opening lid attached thereto. Thus, it is sufficient to use a single actuator for shifting between the first position and the second position. For shifting positions, it is sufficient that the actuator moves the duct opening lid or the duct end lid to the respective position.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises the ice forming unit which divides the ice forming chamber into two as a top duct and a bottom duct and which divides the end of the air duct opening into the ice forming chamber into two as a first end opening connected to the top duct and a second end opening connected to the bottom duct; and the duct end lid having at least one upper air passage opening and at least one lower air passage opening which allow air passage, at least one first air blocking section preventing air passage and at least one second air blocking section preventing air passage, which, in the first position, is positioned such that the upper air passage opening is aligned with the first end opening and the lower air passage opening is aligned with the second end opening and which, in the second position, is positioned such that the first air blocking section is aligned with the first end opening (so as to prevent air passage from the first end opening to the top duct) and the second air blocking section is aligned with the second end opening (so as to prevent air passage from the second end opening to the bottom duct). In this embodiment of the present invention, the ice forming chamber is divided into two as a top duct and a bottom duct. The bottom duct is positioned in the body of the ice forming unit, which holds the water and is preferably manufactured from metal. The body, which comes into contact with the cold air, rapidly loses heat by convection so as to enable the water in the ice cell to be converted into ice. In this embodiment, since the ice forming unit is exposed to the cold air both from the body section thereof and from an upper section thereof, the water in the ice cell can be converted into ice rapidly.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises a guide unit for supporting the linear movement of the duct end lid and to guide the duct end lid. In this embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit continuously supports the duct end lid during the shift between the first position and the second position so as to ensure that the shifts between the said positions are realized more quietly and rapidly. As a result of the said support, particularly when the duct end lid is in the second position, vibrations which may be generated on the duct end lid due to the impact force of the cold air are prevented. In a variation of this embodiment, the ice making unit comprises the guide unit having at least one bearing shaft which is disposed on the device body or the air duct, and at least one shaft bearing which is disposed on the duct end lid and which engages with the bearing shaft.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises an elastic member which is disposed in the guide unit and which applies a force to the duct end lid so as to move toward the ice storage receptacle to support the linear movement of the duct end lid toward the ice storage receptacle. In this embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member continuously pushes one edge of the duct end lid toward the duct opening lid. One edge of the duct end lid is enabled to continuously bear against the duct opening lid. Thus, the simultaneous movement of the duct opening lid and the duct end lid is supported during the shifts between the first position and the second position.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises at least one holding pin which is disposed at the edge of the duct end lid in the vicinity of the ice storage receptacle; and a bearing path unit which is disposed on the duct opening lid, which defines a travel path wherein at least a portion of the holding pin fits and through which the holding pin can move so as to ensure that the duct end lid holds onto the duct opening lid during the shifts between the first position and the second position. In this embodiment of the present invention, the simultaneous movement of the duct opening lid and the duct end lid is supported during the shifts between the first position and the second position. This embodiment is particularly effective in embodiments wherein the duct opening lid shifts between the first position and the second position by making a swinging movement. While the duct opening lid performs a swinging movement, the edge of the duct opening lid which is connected to the duct end lid moves in both the vertical and horizontal axes. On the other hand, the duct end lid moves only along a single axis, the vertical axis. The said horizontal movement causes a misalignment between the edge of the duct opening lid connected to the duct end lid and the end of the duct end lid connected to the duct opening lid. The travel path in the bearing path unit can move around the holding pin (Figure 2 and Figure 4). In other words, the holding pin can move along the travel path in the bearing path unit. Thus, the said misalignment is compensated, and the joint movement of the duct opening lid and the duct end lid can be smoothly performed.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises the bearing path unit in the form of a fork having an open end which prevents the holding pin from leaving the travel path (Figure 6). In a variation of this embodiment, the bearing path unit may comprise at least one holding protrusion which is disposed at the open end, which prevents the holding pin from leaving the bearing path unit and which extends toward the travel path. In this embodiment, the holding protrusions prevent the holding pin from leaving the travel path during the shifts between the first position and the second position, in other words, from leaving the bearing path unit. In a variation of this embodiment, the surface of the holding protrusion facing the interior of the bearing path unit, in other words toward the travel path, may be a blunt surface which is configured to prevent the holding pin from exiting through the open end. By means of the blunt surface of the holding protrusion, the holding pin is enabled to be effectively kept in the travel path. In a variation of this embodiment, the surface of the holding protrusion facing outward may be a rounded surface which is configured to enable the holding pin to be inserted into the bearing path unit through the open end (Figure 6). The rounded surface of the holding protrusion enables the holding pin to be inserted in the bearing path unit when a sufficient force is applied from the open end to push the holding pin into the bearing path unit. This insertion may also be facilitated by the flexing of the legs which form the fork shape of the bearing path unit. Thus, the duct opening lid and the duct end lid can be mounted separately to the ice making unit. After the mounting, the holding pin is inserted into the bearing path unit by applying force. Thus, the mounting of the duct lid unit is facilitated.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises an edge contour which is provided at one edge of the storage duct opening, which matches the edge of the duct opening lid seated on the duct end lid and which closes the storage duct opening when the duct opening lid is in the first position so as to prevent air flow through the storage duct opening. The edge contour has a surface shape which matches the edge of the duct opening lid seated on the duct end lid. By means of this embodiment, the duct opening lid seats tightly on the storage duct opening. Thus, air flow insulation is achieved so as to prevent air transfer through the storage duct opening into the ice storage receptacle. This embodiment is particularly effective in the duct opening lid comprising the bearing path unit.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit comprises a signal generating unit which is triggered when the duct lid unit shifts to the first position or the second position and generates a signal indicating that the duct lid unit is in the first position or in the second position. In this embodiment, the position information of the duct lid unit can be generated by the signal generating unit. The said information can be used for controlling the air blowing unit and / or for controlling the cooling device. The signal generating unit may be triggered, for example, when the duct lid unit shifts to the first position (Figure 2). In this case, the signal generating unit starts to generate a signal. The said generated signal can be interpreted as the duct lid unit being in the first position. When the duct lid unit shifts to the second position, the triggering state of the signal generating unit may be deactivated (Figures 3 and 4). In this case, the signal generating unit stops generating the signal. The signal generating unit stopping generating signals can be interpreted as the duct lid unit being in the second position.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a cooling device comprising an ice making unit as described in any of the embodiments above.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a fullness sensor for determining whether the ice storage compartment is full; and a processing unit which is configured to shift the duct lid unit to the first position by means of the actuator when a signal to form ice is received and the fullness sensor determines that the ice storage receptacle is not full and to shift the duct lid unit to the second position by means of the actuator when a signal to form ice is not received or the fullness sensor determines that the ice storage receptacle is full. By means of this embodiment, a cooling device with extended economic life and improved energy efficiency is realized. Moreover, the said energy efficiency makes it easier to maintain the selected temperature values in compartments such as the freezer compartment or fresh food compartment, which may be present in the cooling device.

[0022] The ice making unit realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: Figure 1 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of an ice making unit of the present invention when the duct lid unit is in the first position. Figure 2 - is the isometric cross-sectional view of an ice making unit of the present invention when the duct lid unit is in the first position. Figure 3 - is the isometric cross-sectional view of an ice making unit of the present invention when the duct lid unit is in the second position. Figure 4 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of an ice making unit of the present invention when the duct lid unit is in the first position. Figure 5 - is the isometric view of the duct end lid. Figure 6 - is the isometric view of the holding pin, the holding protrusion and the edge contour. Figure 7 - is the isometric view of a cooling device of the present invention.

[0023] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows: 100. Ice making unit 200. Device body 210. Ice forming chamber 211. Top duct 212. Bottom duct 213. First end opening 214. Second end opening 220. Ice forming unit 221. Middle block 230. Air duct 231. Storage duct opening 240. Edge contour 300. Ice storage receptacle 400. Air blowing unit 500. Duct opening lid 510. Bearing path unit 511. Travel path 512. Holding protrusion 600. Duct end lid 610. Upper air passage opening 620. Lower air passage opening 630. First air blocking section 640. Second air blocking section 650. Holding pin 700. Bearing shaft 710. Shaft bearing 800. Signal generating unit 900. Actuator S. Cooling device B. Stored ice pieces A. Air flow

[0024] The ice making unit (100) of the present invention suitable for cooling devices (S) comprises a device body (200); at least one ice forming chamber (210) which is disposed in the device body (200); at least one ice storage receptacle (300) for storing the ice pieces formed in the ice forming chamber (210); an ice forming unit (220) which is disposed in the ice forming chamber (210) and which has a plurality of ice cells for converting water into ice pieces; at least one ice transfer duct which connects the ice forming chamber (210) to the ice storage receptacle (300) so as to form a path for transferring the formed ice pieces to the ice storage receptacle (300); an air blowing unit (400) for blowing cold air; and an air duct (230) one end of which opens into the ice forming chamber (210) for delivering the cold air blown from the air blowing unit (400) to the ice forming chamber (210).

[0025] The ice making unit (100) of the present invention suitable for cooling devices (S) further comprises a storage duct opening (231) which is arranged on the air duct (230) and which opens into the ice storage receptacle (300); at least one duct opening lid which, in a first position, closes the storage duct opening (231) so as to prevent the air from passing through the storage duct opening (231) and which, in a second position, at least partially opens the storage duct opening (231) so as to allow the air to pass through the storage duct opening (231) and closes the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210) so as to prevent the air from passing into the ice forming chamber (210) from the air duct (230); and at least one actuator (900) for moving the duct opening lid into the first position and / or the second position.

[0026] In an exemplary variation of this embodiment of the present invention, the duct lid unit may comprise a single rotating lid. The rotating lid is positioned at one edge so as to rotate around an edge of the storage duct opening (231). The edge where the rotating lid is positioned is the edge of the storage duct opening (231) located in the vicinity of the end of the air duct (230) which opens into the ice forming chamber (210). In this exemplary embodiment, when in the first position, the rotating lid closes the storage duct opening (231) so as to prevent air flow through the storage duct opening (231). To shift to the second position, the actuator (900) rotates the rotating lid toward the end of the air duct (230) which opens into the ice forming chamber (210). As the rotating lid rotates, the storage duct opening (231) is opened. Thus, the cold air begins to be delivered from the storage duct opening (231) toward the ice storage receptacle (300). When the rotational motion of the rotating lid is completed (for example, when a rotational movement of approximately 90° occurs), the rotating lid is seated at the end of the air duct (230) which opens into the ice forming chamber (210) and closes the said end to prevent cold air transfer. Thus, the rotating lid prevents the cold air from being transferred from the air duct (230) into the ice forming chamber (210).

[0027] In the embodiments of the present invention, the actuator (900) may be a rotary or linear actuator.

[0028] In the embodiments of the present invention, the rotational movement refers to a door-like rotational movement, that is, a swinging movement.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit (100) comprises the duct lid unit having a duct opening lid (500) and a duct end lid (600); the duct opening lid (500) which, in the first position, closes the storage duct opening (231) so as to block air passage through the storage duct opening (231), which can perform either a linear movement or a rotational movement toward the ice storage receptacle (300) to shift to the second position, and which, in the second position, at least partially opens the storage duct opening (231) so as to allow air passage through the storage duct opening (231); and the duct end lid (600) which has, on at least a portion of the surface thereof, at least one air passage opening allowing air passage, and, on at least another portion of the surface thereof, at least one air blocking section preventing air passage, which, in the first position, is positioned such that the air passage opening is aligned with the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210), which can perform a linear movement toward the ice storage receptacle (300) to shift to the second position, which, in the second position, is positioned such that the air blocking section is aligned with the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210) and which closes the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210) so as to prevent air passage from the air duct (230) to the ice forming chamber (210).

[0030] In this embodiment of the present invention, the duct end lid (600) can make linear movement at the end of the air duct (230) which opens into the ice forming chamber (210). In a preferred variation of this embodiment of the present invention, the duct opening lid (500) is fixed to the air duct (230) so as to rotate from the edge thereof in the vicinity of the air blowing unit (400).

[0031] In a variation of this embodiment of the present invention, the duct end lid (600) is attached to the duct opening lid (500) from the edge thereof in the vicinity of the ice storage receptacle (300)

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit (100) comprises the ice forming unit (220) which divides the ice forming chamber (210) into two as a top duct (211) and a bottom duct (212) and which divides the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210) into two as a first end opening (213) connected to the top duct (211) and a second end opening (214) connected to the bottom duct (212); and the duct end lid (600) having at least one upper air passage opening (610) and at least one lower air passage opening (620) which allow air passage, at least one first air blocking section (630) preventing air passage and at least one second air blocking section (640) preventing air passage, which, in the first position, is positioned such that the upper air passage opening (610) is aligned with the first end opening (213) and the lower air passage opening (620) is aligned with the second end opening (214) and which, in the second position, is positioned such that the first air blocking section (630) is aligned with the first end opening (213) (so as to prevent air passage from the first end opening (213) to the top duct (211)) and the second air blocking section (640) is aligned with the second end opening (214) (so as to prevent air passage from the second end opening (214) to the bottom duct (212)) (Figures 1 to 4). In a variation of this embodiment, the upper air passage opening (610) is positioned at an upper section of the surface of the duct end lid (600) which is away from the ice storage receptacle (300). The lower air passage opening (620) is positioned at a lower section of the surface of the duct end lid (600) which is close to the ice storage receptacle (300). The first air blocking section (630) is positioned on the upper section. The second air blocking section (640) is positioned between the upper section and the lower section. In this embodiment, one end of the ice forming unit (220) forms a middle block (221) at the end of the air duct (230) which opens into the ice forming chamber (210). The first end opening (213) is formed above the middle block (221) and the second end opening (214) is formed thereunder. When the duct end lid (600) is in the first position, the second air blocking section (640) is aligned with the middle block (221). When the duct end lid (600) is in the second position, the first end opening (213) is aligned with the middle block (221).

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit (100) comprises a guide unit for supporting the linear movement of the duct end lid (600) and to guide the duct end lid (600).

[0034] In a variation of this embodiment, the guide unit comprises at least one bearing shaft (700) which is disposed on the device body (200) or the air duct 8230), and at least one shaft bearing (710) which is disposed on the duct end lid (600) and which engages with the bearing shaft (700) (Figures 2 to 5).

[0035] In a variation of this embodiment, the ice making unit (100) comprises an elastic member which is disposed in the guide unit and which applies a force to the duct end lid (600) so as to move toward the ice storage receptacle (300) to support the linear movement of the duct end lid (600) toward the ice storage receptacle (300). The elastic member can be in the form of a spring.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit (100) comprises at least one holding pin (650) which is disposed at the edge of the duct end lid (600) in the vicinity of the ice storage receptacle (300); and a bearing path unit (510) which is disposed on the duct opening lid (500), which defines a travel path (511) wherein at least a portion of the holding pin (650) fits and through which the holding pin (650) can move so as to ensure that the duct end lid (600) holds onto the duct opening lid (500) during the shifts between the first position and the second position. The bearing path unit (510) is positioned on the edge of the duct opening lid (500) which is in the vicinity of the duct end lid (600). In other words, the bearing path unit (510) is at the edge of the duct opening lid (500) which is seated on the duct end lid (600).

[0037] In a variation of this embodiment, the ice making unit (100) comprises the bearing path unit (510) in the form of a fork having an open end which prevents the holding pin (650) from leaving the travel path (511). In a variation of this embodiment, the bearing path unit (510) may comprise at least one holding protrusion (512) which is disposed at the open end, which prevents the holding pin (650) from leaving the bearing path unit (510) and which extends toward the travel path (511). The surface of the holding protrusion (512) facing the interior of the bearing path unit (510), in other words toward the travel path (511), may be a blunt surface which is configured to prevent the holding pin (650) from exiting through the open end. The surface of the holding protrusion (512) facing outward may be a rounded surface which is configured to enable the holding pin (650) to be inserted into the bearing path unit (510) through the open end (Figure 6).

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit (100) may comprise an edge contour (240) which is provided at one edge of the storage duct opening (231), which matches the edge of the duct opening lid (500) seated on the duct end lid (600) and which closes the storage duct opening (231) when the duct opening lid (500) is in the first position so as to prevent air flow through the storage duct opening (231). In the embodiments wherein the bearing path unit (510) is provided, the edge contour (240) may have a surface shape which matches the edge of the duct opening lid (500) comprising the bearing path unit (510).

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making unit (100) comprises a signal generating unit (800) which is triggered when the duct lid unit shifts to the first position or the second position and generates a signal indicating that the duct lid unit is in the first position or in the second position. In a variation of this embodiment, the signal generating unit (800) is positioned so as to be triggered on an upper edge of the duct end lid (600) which is away from the ice storage receptacle (300) when in the first position, or on an extension provided on the said edge. The signal generating unit (800) may be in the form of a mechanical or electronic switch.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a cooling device (S) comprising an ice making unit (100) as described in any of the embodiments above.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (S) comprises a fullness sensor for determining whether the ice storage compartment (300) is full; and a processing unit which is configured to shift the duct lid unit to the first position by means of the actuator (900) when a signal to form ice is received and the fullness sensor determines that the ice storage receptacle (300) is not full and to shift the duct lid unit to the second position by means of the actuator (900) when a signal to form ice is not received or the fullness sensor determines that the ice storage receptacle is full.

Claims

1. An ice making unit (100) suitable for cooling devices (S), comprising a device body (200); at least one ice forming chamber (210) which is disposed in the device body (200); at least one ice storage receptacle (300) for storing the ice pieces formed in the ice forming chamber (210); an ice forming unit (220) which is disposed in the ice forming chamber (210) and which has a plurality of ice cells for converting water into ice pieces; at least one ice transfer duct which connects the ice forming chamber (210) to the ice storage receptacle (300) so as to form a path for transferring the formed ice pieces to the ice storage receptacle (300); an air blowing unit (400) for blowing cold air; and an air duct (230) one end of which opens into the ice forming chamber (210) for delivering the cold air blown from the air blowing unit (400) to the ice forming chamber (210), characterized by a storage duct opening (231) which is arranged on the air duct (230) and which opens into the ice storage receptacle (300); at least one duct opening lid which, in a first position, closes the storage duct opening (231) so as to prevent the air from passing through the storage duct opening (231) and which, in a second position, at least partially opens the storage duct opening (231) so as to allow the air to pass through the storage duct opening (231) and closes the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210) so as to prevent the air from passing into the ice forming chamber (210) from the air duct (230) ; and at least one actuator (900) for moving the duct opening lid into the first position and / or the second position.

2. An ice making unit (100) suitable for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 1, characterized by the duct lid unit having a duct opening lid (500) and a duct end lid (600); the duct opening lid (500) which, in the first position, closes the storage duct opening (231) so as to block air passage through the storage duct opening (231), which can perform either a linear movement or a rotational movement toward the ice storage receptacle (300) to shift to the second position, and which, in the second position, at least partially opens the storage duct opening (231) so as to allow air passage through the storage duct opening (231); and the duct end lid (600) which has, on at least a portion of the surface thereof, at least one air passage opening allowing air passage, and, on at least another portion of the surface thereof, at least one air blocking section preventing air passage, which, in the first position, is positioned such that the air passage opening is aligned with the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210), which can perform a linear movement toward the ice storage receptacle (300) to shift to the second position, which, in the second position, is positioned such that the air blocking section is aligned with the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210) and which closes the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210) so as to prevent air passage from the air duct (230) to the ice forming chamber (210).

3. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 2, characterized by the duct end lid (600) which is attached to the duct opening lid (500) from the edge thereof in the vicinity of the ice storage receptacle (300).

4. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized by the ice forming unit (220) which divides the ice forming chamber (210) into two as a top duct (211) and a bottom duct (212) and which divides the end of the air duct (230) opening into the ice forming chamber (210) into two as a first end opening (213) connected to the top duct (211) and a second end opening (214) connected to the bottom duct (212); and the duct end lid (600) having, on the surface thereof, at least one upper air passage opening (610) and at least one lower air passage opening (620) which allow air passage and at least one first air blocking section (630) and at least one second air blocking section (640) which prevent air passage, which, in the first position, is positioned such that the upper air passage opening (610) is aligned with the first end opening (213) and the lower air passage opening (620) is aligned with the second end opening (214) and which, in the second position, is positioned such that the first air blocking section (630) is aligned with the first end opening (213) and the second air blocking section (640) is aligned with the second end opening (214).

5. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized by a guide unit for supporting the linear movement of the duct end lid (600) and to guide the duct end lid (600).

6. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 5, characterized by the guide unit comprising at least one bearing shaft (700) which is disposed on the device body (200) or the air duct 8230), and at least one shaft bearing (710) which is disposed on the duct end lid (600) and which engages with the bearing shaft (700) (Figures 2 to 100).

7. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by an elastic member which is disposed in the guide unit and which applies a force to the duct end lid (600) so as to move toward the ice storage receptacle (300) to support the linear movement of the duct end lid (600) toward the ice storage receptacle (300).

8. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized by at least one holding pin (650) which is disposed at the edge of the duct end lid (600) in the vicinity of the ice storage receptacle (300); and a bearing path unit (510) which is disposed on the duct opening lid (500), which defines a travel path (511) wherein at least a portion of the holding pin (650) fits and through which the holding pin (650) can move so as to ensure that the duct end lid (600) holds onto the duct opening lid (500) during the shifts between the first position and the second position.

9. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 7, characterized by the bearing path unit (510) in the form of a fork having an open end which prevents the holding pin (650) from leaving the travel path (511).

10. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 9, characterized by at least one holding protrusion (512) which is disposed at the open end, which prevents the holding pin (650) from leaving the bearing path unit (510) and which extends toward the travel path (511).

11. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 10, characterized in that the surface of the holding protrusion (512) facing the interior of the bearing path unit (510) is a blunt surface which is configured to prevent the holding pin (650) from exiting through the open end.

12. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the surface of the holding protrusion (512) facing outward is a rounded surface which is configured to enable the holding pin (650) to be inserted into the bearing path unit (510) through the open end.

13. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in any one of Claims 2 to 12, characterized by an edge contour (240) which is provided at one edge of the storage duct opening (231), which matches the edge of the duct opening lid (500) seated on the duct end lid (600) and which closes the storage duct opening (231) when the duct opening lid (500) is in the first position so as to prevent air flow through the storage duct opening (231).

14. An ice making unit (100) for cooling devices (S) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a signal generating unit (800) which is triggered when the duct lid unit shifts to the first position or the second position and generates a signal indicating that the duct lid unit is in the first position or in the second position.

15. A cooling device (S) comprising an ice making unit (100) as in any one of the above claims.

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