Ice maker

Abstract

The ice maker includes a storage tank disposed within the main frame for storing ice produced by the ice making unit; a feeder screw rotatably disposed in the storage tank for transporting the ice by rotation; a coupler assembly detachably connected to one side of the feeder screw, which is engaged with the one side of the feeder screw when rotating in one direction and disengaged from the one side of the feeder screw when rotating in the other direction; and a drive motor for driving the coupler assembly to rotate in the one direction or the other direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice maker. [Background technology]

[0002] An ice maker is a device that cools water below its freezing point (0°C) to produce ice and supply it to users. Such ice makers include an ice making unit for producing ice, a storage tank for storing the ice produced from the ice making unit, and a feeder screw disposed inside the storage tank. As the interior of such a storage tank can become contaminated over time, it is necessary to clean the inside of the storage tank.

[0003] In conventional ice makers, the storage tank is fixed inside the ice maker, making it difficult to clean the inside of the storage tank. In other words, the internal structure of the ice maker makes it difficult for users to reach inside the storage tank, making it difficult to clean the inside of the storage tank. In addition, because the feeder screw is integral with the storage tank, it is difficult for users to reach inside the storage tank and clean the lower part of the feeder screw.

[0004] In this regard, the applicant's Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0041874, "Ice Water Purifier" (Patent Document 1), discloses a layout in which a bucket for storing ice and a cold water tank are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, with a purified water tank arranged above them, and discloses an ice water purifier that allows users to easily clean the inside by improving the ease of separating the purified water tank.

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 only recognizes the placement and separation of the purified water tank from the perspective of ease of cleaning the cold water tank and purified water tank, but does not recognize the need to clean the bucket in which the ice is stored. In other words, Patent Document 1 does not disclose that the bucket must be removable so that it can be easily cleaned. Therefore, the ice purifier in Patent Document 1 has the problem that it is difficult for users to access the bucket inside, and even if users can access the bucket, there is the problem that it is difficult to clean the inside of the bucket due to components such as a screw inside the ice making unit.

[0006] In addition, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0153921, "Ice Maker" (Patent Document 2), filed by the same applicant, discloses an ice making unit, an ice storage section for storing ice, and an ice transport section disposed inside the ice storage section. Patent Document 2 also discloses that the ice making member, which corresponds to the evaporator of the ice maker, is disposed in an area immediately above and outside the ice storage section, thereby improving the ease of cleaning the ice tank.

[0007] However, even in the ice maker of Patent Document 2, the frame cover was still difficult to disassemble, making it difficult to access the internal storage tank. Furthermore, because the ice storage unit of the ice maker of Patent Document 2 is fixed to the housing assembly of the ice maker, even if the ice-making components are positioned away from the area directly above the ice tank, it is still difficult to clean the inside of the ice storage unit. Because cleaning the ice storage unit in Patent Document 2 was difficult, it was necessary to design the ice storage unit so that it could be separated.

[0008] In addition, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0113084 (Patent Document 3) by applicant Elji Electronics Co., Ltd. discloses an ice storage unit for storing ice and an auger rotatably supported on the ice storage unit. Patent Document 3 discloses that the ice storage unit is configured to be separated from the front of the water purifier body, improving the ease of cleaning the ice storage unit. The ice storage unit in Patent Document 3 can be separated from the water purifier body by opening an opening / closing part formed on the front surface of the body. A drive unit for rotating the auger of the ice storage unit is disposed in the opening / closing part, and the drive unit is configured to be connected to or disconnected from the auger of the ice storage unit by opening or closing the opening / closing part.

[0009] However, in Patent Document 3, the drive device that drives the auger is configured to be supported by the opening / closing unit, and the opening / closing unit is configured to be detachable from the ice storage frame by user operation, which can lead to operational errors between the opening / closing unit drive device and the auger. Therefore, Patent Document 3 has the problem that such operational errors can cause the drive device and the auger to engage inaccurately. Furthermore, because the opening / closing unit in Patent Document 3 is opened and closed manually by the user, the connection and disconnection between the drive device and the auger tends to depend on the user's level of skill. In other words, when a user who is inexperienced in opening and closing the opening / closing unit opens and closes the opening / closing unit, there is a problem that the drive device and the auger can engage inaccurately with each other.

[0010] In addition, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0106331, "Ice Water Purifier and Ice Cold / Heated Water Apparatus with Separable Ice Storage" (Patent Document 4) by applicant Jeong Hwi-dong, discloses an ice storage container for storing ice, an ice transfer member disposed inside the ice storage container, and a motor for rotating the ice transfer member. Patent Document 4 also discloses that the ice storage container is configured to be separated in front of the ice water purifier, thereby improving the ease of cleaning the ice storage container.

[0011] However, Patent Document 4 only discloses that the motor is located on the front side of the ice storage container and that the ice storage container can be removed from the front or rear of the ice purifier, but does not disclose that by removing the ice transporting member from the motor, a user can easily reach inside the ice storage container to clean it. In other words, Patent Document 4 only recognizes the removal of the ice storage container, and the ice transporting member is not separated even when the ice storage container is separated from the case, making cleaning difficult.

[0012] Furthermore, when an ice maker is configured with other components disposed in front of the ice storage unit, as in the case of the applicant's Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0147419 "Ice Purifier" (Patent Document 5), the ice storage unit is difficult to remove in the front-to-rear direction due to the other components in the front. For this reason, it was necessary to change the removal direction of the ice storage unit so that it could be removed to the side of the ice water purifier. However, to remove the ice storage unit to the side of the ice water purifier, a screw member disposed inside the ice storage unit restricts removal. In other words, as in Patent Document 5, the screw member is disposed inside the ice storage unit and is connected to rotate by a drive motor, making it difficult to remove the ice storage unit from the main body of the ice water purifier. Therefore, in this configuration, in order to remove the ice storage unit to the side of the ice water purifier, it was necessary to first remove the screw member inside the ice storage unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0041874 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0153921 [Patent Document 3] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0113084 [Patent Document 4] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0106331 [Patent Document 5] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0147419 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] The embodiment of the present invention has been invented in light of the above-mentioned background, and has an object to provide an ice maker in which the storage tank can be easily removed from the main frame of the ice maker.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice making machine in which the feeder screw is configured to be easily removed from the storage tank, and the storage tank can be removed to the side of the ice making machine without interfering with other components of the ice making machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] An ice maker according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a storage tank disposed within a main frame for storing ice produced by an ice-making unit; a feeder screw rotatably disposed in the storage tank for transporting the ice by rotation; a coupler assembly detachably connected to one side of the feeder screw, which is engaged with the one side of the feeder screw when rotated in one direction and disengaged from the one side of the feeder screw when rotated in the other direction; and a drive motor driven to rotate the coupler assembly in the one direction or the other direction.

[0017] The coupler assembly may include a first coupler that is rotated by the drive motor and has a first protrusion formed on its outer circumferential surface; and a second coupler that has a second protrusion formed therein that can engage with the first protrusion of the first coupler and engages with the first coupler through mutual engagement between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The first coupler and the second coupler may be configured to rotate together, or the first coupler may be configured to rotate while the rotation of the second coupler is restricted.

[0018] Also, a rotation limiting position that limits the rotation of the second coupler or No. 2 a stopper disposed at a rotation-restricting position that allows rotation of the coupler; and the second coupler includes a protruding rib that engages with the stopper when the drive motor rotates in the one direction with the stopper disposed at the rotation-restricting position, and the engagement of the protruding rib with the stopper when the stopper is disposed at the rotation-restricting position allows the No. 2 The rotation of the coupler can be limited.

[0019] When the first coupler is rotated in the one direction with the coupler assembly in the disengaged state and the stopper in the rotation limiting position, the protruding rib and the stopper are engaged with each other, No. 2 When the rotation of the coupler is restricted and the second coupler is moved along the first coupler so as to approach the feeder screw, the coupler assembly is switched from the disengaged state to the engaged state, and when the first coupler is rotated in the other direction with the coupler assembly in the engaged state and the stopper in the rotation restricted position, the protruding rib and the stopper are engaged with each other to move the second coupler along the first coupler. No. 2 Coupler rotation is restricted and the second coupler is transported along the first coupler away from the feeder screw, thereby allowing the coupler assembly to switch from the engaged state to the disengaged state.

[0020] Furthermore, when the coupler assembly is in the engaged state, the coupler assembly rotates in the one direction, allowing the feeder screw to discharge the ice to the outside of the storage tank.

[0021] The ice storage device may further include an opening / closing door that is opened to discharge ice stored in the storage tank to the outside, and the stopper may be disposed on the opening / closing door, and the stopper may be placed in the rotation-permitting position when the opening / closing door is opened.

[0022] In addition, the first concave-convex has a screw shape extending in a right-hand thread direction or a left-hand thread direction, the second concave-convex has a screw shape that engages with the first concave-convex, and the feeder screw may include a transfer wing having a screw shape that extends in the opposite direction to the first concave-convex.

[0023] The second coupler may have a coupler engagement device having a groove shape, and the feeder screw may have a screw engagement device formed on one side thereof to engage with the coupler engagement device, and when the coupler assembly is placed in the engaged state, the screw engagement device engages with the coupler engagement device to prevent relative rotation between the feeder screw and the coupler assembly.

[0024] The screw engaging member may have a shape that narrows toward the end, and the coupler engaging member may have a tapered shape that is inclined outward.

[0025] In addition, the storage tank is formed with a detachment hole to which the feeder screw is selectively fixed, the feeder screw includes a magnetic body, the magnetic body is disposed on the other side of the feeder screw, and the magnetic body is inserted into the detachment hole, so that the other side of the feeder screw can be tightly attached to the storage tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coupler assembly, which transmits rotational force to the feeder screw disposed inside the storage tank, is configured to detachably engage with the feeder screw. This allows the storage tank to be removed from the main frame of the ice maker without interference from the feeder screw, and allows users to easily clean the inside of the storage tank while it is removed from the ice maker.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage that the separation of the feeder screw can be operated in conjunction with the door.

[0028] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the coupler assembly couples the first coupler and the second coupler by mutual engagement of the first protrusions and recesses of the first coupler and the second protrusions and recesses of the second coupler, which has the effect of allowing the second coupler to rotate when the first coupler rotates while the first coupler and the second coupler are firmly coupled.

[0029] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first coupler rotates while the rotation of the second coupler is restricted by the stopper, which has the effect of allowing the coupler assembly and the feeder screw to be separably engaged by the rotation of the feeder screw.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by configuring the stopper to be disposed on the door, there is an effect that the rotation of the second coupler can be restricted or allowed depending on the opening and closing of the door.

[0031] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the transfer blades of the feeder screw are formed in the opposite direction to the first concave-convex screw, and the feeder screw rotates in the direction to discharge ice from inside the storage tank, which has the effect of moving ice to the outside of the storage tank as the feeder screw rotates in the direction that makes the connection between the first and second couplers stronger.

[0032] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the screw engaging device has a shape that narrows as it extends to the end, and the coupler engaging device is configured to have a tapered shape that slopes outward, which has the effect of making it easy for the screw engaging device and the coupler engaging device to engage with each other.

[0033] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic body of the feeder screw is configured to be selectively fixed to the detachment hole in the storage tank, which has the effect of allowing the feeder screw to remain inserted in the detachment hole even when the feeder screw is separated from the coupler assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front side; [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 5 according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 2 illustrates a storage tank, feeder screw, coupler assembly, and drive motor of an ice making machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the rear side; [Figure 7] 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a coupler assembly and a drive motor of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a coupler assembly and a feeder screw of an ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a coupler assembly and a feeder screw of an ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a coupler assembly and a feeder screw of an ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a coupler assembly and a feeder screw of an ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments for embodying the technical concept of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of related publicly known configurations or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0037] Furthermore, when a component is referred to as being "connected," "supported," "supplied," "transmitted," or "contacted" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected to, supported by, supplied with, transmitted to, or in contact with the other component, but that other components may also be present in between.

[0038] The terms used in this specification are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] Furthermore, it should be made clear in advance that expressions such as upper, lower, front, rear, left side, and right side in this specification are described based on those shown in the drawings, and may be expressed differently if the orientation of the object is changed. For the same reason, some components in the accompanying drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically, and the size of each component does not directly reflect the actual size.

[0040] Furthermore, terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by such terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0041] As used herein, the meaning of "comprising" embodies certain properties, regions, constants, steps, operations, elements and / or components, and does not exclude the presence or addition of other certain properties, regions, constants, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups.

[0042] Hereinafter, a specific configuration of an ice making machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0043] The ice maker 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a device for making ice and providing it to a user. The ice maker 10 may include a main frame 11, a main cover 12, a storage tank 100, a feeder screw 200, a coupler assembly 300, a drive motor 400, an opening / closing door 500, a stopper 600, an ice making unit 700, a filter 800, a flow channel (not shown), a valve module (not shown), and a controller 900.

[0044] 1 to 3, the main frame 11 provides the overall appearance of the ice maker 10 and may support one or more of the main cover 12, storage tank 100, feeder screw 200, coupler assembly 300, drive motor 400, door 500, stopper 600, ice making unit 700, filter 800, flow channel, valve module, and controller 900. The main frame 11 may extend vertically, with a portion of its upper portion protruding forward. The main frame 11 may provide a storage space for storing one or more of the main cover 12, storage tank 100, feeder screw 200, coupler assembly 300, drive motor 400, door 500, stopper 600, ice making unit 700, filter 800, flow channel, valve module, and controller 900.

[0045] The accommodation space of the main frame 11 may include a tank accommodation space for accommodating the storage tank 100. Such a tank accommodation space may be formed to extend from the left or right side of the main frame 11 toward the interior of the main frame 11. In other words, the tank accommodation space may be a space in which the left or right side of the main frame 10 is open. Such a tank accommodation space may be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the storage tank 100, and the storage tank 100 may be inserted into the tank accommodation space and supported by the main frame 11.

[0046] The main cover 12 may be detachably fixed to the main frame 11 so as to cover the open left or right side of the main frame 11. The main cover 12 is fixed to the open left or right side of the main frame 11, and can prevent the storage tank 100, coupler assembly 300, drive motor 400, opening / closing door 500, and stopper 600 disposed inside the main frame 11 from being exposed to the outside. In other words, the main cover 12 can form part of the exterior of the ice maker 10 by covering the open left or right side of the main frame 11.

[0047] The storage tank 100 may provide an ice storage space for storing ice produced in the ice-making unit 700. The outer shape of the storage tank 100 may have a shape corresponding to the tank receiving space of the main frame 11, and such storage tank 100 may be inserted into the tank receiving space of the main frame 11. In addition, the storage tank 100 may be formed such that the length in the front-rear direction increases from the lower end to the upper part of the lower part. In other words, the storage area of ​​the ice storage space of the storage tank 100 may increase from the lower part to the upper part.

[0048] 4, a detachment hole 110 may be formed inside the storage tank 100. The detachment hole 110 may be disposed on the rear inner surface of the storage tank 100. A magnetic body 240 of a feeder screw 200, which will be described later, may be inserted into the detachment hole 110. The magnetic body 240 of the feeder screw 200 is inserted into the detachment hole 110, so that the feeder screw 200 can be supported by the storage tank 100. The detachment hole 110 may be made of a metal material for coupling with the magnetic body 240.

[0049] 5, the feeder screw 200 is disposed inside the storage tank 100 and can transport ice stored in the storage tank 100 so as to discharge the ice to the outside of the storage tank 100. The feeder screw 200 can include a screw shaft 210, a transporting blade 220, a screw engaging member 230, and a magnetic body 240.

[0050] The screw shaft 210 may be formed to extend in the front-to-rear direction of the storage tank 100 and may be disposed in the front-to-rear direction inside the storage tank 100. The screw shaft 210 may be rotatably supported by the storage tank 100. The screw shaft 210 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0051] The transfer wing 220 is supported by the screw shaft 210 and can rotate together with the screw shaft 210 to transfer ice. The transfer wing 220 may be a screw extending along the screw shaft 210 in a right-hand or left-hand thread direction. Such a transfer wing 220 may be a screw formed in the opposite direction to the first grooves 311 of the coupler assembly 300 described below. For example, if the first grooves 311 of the coupler assembly 300 are formed in a right-hand thread direction, the transfer wing 220 may be formed in a left-hand thread direction, and if the first grooves 311 of the coupler assembly 300 are formed in a left-hand thread direction, the transfer wing 220 may be formed in a right-hand thread direction.

[0052] The screw engaging member 230 is disposed on one side of the screw shaft 210 and can be detachably engaged with a coupler assembly 300, which will be described later. Here, one side of the screw shaft 210 may be the front end of the screw shaft 210, and the other side of the screw shaft 210 may be the rear end of the screw shaft 210. One side of the screw shaft 210 may extend to protrude outward from the front side of the storage tank 100. The screw engaging member 230 may have a shape that narrows in width as it extends toward the front side of the storage tank 100.

[0053] The magnetic body 240 can provide a magnetic force for tightly adhering to the storage tank 100. The magnetic body 240 can be formed on the other side of the screw shaft 210 and inserted into the detachable hole 110 of the storage tank 100. When inserted into the detachable hole 110 of the storage tank 100, the magnetic body 240 adheres to the detachable hole 110 by magnetic force, thereby preventing the other side of the feeder screw 200 from accidentally detaching from the detachable hole 110. That is, even if the engagement between the feeder screw 200 and the coupler assembly 300 is released, the magnetic force of the magnetic body 240 can maintain the other side of the screw shaft 210 inserted into the detachable hole 110. When the engagement with the coupler assembly 300 is released, one side of the feeder screw 200 may be bent downward due to the weight of the feeder screw 200 itself. However, since the feeder screw 200 is fixed to the detachable hole 110 by the magnetic body 240, the feeder screw 200 can maintain its orientation toward the coupler assembly 300. Therefore, even when the feeder screw 200 and the coupler assembly 300 move closer to each other from a state in which they are spaced apart so that the meshing between the feeder screw 200 and the coupler assembly 300 is released, the feeder screw 200 and the coupler assembly 300 can engage with each other even if the user is not holding the feeder screw 200, because the feeder screw 200 is fixed by the magnetic body 240. Meanwhile, the user can separate the feeder screw 200 from the storage tank 100 by applying an external force to the feeder screw 200 that is greater than the magnetic force of the magnetic body 240.

[0054] 5 to 9, the coupler assembly 300 can be selectively engaged with or disengaged from a screw engaging member 230 disposed on one side of the feeder screw 200. The coupler assembly 300 can be disposed on the inner front side of the main frame 11. The coupler assembly 300 can include a first coupler 310 and a second coupler 320.

[0055] The first coupler 310 may be rotated by a drive shaft 410 of the drive motor 400, which will be described later. The first coupler 310 may be disposed coaxially with the screw shaft 210 of the feeder screw 200 and the drive shaft 410 of the drive motor 400. The first coupler 310 may rotate about an axis extending in the same direction as the screw shaft 210 of the feeder screw 200. A first protrusion 311 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first coupler 310.

[0056] The first recesses and protrusions 311 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first coupler 310 to extend along the longitudinal direction of the first coupler 310. For example, the first recesses and protrusions 311 may be formed in a screw shape extending in a right-hand or left-hand thread direction. The first recesses and protrusions 311 may have both a groove and a protrusion shape, or may have only a groove or a protrusion shape.

[0057] The second coupler 320 may rotate together with the first coupler 310 or may move forward or backward along the longitudinal direction of the first coupler 310. The second coupler 320 may be disposed coaxially with the first coupler 310 or with the drive shaft 410 of the drive motor 400. The second coupler 320 may rotate about an axis extending in a direction parallel to the screw shaft 210 of the feeder screw 200. A connecting groove for connecting the first coupler 310 may be formed inside the second coupler 320, and a second recess 321 for engaging with the first recess 311 of the first coupler 310 may be formed on the inner surface of the connecting groove. In addition, the second coupler 320 may be formed with a protruding rib 322 and a coupler engaging member 323.

[0058] The second irregularities 321 may be formed on the inner surface of the connecting groove of the second coupler 320 to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second coupler 320. For example, the second irregularities 321 may be a pair of protrusions that engage with the grooves of the first irregularities 311 and are formed at positions facing each other, as shown in FIG. 7 of the present specification. The shape of the second irregularities 321 is not limited to a pair of protrusions, but may also be formed in a screw shape corresponding to the first irregularities 311. In other words, if the first irregularities 311 are formed in a right-hand thread direction, the second irregularities 321 may also be formed in a right-hand thread direction, and if the first irregularities 311 are formed in a left-hand thread direction, the second irregularities 321 may also be formed in a left-hand thread direction. The second irregularities 321 may have both a groove and a protrusion shape, or may have either a groove or a protrusion shape.

[0059] The protruding rib 322 can limit the rotation of the second coupler 320 by coming into contact with a stopper 600 (described later). Such a protruding rib 322 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second coupler 320 so as to extend outward from the second coupler 320, or may be formed along the longitudinal direction of the second coupler 320. The protruding rib 322 can protrude toward the opening and closing door 500.

[0060] The coupler engaging member 323 may be selectively engaged with the screw engaging member 230 of the feeder screw 200. The coupler engaging member 323 may have a groove shape recessed toward the inside of the second coupler 320. The coupler engaging member 323 may be formed on the inner surface of the second coupler 320 facing the screw engaging member 230. The coupler engaging member 323 may be formed in a tapered shape that slopes outward as it approaches the feeder screw 200. In other words, since the screw engaging member 230 is formed in a shape that narrows in vertical width as it moves away from the feeder screw 200, the coupler engaging member 323 that engages with the screw engaging member 230 may be formed to slope outward as it approaches the feeder screw 200.

[0061] The second coupler 320 and the feeder screw 200 can be placed in an engaged state in which the coupler engagement device 323 of the second coupler 320 and the screw engagement device 230 of the feeder screw 200 are engaged, or in a disengaged state in which the engagement between the coupler engagement device 323 of the second coupler 320 and the screw engagement device 230 of the feeder screw 200 is released.

[0062] 10 , when the protruding rib 322 contacts the stopper 600 in the disengaged state to restrict rotation of the second coupler 320, if the drive shaft 410 of the drive motor 400 is operated to rotate in one direction, the first coupler 310 connected to the drive shaft 410 can also rotate in one direction. When the first coupler 310 rotates in one direction, the second coupler 320 can move toward the screw engaging device 230 along the longitudinal direction of the first coupler 310 because its rotation is restricted by the contact between the protruding rib 322 and the stopper 600. In other words, the second coupler 320 is pushed toward the screw engaging device 230 by the relative rotation of the first coupler 310 with respect to the second coupler 320, and the coupler engaging device 323 and the screw engaging device 230 can engage with each other.

[0063] When the first coupler 310 rotates in one direction and the coupler engaging member 323 and the screw engaging member 230 are fully engaged, the first coupler 310 is not allowed to rotate in one direction relative to the second coupler 320. In other words, when the drive motor 400 rotates in a state where the coupler engaging member 323 and the screw engaging member 230 are fully engaged, the feeder screw 200 and the coupler assembly 300 rotate together.

[0064] The drive motor 400 can provide rotational force to the feeder screw 200 and the coupler assembly 300. The drive motor 400 can be disposed in an accommodation space inside the front side of the main frame 11. The drive shaft 410 of the drive motor 400 can rotate the feeder screw 200 by rotating while being connected to the screw shaft 210 of the feeder screw 200 by the coupler assembly 300.

[0065] Here, if the first and second recesses 311 and 321 are formed in a left-hand thread direction, the rotation direction of the drive shaft 410 may be clockwise when viewed from the drive motor 400. In other words, when the drive shaft 410 rotates in one direction, the engagement between the first and second recesses 311 and 321 must be released in order for the second coupler 320 to move toward the screw engaging member 230 along the longitudinal direction of the first coupler 310. Therefore, the rotation direction of the drive shaft 410 may be clockwise when viewed from the drive motor 400. If the first and second recesses 311 and 321 are formed in a right-hand thread direction, the rotation direction of the drive shaft 410 may be counterclockwise when viewed from the drive motor 400. Also, one direction in which the drive shaft 410 rotates may be the direction in which the feeder screw 200 transports ice to the outside of the storage tank 100 .

[0066] When the protruding rib 322 contacts the stopper 600 to restrict rotation of the second coupler 320 in the engaged state, if the drive shaft 410 of the drive motor 400 is operated to rotate in the other direction, the first coupler 310 connected to the drive shaft 410 can also rotate in the other direction. When the first coupler 310 rotates in the other direction, the second coupler 320 can move away from the screw engaging device 230 along the longitudinal direction of the first coupler 310 because its rotation is restricted by the contact between the protruding rib 322 and the stopper 600. That is, the second coupler 320 moves away from the screw engaging device 230 due to the relative rotation of the first coupler 310 with respect to the second coupler 320, and the second coupler 320 and the feeder screw 200 can be placed in a disengaged state as the engagement between the coupler engaging device 323 and the screw engaging device 230 is released.

[0067] Here, if the first and second recesses 311 and 321 are formed in a left-hand thread direction, the other rotation direction of the drive shaft 410 may be counterclockwise when viewed from the drive motor 400. In other words, when the drive shaft 410 rotates in the other direction, the first and second recesses 311 and 321 must engage with each other in order for the second coupler 320 to move away from the screw engaging device 230 along the longitudinal direction of the first coupler 310. Therefore, the other rotation direction of the drive shaft 410 may be counterclockwise when viewed from the drive motor 400. If the first and second recesses 311 and 321 are formed in a right-hand thread direction, the other rotation direction of the drive shaft 410 may be clockwise when viewed from the drive motor 400.

[0068] The door 500 is opened to allow the interior of the storage tank 100 to communicate with the outside of the ice maker 10, and can provide a discharge path through which ice stored in the storage tank 100 is discharged to the outside of the ice maker 10. The door 500 can be disposed in an accommodation space inside the front side of the main frame 11, and can be disposed adjacent to the front side of the storage tank 100. The door 500 can be rotated by a rotation motor 510, and can be opened or closed by the rotation.

[0069] The stopper 600 can limit or allow rotation of the second coupler 320 by being placed in a rotation-restricting position that restricts rotation of the second coupler 320 or in a rotation-allowing position that allows rotation of the second coupler 320. When the second coupler 320 rotates in the rotation-restricting position, the stopper 600 interferes with the protruding rib 322 of the second coupler 320 to limit the rotation of the second coupler 320. When the second coupler 320 rotates in the rotation-allowing position, the stopper 600 does not interfere with the protruding rib 322 of the second coupler 320 and can allow the rotation of the second coupler 320. The stopper 600 can be disposed on the opening / closing door 500. The stopper 600 can have a protruding shape extending upward from an upper portion of the opening / closing door 500.

[0070] 10 and 11 , when the stopper 600 is disposed on the door 500, it can be placed in a rotation-restricting position or a rotation-allowing position depending on the movement of the door 500. When the door 500 closes the ice discharge path, the stopper 600 is placed in the rotation-restricting position and contacts the protruding rib 322 to restrict the rotation of the second coupler 320. When the stopper 600 is placed in the rotation-restricting position, when the first coupler 310 rotates, the second coupler 320 does not rotate and can be moved forward or backward along the longitudinal direction of the first coupler 310.

[0071] Meanwhile, when the opening / closing door 500 opens the ice discharge path, the stopper 600 is located in the rotation permitting position and does not come into contact with the protruding rib 322, thereby allowing the rotation of the second coupler 320. When the stopper 600 is located in the rotation permitting position, the coupler engaging member 323 and the screw engaging member 230 can be fully engaged, and the feeder screw 200 can be rotated by the coupler assembly 300. By rotating the feeder screw 200 by the coupler assembly 300, ice stored inside the storage tank 100 can be discharged to the outside of the storage tank 100. Only when the coupler engaging member 323 of the second coupler 320 and the screw engaging member 230 of the feeder screw 200 are engaged with each other can the opening / closing door 500 be opened and the stopper 600 be located in the rotation permitting position.

[0072] The ice-making unit 700 can produce ice by cooling water supplied to the ice maker 10. The ice-making unit 700 can be disposed inside the main frame 11. The ice-making unit 700 can be disposed above the storage tank 100 and can supply the produced ice to the storage tank 100.

[0073] Filter 800 may provide purified water by filtering raw water supplied from the outside to ice maker 10. Filter 800 may be disposed inside main frame 11. The purified water filtered by filter 800 may be transferred to ice making unit 700 to be turned into ice, or may be discharged outside ice maker 10 to be provided to a user. The purified water generated by filter 800 may include one or more of hot water, cold water, and filtered water without being heated or cooled.

[0074] The flow channels can provide a path for raw water and purified water to flow. Such flow channels can include a raw water flow path and a purified water flow path.

[0075] The raw water flow path can provide a passage for raw water discharged from a raw water supply source to flow through. The raw water flow path can also be connected to the filter 800. The raw water flow path can allow raw water to flow through the filter 800.

[0076] The purified water flow path can provide a passage through which purified water discharged from filter 800 flows. In addition, the purified water flow path can be connected to a purified water outlet that discharges the purified water to the outside of ice maker 10. By using this purified water flow path, the purified water discharged from filter 800 can flow to the purified water outlet and be discharged to the outside of ice maker 10.

[0077] The valve module may be a plurality of valve modules that are selectively opened and closed to regulate the flow of raw water and purified water through the flow channel. Such a plurality of valve modules may include a first valve module and a second valve module. The first valve module is disposed in the raw water flow path and may be opened and closed to allow raw water to flow into the filter 800. The second valve module is disposed in the purified water flow path and may be opened and closed to allow purified water discharged from the filter 800 to flow to the purified water outlet.

[0078] Controller 900 can control one or more of drive motor 400, door 500, and ice making unit 700. Controller 900 can also control a valve module disposed in an internal flow channel so that water or ice is discharged to the outside of ice maker 10 in response to a user's operation. Controller 900 can be realized by a computing device including a microprocessor, and since the method of realizing such a controller will be obvious to those skilled in the art, further detailed description will be omitted.

[0079] Hereinafter, the operation of the ice making machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0080] 5, when a user presses the ice discharge lever of ice maker 10 before extracting ice from ice maker 10, drive motor 400 is activated to rotate drive shaft 410 in one direction, and coupler assembly 300 connected to drive shaft 410 can also rotate in one direction. When coupler assembly 300 rotates in one direction and protruding rib 322 of second coupler 320 comes into contact with stopper 600, the rotation of second coupler 320 can be restricted.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 10, when the drive motor 400 continues to operate so that the drive shaft 410 rotates in one direction while the rotation of the second coupler 320 is restricted, the second coupler 320 moves toward the screw engaging device 230 along the longitudinal direction of the first coupler 310, and the coupler engaging device 323 of the second coupler 320 and the screw engaging device 230 of the feeder screw 200 can engage with each other.

[0082] 11, with coupler engaging member 323 of second coupler 320 and screw engaging member 230 of feeder screw 200 engaged with each other, opening / closing door 500 is rotated by operation of rotation motor 510, thereby opening a discharge path through which ice is discharged to the outside of ice maker 10. When opening / closing door 500 places stopper 600 in the rotation permitting position, coupler assembly 300 can be rotated. When coupler assembly 300 rotates, feeder screw 200 connected to coupler assembly 300 rotates, and ice stored inside storage tank 100 can be discharged to the outside of ice maker 10 through the discharge path.

[0083] When the discharge of ice to the outside of ice maker 10 is completed, door 500 closes the discharge path and stopper 600 can be placed in the rotation-restricting position. When stopper 600 is placed in the rotation-restricting position, the rotation of second coupler 320 can be restricted. When drive motor 400 is operated and drive shaft 410 rotates in the other direction while the rotation of second coupler 320 is restricted, second coupler 320 moves toward drive motor 400 along the longitudinal direction of first coupler 310, thereby disengaging coupler engaging member 323 of second coupler 320 from screw engaging member 230 of feeder screw 200.

[0084] The operation and effects of the ice maker 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0085] Coupler assembly 300, which is disposed inside storage tank 100 and transmits rotational force to feeder screw 200 that transports ice to the outside of ice making machine 10, is configured to selectively engage with feeder screw 200, so that storage tank 100 can be removed from main frame 11 of ice making machine 10 without interference from coupler assembly 300. Because storage tank 100 is removable from main frame 11 of ice making machine 10, users can clean the inside of storage tank 100 more efficiently.

[0086] Furthermore, by detachably arranging the feeder screw 200 in the detachable hole 110 of the storage tank 100, the feeder screw 200 can be removed from the storage tank 100. Because the feeder screw 200 can be removed from the storage tank 100, the user can efficiently clean the lower side of the feeder screw 200 of the storage tank 100.

[0087] Although the above examples of the present invention have been described as specific embodiments, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto and should be construed as having the broadest scope in accordance with the technical ideas disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art may combine / substitute the disclosed embodiments to implement patterns of shapes not shown, but this would not depart from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may easily modify or change the disclosed embodiments based on this specification, and it is clear that such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a storage tank disposed inside the main frame for storing ice produced by the ice making unit; a feeder screw rotatably disposed in the storage tank and configured to transport the ice by rotation; a coupler assembly detachably connected to one side of the feeder screw, which is placed in an engaged state in which it engages with the one side of the feeder screw when rotated in one direction, and in a disengaged state in which it is disengaged from the one side of the feeder screw when rotated in the other direction; and a drive motor driven to rotate the coupler assembly in one direction or the other direction; Ice maker.

2. The coupler assembly includes: a first coupler that is rotated by the drive motor and has a first concave-convex shape formed on its outer circumferential surface; and a second coupler having second projections and recesses formed therein that can be engaged with the first projections and recesses of the first coupler, and that engages with the first coupler by mutual engagement between the first projections and recesses and the second projections; 2. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the first coupler and the second coupler rotate together, or the first coupler is rotatable while the rotation of the second coupler is restricted.

3. a stopper disposed at a rotation limiting position that limits rotation of the second coupler or at a rotation allowing position that allows rotation of the coupler; the second coupler includes a protruding rib that engages with the stopper when the drive motor rotates in the one direction with the stopper in the rotation-restricting position; 3. The ice making machine according to claim 2, wherein the rotation of the coupler is restricted by the engagement of the protruding rib with the stopper when the stopper is in the rotation restricting position.

4. when the first coupler is rotated in the one direction with the stopper at the rotation limiting position while the coupler assembly is in the disengaged state, the protruding rib and the stopper engage with each other to limit the rotation of the coupler, and the second coupler is moved along the first coupler so as to come closer to the feeder screw, thereby switching the coupler assembly from the disengaged state to the engaged state, 4. The ice making machine of claim 3, wherein when the first coupler is rotated in the other direction with the coupler assembly in the engaged state and the stopper in the rotation-restricting position, the protruding rib engages with the stopper to restrict the rotation of the coupler, and the second coupler is moved along the first coupler so as to move away from the feeder screw, thereby switching the coupler assembly from the engaged state to the disengaged state.

5. 5. The ice making machine according to claim 4, wherein when the coupler assembly is in the engaged state, the coupler assembly rotates in the one direction, causing the feeder screw to discharge the ice to the outside of the storage tank.

6. a door that can be opened to discharge the ice stored in the storage tank to the outside; The stopper is disposed on the door, 4. The ice making machine according to claim 3, wherein the stopper is placed in the rotation-permitting position when the door is open.

7. The first irregularities have a screw shape extending in a right-hand thread direction or a left-hand thread direction, the second concave-convex has a screw shape that engages with the first concave-convex, 3. The ice making machine according to claim 2, wherein the feeder screw includes a transfer blade having a screw shape extending in a direction opposite to the first concave and convex portions.

8. The second coupler is formed with a coupler engaging member having a groove shape, The feeder screw 3. The ice making machine of claim 2, further comprising: a screw engaging device formed on the one side to engage with the coupler engaging device, and which engages with the coupler engaging device to prevent relative rotation between the feed screw and the coupler assembly when the coupler assembly is placed in the engaged state.

9. The screw engaging tool has a shape that narrows in width as it extends to the end, 9. The ice making machine according to claim 8, wherein the coupler engaging member has an outwardly tapered shape.

10. The storage tank is formed with a detachable hole to which the feeder screw is selectively fixed, the feeder screw includes a magnetic body, the magnetic body being disposed on the other side of the feeder screw; 2. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic body is inserted into the detachment hole, so that the other side of the feeder screw is in close contact with the storage tank.

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