Ice making machine

Abstract

The present invention provides an ice-making device that can maintain the removed ice tray horizontally. [Solution] The ice-making device 40 is installed in the freezer compartment 13 of the refrigerator 10. The ice tray 41 has an ice-making recess 413 in which water that will turn into ice when frozen is stored. The movable frame 42 is configured to rotatably support the ice tray 41. The fixed frame 43 is configured to support the movable frame 42 in a removable state. The rotation drive unit 46 is configured to reverse the ice tray 41. The locking support unit 49 is configured to lock the ice tray 41 from below.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice-making device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, refrigerators have been equipped with an ice maker that automatically makes ice. According to this ice maker, since it executes the supply of water to the ice tray, the freezing of water, and the ice release without the need for user operation, the user can easily use ice.

[0003] An invention related to such an ice maker is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. In the automatic ice maker described in Patent Document 1, the ice tray is provided slidably with respect to the refrigerator body together with the ice tray support. Further, the ice tray and the ice tray support can be separated by pulling them out from the refrigerator body. Furthermore, the ice tray support can be removed from the ice tray. Therefore, since the user can take out only the ice tray and wash it, the automatic ice maker can be easily kept in a clean state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the ice-making device according to the above-described background art, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of further improving the convenience of the ice-making device.

[0006] Specifically, as mentioned above, the ice tray and ice tray support can be separated from the ice maker in the refrigerator body by pulling them out for cleaning or other purposes. However, when removed, the ice tray is rotatable inside the ice tray support. Therefore, when attempting to return the ice tray and ice tray support to the refrigerator body after cleaning, the rotated ice tray may be tilted. In this case, the ice tray may interfere with the refrigerator body, preventing smooth storage of the ice tray. Alternatively, the ice tray may be damaged.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an ice-making device that can maintain the removed ice tray horizontally. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator and comprises an ice-making tray having an ice-making recess in which water that freezes to become ice is stored; a movable frame configured to rotatably support the ice-making tray; a fixed frame configured to support the movable frame in a removable state; a rotation drive unit configured to reverse the ice-making tray; and a locking support unit configured to lock the ice-making tray from below. According to the ice-making apparatus of the present invention, the locking support unit suppresses the free rotation of the ice-making tray by locking, thereby preventing the ice-making tray from rotating inside the movable frame when the movable frame containing the ice-making tray is removed from the fixed frame. As a result, the horizontal state of the ice-making tray is maintained, and the movable frame containing the ice-making tray can be easily inserted into the fixed frame.

[0009] Furthermore, the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention further comprises a rotational connection part disposed between the ice tray and the rotational drive unit, which transmits the rotational driving force of the rotational drive unit to the ice tray, and the locking support part is configured to lock the rotational connection part from below. According to the ice-making apparatus of the present invention, the rotation of the ice tray can be suppressed by the locking support part locking the rotational connection part. Furthermore, the locking support part can be arranged in a location that does not hinder the inversion of the ice tray when releasing ice.

[0010] Furthermore, in the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating connection portion has a support notch at its lower end, and the locking support portion has a projection that protrudes upward, and the projection portion fits into the support notch from below. According to the ice-making apparatus of the present invention, the free rotation of the rotating connection portion can be suppressed by the projection portion of the locking support portion fitting into the support notch of the rotating connection portion.

[0011] Furthermore, in the ice-making apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the support notch is a portion cut out of the rotating connection portion so as to be substantially triangular in shape, and the protruding portion is characterized in that it protrudes so as to be substantially triangular in shape. According to the ice-making apparatus of the present invention, the support notch and the protruding portion have a substantially triangular shape, which significantly improves the effect of preventing the free rotation of the ice tray by fitting together the locking support portion and the rotating connection portion.

[0012] Furthermore, in the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating connection portion has a rear connection portion that is substantially cylindrical, the support notch is formed at the lower part of the rear connection portion, the movable frame portion has a connection opening into which the rear connection portion is inserted, and the protrusion is disposed near the lower end of the connection opening. According to the ice-making apparatus of the present invention, the rotating connection portion can be made reversible by inserting the rear connection portion of the rotating connection portion into the connection opening of the movable frame portion. In addition, by arranging the protrusion near the lower end of the connection opening, the free rotation of the ice tray can be restricted via the rear connection portion.

[0013] Furthermore, in the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotary drive unit performs an ice-removal process by inverting the ice tray, and in the ice-removal process, the locking support unit is displaced downward. According to the ice-making apparatus of the present invention, the locking support unit does not obstruct the rotation of the rotary connection unit because the protruding part is displaced downward during the ice-removal process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the ice-making apparatus of the present invention, the removed ice tray can be kept horizontal, and the removal and storage of the ice tray can be made easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a refrigerator equipped with an ice-making device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] This is a front view showing an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] This is a side view showing an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 6A] This is a side cross-sectional view of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] This is a partial lateral cross-sectional view of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] This is a perspective view from below of the fixed frame portion of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] This is a perspective view from above of the movable frame and ice tray of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] This is a perspective view of the ice tray of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. [Figure 8B]It is a perspective view of an ice-making tray of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from below. [Figure 9A] It is an exploded perspective view of an ice-making tray and a rotary connection part of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from above. [Figure 9B] It is an exploded perspective view of an ice-making tray and a rotary connection part of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from below. [Figure 10A] It is a perspective view of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from above. [Figure 10B] It is a side cross-sectional view showing a locking part and its peripheral part of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11A] It is a perspective view of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from above, showing the ice-releasing process. [Figure 11B] It is a perspective view of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from below, showing the ice-releasing process. [Figure 12A] It is a side cross-sectional view showing the ice-releasing process of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12B] It is a side cross-sectional view partially showing the ice-releasing process of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view showing a state where a moving frame part is detached from a fixed frame part in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view showing a state where an ice-making tray is detached from a moving frame part in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view showing a moving frame part of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16A] It is a perspective view showing a moving frame part of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, cut away. [Figure 16B] It is a perspective view showing the rear end part of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] It is a perspective view showing a configuration in which an ice-making tray is rotatably supported in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18A] It is a rear view showing a configuration for preventing free rotation of an ice-making tray in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18B] This is a rear view showing the state in which the ice tray is inverted in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19A] This is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the movable frame portion is not fully pushed in, in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19B] This is a partial side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the movable frame portion is not fully pushed in, in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20A] This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the ice tray and rotating connector reversed. [Figure 20B] This is a partially cut-off perspective view showing the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where the ice tray and the rotating connection part are reversed. [Figure 21A] This is a top view showing the movable frame and ice tray in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21B] This is a perspective view showing the movable frame and ice tray in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22A] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the movable frame and ice tray in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22B] This is a side cross-sectional view partially showing the movable frame and ice tray in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23A] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the process of removing the ice tray from the movable frame in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23B] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the process of removing the ice tray from the movable frame in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, an ice-making device 40 and a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components in principle, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, the directions of up, down, front, back, left, and right will be used as appropriate, but left and right refers to the left and right when the refrigerator 10 is viewed from the front. Also, in the embodiment, "front" refers to the direction in which the movable frame portion 42 and ice tray 41 of the ice-making device 40, which will be described later, are pulled out from the fixed frame portion 43. On the other hand, in the embodiment, "rear" refers to the direction in which the movable frame portion 42 and ice tray 41 of the ice-making device 40, which will be described later, are pushed back into the fixed frame portion 43.

[0017] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment.

[0018] Referring to Figure 1, the interior of the insulated box 11 of the refrigerator 10 is used as a storage compartment. This storage compartment is divided into a refrigerator compartment 12 and a freezer compartment 13 by an insulated partition wall 22. The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed by an insulated door 15 that can be opened and closed. The front opening of the freezer compartment 13 is closed by an insulated door 16 that can be opened and closed. The insulated doors 15 and 16 are revolving doors whose right end is pivotally supported on the insulated box 11. Note that drawer-type doors or the like may be used instead of the insulated doors 15 and 16.

[0019] A cooling chamber 18 is partitioned off behind the freezer chamber 13, and an evaporator 17 is installed in the cooling chamber 18. A machine room 14 is partitioned off at the bottom rear of the insulated box 11, and a compressor 19 and other equipment are installed in the machine room 14. The evaporator 17 and compressor 19 are connected to an expansion means and a condenser (not shown) via refrigerant piping, forming a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. A defrost heater 21 is installed below the evaporator 17 to melt frost on the evaporator 17.

[0020] A blower 20 is installed at the top of the cooling chamber 18, and the air inside the cooling chamber 18, cooled by the evaporator 17, is blown via the blower 20 to the refrigerator chamber 12, the freezer chamber 13, and the ice-making device 40, which will be described later.

[0021] The arithmetic control unit 25 controls the operation of the compressor 19 and the blower 20, etc., so that the freezer compartment 13 is cooled to the freezing temperature range and the refrigerator compartment 12 is cooled to the refrigerator temperature range. The air that has cooled the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13 is returned to the cooling compartment 18 via the return air passage. Here, the arithmetic control unit 25 is, for example, a CPU.

[0022] The insulated box 11 mainly consists of an outer box 111 made of steel plates that form the outer shape of the refrigerator 10, an inner box 112 made of a box-shaped synthetic resin plate formed inside the outer box 111, and an insulating material 113 disposed between the outer box 111 and the inner box 112. As the insulating material 113, for example, foamed urethane, vacuum insulating material, etc. are used.

[0023] The ice-making device 40 is located near the upper end of the freezer compartment 13. The ice-making device 40 is a device that performs the ice-making and ice-release processes with virtually no user intervention required. Here, an ice-making compartment is partitioned at the upper end of the freezer compartment 13, and the ice-making device 40 is installed inside this ice-making compartment.

[0024] A water supply device 30 is installed at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 12. The water supply device 30 includes a water supply container 31 and a water supply pipe 32, etc. The user stores water in the water supply container 31 for supply to the ice maker 40. The water supply pipe 32 is installed to connect the inside of the water supply container 31 and the ice tray 41. Since the water supply container 31 can be easily removed from inside the refrigerator compartment 12, supplying water to the water supply container 31 and cleaning it are easy. The water stored in the water supply container 31 is supplied to the ice tray 41, which will be described later, via the water supply pipe 32, driven by the power of a pump (not shown here).

[0025] The ice-making device 40 produces ice by freezing water supplied from the water supply device 30. The ice produced by the ice-making device 40 is stored in the ice storage container 23. The ice storage container 23 is a container that partitions the ice-making room and is designed to be pull out in the front-to-back direction.

[0026] When making ice using the ice-making device 40, the user first fills the water supply container 31 with water. Then, based on instructions from the user or the calculation control unit 25, a predetermined amount of water is supplied from inside the water supply container 31 to the ice tray 41 via the water supply pipe 32 using the driving force of a motor (not shown). Next, once the water stored in the ice tray 41 has frozen, the ice is released by inverting and twisting the ice tray 41 using a rotation mechanism described later. The released ice is stored in the ice storage container 23. As a result, the ice-making device 40 automatically performs the water supply to the ice tray 41 and the ice release from the ice tray 41, so ice making is performed without the user having to perform these tasks.

[0027] When a user needs to use ice, they open the insulated door 16 and pull the ice storage container 23 forward. In this way, the user can take ice out of the ice storage container 23 and use it.

[0028] The configuration of the ice-making device 40 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and subsequent figures. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the ice-making device 40. Figure 3A is a front view showing the ice-making device 40. Figure 3B is a side view showing the ice-making device 40. Each component of the ice-making device 40 is made of, for example, injection-molded synthetic resin.

[0029] Referring to Figures 2, 3A, and 3B, the ice-making device 40 mainly comprises a fixed frame section 43, a movable frame section 42, and an ice tray 41. The ice-making device 40 has the function of releasing ice formed by the freezing of water stored in the ice tray 41. In other words, the ice-making device 40 is a device that automatically performs the ice-releasing operation on behalf of the user.

[0030] The fixed frame portion 43 is a member that is fixed to the side of the insulated box body 11 and is configured to support the movable frame portion 42 and the ice tray 41 in a removable state. The upper surface of the fixed frame portion 43 is fixed to the ceiling surface of the freezer chamber 13 shown in Figure 1. The fixed frame portion 43 as a whole is a member that has a substantially frame shape with a longitudinal direction along the front-to-back direction. An opening 432 is formed by opening the rear portion of the fixed frame portion 43 in a substantially rectangular shape. The opening 432 is an opening for introducing air blown by the blower 20 shown in Figure 1 toward the ice tray 41 built into the fixed frame portion 43 when ice making is performed in the ice making device 40. The air introduced through the opening 432 cools and freezes the water stored in the ice tray 41.

[0031] The movable frame portion 42 is a generally frame-shaped member with a longitudinal direction along the front-to-back direction. The movable frame portion 42 is slidably disposed relative to the fixed frame portion 43 along the front-to-back direction by a sliding mechanism. The movable frame portion 42 is also configured to rotatably support the ice tray 41.

[0032] The ice tray 41 is a container in which water used for ice making is stored. The ice tray 41 is a member having a longitudinal direction along the front-to-back direction. The ice tray 41 is rotatably held by the movable frame 42. The ice tray 41 has an ice-making recess 413 in which water that will turn into ice when frozen is stored.

[0033] The ice-making device 40 also includes an air guide 24 and a detection lever 45.

[0034] The air guide 24 is attached to the rear of the fixed frame 43 and is a component that guides the air blown from the blower 20 forward toward the ice tray 41.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3B, the detection lever 45 is a lever that detects the amount of ice stored in the ice storage container 23 described above. The rear end of the detection lever 45 is rotatably connected to the rotary drive unit 46, which will be described later. The front end of the detection lever 45 abuts against the ice stored in the ice storage container 23. The calculation control unit 25 determines the amount of ice stored in the ice storage container 23 based on the inclination angle of the detection lever 45 as it tilts downward. That is, if the inclination angle of the detection lever 45 is greater than a predetermined threshold angle, the calculation control unit 25 determines that there is not enough ice stored in the ice storage container 23 and continues the ice-making operation by the ice-making device 40. On the other hand, if the inclination angle of the detection lever 45 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold angle, the calculation control unit 25 determines that there is enough ice stored in the ice storage container 23 and stops the ice-making operation by the ice-making device 40.

[0036] Referring to Figure 2, the ice-making device 40 has a rotating locking portion 433 and a recess 422 as restricting members that restrict the extension of the movable frame portion 42. The rotating locking portion 433 is provided at the front right end of the fixed frame portion 43. The recess 422 is formed at the front right end of the movable frame portion 42. The rotating locking portion 433 is rotatably provided with respect to the fixed frame body portion 431 of the fixed frame portion 43. The rotating locking portion 433 has a shape like a so-called knob that protrudes forward to facilitate rotation by the user. The recess 422 is a portion of the front right end of the movable frame body portion 421 that is partially recessed toward the rear.

[0037] Here, when viewed from the front, the rotating locking portion 433 is not inclined toward the recess 422, indicating that the rotating locking portion 433 is not locking the movable frame portion 42. In this state, the user can place their hand on the notch 423 and pull the movable frame portion 42 forward.

[0038] On the other hand, when the rotating locking part 433 is rotated counterclockwise by approximately 90 degrees when viewed from the front, with the vicinity of its lower end as the center of rotation, the end of the rotating locking part 433 fits into the recess 422. This prevents the rotating locking part 433 from moving forward.

[0039] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the components of the ice-making device 40 will be described. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the ice-making device 40, with each component disassembled, viewed from above. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice-making device 40, with each component disassembled, viewed from below.

[0040] The fixed frame section 43 is a substantially frame-shaped member having a longitudinal direction along the front-rear direction, and is the main body of the ice-making device 40. The fixed frame section 43 has a fixed frame main body section 431. Furthermore, by opening the rear portion of the fixed frame main body section 431 in a substantially rectangular shape, an opening 432 is formed for the circulation of air for freezing. Rail support sections 435 are formed at the lower part of both ends of the fixed frame main body section 431 in the left-right direction. The rail support section 435 is a groove-shaped recess that extends from the inside to the outside in the left-right direction. The rail section 429 of the movable frame section 42, which will be described later, is slidably installed in the rail support section 435. Furthermore, a locking section 48 is provided in the center of the rear side of the opening 432 in the left-right direction. The locking section 48 is a substantially hook-shaped section that curves downward toward the front. The locking section 48 has the function of locking the rotating connection section 47, which will be described later.

[0041] The ice tray 41 is a component that stores and freezes water for ice making. The ice tray 41 has a roughly rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction along the front-to-back direction. The ice tray 41 has an ice tray body 411. By partially recessing the ice tray body 411 downwards, ice-making recesses 413 are formed. In the ice-making recesses 413, water is stored and frozen to produce individual ice cubes. Numerous ice-making recesses 413 are formed in a matrix along the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. As shown in Figure 4, a front rotation axis 412 is formed on the front part 419 of the ice tray body 411. The front rotation axis 412 is a roughly cylindrical projection extending forward from near the center of the left-to-right direction on the front surface of the ice tray body 411. Also, as shown in Figure 5, a contact portion 418 is formed by projecting the left end of the front surface of the ice tray 41 forward. The contact portion 418 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped. As will be described later, the contact portion 418 is a part that generates a twisting force on the ice tray 41 by contacting the contacted portion 4214 of the moving frame portion 42 during the ice removal process. A first insertion portion 416 is formed on the rear surface of the ice tray 41. The first insertion portion 416 is a part into which a part of the rotating connection portion 47, which will be described later, is inserted. The configuration of the first insertion portion 416 and other parts formed at the rear end of the ice tray 41 will be described later.

[0042] The movable frame portion 42 is a part that rotatably holds the ice tray 41 and is slidably installed relative to the fixed frame portion 43. Referring to Figure 4, the movable frame portion 42 is a member that generally has a frame shape, and a tray storage opening 424 is formed in its center. The tray storage opening 424 is a roughly rectangular opening in which the ice tray 41 is stored. The size of the tray storage opening 424 in a top view is slightly larger than the ice tray 41.

[0043] Referring to Figure 4, the left and right sides of the movable frame body 421 are designated as rail sections 429. The rail sections 429 are convex portions that extend outward in the left-right direction. The rail sections 429 are inserted into the rail receiving portions 435 of the fixed frame section 43. That is, by inserting the rail sections 429 of the movable frame section 42 into the rail receiving portions 435 of the fixed frame section 43, the movable frame section 42 is held slidably relative to the fixed frame section 43.

[0044] A notch 423 is formed on the front surface of the movable frame body 421. The notch 423 is a roughly rectangular cutout near the lower end of the front surface of the movable frame body 421. The notch 423 is a place where the user can insert their hand and grip when pulling out the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41.

[0045] Furthermore, multiple recesses are formed near the front end of the movable frame portion 42, around the tray storage opening 424. Specifically, the left recess 426, the right recess 427, and the front recess 428 are formed by partially recessing the frame portion of the movable frame main body portion 421. As will be described later, the front recess 428 is a recess into which the front rotation axis 412 of the ice tray 41 is rotatably housed. The left recess 426 and the right recess 427 are the parts into which the user inserts their fingers when removing the ice tray 41 from the movable frame portion 42. These matters will be described later.

[0046] A fixed frame notch 434 and a connecting opening 425 are formed on the rear surface of the movable frame body 421. The connecting opening 425 is the part into which the rear portion of the rotating connecting part 47 is inserted. That is, the rotating connecting part 47 is drivenly connected to the rotating drive part 46 via the connecting opening 425. The fixed frame notch 434 is a part cut out from the top edge of the rear surface of the fixed frame body 431. The fixed frame notch 434 is formed approximately in the center in the left-right direction of the rear surface of the fixed frame body 431. The lower end of the locking part 48 is disposed in the fixed frame notch 434. Therefore, the movement of the movable frame 42 in the front-rear direction is not hindered by the locking part 48.

[0047] The rotary drive unit 46 is a device fixed to the lower part of the rear end of the fixed frame unit 43 and contains a motor for rotating the ice tray 41. The front of the rotary drive unit 46 is provided with a drive shaft 461 that protrudes forward in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. Based on the instructions of the calculation control unit 25 described above, the drive shaft 461 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from the front by the driving force of the motor. The drive shaft 461 is inserted into the second insertion part 476 of the rotary connection part 47, which will be described later, so as to prevent relative rotation. As will be described later, the rotary connection part 47 is fixed to the rear end of the ice tray 41 so as to prevent relative rotation. As a result, the rotational driving force of the rotary drive unit 46 enables the ice tray 41 to rotate, reverse, and twist during the ice-making process.

[0048] The rotating connection part 47 is disposed between the ice tray 41 and the rotary drive unit 46 and is a relay member that transmits rotational driving force from the rotary drive unit 46 to the ice tray 41. As will be described later, the rotating connection part 47 is fixed to the rear end of the ice tray 41. The drive shaft 461 of the rotary drive unit 46 is inserted into the rear connection part 472, which will be described later and is formed on the rear surface of the rotating connection part 47, so as to prevent relative rotation. The rotating connection part 47 also has the function of preventing accidental removal of the ice tray 41 and the movable frame part 42 during ice making by engaging with the locking part 48 of the fixed frame part 43 mentioned above when the ice tray 41 is rotating. These matters will be described later.

[0049] Referring to Figures 6A to 7B, the locking mechanism 50 that locks the movable frame 42 in the front-rear direction will be described.

[0050] Figure 6A is a lateral cross-sectional view showing the ice-making apparatus 40 cut along the AA cross-section line in Figure 2. The AA cross-section includes the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The same applies to subsequent lateral cross-sectional views. Figure 6B is an enlarged lateral cross-sectional view showing the portion of the ice-making apparatus 40 where the locking mechanism 50 is installed.

[0051] Referring to Figure 6A, the locking mechanism 50 is a mechanism provided near the front end of the ice-making device 40. The locking mechanism 50 prevents the movable frame 42 from moving forward unintentionally by engaging specific parts of the movable frame 42 and the fixed frame 43 when the movable frame 42 is sufficiently pushed against the fixed frame 43. Here, the state in which the movable frame 42 is sufficiently pushed against the fixed frame 43 is a state in which the front surface of the fixed frame 43 and the front surface of the movable frame 42 are arranged on substantially the same plane.

[0052] Referring to Figure 6B, the locking mechanism 50 has a fixed engaging portion 436 and a movable engaging portion 4215. The movable engaging portion 4215 engages with the fixed engaging portion 436 from the rear. The fixed engaging portion 436 is a portion that protrudes sharply downward from the rear end of the lower surface of the front end of the fixed frame portion 43. The movable engaging portion 4215 is a portion that protrudes upward in a mountain shape from the upper surface near the front end of the movable frame portion 42. The upper end of the movable engaging portion 4215 is positioned above the lower end of the fixed engaging portion 436. When the movable frame portion 42 is sufficiently pushed against the fixed frame portion 43, the movable engaging portion 4215 is positioned behind the fixed engaging portion 436. Therefore, the forward movement of the movable engaging portion 4215 is prevented by the fixed engaging portion 436. This suppresses the forward movement of the movable frame portion 42.

[0053] As will be described later, the movable engagement portion 4215 is a part that can bend along the vertical direction. Therefore, when the movable frame portion 42 is inserted into the fixed frame portion 43 from the front, the movable engagement portion 4215 moves forward while deforming downward as it is pressed by the fixed engagement portion 436. Also, when the fixed engagement portion 436 moves to the rear side of the movable engagement portion 4215, the shape of the movable engagement portion 4215 returns to its original state, and the upper end of the movable engagement portion 4215 becomes positioned above the lower end of the fixed engagement portion 436.

[0054] Here, when the movable frame portion 42 is pulled out or pushed in, resistance is generated when the movable engagement portion 4215 comes into contact with the fixed engagement portion 436. However, this resistance is slight and does not hinder the user's operation; rather, it creates a sense of control during operation.

[0055] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the front end of the fixed frame section 43, seen from below. Figure 7B is a perspective view of the front end of the movable frame section 42, seen from above.

[0056] Referring to Figure 7A, the fixing engagement portion 436 is a part that partially protrudes downward from the lower surface of the front edge of the fixing frame body portion 431. The fixing engagement portion 436 is located approximately in the center in the left-right direction on the front edge of the fixing frame body portion 431. The fixing engagement portion 436 is a part that protrudes downward in a roughly hook shape.

[0057] Referring to Figure 7B, the movable engagement portion 4215 is a portion that partially protrudes upward from the upper surface of the front edge of the movable frame body portion 421. The movable engagement portion 4215 is located approximately in the center in the left-right direction on the front edge of the movable frame body portion 421. Therefore, in the left-right direction, the positions of the fixed engagement portion 436 of the fixed frame portion 43 and the slit 4216 of the movable frame portion 42 overlap. Here, two movable engagement portions 4215 are arranged side by side along the left-right direction. In addition, a slit 4216 is formed on the upper surface of the front edge of the movable frame body portion 421 so as to surround the movable engagement portion 4215. The slit 4216 is a groove that penetrates the front edge of the movable frame body portion 421. The slit 4216 takes on an approximately U-shape so as to surround the movable engagement portion 4215 from the front, left, and right. By forming a slit 4216 around the movable engagement portion 4215, the movable engagement portion 4215 can flex together with its surrounding portion.

[0058] Figure 8A is a perspective view of the ice tray 41 and the rotating connector 47, viewed from above. Figure 8B is a perspective view of the ice tray 41 and the rotating connector 47, viewed from below.

[0059] Referring to Figures 8A and 8B, as described above, the ice tray body 411 is formed by partially recessing the ice tray body 411. Multiple ice tray body portions 411 are formed in a matrix along the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0060] A front rotation shaft 412 is formed at the center of the left-right direction on the front edge of the ice tray body 411. A rotational connection part 47 is fixed at the center of the left-right direction on the rear edge of the ice tray body 411. The rotational connection part 47 is a member that connects the drive shaft 461 of the rotational drive unit 46 shown in Figure 4 to the ice tray 41.

[0061] The connection configuration between the ice tray 41 and the rotating connector 47 will be explained with reference to Figures 9A and 9B. Figure 9A is a perspective view from above showing the ice tray 41 and the rotating connector 47 in a disassembled state. Figure 9B is a perspective view from below showing the ice tray 41 and the rotating connector 47 in a disassembled state.

[0062] Referring to Figure 9A, an upper fitting receiving portion 414 and a first insertion portion 416 are formed on the rear edge of the ice tray body portion 411.

[0063] The upper fitting receiving portion 414 is a part that protrudes in a wall-like manner along the left-right direction from the upper surface of the rear edge of the ice tray body portion 411. As will be described later, the upper fitting portion 474 of the rotating connection portion 47 fits into the upper fitting receiving portion 414.

[0064] The first insertion portion 416 is a concave portion formed on the rear surface of the ice tray body portion 411. The first insertion portion 416 is also a cavity that has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. As will be described later, the front connecting portion 473 of the rotating connecting portion 47 is inserted into the first insertion portion 416.

[0065] Referring to Figure 9B, a lower fitting receiving portion 415 is formed on the rear edge of the ice tray body 411. The lower fitting receiving portion 415 is located at the bottom of the rear edge of the ice tray 41 and faces forward.

[0066] The rotating connector 47 is attached to the rear end of the ice tray 41 and is a relay member that connects the ice tray 41 and the aforementioned rotating drive unit 46. That is, the rotating connector 47 is positioned between the ice tray 41 and the rotating drive unit 46 and is configured to transmit the rotational driving force of the rotating drive unit 46 to the ice tray 41. Specifically, the rotating connector 47 has a disc body portion 471, a rear connector portion 472, an upper fitting portion 474, a front connector portion 473, and a lower fitting portion 475.

[0067] The disc body portion 471 is a portion that is roughly disc-shaped. A connecting notch portion 478 is formed by cutting a notch in the upper surface of the disc body portion 471. The peripheral edge portion of the disc body portion 471 that is in contact with the left end of the connecting notch portion 478 is an inclined surface 477. The inclined surface 477 is an inclined surface that slopes forward toward the radially outward direction of the disc body portion 471. Furthermore, the inclined surface 477 is an inclined surface that slopes forward along the rotation direction during ice removal, i.e., clockwise when viewed from the front. The inclined surface 477 may be a flat surface or a curved surface. If the inclined surface 477 is a curved surface, it may be a curved surface that bulges toward the front or a curved surface that bulges toward the rear.

[0068] The upper fitting portion 474 is a hook-shaped part that protrudes forward from the upper part of the front surface of the disc body portion 471. The upper fitting portion 474 fits into the upper fitting receiving portion 414 of the ice tray 41.

[0069] The front connecting portion 473 is a part that protrudes forward in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape from approximately the center of the front surface of the disc body portion 471. The front connecting portion 473 is inserted into the first insertion portion 416 of the ice tray 41.

[0070] The lower fitting portion 475 is a hook-shaped part that protrudes forward from the lower part of the front surface of the disc body portion 471. The lower fitting portion 475 fits into the lower fitting receiving portion 415 of the ice tray 41.

[0071] The rear connection portion 472 is a part that protrudes in a roughly cylindrical shape toward the rear from approximately the center of the rear surface of the disc body portion 471.

[0072] The second insertion portion 476 is a cavity formed in the rear connection portion 472. The rear connection portion 472 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The drive shaft 461 of the aforementioned rotary drive unit 46 is inserted into the second insertion portion 476.

[0073] As shown in Figure 9B, an inclined surface 477 and a support notch 479 are formed at the lower part of the rear connection portion 472.

[0074] The inclined surface 477 is formed by cutting out the lower part of the rear connection portion 472 and is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front. As will be described later, by forming the inclined surface 477, the rear connection portion 472 can be easily inserted into and detached from the connection opening 425 of the movable frame portion 42 described above.

[0075] The support notch 479 is a notch with a roughly triangular cross-section formed in the lower part of the rear connection portion 472. As will be described later, the support notch 479 is a part that stably supports the rotating connection portion 47 and the ice tray body portion 411 in the rotational direction.

[0076] Referring to Figures 10A to 11B, a mechanism for appropriately preventing the extension of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 in the ice-making device 40 will be described. Figures 10A and 10B show the state in which the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 can be extended forward during ice making, etc. On the other hand, Figures 11A and 11B show the state in which the extension of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 is prevented from being extended forward during ice release, etc.

[0077] Figure 10A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ice-making device 40 during ice making, etc. Figure 10B is a side cross-sectional view showing the rotating connection part 47 and its vicinity in Figure 10A.

[0078] Referring to Figure 10A, during ice making, the ice tray 41 is in a horizontal position with its upper surface parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0079] The ice-making device 40 has a blocking mechanism that appropriately prevents the ice tray 41 and the movable frame 42 from being pulled out. Specifically, the blocking mechanism includes a locking portion 48, a rear notch 4217 of the movable frame 42, and a connecting notch 478 of the rotating connection portion 47.

[0080] The rear notch 4217 is a portion cut out in a roughly rectangular shape from the upper end of the rear side surface of the movable frame body 421. In the left-right direction, the rear notch 4217 is formed approximately in the center of the movable frame 42. The width of the rear notch 4217 in the left-right direction is longer than that of the locking portion 48.

[0081] The connecting notch 478 is a roughly rectangular cutout at the upper end of the disc body portion 471. The width of the connecting notch 478 in the left-right direction is longer than that of the locking portion 48. When the ice tray 41 is in a horizontal position, the connecting notch 478 and the rear notch 4217 are arranged to overlap in the left-right direction.

[0082] As described above, the locking portion 48 is a roughly hook-shaped part that extends forward from the rear portion of the fixed frame portion 43. In the left-right direction, the locking portion 48 is located inside the connecting notch 478 and the rear notch 4217.

[0083] Referring to Figure 10B, the lower end of the locking portion 48 is positioned above the upper end of the connecting notch 478 and the upper end of the rear notch 4217.

[0084] From the above, when the ice tray 41 is in a horizontal position, that is, when the ice tray 41 is not rotating, the locking portion 48 does not obstruct the forward movement of the rotating connecting portion 47 and the movable frame portion 42, due to the formation of the connecting notch 478 and the rear notch 4217. Therefore, referring to Figure 2, when a user places their hand on the notch 423 and pulls the movable frame portion 42 forward, the movable frame portion 42 and the ice tray 41 are smoothly pulled out forward.

[0085] Referring to Figures 11A and 11B, the configuration that prevents the extension of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 during ice removal will be explained. Figure 11A is a perspective view of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 from above during ice removal. Figure 11B is a perspective view of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 from below during ice removal.

[0086] Referring to Figure 11A, the aforementioned rotary drive unit 46 causes the rotary connection unit 47 and the ice tray 41 to rotate clockwise when viewed from the front, thereby releasing the ice.

[0087] As shown in Figure 11B, in the detached state, the contact portion 418 located at the front end of the ice tray body 411 comes into contact with the contact portion 4214 formed on the movable frame 42. This restricts the clockwise rotation of the ice tray 41. Subsequently, the rotation drive unit 46 rotates the rear portion of the ice tray 41 further clockwise via the rotation connection unit 47. In this way, the rotation of the front portion of the ice tray 41 is restricted, while the rear portion rotates clockwise, causing the ice tray 41 to twist. As a result, ice detaches and falls from each of the ice-making recesses 413 of the ice tray 41.

[0088] In this case, as shown in Figure 11B, the rotation of the rotating connector 47 causes the connection notch 478 of the rotating connector 47 to be positioned on the lower side. That is, as shown in Figure 11A, the connection notch 478 is not provided at the upper end of the rotating connector 47.

[0089] Figure 12A is a cross-sectional view of the ice-making device 40 during ice removal. Figure 12B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the rotating connection part 47 and its vicinity in Figure 12A.

[0090] Referring to Figure 12B, when the ice tray 41 is rotated for inversion and twisting, the connecting notch 478 is positioned on the lower side. Therefore, the upper end of the rear notch 4217 is positioned above the lower end of the locking portion 48. Furthermore, the movable frame portion 42 and the ice tray 41 are pushed sufficiently rearward relative to the fixed frame portion 43. That is, as shown in Figure 12A, the front surface of the fixed frame portion 43 and the front surface of the movable frame portion 42 are arranged on approximately the same plane. Therefore, the disc body portion 471 is positioned on the side closer to the rotation drive unit, i.e., the rear side, than the lower end of the locking portion 482, which is the lower end of the locking portion 48.

[0091] As described above, the movement of the rotating connector 47 toward the rear is prevented by the locking part 48. As previously stated, the rotating connector 47 is fixed to the ice tray 41. Furthermore, the ice tray 41 is rotatably installed relative to the movable frame 42, and the ice tray 41 and the movable frame 42 are substantially fixed in the front-rear direction.

[0092] As a result, when the ice tray 41 rotates, the locking part 48 locks the disc body part 471, preventing the rotational connection part 47, the ice tray 41, and the movable frame part 42 from moving forward. Therefore, even if the user tries to manually pull the movable frame part 42 forward when the ice tray 41 is rotating, the movable frame part 42 and the ice tray 41 will not be pulled forward. Thus, the ice tray 41 will not collide with the rear edge of the fixed frame part 43 while it is rotating, and damage to the ice tray 41 can be prevented.

[0093] After the ice removal process is complete, the rotary drive unit 46 rotates the ice tray 41 counterclockwise via the rotary connection unit 47. This returns the ice tray 41 to the horizontal position shown in Figure 10A, and the next ice-making process is carried out.

[0094] The removal of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 will be explained with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 removed from the fixed frame 43. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the ice tray 41 removed from the movable frame 42.

[0095] Referring to Figure 13, the ice-making apparatus 40 according to this embodiment allows the ice tray 41 to be removed and separated for cleaning or other purposes. As mentioned above, when the ice tray 41 is in a horizontal position, the locking portion 48 of the fixed frame portion 43 does not lock the rotating connection portion 47, so the forward movement of the movable frame portion 42 and the ice tray 41 is not prevented.

[0096] To remove the notch 423, first, the lock on the rotation locking part 433 is released. Specifically, the user rotates the rotation locking part 433 clockwise when viewed from the front, so that the rotation locking part 433 and the recess 422 do not overlap.

[0097] Next, the user places their hand on the notch 423 and pulls the movable frame 42 towards them. In doing so, the rail portion 429 of the movable frame 42 slides against the rail receiving portion 435 of the fixed frame 43. This allows the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 to be smoothly pulled forward.

[0098] Referring to Figure 14, the ice tray 41 is rotatably housed in the movable frame 42. Specifically, the front rotating shaft 412, located at the front end of the ice tray 41, is rotatably housed in the front recess 428 of the tray storage opening 424. The rear connecting portion 472 of the rotating connecting portion 47, fixed to the rear end of the ice tray 41, is inserted into the connecting opening 425 of the movable frame 42. In other words, the front and rear ends of the ice tray 41 are only simply and rotatably connected to the movable frame 42. Therefore, the user can easily separate the ice tray 41 from the movable frame 42. Since the rotating connecting portion 47 is fixed to the rear end of the ice tray 41, the rotating connecting portion 47 separates from the movable frame 42 together with the ice tray 41.

[0099] After cleaning the separated ice tray 41, the user assembles the ice tray 41 onto the movable frame 42. Specifically, referring to Figure 14, the user inserts the rear connection part 472 of the rotating connection part 47 into the connection opening 425 of the movable frame 42. Furthermore, the user places the front rotation shaft 412 of the ice tray 41 onto the front recess 428 of the movable frame 42. Next, referring to Figure 13, the user slides the rail part 429 of the movable frame 42 onto the rail receiving part 435 of the fixed frame 43, thereby pushing the movable frame 42 containing the ice tray 41 into the fixed frame 43. Finally, the user rotates the rotating locking part 433 counterclockwise to overlap the rotating locking part 433 with the recess 422. This prepares the ice-making device 40 for ice making.

[0100] Next, with reference to Figures 15 to 18B, the rotation prevention mechanism for preventing the ice tray 41 described above will be explained.

[0101] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the movable frame portion 42. Figure 16A is a perspective view from the rear of the movable frame portion 42 after it has been cut and separated along the BB cutting line shown in Figure 15. Figure 16B is a perspective view showing the rear end portion of the movable frame portion 42.

[0102] Referring to Figure 15, as described above, a connection opening 425 and a rear notch 4217 are formed on the rear surface of the movable frame 42. Furthermore, a storage compartment 4210 is formed on the rear surface of the movable frame 42. The storage compartment 4210 is a cavity formed on the rear surface of the movable frame 42 that opens downward.

[0103] The locking support portion 49 is housed in the storage portion 4210. As will be described later, the locking support portion 49 is a member that locks the aforementioned rotating connection portion 47 in the rotational direction. The protruding portion 493 of the locking support portion 49 protrudes upward from the opening of the storage portion 4210. The upper end of the protruding portion 493 is positioned above the lower end of the connection opening 425. The specific configuration of the locking support portion 49 will be described later with reference to Figure 16A, etc.

[0104] The configuration of the movable frame 42 and the locking support 49 will be described with reference to Figures 16A and 16B.

[0105] Referring to Figure 16A, a connecting wall 4211 is formed by making the side surface of the movable frame portion 42 facing the storage portion 4210 from the front protrude in a wall-like manner along the vertical direction. The lower end of the connecting wall 4211 is at approximately the same position as the lower end of the connecting opening 425. The lower end of the connecting wall 4211 abuts from above against the curved support portion 492 of the locking support portion 49, which will be described later. In addition, an engagement opening 4212 is formed by opening the side surface of the movable frame portion 42 facing the storage portion 4210 from the rear. The locking piece 494 of the locking support portion 49, which will be described later, engages with the engagement opening 4212.

[0106] The locking support portion 49 mainly comprises a locking fixing portion 491, a curved support portion 492, a protruding portion 493, and a locking piece 494. The locking support portion 49 is a component integrally formed from synthetic resin or metal. The locking support portion 49 is configured to support the aforementioned ice tray 41 and rotating connection portion 47 by locking them from below, thereby preventing free rotation. Furthermore, the locking support portion 49 is a component that can be easily compressed and deformed in the vertical direction. Here, the curved support portion 492 is made of a curved, elongated metal or synthetic resin, which ensures elastic deformation and allows for compressive deformation in the vertical direction.

[0107] The locking and fixing portion 491 is a member that has a roughly plate-like shape and serves as the main body of the locking and supporting portion 49.

[0108] The curved support portion 492 is a roughly rod-shaped curved member that exhibits a roughly U-shape when viewed from the rear, rotated 90 degrees clockwise. The lower end of the curved support portion 492 is connected to the locking and fixing portion 491. The upper end of the curved support portion 492 is a free end.

[0109] The protruding portion 493 is a part that partially protrudes upward in a roughly triangular shape from the middle of the upper part of the curved support portion 492, which extends linearly along the left-right direction. As will be described later, the protruding portion 493 abuts against the support notch 479 of the rotating connection portion 47, which will be described later, while engaging with it. That is, the protruding portion 493 fits into the support notch 479 from below. As a result, the ice tray 41 is supported in a state in which free rotation is suppressed.

[0110] The locking piece 494 is the upper part of the locking and fixing portion 491 that protrudes toward the rear. The locking piece 494 is fitted into the engagement opening 4212 of the movable frame portion 42.

[0111] As described above, the locking support portion 49 is positioned by being pressed from above by the connecting wall 4211 and by the locking piece 494 fitting into the engagement opening 4212.

[0112] Referring to Figure 16B, a rear notch 4217 is formed at the rear end of the movable frame 42, directly below the connection opening 425. The rear notch 4217 is an opening formed on the rear surface of the movable frame 42, and connects the upper end of the storage section 4210 to the outside. The protruding portion 493 of the locking support 49 protrudes upward from the rear notch 4217.

[0113] Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the related configuration of the ice tray 41, the rotating connection part 47, and the locking support part 49.

[0114] As mentioned above, a support notch 479 is formed at the lower end of the rear connection portion 472 of the rotating connection portion 47. The support notch 479 is a portion cut out in a roughly triangular shape at the lower end of the rear connection portion 472. When viewed from the rear, the shape of the support notch 479 is roughly the same as the shape of the protrusion 493 of the locking support portion 49.

[0115] Referring to Figures 18A and 18B, the function of the locking support portion 49 in supporting the rotating connection portion 47 and the ice tray 41 will be explained.

[0116] Returning to Figure 13, when the movable frame 42 and ice tray 41 have been removed from the ice-making device 40, the rotating connector 47 and the ice tray 41 are in a rotatable state. Therefore, if the movable frame 42 and ice tray 41 are to be returned to the fixed frame 43 while the ice tray 41 is rotated and tilted, the tilted ice tray 41 may come into contact with the front surface of the fixed frame 43, potentially hindering the insertion of the movable frame 42 and ice tray 41 into the fixed frame 43. The ice-making device 40 in this embodiment has a function to prevent the free rotation of the ice tray 41.

[0117] Referring to Figure 18A, the ice tray 41 has a support notch 479 and a locking support 49 as a mechanism to prevent free rotation of the ice tray 41. Specifically, the protruding portion 493 of the locking support 49 fits into the support notch 479 of the rotating connection portion 47. With this configuration, the locking support 49 supports the rotating connection portion 47 from below and prevents the rotating connection portion 47 from free rotation. In other words, even if a rotational force acts on the rotating connection portion 47 and the ice tray 41, the restoring force generated by the protruding portion 493 fitting into the support notch 479 returns the ice tray 41 to a horizontal state. Therefore, the rotating connection portion 47 is maintained in a horizontal state, and as shown in Figure 13, the movable frame portion 42 and the ice tray 41 can be easily inserted into the fixed frame portion 43.

[0118] Referring to Figure 18B, under the operating conditions of the ice-making device 40, the rotating connection part 47 and the ice tray 41 are rotated by the driving force of the rotary drive unit 46, as shown in Figure 11A, etc. In this case, the curved support part 492 curves downward. That is, as the rotating connection part 47 rotates with a large torque, the protruding part 493 is displaced so as to be pushed downward by the rear connection part 472. In this case, the locking support part 49 does not obstruct the rotation of the rotating connection part 47.

[0119] As a result of the above, the locking support portion 49 is configured such that the protruding portion 493 fits into the support notch portion 479, thereby preventing the free rotation of the rotating connection portion 47 and the ice tray 41. On the other hand, the locking support portion 49 flexes downward, allowing the rotation of the rotating connection portion 47 and the ice tray 41 during ice making.

[0120] Referring to Figures 19A to 20B, a mechanism is described that notifies the user that the movable frame 42 has not been pushed in sufficiently by pushing the movable frame 42 back forward if it has not been pushed in sufficiently.

[0121] Figure 19A is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the movable frame portion 42 is not pushed in sufficiently to the rear. Figure 19B is a diagram showing the key points of the said cross-sectional view.

[0122] Referring to Figure 19A, as described above, after cleaning the ice tray 41, the user slides the movable frame 42, into which the ice tray 41 is incorporated, into the fixed frame 43 from the front. In this case, the movable frame 42 may not be inserted fully to the rear. In this case, the front of the movable frame 42 will protrude further forward than the front of the fixed frame 43. Here, let's call this protruding length L10.

[0123] Referring to Figure 6B, even when the movable frame portion 42 is pushed backward in the locking mechanism 50 to the extent that the movable engaging portion 4215 overcomes the fixed engaging portion 436, the movable frame portion 42 may not be pushed in sufficiently because each component constituting the ice-making device 40 has a predetermined tolerance.

[0124] Referring to Figure 19B, the cross-sectional shape of the locking portion 48 will be described. The locking portion 48 is part of the fixed frame portion 43 and is a portion that extends in a roughly hook shape toward the front and downward. The locking portion 48 has a locking portion inclined surface 481 and a locking portion lower end 482. The locking portion lower end 482 is the lowest part of the locking portion 48. The locking portion inclined surface 481 is an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the front from the locking portion lower end 482. The locking portion inclined surface 481 may be a flat surface or a curved surface. The locking portion 48 also has a rearward inclined surface that slopes upward toward the rear from the locking portion lower end 482.

[0125] If the movable frame portion 42 is not pushed in sufficiently backward, the disc body portion 471 will be positioned on the side away from the rotation drive portion 46, i.e., on the front side, relative to the lower end 482 of the locking portion 48. If the ice-making process is carried out in this state, the disc body portion 471 will not be locked by the locking portion 48 when the ice tray 41 is inverted and ice is released. Therefore, if the movable frame portion 42 and the ice tray 41 are pulled forward while the ice tray 41 is inverted, the ice tray 41 may collide with the fixed frame portion 43, potentially damaging either the ice tray 41 or the fixed frame portion 43.

[0126] In this embodiment, by forming the aforementioned inclined surface 477 on the disc body portion 471, when the disc body portion 471 rotates, the rotational force is used to push the ice tray 41 and the movable frame portion 42 forward, informing the user that the movable frame portion 42 has not been pushed in sufficiently.

[0127] Referring to Figures 20A and 20B, the state in which the rotating connector 47 rotates and pushes the ice tray 41 and the movable frame 42 forward will be explained. Figure 20A is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the rotating connector 47 and the ice tray 41 in a rotating state. Figure 20B is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the rotating connector 47 and its vicinity in that state.

[0128] Referring to Figure 20A, when releasing ice from the ice tray 41, the rotary drive unit 46 rotates the rotary connection unit 47 and the ice tray 41 clockwise when viewed from the front.

[0129] Referring to Figure 20B, as described above, an inclined surface 477 is formed on the outer edge of the disk body 471 in the portion adjacent to the connecting notch 478. The inclined surface 477 is an inclined surface that slopes forward toward the radially outward direction of the disk body 471. In addition, the inclined surface 477 is an inclined surface that slopes backward toward the rotational direction of the disk body 471 during detachment from ice.

[0130] As described above, if the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 are not pushed in sufficiently toward the rear, the disc body 471 is positioned forward of the lower end 482 of the locking portion 48. That is, the disc body 471 is positioned below the inclined surface 481 of the locking portion 48.

[0131] In this configuration, when the rotating connection part 47 and the ice tray 41 are rotated clockwise when viewed from the front by the driving force of the rotating drive unit 46, the inclined surface 477 of the rotating connection part 47 comes into contact with and is pressed against the inclined surface 481 of the locking part 48 as it rotates.

[0132] Referring again to Figure 20A, as the rotating connector 47 rotates, it is pushed by the locking part 48, causing the rotating connector 47, the ice tray 41, and the movable frame 42 to be pushed forward. In this state, the front surface of the movable frame 42 is clearly positioned further forward than the front surface of the fixed frame 43. That is, the protrusion length L11 of the front surface of the movable frame 42 after being pushed out by the rotation of the rotating connector 47 is longer than L10 shown in Figure 19A.

[0133] Therefore, the protruding length of the front of the movable frame 42 is clearly visible to the user. As a result, the user pushes the front of the movable frame 42 backward after the ice tray 41 is in a horizontal position. In this way, as shown in Figure 6A, the front of the movable frame 42 and the front of the fixed frame 43 are arranged on approximately the same plane, and the ice-making operation by the ice-making device 40 can be performed safely.

[0134] Referring to Figures 21A to 23B, the configuration of the ice-making device 40 for easily removing the ice tray 41 from the movable frame 42 will be described.

[0135] Figure 21A is a top view of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41. Figure 21B is a perspective view of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41 from above.

[0136] Referring to Figures 21A and 21B, the ice tray 41 is housed in the movable frame 42 in a rotatable state. Specifically, the front recess 428 formed at the front end of the ice tray 41 is housed in the front recess 428 of the movable frame 42 in a rotatable state. On the other hand, a rotating connector 47 is attached to the rear end of the ice tray 41. The rear connector 472 of the rotating connector 47 is then rotatably inserted into a connection opening 425 formed on the rear surface of the movable frame 42. The specific shape of the connection opening 425 is as shown in Figure 14.

[0137] By making the front portion of the movable frame 42 concave, a left recess 426, a right recess 427, and a front recess 428 are formed. The left recess 426 and the right recess 427 are recesses for inserting fingers when the user removes the ice tray 41 from the movable frame 42. As mentioned above, the front recess 428 is a recess in which the front rotation axis 412 of the ice tray 41 is rotatably housed.

[0138] The left recess 426 is a portion of the movable frame 42 near the front end of the left side and facing the opening 432, which is recessed downwards. The right recess 427 is a portion of the movable frame 42 near the front end of the right side and facing the opening 432, which is recessed downwards. The left recess 426 and the right recess 427 are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction, sandwiching the plate storage opening 424. The left recess 426 and the right recess 427 are also sized to allow the tip of the user's index finger or thumb to be inserted with ample room.

[0139] Referring to Figure 21B, the front recess 428 is a recess surrounded by an inner wall portion 4218 that extends in a wall-like manner from the front side of the movable frame portion 42 toward the rear. The inner wall portion 4218 is a wall-like portion that exhibits a roughly U-shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. As will be described later, the inclined portion 4213, which is the rear side of the inclined portion 4213, is configured to incline forward toward upward. That is, the inclined portion 4213 inclines upward toward away from the front portion 419 of the ice tray 41.

[0140] Figure 22A is a side cross-sectional view showing the ice tray 41 housed in the movable frame 42. Figure 22B is a side cross-sectional view showing only the vicinity of the front end of the movable frame 42 and the ice tray 41.

[0141] Referring to Figure 22A, as described above, the front rotation axis 412 of the ice tray 41 is housed in the front recess 428 of the movable frame 42. Also, the front portion 419 of the ice tray body 411 contacts the vicinity of the lower end of the inclined portion 4213 of the inner wall 4218. This defines the position of the ice tray 41 inside the tray storage opening 424 of the movable frame 42 in the front-rear direction.

[0142] Referring to Figure 22B, the inclined portion 4213, which is the rear end side of the inner wall portion 4218, is an inclined edge that slopes slightly forward and upward. As will be described later, because the inclined portion 4213 slopes forward and upward, the front portion 419 of the ice tray 41 does not interfere with the inclined portion 4213, and the ice tray 41 can be easily removed from the movable frame portion 42. Here, the inclined portion 4213 may be configured to slope forward and upward as a whole, from the lower end to the upper end. Furthermore, the inclined portion 4213 may be configured so that its lower portion is vertical and its upper portion slopes forward and upward.

[0143] Referring to Figures 23A and 23B, the situation when removing the ice tray 41 from the movable frame 42 will be described. Figure 23A is a side cross-sectional view showing the initial stage in removing the ice tray 41. Figure 23B is a side cross-sectional view showing the final stage in removing the ice tray 41. As described with reference to Figure 21B, the user removes the ice tray 41 from the movable frame 42 by inserting their fingers into the left recess 426 and the right recess 427 and lifting the front end of the ice tray 41 upward.

[0144] Referring to Figure 23A, when the user lifts the front end of the ice tray 41 upward, the front portion 419 of the ice tray body 411 moves upward in an arc. At this time, if the rear edge of the inner wall 4218 is vertical, the front portion 419 of the ice tray body 411 may come into contact with the rear edge of the inner wall 4218, which may hinder the separation of the ice tray 41.

[0145] As mentioned above, the rear edge of the inner wall portion 4218 is an inclined portion 4213 that slopes forward and upward. Therefore, even if the front end of the ice tray body portion 411 is lifted, the inclined portion 4213 does not interfere with the front portion 419 of the ice tray body portion 411, and the rear end portion of the ice tray body portion 411 can be lifted smoothly.

[0146] At the rear of the ice tray body 411, the rear connecting portion 472 of the rotating connecting portion 47 is inserted into the connecting opening 425 of the movable frame portion 42. Here, an inclined surface 477 is formed by cutting out the lower end of the rear connecting portion 472. The inclined surface 477 is an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the rear. Therefore, even if the rear connecting portion 472, while inserted into the connecting opening 425, tilts together with the ice tray 41, the inclined surface 477 slides along the lower end of the connecting opening 425, allowing the rear connecting portion 472 to easily tilt inside the connecting opening 425.

[0147] Referring to Figure 23B, when the user further lifts the front portion of the ice tray body 411, the front portion of the ice tray body 411 is positioned above the tray storage opening 424. Meanwhile, with the rear connecting portion 472 still inserted into the connecting opening 425, the rotating connecting portion 47 becomes further tilted. Subsequently, when the user pulls the ice tray body 411 upwards and forwards, the ice tray 41 is separated from the movable frame portion 42.

[0148] By doing so, the user can remove the ice tray 41 from the movable frame 42 and perform cleaning or other maintenance on the ice tray 41. Once cleaning or other maintenance is complete, the ice tray 41 is assembled back into the movable frame 42 using the reverse method. Specifically, referring to Figure 23B, the rear connecting portion 472 of the rotating connecting portion 47 is inserted into the connecting opening 425 of the movable frame 42, and the front rotating shaft 412 is placed in the front recess 428 as shown in Figure 23A.

[0149] The above is a description of the configuration and function of the ice-making device 40.

[0150] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

[0151] For example, referring to Figure 4, the rotating connector 47 may be integrally configured as part of the ice tray 41.

[0152] Referring to Figure 2, the fixed frame portion 43 may be configured as part of the inner box 112 that constitutes the insulated box body 11.

[0153] Referring to Figure 18A, the shape of the support notch 479 can also be a polygon, a circle, or other shape other than a triangle. The same applies to the support notch 479.

[0154] Referring to Figure 18A, other elastic materials such as springs or rubber can also be used as the locking support portion 49.

[0155] Referring to Figure 10A, the ice-making device 40 according to this embodiment can be incorporated into equipment other than the refrigerator 10. For example, the ice-making device 40 can be incorporated into an ice maker. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0156] 10 Refrigerator 11 Insulated box 111 Outer box 112 Inner box 113 Insulation 12 Refrigerator 13 Freezer 14 Machine room 15 Insulated Doors 16 Insulated Doors 17 Evaporator 18 Cooling room 19 Compressor 20 Blower 21 Defrost heater 22 Insulated partition wall 23 Ice storage containers 24 Air guide material 25. Arithmetic Control Unit 30 Water supply equipment 31 Water container 32 Water supply pipe 40 Ice makers 41 Ice trays 411 Ice tray body 412 Forward rotation axis 413 Ice-making recess 414 Upper fitting receiving part 415 Lower fitting receiving part 416 First insertion part 418 Contact part 419 Front part 42 Movable frame section 421 Movable frame main body 422 recess 423 Notch 424 Dish storage opening 425 Connection opening 426 Left-side recess 427 Right-side recess 428 Front recess 429 Rail section 4210 Storage compartment 4211 Connecting wall 4212 Engagement opening 4213 Slope 4214 Abutted part 4215 Movable engagement part 4216 Slit 4217 Rear notch 4218 Inner wall 43 Fixed frame section 431 Fixed frame main body 432 Opening 433 Rotating locking part 434 Fixed frame cutout 435 Rail support section 436 Fixed engagement part 45 Detection lever 46 Rotary drive unit 461 Drive shaft 47 Rotating connection part 471 Disc body 472 Rear connection section 473 Front connection section 474 Upper fitting section 475 Lower fitting section 476 Second insertion part 477 Slope 478 Connection notch 479 Support notch 48 Locking part 481 Locking part inclined surface 482 Lower end of locking 49 Locking support part 491 Locking fixing part 492 Curved support section 493 Protrusion 494 Locking piece 50 Locking mechanism

Claims

1. It is an ice-making device installed in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. An ice tray having an ice-making recess in which water that will turn into ice when frozen is stored, A movable frame is configured to rotatably support the ice tray, A fixed frame portion is configured to support the aforementioned movable frame portion in a removable manner, A rotary drive unit configured to invert the ice tray, An ice-making apparatus characterized by comprising: a locking support part configured to lock the ice tray from below;

2. The system further comprises a rotating connection unit, which is positioned between the ice tray and the rotating drive unit and transmits the rotational driving force of the rotating drive unit to the ice tray. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking support portion is configured to lock the rotating connection portion from below.

3. The aforementioned rotating connection portion has a support notch at its lower end, The locking support portion has a projection that protrudes upward, The ice-making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the protruding portion fits into the support notch from below.

4. The support notch is a portion of the rotating connection that is cut out to have a roughly triangular shape. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the protruding portion protrudes in a substantially triangular shape.

5. The aforementioned rotating connection part has a rear connection part that is substantially cylindrical in shape. The support notch is formed at the lower part of the rear connection portion, The movable frame portion has a connection opening into which the rear connection portion is inserted. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the protruding portion is disposed near the lower end of the connection opening.

6. The aforementioned rotary drive unit performs the ice release process by inverting the ice tray. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking support portion is displaced downward during the ice-release process.

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