Ice makers and refrigerators

Abstract

To provide a novel ice-making device with a small number of parts and easy assembly. [Solution] The ice-making device comprises an ice tray having an ice tray body with a recess formed therein for holding water, and a frame that rotatably supports the ice tray about a rotation axis extending in one direction, and has a first frame piece located on one side of the ice tray in the direction in which the rotation axis extends. The ice tray is connected to the ice tray body and further has a contact portion including an ice tray side contact surface that contacts the first frame piece. The first frame piece has a frame side contact surface that faces the ice tray side contact surface in the direction in which the rotation axis extends. The ice tray side contact surface and the frame side contact surface are configured such that the distance between the ice tray body and the first frame piece increases when the ice tray rotates around the rotation axis relative to the frame, starting from a state in which the ice tray is in one position relative to the frame.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ice-making device of a refrigerator. In the ice-making device described in Patent Document 1, a torsion coil spring is provided that applies a biasing force to return the ice-making device from the ice-detaching posture to the initial state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the ice-making device described in Patent Document 1, a torsion coil spring is required. Therefore, there is a need for a new ice-making device with a small number of parts and easy assembly.

[0005] One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide, for example, a new ice-making device with a small number of parts and easy assembly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect of this disclosure, an ice-making apparatus comprises an ice tray having an ice tray body with a recess formed therein for holding water, and a frame that rotatably supports the ice tray about a rotation axis extending in one direction, and has a first frame piece located on one side of the ice tray in the direction in which the rotation axis extends. The ice tray is connected to the ice tray body and further has a contact portion including an ice tray side contact surface that abuts against the first frame piece. The first frame piece has a frame side contact surface that faces the ice tray side contact surface in the direction in which the rotation axis extends. The ice tray side contact surface and the frame side contact surface are configured such that the distance between the ice tray body and the first frame piece increases when the ice tray rotates around the rotation axis relative to the frame, starting from a state in which the ice tray is in one position relative to the frame.

[0007] In other aspects of this disclosure, the refrigerator comprises the ice-making device and a housing having a cooling chamber in which the ice-making device is located. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, for example, it is possible to provide a novel ice-making device that has fewer parts and is easy to assemble. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator with its door open. [Figure 3] This is a schematic front view of a refrigerator with the door open. [Figure 4] This is a schematic perspective view of an ice-making machine. [Figure 5] This is a schematic exploded perspective view of an ice-making machine. [Figure 6] This is a schematic exploded perspective view of an ice-making machine. [Figure 7] This is a schematic plan view of an ice-making machine. [Figure 8] This is a schematic perspective view of the contact area of ​​the ice tray. [Figure 9] This is a schematic perspective view of the contact portion of the first frame piece. [Figure 10] It is a schematic front view showing the main part of an ice-making device when the ice-making tray is in the ice-making position. [Figure 11] It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a schematic exploded rear view showing the main part of an ice-making device when the ice-making tray is in the ice-making position. [Figure 13] It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] It is a schematic perspective view showing the main part of an ice-making device when the ice-making tray is in the ice-making position. [Figure 15] It is a schematic front view showing the main part of an ice-making device when the ice-making tray is in the first rotation position rotated 60° from the ice-making position. [Figure 16] It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] It is a schematic front view showing the main part of an ice-making device when the ice-making tray is in the second rotation position rotated 90° from the ice-making position. [Figure 18] It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17. / It is a schematic cross-sectional view along line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] It is a schematic front view showing the main part of an ice-making device when the ice-making tray is in the third rotation position rotated 120° from the ice-making position. [Figure 20] It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX of FIG. 19.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, members having substantially the same functions are referred to by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is incorporated herein. In the following description, the direction in which the opening of the cooling chamber provided in the refrigerator faces is defined as the front side, and the opposite side is defined as the rear side. In a plan view, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is defined as the width direction. The direction perpendicular to each of the front-rear direction and the width direction is defined as the height direction.

[0011] Refrigerator 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the refrigerator 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the refrigerator 1 with the door opened. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the refrigerator 1 with the door opened.

[0012] In the present disclosure, the "refrigerator" shall refer to all electric appliances having a refrigerating chamber that can be cooled to a temperature lower than the outside air temperature. The refrigerator 1 may have, for example, at least one of a refrigerating chamber, a vegetable chamber, a chiller chamber or a partial chamber cooled to a temperature near 0°C, and a freezer chamber that can be cooled to a temperature lower than 0°C within a temperature range of 0°C or higher.

[0013] The refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a refrigerating freezer having a freezer chamber that can be cooled to a temperature range of 0°C or lower. The refrigerator 1 has a housing 10. At least one cooling chamber is provided in the housing 10. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator 1 has a freezer chamber 11 formed in the housing 10 and a refrigerating chamber 12. The freezer chamber 11 is a kind of cooling chamber that can be cooled to a temperature of 0°C or lower. The set temperature of the freezer chamber 11 preferably belongs to a temperature range in which ice is generated by itself within the freezer chamber 11. The set temperature of the freezer chamber 11 is preferably, for example, -18°C or lower. The freezer chamber 11 opens toward the front side. The opening of the freezer chamber 11 can be opened and closed by doors 51, 52 attached to the housing 10. The refrigerating chamber 12 is a kind of cooling chamber that can be cooled within a temperature range higher than 0°C. The refrigerating chamber 12 opens toward the front side. The opening of the refrigerating chamber 12 can be opened and closed by doors 51, 52 attached to the housing 10. In the present disclosure, the refrigerator may have, for example, only a freezer chamber.

[0014] Ice making device 20 As shown in Figures 2 and 3, an ice maker 20 can be installed in the freezer compartment 11. The ice maker 20 may be fixed to the housing 10 or doors 51 and 52, or it may not be fixed to the housing 10 or doors 51 and 52 and may be placed inside the freezer compartment 11. In this embodiment, an example in which the ice maker 20 is arranged in a part of the freezer compartment 11 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The ice maker 20 may be installed throughout the entire freezer compartment 11.

[0015] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the ice-making machine 20. Figure 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the ice-making machine 20. Figure 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the ice-making machine 20. Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the ice-making machine 20.

[0016] The ice-making apparatus 20 shown in Figures 4 to 7 is a device for producing and storing ice. More specifically, the ice-making apparatus 20 is a device that can produce multiple ice blocks in a single ice-making process and can release (de-ice) the produced ice and store it in a container 23 (see Figure 4).

[0017] The ice-making device 20 includes a tray 22 and a container 23.

[0018] (Tray 22) The tray 22 is a component for holding water and generating ice from the collected water. The tray 22 has an ice tray 22a, a frame 22b, and an operator 22c.

[0019] (Ice tray 22a) At least one ice tray 22a is provided on the tray 22. Specifically, the tray 22 is provided with multiple ice trays 22a, more specifically, two ice trays 22a. The two ice trays 22a have substantially the same configuration.

[0020] The ice tray 22a is elastically deformable during the ice release process. For this reason, it is preferable that the ice tray 22a is made of an elastically deformable elastic material. For example, it is preferable that the ice tray 22a is made of resin, a resin composition, metal, or the like.

[0021] As mainly shown in Figure 5, the ice tray 22a has an ice tray body 22a1 and a contact portion 22a2.

[0022] (Ice tray body 22a1) The ice tray body 22a1 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The ice tray body 22a1 has at least one recess 22A in which water can be collected. More specifically, the ice tray body 22a1 has a plurality of recesses 22A. The plurality of recesses 22A include a plurality of recesses 22A arranged in the front-rear direction. The plurality of recesses 22A include a plurality of recesses 22A arranged in the width direction. Specifically, in this embodiment, the plurality of recesses 22A are arranged in a matrix along the front-rear direction and the width direction. However, in this disclosure, the ice tray body may have only one recess. When the ice tray body has a plurality of recesses, the arrangement of the plurality of recesses is not particularly limited. The plurality of recesses may be arranged linearly along one direction, for example, the front-rear direction, the width direction, or a direction inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. The plurality of recesses may be arranged in a staggered pattern along one direction, for example.

[0023] The shape of the recess 22A is not particularly limited as long as it can hold water. The shape of the recess 22A can be appropriately set according to the shape of the ice to be formed. Preferably, the recess 22A has a shape that widens towards the opening side so that the cross-sectional area increases upward when the ice tray body 22a1 is placed horizontally. In this case, the ice formed in the recess 22A will be easier to separate from the ice tray body 22a1. The cross-sectional shape of the recess 22A may be, for example, a trapezoid, a semicircle, a semiellipse, a semi-long oval, a triangle, etc.

[0024] The ice tray body 22a1 is preferably made of an elastic material that can be elastically deformed when stress is applied. The ice tray body 22a1 is preferably made of a resin material composed of, for example, resin, a resin composition, or metal.

[0025] The contact portion 22a2 is connected to the ice tray body 22a1. The contact portion 22a2 is the part that contacts the frame 22b on a straight line including the axis of rotation A. Details of the contact portion 22a2 will be described after the structure of the frame 22b is explained.

[0026] As primarily shown in Figure 7, a cylindrical support shaft 22a3 is connected to the part of the ice tray body 22a1 opposite to the contact portion 22a2 in the direction in which the rotation axis A extends. The support shaft 22a3 extends from the ice tray body 22a1 along the direction in which the rotation axis A extends. The support shaft 22a3 is rotatably supported by the frame 22b.

[0027] (frame body 22b) Each of the multiple ice trays 22a is rotatably supported by a frame 22b. Specifically, in this embodiment, the ice trays 22a are rotatably supported relative to the frame 22b about a rotation axis A that extends along the front-rear direction.

[0028] The frame 22b is preferably made of an elastic material that can be elastically deformed. The ice tray 22a is preferably made of, for example, resin, a resin composition, or metal.

[0029] As mainly shown in Figures 7 and 4, the frame 22b is provided in a frame-like shape so as to surround the ice tray 22a in a plan view (when viewed from the stacking direction of the ice tray 22a and the container 23). The outer shape of the frame 22b in a plan view is approximately rectangular. As mainly shown in Figures 5 and 6, the frame 22b has a first frame piece 22b1, a second frame piece 22b2, a third frame piece 22b3, and a fourth frame piece 22b4.

[0030] As primarily shown in Figure 7, the first frame piece 22b1 is located on one side (the bottom side of the paper in Figure 7) of the direction in which the rotation axis A extends relative to the ice tray 22a. As shown in Figure 2, when the ice maker 20 is installed in the refrigerator 1, the rotation axis A extends along the front-to-back direction (depth direction) of the refrigerator 1. The first frame piece 22b1 is located on the rear side (back side) of the ice tray 22a in the front-to-back direction. In a plan view, the first frame piece 22b1 is a straight line extending along the width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis A extends (front-to-back direction).

[0031] As primarily shown in Figure 7, the second frame piece 22b2 is located on the other side (upper side of the paper in Figure 7) of the direction in which the rotation axis A extends relative to the ice tray 22a. As shown in Figure 2, when the ice maker 20 is installed in the refrigerator 1, the second frame piece 22b2 is located on the front side in the front-rear direction relative to the ice tray 22a. The second frame piece 22b2 faces the first frame piece 22b1 via the ice tray 22a in the direction in which the rotation axis A extends. In a plan view, the second frame piece 22b2 is a straight line extending along the width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis A extends.

[0032] The end of the first frame piece 22b1 and the end of the second frame piece 22b2 are connected by a third frame piece 22b3 or a fourth frame piece 22b4, which extends along the direction in which the rotation axis A extends. In a plan view, the third frame piece 22b3 connects one end of the first frame piece 22b1 in the width direction (the left end in Figure 7) to one end of the second frame piece 22b2 in the width direction. In the width direction, the third frame piece 22b3 is located on one side of the ice tray 22a (the left side in Figure 7). In a plan view, the fourth frame piece 22b4 connects the other end of the first frame piece 22b1 in the width direction (the right end in Figure 7) to the other end of the second frame piece 22b2 in the width direction. In the width direction, the fourth frame piece 22b4 is located on the other side of the ice tray 22a (the right side in Figure 7). These first frame piece 22b1, second frame piece 22b2, third frame piece 22b3, and fourth frame piece 22b4 constitute a frame-like frame body 22b, which has a rectangular outer shape in plan view. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each of the first frame piece 22b1, second frame piece 22b2, third frame piece 22b3, and fourth frame piece 22b4 is rectangular, with a longitudinal direction along the height direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 7).

[0033] As primarily shown in Figure 6, the first frame piece 22b1 has a first frame piece body 22b11 and a contact portion 22b12. The first frame piece body 22b11 connects the connection portion with the third frame piece 22b3 and the connection portion with the fourth frame piece 22b4 in a substantially straight line. The contact portion 22b12 is connected to the first frame piece body 22b11. The contact portion 22b12 is provided for each of the contact portions 22a2 of the multiple ice trays 22a, corresponding to the position of each contact portion 22a2. The contact portion 22b12 is a circular disc shape when viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A extends. The contact portion 22b12 is in contact with the contact portion 22a2 of the ice tray 22a.

[0034] The second frame piece 22b2 has a second frame piece body 22b21 and a support portion 22b22. The second frame piece body 22b21 connects the connection portion with the third frame piece 22b3 and the connection portion with the fourth frame piece 22b4 in a substantially straight line. The support portion 22b22 is connected to the second frame piece body 22b21. The support portion 22b22 rotatably supports the other side of the ice tray 22a in the direction in which the rotation axis A extends.

[0035] The support shaft 22a3 connected to the ice tray body 22a1 is rotatably supported by the support portion 22b22. As a result, one side of the ice tray 22a in the direction in which the rotation axis A extends is rotatably supported by the frame 22b.

[0036] As mainly shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first frame piece 22b1, the third frame piece 22b3, and the fourth frame piece 22b4 of the frame body 22b are formed to be substantially the same thickness. Therefore, the first frame piece 22b1, the third frame piece 22b3, and the fourth frame piece 22b4 have approximately the same rigidity. On the other hand, the second frame piece 22b2 has a greater height dimension than the first frame piece 22b1, the third frame piece 22b3, and the fourth frame piece 22b4. Also, the second frame piece 22b2 is thicker than the first frame piece 22b1, the third frame piece 22b3, and the fourth frame piece 22b4. Therefore, the second frame piece 22b2 has higher rigidity than each of the first frame piece 22b1, the third frame piece 22b3, and the fourth frame piece 22b4. The rigidity of the second frame piece 22b2 is preferably 1.1 times or more, more preferably 1.3 times or more, and even more preferably 1.5 times or more, than the rigidity of the first frame piece 22b1, the third frame piece 22b3, and the fourth frame piece 22b4, respectively. Here, "stiffness" is expressed by an index called the Young's modulus, and the higher the stiffness, the greater the stress required for deformation. Generally, for members made of the same material, members with a larger cross-sectional area and thicker members have higher stiffness.

[0037] (controller 22c) As shown in Figures 4 to 7, an operator 22c is connected to the ice tray 22a. The operator 22c is a component for rotating the ice tray 22a relative to the frame 22b. The operator 22c also has the function of maintaining the ice tray 22a in a horizontal ice-making position. The operator 22c is rotatably mounted together with the ice tray 22a relative to the frame 22b. Specifically, the operator 22c is fixed to the ice tray body 22a1. Therefore, the ice tray body 22a1 can be rotated by operating the operator 22c. Because the operator 22c has these functions, it can also be called, for example, a lever.

[0038] In detail, the operator 22c is connected to the second frame piece 22b2 side of the ice tray body 22a1. The operator 22c has a connection part that is connected to one side (right side in Figure 7) of the ice tray body 22a1 in the width direction (left-right direction in Figure 7). The operator 22c has a gripping part that extends in the width direction from the tip of this connection part. The gripping part is connected to the tip of the support shaft 22a3. By rotating this gripping part around the rotation axis A, the ice tray 22a can be rotated relative to the frame body 22b.

[0039] (Container 23) Primarily, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the container 23 is positioned on the underside of the tray 22, in other words, on the side opposite to the opening direction of the recess 22A. The container 23 is a component for storing the ice generated in the tray 22. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the container 23 has a recess 23a that opens towards the tray 22 and constitutes an ice storage area.

[0040] (Support configuration of the ice tray 22a by the frame 22b) Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the contact portion 22a2 of the ice tray 22a. Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the contact portion 22b12 of the first frame piece 22b1.

[0041] Next, the support configuration of the ice tray 22a by the frame 22b in this embodiment will be described, primarily with reference to Figures 4 to 9.

[0042] As described above, the portion of the ice tray body 22a1 on the second frame piece 22b2 side is rotatably supported by the support part 22b22, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, on the support shaft 22a3. As shown in Figure 7, the end of the ice tray body 22a1 on the second frame piece 22b2 side is in contact with the wall surface of the second frame piece 22b2, and with the support shaft 22a3 rotatably supported by the support part 22b22, it is substantially immobile in the direction in which the rotation axis A extends.

[0043] On the other hand, the portion of the ice tray body 22a1 on the side of the first frame piece 22b1 is rotatably supported mainly by the contact portion 22a2 of the ice tray 22a and the contact portion 22b12 of the first frame piece 22b1, as shown in Figure 6.

[0044] More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the contact portion 22b12 of the first frame piece 22b1 has a recess 22b12a formed on the opposite side from the contact portion 22a2. The contact portion 22a2 is rotatably inserted into this recess 22b12a, so that the portion of the ice tray body 22a1 on the side of the first frame piece 22b1 is supported by the first frame piece 22b1. The support shaft 22a3 of the second frame piece 22b2 is supported by the support portion 22b22 so that it is substantially immobile in the direction in which the rotation shaft A extends, and since the contact portion 22a2 is inserted into the recess 22b12a, the ice tray 22a is supported by the frame body 22b while being sandwiched between the first frame piece 22b1 and the second frame piece 22b2.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the contact portion 22a2 of the ice tray 22a has an ice tray side contact surface 30 that contacts the contact portion 22b12 of the first frame piece 22b1. As shown in Figure 6, the contact portion 22b12 has a frame side contact surface 40 that faces the ice tray side contact surface 30 in the direction in which the rotation axis A extends. The ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 are in contact.

[0046] In this embodiment, the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 are configured such that when the ice tray 22a rotates around the rotation axis A relative to the frame 22b from a state in which the ice tray 22a is in a single position relative to the frame 22b, the distance between the ice tray body 22a1 and the first frame piece 22b1 increases. The ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 are configured such that when the ice tray 22a rotates around the rotation axis A relative to the frame 22b from a single position, the distance between the first frame piece 22b1 and the second frame piece 22b2 increases. Here, the "single position" refers to the ice-making position in which the ice tray 22a is horizontal. Specifically, the ice-making position that is a single configuration is a position in which the recess 22A opens upward and the water accumulated in the recess 22A does not spill.

[0047] The configuration of the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 in this embodiment will be described in detail below, mainly with reference to Figures 5, 6, 8, and 9. In this embodiment, at least one of the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 has at least one inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the rotation axis A along the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis A. Only one of the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 may have an inclined surface, or both may have an inclined surface. The number of inclined surfaces on at least one of the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 is preferably one to three, and more preferably two or three.

[0048] In the following description, this embodiment will explain an example in which both the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 each have multiple inclined surfaces.

[0049] (Frame side contact surface 40) As shown in Figure 9, the frame-side contact surface 40 has a plurality of inclined surfaces 41 and 42. The plurality of inclined surfaces 41 and 42 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis A. In this embodiment, when viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A extends, the inclined surfaces 41 and 42 are provided continuously. When viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A extends, substantially the entire frame-side contact surface 40 is covered by the inclined surfaces 41 and 42. The surfaces 43 and 44 connecting the inclined surfaces 41 and 42 are provided parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis A extends, and when viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A extends, the surfaces 43 and 44 are provided in a manner that makes them substantially invisible.

[0050] Thus, each inclined surface 41, 42 is provided within a range of 180° or less around the rotation axis A. Specifically, in this embodiment, each inclined surface 41, 42 is provided at an angle of 180° around the rotation axis A. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, it is preferable that the inclined surfaces are provided within a range greater than 90° and 180° or less around the rotation axis, and more preferably within a range of 120° or more and 180° or less.

[0051] In this embodiment, each inclined surface 41, 42 is monotonically inclined along the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis A. In other words, each inclined surface 41, 42 is an inclined surface with a constant angle of inclination with respect to the rotation axis A. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, each inclined surface 41, 42 may have multiple inclined portions with different angles of inclination with respect to the rotation axis A. For example, each inclined surface 41, 42 may be configured such that the angle of inclination with respect to the rotation axis A is relatively small in the portion of each inclined surface 41, 42 that is farther from the ice tray 22a, and relatively large in the portion of each inclined surface 41, 42 that is closer to the ice tray 22a. For example, each inclined surface 41, 42 may be configured such that the angle of inclination with respect to the rotation axis A becomes larger or smaller as it approaches the ice tray 22a.

[0052] The inclination angle of each inclined surface 41, 42 with respect to the rotation axis A is preferably greater than 0° and 45° or less, and more preferably between 10° and 30°.

[0053] The frame-side contact surface may, for example, have a single inclined surface or three or more inclined surfaces. In addition to the inclined surfaces, the frame-side contact surface may also have a flat surface perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis A extends.

[0054] (Ice tray side contact surface 30) The ice tray side contact surface 30 is provided concentrically with the frame side contact surface 40 around the rotation axis A. As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, the ice tray side contact surface 30 also has a plurality of inclined surfaces 31 and 32. The plurality of inclined surfaces 31 and 32 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A. When the ice tray 22a is in the ice-making position, the ice tray side contact surface 30 is provided such that inclined surface 31 contacts inclined surface 41 and inclined surface 32 contacts inclined surface 42. In this embodiment, the magnitude of the angle between inclined surface 31 and inclined surface 41 with respect to the rotation axis A is substantially equal. Therefore, inclined surface 31 and inclined surface 41 are in surface contact. Similarly, the magnitude of the angle between inclined surface 32 and inclined surface 42 with respect to the rotation axis A is substantially equal. Therefore, inclined surface 32 and inclined surface 42 are in surface contact. In this way, it is possible to suppress the wear of only a portion of the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 due to sliding between them.

[0055] When viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A extends, the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 may be provided continuously; in other words, substantially the entire ice tray side contact surface 30 may be covered by the inclined surfaces 31 and 32. However, in this embodiment, the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 are provided spaced apart. The rotation angle at which each of the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 is provided can be appropriately set in view of, for example, the sliding resistance between the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40. For example, from the viewpoint of increasing the sliding resistance between the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40, it is preferable to increase the rotation angle of the region in which each of the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 is provided. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of lowering the sliding resistance between the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40, it is preferable to decrease the rotation angle of the region in which each of the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 is provided.

[0056] In this embodiment, the shapes of the surfaces 33 and 34 located between the inclined surface 31 and the inclined surface 32 when viewed from the direction in which the rotation axis A extends are not particularly limited, as long as they do not come into contact with the frame side contact surface 40. For example, they may be flat surfaces perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis A extends.

[0057] (Deicing process) Next, the ice release process using the ice-making device 20 will be explained.

[0058] Figure 10 is a schematic front view showing the main components of the ice-making device 20 when the ice tray 22a is in the ice-making position. Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a schematic exploded rear view showing the main components of the ice-making device when the ice tray 22a is in the ice-making position. Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view showing the main components of the ice-making device 20 when the ice tray 22a is in the ice-making position.

[0059] First, prior to explaining the de-icing process, we will describe the ice-making process, mainly referring to Figures 8 to 14.

[0060] In the ice-making process, the water collected in the ice tray 22a must be kept horizontal so that the water in the recess 22A does not spill out. This horizontal position of the ice tray 22a is referred to as the "ice-making position."

[0061] The ice tray 22a is configured to maintain a horizontal position when the ice-making device 20 is placed on a horizontal surface. If no stress is applied to the ice tray 22a, it will remain substantially horizontal. When the ice tray 22a maintains a horizontal position, both the frame 22b and the ice tray 22a are substantially horizontal. The frame 22b is supported by the container 23 to maintain its horizontal position. The container 23, as shown in Figure 5, has walls with gaps on the outside of the first frame piece 22b1, the third frame piece 22b3, and the fourth frame piece 22b4, but is structured to fit with the second frame piece 22b2. This allows for elastic deformation of the first frame piece 22b1, the third frame piece 22b3, and the fourth frame piece 22b4, as described later, while preventing deformation and displacement of the second frame piece 22b2.

[0062] Specifically, when the ice tray 22a is in a horizontal ice-making position, the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 provided on the ice tray side contact surface 30 shown in Figure 8 are in contact with the lowest parts 41a and 42a of the inclined surfaces 41 and 42 of the frame side contact surface 40 shown in Figure 9. Therefore, in order for the ice tray 22a to rotate relative to the frame 22b in the rotation direction D1, the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 need to slide on the inclined surfaces 41 and 42 so that they come into contact with a part of the inclined surfaces 41 and 42 that is higher than the lower parts 41a and 42a. To achieve this, the frame 22b needs to deform so that the distance between the first frame piece 22b1 and the second frame piece 22b2 along the direction in which the rotation axis A extends becomes longer. Thus, when no stress is applied to the ice tray 22a or the frame 22b, the ice tray 22a does not substantially rotate relative to the frame 22b along the rotation direction D1.

[0063] Furthermore, in the ice-making position, the end faces 35 of the protrusions that make up the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 of the ice tray side contact surface 30 are in contact with the end faces 43 and 44 provided on the frame side contact surface 40. This restricts the ice tray 22a from rotating along the rotational direction D2 relative to the frame 22b.

[0064] Thus, in the ice-making device 20, the shapes of the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40, along with the elasticity of the frame 22b, restrict the rotation of the ice tray 22a relative to the frame 22b when no stress is applied to the ice tray 22a or the frame 22b, and the horizontal position of the ice tray 22a shown in Figures 10 to 14 is maintained. Therefore, the water accumulated in the recess 22A is less likely to spill, and ice making is performed smoothly.

[0065] (Deicing process) Figure 15 is a schematic front view showing the main parts of the ice maker 20 when the ice tray 22a is in the first rotation position, rotated 60° from the ice-making position. Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in Figure 15. Figure 17 is a schematic front view showing the main parts of the ice maker 20 when the ice tray 22a is in the second rotation position, rotated 90° from the ice-making position. Figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 17. Figure 19 is a schematic front view showing the main parts of the ice maker when the ice tray 22a is in the third rotation position, rotated 120° from the ice-making position. Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in Figure 19.

[0066] Next, the ice release process in the ice-making apparatus 20 will be explained, primarily with reference to Figures 8, 9, and 15-20.

[0067] The ice-removal process is the process of removing the ice produced in the ice tray 22a from the ice tray 22a. The removed ice is collected in the container 23.

[0068] In the ice-making device 20, ice is released by rotating the ice tray 22a relative to the frame 22b in a rotational direction D1 about the rotation axis A. The ice-release process is performed by the user rotating the operator 22c in the rotational direction D2 shown in Figure 4, etc. The operator 22c and the ice tray 22a are integrally provided, and the ice tray 22a is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the frame 22b about the rotation axis A. Therefore, by rotating the operator 22c in the rotational direction D2, the user can rotate the ice tray 22a relative to the frame 22b. Figures 15 and 16 show the first rotational position when the operator 22c is rotated 60° and the ice tray 22a is rotated 60° relative to the frame 22b, respectively. Figures 17 and 18 show the second rotational position when the operator 22c is rotated 90° and the ice tray 22a is rotated 90° relative to the frame 22b, respectively. Figures 19 and 20 show the third rotational position, where the control element 22c is rotated 120°, causing the ice tray 22a to be rotated 120° relative to the frame 22b.

[0069] Starting from a horizontal position, the ice tray body 22a1 changes position sequentially from a first rotation position to a second rotation position and then to a third rotation position by operating the operator 22c. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the inclined surfaces 31, 32, 41, and 42 are provided at a period of 180°, so the rotatable angle range of the ice tray 22a with respect to the frame body 22b is 0° or more and less than 180°. However, the rotatable angle range is limited by stoppers provided on the rear of the ice tray 22a and the first frame piece 22b1, and the rear of the ice tray 22a does not rotate more than approximately 120°. Therefore, by rotating the front of the ice tray 22a more than 120° by operating the operator 22c, the area between the front and rear of the ice tray 22a is twisted, and the shape of the recess 22A provided in the ice tray 22a becomes different from the shape of the ice generated in the recess 22A. This causes the ice to detach from the ice tray body 22a1.

[0070] As the user operates the control element 22c, the ice tray body 22a1 rotates together with the control element 22c. As a result, the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 shown in Figure 8 slide along the inclined surfaces 41 and 42, and come into contact with the higher portion of the inclined surfaces 41 and 42 shown in Figure 9. This causes the portion of the ice tray body 22a1 with the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the portion of the frame body 22b with the frame side contact surface 40 to move apart in the direction of extension of the rotation axis A. Consequently, the frame body 22b deforms in a direction that increases the distance between the first frame piece 22b1 and the second frame piece 22b2. This generates a restoring force (elastic force) in the elastic frame body 22b, causing it to return to its original shape. This restoring force increases as the amount of deformation of the frame body 22b increases. Therefore, as the rotation angle of the ice tray body 22a1 relative to the frame 22b increases, a larger restoring force is generated, moving from the first rotation position to the second rotation position and then to the third rotation position. When the user releases the operator 22c while the ice tray 22a is in a rotation position, the restoring force generated on the frame 22b acts, restoring the ice tray 22a to a horizontal ice-making position. Once it returns to the ice-making position, the end faces 35 of the protrusions that make up the inclined surfaces 31 and 32 of the ice tray side contact surface 30 come into contact with the end faces 43 and 44 provided on the frame side contact surface 40, preventing the ice tray 22a from rotating beyond the horizontal position relative to the frame 22b.

[0071] As described above, in this embodiment, the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40 are configured such that when the ice tray 22a rotates around the rotation axis A relative to the frame 22b, the distance between the ice tray body 22a1 and the first frame piece 22b1 increases. As a result, as the ice tray 22a rotates, the distance between the first frame piece 22b1 and the second frame piece 22b2 along the direction in which the rotation axis A extends increases. Consequently, a restoring force acts on the frame 22b to return the ice tray 22a from the rotational position to the ice-making position, causing the ice tray 22a to return to the ice-making position.

[0072] Thus, in this embodiment, the ice tray 22a returns from the rotational position to the ice-making position due to the configuration of the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40. For this reason, it is not necessarily required to provide a spring or the like to return the ice tray from the rotational position to the ice-making position. Therefore, the ice-making device 20 can reduce the number of parts in the ice-making device 20 and make it easier to manufacture the ice-making device 20.

[0073] In this embodiment, the inclined surfaces 31, 32, 41, and 42 are provided within a range of 180° or less around the rotation axis A. Therefore, multiple inclined surfaces can be provided on both the ice tray side contact surface 30 and the frame side contact surface 40. Thus, the restoring force generated on the ice tray 22a in a rotating position can be further increased. However, if the angular range in which the inclined surfaces 31, 32, 41, and 42 are provided is 90° or less, the recess 22A may not sufficiently face the container 23 side when releasing ice. For this reason, the angular range in which the inclined surfaces 31, 32, 41, and 42 are provided is preferably greater than 90° and 180° or less, and more preferably between 120° and 180°.

[0074] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1: Refrigerator 11: Freezer 12: Refrigerator 20: Ice making machine 22: Tray 22A: Recess 22a: Ice tray 22a1: Ice tray body 22a2: Contact part 22b:Frame body 22b1: 1st frame piece 22b2: 2nd frame piece 22b3: 3rd frame piece 22b4: 4th frame piece 22c:Controller 23: Container 30: Ice tray side contact surface 31, 32: Inclined surface 40: Frame side contact surface 41, 42: Inclined surface 51, 52: Door A: Rotation axis D1, D2: Direction of rotation

Claims

1. An ice tray having an ice tray body with a recess formed in which water can be collected, The ice tray is rotatably supported about a rotation axis extending in one direction, and the frame has a first frame piece located on one side of the direction in which the rotation axis extends relative to the ice tray, Equipped with, The ice tray is connected to the ice tray body and further has a contact portion including an ice tray side contact surface that contacts the first frame piece. The first frame piece has a frame-side contact surface that faces the ice tray-side contact surface in the direction in which the rotation axis extends, An ice-making apparatus in which the contact surface on the ice tray side and the contact surface on the frame side are configured such that the distance between the ice tray body and the first frame piece increases when the ice tray rotates around the rotation axis relative to the frame, starting from a state in which the ice tray is in one position relative to the frame.

2. The frame further comprises a second frame piece located on the other side of the direction in which the rotation axis extends relative to the ice tray, The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface on the ice tray side and the contact surface on the frame side are configured such that the distance between the first frame piece and the second frame piece increases when the ice tray rotates relative to the frame around the rotation axis from the first position.

3. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the ice tray side contact surface and the frame side contact surface has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the rotation axis along the circumferential direction about the rotation axis.

4. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inclined surface is provided in a range of 180° or less around the rotation axis.

5. The ice tray body is connected to the ice tray body and further comprises an operating element provided on one side of the second frame for rotating the ice tray body relative to the frame body, The ice-making apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rigidity of the first frame piece is lower than the rigidity of the second frame piece.

6. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, A housing having a cooling chamber in which the ice-making device is arranged, A refrigerator equipped with [a specific feature].

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