Ice making device and refrigerator including the same

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same may be provided, comprising an outer case forming the outer shape of the ice maker, a first tray made of a metal material, and a second tray made of at least a portion made of an elastic material, wherein the first tray and the second tray are mutually coupled to form a spherical ice-making tray and form a plurality of ice-making grooves for receiving ice-making water, a driving motor providing a driving force, and a driving gear part that transmits the driving force of the driving motor and is coupled and supported to the first tray, wherein the first tray includes an extension part provided extending to one side and a plurality of first grooves provided in a hemispherical shape on the bottom surface, and the second tray is provided below the first tray and a plurality of second grooves provided in a hemispherical shape at positions corresponding to each of the first grooves, and the plurality of ice-making grooves are arranged in a plurality of rows and are arranged side by side or staggered with respect to ice-making grooves in other rows.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same. Background Technology

[0003] Generally, a refrigerator is a device that stores food at low temperatures to prevent spoilage at room temperature. Recently, products equipped with refrigerator ice makers that provide ice to the user separately from the food are being released.

[0004] An ice maker for a refrigerator comprises an ice tray having a plurality of ice-making grooves formed therein for receiving water and making ice of a certain size, an ice bank provided at the bottom of the ice tray for storing ice made by an ice-making motor, and a driving unit mounted on one side of the ice bank for driving to transport the ice.

[0005] Here, there are twist type and heater type methods for releasing ice produced in the ice-making tray. The twist type is a method in which the ice-making tray itself is twisted using a releasing motor to separate the produced ice from the ice-making groove and then drop it into the ice bank below. The heater type is a method in which a predetermined amount of heat is applied to an ice-making tray equipped with a metal material using a releasing heater to separate the produced ice from the ice-making groove, and then the ice is pushed to one side of the ice-making tray and dropped into the ice bank below by rotating a separate releasing ejector.

[0006] Recently, various shapes and sizes are required for ice produced depending on the intended use of the ice. In addition, shapes that can reduce the contact area between ice cubes are also required to prevent problems such as ice cubes sticking together while stored in an ice box.

[0007] Furthermore, the demand for transparent ice is also on the rise for visual effects. Prior art literature

[0009] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0790031 (Published on Jan. 2, 2008) The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned technical problems and presents a new structure for an ice maker or improves the structure of an ice maker.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide an ice maker that allows for easy removal of ice produced and can be miniaturized, and a refrigerator including the same.

[0012] The present invention aims to provide an ice maker capable of making round ice and a refrigerator including the same.

[0013] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0015] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention is,

[0016] External case forming the exterior of the ice maker;

[0017] An ice-making tray comprising a first tray made of a metal material and a second tray having at least a portion made of an elastic material, wherein the first tray and the second tray are combined to form a plurality of ice-making grooves for receiving ice-making water; and

[0018] A driving unit comprising a driving motor that provides driving force and a driving gear unit that transmits the driving force of the driving motor, and which is coupled and supported on the first tray;

[0019] The first tray includes an extension portion provided extending to one side, and a plurality of first grooves provided on the bottom surface in a hemispherical shape, and

[0020] The second tray is provided at the bottom of the first tray, and a plurality of second grooves are provided in a hemispherical shape at positions corresponding to each of the first grooves.

[0021] The plurality of ice-making grooves are arranged in a plurality of rows, and may be arranged side by side or staggered with respect to other rows of ice-making grooves.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0023] The above extension part is,

[0024] A drive connection part for connecting the drive part of the ice maker may be provided.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0026] The above driving unit is,

[0027] A fixed projection protruding in one direction may be provided.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0029] The bottom surface of the first tray above is,

[0030] A fixed slot portion into which the above-mentioned fixed projection is inserted may be provided.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0032] The above extension part is,

[0033] A folded surface provided by folding can be provided.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0035] The above-mentioned bent surface is,

[0036] A slot portion into which a fixed projection of the driving part is inserted may be provided.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0038] The above external case is,

[0039] A first pressing part that presses the second tray may be provided.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0041] A second pressurizing part may be provided that is linked to the second tray and is located on the upper part of the first tray and inserted into the water supply groove of the first tray.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0043] The above second pressurizing unit is,

[0044] A link portion that links with the above-mentioned second tray may be provided.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0046] The above first tray is,

[0047] It may include a support member that guides and supports the movement of the second pressurizing member.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0049] The above first tray is,

[0050] It may include a shaft fixing part that prevents the rotation shaft, which is coupled to the drive shaft of the above-mentioned drive unit and linked thereto, from detaching and fixing it.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0052] The diameter of each of the plurality of the above-mentioned ice-making grooves is,

[0053] It can be provided with at least one diameter.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0055] The above ice-making grooves can be arranged in a "W" shape.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0057] The above ice-making grooves can be arranged in an "M" shape.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0059] The above first tray is,

[0060] It can be made of aluminum.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0062] The above-mentioned first tray is,

[0063] A case fastening part that fastens to the above-mentioned outer case may be provided.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0065] The above second tray is,

[0066] A communication hole that communicates with an adjacent ice-making groove may be provided.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0068] The plurality of the above-mentioned ice-making grooves are,

[0069] A first group comprising a plurality of ice-making grooves provided on one side of the ice-making tray; and

[0070] It may include a second group that is spaced apart from the first group of ice-making grooves by a predetermined distance and includes at least one ice-making groove.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0072] On the above-mentioned folded surface,

[0073] A reinforcing rib that reinforces the strength of the above extension may be provided.

[0074] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention is,

[0075] A cabinet that forms the exterior shape of a refrigerator and creates an internal storage space;

[0076] A door for opening and closing the storage space of the cabinet; and

[0077] Includes an ice maker positioned on one side of the cabinet;

[0078] The above ice maker is,

[0079] An outer case forming the exterior of the above ice maker;

[0080] An ice-making tray comprising a first tray made of a metal material and a second tray having at least a portion made of an elastic material, wherein the first tray and the second tray are combined to form a spherical shape and form a plurality of ice-making grooves for receiving ice-making water; and

[0081] A driving unit comprising a driving motor that provides driving force and a driving gear unit that transmits the driving force of the driving motor, and which is coupled and supported on the first tray;

[0082] The first tray includes an extension portion provided extending to one side, and a plurality of first grooves provided on the bottom surface in a hemispherical shape, and

[0083] The second tray is provided at the bottom of the first tray, and a plurality of second grooves are provided in a hemispherical shape at positions corresponding to each of the first grooves.

[0084] The plurality of ice-making grooves are arranged in a plurality of rows, and may be arranged side by side or staggered with respect to other rows of ice-making grooves. Effects of the invention

[0086] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention and a refrigerator including the same can provide ice having various shapes, for example, a circular shape, by presenting a new ice maker structure or improving the ice maker structure.

[0087] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention and a refrigerator including the same can easily remove ice even if the ice produced is large.

[0088] An ice maker and a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention can be miniaturized.

[0089] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention and a refrigerator including the same can produce round ice.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a miniaturized ice maker and a refrigerator including the same can be provided by improving the structure of the ice maker. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0092] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the bottom surface of a first tray according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an ice-making tray operation according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of an ice-making tray according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0093] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ice maker according to the present invention and a refrigerator including the same will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0094] It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are assigned the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0095] In describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are intended merely to distinguish the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by such terms. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0097] First, referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator (1) may include a cabinet forming a storage compartment with an open front and at least one door (8, 9) that opens and closes the open front of the storage compartment.

[0098] The above storage room may include at least one of a refrigerator room for storing food in a refrigerated state and a freezer room for storing food in a frozen state. The refrigerator (1) of the present embodiment is exemplified as including both the refrigerator room and the freezer room, and the freezer room may be provided above the refrigerator room.

[0099] The doors (8, 9) may include a freezer door (8) that opens and closes the refrigerator room and a refrigerator door (9) that opens and closes the freezer room. The freezer door (8) is provided with two doors arranged left and right to each other, so that the left freezer door (8) can open and close the left side, which is part of the freezer room, and the right freezer door (8) can open and close the right side, which is the remaining part of the refrigerator room.

[0100] The ice box may be installed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator (1). The ice box may be placed below the ice maker (10). The ice box may be formed in a tubular shape with an open top. Ice produced by the ice maker (10) may be transferred from the ice maker (10) to the ice box and stored within the ice box.

[0101] In some cases, an auger may be positioned on one side of the ice box. The auger may be installed to be rotatable in the circumferential direction on the ice box. Both ends of the auger may be rotatably connected to both sides of the ice box (400). A spiral groove may be formed on the outer surface of the auger. When the auger rotates, it can transport ice stored inside the ice box (400) to the outside of the ice box through the spiral groove. The auger may be rotated by the driving force of an auger motor installed on one side of the ice box.

[0103] An ice maker may be installed in at least one of the refrigerator room and the freezer room. In the refrigerator (1) of the present embodiment, an ice maker (10) may be installed in the upper left corner of the freezer room.

[0104] The ice maker (10) can receive ice-making water from the refrigerator (1), and can produce ice by turning the ice-making water into ice using cold air supplied from the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator (1) to the storage room. Of course, the ice-making water can be frozen into ice by including a separate refrigeration cycle that is independent of or linked to the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator (1).

[0106] An ice maker (10) according to FIGS. 2 to 7 includes an outer case (400) forming the outer shape of the ice maker, a driving unit (200) including a driving motor that provides driving force, an extension unit (113) that is rotatably mounted inside the outer case (400) and extends to one side, a first tray (110) including a plurality of first grooves (111) in a hemispherical shape, and a second tray (120) provided below the first tray (110) and including a plurality of second grooves (121) in a hemispherical shape, and the ice maker tray (100) can form a plurality of ice maker grooves (101) in which ice water is received by mutually connecting the first tray (110) and the second tray (120) so that the first grooves (111) and the second grooves (121) are mutually connected.

[0107] Here, the case (400) may include a pressurizing part comprising a first pressurizing part (410) and a second pressurizing part (420) that respectively contact and pressurize the first tray (110) and the second tray (120).

[0109] More specifically, an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more drive units (200) comprising a drive gear unit (not shown) formed by the interlocking of at least one gear and a drive motor (not shown) that transmits driving force to the drive gear unit. Additionally, a control box of the ice maker may accommodate a plurality of electrical components that control the drive unit (200), and the drive unit (200) may be controlled to perform operation through the control box.

[0110] The drive unit (200) may be provided with a drive shaft (210) that is linked to the drive gear unit. The drive shaft (210) may be coupled with a rotation shaft (240) that is linked to the second tray (120), and the drive shaft (210) may rotate in a predetermined direction by driving the drive motor, and as the rotation shaft (240) rotates, the second tray (120) may be rotated and moved in a predetermined direction. Here, the second tray (120) may be rotated and moved by driving the drive motor and pressed by the first pressing unit (410) to be separated or coupled with the first tray (110). The direction of movement according to the rotation direction of the drive motor may be determined by the choice of a person skilled in the art.

[0111] The driving unit may be provided with a fixing projection that is inserted into and fixed to one side of the first tray. The fixing projection may be inserted into a fixing slot portion or a slot portion provided in the first tray described below and coupled to the first tray.

[0113] The ice-making tray (100) may include a first tray (110) and a second tray (120), and the first tray (110) and the second tray (120) are each provided with a first groove (111) and a second groove (121) that are provided in a hemispherical shape, respectively, so that the first tray (110) and the second tray (120) are combined to form an ice-making groove (101) in which ice-making water is received. Here, the first tray (110) may be provided with a water supply groove (112) to enable the supply of ice-making water from a water supply unit.

[0114] The second tray (120) can be rotated in a predetermined direction by the drive of the drive unit (200), and the rotated second tray (120) can be rotated in a predetermined direction to be separated from the first tray (110) and to make ice contained in the ice-making groove (101).

[0115] The second tray (120) may be provided with an elastic member. The second tray (120) may be provided with an elastic member so that deformation caused by the pressure of the pressure member (410) can be restored by elastic force. The second tray (120) can deform due to the pressure of the pressure member and can release ice that can be accommodated in the second groove (121), and after pressure, the second tray (120) can rotate back in a predetermined direction to return, thereby relieving the pressure applied by the pressure member. Thus, deformation caused by the elastic force of the second tray (120) can be restored to a predetermined shape. The elastic member of the second tray (120) may include at least one of silicone, Keflon, ABS, and PP, and may have elastic force by means of the elastic member. Preferably, it may be included as a silicone material, but is not limited thereto.

[0116] Additionally, the first tray (110) may be made of aluminum and may be made by die-casting, but is not limited thereto. The first tray (110) may be made of aluminum and have a strength greater than that of a predetermined strength. Additionally, the first tray (110) may be made of aluminum to prevent corrosion, have high strength at low temperatures, and have high thermal conductivity. The first tray (110) may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity to increase the thermal conductivity for cold transfer and heating, thereby reducing the energy consumption required for ice making and ice removal.

[0117] Additionally, a tray heater (130) may be provided in the ice making tray (100). A tray heater (130) may be provided on one side of the ice making tray (110). A tray heater (130) may be provided on one side of the ice making tray (110) to transfer heat to the ice making groove (101). By providing a tray heater (130) in the ice making tray (100), heat can be transferred to the ice made in the ice making tray (100), thereby reducing the force required for ice making and removing residual ice that may be attached to the ice making tray (100). Preferably, the tray heater (130) may be provided in the first tray (110), but is not limited thereto.

[0119] More specifically, the first tray (110) may be formed by extending to one side and having an extension part (113) that is coupled to a member of an ice maker, a first groove (111) provided in a hemispherical shape, and a water supply groove (112) provided in the first groove (111) to receive ice-making water from a water supply part. Preferably, the extension part (113) may be coupled with a driving part (120), but is not limited thereto. Here, the extension part (113) may have a folded surface (1131) formed by bending depending on the case, but is not limited thereto.

[0120] The first tray (110) may further be provided with a shaft fixing part that fixes the rotation shaft (240) to prevent bending and detachment of the rotation shaft (240). One side of the rotation shaft (240) may be coupled to the drive shaft (210) and linked with the drive motor, and the other side may be inserted into and fixed to the shaft fixing part (118) provided in the first tray (210). By inserting and fixing the rotation shaft (240) into the shaft fixing part (118), sagging and detachment of the rotation shaft (240) can be prevented.

[0122] The extension part (113) may be provided with a drive connection part (114) that secures the drive part (200). The drive connection part (114) is provided so that the drive part (120) can be secured and coupled to the first tray (110). The drive connection part (114) may be formed protruding from one side of the bottom surface of the first tray (110) to secure the drive part to the first tray. The drive connection part may also protrude from the top surface to be secured to the outer case (400) to secure the first tray (110) to the outer case (400).

[0123] Additionally, a fixing slot portion (115) into which a fixing projection (220) of a driving unit (200) is inserted may be provided on the bottom surface of the extension portion. Since the fixing slot portion (115) is provided on the bottom surface of the extension portion, at least one fixing projection (220) protruding from one side of the driving unit (200) may be inserted into the fixing slot portion (115) and fixed.

[0124] According to another embodiment, the extension part (113) may be provided with a bent surface (1131). A slot portion (115) may be provided in the bent surface (1131), and a fixing projection (220) of the driving part (200) may be inserted into the slot portion (115) to fix the driving part (200). Additionally, a reinforcing rib (1312) may be provided in the bent surface (1131). The reinforcing rib (1312) may be provided to further reinforce the strength of the extension part (113).

[0126] The first tray (110) may be provided with a case fastening portion (116). By providing the case fastening portion (116), the first tray (110) can be coupled to an outer case (116), and as the first tray (110) is coupled to and fixed to the outer case (116), abnormal operation and damage caused by vibration transmission, etc., can be prevented. Of course, the case fastening portion (116) can be provided as a groove, a protrusion, a slot, etc., and can be included in any configuration that can be coupled to the outer case (400).

[0128] A plurality of ice-making grooves (101) for receiving ice-making water can be provided by combining the first tray (110) and the second tray (120). Here, the plurality of ice-making grooves (101) can be arranged in a plurality of rows.

[0129] The diameter of each of the plurality of ice-making grooves (101) may be formed with at least one diameter. Depending on the choice of a person skilled in the art, the diameters of each ice-making groove (101) may be the same or different from one another. Preferably, ice-making grooves (101) arranged in the same row may be provided with the same diameter, but are not limited thereto.

[0130] For example, a plurality of rows may include a first row located on the same plane as the ice-making groove (101) located on the upper side of the second tray (120) which is rotated at a predetermined angle based on the state in which the second tray (120) is rotated in a predetermined direction by the driving unit (120), and a second row located on the same plane as the ice-making groove (101) located on the lower side of the second tray (120) which is rotated at a predetermined angle.

[0131] Additionally, the ice making groove (101) provided in the first row and the ice making groove (101) provided in the second row may be arranged in an alternating manner. In one embodiment, the ice making groove (101) may be arranged in a "W" or "M" shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0132] Additionally, the size of the ice-making groove (101) may be such that the diameter of the ice-making groove (101) provided in the first row and the ice-making groove (101) provided in the second row are the same or different, depending on the choice of a person skilled in the art. For example, the diameter of the ice-making groove (101) provided in the first row may be provided to have the same diameter as the ice-making groove (101) in the second row, or may be provided to have a larger diameter than the ice-making groove (101) in the second row, but this is merely an example and is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that the size of the diameter of the ice-making groove (101) included in either the first row or the second row may be determined according to the choice of a person skilled in the art. The diameters of the ice-making grooves (101) provided in the first and second rows, respectively, can be provided with different diameters according to the choice of a person skilled in the art, and ice can be selected and made according to the size of the ice-making grooves (101) determined according to the choice of a person skilled in the art, and as the ice-making grooves (101) provided with at least one diameter are provided in an alternating manner, it is possible to make ice of multiple diameters, thereby increasing space efficiency.

[0133] As the ice-making groove (101) is provided in multiple rows, the pressurizing unit may be provided in multiple rows. The first pressurizing unit and the second pressurizing unit may be provided in multiple rows at positions corresponding to the ice-making groove (101) arranged in multiple rows, and the pressurizing unit (140) may be provided in multiple rows to pressurize the ice-making groove (101). For example, the ice-making groove (101) may be provided in two rows, and the first pressurizing unit (410) and the second pressurizing unit (420) may each be provided in two rows corresponding to the ice-making groove (101) provided in two rows. The first pressurizing unit (410) and the second pressurizing unit (420) may be provided in two rows to pressurize the ice-making groove (101) provided in two rows.

[0134] Additionally, the plurality of ice-making grooves (101) may include a first group (1111) comprising at least one ice-making groove (101) provided on one side of the ice-making tray (100), and a second group (1112) comprising at least one ice-making groove (101) provided spaced apart from the first group (1111) at a predetermined distance. Here, at least one ice-making groove (101) may be provided in each group (1111, 1112). Each group (1111, 1112) may be included in the same row or multiple rows, and each group (1111, 1112) may be provided spaced apart at a predetermined interval. Each group (1111, 1112) may be included spaced apart at predetermined intervals, and an empty space may be provided in the spaced-apart space, and electrical wiring, heaters, sensors, etc. may be included in this space, and according to the choice of a person skilled in the art, configurations necessary for making or removing ice may be further included in the space. Here, configurations included in two groups have been described, but it is obvious that each group may be included in two or more groups.

[0135] The ice-making groove (101) may be provided with a diameter smaller than or equal to a predetermined size. Since the ice-making groove (101) is provided with a diameter smaller than or equal to a predetermined size, the ice-making time may be shortened compared to when the ice-making groove (101) is provided with a diameter larger than or equal to a predetermined size. Additionally, the first tray (110) may be provided with a metal material having high thermal conductivity, and since the first tray (110) has high thermal conductivity, cold air is transferred to the ice-making groove (101) through the first tray (110), thereby further shortening the ice-making time. Here, the predetermined diameter may refer to the diameter of ice produced by a conventional ball ice maker, but is not limited thereto and can be determined according to the choice of a person skilled in the art. The ice-making groove (101) may be provided with a diameter smaller than the size of ice produced by a conventional ball ice maker, thereby making small ice and further shortening the ice-making time.

[0137] A pressurizing unit (140) including a first pressurizing unit (410) and a second pressurizing unit (420) may be provided in the case (100). The pressurizing unit may be provided in the outer case (400), and the first pressurizing unit (410) may be provided at the position where the second tray (120), which is rotated in a predetermined direction by the driving unit (120), is rotated. Additionally, a second pressurizing unit (420) may be provided on the upper part of the first tray (110) to be linked with the second tray (120), and when the second tray (120) is rotated, the second pressurizing unit (420) linked with the second tray (120) moves to a predetermined position to perform an ice-making operation. Here, it goes without saying that the pressurizing unit may be included in multiple units to correspond to each of the multiple ice-making grooves (101).

[0138] A link portion (430) may be provided so that the second pressure portion (420) is linked to the second tray (120). One side of the link portion (430) may be rotatably connected to the second tray (120), and the other side of the link portion (430) may be rotatably connected to one side of a linkage bar (421) that interconnects a plurality of second pressure portions (420). A link movement portion (422) may be provided on one side of the linkage bar (421) so that the link portion (430) can rotate and move up and down, and one side of the link portion (430) moves up and down along the link movement portion (422), and the second pressure portion (420) can be moved to a predetermined position by the link portion (430). The second pressure portion (420) can be moved to a predetermined position according to the rotational movement of the second tray (120) by the link portion (430). Here, movement may refer to all movements including lifting and lowering. The first tray (110) may be provided with a support member (117) that prevents the interlocking bar (421) from coming off and guides its position. The support member is provided to guide the movement of the interlocking bar (421) and prevent the interlocking bar (421) from coming off.

[0139] A first pressurizing unit (410) and a second pressurizing unit (420) are provided to allow ice to be placed in one of the first tray (110) and the second tray (120).

[0141] A water supply unit may be included on the upper part of the ice-making tray. The water supply unit may receive ice-making water from a water source, for example, a water pipe of a refrigerator, and supply ice-making water to the ice-making space (101) of the ice-making tray (100). The water supply unit may supply water to the ice-making groove (101) through a water supply groove (112) provided in the ice-making tray (100), and preferably, the water supply groove (112) may be provided in the first groove (111) of the first tray (110), but is not limited thereto.

[0142] A communication hole (122) may be provided on one side of the second groove (121) of the second tray (120). A communication hole (122) may be provided in the second tray (120) so that the second grooves (121) included in a plurality may be interconnected. By providing the communication hole (122), ice-making water supplied through the water supply unit is supplied to the other ice-making groove (101), so that even if water is supplied to only one ice-making groove (101), ice-making water can be supplied to all ice-making grooves (101).

[0144] The ice detection lever (230) may be rotatably provided on the drive unit (120). In one example, it may rotate to sweep the upper space of the ice box to detect the ice in the ice box and detect full ice. Here, the ice detection lever (230) may be driven independently of the rotation or movement of the ice making tray (100) to detect full ice, and the ice maker (10) may perform ice removal if the ice detection result of the ice detection lever (230) indicates that the ice box (300) is not in a full ice state. The control unit of the ice maker (10) may determine whether the ice stored in the ice box (300) is full through a signal input from the ice detection lever (230). If the ice stored in the ice box (300) is in a full ice state, the control unit may stop the removal of the ice made. Of course, the control unit may restart the ice making process if the ice stored in the ice box (300) is not in a full ice state. The ice detection lever (230) may rotate independently of operations including rotational movement of the second tray (120) and perform ice detection. The ice detection lever (230) detects full ice, and depending on the ice detection result, if full ice is detected, the ice making process may be stopped, and if full ice is not detected, the ice making and ice making processes may be repeated according to a predetermined ice making procedure.

[0146] In the ice maker (10) according to the present invention, the second tray (120) can be rotated and moved at a predetermined angle around the rotation axis (240) by the driving of the driving unit (120) and pressed against the first pressing unit (410). As the second tray (120) rotates and moves, the second pressing unit (420), which is linked to the second tray (120) by the link unit (430), descends, and ice that can be received in the first tray (110) or the second tray (120) can be made by the first pressing unit (410) and the second pressing unit (420). When the ice-making operation is completed, the second tray (120) can be rotated and moved in a predetermined direction by the driving of the driving unit (120) to be coupled with the first tray (110), and when the ice-making tray (100) is coupled, ice-making and ice-making can be repeated under the control of the control unit depending on whether the ice bank (300) is full.

[0148] In some cases, the ice maker according to the present invention may be mounted on a refrigerator body, a door, or a portable refrigerator.

[0150] The embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that various modifications and implementations within an equivalent scope are possible by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the true scope of the rights of the present invention shall be determined by the claims set forth below. Explanation of the symbols

[0152] 1: Refrigerator 8, 9: Door 10: Ice maker 100: Ice-making tray 101: Ice-making home 110: 1st Tray 111: Home 1 112: Water supply groove 113: Extension part 1131: Folded surface 1132: Fixed rib 114: Drive connection part 115: Fixed slot part, slot part 116: Case fastening part 117: Support 118: Shaft fixing part 120: 2nd Tray 200: Drive unit 210: Drive shaft 220: Fixed protrusion 230: Blackening Lever 240: Rotation axis 300: Ice Bank 400: External case 410: 1st pressurizing unit 420: Second pressurizing unit 430: Link section

Claims

Claim 1 An ice maker comprising: an outer case forming the exterior of the ice maker; an ice maker tray comprising a first tray made of a metal material and a second tray having at least a portion made of an elastic material, wherein the first tray and the second tray are combined to form a spherical shape and form a plurality of ice maker grooves for receiving ice water; and a driving unit comprising a driving motor providing driving force and a driving gear unit transmitting the driving force of the driving motor, and which is coupled and supported to the first tray; wherein the first tray includes an extension portion extended to one side and a plurality of first grooves formed in a hemispherical shape on its bottom surface, and the second tray is provided below the first tray and a plurality of second grooves formed in a hemispherical shape at positions corresponding to each of the first grooves, and the plurality of ice maker grooves are arranged in a plurality of rows and are arranged parallel to or staggered with respect to ice maker grooves in other rows. Claim 2 In claim 1, the extension part is provided with a drive connecting part for connecting the drive part of the ice maker; an ice maker. Claim 3 An ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is provided with a fixed projection protruding in one direction. Claim 4 In claim 3, the bottom surface of the first tray is provided with a fixed slot portion into which the fixed projection is inserted; an ice maker. Claim 5 In claim 3, the extension part is provided with a bent surface that is bent. Claim 6 In claim 5, the above-mentioned bent surface is provided with a slot portion into which a fixed projection of a driving part is inserted; an ice maker. Claim 7 In claim 1, the outer case is provided with a first pressing part that presses the second tray, an ice maker. Claim 8 An ice maker according to claim 7, wherein a second pressurizing part is provided that is linked to the second tray and is positioned above the first tray and inserted into the water supply groove of the first tray. Claim 9 In claim 8, the ice maker is provided with a link portion that links with the second tray, wherein the second pressurizing portion is provided with a link portion that links with the second tray. Claim 10 In claim 8, the ice maker comprises: a first tray that guides and supports the movement of the second pressurizing part. Claim 11 An ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the first tray comprises a shaft fixing part that prevents and fixes the rotational shaft coupled to the drive shaft of the drive unit and interlocked therewith. Claim 12 An ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of ice-making grooves is provided as at least one diameter. Claim 13 In claim 1, the ice-making grooves are arranged in a "W" shape, an ice maker. Claim 14 In claim 1, the ice-making grooves are arranged in an "M" shape, an ice maker. Claim 15 In claim 1, the first tray is an ice-making tray made of aluminum material. Claim 16 In claim 1, the first tray is provided with a case fastening part that fastens to the outer case; an ice-making tray. Claim 17 In claim 1, the second tray is provided with a communication hole that communicates with an adjacent ice-making groove. Claim 18 An ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ice-making grooves comprises: a first group comprising a plurality of ice-making grooves provided on one side of the ice-making tray; and a second group comprising at least one ice-making groove provided spaced apart from the first group of ice-making grooves by a predetermined distance. Claim 19 An ice maker according to claim 5, wherein the bent surface is provided with a reinforcing rib that reinforces the strength of the extension portion. Claim 20 A cabinet forming the exterior shape of a refrigerator and forming an internal storage space; a door for opening and closing the storage space of the cabinet; and an ice maker disposed on one side of the cabinet; wherein the ice maker comprises an outer case forming the exterior shape of the ice maker; an ice maker tray comprising a first tray made of a metal material and a second tray having at least a portion made of an elastic material, wherein the first tray and the second tray are mutually combined to form a spherical shape and form a plurality of ice maker grooves for receiving ice maker water. A refrigerator comprising: a drive unit that is coupled and supported on a first tray, and including a drive motor that provides a driving force and a drive gear unit that transmits the driving force of the drive motor; wherein the first tray includes an extension portion that extends to one side and has a plurality of first grooves provided in a hemispherical shape on its bottom surface, and the second tray is provided on the lower part of the first tray and has a plurality of second grooves provided in a hemispherical shape at positions corresponding to each of the first grooves, and the plurality of ice-making grooves are arranged in a plurality of rows and are arranged side-by-side with or staggered with respect to ice-making grooves in other rows.

Images