refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator includes an ice maker configured to generate ice and discharge the ice, and an ice bucket configured to be positioned below the ice maker to receive the ice. The ice bucket includes a container body including a receiving space configured to receive the ice, and a scoop holder extending from the container body and configured with a holding hole to allow an ice scoop to pass through the holding hole to be held in the holding hole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of International Application No. PCT / KR2026 / 000147, filed on Jan. 5, 2026, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0008319, filed on Jan. 20, 2025, in the Ministry of Intellectual Property, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a refrigerator.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A refrigerator is an appliance for keeping food fresh, including a main body having a storage compartment and a cold air supply system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment in which the food is kept refrigerated at a temperature of about 0° C. to 5° C., and a freezing compartment in which the food is kept frozen at a temperature of about 0° C. to −30° C. The storage compartment is typically arranged to have an open front for putting in and taking out food, and the open front of the storage compartment is opened and closed by a door.

[0004] The refrigerator uses a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to repeat a cooling cycle in which the refrigerant is compressed, condensed, expanded, and evaporated. At this time, both the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may be cooled by one evaporator installed on the freezing compartment side, or the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may each be provided with an evaporator and cooled independently.

[0005] A refrigerator may include an ice maker that generates ice. The ice maker may include an ice tray for generating ice, an ejector for discharging ice from the ice tray, and a controller for controlling the ice making process, thereby automatically generating ice. Ice discharged from the ice tray may be stored in an ice bucket.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure capable of stably holding an ice scoop.

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure in which a space for holding an ice scoop is separated from a space for storing ice.

[0008] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure that may reduce the manufacturing cost for forming a structure for holding an ice scoop.

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure that omits a process of assembling a separate component for holding an ice scoop to an ice bucket and prevents incorrect assembly of the component or interference with other components such as a full ice detection device.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure in which a portion where an ice scoop is held may also be used as a handle for an ice bucket.

[0011] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure that may reduce an angle at which an ice bucket is tilted when the ice bucket is taken out from a drawer.

[0012] Technical tasks to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.Technical Solution

[0013] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker configured to generate ice and discharge the ice, and an ice bucket configured to be positioned below the ice maker to receive the ice. The ice bucket may include a container body including a receiving space configured to receive the ice, and a scoop holder extending from the container body and configured with a holding hole to allow an ice scoop to pass through the holding hole to be held in the holding hole.

[0014] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body including a storage compartment, an ice maker in the storage compartment, a drawer in the storage compartment and configured to be withdrawable forwardly with respect to the main body, and an ice bucket inside the drawer. The ice bucket may include a container body that is disposed below the ice maker and includes a receiving space configured to receive the ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice bucket may also include a scoop holder provided for holding an ice scoop. The scoop holder may be disposed on a front side of the receiving space, and may include a holding hole provided for the ice scoop to pass through the holding hole and be held in the holding hole.

[0015] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker, an ice bucket configured to receive ice, and an ice scoop configured to scoop the ice. The ice bucket may include a container body including a receiving space configured to receive the ice discharged downwardly from the ice maker, and a scoop holder spaced apart from the receiving space and including a holding hole provided for the ice scoop to pass through and be held thereon, the scoop holder being disposed above a bottom surface of the container body and integrally formed with the container body.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a view showing an inner case, a drawer, and a door of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the drawer is inserted into a main body in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the drawer is withdrawn from the main body in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an ice maker, a drawer, an ice bucket disposed in the drawer, and an ice scoop of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker, the drawer, the ice bucket, and the ice scoop, showing a state in which the height of ice stored in the ice bucket is at a full ice height in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the ice bucket and the ice scoop separated in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the ice bucket and the ice scoop separated in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the ice bucket of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a bottom surface of the ice bucket of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an ice scoop held in a scoop holder of the ice bucket included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ice bucket being lifted from the drawer included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an ice bucket being lifted from the drawer included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

[0030] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0031] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0032] In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,”“A, B or C,”“at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0033] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

[0034] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0035] Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component.

[0036] It will be understood that when the terms “includes,”“comprises,”“including,” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0037] It will be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.

[0038] It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” another component, it may be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

[0039] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body.

[0040] The “main body” may include an inner case, an outer case disposed outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0041] The “inner case” may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The “outer case” may form the outer appearance of the body, and may be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is disposed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0042] The “insulation” may insulate inside of a storage compartment from outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation such as a polyurethane foam. The foaming insulation may be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.

[0044] The “storage room” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage room may further include an inner case defining a space corresponding to a storage room. Various goods, such as food, medicine, cosmetics, etc., may be stored in the storage room, and the storage room may open at at least one side to put the goods in or take the goods out.

[0045] The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperature. To this end, the storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation.

[0046] The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and / or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as any one of a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection.

[0047] The storage compartment may also be called various other terms, such as “vegetable compartment (also referred to as room)”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below need to be understood to represent storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.

[0048] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted on the front of the main body.

[0049] The door may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door may include an insulation, like the main body, to insulate the storage compartment in the closed state.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.

[0051] A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forms the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate that forms the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate that forms the rear surface of the door body and faces the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.

[0053] The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or One Door Refrigerator depending on the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.

[0054] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0055] The cold air supply device may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and / or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a cooling cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the cooling cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

[0057] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment where at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

[0058] The machine compartment may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated from the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed inside the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the main body.

[0059] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.

[0060] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice maker that produces ice. The ice maker may include an ice-making tray that stores water, an ice-moving device that separates ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice-bucket that stores ice generated in the ice-making tray.

[0061] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0062] The controller may include a memory for storing and / or memorizing data and / or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the cold air supply device, etc. according to the programs and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0063] The memory may store or record various information, data, commands, programs, and the like necessary for operations of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0064] The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an operation of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor, and generate a cooling control signal for controlling an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0065] Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface according to the programs and / or data memorized / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0066] The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0067] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device according to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately equipped with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface according to the user input.

[0068] A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0069] The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.

[0070] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.

[0071] Hereinafter, various embodiments of refrigerator according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13, terms such as “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “rearward”, “left”, and “right” used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each configuration are not limited by these terms. For example, the terms “upward” and “downward” below may refer to upward in a Z direction and downward in the Z direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms “forward” and “rearward” below may refer to forward and rearward in an X direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms “left” and “right” below may refer to leftward and rightward in a Y direction, respectively, based on the drawings.

[0073] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 provided inside the main body 10, a door 30 for opening or closing the storage compartment 20, and a cooling system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment 20.

[0075] The main body 10 may include an inner case 12 forming the storage compartment 20 and an outer case 11 forming the exterior of the refrigerator 1. The outer case 11 may be formed to have a box shape with a substantially open front. The outer case 11 may form an upper surface, a lower surface, left and right side surfaces, a rear surface, and the like of the refrigerator 1. The inner case 12 may have an open front. The inner case 12 may have the storage compartment 20 provided therein and may be provided on an inner side of the outer case 11. An inner wall of the inner case 12 may form an inner wall of the storage compartment 20.

[0076] Between the inner case 12 and the outer case 11, a body insulation may be provided to thermally insulate between the inner case 12 and the outer case 11. The body insulation may be foamed between the inner case 12 and the outer case 11. The body insulation may couple the inner case 12 and the outer case 11 to each other. The body insulation may prevent heat exchange from occurring between an inside of the storage compartment 20 and an outside of the main body 10, thereby improving cooling efficiency inside the storage compartment 20. For example, the body insulation may include insulation of various materials, such as urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation, vacuum insulation, and the like.

[0077] The storage compartment 20 may be formed on an inner side of the main body 10. The storage compartment 20 may have an open front. In an example, the storage compartment 20 may include a refrigerating compartment maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius for keeping food items refrigerated. In an example, the storage compartment 20 may include a freezing compartment maintained at approximately −23 to −17 degrees Celsius for keeping food items frozen.

[0078] In various embodiments, the storage compartment 20 may be partitioned into a plurality of areas. According to an embodiment, the plurality of storage compartments 20 may include a first storage compartment 21, a second storage compartment 22, and a third storage compartment 23, and the first storage compartment 21, the second storage compartment 22, and the third storage compartment 23 may be partitioned from each other.

[0079] For example, the first storage compartment 21 may be provided in an upper portion of the refrigerator 1. For example, the second storage compartment 22 may be provided in a lower portion of the refrigerator 1. For example, the third storage compartment 23 may be disposed between the first storage compartment 21 and the second storage compartment 22. For example, the third storage compartment 23 may be disposed below the first storage compartment 21, and the second storage compartment 22 may be disposed below the third storage compartment 23.

[0080] For example, the first storage compartment 21 and the third storage compartment 23 may be partitioned by a first partition 16. The first partition 16 may be disposed in a substantially horizontal direction to partition the first storage compartment 21 and the third storage compartment 23 in a vertical direction. The first partition 16 may form a bottom surface of the first storage compartment 21 and an upper surface of the third storage compartment 23.

[0081] For example, the second storage compartment 22 and the third storage compartment 23 may be partitioned by a second partition 17 (see FIG. 2). The second partition 17 may be disposed in a substantially horizontal direction to partition the second storage compartment 22 and the third storage compartment 23 in the vertical direction. The second partition 17 may be disposed below the first partition 16. The second partition 17 may form an upper surface of the second storage compartment 22 and a bottom surface of the third storage compartment 23.

[0082] For example, the first storage compartment 21 may be used as a refrigerating compartment. For example, the second storage compartment 22 may be used as a freezing compartment. For example, the third storage compartment 23 may be used as a temperature conversion compartment. However, the respective uses of the storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 described above are merely examples, and in various embodiments, the first storage compartment 21, the second storage compartment 22, and the third storage compartment 23 may each be used for various purposes.

[0083] Inside the storage compartment 20, a shelf 25 on which food items may be placed and a drawer 26 for storing food items may be provided.

[0084] The refrigerator 1 may include a cooling system configured to generate cold air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cold air to the storage compartment 20. The cooling system may generate cold air using a refrigeration cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant. In an example, the cooling system may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blowing fan, and the like. The cold air generated by the cooling system may be supplied to the storage compartment 20 via a cold air supply duct formed in a rear portion of the inner case 12.

[0085] The door 30 may be configured to open or close the storage compartment 20. The door 30 may be configured to open or close the open front of the storage compartment 20. The door 30 may be configured to open or close an opening formed on one side of the main body 10.

[0086] The refrigerator 1 may include a plurality of doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 configured to open or close the plurality of partitioned storage compartments 21, 22, and 23.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the first storage compartment 21 may be opened and closed by a pair of doors 31 and 32. The refrigerator 1 may include a first door 31 that opens or closes one portion of the first storage compartment 21 and a second door 32 that opens or closes the other portion of the first storage compartment 21. The first door 31 and the second door 32 may each be configured to be rotatable relative to the main body 10. The first door 31 and the second door 32 may each be rotatably coupled to the main body 10. The first door 31 and the second door 32 may be arranged side by side in a horizontal direction (Y direction). In an example, the first door 31 may be configured to open or close a left portion of the first storage compartment 21, and the second door 32 may be configured to open or close a right portion of the first storage compartment 21.

[0088] One of the first door 31 and the second door 32 (e.g., the first door 31) may be provided with a rotation bar 39 that is rotatably provided with respect to the one door and is configured to cover a gap between the first door 31 and the second door 32 when the first door 31 and the second door 32 close the first storage compartment 21. For example, in response to rotation of the first door 31, the rotation bar 39 may be guided by a rotation guide 19 provided on the inner case 12 to rotate between a folded position relative to the first door 31 and an unfolded position relative to the first door 31.

[0089] In an example, an inner surface of each of the first door 31 and the second door 32 may be provided with a door shelf 37 for storing food items. For example, the door shelf 37 may be mounted on a dyke protruding from the inner surface of each of the first door 31 and the second door 32.

[0090] The refrigerator 1 may include a hinge 40 that connects the main body 10 and the door 30 and rotatably supports the door 30 relative to the main body 10. For example, the hinge 40 may connect the main body 10 and the first door 31 and rotatably support the first door 31 relative to the main body 10. For example, the hinge 40 may connect the main body 10 and the second door 32 and rotatably support the second door 32 relative to the main body 10.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a third door 33 configured to open or close the second storage compartment 22. The third door 33 may be configured to be slidable relative to the main body 10. The third door 33 may slide and be withdrawn from the main body 10 to open the second storage compartment 22, or be inserted into the main body 10 to close the second storage compartment 22. A drawer 50 (see FIG. 2, etc.) for storing items may be provided on a rear side of the third door 33, a detailed description of which will be given later.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a fourth door 34 configured to open or close the third storage compartment 23. The fourth door 34 may be configured to be slidable relative to the main body 10. The fourth door 34 may slide and be pulled out from the main body 10 to open the third storage compartment 23, or be pushed into the main body 10 to close the third storage compartment 23. A drawer for storing items may be provided on a rear side of the fourth door 34.

[0093] However, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the opening and closing structure of the door 30 is not limited to the examples of the first door 31, the second door 32, the third door 33, and the fourth door 34, and the door 30 may open or close the storage compartment 20 by various structures.

[0094] The configuration of the refrigerator 1 described above with reference to FIG. 1 is only an example of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The refrigerator according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to include various configurations to perform a function of supplying cold air to a storage compartment for storing food items.

[0095] FIG. 2 is a view showing an inner case, a drawer, and a door of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the drawer is inserted into a main body in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the drawer is withdrawn from the main body in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the drawer 50. The drawer 50 may be disposed in the second storage compartment 22. The drawer 50 may be disposed on the rear side of the third door 33.

[0097] The drawer 50 may be withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22 or inserted into the second storage compartment 22 by sliding movement relative to the main body 10. For example, a rail 60 may be mounted on the inner wall of the inner case 12 forming the second storage compartment 22, and the drawer 50 may be supported on the rail 60 and slide along the rail 60. The drawer 50 may be mounted on the third door 33, and when a user grasps the third door 33 and pulls it forward, the drawer 50 may be withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22, and when the user pushes the third door 33 rearward, the drawer 50 may be retracted into the second storage compartment 22.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, according to an embodiment, the drawer 50 may include a first drawer 51 and a second drawer 52. The first drawer 51 and the second drawer 52 may be configured to be slidable with respect to the main body 10 in accordance with the opening and closing of the third door 33. The first drawer 51 may slide with respect to the main body 10 to be withdrawn from or retracted into the second storage compartment 22. The second drawer 52 may slide with respect to the main body 10 to be withdrawn from or retracted into the second storage compartment 22.

[0099] For example, the second drawer 52 may be coupled to a rear surface of the third door 33, and when a user grasps the third door 33 and pulls it forward, the second drawer 52 may be withdrawn forward and the first drawer 51 may also be withdrawn forward.

[0100] The first drawer 51 and the second drawer 52 may each include a receiving space. For example, the first drawer 51 may include first drawer spaces 51a and 51b formed inside for storing items, and the second drawer 52 may include a second drawer space 52a formed inside for storing items. The first drawer spaces 51a and 51b and the second drawer space 52a of the second drawer 52 may be partitioned from each other. According to an embodiment, the first drawer spaces 51a and 51b may be partitioned into a plurality of first drawer spaces (e.g., a left space 51a and a right space 51b) by a drawer partition 51c, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0101] The first drawer 51 may be open at the top. The first drawer spaces 51a and 51b of the first drawer 51 may be open at the top. An opening may be formed on an upper side of the first drawer 51. The first drawer 51 may have a substantially box shape with an open upper surface.

[0102] The second drawer 52 may be open at the top. The second drawer space 52a of the second drawer 52 may be open at the top. An opening may be formed on an upper side of the second drawer 52. The second drawer 52 may have a substantially box shape with an open upper surface.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the first drawer 51 and the second drawer 52 may be arranged in the vertical direction with respect to each other. For example, the first drawer 51 may be disposed above the second drawer 52.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the first drawer 51 may be configured to be slidable with respect to the second drawer 52 on an upper side of the second drawer 52. For example, in a state where both the first drawer 51 and the second drawer 52 are withdrawn, a user may push the first drawer 51 rearward to take out an item stored in the second drawer 52 if necessary.

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker 80. The ice maker 80 may be configured to generate ice. The ice maker 80 may be configured to discharge the generated ice.

[0106] The ice maker 80 may be configured to receive water from an external water source or a water tank of the refrigerator 1 to generate ice. For example, the ice maker 80 may be supplied with water from a water supply pipe 70, and may change a state of the water supplied from the water supply pipe 70 into ice using the cold air in the storage compartment 20 (e.g., the cold air in the second storage compartment 22, which is a freezing compartment). The water supply pipe 70 may have the shape of a pipe in which a flow path through which water flows is formed.

[0107] According to an embodiment, the ice maker 80 may be disposed in the second storage compartment 22. The ice maker 80 may be secured to the main body 10. The ice maker 80 may be mounted on a portion of the inner case 12 that forms the second storage compartment 22.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include an ice bucket 100 configured to receive ice. The ice bucket 100 may be configured to receive and store the ice generated by the ice maker 80. The ice bucket 100 may be configured to receive and store the ice discharged from the ice maker 80. The ice bucket 100 may include a receiving space 110a configured to receive ice.

[0109] The ice bucket 100 may be disposed below the ice maker 80 inside the second storage compartment 22. The ice maker 80 may be disposed above the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100. The ice maker 80 may be configured to discharge the generated ice downward, and the ice discharged downward may be received in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100.

[0110] According to an embodiment, the ice bucket 100 may be disposed in the drawer 50. For example, the ice bucket 100 may be disposed within the first drawer space 51a of the first drawer 51. Thereby, when the first drawer 51 is withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22, the ice bucket 100 may also be withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22 together, and a user may easily take out the ice stored in the ice bucket 100. When the first drawer 51 is inserted into the second storage compartment 22, the ice bucket 100 may also be inserted into the second storage compartment 22.

[0111] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include an ice scoop 200 for scooping ice. The ice scoop 200 may be configured to scoop ice from the ice bucket 100. A user may use the ice scoop 200 to scoop the ice stored in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100. The user may use the ice scoop 200 to scoop the ice stored in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100 to an outside of the ice bucket 100.

[0112] Hereinafter, the ice maker 80, the ice bucket 100, and the ice scoop 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 13.

[0113] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an ice maker, a drawer, an ice bucket disposed in the drawer, and an ice scoop of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker, the drawer, the ice bucket, and the ice scoop, showing a state in which the height of ice stored in the ice bucket is at a full ice height in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the ice maker 80 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a support case 81. The support case 81 may form the exterior of the ice maker 80. The support case 81 may support other configurations of the ice maker 80. For example, the support case 81 may be mounted to the main body 10. In an example, the support case 81 may be mounted to the inner wall of the inner case 12.

[0115] The support case 81 may be open at the bottom. As a result, the ice generated in an ice tray 82, which will be described later, may be discharged downward and received in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the ice maker 80 may include the ice tray 82 in which ice is generated. The ice tray 82 may include at least one ice-making cell, and water may be supplied (e.g., from the water supply pipe 70) and stored in the ice-making cell. The water stored in the ice-making cell of the ice tray 82 may be changed to a state of ice by the cold air in the second storage compartment 22.

[0117] The ice-making cell of the ice tray 82 may have a shape with one side open. When water is supplied to the ice-making cell or while the water is being frozen, the ice tray 82 may be disposed such that the open side of the ice-making cell faces upward in the refrigerator 1. When the ice generated in the ice-making cell is discharged to the ice bucket 100, the ice tray 82 may be disposed such that the open side of the ice-making cell faces downward in the refrigerator 1.

[0118] The ice tray 82 may be disposed above the ice bucket 100. More specifically, the ice tray 82 may be disposed above the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100.

[0119] In an example, a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the ice tray 82 may be mounted on a lower side of the ice tray 82. When the temperature sensor detects that the temperature within the ice tray 82 is lower than or equal to a reference temperature, it may be determined that ice formation within the ice tray 82 is complete.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the ice maker 80 may include a drive portion 83 for providing power to the ice tray 82 for an icing operation to move the generated ice from the ice tray 82 to the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100. For example, the drive portion 83 may rotate the ice tray 82 about a rotation axis extending in the horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) of the refrigerator 1, thereby allowing the ice in the ice tray 82 to fall into the receiving space 110a.

[0121] For example, the drive portion 83 may include a motor that generates power, and power transmission members, such as gears for transmitting the power of the motor to the ice tray.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the ice maker 80 may include a full ice detection device 84. The full ice detection device 84 may be configured to detect whether the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100 is full of ice. Whether the receiving space 110a is full of ice may not necessarily be determined based on the receiving space 110a being filled with ice to a maximum height, but may be determined based on whether the height of the ice I (see FIG. 6) stored in the receiving space 110a has reached a predetermined full ice height h1 (see FIG. 6). For example, the full ice height h1 may be appropriately determined experimentally or empirically within a range to ensure that the ice I does not overflow out of the receiving space 110a or otherwise impair the functioning of the ice makers 80.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 6, when the height of the ice I in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100 reaches the full ice height h1, the ice I may come into contact with the lowered full ice detection device 84, thereby allowing the full ice detection device 84 to detect that the height of the ice I has reached the full ice height h1.

[0124] The ice maker 80 may be configured to discharge ice into the receiving space 110a until the ice stored in the receiving space 110a reaches a predetermined full ice height h1. As shown in FIG. 6, when the full ice detection device 84 detects that the height of the ice I in the receiving space 110a has reached the full ice height h1, water supply from the water supply pipe 70 to the ice tray 82 may be stopped. Alternatively, when the full ice detection device 84 detects that the height of the ice I in the receiving space 110a has reached the full ice height h1, the drive portion 83 may not be actuated to discharge ice from the ice tray 82 even if ice has already been generated in the ice tray 82.

[0125] With such a structure, the ice maker 80 may generate ice and discharge the generated ice into the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100. However, the structure of the ice maker 80 described above is merely an example, and according to various embodiments, the ice maker 80 may include various configurations for generating ice.

[0126] According to an embodiment, the ice bucket 100 may include a container body 110 including the receiving space 110a. The receiving space 110a, in which ice is received, may be formed inside the container body 110.

[0127] For example, the container body 110 may include a bottom surface 111, a front wall 113, a rear wall 114, and a pair of side walls 112, and the receiving space 110a may be formed between the bottom surface 111, the front wall 113, the rear wall 114, and the pair of side walls 112. The receiving space 110a may be surrounded by the bottom surface 111, the front wall 113, the rear wall 114, and the pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110.

[0128] The bottom surface 111 of the container body 110 may form the bottom surface of the receiving space 110a and may support the ice received in the receiving space 110a. In an example, the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110 may be supported by the bottom surface of the first drawer 51.

[0129] The front wall 113 of the container body 110 may extend from a front end of the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. The front wall 113 of the container body 110 may extend substantially upwardly from the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. According to an embodiment, the front wall 113 of the container body 110 may be disposed on one side of the receiving space 110a adjacent to a scoop holder 120, which will be described later. The front wall 113 of the container body 110 may be provided on a portion of the container body 110 connected to the scoop holder 120, which will be described later.

[0130] The rear wall 114 of the container body 110 may extend from a rear end of the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. The rear wall 114 of the container body 110 may extend substantially upwardly from the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. The rear wall 114 of the container body 110 may be located on the opposite side of the front wall 113. The rear wall 114 and the front wall 113 of the container body 110 may face each other in a front-to-rear direction.

[0131] The pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110 may extend from the left and right sides of the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110, respectively. The pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110 may extend substantially upwardly from the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. Each of the pair of side walls 112 of the container body may connect the front wall 113 and the rear wall 114. Each of the pair of side walls 112 of the container body may face each other in the left-to-right direction (Y). According to an embodiment, a handle 112a may be provided on each of the pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110. The handle 112a may be provided adjacent to an upper end of the side wall 112 of the container body 110.

[0132] The container body 110 may include an opening on its upper side. The upper opening of the container body 110 may face the bottom surface 111. By providing the opening on the upper side of the container body 110, the receiving space 110a may be opened upward.

[0133] The container body 110 may be disposed below the ice maker 80. In a state where the ice bucket 100 is located inside the second storage compartment 22, the container body 110 may be positioned below the ice maker 80 in the vertical direction (Z). To prevent the ice discharged from the ice maker 80 from falling into a place other than the receiving space 110a, it is preferable that in a state where the ice bucket 100 is located inside the second storage compartment 22, the container body 110 may be disposed such that the receiving space 110a is positioned below the ice maker 80 in the vertical direction (Z). For example, the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 may be disposed in the area below the ice tray 82 in the vertical direction (Z), which may be an area located between the front wall 113 and the rear wall 114 of the container body 110, and an area located between the pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110. As a result, the ice discharged vertically downwardly from the ice tray 82 may be received in the receiving space 110a, and the ice may be prevented from falling outside the receiving space 110a. In particular, since the area below the ice tray 82 in the vertical direction (Z) may be disposed rearwardly of the front wall 113 of the container body 110, which may efficiently prevent ice from entering the scoop holder 120, which will be described later, or from contacting the ice scoop 200 placed therein.

[0134] According to an embodiment, the ice bucket 100 may include the scoop holder 120 in which the ice scoop 200 is arranged to be placed. The ice scoop 200 may be placed in the scoop holder 120 or removed from the scoop holder 120 as needed. For example, in normal times, the ice scoop 200 may be stored in the second storage compartment 22 by being placed in the scoop holder 120, and when a user wishes to take out the ice within the receiving space 110a using the ice scoop 200, the user may remove the ice scoop 200 from the scoop holder 120 and scoop the ice into the ice scoop 200.

[0135] According to an embodiment, the scoop holder 120 may include a holding hole 120a for holding the ice scoop 200. The holding hole 120a may be provided to allow the ice scoop 200 to pass through. The ice scoop 200 may pass through the holding hole 120a and be held in the scoop holder 120. In an example, the holding hole 120a may be provided in a holder base 121, which will be described later. In an example, the holding hole 120a may have a shape through which the holder base 121, which will be described later, passes in a substantially vertical direction (Z). A more detailed description of the holding hole 120a will be given later.

[0136] In such an embodiment where the ice bucket 100 includes both the container body 110 for receiving ice and the scoop holder 120 for holding the ice scoop 200, when the space where the ice scoop 200 is held is not separated from the receiving space 110a where ice is stored, an area where ice may be stored in the receiving space 110a may be somewhat narrowed by the ice scoop 200. Furthermore, since the ice scoop 200 is typically grasped and utilized by a user, when the space where the ice scoop 200 is held is not separated from the receiving space 110a where ice is stored, there is a concern that the ice may come into contact with the ice scoop 200, which is undesirable for hygiene reasons.

[0137] Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder 120 may be separated from the receiving space 110a. The scoop holder 120 may be disposed on an outer side of the receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may be disposed on a front side of the container body 110 and its receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may be disposed closer to the opening of the second storage compartment 22 than the container body 110 and its receiving space 110a.

[0138] The holding hole 120a described above may be separated from the receiving space 110a. The holding hole 120a may be disposed on an outer side of the receiving space 110a. The holding hole 120a may be disposed on the front side of the container body 110 and its receiving space 110a. The holding hole 120a may be disposed closer to the opening of the second storage compartment 22 than the container body 110 and its receiving space 110a.

[0139] The scoop holder 120 may be connected to the container body 110. The scoop holder 120 may be connected to one side of the container body 110. The scoop holder 120 may be connected to the container body 110, and may extend from one side of the container body 110 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a so as to be disposed on the outer side of the receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may be connected to a front portion of the container body 110. For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend forwardly from the front portion of the container body 110.

[0140] For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend from the front wall 113 of the container body 110 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend forwardly from the front wall 113 of the container body 110. The scoop holder 120 may be disposed on a front side of the front wall 113 of the container body 110.

[0141] To efficiently prevent / reduce the ice received in the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 from overflowing to the scoop holder 120, the scoop holder 120 may be disposed at least above the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110, and preferably, the scoop holder 120 may have a height equal to or greater than the height of the receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend from an upper end of the front wall 113 of the container body 110 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a (e.g., forward). For example, the holder base 121 of the scoop holder 120, which will be described later, may extend from the upper end of the front wall 113 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a (e.g., forward).

[0142] As such, according to an embodiment, the scoop holder 120 and the receiving space 110a may be partitioned by the front wall 113 of the container body 110. The front wall 113 of the container body 110 may also be referred to by a term such as “a separation wall 113”. The separation wall 113 may extend from the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110 toward one side (e.g., a rear side) of the scoop holder 120 connected to one side (e.g., a front side) of the container body 110 to partition the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 and the scoop holder 120.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 6, the scoop holder 120 may be disposed above the full ice height h1. The height of the scoop holder 120, for example, a height h2 of the holder base 121, which will be described later, may be greater than the full ice height h1 in the receiving space 110a. The upper end of the front wall 113 may be higher than the full ice height h1. Thus, the ice in the receiving space 110a may be prevented from flowing over to the scoop holder 120 side, and the scoop holder 120 and the receiving space 110a may be more efficiently separated.

[0144] Hereinafter, the structure and function of the scoop holder 120 according to an embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 13.

[0145] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the ice bucket and the ice scoop separated in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the ice bucket and the ice scoop separated in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the ice bucket of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a bottom surface of the ice bucket of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ice scoop held in a scoop holder of the ice bucket included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ice bucket being lifted from the drawer included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ice bucket being lifted from the drawer included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0146] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 13, the ice bucket 100 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the scoop holder 120 configured to be capable of holding the ice scoop 200.

[0147] The scoop holder 120 may include the holder base 121. The holder base 121 may serve as a base on which the ice scoop 200 is held. The holder base 121 may support the ice scoop 200. The holding hole 120a may be formed in the holder base 121. The ice scoop 200 may pass through the holding hole 120a and be supported by the holder base 121.

[0148] The holder base 121 may be connected to the container body 110. The holder base 121 may be connected to the container body 110, and disposed on the outer side of the receiving space 110a. The holder base 121 may extend from the container body 110 to the outer side of the receiving space 110a. For example, the holder base 121 may be disposed on the front side of the receiving space 110a. For example, the holder base 121 may be disposed forwardly of the front wall 113 of the container body 110. For example, the holder base 121 may be connected to the front wall 113 of the container body 110. For example, the holder base 121 may extend from the front wall 113 of the container body 110 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a. For example, the holder base 121 may extend forwardly from the front wall 113 of the container body 110.

[0149] The holder base 121 may be disposed above the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. The height of the holder base 121 may be equal to or greater than the height of the receiving space 110a. The holder base 121 may be connected to the upper end of the front wall 113. The holder base 121 may extend from the upper end of the front wall 113 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a (e.g., forward).

[0150] The scoop holder 120 may include a side wall 122. For example, the scoop holder 120 may be provided with a pair of side walls 122. The pair of side walls 122 of the scoop holder 120 may form a left side surface and a right side surface of the scoop holder 120, respectively. The pair of side walls 122 of the scoop holder 120 may face each other in the left-to-right direction (Y). Each of the side walls 122 of the scoop holder 120 may extend from the holder base 121. For example, the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may extend substantially upwardly from the holder base 121.

[0151] The side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may be connected to the container body 110. For example, the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may be connected to the side wall 112 of the container body 110. For example, the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may extend forwardly from the side wall 112 of the container body 110.

[0152] The scoop holder 120 may include a front wall 123. The front wall 123 of the scoop holder 120 may form a front surface of the scoop holder 120. The front wall 123 of the scoop holder 120 may extend from the holder base 121. For example, the front wall 123 of the scoop holder 120 may extend substantially upwardly from the holder base 121. For example, the front wall 123 of the scoop holder 120 may connect the pair of side walls 122 of the scoop holder 120.

[0153] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 may be formed integrally. For example, the ice bucket 100 including the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 may be configured integrally. For example, the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 may be integrally injection-molded.

[0154] Assuming an embodiment in which the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 are not integrally formed with each other, and are formed as separate parts and configured such that the scoop holder 120 is assembled to the container body 110, there may be a large burden in terms of manufacturing costs, such as material costs, due to the need to design, manufacture, and assemble the separate parts. Also, in the process of assembling the scoop holder 120 to the container body 110, problems may occur, such as assembling the scoop holder 120 at incorrect location, such as a rear portion of the container body 110, or assembling the scoop holder 120 at a position that interferes with other parts, such as the full ice detection device 84.

[0155] However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 may be integrally formed, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the product, and preventing problems such as incorrect assembly of the scoop holder 120 to the container body 110.

[0156] For example, the holder base 121 of the scoop holder 120 may be integrally formed with the front wall 113 of the container body 110. For example, the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may be integrally formed with the side wall 112 of the container body 110.

[0157] According to an embodiment, the ice scoop 200 may include a scoop head 210 that is concavely formed to receive ice. The scoop head 210 may include a concave surface (hereinafter referred to as a recess) 211 that is concavely formed to receive ice. For example, the recess 211 may be formed in a shape of a plurality of interconnected planes or curved surfaces. Inside the recess 211, a scoop space 210a where ice may be received may be formed. The scoop head 210 may include a convex surface 212 provided on a side opposite to the recess 211.

[0158] The ice scoop 200 may include a scoop handle 220 connected to the scoop head 210. The scoop handle 220 may be provided to be grippable by a user.

[0159] As described above, the ice scoop 200 may be held in the scoop holder 120 through the holding hole 120a. For example, when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the holding hole 120a may be passed through by the scoop head 210. When the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the scoop head 210 may come into contact with a rim of the holding hole 120a. When the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the scoop head 210 may be supported by contacting a support surface 124, which will be described later.

[0160] When the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the ice scoop 200 may be disposed such that the scoop head 210 faces downward and the scoop handle 220 faces upward. In other words, when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the scoop head 210 may be positioned below the scoop handle 220. By holding the ice scoop 200 in the scoop holder 120 in such a manner, the convenience of a user holding the ice scoop 200 in the scoop holder 120 or removing the ice scoop 200 from the scoop holder 120 may be improved.

[0161] According to an embodiment, when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, i.e., when the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a, the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 may face a side opposite to the receiving space 110a of the container body 110. When the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a, the ice scoop 200 may be disposed such that the scoop space 210a formed to receive ice faces a side opposite to the receiving space 110a. For example, when the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a, the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 may face forward. When the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a, the convex surface 212 of the ice scoop 200 may be disposed in a direction facing the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 (e.g., rearward).

[0162] As such, as the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 faces a side opposite the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 when the ice scoop 200 penetrates the holding hole 120a, a user may reach into the scoop space 210a of the ice scoop 200 and the holding hole 120a of the scoop holder 120 from the front side of the ice bucket 100, as shown in FIG. 12. In other words, the scoop space 210a of the ice scoop 200 and the holding hole 120a of the scoop holder 120 may provide a gripping space, and when the user wishes to separate the ice bucket 100 from the container body 110, the user may grasp the scoop holder 120 with the hand through the scoop space 210a and the holding hole 120a. In other words, the scoop holder 120 may be utilized as a handle formed on the front portion of the ice bucket 100.

[0163] Furthermore, as the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 faces a side opposite the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 when the ice scoop 200 penetrates the holding hole 120a, hygiene may be improved by preventing a prat of the user's body, such as the user's hand, from touching the ice scoop 200 when the user grasps the scoop holder 120.

[0164] To ensure a gripping space through the scoop space 210a and the holding hole 120a, the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 may be spaced apart from the rim of the holding hole 120a. The recess 211 may not be directly supported by a structure of the scoop holder 120, such as the holder base 121.

[0165] According to an embodiment, the scoop holder 120 may include the support surface 124 configured to support the ice scoop 200. The support surface 124 may be provided on the rim of the holding hole 120a. For example, the support surface 124 may support the scoop head 210 passing through the holding hole 120a. The support surface 124 may be connected to the holder base 121, and for example, the support surface 124 may extend downwardly from the rim of the holding hole 120a.

[0166] The support surface 124 may be spaced apart from and not in contact with the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200, and may be configured to support other portions of the ice scoop 200.

[0167] For example, the support surface 124 of the scoop holder 120 may include first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 configured to support the convex surface 212 of the ice scoop 200. The first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may contact the convex surface 212 to support the ice scoop 200 as the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a. To support the convex surface 212, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may be provided along a side rim of the holding hole 120a adjacent to the receiving space 110a. For example, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may extend downwardly from the side rim of the holding hole 120a adjacent to the receiving space 110a. For example, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may be provided along a rear rim of the holding hole 120a.

[0168] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may include a rear portion 125 configured to support a central portion of the convex surface 212, and side portions 126 and 127 configured to support both side portions extending from the central portion of the convex surface 212. The side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface may each extend substantially forwardly from the rear portion 125. In an example, the side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface may each extend such that a distance between each other increases as they face forward from the rear portion 125. In an example, the side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface may each extend such that a distance between them and the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 decreases as they face forward from the rear portion 125. However, the shape of the first support surfaces 125 and 126 and 127 is not limited thereto, and the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may have various shapes depending on the shape of the convex surface 212 of the ice scoop 200.

[0169] In an example, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z) such that a width of the holding hole 120a narrows in a downward direction. The rear portion 125 of the first support surface may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z) to face forward in the downward direction. The side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z) such that the distance between each other becomes closer as they direct downward.

[0170] The support surface 124 of the scoop holder 120 may further include a second support surface 128 configured to support the ice scoop 200 on a side opposite to the receiving space 110a. For example, the second support surface 128 may be configured to support a boundary portion between the recess 211 and the convex surface 212 of the ice scoop 200. The second support surface 128 may be disposed on a front side of the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127. When the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, a rear portion of the scoop head 210 may be supported by the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127, and a front portion may be supported by the second support surface 128. In an example, the second support surface 128 may extend from the side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface.

[0171] The scoop holder 120 may include a guide protrusion 129 provided on the rim of the holding hole 120a. For example, the guide protrusion 129 may be provided on a front rim of the holding hole 120a. For example, the guide protrusion 129 may protrude from the second support surface 128. For example, the guide protrusion 129 may protrude from the second support surface 128 in a direction approaching the receiving space 110a of the container body 110. For example, the guide protrusion 129 may protrude rearwardly from the second support surface 128. The guide protrusion 129 may face the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200.

[0172] As such, with the guide protrusion 129 formed on the rim of the holding hole 120a, the shape of the holding hole 120a may be substantially similar to the shape of a cross-section of the scoop head 210 (a cross-section of the scoop head 210 cut along a horizontal plane (X-Y plane) when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120). Such a shape of the holding hole 120a may allow the user to intuitively recognize that the recess 211 should face forward when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, and may guide the user to avoid holding the ice scoop 200 in the scoop holder 120 in the opposite direction.

[0173] In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user grass the ice bucket 100 with a hand through the scoop space 210a and the holding hole 120a, the guide protrusion 129 provided on the rim of the holding hole 120a may function as a gripping portion.

[0174] According to an embodiment, a lower end of the scoop holder 120 may be disposed above a lower end of the container body 110. For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend forwardly from approximately an upper portion of the container body 110. Thereby, no other structure of the ice bucket 100 may be formed below the scoop holder 120 and in front of the container body 110. In other words, no other structure of the ice bucket 100 may be formed in a lower region of the scoop holder 120 (see region S in FIG. 13), which may be an empty region where no other structure other than the ice scoop 200 is disposed.

[0175] As such, when no other structures are formed in the lower region S of the scoop holder 120, compared to the case where other structures are formed in the lower region S of the scoop holder 120, such as when the lower end of the scoop holder 120 is substantially aligned with the lower end of the container body 110, as shown in FIG. 13, an angle a at which the ice bucket 100 is tilted may be reduced to prevent the ice bucket 100 and the first drawer 51 from interfering when the ice bucket 100 is withdrawn from the first drawer 51 (in FIG. 13, the angle a at which the ice bucket 100 is tilted is defined as the angle at which the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction).

[0176] It is expected that if the scoop holder 120 extends to the lower region S, the ice bucket 100 would need to be tilted at a greater angle in order to prevent the ice bucket 100 from interfering with the first drawer 51. In such a case, not only is it be inconvenient for the user to withdraw the ice bucket 100, but when ice remains within the receiving space 110a, ice may spill out as the ice bucket 100 is titled excessively.

[0177] However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower end of the scoop holder 120 may be disposed above the lower end of the container body 110, thereby leaving the lower region S of the scoop holder 120 empty, which may reduce the angle a at which the ice bucket 100 is tilted in order to be withdrawn from the first drawer 51 without interference.

[0178] While the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above using the example of a French Door Type, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, various types of the refrigerators may be included, such as a Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF) type in which a refrigerating compartment is disposed on an upper side and a freezing compartment is disposed on a lower side, a Top Mounted Freezer (TMF) type in which a freezing compartment is disposed on an upper side and a refrigerating compartment is disposed on a lower side, a Side-by-side type in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are disposed left and right, and the like.

[0179] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above based on an embodiment in which the ice maker 80 and the ice bucket 100 are mounted on the main body 10, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the ice maker 80 and the ice bucket 100 may be mounted on the door 30, and any orientation of the ice maker 80 or the ice bucket 100 described above, such as upward, downward, forward, rearward, left, and right, or the like is not defined based on the main body 10, but may be defined based on the state in which the ice maker 80 and the ice bucket 100 are mounted to the door 30.

[0180] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker configured to generate ice and discharge the ice, and an ice bucket configured to be positioned below the ice maker to receive the ice. The ice bucket may include a container body including a receiving space provided to receive the ice, and a scoop holder extending from the container body and configured with a holding hole to allow an ice scoop to pass through the holding hole to be held in the holding hole.

[0181] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may extend from a side of the container body in an opposite direction from the receiving space.

[0182] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the container body and the scoop holder may be integrally formed.

[0183] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may be above a bottom surface of the container body.

[0184] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the container body may further include a separation wall at a side of the container body that extends from a bottom surface of the container body to the scoop holder.

[0185] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may extend from an upper end of the separation wall in an opposite direction from the receiving space.

[0186] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice maker may be configured to discharge ice into the receiving space until the ice stored in the receiving space reaches a determined full ice height, such that the scoop holder may be disposed above the determined full ice height.

[0187] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure the holding hole may be configured such that while the ice scoop is held in the holding hole, a concave surface of the ice scoop configured to receive the ice may face a side opposite to the receiving space.

[0188] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the concave surface may be spaced apart from a front rim of the holding hole that faces the side opposite to the receiving space.

[0189] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may include a support surface configured to support a convex surface opposite to the concave surface.

[0190] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support surface may be provided along a rim of the holding hole adjacent to the receiving space.

[0191] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support surface may be inclined with respect to a vertical direction such that a width of the holding hole narrows in a downward direction.

[0192] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a lower end of the scoop holder may be above a lower end of the container body.

[0193] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice scoop may include a scoop head concavely formed to hold ice, and a scoop handle connected to the scoop head. While the ice scoop is held in the scoop holder, the scoop head passes through the holding hole.

[0194] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, while the ice scoop is held in the scoop holder, the scoop head may be positioned below the scoop handle.

[0195] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body including a storage compartment, an ice maker in the storage compartment, a drawer in the storage compartment and configured to be withdrawable forwardly with respect to the main body, and an ice bucket inside the drawer. The ice bucket may include a container body disposed below the ice maker and includes a receiving space configured to receive the ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice bucket may also include a scoop holder provided for holding an ice scoop. The scoop holder may be disposed on a front side of the receiving space, and may include a holding hole provided for the ice scoop to pass through the holding hole and be held in the holding hole.

[0196] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the container body and the scoop holder may be formed integrally.

[0197] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the container body may further include a separation wall extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the container body. The scoop holder may extend forwardly from an upper end of the separation wall.

[0198] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice scoop may include a concave surface concavely formed to receive the ice. When the ice scoop passes through the holding hole, the concave surface may face forward.

[0199] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker, an ice bucket configured to receive ice, and an ice scoop configured to scoop the ice. The ice bucket may include a container body including a receiving space configured to receive the ice discharged downwardly from the ice maker, and a scoop holder spaced apart from the receiving space and including a holding hole provided for the ice scoop to pass through and be held thereon, the scoop holder being disposed above a bottom surface of the container body and integrally formed with the container body.

[0200] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice bucket may be provided with the scoop holder including a holding hole for an ice scoop to pass through and be held therein, so that the ice scoop may be stably held.

[0201] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the receiving space for receiving ice and the holding hole for holding the ice scoop in the ice bucket may be provided to be separated from each other. As a result, a larger receiving space for ice may be secured, and hygiene problem may be improved by preventing the ice scoop from contacting the stored ice.

[0202] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice bucket may be integrally formed with the scoop holder for holding the ice scoop and the container body for receiving ice, so that the manufacturing cost for forming a structure for holding the ice scoop may be reduced.

[0203] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the scoop holder and the container body are integrally formed, the process of assembling a separate component for holding the ice scoop to the ice bucket may be eliminated. This may prevent incorrect assembly of the component and functional defects caused by interference with other components, such as the full ice detection device.

[0204] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the holding hole may be formed in the scoop holder, and the ice scoop may be disposed such that its concave surface faces a side opposite to the receiving space for ice when passing through the holding hole. Thus, the space between the holding hole and the concave surface of the ice scoop may be used as a handle for gripping the ice bucket.

[0205] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may extend from an upper portion of the container body and have no other structure on its lower side. Thus, when the ice bucket is withdrawn from the drawer, the ice bucket may be easily withdrawn without interfering with the drawer even when the ice bucket is tilted at a relatively small angle.

[0206] The effects to be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be apparent to those of skilled in the art from the following description.

[0207] Although the above technical ideas of the disclosure have been described by way of specific embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications and variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical ideas of the disclosure as set forth in the claims of the patent will be deemed to be within the scope of the disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

[0030]In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0031]The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0032]In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,”“A, B or C,”“at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0033]As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed item...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of International Application No. PCT / KR2026 / 000147, filed on Jan. 5, 2026, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0008319, filed on Jan. 20, 2025, in the Ministry of Intellectual Property, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a refrigerator.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A refrigerator is an appliance for keeping food fresh, including a main body having a storage compartment and a cold air supply system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment in which the food is kept refrigerated at a temperature of about 0° C. to 5° C., and a freezing compartment in which the food is kept frozen at a temperature of about 0° C. to −30° C. The storage compartment is typically arranged to have an open front for putting in and taking out food, and the open front of the storage compartment is opened and closed by a door.

[0004] The refrigerator uses a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to repeat a cooling cycle in which the refrigerant is compressed, condensed, expanded, and evaporated. At this time, both the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may be cooled by one evaporator installed on the freezing compartment side, or the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may each be provided with an evaporator and cooled independently.

[0005] A refrigerator may include an ice maker that generates ice. The ice maker may include an ice tray for generating ice, an ejector for discharging ice from the ice tray, and a controller for controlling the ice making process, thereby automatically generating ice. Ice discharged from the ice tray may be stored in an ice bucket.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure capable of stably holding an ice scoop.

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure in which a space for holding an ice scoop is separated from a space for storing ice.

[0008] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure that may reduce the manufacturing cost for forming a structure for holding an ice scoop.

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure that omits a process of assembling a separate component for holding an ice scoop to an ice bucket and prevents incorrect assembly of the component or interference with other components such as a full ice detection device.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure in which a portion where an ice scoop is held may also be used as a handle for an ice bucket.

[0011] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure that may reduce an angle at which an ice bucket is tilted when the ice bucket is taken out from a drawer.

[0012] Technical tasks to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.Technical Solution

[0013] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker configured to generate ice and discharge the ice, and an ice bucket configured to be positioned below the ice maker to receive the ice. The ice bucket may include a container body including a receiving space configured to receive the ice, and a scoop holder extending from the container body and configured with a holding hole to allow an ice scoop to pass through the holding hole to be held in the holding hole.

[0014] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body including a storage compartment, an ice maker in the storage compartment, a drawer in the storage compartment and configured to be withdrawable forwardly with respect to the main body, and an ice bucket inside the drawer. The ice bucket may include a container body that is disposed below the ice maker and includes a receiving space configured to receive the ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice bucket may also include a scoop holder provided for holding an ice scoop. The scoop holder may be disposed on a front side of the receiving space, and may include a holding hole provided for the ice scoop to pass through the holding hole and be held in the holding hole.

[0015] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker, an ice bucket configured to receive ice, and an ice scoop configured to scoop the ice. The ice bucket may include a container body including a receiving space configured to receive the ice discharged downwardly from the ice maker, and a scoop holder spaced apart from the receiving space and including a holding hole provided for the ice scoop to pass through and be held thereon, the scoop holder being disposed above a bottom surface of the container body and integrally formed with the container body.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a view showing an inner case, a drawer, and a door of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the drawer is inserted into a main body in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the drawer is withdrawn from the main body in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an ice maker, a drawer, an ice bucket disposed in the drawer, and an ice scoop of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker, the drawer, the ice bucket, and the ice scoop, showing a state in which the height of ice stored in the ice bucket is at a full ice height in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the ice bucket and the ice scoop separated in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the ice bucket and the ice scoop separated in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the ice bucket of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a bottom surface of the ice bucket of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an ice scoop held in a scoop holder of the ice bucket included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ice bucket being lifted from the drawer included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an ice bucket being lifted from the drawer included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

[0030] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0031] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0032] In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,”“A, B or C,”“at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0033] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

[0034] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0035] Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component.

[0036] It will be understood that when the terms “includes,”“comprises,”“including,” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0037] It will be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.

[0038] It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” another component, it may be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

[0039] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body.

[0040] The “main body” may include an inner case, an outer case disposed outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0041] The “inner case” may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The “outer case” may form the outer appearance of the body, and may be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is disposed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0042] The “insulation” may insulate inside of a storage compartment from outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation such as a polyurethane foam. The foaming insulation may be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.

[0044] The “storage room” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage room may further include an inner case defining a space corresponding to a storage room. Various goods, such as food, medicine, cosmetics, etc., may be stored in the storage room, and the storage room may open at at least one side to put the goods in or take the goods out.

[0045] The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperature. To this end, the storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation.

[0046] The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and / or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as any one of a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection.

[0047] The storage compartment may also be called various other terms, such as “vegetable compartment (also referred to as room)”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below need to be understood to represent storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.

[0048] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted on the front of the main body.

[0049] The door may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door may include an insulation, like the main body, to insulate the storage compartment in the closed state.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.

[0051] A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forms the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate that forms the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate that forms the rear surface of the door body and faces the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.

[0053] The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or One Door Refrigerator depending on the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.

[0054] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0055] The cold air supply device may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and / or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a cooling cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the cooling cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

[0057] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment where at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

[0058] The machine compartment may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated from the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed inside the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the main body.

[0059] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.

[0060] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice maker that produces ice. The ice maker may include an ice-making tray that stores water, an ice-moving device that separates ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice-bucket that stores ice generated in the ice-making tray.

[0061] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0062] The controller may include a memory for storing and / or memorizing data and / or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the cold air supply device, etc. according to the programs and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0063] The memory may store or record various information, data, commands, programs, and the like necessary for operations of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0064] The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an operation of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor, and generate a cooling control signal for controlling an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0065] Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface according to the programs and / or data memorized / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0066] The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0067] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device according to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately equipped with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface according to the user input.

[0068] A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0069] The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.

[0070] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.

[0071] Hereinafter, various embodiments of refrigerator according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13, terms such as “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “rearward”, “left”, and “right” used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each configuration are not limited by these terms. For example, the terms “upward” and “downward” below may refer to upward in a Z direction and downward in the Z direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms “forward” and “rearward” below may refer to forward and rearward in an X direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms “left” and “right” below may refer to leftward and rightward in a Y direction, respectively, based on the drawings.

[0073] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 provided inside the main body 10, a door 30 for opening or closing the storage compartment 20, and a cooling system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment 20.

[0075] The main body 10 may include an inner case 12 forming the storage compartment 20 and an outer case 11 forming the exterior of the refrigerator 1. The outer case 11 may be formed to have a box shape with a substantially open front. The outer case 11 may form an upper surface, a lower surface, left and right side surfaces, a rear surface, and the like of the refrigerator 1. The inner case 12 may have an open front. The inner case 12 may have the storage compartment 20 provided therein and may be provided on an inner side of the outer case 11. An inner wall of the inner case 12 may form an inner wall of the storage compartment 20.

[0076] Between the inner case 12 and the outer case 11, a body insulation may be provided to thermally insulate between the inner case 12 and the outer case 11. The body insulation may be foamed between the inner case 12 and the outer case 11. The body insulation may couple the inner case 12 and the outer case 11 to each other. The body insulation may prevent heat exchange from occurring between an inside of the storage compartment 20 and an outside of the main body 10, thereby improving cooling efficiency inside the storage compartment 20. For example, the body insulation may include insulation of various materials, such as urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation, vacuum insulation, and the like.

[0077] The storage compartment 20 may be formed on an inner side of the main body 10. The storage compartment 20 may have an open front. In an example, the storage compartment 20 may include a refrigerating compartment maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius for keeping food items refrigerated. In an example, the storage compartment 20 may include a freezing compartment maintained at approximately −23 to −17 degrees Celsius for keeping food items frozen.

[0078] In various embodiments, the storage compartment 20 may be partitioned into a plurality of areas. According to an embodiment, the plurality of storage compartments 20 may include a first storage compartment 21, a second storage compartment 22, and a third storage compartment 23, and the first storage compartment 21, the second storage compartment 22, and the third storage compartment 23 may be partitioned from each other.

[0079] For example, the first storage compartment 21 may be provided in an upper portion of the refrigerator 1. For example, the second storage compartment 22 may be provided in a lower portion of the refrigerator 1. For example, the third storage compartment 23 may be disposed between the first storage compartment 21 and the second storage compartment 22. For example, the third storage compartment 23 may be disposed below the first storage compartment 21, and the second storage compartment 22 may be disposed below the third storage compartment 23.

[0080] For example, the first storage compartment 21 and the third storage compartment 23 may be partitioned by a first partition 16. The first partition 16 may be disposed in a substantially horizontal direction to partition the first storage compartment 21 and the third storage compartment 23 in a vertical direction. The first partition 16 may form a bottom surface of the first storage compartment 21 and an upper surface of the third storage compartment 23.

[0081] For example, the second storage compartment 22 and the third storage compartment 23 may be partitioned by a second partition 17 (see FIG. 2). The second partition 17 may be disposed in a substantially horizontal direction to partition the second storage compartment 22 and the third storage compartment 23 in the vertical direction. The second partition 17 may be disposed below the first partition 16. The second partition 17 may form an upper surface of the second storage compartment 22 and a bottom surface of the third storage compartment 23.

[0082] For example, the first storage compartment 21 may be used as a refrigerating compartment. For example, the second storage compartment 22 may be used as a freezing compartment. For example, the third storage compartment 23 may be used as a temperature conversion compartment. However, the respective uses of the storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 described above are merely examples, and in various embodiments, the first storage compartment 21, the second storage compartment 22, and the third storage compartment 23 may each be used for various purposes.

[0083] Inside the storage compartment 20, a shelf 25 on which food items may be placed and a drawer 26 for storing food items may be provided.

[0084] The refrigerator 1 may include a cooling system configured to generate cold air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cold air to the storage compartment 20. The cooling system may generate cold air using a refrigeration cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant. In an example, the cooling system may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blowing fan, and the like. The cold air generated by the cooling system may be supplied to the storage compartment 20 via a cold air supply duct formed in a rear portion of the inner case 12.

[0085] The door 30 may be configured to open or close the storage compartment 20. The door 30 may be configured to open or close the open front of the storage compartment 20. The door 30 may be configured to open or close an opening formed on one side of the main body 10.

[0086] The refrigerator 1 may include a plurality of doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 configured to open or close the plurality of partitioned storage compartments 21, 22, and 23.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the first storage compartment 21 may be opened and closed by a pair of doors 31 and 32. The refrigerator 1 may include a first door 31 that opens or closes one portion of the first storage compartment 21 and a second door 32 that opens or closes the other portion of the first storage compartment 21. The first door 31 and the second door 32 may each be configured to be rotatable relative to the main body 10. The first door 31 and the second door 32 may each be rotatably coupled to the main body 10. The first door 31 and the second door 32 may be arranged side by side in a horizontal direction (Y direction). In an example, the first door 31 may be configured to open or close a left portion of the first storage compartment 21, and the second door 32 may be configured to open or close a right portion of the first storage compartment 21.

[0088] One of the first door 31 and the second door 32 (e.g., the first door 31) may be provided with a rotation bar 39 that is rotatably provided with respect to the one door and is configured to cover a gap between the first door 31 and the second door 32 when the first door 31 and the second door 32 close the first storage compartment 21. For example, in response to rotation of the first door 31, the rotation bar 39 may be guided by a rotation guide 19 provided on the inner case 12 to rotate between a folded position relative to the first door 31 and an unfolded position relative to the first door 31.

[0089] In an example, an inner surface of each of the first door 31 and the second door 32 may be provided with a door shelf 37 for storing food items. For example, the door shelf 37 may be mounted on a dyke protruding from the inner surface of each of the first door 31 and the second door 32.

[0090] The refrigerator 1 may include a hinge 40 that connects the main body 10 and the door 30 and rotatably supports the door 30 relative to the main body 10. For example, the hinge 40 may connect the main body 10 and the first door 31 and rotatably support the first door 31 relative to the main body 10. For example, the hinge 40 may connect the main body 10 and the second door 32 and rotatably support the second door 32 relative to the main body 10.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a third door 33 configured to open or close the second storage compartment 22. The third door 33 may be configured to be slidable relative to the main body 10. The third door 33 may slide and be withdrawn from the main body 10 to open the second storage compartment 22, or be inserted into the main body 10 to close the second storage compartment 22. A drawer 50 (see FIG. 2, etc.) for storing items may be provided on a rear side of the third door 33, a detailed description of which will be given later.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a fourth door 34 configured to open or close the third storage compartment 23. The fourth door 34 may be configured to be slidable relative to the main body 10. The fourth door 34 may slide and be pulled out from the main body 10 to open the third storage compartment 23, or be pushed into the main body 10 to close the third storage compartment 23. A drawer for storing items may be provided on a rear side of the fourth door 34.

[0093] However, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the opening and closing structure of the door 30 is not limited to the examples of the first door 31, the second door 32, the third door 33, and the fourth door 34, and the door 30 may open or close the storage compartment 20 by various structures.

[0094] The configuration of the refrigerator 1 described above with reference to FIG. 1 is only an example of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The refrigerator according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to include various configurations to perform a function of supplying cold air to a storage compartment for storing food items.

[0095] FIG. 2 is a view showing an inner case, a drawer, and a door of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the drawer is inserted into a main body in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the drawer is withdrawn from the main body in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the drawer 50. The drawer 50 may be disposed in the second storage compartment 22. The drawer 50 may be disposed on the rear side of the third door 33.

[0097] The drawer 50 may be withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22 or inserted into the second storage compartment 22 by sliding movement relative to the main body 10. For example, a rail 60 may be mounted on the inner wall of the inner case 12 forming the second storage compartment 22, and the drawer 50 may be supported on the rail 60 and slide along the rail 60. The drawer 50 may be mounted on the third door 33, and when a user grasps the third door 33 and pulls it forward, the drawer 50 may be withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22, and when the user pushes the third door 33 rearward, the drawer 50 may be retracted into the second storage compartment 22.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, according to an embodiment, the drawer 50 may include a first drawer 51 and a second drawer 52. The first drawer 51 and the second drawer 52 may be configured to be slidable with respect to the main body 10 in accordance with the opening and closing of the third door 33. The first drawer 51 may slide with respect to the main body 10 to be withdrawn from or retracted into the second storage compartment 22. The second drawer 52 may slide with respect to the main body 10 to be withdrawn from or retracted into the second storage compartment 22.

[0099] For example, the second drawer 52 may be coupled to a rear surface of the third door 33, and when a user grasps the third door 33 and pulls it forward, the second drawer 52 may be withdrawn forward and the first drawer 51 may also be withdrawn forward.

[0100] The first drawer 51 and the second drawer 52 may each include a receiving space. For example, the first drawer 51 may include first drawer spaces 51a and 51b formed inside for storing items, and the second drawer 52 may include a second drawer space 52a formed inside for storing items. The first drawer spaces 51a and 51b and the second drawer space 52a of the second drawer 52 may be partitioned from each other. According to an embodiment, the first drawer spaces 51a and 51b may be partitioned into a plurality of first drawer spaces (e.g., a left space 51a and a right space 51b) by a drawer partition 51c, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0101] The first drawer 51 may be open at the top. The first drawer spaces 51a and 51b of the first drawer 51 may be open at the top. An opening may be formed on an upper side of the first drawer 51. The first drawer 51 may have a substantially box shape with an open upper surface.

[0102] The second drawer 52 may be open at the top. The second drawer space 52a of the second drawer 52 may be open at the top. An opening may be formed on an upper side of the second drawer 52. The second drawer 52 may have a substantially box shape with an open upper surface.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the first drawer 51 and the second drawer 52 may be arranged in the vertical direction with respect to each other. For example, the first drawer 51 may be disposed above the second drawer 52.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the first drawer 51 may be configured to be slidable with respect to the second drawer 52 on an upper side of the second drawer 52. For example, in a state where both the first drawer 51 and the second drawer 52 are withdrawn, a user may push the first drawer 51 rearward to take out an item stored in the second drawer 52 if necessary.

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker 80. The ice maker 80 may be configured to generate ice. The ice maker 80 may be configured to discharge the generated ice.

[0106] The ice maker 80 may be configured to receive water from an external water source or a water tank of the refrigerator 1 to generate ice. For example, the ice maker 80 may be supplied with water from a water supply pipe 70, and may change a state of the water supplied from the water supply pipe 70 into ice using the cold air in the storage compartment 20 (e.g., the cold air in the second storage compartment 22, which is a freezing compartment). The water supply pipe 70 may have the shape of a pipe in which a flow path through which water flows is formed.

[0107] According to an embodiment, the ice maker 80 may be disposed in the second storage compartment 22. The ice maker 80 may be secured to the main body 10. The ice maker 80 may be mounted on a portion of the inner case 12 that forms the second storage compartment 22.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include an ice bucket 100 configured to receive ice. The ice bucket 100 may be configured to receive and store the ice generated by the ice maker 80. The ice bucket 100 may be configured to receive and store the ice discharged from the ice maker 80. The ice bucket 100 may include a receiving space 110a configured to receive ice.

[0109] The ice bucket 100 may be disposed below the ice maker 80 inside the second storage compartment 22. The ice maker 80 may be disposed above the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100. The ice maker 80 may be configured to discharge the generated ice downward, and the ice discharged downward may be received in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100.

[0110] According to an embodiment, the ice bucket 100 may be disposed in the drawer 50. For example, the ice bucket 100 may be disposed within the first drawer space 51a of the first drawer 51. Thereby, when the first drawer 51 is withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22, the ice bucket 100 may also be withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22 together, and a user may easily take out the ice stored in the ice bucket 100. When the first drawer 51 is inserted into the second storage compartment 22, the ice bucket 100 may also be inserted into the second storage compartment 22.

[0111] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include an ice scoop 200 for scooping ice. The ice scoop 200 may be configured to scoop ice from the ice bucket 100. A user may use the ice scoop 200 to scoop the ice stored in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100. The user may use the ice scoop 200 to scoop the ice stored in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100 to an outside of the ice bucket 100.

[0112] Hereinafter, the ice maker 80, the ice bucket 100, and the ice scoop 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 13.

[0113] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an ice maker, a drawer, an ice bucket disposed in the drawer, and an ice scoop of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker, the drawer, the ice bucket, and the ice scoop, showing a state in which the height of ice stored in the ice bucket is at a full ice height in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the ice maker 80 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a support case 81. The support case 81 may form the exterior of the ice maker 80. The support case 81 may support other configurations of the ice maker 80. For example, the support case 81 may be mounted to the main body 10. In an example, the support case 81 may be mounted to the inner wall of the inner case 12.

[0115] The support case 81 may be open at the bottom. As a result, the ice generated in an ice tray 82, which will be described later, may be discharged downward and received in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the ice maker 80 may include the ice tray 82 in which ice is generated. The ice tray 82 may include at least one ice-making cell, and water may be supplied (e.g., from the water supply pipe 70) and stored in the ice-making cell. The water stored in the ice-making cell of the ice tray 82 may be changed to a state of ice by the cold air in the second storage compartment 22.

[0117] The ice-making cell of the ice tray 82 may have a shape with one side open. When water is supplied to the ice-making cell or while the water is being frozen, the ice tray 82 may be disposed such that the open side of the ice-making cell faces upward in the refrigerator 1. When the ice generated in the ice-making cell is discharged to the ice bucket 100, the ice tray 82 may be disposed such that the open side of the ice-making cell faces downward in the refrigerator 1.

[0118] The ice tray 82 may be disposed above the ice bucket 100. More specifically, the ice tray 82 may be disposed above the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100.

[0119] In an example, a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the ice tray 82 may be mounted on a lower side of the ice tray 82. When the temperature sensor detects that the temperature within the ice tray 82 is lower than or equal to a reference temperature, it may be determined that ice formation within the ice tray 82 is complete.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the ice maker 80 may include a drive portion 83 for providing power to the ice tray 82 for an icing operation to move the generated ice from the ice tray 82 to the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100. For example, the drive portion 83 may rotate the ice tray 82 about a rotation axis extending in the horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) of the refrigerator 1, thereby allowing the ice in the ice tray 82 to fall into the receiving space 110a.

[0121] For example, the drive portion 83 may include a motor that generates power, and power transmission members, such as gears for transmitting the power of the motor to the ice tray.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the ice maker 80 may include a full ice detection device 84. The full ice detection device 84 may be configured to detect whether the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100 is full of ice. Whether the receiving space 110a is full of ice may not necessarily be determined based on the receiving space 110a being filled with ice to a maximum height, but may be determined based on whether the height of the ice I (see FIG. 6) stored in the receiving space 110a has reached a predetermined full ice height h1 (see FIG. 6). For example, the full ice height h1 may be appropriately determined experimentally or empirically within a range to ensure that the ice I does not overflow out of the receiving space 110a or otherwise impair the functioning of the ice makers 80.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 6, when the height of the ice I in the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100 reaches the full ice height h1, the ice I may come into contact with the lowered full ice detection device 84, thereby allowing the full ice detection device 84 to detect that the height of the ice I has reached the full ice height h1.

[0124] The ice maker 80 may be configured to discharge ice into the receiving space 110a until the ice stored in the receiving space 110a reaches a predetermined full ice height h1. As shown in FIG. 6, when the full ice detection device 84 detects that the height of the ice I in the receiving space 110a has reached the full ice height h1, water supply from the water supply pipe 70 to the ice tray 82 may be stopped. Alternatively, when the full ice detection device 84 detects that the height of the ice I in the receiving space 110a has reached the full ice height h1, the drive portion 83 may not be actuated to discharge ice from the ice tray 82 even if ice has already been generated in the ice tray 82.

[0125] With such a structure, the ice maker 80 may generate ice and discharge the generated ice into the receiving space 110a of the ice bucket 100. However, the structure of the ice maker 80 described above is merely an example, and according to various embodiments, the ice maker 80 may include various configurations for generating ice.

[0126] According to an embodiment, the ice bucket 100 may include a container body 110 including the receiving space 110a. The receiving space 110a, in which ice is received, may be formed inside the container body 110.

[0127] For example, the container body 110 may include a bottom surface 111, a front wall 113, a rear wall 114, and a pair of side walls 112, and the receiving space 110a may be formed between the bottom surface 111, the front wall 113, the rear wall 114, and the pair of side walls 112. The receiving space 110a may be surrounded by the bottom surface 111, the front wall 113, the rear wall 114, and the pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110.

[0128] The bottom surface 111 of the container body 110 may form the bottom surface of the receiving space 110a and may support the ice received in the receiving space 110a. In an example, the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110 may be supported by the bottom surface of the first drawer 51.

[0129] The front wall 113 of the container body 110 may extend from a front end of the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. The front wall 113 of the container body 110 may extend substantially upwardly from the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. According to an embodiment, the front wall 113 of the container body 110 may be disposed on one side of the receiving space 110a adjacent to a scoop holder 120, which will be described later. The front wall 113 of the container body 110 may be provided on a portion of the container body 110 connected to the scoop holder 120, which will be described later.

[0130] The rear wall 114 of the container body 110 may extend from a rear end of the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. The rear wall 114 of the container body 110 may extend substantially upwardly from the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. The rear wall 114 of the container body 110 may be located on the opposite side of the front wall 113. The rear wall 114 and the front wall 113 of the container body 110 may face each other in a front-to-rear direction.

[0131] The pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110 may extend from the left and right sides of the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110, respectively. The pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110 may extend substantially upwardly from the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. Each of the pair of side walls 112 of the container body may connect the front wall 113 and the rear wall 114. Each of the pair of side walls 112 of the container body may face each other in the left-to-right direction (Y). According to an embodiment, a handle 112a may be provided on each of the pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110. The handle 112a may be provided adjacent to an upper end of the side wall 112 of the container body 110.

[0132] The container body 110 may include an opening on its upper side. The upper opening of the container body 110 may face the bottom surface 111. By providing the opening on the upper side of the container body 110, the receiving space 110a may be opened upward.

[0133] The container body 110 may be disposed below the ice maker 80. In a state where the ice bucket 100 is located inside the second storage compartment 22, the container body 110 may be positioned below the ice maker 80 in the vertical direction (Z). To prevent the ice discharged from the ice maker 80 from falling into a place other than the receiving space 110a, it is preferable that in a state where the ice bucket 100 is located inside the second storage compartment 22, the container body 110 may be disposed such that the receiving space 110a is positioned below the ice maker 80 in the vertical direction (Z). For example, the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 may be disposed in the area below the ice tray 82 in the vertical direction (Z), which may be an area located between the front wall 113 and the rear wall 114 of the container body 110, and an area located between the pair of side walls 112 of the container body 110. As a result, the ice discharged vertically downwardly from the ice tray 82 may be received in the receiving space 110a, and the ice may be prevented from falling outside the receiving space 110a. In particular, since the area below the ice tray 82 in the vertical direction (Z) may be disposed rearwardly of the front wall 113 of the container body 110, which may efficiently prevent ice from entering the scoop holder 120, which will be described later, or from contacting the ice scoop 200 placed therein.

[0134] According to an embodiment, the ice bucket 100 may include the scoop holder 120 in which the ice scoop 200 is arranged to be placed. The ice scoop 200 may be placed in the scoop holder 120 or removed from the scoop holder 120 as needed. For example, in normal times, the ice scoop 200 may be stored in the second storage compartment 22 by being placed in the scoop holder 120, and when a user wishes to take out the ice within the receiving space 110a using the ice scoop 200, the user may remove the ice scoop 200 from the scoop holder 120 and scoop the ice into the ice scoop 200.

[0135] According to an embodiment, the scoop holder 120 may include a holding hole 120a for holding the ice scoop 200. The holding hole 120a may be provided to allow the ice scoop 200 to pass through. The ice scoop 200 may pass through the holding hole 120a and be held in the scoop holder 120. In an example, the holding hole 120a may be provided in a holder base 121, which will be described later. In an example, the holding hole 120a may have a shape through which the holder base 121, which will be described later, passes in a substantially vertical direction (Z). A more detailed description of the holding hole 120a will be given later.

[0136] In such an embodiment where the ice bucket 100 includes both the container body 110 for receiving ice and the scoop holder 120 for holding the ice scoop 200, when the space where the ice scoop 200 is held is not separated from the receiving space 110a where ice is stored, an area where ice may be stored in the receiving space 110a may be somewhat narrowed by the ice scoop 200. Furthermore, since the ice scoop 200 is typically grasped and utilized by a user, when the space where the ice scoop 200 is held is not separated from the receiving space 110a where ice is stored, there is a concern that the ice may come into contact with the ice scoop 200, which is undesirable for hygiene reasons.

[0137] Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder 120 may be separated from the receiving space 110a. The scoop holder 120 may be disposed on an outer side of the receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may be disposed on a front side of the container body 110 and its receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may be disposed closer to the opening of the second storage compartment 22 than the container body 110 and its receiving space 110a.

[0138] The holding hole 120a described above may be separated from the receiving space 110a. The holding hole 120a may be disposed on an outer side of the receiving space 110a. The holding hole 120a may be disposed on the front side of the container body 110 and its receiving space 110a. The holding hole 120a may be disposed closer to the opening of the second storage compartment 22 than the container body 110 and its receiving space 110a.

[0139] The scoop holder 120 may be connected to the container body 110. The scoop holder 120 may be connected to one side of the container body 110. The scoop holder 120 may be connected to the container body 110, and may extend from one side of the container body 110 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a so as to be disposed on the outer side of the receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may be connected to a front portion of the container body 110. For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend forwardly from the front portion of the container body 110.

[0140] For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend from the front wall 113 of the container body 110 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend forwardly from the front wall 113 of the container body 110. The scoop holder 120 may be disposed on a front side of the front wall 113 of the container body 110.

[0141] To efficiently prevent / reduce the ice received in the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 from overflowing to the scoop holder 120, the scoop holder 120 may be disposed at least above the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110, and preferably, the scoop holder 120 may have a height equal to or greater than the height of the receiving space 110a. For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend from an upper end of the front wall 113 of the container body 110 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a (e.g., forward). For example, the holder base 121 of the scoop holder 120, which will be described later, may extend from the upper end of the front wall 113 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a (e.g., forward).

[0142] As such, according to an embodiment, the scoop holder 120 and the receiving space 110a may be partitioned by the front wall 113 of the container body 110. The front wall 113 of the container body 110 may also be referred to by a term such as “a separation wall 113”. The separation wall 113 may extend from the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110 toward one side (e.g., a rear side) of the scoop holder 120 connected to one side (e.g., a front side) of the container body 110 to partition the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 and the scoop holder 120.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 6, the scoop holder 120 may be disposed above the full ice height h1. The height of the scoop holder 120, for example, a height h2 of the holder base 121, which will be described later, may be greater than the full ice height h1 in the receiving space 110a. The upper end of the front wall 113 may be higher than the full ice height h1. Thus, the ice in the receiving space 110a may be prevented from flowing over to the scoop holder 120 side, and the scoop holder 120 and the receiving space 110a may be more efficiently separated.

[0144] Hereinafter, the structure and function of the scoop holder 120 according to an embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 13.

[0145] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the ice bucket and the ice scoop separated in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the ice bucket and the ice scoop separated in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the ice bucket of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a bottom surface of the ice bucket of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ice scoop held in a scoop holder of the ice bucket included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ice bucket being lifted from the drawer included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ice bucket being lifted from the drawer included in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0146] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 13, the ice bucket 100 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the scoop holder 120 configured to be capable of holding the ice scoop 200.

[0147] The scoop holder 120 may include the holder base 121. The holder base 121 may serve as a base on which the ice scoop 200 is held. The holder base 121 may support the ice scoop 200. The holding hole 120a may be formed in the holder base 121. The ice scoop 200 may pass through the holding hole 120a and be supported by the holder base 121.

[0148] The holder base 121 may be connected to the container body 110. The holder base 121 may be connected to the container body 110, and disposed on the outer side of the receiving space 110a. The holder base 121 may extend from the container body 110 to the outer side of the receiving space 110a. For example, the holder base 121 may be disposed on the front side of the receiving space 110a. For example, the holder base 121 may be disposed forwardly of the front wall 113 of the container body 110. For example, the holder base 121 may be connected to the front wall 113 of the container body 110. For example, the holder base 121 may extend from the front wall 113 of the container body 110 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a. For example, the holder base 121 may extend forwardly from the front wall 113 of the container body 110.

[0149] The holder base 121 may be disposed above the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110. The height of the holder base 121 may be equal to or greater than the height of the receiving space 110a. The holder base 121 may be connected to the upper end of the front wall 113. The holder base 121 may extend from the upper end of the front wall 113 in a direction opposite to the receiving space 110a (e.g., forward).

[0150] The scoop holder 120 may include a side wall 122. For example, the scoop holder 120 may be provided with a pair of side walls 122. The pair of side walls 122 of the scoop holder 120 may form a left side surface and a right side surface of the scoop holder 120, respectively. The pair of side walls 122 of the scoop holder 120 may face each other in the left-to-right direction (Y). Each of the side walls 122 of the scoop holder 120 may extend from the holder base 121. For example, the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may extend substantially upwardly from the holder base 121.

[0151] The side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may be connected to the container body 110. For example, the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may be connected to the side wall 112 of the container body 110. For example, the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may extend forwardly from the side wall 112 of the container body 110.

[0152] The scoop holder 120 may include a front wall 123. The front wall 123 of the scoop holder 120 may form a front surface of the scoop holder 120. The front wall 123 of the scoop holder 120 may extend from the holder base 121. For example, the front wall 123 of the scoop holder 120 may extend substantially upwardly from the holder base 121. For example, the front wall 123 of the scoop holder 120 may connect the pair of side walls 122 of the scoop holder 120.

[0153] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 may be formed integrally. For example, the ice bucket 100 including the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 may be configured integrally. For example, the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 may be integrally injection-molded.

[0154] Assuming an embodiment in which the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 are not integrally formed with each other, and are formed as separate parts and configured such that the scoop holder 120 is assembled to the container body 110, there may be a large burden in terms of manufacturing costs, such as material costs, due to the need to design, manufacture, and assemble the separate parts. Also, in the process of assembling the scoop holder 120 to the container body 110, problems may occur, such as assembling the scoop holder 120 at incorrect location, such as a rear portion of the container body 110, or assembling the scoop holder 120 at a position that interferes with other parts, such as the full ice detection device 84.

[0155] However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder 120 and the container body 110 may be integrally formed, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the product, and preventing problems such as incorrect assembly of the scoop holder 120 to the container body 110.

[0156] For example, the holder base 121 of the scoop holder 120 may be integrally formed with the front wall 113 of the container body 110. For example, the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 may be integrally formed with the side wall 112 of the container body 110.

[0157] According to an embodiment, the ice scoop 200 may include a scoop head 210 that is concavely formed to receive ice. The scoop head 210 may include a concave surface (hereinafter referred to as a recess) 211 that is concavely formed to receive ice. For example, the recess 211 may be formed in a shape of a plurality of interconnected planes or curved surfaces. Inside the recess 211, a scoop space 210a where ice may be received may be formed. The scoop head 210 may include a convex surface 212 provided on a side opposite to the recess 211.

[0158] The ice scoop 200 may include a scoop handle 220 connected to the scoop head 210. The scoop handle 220 may be provided to be grippable by a user.

[0159] As described above, the ice scoop 200 may be held in the scoop holder 120 through the holding hole 120a. For example, when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the holding hole 120a may be passed through by the scoop head 210. When the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the scoop head 210 may come into contact with a rim of the holding hole 120a. When the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the scoop head 210 may be supported by contacting a support surface 124, which will be described later.

[0160] When the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the ice scoop 200 may be disposed such that the scoop head 210 faces downward and the scoop handle 220 faces upward. In other words, when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, the scoop head 210 may be positioned below the scoop handle 220. By holding the ice scoop 200 in the scoop holder 120 in such a manner, the convenience of a user holding the ice scoop 200 in the scoop holder 120 or removing the ice scoop 200 from the scoop holder 120 may be improved.

[0161] According to an embodiment, when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, i.e., when the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a, the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 may face a side opposite to the receiving space 110a of the container body 110. When the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a, the ice scoop 200 may be disposed such that the scoop space 210a formed to receive ice faces a side opposite to the receiving space 110a. For example, when the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a, the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 may face forward. When the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a, the convex surface 212 of the ice scoop 200 may be disposed in a direction facing the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 (e.g., rearward).

[0162] As such, as the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 faces a side opposite the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 when the ice scoop 200 penetrates the holding hole 120a, a user may reach into the scoop space 210a of the ice scoop 200 and the holding hole 120a of the scoop holder 120 from the front side of the ice bucket 100, as shown in FIG. 12. In other words, the scoop space 210a of the ice scoop 200 and the holding hole 120a of the scoop holder 120 may provide a gripping space, and when the user wishes to separate the ice bucket 100 from the container body 110, the user may grasp the scoop holder 120 with the hand through the scoop space 210a and the holding hole 120a. In other words, the scoop holder 120 may be utilized as a handle formed on the front portion of the ice bucket 100.

[0163] Furthermore, as the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 faces a side opposite the receiving space 110a of the container body 110 when the ice scoop 200 penetrates the holding hole 120a, hygiene may be improved by preventing a prat of the user's body, such as the user's hand, from touching the ice scoop 200 when the user grasps the scoop holder 120.

[0164] To ensure a gripping space through the scoop space 210a and the holding hole 120a, the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200 may be spaced apart from the rim of the holding hole 120a. The recess 211 may not be directly supported by a structure of the scoop holder 120, such as the holder base 121.

[0165] According to an embodiment, the scoop holder 120 may include the support surface 124 configured to support the ice scoop 200. The support surface 124 may be provided on the rim of the holding hole 120a. For example, the support surface 124 may support the scoop head 210 passing through the holding hole 120a. The support surface 124 may be connected to the holder base 121, and for example, the support surface 124 may extend downwardly from the rim of the holding hole 120a.

[0166] The support surface 124 may be spaced apart from and not in contact with the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200, and may be configured to support other portions of the ice scoop 200.

[0167] For example, the support surface 124 of the scoop holder 120 may include first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 configured to support the convex surface 212 of the ice scoop 200. The first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may contact the convex surface 212 to support the ice scoop 200 as the ice scoop 200 passes through the holding hole 120a. To support the convex surface 212, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may be provided along a side rim of the holding hole 120a adjacent to the receiving space 110a. For example, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may extend downwardly from the side rim of the holding hole 120a adjacent to the receiving space 110a. For example, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may be provided along a rear rim of the holding hole 120a.

[0168] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may include a rear portion 125 configured to support a central portion of the convex surface 212, and side portions 126 and 127 configured to support both side portions extending from the central portion of the convex surface 212. The side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface may each extend substantially forwardly from the rear portion 125. In an example, the side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface may each extend such that a distance between each other increases as they face forward from the rear portion 125. In an example, the side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface may each extend such that a distance between them and the side wall 122 of the scoop holder 120 decreases as they face forward from the rear portion 125. However, the shape of the first support surfaces 125 and 126 and 127 is not limited thereto, and the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may have various shapes depending on the shape of the convex surface 212 of the ice scoop 200.

[0169] In an example, the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127 may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z) such that a width of the holding hole 120a narrows in a downward direction. The rear portion 125 of the first support surface may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z) to face forward in the downward direction. The side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z) such that the distance between each other becomes closer as they direct downward.

[0170] The support surface 124 of the scoop holder 120 may further include a second support surface 128 configured to support the ice scoop 200 on a side opposite to the receiving space 110a. For example, the second support surface 128 may be configured to support a boundary portion between the recess 211 and the convex surface 212 of the ice scoop 200. The second support surface 128 may be disposed on a front side of the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127. When the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, a rear portion of the scoop head 210 may be supported by the first support surfaces 125, 126 and 127, and a front portion may be supported by the second support surface 128. In an example, the second support surface 128 may extend from the side portions 126 and 127 of the first support surface.

[0171] The scoop holder 120 may include a guide protrusion 129 provided on the rim of the holding hole 120a. For example, the guide protrusion 129 may be provided on a front rim of the holding hole 120a. For example, the guide protrusion 129 may protrude from the second support surface 128. For example, the guide protrusion 129 may protrude from the second support surface 128 in a direction approaching the receiving space 110a of the container body 110. For example, the guide protrusion 129 may protrude rearwardly from the second support surface 128. The guide protrusion 129 may face the recess 211 of the ice scoop 200.

[0172] As such, with the guide protrusion 129 formed on the rim of the holding hole 120a, the shape of the holding hole 120a may be substantially similar to the shape of a cross-section of the scoop head 210 (a cross-section of the scoop head 210 cut along a horizontal plane (X-Y plane) when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120). Such a shape of the holding hole 120a may allow the user to intuitively recognize that the recess 211 should face forward when the ice scoop 200 is held in the scoop holder 120, and may guide the user to avoid holding the ice scoop 200 in the scoop holder 120 in the opposite direction.

[0173] In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user grass the ice bucket 100 with a hand through the scoop space 210a and the holding hole 120a, the guide protrusion 129 provided on the rim of the holding hole 120a may function as a gripping portion.

[0174] According to an embodiment, a lower end of the scoop holder 120 may be disposed above a lower end of the container body 110. For example, the scoop holder 120 may extend forwardly from approximately an upper portion of the container body 110. Thereby, no other structure of the ice bucket 100 may be formed below the scoop holder 120 and in front of the container body 110. In other words, no other structure of the ice bucket 100 may be formed in a lower region of the scoop holder 120 (see region S in FIG. 13), which may be an empty region where no other structure other than the ice scoop 200 is disposed.

[0175] As such, when no other structures are formed in the lower region S of the scoop holder 120, compared to the case where other structures are formed in the lower region S of the scoop holder 120, such as when the lower end of the scoop holder 120 is substantially aligned with the lower end of the container body 110, as shown in FIG. 13, an angle a at which the ice bucket 100 is tilted may be reduced to prevent the ice bucket 100 and the first drawer 51 from interfering when the ice bucket 100 is withdrawn from the first drawer 51 (in FIG. 13, the angle a at which the ice bucket 100 is tilted is defined as the angle at which the bottom surface 111 of the container body 110 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction).

[0176] It is expected that if the scoop holder 120 extends to the lower region S, the ice bucket 100 would need to be tilted at a greater angle in order to prevent the ice bucket 100 from interfering with the first drawer 51. In such a case, not only is it be inconvenient for the user to withdraw the ice bucket 100, but when ice remains within the receiving space 110a, ice may spill out as the ice bucket 100 is titled excessively.

[0177] However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower end of the scoop holder 120 may be disposed above the lower end of the container body 110, thereby leaving the lower region S of the scoop holder 120 empty, which may reduce the angle a at which the ice bucket 100 is tilted in order to be withdrawn from the first drawer 51 without interference.

[0178] While the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above using the example of a French Door Type, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, various types of the refrigerators may be included, such as a Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF) type in which a refrigerating compartment is disposed on an upper side and a freezing compartment is disposed on a lower side, a Top Mounted Freezer (TMF) type in which a freezing compartment is disposed on an upper side and a refrigerating compartment is disposed on a lower side, a Side-by-side type in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are disposed left and right, and the like.

[0179] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above based on an embodiment in which the ice maker 80 and the ice bucket 100 are mounted on the main body 10, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the ice maker 80 and the ice bucket 100 may be mounted on the door 30, and any orientation of the ice maker 80 or the ice bucket 100 described above, such as upward, downward, forward, rearward, left, and right, or the like is not defined based on the main body 10, but may be defined based on the state in which the ice maker 80 and the ice bucket 100 are mounted to the door 30.

[0180] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker configured to generate ice and discharge the ice, and an ice bucket configured to be positioned below the ice maker to receive the ice. The ice bucket may include a container body including a receiving space provided to receive the ice, and a scoop holder extending from the container body and configured with a holding hole to allow an ice scoop to pass through the holding hole to be held in the holding hole.

[0181] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may extend from a side of the container body in an opposite direction from the receiving space.

[0182] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the container body and the scoop holder may be integrally formed.

[0183] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may be above a bottom surface of the container body.

[0184] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the container body may further include a separation wall at a side of the container body that extends from a bottom surface of the container body to the scoop holder.

[0185] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may extend from an upper end of the separation wall in an opposite direction from the receiving space.

[0186] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice maker may be configured to discharge ice into the receiving space until the ice stored in the receiving space reaches a determined full ice height, such that the scoop holder may be disposed above the determined full ice height.

[0187] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure the holding hole may be configured such that while the ice scoop is held in the holding hole, a concave surface of the ice scoop configured to receive the ice may face a side opposite to the receiving space.

[0188] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the concave surface may be spaced apart from a front rim of the holding hole that faces the side opposite to the receiving space.

[0189] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may include a support surface configured to support a convex surface opposite to the concave surface.

[0190] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support surface may be provided along a rim of the holding hole adjacent to the receiving space.

[0191] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support surface may be inclined with respect to a vertical direction such that a width of the holding hole narrows in a downward direction.

[0192] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a lower end of the scoop holder may be above a lower end of the container body.

[0193] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice scoop may include a scoop head concavely formed to hold ice, and a scoop handle connected to the scoop head. While the ice scoop is held in the scoop holder, the scoop head passes through the holding hole.

[0194] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, while the ice scoop is held in the scoop holder, the scoop head may be positioned below the scoop handle.

[0195] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body including a storage compartment, an ice maker in the storage compartment, a drawer in the storage compartment and configured to be withdrawable forwardly with respect to the main body, and an ice bucket inside the drawer. The ice bucket may include a container body disposed below the ice maker and includes a receiving space configured to receive the ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice bucket may also include a scoop holder provided for holding an ice scoop. The scoop holder may be disposed on a front side of the receiving space, and may include a holding hole provided for the ice scoop to pass through the holding hole and be held in the holding hole.

[0196] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the container body and the scoop holder may be formed integrally.

[0197] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the container body may further include a separation wall extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the container body. The scoop holder may extend forwardly from an upper end of the separation wall.

[0198] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice scoop may include a concave surface concavely formed to receive the ice. When the ice scoop passes through the holding hole, the concave surface may face forward.

[0199] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice maker, an ice bucket configured to receive ice, and an ice scoop configured to scoop the ice. The ice bucket may include a container body including a receiving space configured to receive the ice discharged downwardly from the ice maker, and a scoop holder spaced apart from the receiving space and including a holding hole provided for the ice scoop to pass through and be held thereon, the scoop holder being disposed above a bottom surface of the container body and integrally formed with the container body.

[0200] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice bucket may be provided with the scoop holder including a holding hole for an ice scoop to pass through and be held therein, so that the ice scoop may be stably held.

[0201] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the receiving space for receiving ice and the holding hole for holding the ice scoop in the ice bucket may be provided to be separated from each other. As a result, a larger receiving space for ice may be secured, and hygiene problem may be improved by preventing the ice scoop from contacting the stored ice.

[0202] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice bucket may be integrally formed with the scoop holder for holding the ice scoop and the container body for receiving ice, so that the manufacturing cost for forming a structure for holding the ice scoop may be reduced.

[0203] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the scoop holder and the container body are integrally formed, the process of assembling a separate component for holding the ice scoop to the ice bucket may be eliminated. This may prevent incorrect assembly of the component and functional defects caused by interference with other components, such as the full ice detection device.

[0204] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the holding hole may be formed in the scoop holder, and the ice scoop may be disposed such that its concave surface faces a side opposite to the receiving space for ice when passing through the holding hole. Thus, the space between the holding hole and the concave surface of the ice scoop may be used as a handle for gripping the ice bucket.

[0205] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the scoop holder may extend from an upper portion of the container body and have no other structure on its lower side. Thus, when the ice bucket is withdrawn from the drawer, the ice bucket may be easily withdrawn without interfering with the drawer even when the ice bucket is tilted at a relatively small angle.

[0206] The effects to be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be apparent to those of skilled in the art from the following description.

[0207] Although the above technical ideas of the disclosure have been described by way of specific embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications and variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical ideas of the disclosure as set forth in the claims of the patent will be deemed to be within the scope of the disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

[0030]In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0031]The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0032]In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,”“A, B or C,”“at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0033]As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed item...

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:an ice maker configured to generate ice and discharge the ice; andan ice bucket configured to be positioned below the ice maker to receive the ice, the ice bucket including:a container body including a receiving space configured to receive the ice, anda scoop holder extending from the container body and configured with a holding hole to allow an ice scoop to pass through the holding hole to be held in the holding hole.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the scoop holder extends from a side of the container body in an opposite direction from the receiving space.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the container body and the scoop holder are formed integrally.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the scoop holder is above a bottom surface of the container body.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the container body further includes a separation wall at a side of the container body that extends from a bottom surface of the container body to the scoop holder.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the scoop holder extends from an upper end of the separation wall in an opposite direction from the receiving space.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:the ice maker is configured to discharge the ice into the receiving space until the ice stored in the receiving space reaches a determined full ice height, such that the scoop holder is above the determined full ice height.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:the holding hole is configured such that while the ice scoop is held in the holding hole, a concave surface of the ice scoop configured to receive the ice faces a side opposite to the receiving space.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the concave surface is spaced apart from a front rim of the holding hole that faces the side opposite to the receiving space.

10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the scoop holder includes a support surface configured to support a convex surface of the ice scoop opposite to the concave surface.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the support surface is provided along a rim of the holding hole adjacent to the receiving space.

12. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the support surface is inclined with respect to a vertical direction such that a width of the holding hole narrows in a downward direction.

13. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the scoop holder is above a lower end of the container body.

14. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the ice scoop includes:a scoop head concavely formed to receive the ice, anda scoop handle connected to the scoop head,wherein, while the ice scoop is held in the scoop holder, the scoop head passes through the holding hole.

15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein, while the ice scoop is held in the scoop holder, the scoop head is positioned below the scoop handle.

Images