Ice maker and refrigerator comprising same

Abstract

An ice maker and a refrigerator according to the present invention comprise: a case forming an exterior appearance of the ice maker; a driving unit disposed at one side inside the case and providing a driving force; an ice-making tray disposed inside the case and including a first tray and a second tray that can form at least one ice-making cell capable of receiving ice-making water and are detachably provided to each other; and a drive transmission unit transmitting the driving force of the driving unit such that the first tray and the second tray can be rotated by a predetermined angle, and the rotated first tray and the second tray can be moved in a predetermined direction to be spaced apart from each other.

Description

Ice maker and refrigerator including the same

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

[0002]

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

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

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

[0006] Recently, various shapes and sizes of ice are required depending on the intended use. In addition, shapes that can reduce the contact surface area between ice cubes are required to prevent problems such as the ice sticking together while stored in an ice box. Furthermore, there is a growing demand for transparent ice for visual effects.

[0007]

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned technical problems and presents a new structure for an ice maker or improves the structure of an ice maker.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an ice maker that allows the produced ice to be easily removed and can be miniaturized.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide an ice maker capable of making round ice.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide an ice maker that prevents misassembly during the assembly process of the ice maker.

[0012] The present invention aims to provide an ice maker that facilitates the assembly of the drive gear of the ice maker.

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

[0014]

[0015] An ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a case forming the outer shape of the ice maker; a driving unit located on one side inside the case and providing driving force; an ice making tray provided inside the case and comprising a first tray and a second tray that are detachably provided to each other and capable of forming at least one ice making groove capable of receiving ice making water; and a driving transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the driving unit so that the first tray and the second tray are rotated at a predetermined angle, and the rotated first tray and the second tray are moved in a predetermined direction so as to be spaced apart from each other.

[0016] Here, it may include a movable guide member located on the inner side of the case and capable of guiding one or more of the first tray and the second tray.

[0017] Additionally, the drive transmission unit may include a rack gear unit coupled to the drive unit; a linkage unit coupled to the rack gear unit in the first tray so as to be rotatable; and a moving guide unit capable of guiding the linkage unit coupled to a spaced-apart position so as to be rotatable.

[0018] In addition, one or more of the above-mentioned interlocking parts may be interlocked to enable rotation and movement of the coupling position by including a plate member including a slit part.

[0019] Furthermore, the drive transmission unit comprises a first interlocking member provided at a position spaced apart from the rotation center of the first tray; and a second interlocking member provided at a position spaced apart from the rotation center of the second tray; wherein the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member are rotated relatively at a predetermined angle so that the first tray and the second tray are rotated at a predetermined angle, and the first tray and the second tray, which are rotated by moving relatively so that the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member are spaced apart, can be moved in a predetermined direction so that they are spaced apart from each other.

[0020] Meanwhile, the first linkage unit and the second linkage unit may each be provided at two or more separated locations.

[0021] Here, the aforementioned predetermined direction may be a direction inclined to one side.

[0022] A refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention is a refrigerator comprising an ice maker inside, wherein the ice maker comprises: a case forming the outer shape of the ice maker; a drive unit located on one side inside the case and including a drive motor providing a driving force and a drive gear unit transmitting the driving force of the drive motor; a first tray and a second tray mounted inside the case, coupled to each other in a detachable manner and movable by the drive gear unit; and a drive transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the drive unit so that the first tray and the second tray are rotated at a predetermined angle and the rotated first tray and the second tray are moved in a predetermined direction so as to be spaced apart from each other.

[0023]

[0024] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention and a refrigerator including the same can provide ice having various shapes, for example, a circular shape, by presenting a new ice maker structure or improving the ice maker structure.

[0025] An ice maker and refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention can easily remove ice even if the ice produced is large.

[0026] An ice maker and a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention can be miniaturized.

[0027] An ice maker and a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention can produce round ice.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a miniaturized ice maker and a refrigerator including the same can be provided by improving the structure of the ice maker.

[0029] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention has the effect of preventing incorrect assembly during the assembly process of the ice maker.

[0030] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention can efficiently utilize the internal space of the ice maker.

[0031]

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0034] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0035] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0036] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0037] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0038] FIGS. 7 to 11 are drawings for explaining the ice-making process of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039]

[0040] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ice maker according to the present invention and a refrigerator including the same will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0041] It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are assigned the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0042] In describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are intended merely to distinguish the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by such terms. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0043]

[0044] First, referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator (1) may include a cabinet forming a storage compartment with an open front and at least one door (8, 9) that opens and closes the open front of the storage compartment.

[0045] The above storage room may include at least one of a refrigerator room for storing food in a refrigerated state and a freezer room for storing food in a frozen state. The refrigerator (1) of the present embodiment is exemplified as including both the refrigerator room and the freezer room, and the freezer room may be provided above the refrigerator room.

[0046] The doors (8, 9) may include a freezer door (8) that opens and closes the refrigerator room and a refrigerator door (9) that opens and closes the freezer room. The freezer door (8) is provided with two doors arranged left and right to each other, so that the left freezer door (8) can open and close the left side, which is part of the freezer room, and the right freezer door (8) can open and close the right side, which is the remaining part of the refrigerator room.

[0047] The ice box may be installed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator (1). The ice box may be placed below the ice maker (10). The ice box may be formed in a tubular shape with an open top. Ice produced by the ice maker (10) may be transferred from the ice maker (10) to the ice box and stored within the ice box.

[0048] In some cases, an auger may be positioned on one side of the ice box. The auger may be installed to be rotatable in the circumferential direction on the ice box. Both ends of the auger may be rotatably connected to both sides of the ice box (400). A spiral groove may be formed on the outer surface of the auger. When the auger rotates, it can transport ice stored inside the ice box (400) to the outside of the ice box through the spiral groove. The auger may be rotated by the driving force of an auger motor installed on one side of the ice box.

[0049]

[0050] An ice maker may be installed in at least one of the refrigerator room and the freezer room. In the refrigerator (1) of the present embodiment, an ice maker (10) may be installed in the upper left corner of the freezer room.

[0051] The ice maker (10) can receive ice-making water from the refrigerator (1), and can produce ice by turning the ice-making water into ice using cold air supplied from the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator (1) to the storage room. Of course, the ice-making water can be frozen into ice by including a separate refrigeration cycle that is independent of or linked to the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator (1).

[0052]

[0053] An ice maker (10) according to FIGS. 2 to 11 may include a case (100) forming the outer shape of the ice maker, a driving unit (120) including a driving motor that provides driving force, an ice making tray (200) that includes a first tray (210) and a second tray (120) that are rotatably mounted inside the case (100) and are mutually detachably coupled to form at least one ice making space (201) in which ice water is received by coupling, and a pressurizing unit (140) that includes a first pusher (141) and a second pusher (142) provided on one side inside the case (100) and pressurizing by contacting the first tray (210) and the second tray (220), respectively.

[0054]

[0055] More specifically, an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more drive units (120) comprising a drive gear unit (not shown) formed by the interlocking of at least one gear and a drive motor (not shown) that transmits driving force to the drive gear unit. Additionally, a control box of the ice maker may accommodate a plurality of electrical components that control the drive unit (120), and the drive unit (120) may be controlled to perform operation through the control box.

[0056]

[0057] The ice-making tray (200) may include a first tray (210) and a second tray (220), and the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) may be combined to form an ice-making space (201) in which ice-making water is received. Here, the first tray (210) may be provided with a water supply groove (213) to enable the supply of ice-making water from a water supply unit (300).

[0058] The first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be rotated at a predetermined angle by driving the drive unit (120), and the rotated first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be moved in a predetermined direction to be spaced apart from each other. Here, the predetermined angle can be determined by the choice of a person skilled in the art, and the predetermined direction may include, but is not limited to, a diagonal direction, a predetermined inclined direction, and a horizontal direction, and preferably, the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be moved in a diagonal direction to be spaced apart from each other.

[0059] The ice-making tray (200) may include an elastic tray part (211, 221) made of an elastic member and forming an ice-making space (201) by combining a first tray (210) and a second tray (220), and a tray body (212, 221) that fixes the elastic tray part (211, 221) and is provided with an interlocking part to interlock with a driving part (120).

[0060] The ice-making tray (200) includes an elastic tray section (211, 221) provided with an elastic member, so that deformation caused by the pressure of the pressure section (140) can be restored by the elastic force. The ice-making tray (200) can deform due to the pressure of the pressure section (140) to make ice, and after making ice, the ice-making tray (200) can move and return to a predetermined direction again so that the pressure applied by the pressure section (140) can be relieved. Thus, deformation caused by the elastic force of the elastic tray section (211, 221) can be restored to a predetermined shape. The elastic member of the elastic tray section (211, 221) may include at least one of silicone, Keflon, ABS, and PP, and may have elastic force by the elastic member. Preferably, it may be included as a silicone material, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] Additionally, a tray heater may be provided in the ice-making tray (200). A tray heater may be provided on one side of the tray body (212, 222) to transfer heat to the elastic tray portion (211, 212). By providing a tray heater in the ice-making tray (200), heat can be transferred to the ice made in the ice-making tray (200), thereby reducing the force required for ice removal and removing residual ice that may adhere to the ice-making tray (200). Preferably, the tray heater may be provided in the second tray (220), but is not limited thereto.

[0062]

[0063] More specifically, the first tray (210) may be provided with a first tray body (212) and a first elastic tray part (211), and the second tray (220) may be provided with a second tray body (222) and a second elastic tray part (221).

[0064] A tray body (212, 222) is provided in each of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) and is linked with a driving unit (120) to rotate and move the ice-making tray (200) in a predetermined direction.

[0065] Additionally, elastic tray sections (211, 221) are provided in the first tray (210) and the second tray (220), so that the elastic tray sections (211, 221), which are made of elastic material, can be deformed by the pressure of the pressurizing section (140) to release the ice contained therein, and when the pressure by the pusher (141, 142) is released, the elastic tray sections (211, 221) that have been deformed by elastic force can be restored.

[0066]

[0067] A pressurizing unit (140) including a first pusher (141) and a second pusher (142) may be provided in the case (100). The pressurizing unit (140) may be included in the case (100) with a predetermined angle of inclination, and at least a portion of it may be provided protruding so as to be able to press the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) which have been rotated at a predetermined angle by the driving unit (120) and then moved in a predetermined direction.

[0068] More specifically, the first pusher (141) is positioned in the direction in which the first tray (210) moves so as to be in mutual contact, and can press the first tray (210) by the movement of the first tray (210). Preferably, the first pusher (141) is provided to have a predetermined inclination so as to be inserted through a water supply groove (213) provided in the first tray (210). The second pusher (142) can be positioned in the direction in which the second tray (220) moves so as to be in mutual contact, and the second tray (220) can be pressed by the second pusher (142). The second tray (220) may include an inclined surface, and can deform and release ice contained therein by contacting the inclined surface by the movement of the second tray (220). The inclined surface may be provided with a curved projection that does not include corners. However, it is not limited to this, and the inclined surface itself without a protrusion may also be the second pusher (142). Meanwhile, the inclination of the inclined surface may be a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second tray (220) moves. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the inclined surface may be provided as one side of the case.

[0069] A first pusher (141) and a second pusher (142) are provided to allow ice to be placed in one of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220).

[0070]

[0071] In order to remove the ice formed on the ice-making tray (200), the ice-making tray (200) rotates and translates. Specifically, the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) rotate while combined, and the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) separate and move away from each other, performing translational movement, for example, linear movement. Meanwhile, this rotation of the ice-making tray (200) does not mean relative rotation of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220), but rather means that they only rotate without changing their position. Additionally, when the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) translate, the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) include relative translational movement.

[0072] One side of the case (100) may include a drive transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the drive unit (120) to the ice-making tray (200). The drive transmission unit may include an ice-making gear unit. The ice-making gear unit is linked with the drive unit (120) and the ice-making tray (200) to transmit the driving force of the drive unit (120) to the ice-making tray (200), so that the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be rotated at a predetermined angle and moved in a predetermined direction by the drive of the drive unit (120) to separate them from each other.

[0073] More specifically, the moving gear section may include a driving gear (113) that receives driving force from a driving unit (120), a moving gear (112) that is linked to the driving gear (113), a first rack gear (1111) that links the first tray (210) and the moving gear (112) together, and a second rack gear (1112) that links the second tray (220) and the moving gear (112) together. The driving gear (113) can be rotated by the driving of the driving unit (120), the moving gear (112) can be linked to the driving gear (113) and rotated by the rotation of the driving gear (113), and the first rack gear (1111) and the second rack gear (1112) can be moved in a predetermined direction by the rotation of the moving gear (112). As the first rack gear (1111) and the second rack gear (1112) move in a predetermined direction, the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be rotated and moved along the guide portion (130) in a predetermined direction to be separated from or joined to each other.

[0074]

[0075] A guide section (130) for guiding the rotation and movement of an ice-making tray (200) may be provided in the case (100). More specifically, the guide section (130) may include a first guide section (131) for guiding the rotation and movement of the first tray (210) and a second guide section (132) for guiding the rotation and movement of the second tray (220).

[0076] Additionally, the ice-making tray (200) may be provided with an interlocking part inserted into the guide part (130), and the interlocking part may be provided in the tray body (212, 222), but is not limited thereto.

[0077]

[0078] The first guide (131) may include a first guide (1311) and a first guide (1312) so that the first tray (210) rotates and moves in a predetermined direction. That is, the first guide (131) may be formed so that when a driving force is transmitted to the first tray (210) to move along it, the first tray (210) rotates and then moves.

[0079] The first guide (131) may include a first guide (1311) and a first guide (1312), and an interlocking part provided in the first tray (210) may be inserted into the first guide (1311) and the first guide (1312). The first guide (1311) and the first guide (1312) may guide the first tray (210) to rotate and move in a predetermined direction by the movement of the first rack gear (1111).

[0080] Here, the rack gear (111) may be rotatably coupled to the first tray (210) at a position spaced apart from the rotation center of the first tray (210), and the interlocking part may be included at a position spaced apart from the position where the rack gear (111) and the first tray (210) are coupled.

[0081] Thus, first, the interlocking part is rotated relatively without relative movement at a predetermined angle so that the first tray and the second tray are rotated at a predetermined angle, and the interlocking part is moved relatively so that the rotated first tray and the second tray are moved in a predetermined direction so that they are spaced apart from each other.

[0082]

[0083] Specifically, the first tray (210) may include a first-a linkage part (2121) inserted into the first-a guide (1311) and a first-b linkage part (2122) inserted into the first-b guide (1312). The first tray (210) may rotate and move in a predetermined direction by the movement of the first rack gear (1111) linked to the drive unit (120), such that the first-a linkage part (2121) and the first-b linkage part (2122) move along the first-a guide (1311) and the first-b guide (1312), respectively. Here, at least one of the first-a linkage part (2121) and the first-b linkage part (2122) inserted into the first-a guide (1311) and the first-b guide (1312) may be arranged to be linked to the first rack gear (1111).

[0084]

[0085] The second guide (132) may include a second guide (1321) and a second guide (1322) so that the second tray (220) rotates and moves in a predetermined direction. That is, the second guide (132) may be formed so that when a driving force is transmitted to the second tray (220) to move accordingly, the second tray (220) rotates and then moves.

[0086]

[0087] The second guide (132) may include a second guide (1321) and a second guide (1322), and an interlocking part provided in the second tray (220) may be inserted into the second guide (1321) and the second guide (1322). The second guide (1321) and the second guide (1322) may guide the second tray (220) to rotate and move in a predetermined direction by the movement of the second rack gear (1112). Here, the rack gear (111) may be rotatably coupled to the second tray (220) at a position spaced apart from the rotation center of the second tray (220), and the interlocking part may be included at a position spaced apart from the position where the rack gear (111) and the second tray (220) are coupled.

[0088]

[0089] More specifically, the second tray (220) may include a seconda interlocking part (2221) inserted into the seconda guide (1321) and a firstb interlocking part (2222) inserted into the firstb guide (1322). The second tray (220) may rotate and move in a predetermined direction by the movement of the second rack gear (1112) which is interlocked with the driving part (120), such that the seconda interlocking part (2221) and the secondb interlocking part (2222) move along the seconda guide (1321) and the firstb guide (1322), respectively. Here, at least one of the seconda interlocking part (2221) and the secondb interlocking part (2222) inserted into the seconda guide (1321) and the secondb guide (1322) may be arranged to be interlocked with the second rack gear (1112).

[0090]

[0091] The process of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) rotating and moving through this linkage is described as follows.

[0092] First, when the drive gear (113) is rotated by the drive of the drive unit (120), the yaw gear (112) meshed with the drive gear (113) rotates. As shown in FIG. 10, when the yaw gear (112) rotates clockwise, the rack gear (111) meshed with the yaw gear (112) moves in a straight line. Based on FIG. 10, the first rack gear (1111) moves in a straight line to the right, and the second rack gear (1112) moves in a straight line to the left.

[0093] Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, two first interlocking members are provided. The first tray (210) can be rotated by transmitting driving force so that these two first interlocking members rotate relative to each other. This transmission of driving force can be achieved by connecting one of the two or more interlocking members to a rack gear (111). This can be the same for the second tray (220).

[0094] That is, the first rack gear (1111) and the second rack gear (1112) may be rotatably coupled to the first a linkage part (2121) and the second a linkage part (2221), respectively. Additionally, the first a linkage part (2121) and the second a linkage part (2221) may be rotated while being guided by the curved portion (curved portion) of the first b guide (1312) and the second a guide (1321), respectively. Accordingly, due to the movement of the rack gear (111) caused by the rotation of the rick gear (112), the first linkage part (2121, 2122) coupled to the first tray (210) may be guided along the curved portion (curved area) of the first guide (131), and the first tray (210) may rotate.

[0095]

[0096] Additionally, the second tray (220) rotates in the same way as the first tray (210), and the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) are arranged to rotate in a combined state. That is, the relative distance between the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) does not change due to this rotation. Furthermore, in order for the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) to rotate in a combined state, it may be necessary to design the shape of the guide (131, 132) considering the positions of the firsta interlocking part, the firstb interlocking part, the seconda interlocking part, and the secondb interlocking part.

[0097] The first tray (210), which is rotated in this way, moves in a straight line as the first interlocking part (2121, 2122) coupled to the first tray (210) is guided along the straight part of the first guide (131) by the additional movement of the rack gear (111) caused by the additional rotation of the yaving gear (112). The second tray (220) also moves in a straight line in the same way as the first tray (210), and the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) move in directions away from each other and are each moved to the pusher.

[0098] Meanwhile, as the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) rotate and then transition to linear movement, the first rack gear (1111) and the second rack gear (1112) continue to move in a linear motion, whereas the firsta interlocking part (2121) and the seconda interlocking part (2221) rotate while rotatably coupled to the first tray (210) and the second tray (220), respectively, and then transition to linear movement.

[0099] Due to this difference in motion, the vertical distance of linear motion between the first rack gear (1111) and the second rack gear (1112) that are in linear motion does not change, whereas the vertical distance between the first a linkage part (2121) and the second a linkage part (2221) connected thereto changes. Therefore, it is possible to allow the distance between the first a linkage part (2121) and the second a linkage part (2221) to change. To this end, the first a linkage part (2121) and the second a linkage part (2221) may be connected to the first tray (210) and the second tray (220), respectively, via a separate plate member (not shown).

[0100] In the event that movement, i.e., a change in relative distance, occurs in the portion of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) connected to one or more of the interlocking members during the process of rotation and movement, the plate member may be provided with a slit portion through which the connecting portion of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be connected by sliding or moving, so that the connection between the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) is maintained while allowing a change in distance from the interlocking member or the plate member. Additionally, the plate member may be provided with a separate slit portion including the slit portion, not limited thereto, so that the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be connected to the plate member so that they are rotatable and sliding.

[0101] Thus, rotation and linear movement of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) are made possible solely by the rotation of the icing gear (112). Specifically, rotation while the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) are combined, and linear movement away from each other when separated, are made possible. At this time, ice may be placed on either the first tray (210) or the second tray (220), and icing can be achieved by pressurizing each by a pusher.

[0102] Here, linear motion can be linear motion in a horizontal direction or linear motion in an inclined direction.

[0103] Additionally, after the bing, the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) return to their original positions, i.e., positions where water supply is possible, as this process is reversed. That is, the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) return to their initial positions through linear motion moving closer to each other and rotation after being combined.

[0104]

[0105] A water supply unit (300) may be included on one side of the upper portion of the case (100). The water supply unit (300) may receive ice-making water from a water source, for example, a water pipe of a refrigerator, and supply ice-making water to the ice-making space (201) of the ice-making tray (200). Here, the water supply unit (300) may be mounted by slidingly connecting it to one side of the upper portion of the case (100).

[0106] The water supply unit (300) may be provided with a protrusion (310) having one side inserted into the water supply groove (213) of the ice making tray (200). The protrusion (310) is inserted into the water supply groove (213) and can supply ice making water supplied from a water source to the ice making space (201) through the water supply groove (213).

[0107]

[0108] The ice detection lever (150) may be rotatably provided on the drive unit (120). In one example, it may rotate to sweep the upper space of the ice box to detect the ice in the ice box and detect full ice. Here, the ice detection lever (1500) can be driven independently of the rotation or movement of the ice making tray (200) to detect full ice, and the ice maker (10) can perform ice removal if the ice detection result of the ice detection lever (150) indicates that the ice box is not in a full ice state. The control unit of the ice maker (10) can determine whether the ice stored in the ice box is full through a signal input from the ice detection lever (150). If the ice stored in the ice box is in a full ice state, the control unit can stop the removal of the ice made. Of course, if the ice stored in the ice box is not in a full ice state, the control unit can restart the ice making of the ice. The ice detection lever (150) can rotate independently of operations including the rotation and movement of the ice making tray (200) and perform ice detection. Full ice is detected by the ice detection lever (150), and depending on the ice detection result, if full ice is detected, the removal can be stopped. If full ice is not detected, the ice making and ice removal processes may be repeated according to the predetermined ice making procedure.

[0109]

[0110] In the ice maker (10) according to the present invention, the ice making tray (200) is rotated at a predetermined angle by the driving unit (120), and the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) of the rotated ice making tray (200) can be moved to be spaced apart from each other in a predetermined direction. The moved ice making tray (220) can be pressed by the pressurizing unit (140) to make ice. When ice is made, the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be moved in a predetermined direction by the driving unit (120) and combined with each other, and the combined ice making tray (220) can be rotated to return to a fixed position and repeatedly make ice and make ice according to the control of the control unit.

[0111]

[0112] As described above, the ice maker (10) according to the present invention can rotate together with the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) guided by the first guide (131) and the second guide (132), and then move relative to each other in a predetermined direction. Here, the predetermined direction may include, but is not limited to, a diagonal direction, a predetermined inclined direction, and a horizontal direction, and the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) may each move diagonally to be separated from each other. Through this translational movement, the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) may each move away from each other.

[0113] One of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) may contain ice formed by the first tray (210) and the second tray (220), for example, circular ice. The separated first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be separated from the ice by the first pusher (141) and the second pusher (142), respectively, provided in the case (100). The first tray (210) and the second tray (220), having thus been separated from the ice, can return to their initial positions by reversing the rotational and translational movements described above. Here, the initial position may refer to the position first mentioned when describing the movement of the first tray (210) and the second tray (220).

[0114]

[0115] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a gear deformation part (1131 and 1151) for guiding the correct position between gears during the assembly process of gears such as a driving gear (113) and an ice maker gear (112) to ensure such rotation and movement.

[0116]

[0117] In an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention, the movement, i.e., rotation and translational motion of the first tray (120) and the second tray (220), can be achieved by an ice-making gear unit. The ice-making gear unit is linked with the driving unit (120) and the ice-making tray (200) to transmit the driving force of the driving unit (120) to the ice-making tray (200), so that the first tray (210) and the second tray (220) can be rotated at a predetermined angle and moved in a predetermined direction by the driving of the driving unit (120) to separate them from each other.

[0118] This movement can be achieved by the rotation of the moving gear (112) by the driving of the driving gear (113). Of course, as described in detail, the rotation of the moving gear (112) may be coupled with the first rack gear (1111) and the second rack gear (1112). This coupling of the driving gear (113), the moving gear (112), and the rack gear (111) may be intended to implement rotational and translational movements of the first tray (120) and the second tray (220). Accordingly, the coupling of the driving gear (113) and the moving gear (112), and the coupling of the moving gear (112) and the rack gear (111) may be coupled in the correct position to implement the coupling.

[0119] Additionally, as described above, an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more driving units. In this case, a balancing gear (115) that transmits driving to the other side when provided on one side of a first tray (120) and a second tray (220) that move in translation after rotational movement may be provided. The balancing gear (115) may have one end engaged with a driving gear (113) and the other end engaged with another ice maker gear (not shown) located on the other side so that the power of the driving unit can be distributed to both sides of the first tray (120) and the second tray (220).

[0120] Here, the meshing position between the driving gear (113) and the shifting gear (112), and the meshing position between the balancing gear (115) and another shifting gear (not shown) must also be arranged so as to support the first tray (120) and the second tray (220) in the same position. Here, the meshing position includes not only cases of direct engagement, but also cases of engagement via another gear or gear body in between.

[0121]

[0122] The assembly of an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention may be performed in the order of an ice-making gear (112), a driving gear (113), and a balancing gear (115). Of course, if the driving unit is located on both sides of the first tray (120) and the second tray (220), it may be performed in the order of an ice-making gear (112) and a driving gear (113).

[0123] Specifically, the position of the movable gear (112) is determined according to the position of the rack gear (111), and after the driving gear (113) is engaged with the movable gear (113), the balancing gear (115) can be engaged with the driving gear (113).

[0124] When assembling in this manner, care must be taken to ensure that the first rack gear (1111) and the second rack gear (1112) do not mesh with the balancing gear (112) in the correct position, or that the balancing gear (115) does not mesh with the correct position on one side and the other side. Here, meshing with the correct position means that when considering a specific position where the first tray (120) and the second tray (220) are located on both sides of the first tray (120) and the second tray (220), the balancing gear (112) is positioned at the corresponding position of the first tray (129) and the second tray (220) on one side and the other side, so as to mesh with the first tray (120) and the second tray (220) in conjunction.

[0125] For meshing at the aforementioned correct position, an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a gear deformation part (1131 and 1151). The gear deformation part (1131 and 1151) may include a gear tooth deformation part (1151) and a gear groove deformation part (1151) that is deformed to accommodate the gear tooth deformation part (1151) in response to the deformation of the gear tooth deformation part (1151). Here, "deformation" is a part formed differently from other parts of the gear, and may include various recognizable deformations such as deformation of one or more of the width, height, and thickness of the gear teeth and a change in the distance between gear teeth.

[0126] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, a gear tooth deformation portion (1151) in which the rotational thickness of the gear is deformed is formed in the balancing gear (115), and a gear groove deformation portion (1131) that meshes with the gear tooth deformation portion (1151) when the driving gear (113) is positioned in the correct position relative to the balancing gear (115) can be formed in the driving gear (113). By doing so, the balancing gear (115) and the driving gear (113) can be positioned in the correct position.

[0127] In addition, contrary to the above, it is obvious that a gear groove deformation portion may be formed on the balancing gear (115) and a gear tooth deformation portion may be formed on the driving gear (113). Furthermore, for one or more of the correct position meshing of the rack gear (111) and the movable gear (112) and the correct position meshing of the movable gear (112) and the driving gear (113), a gear tooth deformation portion may be formed on one or more of the driving gear (113), the movable gear (112), and the rack gear (111), and a gear groove deformation portion may be formed at another position corresponding to the formed gear tooth deformation portion.

[0128] In addition, if the driving gear (113) has a different position where the moving gear (112) and the balancing gear (115) mesh, a gear tooth deformation part or a gear groove deformation part may be formed on the driving gear (113), and a gear groove deformation part or a gear tooth deformation part may be formed on the moving gear (112) and the balancing gear (115) to correspond thereto.

[0129] The assembly of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention can be assembled in the order of a rack gear (111), an ice maker gear (112), a driving gear (113), and a balancing gear (115), and each gear can be assembled such that the gear tooth deformation part and the corresponding gear groove deformation part mesh with each other when each gear is assembled. By doing so, the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention prevents misassembly of the gears, so that the driving of the driving part can be stably transmitted to the first tray (120) and the second tray (220).

[0130]

[0131] In some cases, the ice maker according to the present invention may be mounted on a refrigerator body, a door, or a portable refrigerator.

[0132] The embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that various modifications and implementations within an equivalent scope are possible by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the true scope of the rights of the present invention shall be determined by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. Case forming the exterior of the ice maker; A driving unit located on one side of the interior of the above case and providing driving force; An ice-making tray comprising a first tray and a second tray that are provided inside the above case, capable of forming at least one ice-making groove capable of receiving ice-making water, and are detachably provided to each other; and A drive transmission unit comprising: a drive transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the above drive unit so that the first tray and the second tray are rotated at a predetermined angle, and the rotated first tray and the second tray are moved in a predetermined direction so as to be spaced apart from each other. Ice maker.

2. In Claim 1, A movable guide member positioned on the inner side of the above case and capable of guiding one or more of the first tray and the second tray; comprising Ice maker.

3. In Claim 1, The above drive transmission unit is, A rack gear unit linked to the above-mentioned drive unit; A linkage unit rotatably coupled to the rack gear unit in the first tray, and a movable guide unit capable of guiding the linkage unit rotatably coupled to a spaced-apart position; Ice maker.

4. In Claim 3, One or more of the above-mentioned interlocking parts are, A plate member including a slit portion, interlocking to enable rotation and movement of the coupling position, Ice maker.

5. In Claim 1, The above drive transmission unit is, A first interlocking member provided at a position spaced apart from the rotation center of the first tray; It includes a second interlocking member provided at a position spaced apart from the rotation center of the second tray; and The first interlocking part and the second interlocking part are rotated relatively at a predetermined angle so that the first tray and the second tray are rotated at a predetermined angle, and the first tray and the second tray are moved relatively so that the first interlocking part and the second interlocking part are separated and the rotated first tray and the second tray are moved in a predetermined direction so that they are separated from each other. Ice maker.

6. In Claim 5, The first interlocking part and the second interlocking part are each provided at two or more spaced positions, Ice maker.

7. In Claim 1, The above predetermined direction is a direction inclined to one side, Ice maker.

8. A refrigerator that includes an ice maker inside, and The above ice maker is, Case forming the exterior of the ice maker; A driving unit located on one side inside the above case and comprising a driving motor that provides driving force and a driving gear unit that transmits the driving force of the driving motor; and A first tray and a second tray mounted inside the above case, coupled to each other in a detachable manner and movable by the drive gear unit; and A drive transmission unit comprising: a drive transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the above drive unit so that the first tray and the second tray are rotated at a predetermined angle, and the rotated first tray and the second tray are moved in a predetermined direction so as to be spaced apart from each other. refrigerator.

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