WO2008054161A2

WO2008054161A2 - Refrigerator and apparatus for ice discharging therein

Info

Publication number: WO2008054161A2
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005502
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nam Gi Lee; Seong Jae Kim; Chang Ho Seo
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2006-11-01
Filing date: 2007-11-01
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-01
Also published as: WO2008054161A3; KR100852668B1; KR20080039617A

Abstract

An ice dispenser capable of discharging a uniform amount of ice, thereby achieving an enhancement in product reliability and preventing a failure or malfunction of constituent elements is disclosed. A refrigerator equipped with the ice dispenser is also disclosed. The ice dispenser includes a case formed with an ice inlet (311 ) and an ice outlet (312), a stirring guide (320) for guiding ice from the case to the outlet (312) while stirring the ice, and a uniform-amount supplier (321 ) for feeding the ice guided by the stirring guide to the outlet (312) such that a substantially uniform amount of ice is discharged.

Description

REFRIGERATOR AND APPARATUS FOR ICE DISCHARGING THEREIN

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an ice dispenser and a refrigerator with the same, and more particularly, to an ice dispenser capable of supplying a uniform amount of ice, using a specific ice feeding system, and a refrigerator equipped with the ice dispenser. Background Art

[2] Generally, refrigerators are used to store food or the like in a cooling compartment, defined to include a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment in a refrigerator body, in accordance with formulation of a low-temperature atmosphere in the cooling compartment or supply of a cold air to the cooling compartment by a refrigerating cycle system constituted by a compressor, a heat exchanger, etc.

[3] Such a refrigerator not only has a function to store food or the like at a low temperature, but also has a function to make ice using a cold air having a temperature considerably lower than the freezing point of water supplied to a freezing compartment, and to dispense the ice in the form of ice cubes or in the form of crushed ice formed by crushing the ice.

[4] Such an ice dispensing function is achieved by an ice maker and an ice dispenser arranged such that they are exposed to a cold air present in the interior of the refrigerator, in particular, the cooling compartment. The ice maker functions to make ice, using the cold air present in the cooling compartment. The ice dispenser functions to selectively dispense the ice made by the ice maker, in the form of ice cubes or crushed ice.

[5] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional ice dispenser. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional ice dispenser includes a case, in which ice supplied from an ice maker (not shown) is received, and an ice crusher 30 for discharging the ice received in the case 10 in the form of ice cubes or discharging the ice in the form of crushed ice after crushing the ice. The ice dispenser also includes a motor 21 for driving the ice crusher 30, a drive shaft 22, and a feeding member 23 formed on the drive shaft 22, to feed the ice from the case 10 to the ice crusher 30. The feeding member 23 includes a spiral blade formed around the periphery of the drive shaft 22 and having a certain area.

[6] An inlet 11 is provided at the top of the case 10, to allow ice from the ice maker (not shown) to be introduced into the case 10. An outlet 12 is formed through the bottom of the case 10 at one side of the case 10, to allow the ice received in the case 10 to be discharged out of the case 10.

[7] In the above-mentioned conventional ice dispenser, the feeding member 23, which rotates in arardance with a rotation of the drive shaft 22, feeds ice introduced into the case 10 through the inlet 11, toward the outlet 12. Thus, the fed ice is discharged as it is (in the form of ice cubes). Otherwise, the fed ice is discharged after being crushed by the ice crusher 30 (in the form of crushed ice).

[8] FIGs. 2 and 3 are front views of the conventional ice dispenser shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a mode for dispensing crushed ice and a mode for dispensing ice cubes, respectively.

[9] When it is desired to dispense crushed ice in the conventional ice dispenser, as shown in FIG. 2, the feeding member ( 23 in FIG. 1) feeds ice received in the case 10 toward the outlet 12. At this time, the outlet 12 is partially closed by a shutter 33. The shutter 33, which can partially or completely open or close the outlet 12, is driven by a shutter driver 34.

[10] In this case, the fed ice cannot be discharged through the outlet. The ice is transferred to a fixed blade 31 by a rotating blade 32 included in the ice crusher 30 as the rotating blade 32 rotates in a clockwise direction. The ice is then crushed in accordance with a cooperation of the fixed blade 31 and rotating blade 32. Thus, the ice can be discharged through the outlet in the form of crushed ice.

[11] On the other hand, when it is desired to dispense ice cubes in the conventional ice dispenser, as shown in FIG. 3, the shutter driver 34 drives the shutter 33 to completely open the outlet 12 in a state in which ice received in the case 10 has been fed to the outlet 12. Thereafter, the rotating blade 32 pushes the ice by a non-edge portion thereof while rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, to promote the discharge of the ice. In this case, the ice is discharged in the form of ice cubes.

[12] However, the above-mentioned conventional ice dispenser has a problem in that the amount of dispensed ice is non-uniform because the dispensing of ice is carried out through a system, in which ice is pushed by the feeding member, and the outlet is opened or closed by the shutter, so that ice may be excessively discharged at one time.

[13] Since the amount of dispensed ice is non-uniform in the process of pushing ice by the feeding member, a jamming phenomenon may occur at the outlet when ice may be excessively discharged at one time. In this case, the dispense of ice cannot be smoothly carried out. A failure of the ice crusher may also occur. In addition, the driver of the ice dispenser may be overloaded, thereby causing a failure. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[14] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ice dispenser capable of discharging a uniform amount of ice, thereby achieving an enhancement in product reliability and preventing a failure or malfunction of constituent elements, and a refrigerator equipped with the ice dispenser. Technical Solution

[15] The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing an ice dispenser comprising: a case formed with an ice inlet and an ice outlet; a stirring guide for guiding ice from the case to the outlet while stirring the ice; and a uniform-amount supplier for feeding the ice guided by the stirring guide to the outlet such that a substantially uniform amount of ice is discharged.

[16] The stirring guide may be inclined from one side of the case toward the outlet by a predetermined angle.

[17] The stirring guide may be inclined by a predetermined angle, and may move the ice in an upward direction by a predetermined distance against a tendency of the ice to move along the stirring guide to the outlet due to the inclination of the stirring guide, to stir the ice.

[18] The uniform-amount supplier may comprise a vertical mover for receiving the ice guided by the stirring guide, upwardly moving the received ice by a predetermined distance, and then downwardly moving the ice, to supply the ice to the outlet.

[19] The vertical mover may comprise receivers for receiving the ice guided by the stirring guide, and a conveyor for upwardly and downwardly moving the receivers, to feed the ice.

[20] The uniform-amount supplier may comprise a rotating shaft, which rotates by a predetermined power, and at least one rotating blade extending radially from the rotating shaft and defining an ice holding space having a predetermined size.

[21] The stirring guide may comprise a first shaft arranged at an upper position and a second shaft arranged at a lower position below the first shaft; a belt connected between the first shaft and the second shaft, to rotate in a direction away from the outlet, and a stirrer provided on the belt, to provide a frictional force.

[22] The ice dispenser may further comprise an ice processor arranged at the outlet, to discharge the ice supplied from the uniform-amount supplier without processing the ice or after processing the ice.

[23] The ice dispenser may further comprise a motor arranged at an inside of the case or at an outside of the case, and a driver connected to the motor, to enable the stirring guide, the uniform-amount supplier, and the ice processor to be driven by the motor.

[24] The driver may comprise a drive shaft connected to a shaft of the motor and to the ice processor, a drive gear mounted on the drive shaft, to rotate together with the drive shaft, a first driven gear engaged with the drive gear such that the first driven gear rotates to drive the stirring guide, and a second driven gear engaged with the drive gear such that the second driven gear rotates to drive the uniform-amount supplier.

[25] The driver may comprise a drive shaft connected to a shaft of the motor and to the ice processor, first and second drive gears mounted on the drive shaft, to rotate together with the drive shaft, a first driven gear engaged with the first drive gear such that the first driven gear rotates to drive the stirring guide, and a second driven gear engaged with the second drive gear such that the second driven gear rotates to drive the uniform-amount supplier.

[26] In another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator comprises: a body having a cooling compartment defined in the body; a door for opening or closing the cooling compartment; an ice maker arranged in the cooling compartment or at an inside of the door, to make ice; and an ice dispenser comprising a case formed with an ice inlet and an ice outlet, a stirring guide for guiding ice from the case to the outlet while stirring the ice, and a uniform-amount supplier for feeding the ice guided by the stirring guide to the outlet such that a substantially uniform amount of ice is discharged. Advantageous Effects

[27] The ice dispenser according to the present invention and the refrigerator equipped with the ice dispenser provide an effect capable of discharging a substantially uniform amount of ice, to prevent ice from being excessively discharged at one time, thereby achieving an enhancement in product reliability and preventing a failure or malfunction of constituent elements. Brief Description of the Drawings

[28] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

[29] In the drawings: [30] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a conventional ice dispenser;

[31] FIGs. 2 and 3 are front views of the conventional ice dispenser shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a mode for dispensing crushed ice and a mode for dispensing ice cubes, respectively;

[32] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an ice dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[33] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an ice dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[34] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an ice dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

[35] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a refrigerator equipped with an ice dispenser according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[36] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention associated with an ice dispenser and a refrigerator equipped with the ice dispenser, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[37] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an ice dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an ice dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an ice dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a refrigerator equipped with an ice dispenser according to the present invention.

[38] The ice dispenser according to the present invention can be applied not only to a refrigerator, but also to other appliances requiring dispense of ice such as a vending machine and a water dispenser. In the following description, however, the ice dispenser will be described in conjunction with the case in which the ice dispenser is applied to a refrigerator.

[39] As shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a body 100, a cooling compartment 101 defined in the body 100, and a door 110 for opening or closing the cooling oompartment 101. For an ice dispensing function, the refrigerator also includes an ice maker 200, an ice dispenser 300, and an ice supplier 201, which are arranged at the inside of the door 110. Of course, these elements may be arranged at one side of the cooling compartment 101.

[40] In either case in which the ice maker 200, ice dispenser 300, and ice supplier 201 are installed at the door 110 or in the cooling compartment 101, the ice supplier 201 is arranged to communicate with the outside of the refrigerator because ice must be allowed to be supplied to the user even in closed state of the door 110.

[41] The ice dispenser 300, which is applied to the refrigerator, is illustrated in more detail in FIGs. 4 to 6. In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the ice dispenser 300 includes a case 310, a stirring guide 320 arranged at one side of the case 310 in the interior of the case 310, a vertical mover 331 arranged at the other side of the case 310, to function as a uniform-amount supplier, an ice processor 360 arranged at an outlet 312 formed through the case 310, and a driver 350 for driving the vertical mover 331 and ice processor 360.

[42] The top of the case 310 is opened to form an inlet 311, and thus to allow ice from the ice maker 200 to be introduced into the case 310. The bottom of the case 310 is also opened at one side of the case 310, to form the outlet 312. A space having a certain size is defined in the outlet 312, to receive a certain amount of ice.

[43] The stirring guide 320 includes a first shaft 321 arranged at an inner upper portion of the case 310 at one side of the case 310, and a second shaft 322 arranged below the first shaft 321 while being spaced apart from the first shaft 321 by a certain distance. The stirring guide 320 also includes a belt 323 connecting the first and second shafts 321 and 322 and rotating upwardly, and a stirrer 324 provided on the belt 323, to stir ice.

[44] The stirrer 324 comprises protrusions provided on the belt 323. The protrusions to generate a frictional force against ice on the belt 322 such that the ice cubes are stirred while moving upwardly along the belt 323. The stirring guide 320 is downwardly inclined by a certain angle, so that ice positioned on the stirring guide 320 is subjected not only to a frictional force exerted in an upward direction, but also to gravity exerted in a downward direction. Ice pieces, namely, ice cubes, for which the gravity is higher than the frictional force, are separated from the stirring guide 320, and are then fed to the vertical mover 331.

[45] A partition plate 340 is arranged between the stirring guide 320 and the vertical motor 331 in the case 301, in order to prevent ice from being excessively discharged at one time. An opening 341 is defined at a lower end of the partition plate 340, to allow ice fed from the stirring guide 320 to be seated on the vertical mover 331.

[46] The vertical mover 331 functions to receive ice fed from the stirring guide 320, and then to feed the ice to the ice processor 360. The vertical mover 331 includes receivers 331a for receiving ice, a conveyor 331b for upwardly and downwardly moving the receivers 331a, and first and second rotating shafts 331c and 33 Id for driving the conveyor 331b. The second rotating shaft 33 Id is arranged below the first rotating shaft 331c.

[47] The conveyor 33 Ib rotates between the first and second rotating shafts 331c and

33 Id by the first and second rotating shafts 331c and 33Id, to feed the receivers 331a. Accordingly, ice received in each receiver 331a is raised and then lowered along the conveyor 33 Ib, so that it is fed to the ice processor 360. In this case, it is preferred that the number of ice cubes fed by one receiver 33 Ia be one or two. Of course, the number of ice cubes fed by one receiver 331a may be adjusted in accordance with the speed of the vertical mover 331 or the size of the receiver 33 Ia.

[48] The stirring guide 320, vertical mover 331 , and ice processor 360 are driven by a single motor 351. Details of the driver 350 will be described later with reference to FIGs. 5 and 6.

[49] FIG. 5 illustrates the ice dispenser according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The ice dispenser according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a case 310, a stirring guide 320 arranged at one side of the case 310 in the interior of the case 310, a rotating member 332 arranged at the other side of the case 310, to function as a uniform-amount supplier, an ice processor 360 arranged at an outlet 312 formed through the case 310, and a driver 350 for driving the rotating member 332 and ice processor 360.

[50] The top of the case 310 is opened to form an inlet 311, and thus to allow ice from the ice maker 200 to be introduced into the case 310. The bottom of the case 310 is also opened at one side of the case 310, to form the outlet 312. A space having a certain size is defined in the outlet 312, to receive a certain amount of ice.

[51] The stirring guide 320 includes a first shaft 321 arranged at an inner upper portion of the case 310 at one side of the case 310, and a second shaft 322 arranged beneath the first shaft 321 while being spaced apart from the first shaft 321 by a certain distance. The stirring guide 320 also includes a belt 323 connecting the first and second shafts 321 and 322 and rotating upwardly, and a stirrer 324 provided on the belt 323, to stir ice.

[52] The stirrer 324 comprises protrusions provided on the belt 323. The protrusions function to generate a frictional force against ice cubes on the belt 322 such that the ice cubes are stirred while moving upwardly along the belt 323. The stirring guide 320 is downwardly inclined by a certain angle, so that ice positioned on the stirring guide 320 is subjected not only to a frictional force exerting in an upward direction, but also to gravity exerting in a downward direction. Ice pieces, namely, ice cubes, for which the gravity is higher than the frictional force, are separated from the stirring guide 320, and are then fed to the rotating member 332.

[53] A partition plate 340 is arranged adjacent to the rotating member 332 above the rotating member 332, in order to prevent ice from being excessively discharged into the rotating member 332. An opening 341 is defined at a lower end of the partition plate 340, to allow ice fed from the stirring guide 320 to be introduced into the rotating member 332.

[54] The rotating member 332 includes a rotating shaft 332a, which rotates by the driver

350, and a plurality of rotating blades 332b coupled to or integrally formed with the rotating shaft 332a such that they extend radially.

[55] The rotating blades 332b have a curved shape such that they provide ice holding spaces S having a certain size. Although the rotating blades 332b are illustrated in FIG. 5 as having curved shape such that they provide ice holding spaces S having a certain size, they may have a bent shape. The rotating blades 332b may also have other shapes, as long as ice holding spaces can be provided between adjacent ones of the rotating blades 332b, respectively.

[56] Thus, the rotating member 332 holds ice fed from the stirring guide 320 in the ice holding spaces S, and feeds the ice to the ice processor 360 while rotating. The ice fed to the ice processor 360 is then discharged as it is or after being processed.

[57] Hereinafter, the driver 350 shown in FIGs. 4 and 5 will be described. As shown in

FIGs. 4 and 5, the driver 350 includes, in addition to the motor 351, a drive shaft 351a rotating by the motor 351. The ice processor 360 is mounted on the drive shaft 351a so that it is directly driven by the motor 351.

[58] The driver 350 also includes drive gears, namely, first and second drive gears 352a and 352b, mounted on the drive shaft 351a. The driver 350 further includes a first driven gear 353a engaged with the first drive gear 352a, to rotate together with the first drive gear 352a, and thus to drive the stirring guide 320, and a second driven gear 353b engaged with the second drive gear 352b, to rotate together with the second drive gear 352b, and thus to drive the rotating member 332 (in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, the second driven gear 353b drives the vertical mover 331). As shown in FIGs. 4 and 5, the driver 350 includes a plurality of driven gears for each of the first and second driven gears 353a and 353b. Of course, the driver may include a single driven gear for each of the first and second driven gears 353a and 353b, taking into consideration the position and size of the associated drive gear, and the size of the driven gear.

[59] In each of the embodiments shown in FIGs. 4 and 5, the driver 350 includes separate driver gears for the first and second drive gears 352a and 352b, respectively, to drive the first and second driven gears 353a and 353b. However, it may be possible to drive the first and second driven gears 353a and 353b, using a single drive gear.

[60] Hereinafter, the ice dispenser according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The ice dispenser of FIG. 6 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is identical to that of the first or second embodiment, in terms of the case 310, stirring guide 320, uniform- amount supplier 331 or 332, and ice processor 360. Although the first or second embodiment is characterized in that the axial directions of the uniform-amount supplier 331 or 332 and stirring guide 320 cross the axial direction of the drive shaft 351a, the third embodiment is characterized in that the axial directions of the uniform- amount supplier 331 or 332 and stirring guide 320 are parallel to the axial direction of the drive shaft 351a.

[61] In accordance with this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, a drive gear 352 rotates in accordance with rotation of a motor (not shown), and thus a drive shaft (not shown), so that a driven gear 353 engaged with the drive gear 352 rotates. Accordingly, first and second driven gears 353a and 353b engaged with the driven gear 353 rotate, thereby driving the uniform-amount supplier (Although the rotating member 332 is shown as the uniform-amount supplier in the FIG. 6, the vertical mover 331 may be used as the uniform-amount supplier.) and the stirring guide 320.

[62] The driven gear 353 may be dispensed with. In this case, the first and second driven gears 353a and 353b are directly engaged with the drive gear 352.

[63] Although the driver includes a single motor in the embodiments illustrated in FIGs.

4 to 6, it may additionally include a separate motor for driving the ice processor.

[64] Hereinafter, operation of the ice dispenser according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGs. 4 and 5.

[65] When ice supplied from the ice maker 200 is laid on the stirring guide 320, the driver 350 operates to upwardly rotate the stirring guide 320. The ice on the stirring . guide 320 is then fed to the uniform-amount supplier 331 or 332 through the opening 341. In this case, the ice is subjected to a frictional force and gravity by the stirrer 324, so that a substantially uniform number of ice cubes are received in the uniform-amount supplier 331 or 332. In the case of FIG. 4, the uniform-amount supplier, namely, the vertical mover 331, moves upwardly after receiving a certain number of ice cubes, and then discharges the received ice cubes after moving downwardly. On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 5, the uniform-amount supplier, namely, the rotating member 332, holds a certain number of ice cubes, and then discharges the held ice cubes while rotating. The discharged ice is outwardly discharged through the ice processor 360 as it is or after being processed.

[66] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Industrial Applicability

[67] The ice dispenser according to the present invention and the refrigerator equipped with the ice dispenser have an industrial applicability in that it is possible to discharge a substantially uniform amount of ice, and thus to prevent ice from being excessively discharged at one time, thereby achieving an enhancement in product reliability and preventing a failure or malfunction of constituent elements.

Claims

[1] An ice dispenser comprising: a case formed with an ice inlet and an ice outlet; a stirring guide for guiding ice from the case to the outlet while stirring the ice; and a uniform-amount supplier for feeding the ice guided by the stirring guide to the outlet such that a substantially uniform amount of ice is discharged.

[2] The ice dispenser acoording to claim 1, wherein the stirring guide is inclined from one side of the case toward the outlet by a predetermined angle.

[3] The ice dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the stirring guide is inclined by a predetermined angle, and moves the ice in an upward direction by a predetermined distance against a tendency of the ice to move along the stirring guide to the outlet due to the inclination of the stirring guide, to stir the ice.

[4] The ice dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the uniform- amount supplier comprises a vertical mover for receiving the ice guided by the stirring guide, upwardly moving the received ice by a predetermined distance, and then downwardly moving the ice, to supply the ice to the outlet.

[5] The ice dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the vertical mover comprises: receivers for receiving the ice guided by the stirring guide; and a conveyor for upwardly and downwardly moving the receivers, to feed the ice.

[6] The ice dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the uniform- amount supplier comprises: a rotating shaft, which rotates by a predetermined power; and at least one rotating blade extending radially from the rotating shaft and defining an ice holding space having a predetermined size.

[7] The ice dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stirring guide comprises: a first shaft arranged at an upper position and a second shaft arranged at a lower position below the first shaft; a belt connected between the first shaft and the second shaft, to rotate in a direction away from the outlet; and a stirrer provided on the belt, to provide a frictional force.

[8] The ice dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an ice processor arranged at the outlet, to discharge the ice supplied from the uniform-amount supplier without processing the ice or after processing the ice. [9] The ice dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a motor arranged at an inside of the case or at an outside of the case; and a driver connected to the motor, to enable the stirring guide, the uniform-amount supplier, and the ice processor to be driven by the motor. [10] The ice dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the driver comprises: a drive shaft connected to a shaft of the motor and to the ice processor; a drive gear mounted on the drive shaft, to rotate together with the drive shaft; a first driven gear engaged with the drive gear such that the first driven gear rotates to drive the stirring guide; and a second driven gear engaged with the drive gear such that the second driven gear rotates to drive the uniform-amount supplier. [11] The ice dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the driver comprises: a drive shaft connected to a shaft of the motor and to the ice processor; first and second drive gears mounted on the drive shaft, to rotate together with the drive shaft; a first driven gear engaged with the first drive gear such that the first driven gear rotates to drive the stirring guide; and a second driven gear engaged with the second drive gear such that the second driven gear rotates to drive the uniform-amount supplier. [12] A refrigerator comprising: a body having a cooling compartment defined in the body; a door for opening or closing the cooling compartment; an ice maker arranged in the cooling compartment or at an inside of the door, to make ice; and an ice dispenser comprising a case formed with an ice inlet and an ice outlet, a stirring guide for guiding ice from the case to the outlet while stirring the ice, and a uniform-amount supplier for feeding the ice guided by the stirring guide to the outlet such that a substantially uniform amount of ice is discharged.