U.S. patent application number 11/770526 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for ice tray assembly and refrigerator having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Byeong Gyu Kang, Young Woo Kim, Jae Youl Lee, Sang Ho Park, Jong Seok YOON.
Application Number | 20080006048 11/770526 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38917963 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080006048 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOON; Jong Seok ; et
al. |
January 10, 2008 |
ICE TRAY ASSEMBLY AND REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME
Abstract
An ice tray assembly and a refrigerator having the same are
disclosed. The ice tray assembly includes an outer case on which a
water container is mounted, and an inner case detachably mounted in
the outer case to include ice trays which are supplied with water
from the water container. The ice tray assembly includes the inner
case which is detachable therefrom, thereby facilitating washing.
Further, the ice trays can be supplied with water at once without
water leakage and ice cubes made in the ice trays can be separated
from the ice trays at once.
Inventors: |
YOON; Jong Seok;
(Changwon-Si, KR) ; Kang; Byeong Gyu;
(Changwon-Si, KR) ; Kim; Young Woo; (Changwon-Si,
KR) ; Park; Sang Ho; (Changwon-Si, KR) ; Lee;
Jae Youl; (Changwon-Si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
38917963 |
Appl. No.: |
11/770526 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/345 ; 249/119;
62/340 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2323/122 20130101;
F25C 2500/06 20130101; F25C 2400/14 20130101; F25C 2400/06
20130101; F25C 2305/022 20130101; F25D 23/04 20130101; F25C 1/24
20130101; F25C 2400/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/345 ;
249/119; 062/340 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/22 20060101
F25C001/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 29, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0059677 |
Claims
1. An ice tray assembly comprising: an outer case on which a water
container is mounted; and an inner case detachably mounted in the
outer case to include ice trays which are supplied with water from
the water container.
2. The ice tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein insertion
guide members are provided on the outer case and the inner case,
respectively.
3. The ice tray assembly according to claim 2, wherein the
insertion guide members include a slot formed on one of the outer
case and the inner case and a rib formed on the other of the
cases.
4. The ice tray assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a
water supply member to supply water from the water container to the
ice trays.
5. The ice tray assembly according to claim 4, wherein the water
supply member includes a water supply lever disposed on the outer
case to open or close the water container.
6. The ice tray assembly according to claim 4, wherein the water
supply member includes a water supply part which supplies water
falling down from the water container to any one of the ice
trays.
7. The ice tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ice
trays are arranged vertically and connected to each other by an
interlocking device to rotate at the same time.
8. The ice tray assembly according to claim 7, wherein the
interlocking device includes: tray gears coupled to the ice trays;
and a connecting gear to operate the tray gears together.
9. The ice tray assembly according to claim 8, wherein the inner
case includes a lever opening to guide a lever connected to one of
the tray gears and the connecting gear while the lever is inserted
into the lever opening.
10. The ice tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ice
trays are arranged in an oblique line from an upper side to a lower
side.
11. The ice tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner
case includes: an ice making part in which the ice trays are
installed; and an operating part in which the interlocking device
is installed.
12. The ice tray assembly according to claim 11, wherein the ice
making part and the operating part are separated by a
partition.
13. The ice tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein a groove is
formed on the inner case to limit a rotation angle of the ice
trays.
14. A refrigerator comprising an ice tray assembly which includes:
an outer case installed on a rear surface of a door to be provided
with a water container; and an inner case detachably mounted in the
outer case to include ice trays which are supplied with water from
the water container.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, further comprising
insertion guide members including a slot formed on one of the outer
case and the inner case and a rib formed on the other of the
cases.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 14, further comprising a
water supply member to supply water from the water container to the
ice trays.
17. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the water
supply member includes a water supply lever protruded from an upper
inner surface of the outer case to open or close the water
container.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the water
supply member includes a funnel-shaped water supply part which
supplies water falling down from the water container to any one of
the ice trays.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the ice trays
are arranged vertically and connected to each other by an
interlocking device to rotate at the same time.
20. The refrigerator according to claim 19, wherein the
interlocking device includes: tray gears coupled to the ice trays;
and a connecting gear to operate the tray gears together.
21. The refrigerator according to claim 20, wherein the inner case
includes a lever opening to guide a lever connected to one of the
tray gears and the connecting gear while the lever is inserted into
the lever opening.
22. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the ice trays
are arranged in an oblique line from an upper side to a lower
side.
23. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the inner case
includes: an ice making part in which the ice trays are installed;
and an operating part in which the interlocking device is
installed.
24. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the ice making
part and the operating part are separated by a partition.
25. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein a groove is
formed on the inner case to limit a rotation angle of the ice
trays.
26. A refrigerator comprising an ice tray assembly which includes:
an outer case installed on a rear surface of a door to be provided
with a water container; an inner case detachably mounted in the
outer case to include ice trays which are supplied with water from
the water container; and a water supply member to supply water from
the water container to the ice trays.
27. The refrigerator according to claim 26, wherein the water
supply member includes a water supply lever disposed on the outer
case to open or close the water container.
28. The refrigerator according to claim 27, wherein the water
supply member includes a water supply part which supplies water
falling down from the water container to any one of the ice trays.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2006-0059677, filed on Jun. 29, 2006, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set
forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an ice tray assembly and a
refrigerator having the same, and more particularly to an ice tray
assembly capable of being separated to be washed and being supplied
with water at once, wherein ice made in ice trays can be easily
separated from the ice trays, and a refrigerator having the
same.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] A refrigerator is an electric home appliance which freezes
or cools food to store food in a fresh state for a long period of
time. Generally, the refrigerator includes a freezing chamber and a
cooling chamber. Further, the refrigerator includes an ice maker
for making ice in the freezing chamber.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows a conventional ice tray assembly for a
refrigerator. The conventional ice tray assembly for a refrigerator
includes a case 10 disposed in the refrigerator and ice trays 20
disposed in the case 10 to contain water to be frozen into ice, for
example, ice cubes.
[0007] Further, shelves 12 are provided in the case 10 to support
the ice trays 20. The ice trays 20 are filled with water and then
put on the shelves 12 in the case 10. The ice cubes are made in the
ice trays 20 by cool air flowing in the refrigerator.
[0008] However, in the above-mentioned conventional ice tray
assembly for a refrigerator, the case 10 for mounting the ice trays
20 thereon is disposed in the freezing chamber for freezing food.
The case 10 occupies a large space in the freezing chamber, thereby
reducing the available space of the freezing chamber. Further, it
is difficult to separate the case 10 from the freezing chamber to
wash the case 10.
[0009] Further, the ice trays 20 should be taken out of the case 10
in order to separate ice cubes from the ice trays 20. When the ice
trays 20 are filled with water and then put on the case 10, water
may flow over the ice trays 20 to be frozen between the case 10 and
the ice trays 20. Accordingly, there is difficulty in separating
the ice trays 20 from the case 10.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an ice
tray assembly and a refrigerator having the same that substantially
obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages
of the related art.
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an ice tray
assembly capable of being mounted on a refrigerator door to ensure
a space of a freezing chamber and a refrigerator having the ice
tray assembly.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice
tray assembly including an inner case which is detachable therefrom
to facilitate washing and a refrigerator having the ice tray
assembly.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
ice tray assembly including the inner case which can be mounted or
detached in a stable state and a refrigerator having the ice tray
assembly.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
ice tray assembly wherein ice trays can be supplied with water at
once without being separated from the inner case in addition that
the inner case is detachable and a refrigerator having the ice tray
assembly.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
ice tray assembly wherein ice cubes made in the ice trays can be
separated from the ice trays at once without separation of the ice
trays and a refrigerator having the ice tray assembly.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
ice tray assembly wherein even though the inner case is detachable,
it is possible to prevent water leakage when the water container is
mounted on the ice tray assembly and a refrigerator having the ice
tray assembly.
[0017] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0018] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, an ice tray assembly includes an outer
case on which a water container is mounted, and an inner case
detachably mounted in the outer case to include ice trays which are
supplied with water from the water container.
[0019] Preferably, insertion guide members are provided on the
outer case and the inner case, respectively.
[0020] Preferably, the insertion guide members include a slot
formed on one of the outer case and the inner case and a rib formed
on the other of the cases.
[0021] Preferably, the ice tray assembly further includes a water
supply member to supply water from the water container to the ice
trays.
[0022] Preferably, the water supply member includes a water supply
lever disposed on the outer case to open or close the water
container.
[0023] Preferably, the water supply member includes a water supply
part which supplies water falling down from the water container to
any one of the ice trays.
[0024] Preferably, the ice trays are arranged vertically and
connected to each other by an interlocking device to rotate at the
same time.
[0025] Preferably, the interlocking device includes tray gears
coupled to the ice trays, and a connecting gear to operate the tray
gears together.
[0026] Preferably, the inner case includes a lever opening to guide
a lever connected to one of the tray gears and the connecting gear
while the lever is inserted into the lever opening.
[0027] Preferably, the ice trays are arranged in an oblique line
from an upper side to a lower side.
[0028] Preferably, the inner case includes an ice making part in
which the ice trays are installed, and an operating part in which
the interlocking device is installed.
[0029] Preferably, the ice making part and the operating part are
separated by a partition.
[0030] Preferably, a groove is formed on the inner case to limit a
rotation angle of the ice trays.
[0031] In another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator
includes an ice tray assembly which includes an outer case
installed on a rear surface of a door to be provided with a water
container, and an inner case detachably mounted in the outer case
to include ice trays which are supplied with water from the water
container.
[0032] Preferably, the refrigerator further includes insertion
guide members including a slot formed on one of the outer case and
the inner case and a rib formed on the other of the cases.
[0033] Preferably, the refrigerator further includes a water supply
member to supply water from the water container to the ice
trays.
[0034] Preferably, the water supply member includes a water supply
lever protruded from an upper inner surface of the outer case to
open or close the water container.
[0035] Preferably, the water supply member includes a funnel-shaped
water supply part which supplies water falling down from the water
container to any one of the ice trays.
[0036] Preferably, the ice trays are arranged vertically and
connected to each other by an interlocking device to rotate at the
same time.
[0037] Preferably, the interlocking device includes tray gears
coupled to the ice trays, and a connecting gear to operate the tray
gears together.
[0038] Preferably, the inner case includes a lever opening to guide
a lever connected to one of the tray gears and the connecting gear
while the lever is inserted into the lever opening.
[0039] Preferably, the ice trays are arranged in an oblique line
from an upper side to a lower side.
[0040] Preferably, the inner case includes an ice making part in
which the ice trays are installed, and an operating part in which
the interlocking device is installed.
[0041] Preferably, the ice making part and the operating part are
separated by a partition.
[0042] Preferably, a groove is formed on the inner case to limit a
rotation angle of the ice trays.
[0043] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a
refrigerator includes an outer case installed on a rear surface of
a door to be provided with a water container, an inner case
detachably mounted in the outer case to include ice trays which are
supplied with water from the water container, and a water supply
member to supply water from the water container to the ice
trays.
[0044] Preferably, the water supply member includes a water supply
lever disposed on the outer case to open or close the water
container.
[0045] Preferably, the water supply member includes a water supply
part which supplies water falling down from the water container to
any one of the ice trays.
[0046] By the above-mentioned configuration according to present
invention, the ice tray assembly includes the inner case which is
detachable therefrom, thereby facilitating washing. Further, the
ice trays can be supplied with water at once and ice cubes made in
the ice trays can be separated from the ice trays at once without
separation of the ice trays. Further, it is possible to prevent
water leakage when the water container is mounted on the ice tray
assembly.
[0047] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0049] FIGS. 1 and 2 show exploded perspective views of an ice tray
assembly and a part of a refrigerator having the ice tray assembly
according to the present invention; and
[0050] FIG. 3 shows a conventional ice tray assembly for a
refrigerator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0052] FIGS. 1 and 2 show exploded perspective views of an ice tray
assembly and a part of a refrigerator having the ice tray assembly
according to the present invention. The ice tray assembly includes
an outer case 50, an inner case 100, ice trays 210, a lever 300,
tray gears 410, a connecting gear 420 and a water container
500.
[0053] In this embodiment, the inner case 100 is detachably
inserted in the outer case 50. The inner case 100 is formed in a
vertically elongated parallelepiped shape such that the ice trays
210 are arranged vertically.
[0054] The outer case 50 has one surface corresponding to an inner
surface of a refrigerator door such that the outer case 50 can be
mounted on the refrigerator door. Accordingly, the ice tray
assembly can be mounted on the refrigerator door to minimize a
mounting space in the refrigerator. Further, the other surface of
the outer case 50 is removed such that the inner case 100 can be
inserted into or detached from the outer case 50.
[0055] Further, a rib R serving as an insertion guide member is
provided on the outer case 50. The rib R is formed on an inner
surface of the outer case 50 to be protruded and extended in an
insertion direction of the inner case 100. Further, it is
preferable to form ribs R at opposite sides of an inner surface of
the outer case 50, respectively, such that the inner case 100 can
be stably inserted into or detached from the outer case 50.
[0056] The water container 500 is mounted on the outer case 50 to
supply water to the ice trays 210. A water supply lever 55 is
provided on the outer case 50 to open or close a valve 520 disposed
on the bottom surface of the water container 500.
[0057] The water supply lever 55 is extended to be protruded from
an upper inner surface of the outer case 50. Accordingly, when the
inner case 100 is inserted into the outer case 50 and the water
container 500 is loaded on the outer case 50, the valve 520
disposed on the bottom surface of the water container 500 is
pressed by the water supply lever 55 such that water stored in the
water container 500 is supplied into each of the ice trays 210.
[0058] The inner case 100 is inserted in the outer case 50 to be
detachable from the outer case 50. Preferably, the inner case 100
is formed in a vertically elongated parallelepiped shape such that
the ice trays 210 are arranged vertically.
[0059] Preferably, the bottom surface of the inner case 100 is
removed such that ice, for example, ice cubes falling down from the
ice trays 210 can pass by. Further, at least one side surface of
the inner case 100 is made of a transparent material such that a
state of ice cubes made in the ice trays 210 can be checked from
outside the inner case 100.
[0060] Specifically, the inner case 100 includes a water supply
part 110, an ice making part 120 and an operating part 130. The ice
making part 120 and the operating part 130 are arranged side by
side in the inner case 100. The inner case 100 includes a partition
P which defines the ice making part 120 and the operating part
130.
[0061] Further, the inner case 100 includes holes h to receive the
tray gears 410 and the connecting gear 420. The holes h are formed
on the partition P defining the ice making part 120 and the
operating part 130.
[0062] The water supply part 110 is provided in the inner case 100
to supply water falling down from the water container 500 to any
one of the ice trays 210. The water supply part 110 is formed as a
funnel to collect water from the water container 500 and supply the
collected water to one of the ice trays 210 disposed at a lower
portion of the inner case 100.
[0063] Further, an opening 111 formed on the bottom of the water
supply part 110 is positioned above one of the ice trays 210
disposed at the lower portion of the inner case 100 such that water
falling down from the opening 111 is supplied to one of the ice
trays 210 disposed at the lower portion of the inner case 100.
[0064] A lever opening 131 is formed at the operating part 130 to
be elongated vertically such that the lever 300 is operated through
the lever opening 131.
[0065] The inner case 100 is provided with a slot S serving as an
insertion guide member. That is, in the embodiment of the present
invention, the rib R and the slot S are provided as the insertion
guide member. The slot S is formed on an outer surface of the
operating part 130 in an insertion direction of the inner case 100.
Thus, the rib R formed on the outer case 50 is inserted into the
slot S.
[0066] Accordingly, the inner case 100 can be stably combined with
or detached from the outer case 50. Further, grooves 121 are formed
on the inner case 100 to limit the rotation angle of the ice trays
210. The grooves 121 are formed in an arc shape on one surface of
the ice making part 120 to guide protrusions (not shown)
respectively formed at one side of the ice trays 210, the
protrusions being inserted into the grooves 121.
[0067] The ice trays 210 for containing water to be frozen into ice
cubes are respectively provided with covers 220 for hygiene to
prevent water or ice cubes contained in the ice trays 210 from
being separated out of the ice trays 210. A water supply opening
222 is formed on each cover 220 such that water is supplied into
each ice tray 210 from above the ice trays 210.
[0068] Further, the covers 220 are respectively provided with hooks
221, which are released from a fixing state when ice cubes are
taken out of the ice trays 210. Accordingly, water or ice cubes
contained in the ice trays 210 can be prevented from being
separated out of the ice trays 210 due to impact generated when the
refrigerator door is opened or closed after water is supplied into
the ice trays 210.
[0069] Further, it is preferable to provide rods (not shown) on the
inner case 100 to release the hooks 221 from a fixing state such
that the covers 220 open the ice trays 210 when the ice trays 210
are rotated and the ice cubes are separated.
[0070] In this case, the covers 220 are respectively connected to
the ice trays 210 by hinges H to open or close the top surfaces of
the ice trays 210. Preferably, if the ice trays 210 rotate
clockwise to open the covers 220, the covers 220 are
hinge-connected to the ice trays 210 on the left with respect to
longitudinal axes of the ice trays 210. On the other hand, if the
ice trays 210 rotate counterclockwise to open the covers 220, the
covers 220 are hinge-connected to the ice trays 210 on the right
with respect to the longitudinal axes of the ice trays 210.
[0071] In this embodiment, since the ice trays 210 rotate
counterclockwise, the covers 220 are hinge-connected to the ice
trays 210 on the right with respect to the longitudinal axes of the
ice trays 210. Accordingly, the covers 220 are opened when the ice
trays 210 rotate, whereby ice cubes separated from the ice trays
210 fall down.
[0072] Further, as describe above, the rotation angle of the ice
trays 210 can be limited by the protrusions (not shown) inserted
into the grooves 121 which are formed on the inner case 100 to
limit the rotation angle of the ice trays 210.
[0073] The ice trays 210 are arranged vertically such that the ice
trays 210 rotate in the inner case 100. For rotation of the ice
trays 210, preferably, the longitudinal axis of each ice tray 210
is connected to a hole (not shown) formed on one surface of the ice
making part 120 and each tray gear 410 inserted into a hole h
formed on the partition P defining the ice making part 120 and the
operating part 130.
[0074] Preferably, the ice trays 210 are arranged in an oblique
line from an upper side to a lower side such that interference
between the ice trays 210 does not occur when the ice trays 210
rotate to separate ice cubes from the ice trays 210. In this
embodiment, the ice trays 210 are arranged in an oblique line from
an upper left side to a lower right side when they are seen from
the front of the inner case 100.
[0075] The lever 300 is connected to the ice trays 210 to rotate
the ice trays 210. Specifically, one end of the lever 300 is
connected to any one of the ice trays 210 and the other end of the
lever 300 is protruded outside from the inner case 100 through the
lever opening 131 formed at the operating part. The lever 300
rotates around the longitudinal axis of any one of the ice trays
210.
[0076] In this embodiment, in order to allow sufficient space for
rotation of the lever 300, it is preferable that the lever 300 is
connected to the ice tray 210 disposed at the upper side of the
inner case 100 in which the lever 300 rotates, and the lever 300
rotates counterclockwise,
[0077] The tray gears 410 are respectively connected to the ice
trays 210 such that the tray gears 410 engage with each other. It
is preferable that the tray gears 410 are respectively connected to
the longitudinal axes of the ice trays 210 such that the tray gears
410 rotate in the same way as the rotation of the ice trays
210.
[0078] In this case, preferably, the tray gears 410 respectively
connected to the ice trays 210 have the same gear ratio to maintain
the same rotation angle.
[0079] The connecting gear 420 is connected to each of the tray
gears 410 such that the ice trays 210 rotate in the same direction
as the rotation of the lever 300. Preferably, the connecting gear
420 is connected between the tray gears 410 respectively connected
to the ice trays 210 such that the ice trays 210 rotate in the same
direction as the rotation of the lever 300.
[0080] In this case, preferably, the connecting gear 420 has the
same gear ratio such that the tray gears 410 respectively connected
to the ice trays 210 maintain the same rotation angle.
[0081] Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention,
the lever 300 may be connected to the tray gears 410 or the
connecting gear 420 without being directly connected to the ice
trays 210.
[0082] The water supply members include the water supply lever 55
provided on the outer case 50 and the water supply part 110
provided on the inner case 100.
[0083] The water container 500 includes discharge ports 510 for
supplying water and the valve 520 for opening or closing the
discharge ports 510, which are provided on the bottom surface of
the water container 500. The discharge ports 510 are provided
corresponding to the number of the ice trays 210 to supply water to
the ice trays 210, respectively. The discharge ports 510 are opened
or closed by the valve 520.
[0084] The valve 520 is positioned above the water supply lever 55
to be opened or closed by the water supply lever 55. The discharge
ports 510 are positioned above the water supply openings 222
respectively provided on the covers 220 of the ice trays 210.
Accordingly, in addition that the inner case 100 can be detached
from the outer case 50, water can be supplied into each of the ice
trays 210.
[0085] Hereinafter, the operation of the ice tray assembly and the
refrigerator having the ice tray assembly according to the present
invention will be described in detail.
[0086] First, the inner case 100 is inserted into the outer case 50
using the rib R and the slot S serving as an insertion guide
member. The water container 500 is filled with water and mounted on
the outer case 50. Then, the water supply lever 55 actuates the
valve 520 provided on the bottom surface of the water container 500
to supply water from the discharge ports 510 to the ice trays 210,
respectively.
[0087] In this case, water falling down from any one of the
discharge ports 510 is directly supplied to one of the ice trays
210 disposed at the upper side of the inner case 100. Water falling
down from the other of the discharge ports 510 is collected in the
water supply part 110 to be supplied to one of the ice trays 210
disposed at the lower side of the inner case 100.
[0088] The water supply lever 55 is formed not on the inner case
100 but on the outer case 50. Accordingly, although the inner case
100 is not accurately mounted on the outer case 50 when the inner
case 100 is inserted into the outer case 50, it is possible to
prevent water leakage by mounting the water container 500 on the
outer case 50.
[0089] After water is frozen into ice cubes in the ice trays 210,
the lever 300 is rotated counterclockwise in the inner case 100
such that the ice trays 210 and the tray gears 410 connected to the
lever 300 are rotated in the same direction.
[0090] As the tray gears 410 rotate counterclockwise, the
connecting gear 420 coupled to the tray gears 410 rotates in a
direction opposite to a rotation direction of the tray gears 410,
namely, rotates clockwise.
[0091] Further, as the connecting gear 420 rotates, the tray gear
410 connected to the ice tray 210 which is not connected to the
lever 300 rotates in a direction opposite to a rotation direction
of the connecting gear 420, namely, rotates counterclockwise. The
ice tray 210 which is not connected to the lever 300 rotates in the
same direction as the other ice tray 210 connected to the lever
300.
[0092] When the ice trays 210 rotate in the same direction, the
covers 220 are opened by the rods (not shown) capable of opening
the hooks 221 and ice cubes are separated from the ice trays 210.
In this case, since the ice trays 210 are arranged in an oblique
line from an upper side to a lower side, the ice trays 210 move
without interference and ice cubes uniformly fall down from the ice
trays 210.
[0093] The ice tray assembly having the above-described
configuration and the refrigerator having the ice tray assembly
have the following effects.
[0094] First, the ice tray assembly can be mounted on the
refrigerator door to ensure a space of the freezing chamber.
Further, the ice tray assembly includes the inner case which is
detachable therefrom, thereby facilitating washing.
[0095] Second, the inner case can be detached stably. Further, even
though the inner case is detachable, it is possible to prevent
water leakage when the water container is mounted on the ice tray
assembly.
[0096] Third, in addition that the inner case is detachable, the
ice trays can be supplied with water at once without being
separated from the inner case.
[0097] Fourth, ice cubes made in the ice trays can be separated
from the ice trays at once without separation of the ice trays.
[0098] 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 inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *