U.S. patent application number 11/838971 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Nam Soo Cho, Sung Jhee, Kyong Bae PARK.
Application Number | 20080053132 11/838971 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38777929 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Kyong Bae ; et
al. |
March 6, 2008 |
REFRIGERATOR AND DUCT CAP ASSEMBLY THEREFOR
Abstract
A refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor having a damper
that delays closing of a duct cap is disclosed herein. The
refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor include a duct cap, an
opening and closing device, a connecting rod, a packing holder, a
packing, and a cylinder. The duct cap opens and closes an ice duct
of the refrigerator, and the opening and closing device opens and
closes the duct cap. The connecting rod is connected to one of the
duct cap and the opening and closing device. The packing holder is
connected to the connecting rod. The packing is disposed in the
packing holder. The cylinder may include at least one slot formed
at a predetermined portion of a periphery of the cylinder and the
packing makes a reciprocating motion within the cylinder while
generating a frictional force.
Inventors: |
PARK; Kyong Bae; (Seoul,
KR) ; Jhee; Sung; (Seoul, KR) ; Cho; Nam
Soo; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38777929 |
Appl. No.: |
11/838971 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/477 ;
141/362; 222/504 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 5/22 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/265 ;
141/362 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/00 20060101
F25D023/00; B65B 1/28 20060101 B65B001/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 30, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0082823 |
Claims
1. A duct cap assembly for a refrigerator, comprising: a duct cap
configured to open and close an ice duct formed in the
refrigerator; an opening and closing device configured to open and
close the duct cap; and a damper assembly connected to one of the
duct cap and the opening and closing device, wherein the damper
assembly delays a closing of the duct cap upon initiation of a
closing operation.
2. The duct cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the damper assembly
comprises an air damper.
3. The duct cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the damper assembly
comprises: a connecting rod connected to one of the duct cap and
the opening and closing device; a packing holder connected to the
connecting rod; a packing installed in the packing holder; and a
cylinder, wherein the packing makes a reciprocating motion within
the cylinder while generating a frictional force.
4. The duct cap assembly of claim 3, wherein the cylinder includes
at least one slot formed at a predetermined portion in a periphery
of the cylinder.
5. The duct cap assembly of claim 3, wherein the packing holder
comprises: an inner holder having connecting members projecting
therefrom that connect to the connecting rod; and an outer holder
having a through hole through which the connecting members
penetrate, wherein the packing is disposed between the inner holder
and the outer holder.
6. The duct cap assembly of claim 5, wherein the outer holder
includes at least one insertion rib configured to be inserted into
the packing.
7. The duct cap assembly of claim 3, wherein the packing is made of
a rubber material.
8. The duct cap assembly of claim 3, wherein the packing is ring
shaped.
9. The duct cap assembly of claim 3, wherein the packing includes
an inclined portion that minimizes friction force generated between
the packing and the cylinder when the packing moves toward a first
end of the cylinder, and that becomes extended to maximize the
friction force generated between the packing and the cylinder when
the packing moves toward a second end of the cylinder.
10. The duct cap assembly of claim 9, wherein the first end is
closed and the second end is open.
11. The duct cap assembly of claim 9, wherein the packing includes
an outer circumference having the inclined portion extending
therefrom, an inner circumference having a smaller diameter than
the outer circumference, and a front side that connects the inner
circumference with the outer circumference, wherein a ring shaped
space is formed between the outer circumference and the inner
circumference.
12. The duct cap assembly of claim 3, wherein the cylinder has one
end closed and the other end open.
13. The duct cap assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one slot
extends in a lengthwise direction a predetermined length from
adjacent the open end of the cylinder.
14. The duct cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the opening and
closing device includes a lever, a rotating shaft connected to the
lever that rotates the duct cap, and a spring that elastically
supports at least one of the lever and the rotating shaft to
automatically rotate the duct cap to a position of closing the duct
cap.
15. The duct cap assembly of claim 14, wherein the lever is
rotatably connected to a connecting member of the rotating
shaft.
16. The duct cap assembly of clam 15, wherein the connecting rod is
connected with the rotating shaft and a shaft connecting bar by the
connecting member.
17. The duct cap assembly of claim 14, wherein the cylinder is
configured to be fixed to a supporting member, wherein the
supporting member is configured to be installed in the
refrigerator.
18. The duct cap assembly of claim 17, further comprising a funnel
configured to support the supporting member, including a duct
device configured to communicate with a bottom end of the ice duct,
and rotatably supporting the rotating shaft and the lever.
19. A refrigerator comprising the duct cap assembly of claim 1.
20. A duct cap assembly for a refrigerator, comprising: a funnel
configured to communicate with an ice duct of the refrigerator; a
duct cap configured to open and close the ice duct; an opening and
closing device configured to open and close the duct cap; and a
damper assembly supported by the funnel and connected to one of the
duct cap and the opening and closing device, wherein the damper
assembly delays closing of the duct cap upon initiation of a
closing operation.
21. The duct cap assembly of claim 20, wherein the damper assembly
comprises an air damper.
22. The duct cap assembly of claim 20, wherein the opening and
closing device comprises: a rotating shaft connected to the duct
cap configured to rotate the duct cap and which is rotatably
supported by the funnel; a lever connected to the rotating shaft
configured to rotate the rotating shaft, and rotatably supported by
the funnel; and a spring configured to elastically support at least
one of the lever and the duct cap to automatically rotate the duct
cap to a position of closing the ice cap.
23. The duct cap assembly of claim 20, wherein the damper assembly
comprises: a cylinder disposed in the funnel including one end
which is closed, and another end which is open, and at least one
slot formed extending in a lengthwise direction; a packing holder
movably disposed within the cylinder; a packing including an
inclined portion disposed in the packing holder, the inclined
portion having a diameter which decreases as it extends toward the
closed end of the cylinder to minimize friction force generated
between the packing and the cylinder when the packing moves toward
the closed end of the cylinder and to maximize the friction force
generated between the packing and the cylinder when the packing
moves toward the open end of the cylinder; and a connecting rod
connected to one of the duct cap and the opening and closing
device, and connected to the packing holder.
24. The duct cap assembly of claim 23, wherein the at least one
slot extends in a lengthwise direction a predetermined length from
adjacent the open end of the cylinder.
25. The duct cap assembly of claim 23, wherein the packing includes
an outer circumference having the inclined portion extended
therefrom, an inner circumference having a smaller diameter than
the outer circumference, and a front side that connects the inner
circumference with the outer circumference, wherein a ring shaped
space is formed between the outer circumference and the inner
circumference.
26. A refrigerator comprising the duct cap assembly of claim
20.
27. A duct cap assembly for a refrigerator, comprising: a duct cap
configured to open and close an ice duct of the refrigerator; an
opening and closing device configured to open and close the duct
cap; and a damper assembly, including a plurality of damping
regions each providing a different damping force, connected to one
of the duct cap and the opening and closing device.
28. The duct cap assembly of claim 27, wherein the damper assembly
comprises an air damper.
29. The duct cap assembly of claim 27, wherein the air damper
assembly comprises: a connecting rod connected to at least one of
duct cap and the opening and closing device; a packing holder
connected to the connecting rod; a packing disposed in the packing
holder; and a cylinder having one end closed and the other end
open, and including a damping force controller formed at a
predetermined portion of a periphery of the cylinder, wherein the
packing is disposed in the cylinder and makes a reciprocating
motion while generating a frictional force between the packing and
the cylinder.
30. The duct cap assembly of claim 29, wherein the packing includes
an inclined portion that becomes extended by being rubbed against
an inside surface of the cylinder when the packing moves toward the
open end of the cylinder.
31. The duct cap assembly of claim 27, wherein the damping force
controller comprise at least one slot formed at a predetermined
portion of a periphery of the cylinder.
32. A refrigerator comprising the duct cap assembly of claim 27.
Description
[0001] This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) on Patent Application No. 10-2006-0082823
filed in Korea on Aug. 30, 2006, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] A refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor are disclosed
herein.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] A refrigerator is a device that maintains a refrigerating
compartment and a freezer compartment at predetermined low
temperatures using a refrigerating cycle device, which includes a
compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator. The
refrigerator may include an automatic ice maker which utilizes cold
air in the freezer compartment to make ice. However, related art
refrigerators having automatic ice makers have various
disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator with a
refrigerating compartment and a freezer compartment in an open
state in accordance with an embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice duct opening and
closing device of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an automatic ice maker of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ice duct opening and
closing device for a refrigerator in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator
with an ice duct closed in accordance with an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator
with an ice duct open in accordance with an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a damper shown in
FIG. 4 through FIG. 6 in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is a magnified cross-sectional view of a packing and
a packing holder shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to specific
embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. A refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor according
to embodiments are disclosed herein. The duct cap assembly
according to embodiments is disclosed as implemented in a
refrigerator, as an example. However, the duct cap assembly
according to embodiments may also be implemented in other types of
apparatus as well.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator with a
refrigerating compartment and a freezer compartment in an open
state in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the
refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment R and a freezer
compartment F, which are sectored by a barrier 1, a main body 2
having a refrigerating cycle device (not shown) that refrigerates
the refrigerating compartment R and the freezer compartment F to
predetermined low temperatures, a freezer compartment door 4
coupled to the main body 2 that opens and closes the freezer
compartment F, and a refrigerating compartment door 6 coupled to
the main body 2 that opens and closes the refrigerating compartment
R.
[0017] The refrigerating cycle device may include a compressor that
compresses a low temperature and low pressure gas refrigerant, a
condenser that condenses the high temperature and high pressure
refrigerant by radiating the heat of the compressed refrigerant
through external air, an expander that reduces the pressure of the
condensed refrigerant received from the condenser, and an
evaporator that absorbs the heat from air circulating around the
refrigerating compartment R or the freezer compartment F using the
expanded refrigerant and evaporating the heat.
[0018] Recently, automatic ice makers or machines have generally
been mounted in refrigerators. The automatic ice makers
automatically make ice using cool air in the freezer compartment F
and automatically output the ice in response to a user
operation.
[0019] An automatic ice maker may include an ice making device 8
that freezes water to make ice using cool air in the freezer
compartment F, and an ice bank 9 that holds ice received from the
ice making device 8. The ice bank 9 may include a conveying member
(not shown) that conveys ice output from the ice bank 9, and a
motor 10 that rotates the conveying member.
[0020] The freezer compartment door 4 may include a dispenser (not
shown) that provides the conveyed ice and water from a water supply
(not shown). The freezer compartment door 4 also may include an ice
duct 12 which acts as a passage that guides the ice conveyed from
the ice bank 9 to the dispenser and an ice duct opening and closing
device 13 that opens and closes the ice duct 12.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice duct opening and
closing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an
automatic ice maker of FIG. 1.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the ice duct opening and closing device
13 may include a duct cap 21 configured to open and close the ice
duct 12, a lever 22 operated by a user, a micro switch 23 turned
on/off by the lever 22, a rotating shaft 24 configured to rotate
the duct cap 21, a solenoid 25 configured to rotate the rotating
shaft 24 so as to rotate the duct cap 21 to a position of opening
the ice duct 12 or a position of closing the ice duct 12, and a
spring 26 configured to elastically support die rotating shaft 24
to automatically rotate the duct cap 21 to a position of closing
the ice duct when the duct cap 21 is rotated to a position of
opening the ice duct by the lever 22 operated by a user. The
refrigerator may further include a controller 30 that operates the
motor 10 and the solenoid 24 of the ice bank 9 in response to the
input of the micro switch 23.
[0023] Hereinafter, an operation of outputting ice of the
refrigerator of FIG. 1 will be described herein below.
[0024] When a user pushes the lever 22, that is, when a user
applies force to the lever 22, the lever 22 turns the micro switch
23 on, and the controller 30 drives the solenoid 25 and the motor
of the ice bank 9. The solenoid 25 rotates the rotating shaft 24,
and the rotating shaft 24 rotates the duct cap 21, thereby opening
the ice duct 12.
[0025] When the motor 10 of the ice bank 9 is driven, the ice bank
9 outputs ice disposed therein, and the output ice is dropped into
the ice duct 12. The dropped ice is output to the dispenser through
the open ice duct 12.
[0026] When the user releases the lever 22, that is, when the user
removes the force applied to the lever 22, the lever 22 turns off
the micro switch 23, and the controller 30 moves the solenoid 25
back to its original position after a predetermined period of time,
for example, four seconds, in order to output any remaining ice.
When shifting the solenoid 25 back to its original position, the
spring 26 rotates the rotating shaft 24, and the duct cap 21
rotates to the position of closing the ice duct 12.
[0027] The refrigerator of FIGS. 1-3 includes the solenoid 25 which
closes the duct cap after a delay of a predetermined period of time
as described above. The solenoid, however, increases the cost of
the refrigerator, and generates noise when operated.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ice duct opening and
closing device for a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment
in an open slate. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
ice duct opening and closing device of FIG. 4 in a closed state.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ice duct open
opening and closing device of FIG. 4 in an open state. The ice duct
opening and closing device of FIG. 4-6 is implemented in a
refrigerator such as that shown in FIG. 1. The same reference
numerals have been used to denote elements identical to those of
the refrigerator and ice duct opening and closing device of FIGS.
1-3, and detailed description of the identical elements is
omitted.
[0029] Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the refrigerator
according to this embodiment may include an ice duct opening and
closing device 13 that opens and closes an ice duct 12 in response
to the operation of a user. The ice duct opening and closing device
13, as shown in FIG. 4, may include a funnel 51 mounted in a
freezer compartment door 4 by fastening members, such as
screws.
[0030] The funnel 51 may serve as an installation plate that
rotatably supports a lever 62 and a duct cap shaft 70 of an opening
and closing device 60 described herein below. Further, the funnel
51 may prevent ice cubes output from the ice duct 12 from bouncing
in a forward or side direction in a dispenser. A duct device 52 may
be formed at a bottom of the ice duct 12 to communicate
therewith.
[0031] A micro switch 90 may be disposed adjacent the funnel 51,
which may be switched by a lever 62 of the opening and closing
device 60. The micro switch 90 may be disposed at a side of the
duct device 52.
[0032] The ice duct opening and closing device 13 may further
include a duct cap 58, the opening and closing device 60, and an
air damper 100. The duct cap 58 may function to open and close the
ice duct 12 and may be rotatably or slidably disposed at a bottom
end of the ice duct 12. Hereinafter, the duct cap 58 will be
described as rotatably disposed, thereby closing a bottom end of
the ice duct 12 in a rotating manner in accordance with thus
embodiment.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 4 through FIG. 6, the duct cap 58 may be
disposed to rotate in a forward and backward direction with respect
to a top thereof. That is, the duct cap 58 may be inserted into the
duct device 52 of the funnel 51, thereby communicating with the ice
duct 12, or disposed between the duct device 52 of the funnel 51
and the ice duct 12, thereby blocking the ice duct 12.
[0034] The opening and closing device 60 may a allow the duct cap
58 to be opened and closed manually. The opening and closing device
60 may include a lever 62 operated by a user, a rotating shaft 70
mechanically connected to the lever 62 that rotates the duct cap
58, and a spring 80 that elastically supports at least one of the
lever 62 and the rotating shaft 70 to rotate the duct cap 58 to a
position of closing the ice duct 12.
[0035] The lever 62 may include a vertical bar 63 disposed inside
the dispenser to be pushed by a user in a backward direction, left
and right horizontal bars 64 and 65 bent from a top of the vertical
bar 63 to the right and left side, respectively, and rotatably
supported by the lever supporting device 53 and 54 formed at the
left and right bottom ends of the duct device 52, a switch
connecting bar 66 bent from one of the left and right horizontal
bars 64 and 65 that turns on/off the micro switch 90, and a duct
cap connecting bar 67 bent from the other of the left and right
horizontal bars 64 and 65 and connected to the rotating shaft 70.
The rotating shaft 70 may be disposed at a top side of the duct
device 52 of the funnel 51 extending in the left to right
direction, and a connecting member 72 may be projected from one of
the left and right ends of the rotating shaft 70, which may be
rotatably connected to the shaft connecting bar 67 through the
connecting member 71.
[0036] The spring 80 may have one side connected to the funnel 51
and the other side connected to the rotating shaft 70. Further, the
spring 80 may be formed of, for example, a coil spring or a torsion
spring.
[0037] The air damper 100 may be a time relay mechanism that delays
closing of the duct cap 58 using friction force and air damping
force, which are generated when an operation for closing the duct
cap 58 is performed by the opening and closing device 60. Opening
the duct cap 58 may not be delayed so that when an operation of
opening the duct cap is performed the duct cap is quickly
opened.
[0038] The air damper 100 may control the duct cap 58 to be slowly
closed when the operation for closing the duct cap 58 is performed.
The air damper 100 may also control the duct cap 58 to be closed
quickly (hereinafter, a releasing delay operation) after
controlling the duct cap 58 to be closed slowly for a predetermined
period of time (hereinafter, a closing delay operation). The air
damper 100 according to an embodiment will be described hereinafter
below as closing the duct cap 58 quickly after closing the duct cap
58 slowly for a predetermined period of time.
[0039] That is, the air damper 100 may be a multi-stages damping
device having a plurality of damping devices having different
damping forces. The air damper 100 may include a cylinder 102, a
packing 110 disposed to make a reciprocating motion along an inside
of the cylinder 102 and friction within the cylinder 102, a packing
holder 120 that houses the packing 110, and a connecting rod 130
that connects at least one of the duct cap 58 and the opening and
closing device 60 with the packing holder 120 in order to enable
the packing 110 and the packing holder 120 to make the
reciprocating motion along the inside of cylinder 102.
[0040] The cylinder 102 may be fixed to a supporting member 103
installed in the funnel 51. The supporting member 103 may include a
mounting hole 103a for mounting the cylinder 102, and the cylinder
102 may include a mounting device 102a mounted in the mounting hole
103a.
[0041] The cylinder 102 may be formed to have one end closed and
the other end open. Further, the cylinder 102 may include a section
or region in which the packing 110 makes a slow reciprocating
motion (hereinafter, "high damping region") and a region in which
the packing 110 makes a fast reciprocating motion (hereinafter, low
damping region). Alternatively, the cylinder 102 may include a
region in which the packing 110 makes a slow reciprocating motion,
a region in which the packing 110 makes a reciprocating motion at
an intermediate speed, and a region in which the packing 110 makes
a fast reciprocating motion. Hereinafter, the cylinder 102
according to an embodiment will be described having a high damping
region 104 and a low damping region 105.
[0042] The cylinder 102 may include one or more slot(s) 106 that
admit and expel air, formed at a predetermined portion of a
periphery of the cylinder 102 and extending in a lengthwise
direction. When the cylinder 102 is sectored with one end 106a of
the slot 106 as a reference, a back region may be the low damping
region 105, and a front region may be the high damping region
104.
[0043] The slot(s) 106 may extend in the lengthwise direction from
the open end of the cylinder 102 toward the closed end of the
cylinder 102 a predetermined length in order to form the high
damping region 104 close to the closed end and the low damping
region 105 close to the open end of the cylinder 102.
[0044] The length of the slot(s) 106 may be in inverse proportion
to the length of the high damping region 104. If the length of the
slot(s) 106 is short, the length of the high damping region 104 is
long and the length of the low damping region 105 is short.
Therefore, the delay time of closing the duct cap becomes
lengthened. On the contrary, if the length of the slot(s) 106 is
long, the length of the high damping region 104 is short and the
length of the low damping region 105 is long. Therefore, the delay
time of closing the duct cap becomes shortened.
[0045] Since the low damping region 105 with the slot(s) 106 formed
therein is elastically deformed more easily than the high damping
region 104 without the slot(s) 106, the low damping region 105 has
comparatively smaller friction forces with the packing 110, and the
high damping region 104 has comparatively greater friction force
with the packing 110.
[0046] The cylinder 102 may include one slot 106 or a plurality of
slots 106 separated in a columnwise direction of the cylinder 102.
Further, the slot(s) 106 may be formed to have a wider columnwise
direction width or formed to have a narrower columnwise direction
width. As the number of the slots 106 increases or the columnwise
direction width of the slot 106 widens, the air flow speed of the
air damper 100 according to an embodiment becomes faster, and the
elastic deformation of the low damping region 105 becomes easier.
On the other hand, as the number of the slots 106 decreases or the
columnwise direction width of the slot 106 becomes narrower, the
air flow speed of the air damper 100 according to an embodiment
becomes slower, and the elastic deformation of the low damping
region 105 becomes harder. If the damping force of the low damping
region 105 is required to be minimized, the number of slots 106 may
be minimized and the columnwise direction width of the slot(s) 106
may be reduced. If the damping force of the low damping region 105
is required to be maximized, the number of slots 106 may be
maximized and the columnwise direction width of the slot(s)
widened.
[0047] The packing 110 may be configured to generate a friction
force when the packing 110 moves in one direction different from
that generated when the packing 110 moves in the other direction.
Elastic material, such as a rubber material, may be used to form
the packing 110 so that the packing 110 easily contracts and
widens/extends.
[0048] The packing 110 may include an inclined portion or
inclination device 112 that minimizes the friction force with an
inner circumference or surface of the cylinder 102 when the packing
110 moves in the direction of being inserted into the cylinder 102,
for example, toward the closed end of the cylinder 102, and that
maximizes the friction force with the inner surface of the cylinder
102 when the packing 110 moves in the direction of being drawn out
of or withdrawn from the cylinder 102, for example, toward the open
end of the cylinder 102. That is, when the packing 110 moves toward
the closed end of the cylinder 102, the inclined portion 112 is not
deformed or is contracted slightly by the cylinder 102, thereby
generating a small friction force between the inclined portion 112
and the cylinder 102. When the packing 110 moves toward the open
end of the cylinder 102, the inclined portion 112 becomes extended
in an outer radial direction by the cylinder 102, thereby
maximizing the friction force between the inclined portion 112 and
the cylinder 102. Therefore, the inclined portion 112 may have a
diameter that becomes smaller as the inclined portion 112 extends
closer to one end of the cylinder 102.
[0049] The connecting rod 130 may include one end 131 connected to
one of the lever 62 and the rotating shaft 70 through an additional
connecting member. The one end 131 of the connecting rod 130 may be
connected to a connecting member 71 that connects the rotating
shaft 70 and the lever 62, thereby connecting the lever 62, the
rotating shaft 70, and the connecting rod 130 through one
connecting member 71. Such a configuration minimizes the required
number of parts.
[0050] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a damper shown in
FIG. 4 through FIG. 6 in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a
magnified cross-sectional view of a packing and a packing holder
shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an embodiment.
[0051] The packing 110 may be formed in a ring shape, as shown in
FIG. 7. The packing 110 may include an outer circumference 114
having the inclined portion 112 projected therefrom, an inner
circumference 115 having a smaller diameter than the outer
circumference 114, and a front surface 116 that connects the outer
circumference 114 and the inner circumference 115.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the inclined portion 112 may include
outer and inner surface 112a and 112b which may be inclined toward
the inner surface of the cylinder 102. Also, a vertical surface
112c may be formed at a rear end of the inclined portion 112 facing
the open end of the cylinder 102.
[0053] When the packing 110 moves toward the closed end of the
cylinder 102, the outer surface 112a rubs against the inner surface
of the cylinder 102, and the inclined portion 112 is not deformed
or is contracted in an inner radial direction. As a result, the
packing 110 may be inserted quickly into the cylinder 102 without
great resistance.
[0054] On the other hand, when the packing 110 moves toward the
open end of the cylinder 10, the vertical surface 112c and/or the
inner surface 112b rubs against the inner surface of the cylinder
102, and the inclined portion 112 extends in an outer radial
direction. As a result, the packing 110 must be withdrawn slowly
from the cylinder 102 due to great frictional force created between
the packing 110 and the inner surface of cylinder 102.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, the packing holder 120 may include an
inner holder 124 having connecting members 122 and 123 that extend
therefrom and to which the connecting rod 130 may be connected, and
an outer holder 128 having a through hole 126 through which the
connecting members 122 and 123 may pass. The packing 110 may be
disposed between the inner holder 124 and the outer holder 128.
[0056] The inner holder 124 may include an insertion device 125
configured to be inserted into a space formed by the inner
circumference 115 of the packing 110, and the two connecting
members 122 and 123 may extend from the insertion device 125 to the
left and right. The connecting members 122 and 123 may include
connecting holes 122a and 123a facing one another that connect the
other end 132 of the connecting rod 130 to the inner holder
124.
[0057] The outer holder 128 may include a plurality of insertion
ribs 129 formed along a circumference thereof. The plurality of
insertion ribs 129 may be configured to be inserted into the
packing 110. The plurality of insertion rib 129 may be formed to be
tightly arranged between the inner circumference 115 and the outer
circumference 114 of the packing 110.
[0058] Since the outer holder 128 may be connected to the inner
holder 124 by inserting the connecting members 122 and 123 of the
inner holder 124 into the through hole 126, the through hole 126
may be formed to be slightly wider than front, back, left, and
right widths of the connecting members 122 and 123.
[0059] An operation of the duct cap assembly according to
embodiments disclosed herein will be described herein below.
[0060] When a user pushes the vertical bar 63 of the lever 62, the
horizontal bars 64 and 65 rotate supported by the lever supporting
device 53 and 54 of the funnel 51, and the duct cap connecting bar
67 rotates the rotating shaft 70. The rotating shaft 70 elastically
deforms the spring 80, rotates the duct cap 58 in a direction
toward the inside of the duct device 52, and the duct cap 58 opens
the ice duct 12.
[0061] When the duct cap shaft connecting bar 67 rotates the
rotating shaft 70 and the duct cap 58 as described above, the
connecting rod 130 moves toward the inside of the cylinder 102
along with the packing holder 120 and the packing 110, and the
packing 110 moves from the low damping region 105 to the high
damping region 104 in the cylinder 102.
[0062] When the packing 110 passes through the low damping region
105, the outer most end of the inclined portion 112 is partially
bent in a direction of contracting as the outer side 112a of the
inclined portion 112 slides along the inner surface of the low
damping region 105. As a result, the packing 110 easily moves along
the inside of the low damping region 105. The air inside the low
damping region 105 quickly flows toward the outside of the cylinder
102 through the slot(s) 106, and the packing 110 quickly passes
through the low damping region 105 and enters into the high damping
region 104. When the packing 110 passes through the high damping
section 104, similar to passing through the low damping region 105,
the outer most end of the inclined portion 112 is partially bent in
a direction of contracting as the outer side 112a of the inclined
portion 112 slides along the inner surface of the high damping
region 104 of the cylinder 102. As a result, the packing 110 easily
moves along the inner surface of the high damping region 104. The
air inside the high damping region 104 quickly flows toward the
outside of the cylinder 102 through the slot(s) 106, and the
packing 110 quickly passes through the high damping region 104.
When the packing moves forwardly as described above, the lever 62
and the rotating shaft 70 rotate without being disturbed by the air
damper 100, and the duct cap 58 quickly opens the ice duct 12.
[0063] The switch connecting bar 66 of the lever 62 turns on the
micro switch 90 when the lever 62 rotates, and the controller 30
receives a signal from the micro switch 90 and drives the motor 10
of the ice bank 9. When the motor 10 of the ice bank 9 is driven,
the ice contained within the ice bank 9 is dropped into the ice
duct 12, and the ice is output into the dispenser through the open
ice duct 12 and the duct device 52 of the funnel 51.
[0064] When a user releases the lever 62, that is, when a user
removes the force applied to the lever 62, the spring 80 returns to
its original shape, thereby rotating the rotating shaft 70 in a
direction of closing the ice duct 12, and the lever 62 rotates the
ice duct 12 in a direction of closing the ice duct 12 cooperating
with the rotating shaft 70.
[0065] When the rotating shaft 70 and the lever 62
inversely-rotates the switch connecting bar 66 of the lever 62
turns off the micro switch 90, and the controller 30 stops the
motor of the ice bank 9, and the ice is not output from the ice
bank 9 anymore. Further, when the rotating shaft 70 and the lever
62 inversely-rotate, the connecting rod 130 moves backward, toward
the open end of the cylinder 102, with the packing holder 120 and
the packing 110, and the packing 110 moves backward from the high
damping region 104 to the low damping region 105 within the
cylinder 102.
[0066] When the packing 110 moves backward, the inclined portion
112 extends in an outer radial direction as shown in FIG. 6. That
is, the vertical side 112c or the outer side 112a rubs against the
inner surface of the high damping region 104, thereby increasing
the friction force between the packing 110 and the high damping
region 104. As a result, the packing 110 and the packing holder 120
slowly move due to the damping generated by the friction force. The
air inside of the low damping region 105 cannot quickly flow
through between the inclined portion 112 of the packing 110 and the
inner surface of the high damping region 104 due to the large
frictional force between the inclined portion 112 of the packing
110 and the inner surface of the high damping region 104. The air
inside the high damping region 104 expands, and the packing 110 and
the packing holder 120 move slowly due to the damping generated by
the air.
[0067] That is, the packing 110 is slowly withdrawn from the high
damping region 104 due to the damping by the frictional force and
the air, the backward-moving speed of the packing holder 120 and
the connecting rod 130 is slowed, the lever 62 and the rotating
shaft 70 slowly rotate due to the fine balance between the
restoring force of the spring 80 and the damping force, and the
duct cap 58 slowly closes the ice duct 12. During the delayed
closing of the ice duct 12, all of the remaining ice output from
the ice bank 9 is dropped into the dispenser.
[0068] After a predetermined period of time passes, the air damper
100 is completely withdrawn from the high damping region 104 and
enters the low damping region 105. Since die elastic deformation of
the low damping region 105 is easier than that of the high damping
region 104, the frictional force of the low damping region 105 is
smaller than that of the high damping region 104. As a result, when
the packing 110 and the packing holder 120 pass through the low
damping region 105, the packing 110 and the packing holder 120 more
quickly move backward than in the high damping region 105. When the
packing 110 and the packing holder 120 move backward, the air
inside the low damping region 105 flows into the inside of the high
damping region 104 through and between the inclined portion 112 of
the packing 110 and the inner surface of the low damping region
105, and air external of the cylinder 102 flows into the inside of
the low damping region 105 through the slot(s) 106. Therefore, the
damping force generated by air is not applied to the packing 110
and the damping force is minimized, and the packing 110 quickly
moves backward through the low damping region 105 due to the
restoring force of the spring 80.
[0069] When the packing 110 quickly moves backward through the low
damping region 105, the lever 62 and the rotating shaft 70 rotate
faster than when the packing 110 moves backward through the high
damping region 104, and the duct cap 58 rapidly closes the ice duct
12.
[0070] The refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor according to
the embodiments disclosed herein have at least the following
advantages.
[0071] The duct cap assembly for a refrigerator according to an
embodiment disclosed herein includes an opening device that opens
and closes a duct cap, which is mechanically connected to the duct
cap, and an air damper having a packing and a cylinder. Therefore,
not only cost but also vibration and/or low noise may be minimized.
Also, the damping force of the air damper may be controlled within
multiple stages with a simple structure of slots formed at a
predetermined portion of a periphery of the cylinder.
[0072] The packing may be formed of a rubber material, thereby
minimizing noise. Further, the packing may include an inclined
portion that contracts when the packing moves toward a closed end
of the cylinder to minimize the friction force with the inner
surface or circumference of the cylinder and that extends when the
packing moves toward the open end of the cylinder to maximize the
friction force with the inner surface of the cylinder. Using such a
simple structure for the packing, the duct cap may be opened easily
and closed with a predetermined delay.
[0073] The packing holder may include an inner holder having
projected connecting members to which a connecting rod may be
connected, and an outer holder having a through hole through which
the connecting members may penetrate. Therefore, the packing may be
fixed more firmly than a packing forcedly inserted onto an outer
circumference of a holder, and it allows easy packing
replacement.
[0074] The opening and closing device may include a lever, a
rotating shaft connected to the lever to rotate a duct cap, and a
spring that elastically supports at least one of the lever and the
rotating shaft in order to rotate the duct cap to a position of
closing the ice duct. The lever and the rotation shaft may be
directly connected providing the opening and closing device with a
simple structure, and minimizing the number of parts.
[0075] The connecting rod may be connected to the rotating shaft,
and the lever by one connecting member. Therefore, the number of
parts may be minimized.
[0076] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a refrigerator and duct
cap assembly therefor with minimized cost and noise by delaying
closing of a duct cap using an air damper.
[0077] Embodiments disclosed herein also provide a refrigerator and
duct cap assembly therefor having a simple structure for delaying
closing of a duct cap and a simple structure for releasing the
delay.
[0078] In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, a
refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor are provided which may
include a duct cap, an opening and closing device, a connecting
rod, a packing holder, a packing, and a cylinder. The duct cap
opens and closes an ice duct formed in the refrigerator, and the
opening and closing device may open and close the duct cap. The
connecting rod may be connected to one of the duct cap and the
opening and closing device. The packing holder may be connected to
the connecting rod. The packing may be disposed in the packing
holder. The cylinder may include one or more slots formed at a
predetermined portion of a periphery of the cylinder.
[0079] The packing holder may include an inner holder having
projected connecting members for connecting to the connecting rod
and an outer holder having a through hole the connecting members
penetrate, wherein the packing may be disposed between the inner
holder and the outer holder. The outer holder may include at least
one insertion rib to be inserted into the packing. The packing may
be made of rubber material.
[0080] The packing may include an inclined portion that minimizes
friction force generated between the packing and the cylinder when
the packing moves toward one end of the cylinder, and that becomes
extended to maximize the friction force generated between the
packing and the cylinder when the packing moves toward the other
end of the cylinder.
[0081] The packing may include an outer circumference having the
inclined portion, an inner circumference having a smaller diameter
than the outer circumference, and a front side connecting the outer
circumference and the inner circumference, wherein a ring shaped
space may be formed between the outer circumference and the inner
circumference.
[0082] The cylinder may have one end closed and the other end open.
The slot(s) may extend from the other end of the cylinder in a
lengthwise direction of the cylinder a predetermined length.
[0083] The opening and closing device may include a lever, a
rotating shaft connected to the lever that rotates the duct cap,
and a spring that elastically supports at least one of the lever
and the rotating shaft to rotate the duct cap to a position of
closing an ice duct. The lever may be rotatably connected to a
connecting member of the rotating shaft. The connecting rod may be
connected with the rotating shaft and a shaft connecting bar by the
connecting member.
[0084] The cylinder may be fixed to a supporting member installed
in the refrigerator. The refrigerator and duct cap assembly
therefor may further include a funnel disposed at the supporting
member, including a duct device communicating with a bottom side of
the ice duct, and rotatably supporting the rotating shaft and the
lever.
[0085] In accordance with another embodiment, a refrigerator and
duct cap assembly therefor are provided which may include a funnel,
a duct cap, a rotating shaft, a lever, a spring, a cylinder, a
packing holder, a packing, and a connecting rod. The funnel may be
disposed to communicate with an ice duct formed in the
refrigerator, and the duct cap may open and close the ice duct. The
rotating shaft may be connected to the duct cap and rotate the duct
cap, and may be rotatably supported by the funnel. The lever may be
connected to the rotating shaft to rotate the rotating shaft, and
may be rotatably supported by the funnel. The spring may
elastically support at least one of the lever and the duct cap to
rotate the duct cap to a position of closing an ice duct.
[0086] The cylinder may be disposed in the funnel, and may include
one end closed, the other end open, and one or more slots formed in
a lengthwise direction. The packing holder may be movably disposed
within the cylinder. The packing may include an inclined portion,
which may be disposed in the packing holder, and may have a
diameter that becomes reduced as it extends toward one end of the
cylinder for minimizing friction force generated between the
packing and the cylinder when the packing moves toward one end of
the cylinder and for maximizing the friction force generated
between the packing and the cylinder when the packing moves toward
the other end of the cylinder. The connecting rod may be connected
to one of the duct cap and the opening and closing device, and may
be connected to the packing holder. The slot(s) may extend from the
other end of the cylinder in a lengthwise direction of the cylinder
a predetermined length.
[0087] The packing may include an outer circumference having the
inclined portion, an inner circumference having a smaller diameter
than the outer circumference, and a front side connecting the outer
circumference and the inner circumference, wherein a ring shaped
space may be formed between the outer circumference and the inner
circumference.
[0088] In accordance with still another embodiment, a refrigerator
and duct cap assembly therefor are provided which may include a
duct cap, an opening and closing device, and an air damper. The
duct cap may be disposed to open and close an ice duct formed in
the refrigerator, and the opening and closing device may be
connected for opening and closing the duct cap. The air damper may
include a plurality of air damping parts, each providing different
damping force.
[0089] The air damper may include a connecting rod connected to
least one of duct cap and the opening and closing device, a packing
holder connected to the connecting rod, a packing disposed at the
packing holder, and a cylinder having one end closed and the other
end open, and including a damping force controller formed at a
predetermined portion of a periphery of the cylinder. The packing
may be disposed in the cylinder and make a reciprocating motion
while generating a frictional force between the packing and the
cylinder. The packing may include an inclined portion that becomes
extended by being rubbed against the inside of the cylinder when
the packing moves toward the closed end of the cylinder. The
damping force controller may be one or more slots formed at a
predetermined portion of a periphery of the cylinder.
[0090] The refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor may include
the opening and closing device for opening and closing a duct cap,
and which is mechanically coupled to the duct cap, and the air
damper having the packing and the cylinder for delaying closing of
the duct cap. Therefore, not only cost but also vibration and noise
can be minimized. Also, the damping force of the air damper may be
controlled within multiple stages using the simple structure of
slots formed at a predetermined portion of a periphery of the
cylinder.
[0091] The foregoing exemplary embodiments and aspects thereof are
merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting.
Embodiments have been applied to a refrigerator having an ice maker
and an ice bank mounted in a freezer compartment door. However, the
teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses.
Also, the description of the embodiments is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
[0092] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0093] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *