U.S. patent application number 12/746205 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-07 for ice making apparatus for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Hyung Koo Lee.
Application Number | 20100251747 12/746205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40718320 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100251747 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Hyung Koo |
October 7, 2010 |
ICE MAKING APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
Provided is an ice making apparatus for a refrigerator. The ice
making apparatus includes an ice making unit and a storage unit.
The ice making unit generates ice, and the storage unit supplies
water into the ice making unit. The storage unit includes a body in
which a storage space storing the water is defined, a cover opening
and closing the storage space, and a leakage prevention member
coupled to the cover to prevent the water within the body from
leaking. The leakage prevention member includes one or more
chambers therein.
Inventors: |
Lee; Hyung Koo;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
40718320 |
Appl. No.: |
12/746205 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
November 14, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR08/06726 |
371 Date: |
June 4, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/347 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 2400/10 20130101;
F25C 2500/06 20130101; F25D 2323/122 20130101; F25C 2400/14
20130101; F25C 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/347 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/00 20060101
F25C001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 5, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0125546 |
Claims
1. An ice making apparatus for a refrigerator, comprising: an ice
making unit for generating ice; and a storage unit for supplying
water into the ice making unit, wherein the storage unit comprises:
a body in which a storage space storing the water is defined; a
cover opening and closing the storage space; and a leakage
prevention member coupled to the cover to prevent the water within
the body from leaking, the leakage prevention member comprising one
or more chambers therein.
2. The ice making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover
comprises a coupling recess coupled to the leakage prevention
member, and the body comprises a pressing rib for pressing the
leakage prevention member.
3. The ice making apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cover
comprises an inner rib and an outer rib disposed outside the inner
rib, and the coupling recess is disposed between the inner rib and
the outer rib.
4. The ice making apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
leakage prevention member and each of the ribs have loop shapes,
respectively.
5. The ice making apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the outer
rib has a height lower than that of the leakage prevention
member.
6. The ice making apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
leakage prevention member comprises a plurality of spaces, and the
plurality of spaces is disposed in a direction in which the leakage
prevention member is inserted into the coupling recess.
7. The ice making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more chambers are successively disposed along a length direction
of the leakage prevention member.
8. An ice making apparatus for a refrigerator, comprising: an ice
making unit for generating ice; and a storage unit for supplying
water into the ice making unit, wherein the storage unit comprises:
a body in which a storage space storing the water is defined; a
cover opening and closing the storage space; a plurality of ribs
protruding from the cover, and the plurality of ribs being spaced
from each other; and a leakage prevention member coupled between
the plurality of ribs, wherein the ribs protruding from the cover
have heights different from each other.
9. The ice making apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of
the ribs has a loop shape.
10. The ice making apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the
plurality of ribs comprises an inner rib disposed inside the
leakage prevention member and an outer rib disposed outside the
leakage prevention member.
11. The ice making apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
outer rib has a height lower than that of the inner rib.
12. The ice making apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
outer rib has a height lower than that of the leakage prevention
member.
13. The ice making apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
leakage prevention member comprises one or more chambers therein
such that a sealing force increases when the cover shields the
storage space.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments relate to an ice making apparatus for a
refrigerator.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A refrigerator is a home appliance that stores foods at a
low temperature.
[0003] Due to consumers' diversified tastes and changes in dietary
life, consumers prefer larger and multi-functional refrigerators,
and thus, refrigerators having various components are appearing on
the market.
[0004] An ice making apparatus generating ice is provided in the
refrigerator for user convenience. The ice making apparatus for the
refrigerator is disposed in a refrigerator body or a refrigerator
door to generate the ice using cool air. The ice making apparatus
may include at least ice making unit and a water storage unit
supplying water into the ice making unit.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] Embodiments provide an ice making apparatus for a
refrigerator that can prevent water stored in a water storage unit
from leaking.
Technical Solution
[0006] In one embodiment, an ice making apparatus for a
refrigerator includes: an ice making unit for generating ice; and a
storage unit for supplying water into the ice making unit, wherein
the storage unit includes: a body in which a storage space storing
the water is defined; a cover opening and closing the storage
space; and a leakage prevention member coupled to the cover to
prevent the water within the body from leaking, the leakage
prevention member including one or more chambers therein.
[0007] In another embodiment, an ice making apparatus for a
refrigerator includes: an ice making unit for generating ice; and a
storage unit for supplying water into the ice making unit, wherein
the storage unit includes: a body in which a storage space storing
the water is defined; a cover opening and closing the storage
space; a plurality of ribs protruding from the cover, and the
plurality of ribs being spaced from each other; and a leakage
prevention member coupled between the plurality of ribs, wherein
the ribs protruding from the cover have heights different from each
other.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0008] According to a proposed embodiment, since the elastic force
of the leakage prevention member increases to improve sealing, it
can prevent the water within the water storage unit from
leaking.
[0009] Also, since the water within the water storage unit does not
leak, it can prevent the outer appearance of the ice making
apparatus (especially, the water storage unit) from being dirtied
due to freezing according to the leakage of the water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice making apparatus for
a refrigerator according to an embodiment, the ice making apparatus
being installed in a refrigerator door.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice making apparatus for
a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water storage unit
according to an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a water storage unit in
which a cover thereof is opened according to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of
FIG. 4.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0015] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes
may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in
the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain
information known to those skilled in the art. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice making apparatus for
a refrigerator according to an embodiment, the ice making apparatus
being installed in a refrigerator door.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, an ice making apparatus 10 for a
refrigerator according to an embodiment is coupled to an inner
surface of a refrigerator door 5. In order to generate ice using
the ice making apparatus 10, it is preferable that the refrigerator
door 5 is a freezer compartment door. However, in case where a
separate unit for supplying cool air into the ice making apparatus
10 is added, the ice making apparatus 10 may be disposed in a
refrigerator compartment.
[0018] The ice making apparatus 10 includes a case 11 defining an
outer appearance of the ice making apparatus 10, an ice making unit
100 received in the case 11, an ice bank 200 disposed in a lower
portion of the ice making unit 100 to store the ice made by the ice
making unit 100, and a water storage unit 300 disposed in an upper
portion of the ice making unit 100 to store water to be supplied
into the ice making unit 100.
[0019] The water storage unit 300 and the ice bank 200 are
separately coupled to the case 11. Alternatively, the water storage
unit 300 and the ice bank 200 may be slidingly or rotatably coupled
to the case 11 to allow at least portion of the water storage unit
300 and at least portion of the ice bank 200 to be withdrawn from
the case 11.
[0020] An operation of the ice making apparatus 10 including
above-described components will be simply described below.
[0021] In order to obtain ice, a user fills the water storage unit
300 with water. The water storage unit 300 is coupled to the case
11 in a state where the water storage unit 300 is filled with the
water. The water stored in the water storage unit 300 is supplied
into the ice making unit 100 through a predetermined passage.
[0022] The water supplied into the ice making unit 100 freezes by
cool air introduced into the ice making unit 100. When ice is
produced in the ice making unit 100, the user conveys the ice
produced in the ice making unit 100 to store the conveyed ice into
the ice bank 200. The user withdraws the ice bank 200 from the case
11 to obtain the ice.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice making apparatus for
a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the ice making unit 100 includes at
least one or more trays 110 and 120, a lever 130, a power
transmission portion 140, and a cover member 104. The at least one
or more trays 110 and 120 are rotatably provided in the case 11.
The lever 130 rotates the trays 110 and 120. The power transmission
portion 140 transmits a rotation force of the lever 130 to the
trays 110 and 120. The cover member 104 is coupled to a side
surface of the case 11 to cover the power transmission portion
140.
[0025] In detail, the trays 110 and 120 are divided into the upper
tray 110 and the lower tray 120.
[0026] A rotating shaft of the lower tray 120 is disposed at a
position which is backwardly spaced a predetermined distance from a
rotating shaft of the upper tray 110 such that the ice frozen in
the upper tray 110 does not fall into an upper portion of the lower
tray 120 when the upper tray 110 is rotated.
[0027] The trays 110 and 120 are connected to the power
transmission portion 140 to receive the rotation force generated
from the lever 130. As a result, the trays 110 and 120 are rotated
in the same direction as that of the lever 130.
[0028] The lever 130 is rotatably coupled to a side surface of the
case 11 to provide the rotation force to the power transmission
portion 140.
[0029] A configuration of the power transmission portion 140 will
now be described in detail.
[0030] The power transmission portion 140 includes a driving gear
150, a plurality of connecting gears 160 and 170, and a plurality
of driven gears 180 and 190. The driving gear 150 is connected to
the lever 130 and rotated together with the lever 130. The
plurality of connecting gears 160 and 170 is engaged with the
driving gear 150 and rotated by the driving gear 150. The plurality
of driven gears 180 and 190 is engaged with the connecting gears
160 and 170 and coupled to the rotating shafts of the trays 110 and
120, respectively.
[0031] The driving gear 150 is coupled to a gear coupling portion
132 disposed on the lever 130.
[0032] The connecting gears 160 and 170 are divided into the upper
connecting gear 160 and the lower connecting gear 170. The upper
connecting gear 160 is engaged with the driving gear 150. The lower
connecting gear 170 is engaged with each of the driven gears 180
and 190. The upper connecting gear 160 and the lower connecting
gear 170 are integrated with each other. A diameter of the upper
connecting gear 160 is different from that of the lower connecting
gear 170.
[0033] The plurality of driven gears 180 and 190 are divided into
the upper driven gear 180 connected to the upper tray 110 and the
lower driven gear 190 connected to the lower tray 120.
[0034] The connecting gears 160 and 170 and the driven gears 180
and 190 are rotatably coupled to the case 11.
[0035] Thus, when the driving gear 150 is rotated in one direction
by pulling the lever 130, the connecting gears 160 and 170 engaged
with the driving gear 150 are rotated in the other direction. When
the connecting gears 160 and 170 are rotated in the other
direction, the driven gears 180 and 190 are rotated in the same
direction as that of the driving gear 150. When the driven gears
180 and 190 are rotated, the trays 110 and 120 are rotated. As a
result, the ice generated in the trays 110 and 120 falls into the
ice bank 200 and is stored in the ice bank 200.
[0036] The water storage unit 300 in which the water to be supplied
into the trays 110 and 120 of the ice making unit 100 is stored is
disposed in the upper portion of the ice making unit 100.
[0037] The water storage unit 300 is separately coupled to an upper
portion of the case 11.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water storage unit
according to an embodiment, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a water
storage unit in which a cover thereof is opened according to an
embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
I-I of FIG. 4.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the water storage unit 300
includes a body 310 in which the water is stored, a cover 330
coupled to the body 310, and a leakage prevention member 370
coupled to the cover 330 to prevent the water within the body 310
from leaking.
[0040] The body 310 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having
an opened top surface. A water storage space 311 for storing the
water is defined inside the body 310. The water storage space 311
is partitioned by a partition to supply the water to each of the
trays 110 and 120. Although not shown, a discharging unit for
selectively discharging the water stored in the water storage space
311 is disposed in a bottom surface of the water storage space
311.
[0041] That is, when the water storage unit 300 containing the
water is coupled to the upper portion of the case 11, the
discharging unit respectively supplies the water within the water
storage space 311 into the treys 110 and 120. When the water
storage unit 300 is separated from the case 11, the water
discharging unit prevents the water within the water storage space
311 from leaking.
[0042] A hooking end 313 coupled to a locking member 334 of the
cover 330 protrudes forwardly from an upper end of a front surface
(when viewed in FIG. 4) of the body 310. The hooking end 313 is
integrated with the body 310 when the body 310 is fabricated. The
hooking end 313 has a plate shape having a predetermined thickness
so that the locking member 334 interferes and is hooked.
[0043] A pressing rib 314 pressing the leakage prevention member
370 when the cover 330 is closed is disposed on a top surface of
the body 310. The pressing rib 314 is integrated with the body 310
when the body 310 is fabricated. The pressing rib 314 protrudes in
an upward direction of the body 310 from a position corresponding
to the leakage prevention member 370.
[0044] The pressing rib 314 has a loop shape.
[0045] A coupling end 316 to which the cover 330 is hinge-coupled
is disposed on an upper end of a rear surface (when viewed in FIG.
4) of the body 310. A hinge hole 317 to which the cover 330 is
hinge-coupled is defined in the coupling end 316.
[0046] The cover 330 is coupled to the upper portion of the body
310 to selectively shield the water storage space 311.
[0047] An inlet 331 is defined by punching a central portion of the
top surface of the cover 330. The inlet 331 introduces water into
the water storage space 311 in a state where the cover 330 shields
the water storage space 111. The inlet 331 is selectively opened
and closed by an inlet lid 332.
[0048] The inlet lid 332 is hinge-coupled to the top surface of the
cover 330. A sealing member (not shown) may be disposed between the
inlet lid 332 and the inlet 331 to prevent the water from
leaking.
[0049] A guide recess 333 disposed at a level lower than that of
the top surface of the cover 330 is disposed around the inlet 331.
The guide recess 333 prevents water which does not pass through the
inlet 331 from streaming along the top surface of the cover 330
when the water is injected through the inlet 331.
[0050] That is, since the guide recess 333 is recessedly disposed
at the level lower than that of the top surface of the cover 330, a
predetermined amount of water pools in the guide recess 333, and
then, the water is introduced into the water storage space 311
through the inlet 331.
[0051] The locking member 334 hooked onto the hooking end 313 is
disposed on a front end (when viewed in FIG. 3) of the cover 330.
The locking member 334 is rotatably coupled to the front end of the
cover 330. When the cover 330 is closed, an interference protrusion
335 interfering with the hooking end 313 is disposed at a position
corresponding to the protruded hooking end 313.
[0052] When the locking member 334 is pivoted in a downward
direction in case where the cover 330 is pressed downwardly, the
interference protrusion 335 is hooked onto a lower portion of the
hooking end 313.
[0053] A hinge 336 for rotating the cover 330 is disposed on the
cover 330.
[0054] A coupling recess 337 into which the leakage prevention
member 370 is inserted is disposed in a bottom surface of the cover
330 at a position corresponding to the pressing rib 314.
[0055] Ribs 338 and 339 protrude from the bottom surface of the
cover 330 of both sides with respect to the leakage prevention
member 370 such that the leakage prevention member 370 is
insertedly coupled to the coupling recess 337. The leakage
prevention member 370 has a ring shape, and the coupling recess 337
and the ribs 338 and 339 have a shape corresponding to the leakage
prevention member 370.
[0056] The ribs 338 and 339 include an inner rib 338 and outer rib
339 spaced from the inner rib 338. The ribs 338 and 339 have
heights different from each other.
[0057] In detail, the inner rib 338 is disposed at a height
corresponding to the leakage prevention member 370 or a height
greater than that of the leakage prevention member 370. On the
other hand, the outer rib 339 is disposed at a height lower than
that of the leakage prevention member 370.
[0058] Thus, when the cover 330 is closed, a portion of the leakage
prevention member 370 is spread and surrounds an upper end 339a of
the outer rib 339 to increase a sealing force of the body 310,
thereby preventing the water from leaking.
[0059] The leakage prevention member 370 is inserted into the
coupling recess 337. For example, the leakage prevention member 370
may be formed of a rubber material having an elastic force
including a silicon rubber. Thus, when the cover is closed, the
leakage prevention member 370 is pressed by the pressing rib 314 to
seal a space between the body 310 and the cover 330.
[0060] At least one or more chambers 372 are disposed inside the
leakage prevention member 370 such that the elastic force increases
by an external force to improve the sealing force. The chambers 372
are successively disposed along a length direction of the leakage
prevention member 370. Each of the chambers 372 has a loop
shape.
[0061] In this embodiment, the plurality of chambers 370 is
disposed in the leakage prevention member 370 such that the elastic
force of the leakage prevention member 370 increases, and also an
sealing effect of the leakage prevention member 370 is improved.
Also, the plurality of chambers 370 is disposed in the coupling
recess 337 in a direction parallel to a insertion direction of the
leakage prevention member 370.
[0062] Thus, when the leakage prevention member 370 is pressed by
the pressing rib 314, a portion of the leakage prevention member
370 is spread toward the upper end 339a of the outer rib 339, and a
great portion of the leakage prevention member 370 is pressed by
the pressing rib 314 to seal the cover 330 to the body 310, thereby
preventing the water within the body 310 from leaking into the
outside.
[0063] An operation of the water storage unit 300 including
above-described components will be simply described below.
[0064] In order to supply water into the ice making unit 100, the
user injects the water into the water storage unit 300. For
injecting the water, the water is injected by separating the water
storage unit 300 from the ice making apparatus 10, or the water is
injected through the inlet 331 in a state where the inlet lid 332
is opened.
[0065] The case in which the water storage unit 300 is separated
will now be described in detail.
[0066] In the state as illustrated in FIG. 3, the user rotates the
cover 330 as illustrated in FIG. 4 to open the water storage space.
Thereafter, filtered water or potable water is injected into the
water storage space 311 of the body 310, and then the cover is
closed.
[0067] At this time, the pressing rib 314 presses the leakage
prevention member 370. Thus, the leakage prevention member 370 is
pressed in a direction in which the pressing rib 314 presses the
leakage prevention member 370. Also, the portion of the leakage
prevention member 370 is spread toward the outer rib 314 to seal
the space between the cover 330 and the body 310, thereby
preventing the water within the water storage unit 300 from
leaking.
[0068] The water storage unit 300 is coupled to the upper portion
of the case 11. The water is supplied into each of trays 110 and
120 through the discharging unit disposed on the bottom surface of
the water storage space 311.
[0069] According to this embodiment, since the elastic force of the
leakage prevention member increases to improve sealing, it can
prevent the water within the water storage unit from leaking.
[0070] Also, since the water within the water storage unit does not
leak, it can prevent the outer appearance of the ice making
apparatus (especially, the water storage unit) from being dirtied
due to freezing according to the leakage of the water.
* * * * *