EVAPORATOR FOR ICE MAKER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0081541 filed on Jun. 20, 2025 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0134712 filed on Oct. 4, 2024 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an evaporator for an ice maker.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally, a flow-through ice maker may be configured to produce ice by allowing ice-making water to flow down an ice-making plate cooled by an evaporator, and the produced ice may be removed and dropped from the cold plate and may be stored in an ice storage. To this end, an evaporator for an ice maker may include a plurality of ice-making plates vertically installed, and a refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows may be provided to be in contact with these ice-making plates. In this case, a plurality of partitions dividing the ice-making area may be installed on the ice-making plate, such that a plurality of ice pieces may be produced on one ice-making plate. However, the plurality of partitions may be manufactured by a processing method of bending a metal material plate, but there may be a problem in that a contact area between the refrigerant pipe and the ice-making plate may be reduced due to the partitions manufactured in this manner, such that heat exchange efficiency may be reduced, which may cause a decrease in ice-making efficiency and ice-removing efficiency during ice-making and ice-removing operations.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an evaporator for an ice maker which may prevent a decrease in heat exchange efficiency between an ice-making plate and a refrigerant pipe and may have improved ice-making efficiency and improved ice-removing efficiency.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an evaporator for an ice maker includes a refrigerant pipe extending in a first direction and through which refrigerant flows; and an ice-making plate including a first protrusion extending in the first direction and enclosing one side of the refrigerant pipe, a second protrusion extending in a second direction and intersecting the first protrusion, and a flat portion partitioned by the first protrusion and the second protrusion, wherein the second protrusion includes a first portion protruding in an outward direction from the flat portion, and a second portion protruding in the outward direction from the first protrusion, and the second portion protrudes further than the first portion in the outward direction.

A pair of the ice-making plates may be included, and the pair of ice-making plates may oppose each other with the refrigerant pipe interposed therebetween, and may enclose both sides of the refrigerant pipe.

The refrigerant pipe may have a circular cross-sectional surface, and the first protrusion may have a curved cross-sectional surface corresponding to the cross-sectional surface of the refrigerant pipe.

The refrigerant pipe may include at least two linear portions extending in the first direction and spaced apart from each other, and a curved connection portion connecting the two linear portions, adjacent to each other, to each other, and the two linear portions may be disposed on an upper side and a lower side of the flat portion, respectively.

The first protrusion may protrude from the flat portion by a first length, and in the second protrusion, the first portion may protrude from the flat portion by a second length and extends in the second direction, the second portion may extend in the second direction to be continuous from the first portion, and a protruding length of the second portion may gradually increase in the second direction and may gradually decrease.

The flat portion may be more inwardly recessed than the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

The first protrusion may include a vertex portion, and a connection portion disposed on a side surface of the vertex portion, connected to the second protrusion, curved in a rounded shape and having a radius of curvature greater than that of the vertex portion.

The first protrusion may have a first width, and the second protrusion may have a second width less than the first width.

The ice-making plate may further include a curved portion disposed between one end of the ice-making plate and the first protrusion, and curved in the outward direction.

The pair of ice-making plates may be spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and ends of the pair of ice-making plates, opposing each other, may be spaced apart from each other by a second distance longer than the first distance.

Between the first protrusion and one end of the ice-making plate, a distance between the pair of ice-making plates may gradually increase toward the one end of the ice-making plate.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an evaporator for an ice maker includes a refrigerant pipe extending in a first direction and through which refrigerant flows; and an ice-making plate including a plurality of first protrusions extending in the first direction and enclosing one side of the refrigerant pipe, a plurality of second protrusions extending in a second direction and intersecting the plurality of first protrusions, and a plurality of flat portions partitioned by the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and disposed between two first protrusions adjacent to each other in the second direction among the plurality of first protrusions, wherein the second protrusion includes a first portion protruding in an outward direction from the flat portion, and a second portion protruding in the outward direction from the first protrusion, and the second portion protrudes further than the first portion in the outward direction.

The refrigerant pipe may have a circular cross-sectional surface, and the first protrusion may have a curved cross-sectional surface corresponding to the cross-sectional surface of the refrigerant pipe.

The refrigerant pipe may include a plurality of linear portions extending in the first direction and spaced apart from each other, and a curved connection portion connecting two linear portions, adjacent to each other, among the plurality of linear portions.

The linear portion and the flat portion may be alternately disposed in the second direction.

A pair of the ice-making plates may be included, and may oppose each other with the refrigerant pipe interposed therebetween, and the linear portion may be disposed in an accommodation space partitioned by a first protrusion of one of the pair of ice-making plates and a first protrusion of the other of the pair of ice-making plates.

A plurality of the accommodation spaces may be included, and may be disposed in the second direction, and the linear portion may be disposed in each of the accommodation spaces.

The first protrusion may include a vertex portion, and a connection portion disposed on a side surface of the vertex portion, connected to the second protrusion, curved in a rounded shape and having a radius of curvature greater than that of the vertex portion.

The first protrusion may protrude from the flat portion by a first length, and in the second protrusion, the first portion may protrude from the flat portion by a second length and extends in the second direction, the second portion may extend in the second direction to be continuous from the first portion, and a protruding length of the second portion may gradually increase toward the vertex portion in the second direction.

The ice-making plate may further include a curved portion disposed between one end of the ice-making plate and the first protrusion and curved in the outward direction, and the pair of ice-making plates may be spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and ends of the pair of ice-making plates, opposing each other, may be spaced apart from each other by a second distance longer than the first distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a front side of an evaporator for an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram illustrating a backside of the evaporator for an ice maker illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker illustrated in FIG. 1, viewed in the II-II′ direction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B1 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker illustrated in FIG. 1, viewed from above, and an upper diagram in FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B2 of the evaporator for an ice maker;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker illustrated in FIG. 1, viewed from front, and the upper diagram in FIG. 6 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B3 of the evaporator for an ice maker;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker in FIG. 1, viewed from one side, the right middle diagram in FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B4 of the evaporator for an ice maker, the upper right diagram in FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B5 of the evaporator for an ice maker, and the lower right diagram in FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B4 in a state in which refrigerant pipe is not disposed;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional diagram illustrating a portion of the evaporator for an ice maker, viewed in the III-III′ direction in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram illustrating a front side of an evaporator for an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B1 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the evaporator for an ice maker in FIG. 9, viewed from above;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker in FIG. 9, viewed from one side; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional diagram illustrating a portion of the evaporator for an ice maker in

FIG. 10, viewed in the III-III′ direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention may be modified in many different manners and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Also, the embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to more completely describe the present disclosure to a person having average knowledge in the relevant technical field.

The shape and size of elements in the drawing may be exaggerated for clearer description.

In describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, redundant descriptions and detailed descriptions of known functions and elements that may unnecessarily make the gist of the present disclosure obscure will be omitted. The terms described below are defined based on functions thereof in the present disclosure, and may vary depending on the intent or custom of a user or operator. Therefore, the definitions should be based on the overall descriptions of the present disclosure. The terminology used in this detailed description is solely for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting. Unless otherwise indicated, an expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural.

The terms, “include,” “comprise,” “is configured to,” or the like of the description are used to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, portions or combination thereof, and do not exclude the possibilities of combination or addition of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, portions or combination thereof.

Unless otherwise indicated, % unit indicate weight %.

In embodiments, the terms such as “upper,” “upper portion,” “upper surface,” “lower,” “lower portion,” “lower surface,” and “side surface” are based on the diagram, and may vary depending on the direction in which the element or component is disposed.

Also, in the example embodiments, the term “connected” may not only refer to “directly connected” but also include “indirectly connected” with another element therebetween.

In the description below, the present disclosure will be described in detail through each embodiment or example of the present disclosure. It should be noted that each embodiment or example described is not limited to a single embodiment or example, and may be combined with other embodiments or examples. Therefore, the citation of a claim in the patent claims is merely an example of an embodiment, and the technical concept of the present disclosure should not be interpreted solely as a combination with the cited claim. Combinations with various claims may also fall within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a front side of an evaporator for an ice maker according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram illustrating a backside of the evaporator for an ice maker illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker illustrated in FIG. 1, viewed in the II-II′ direction.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an evaporator 10 for an ice maker (hereinafter referred to as an evaporator) according to an embodiment 1 may be a device configured to produce ice using a flowing low-temperature/low-pressure refrigerant. In this case, the evaporator 10 of embodiment 1 may include an ice-making plate 100 and a refrigerant pipe 200.

Generally, a refrigeration cycle may be configured such that heating, cooling, and freezing operations may be performed by using changes in thermal and pressure characteristics as refrigerant circulates through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator in order. Particularly, in the case of the refrigerant cycle of an ice maker, a high-temperature/high-pressure refrigerant discharged from a compressor may have low-temperature/low-pressure characteristics as the refrigerant passes through a condenser and an expansion valve. The low-temperature/low-pressure refrigerant may flow through the refrigerant pipe 200 of the evaporator 10.

In the above process, heat exchange may occur between the ice-making plate 100 and the refrigerant pipe 200, such that a surface temperature of the ice-making plate 100 may decrease below the freezing point of water. In this case, ice may be created as water supplied to the surface of the ice-making plate 100 freezes. For example, water may be supplied to the surface of the ice-making plate 100 by a water pump (not illustrated). When ice is formed on the surface of the ice-making plate 100 and the ice-making process is completed as described above, the high-temperature/high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor (not illustrated) may be bypassed directly through the refrigerant pipe 200. Accordingly, ice may be removed from the surface of the ice-making plate 100, may move to an ice storage (not illustrated) and may be stored therein. The ice maker may manufacture ice by repeating the ice-making and ice-removing processes.

As described above, the ice-making plate 100 may be a portion in which ice is generated during the ice-making process and may be disposed to surround a refrigerant pipe 200 through which refrigerant flows. For ease of description, the direction parallel to the width direction X of the ice-making plate 100 may be defined as the “first direction A1,” and the direction parallel to the length direction Z of the ice-making plate 100 may be defined as the “second direction A2.”

The refrigerant pipe 200 may have various shapes. For example, the refrigerant pipe 200 may be provided as a single pipe having multiple curves. In this case, the refrigerant pipe 200 may include a plurality of linear portions 210 extending in the first direction A1 between both ends thereof. Also, the refrigerant pipe 200 may include a plurality of curved connection portions 220 having a curved shape to connect adjacent linear portions 210. Refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant inlet portion 201 of the refrigerant pipe 200 may sequentially pass through the linear portions 210 and the curved connection portions 220 and may be discharged through a refrigerant outlet portion 202. However, it should be understood that the refrigerant pipe 200 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

The ice-making plate 100 may be manufactured from a thermally conductive material such that heat exchange with the refrigerant pipe 200 may be efficiently performed. In this case, the ice-making plate 100 may include a flat portion 110, a first protrusion 120, and a second protrusion 130.

The flat portion 110 may be a portion of the ice-making plate 100, which extends flatly. The flat portion 110 may be in the form of a plane parallel to the ZX plane direction in the diagram. In this case, the flat portion 110 may be at least partially surrounded and partitioned by the first protrusion 120 and the second protrusion 130.

The first protrusion 120 may surround one side of the refrigerant pipe 200. The first protrusion 120 protrude in an outward direction, which is a direction toward the outer side, from the surface of the ice-making plate 100. Here, the outward direction may be a direction (hereinafter, the first outward direction) (e.g., +Y) toward the opposite side of the refrigerant pipe 200 surrounded by the ice-making plate 100.

The first protrusion 120 may have a shape corresponding to the refrigerant pipe 200. The first protrusion 120 may be provided in various shapes depending on the type or shape of the refrigerant pipe 200. For example, the refrigerant pipe 200 may be a pipe having a circular cross-section. In this case, the first protrusion 120 may have a curved shape to have a radius of curvature the same as or similar to a radius of curvature of the refrigerant pipe 200.

The first protrusion 120 may extend in an extension direction of the refrigerant pipe 200. For example, the refrigerant pipe 200 may extend at least partially in the first direction A1. In this case, the refrigerant pipe 200 may extend from one end of the ice-making plate 100 to the other end in the first direction A1. In this case, the first protrusion 120 may also extend in the first direction A1 to a length equal to a width of the ice-making plate 100. Accordingly, one side surface of a portion of the refrigerant pipe 200, extending in the first direction A1, may be enclosed by the first protrusion 120. More specifically, the first protrusion 120 may enclose one side surface of the linear portion 210 while an inner surface thereof is in contact with the refrigerant pipe 200, such that heat exchange may occur between the first protrusion 120 and the refrigerant pipe 200.

The second protrusion 130, together with the first protrusion 120, may partition a region (hereinafter, referred to as an ice-making region) in which ice is formed on the surface of the ice-making plate 100. In this case, the second protrusion 130 may extend in a different direction from the first protrusion 120. Hereinafter, the embodiment in which the second protrusion 130 extends in a second direction A2, perpendicular to the first direction A1, will be described, but an embodiment thereof is not limited thereto. In this case, the second protrusion 130 may at least partially intersect with the first protrusion 120.

The second protrusion 130 may protrude from the surface of the ice-making plate 100 toward the outer side. More specifically, a portion (hereinafter, referred to as a first portion) 131 of the second protrusion 130 may protrude from the surface of the flat portion 110 in a first outward direction (+Y). Another portion (hereinafter, a second portion) 132 of the second protrusion 130 may protrude from the surface of the first protrusion 120 in the first outward direction (+Y).

In the above case, a plurality of the first protrusion 120 and a plurality of the second protrusion 130 may be provided. The plurality of first protrusions 120 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction A2 on the surface of the ice-making plate 100. In this case, the second protrusions 120 may be arranged to extend side by side in a direction parallel to the first direction A1. The plurality of second protrusions 130 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction A1 on the surface of the ice-making plate 100. In this case, the second protrusions 130 may be arranged to extend side by side in the second direction A2. As described above, the first and second protrusions 120 and 130 may intersect each other to form a grid pattern on the surface of the ice-making plate 100.

As described above, by forming the second protrusions 130 on the surface of the ice-making plate 100, which work as partitions to divide the ice-making region, a plurality of divided ice pieces may be formed on the ice-making plate 100 rather than a single block of ice, thereby improving ice-making efficiency.

Also, while the second protrusion 130 extends in the second direction A2, a portion thereof (the second portion) 132 may protrude from the surface of the first protrusion 120, such that the second protrusion 130 may extend continuously from the upper end 101 of the ice-making plate 100 to a lower end. Accordingly, by the second protrusion 130, the first protrusion 120 may continuously extend in the first direction A1 without being divided into multiple parts. As a result, a plurality of pieces of ice may be produced on the surface of the ice-making plate 100 by the second protrusions 130, and simultaneously, a contact area between the first protrusion 120 and the refrigerant pipe 200 may be increased, such that the ice-making efficiency may be improved.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker illustrated in FIG. 1, viewed from above, and an upper diagram in FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B2 of the evaporator for an ice maker.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the refrigerant pipe 200 may be provided in the form of a pipe having a circular cross-section as described above. The linear portion 210 of the refrigerant pipe 200 may include a space for refrigerant to flow therein and may have a cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter D. The first protrusion 120 may be curved to have an arc-shaped cross-section so as to protrude in the first outward direction (+Y). The first protrusion 120 may be curved with the same or similar radius of curvature as that of the linear portion 210, and may enclose one side of the linear portion 210.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of linear portions 210 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction A2. In this case, the flat portion 110 may be disposed between two adjacent linear portions 210 among the plurality of linear portions 210. That is, the flat portion 110 may be disposed between the linear portions 210. Accordingly, in the second direction A2, the linear portion 210 and the flat portion 110 may be alternately disposed.

As described above, the first portion 131 of the second protrusion 130 may protrude from the surface of the flat portion 110 in the first outward direction (+Y). In this case, the ‘first connection portion 131b’, in which a side portion of the first portion 131 is connected to the surface of the flat portion 110, may have a rounded shape. More specifically, the first connection portion 131b may be curved more gently than a vertex portion 131a of the first portion 131. Accordingly, the first portion 131 of the second protrusion 130 may have a form in which the radius of curvature (hereinafter, 2-1 radius of curvature) R21 of the first connection portion 131b is greater than the radius of curvature (hereinafter, second radius of curvature) R1 of the vertex portion 131a.

Also, the second portion 132 of the second protrusion 130 may further protrude in the first outward direction (+Y) from the surface of the first protrusion 120, as described above. In this case, the “second connection portion 132b,” in which the side portion of the second portion 132 is connected to the surface of the first protrusion 120, may have a rounded shape. More specifically, the second connection portion 132b may be curved in a gentler shape than the vertex portion 132a of the second portion 132. Accordingly, the second portion 132 of the second protrusion 130 may have a form in which the radius of curvature (hereinafter, 2-2 radius of curvature) R22 in the second connection portion 132b may be greater than the first radius of curvature R1 in the vertex portion 132a.

In the above case, in the second protrusion 130, the curved degrees of the first connection portion 131b and the second connection portion 132b may be the same as or similar to each other. That is, the 2-1 radius of curvature R21 may be the same as or similar to the 2-2 radius of curvature R22. In this case, as the 2-1 radius of curvature R21 and the 2-2radius of curvature R22 are formed to be greater than the first radius of curvature R1 of the vertex portions 131a and 132a, the second protrusion 130 may be curved more gently in the connection portions 131b and 132b, which are regions in which the flat portion 110 and the first protrusion 120 are connected to each other, than in the vertex portions 131a and 132a as described above. The first connection portion 131b and the second connection portion 132b, which are rounded as described above, may have the same or similar thickness.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker illustrated in FIG. 1, viewed from front, and the upper diagram in FIG. 6 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B3 of the evaporator for an ice maker. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker in FIG. 1, viewed from one side, the right middle diagram in FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B4 of the evaporator for an ice maker, the upper right diagram in FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B5 of the evaporator for an ice maker, and the lower right diagram in FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B4 in a state in which refrigerant pipe is not disposed.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first protrusion 120 and the second protrusion 130 may have different widths. Hereinafter, a width of the first protrusion 120 will be referred to as “first width w1,” and a width of the second protrusion 130 will be referred to as “second width w2.” In this case, the first width w1 may be a length measured in a direction Z perpendicular to the first direction A1, which is the extension direction of the first protrusion 120. The second width w2 may be a length measured in a direction X perpendicular to the second direction A2, which is the extension direction of the second protrusion 130.

More specifically, the second width w2 may be less than the first width w1. The first width w1 may be 2 to 2.5 times the size of the second width w2. Also, the first width w1 may be less than a diameter D of the refrigerant pipe 200. The first width w1 may have a size between 0.85 to 0.98 times the diameter D of the refrigerant pipe 200, for example. Accordingly, the second width w2 may also be less than the diameter D. For example, the second width w2 may be 6 mm. In this case, the first protrusion 120 may be formed such that the first width w1 may be 12.4 mm, which is approximately 2.07 times the second width w2. In this case, the diameter D of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be formed to be 12.7 mm, which is approximately 1.02 times the first width w1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the first protrusion 120 and the second protrusion 130 may protrude by different lengths as illustrated in the lower right diagram in FIG. 7. Hereinafter, a protruding length of the first protrusion 120 will be referred to as “first length h1,” and a protruding length of the second protrusion 130 will be referred to as “second length h2.” In this case, the first length h1 may be measured in the thickness direction Y of the evaporator 10 with respect to the external surface of the flat portion 110. The second length h2 may be measured in the thickness direction Y of the evaporator 10 with respect to the external surface of the flat portion 110 or the external surface of the first protrusion 120.

The first protrusion 120 may protrude from the external surface of the flat portion 110 by the first length h1. Also, the first protrusion 120 may extend linearly in the first direction A1. That is, the first protrusion 120 may extend in the first direction A1 by the same protruding distance (that is, the first length) h1.

The protruding distance of the second protrusion 130 may be varied at least partially in the second direction A2, which is the extension direction thereof. In an embodiment, as for the second protrusion 130, the first portion 131 may extend in the second direction A2 to have the same protruding distance (that is, second length) h2. In this case, the protruding distance of the second portion 132 may be varied in the second direction A2.

More specifically, as described above, when viewed from the side (YZ plane direction), the first protrusion 120 may be curved in the first outward direction (+Y) so as to have a maximum protruding distance in a position corresponding to the vertex portion 132, such that the second portion 132, which protrudes from the external surface of the first protrusion 120, may have a protruding distance gradually increasing toward the vertex portion 132a in the second direction A2. The protruding distance of the second portion 132 may gradually decrease in a direction away from the vertex portion 132a in the second direction A2. Here, the ‘protruding distance’ of the second portion 132 may indicate the “total protruding distance” which is the sum of the outwardly protruding distance of the first protrusion 120 and the outwardly protruding distance of the second portion 132.

For example, the second protrusion 130 may protrude in the second direction (A) from the external surface of the first protrusion 120 by a second length h2, which is the same length. However, since the first protrusion 120 has a curved shape as described above, the total protruding distance of the second portion 132 may gradually increase and then decrease in the second direction A2.

The second length h2 may be the same as the first length h1, or may be different from the first length h1. In an embodiment, the second length h2 may be the first length h1 or less. In this case, the second length h2 may be, for example, 0.7 times or more than the first length h1, and 1.05 times or less than the first length h1. In another embodiment, the second length h2 may be longer than the first length h1. In this case, the second length h2 may be, for example, greater than the first length h1, and 1.05 times or less than the first length h1.

As the first protrusion 120 and the second protrusion 130 protrude as described above, the flat portion 110 may have a relatively recessed shape as compared to the first protrusion 120 and the second protrusion 130.

The first length h1 may be less than the radius (D/2) of the refrigerant pipe 200. More specifically, the first length h1 may be formed to be 0.7 to 0.8 times the radius (D/2). By forming the first length h1 to be less than the radius (D/2), when the refrigerant pipe 200 is surrounded by a pair of ice-making plates 100, the ice-making plates 100 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (hereinafter, referred to as the first distance) d1. Here, the first distance d1 may be a spacing distance between flat portions 110 of the pair of ice-making plates 100 facing each other, and may indicate a minimum spacing distance between the ice-making plates 100. Accordingly, a space for a housing or a tube to be coupled smoothly and stably may be ensured on the upper portions of the pair of ice-making plates 100.

In this case, as described above, as the first length h1 is formed to be 0.7 to 0.8 times the radius (D/2), contact area between both side surfaces of the refrigerant pipe 200 and the ice-making plates 100 (that is, the second protrusions 120) may be sufficiently ensured. Accordingly, a pair of the ice-making plates 100 may be stably coupled to the housing or tube, and simultaneously, a maximum heat exchange area may be ensured between the ice-making plates 100 and the refrigerant pipe 200, such that ice-making efficiency and ice-removing efficiency may increase.

A pair of the ice-making plates 100 as described above may be included and may oppose each other with the refrigerant pipe 200 interposed therebetween. Hereinafter, for ease of description, one of the pair of ice-making plates 100 will be referred to as “first ice-making plate” and the other as “second ice-making plate.” One side surface of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be enclosed by the first protrusion 120 of the first ice-making plate 100. The other side surface of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be enclosed by the first protrusion 120 of the first ice-making plate 100. To this end, the first ice-making plates 100 and the first ice-making plates 100 may be spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction Y, such that “spacing (hereinafter, first spacing) M10” may be formed between the ice-making plates 100.

In the above case, the linear portion 210 of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be disposed in the first spacing M10. As illustrated in the enlarged diagram on the lower right side in FIG. 7, the linear portion 210 may be accommodated in a space of the first spacing M10 (hereinafter, “accommodation space”) M11, formed between a pair of first protrusions 120 facing each other. In this case, the linear portion 210 may be disposed in the accommodation space M11 while one side surface of the linear portion 210 is in contact with the inner surface of one of the first protrusions 120, and the other side surface of the linear portion 210 is in contact with the inner surface of the other first protrusion 120.

Also, as a plurality of the second protrusions 120 are included and arranged in the second direction A2, a plurality of accommodation spaces M11 may also be formed. Similarly to the second protrusions 120, the plurality of accommodation spaces M11 may be disposed in a row in the second direction A2 between the first ice-making plates 100 and the first ice-making plates 100. In this case, the linear portion 210 may be disposed in each of the accommodation spaces M11.

That is, in the case of an evaporator 10 for an ice maker according to the embodiment, the linear portion 210 may be disposed in the entirety of the accommodation spaces M11 formed between a pair of ice-making plates 100. Also, with respect to the second direction A2, the flat portion 110 may be disposed between the accommodation spaces M11 in which the linear portion 210 is accommodated [or between second protrusions 120]. Accordingly, in the evaporator 10, the flat portion 110 and the linear portion 210 may be alternately disposed in the second direction A2.

As described above, heat exchange may occur between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 200 and the ice-making plates 100 while both sides of the refrigerant pipe 200 are surrounded by the pair of ice-making plates 100, thereby performing an ice-making operation.

Referring back to FIG. 7, the ice-making plate 100 may further include a curved portion 140. The curved portion 140 may be formed on at least one end of both ends of the ice-making plate 100. For example, as illustrated in the upper right diagram in FIG. 7, the curved portion 140 may be disposed on an upper end 101 of the ice-making plate 100. Hereinafter, the embodiment in which the curved portion 140 is provided on the upper end 101 as above will be described, but an embodiment thereof is not limited thereto.

The curved portion 140 may be disposed between the first protrusion (hereinafter, the uppermost first protrusion) 120U disposed on the uppermost side among the plurality of second protrusions 120 arranged in the second direction A2 and the upper end 101 of the ice-making plate 100.

The curved portion 140 may be a portion of the ice-making plate 100, and may have a curved shape. More specifically, in the case of the first ice-making plate (e.g., the left ice-making plate in FIG. 7) 100, the curved portion (hereinafter, the first curved portion) may be curved in the first outward direction (+Y) such that a width thereof may increase upwardly (+Z) between the uppermost first protrusion 120U and the upper end 101 of the first ice-making plate 100. In the case of the second ice-making plate (e.g., the right ice-making plate in FIG. 7) 100, the curved portion (hereinafter, the second curved portion) may be curved in the first outward direction (−Y) such that a width thereof may increase upwardly (+Z) between the uppermost first protrusion 120U and the upper end 101 of the first ice-making plate 100.

Accordingly, the distance d12 between the ice-making plates 100 between the opposing uppermost second protrusions 120U and the upper ends 101 may gradually increase upwardly (+Z). In this case, the distance between the pair of opposing ice-making plates 100 may be the maximum spacing distance d2 between the upper ends 101. In this case, the second distance d2 may be twice or more than the first distance d1. For example, the first distance d1 may be 3.4 mm, and the spacing distance d12 in the curved portion 140 may gradually increase such that the second distance d2 may become 8.4 mm.

Each upper end 101 of the pair of ice-making plates 100 opposing each other may extend parallel to each other in the length direction Z while being spaced apart from each other by a second distance d2. In this case, as the pair of ice-making plates 100 are spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction Y, an opening 101a may be provided between the upper ends 101. The first spacing M10 may be connected to the outside through the opening 101a.

Although not illustrated in the drawing, a water supply portion (not illustrated) may be connected to the opening 101a. The water supply portion may supply water required for ice-making and/or ice-removing operations to the evaporator 10. The water supplied from the water supply portion may flow from the upper end 101 of the ice-making plate 100 to the lower end along the external surface of the ice-making plate 100. In this case, as the ice-making plate 100 includes the curved portion 140 as described above, the water supplied to the ice-making plate 100 may move sequentially along the surfaces of the upper end 101 and the curved portion 140, and may be easily supplied to the lower end of the ice-making plate 100.

Also, as the ice-making plate 100 is spaced apart from the upper end 101 by a maximum spacing distance (second distance) d2 as described above, the ice-making plate 100 may have a relatively large area as compared to the other portion. In this case, the water supply portion may be coupled to the upper end 101. As described above, as the water supply portion is coupled to the upper end 101, which may provide a sufficiently large coupling space, coupling stability with the ice-making plates 100 may be improved.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional diagram illustrating a portion of the evaporator for an ice maker, viewed in the III-III′ direction in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 8, a predetermined clearance may be present between the inner surface of the second protrusion 130 and the linear portion 210. Accordingly, a void, a “second spacing M20,” may be formed between the linear portion 210 and the second protrusion 130.

During an ice-removing operation, the water supply portion may supply water to the first spacing M10 between the first ice-making plate 100 and the second ice-making plate 100 through the opening 101a. In this case, water may be supplied at a temperature higher than that of the refrigerant supplied during the ice-making operation.

The supplied water may move down in a first flowing direction L10 through the first spacing M10. The water moving down may pass through the second spacing M20 in the second flowing direction L20 and may move down again in the first flowing direction L10. As the water moves down by repeating the moving down process multiple times, the water may sequentially pass through the flat portions 110 (that is, the first spacings M10) and the second spacings M20 arranged in the second direction A2. During this process, heat exchange may occur between the water and the ice-making plate 100, and between the water and the refrigerant.

Thereafter, the water may be discharged through an opening provided on a lower end of the ice-making plate 100. The discharged water may be returned to the water supply portion and may be reused during the ice-making or ice-removing operation.

As described above, while water at room temperature or a higher temperature passes between the ice-making plates 100 in the first flowing direction L10, heat exchange may occur between the water and the ice-making plates 100. Also, as heat exchange occurs between the high temperature/high pressure refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant pipe 200 and the ice-making plates 100, a water film may be formed between the produced ice and the external surface of the ice-making plates 100, such that ice may be easily separated from the ice-making plates 100.

In the above process, as water at room temperature or higher flows in the first flowing direction L10 as described above, heat exchange between the water and the second protrusions 130 may be effectively performed, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency with the ice-making plates 100. Accordingly, the time required for the surface temperature of the ice-making plates 100 to be lowered below the freezing point may be shortened, and consequently, the ice-removing efficiency of the evaporator 10 may be improved.

Also, the portion of the produced ice corresponding to the second protrusion 130 may have a relatively small thickness than that of the other portion. Accordingly, during the ice-removing process, due to the impact generated when separated from the ice-making plate 100 and dropped, ice may be easily be divided, such that a plurality of pieces of small ice may be formed.

The first protrusion 120 and the second protrusion 130 described above may be manufactured using a drawing forming method. For example, a flat metal plate (not illustrated) may be prepared, and a primary press process of pressing the plate in the first outward direction (+Y) or the first outward direction (−Y) using the first forming portion (not illustrated) may be performed. By the primary press process, the first protrusion 120 may be formed on the metal plate.

Then, a secondary press process of pressing the metal plate on which the first protrusion 120 is formed in the same direction as in the primary press process using the second forming portion (not illustrated) may be performed. Accordingly, the first protrusion 120 and the second protrusion 130 extending in the intersecting directions, and the flat portion 110 partitioned by the protrusions 120 and 130 may be formed on the metal plate.

By manufacturing using the drawing forming method including the primary and secondary press processes, the dimensional deviation may be reduced during mass production of the ice-making plate 100, such that precision and consistency of product production may be improved. Also, by using the drawing forming method when additionally forming the second protrusion 130 on the portion in which the first protrusion 120 is pre-formed, damage such as wrinkles or tears in the first and second connection portions 131b and 132b, which are the portions in which the second protrusion 130 is connected to the first protrusion 120 or the flat portion 110, may be reduced.

In the evaporator 10 for an ice maker according to embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, as the second protrusion 130 protrude above the region in which the first protrusion 120 is formed in the ice-making plate 100, the contact area between the ice-making plate 100 and the refrigerant pipe 200 can be prevented from being reduced when the second protrusion 130 is installed. Accordingly, the heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant pipe 200 and the ice-making plate 100 may be increased, and consequently, the time and energy required for ice-making or ice-removing may be reduced, such that the ice-making efficiency and ice-removing efficiency may be improved.

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram illustrating a front side of an evaporator for an ice maker according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged diagram illustrating region B1 in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the evaporator for an ice maker in FIG. 9, viewed from above.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, an evaporator 10A for an ice maker (hereinafter referred to as an evaporator) according to another embodiment (embodiment 2) may include an ice-making plate 100A and a refrigerant pipe 200.

Similarly to embodiment 1, the refrigerant pipe 200 may be provided as a single pipe having a multiple-curved shape. More specifically, the refrigerant pipe 200 may include a plurality of linear portions 210 extending in the first direction A1, and a plurality of curved connection portions 220 connecting two adjacent linear portions 210, between two ends thereof. In other words, the refrigerant pipe 200 may have a form in which the linear portions 210 and the curved portions 220 are alternately disposed and connected in the extension direction.

The ice-making plate 100A may be a portion in which ice is generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant pipe 200, and may include a flat portion 110A, a third protrusion 120A, and a fourth protrusion 130A.

The flat portion 110A may be a portion of the ice-making plate 100A, extending flatly. The flat portion 110A may have a plane shape parallel to the ZX plane direction in the diagram. In this case, the flat portion 110A may be at least partially surrounded and partitioned by the third protrusion 120A and the fourth protrusion 130A.

The third protrusion 120A may enclose one side of the refrigerant pipe 200. The third protrusion 120A may protrude from the surface of the ice-making plate 100A in the first outward direction (+Y). In this case, the third protrusion 120A may have a shape corresponding to the refrigerant pipe 200A. For example, when the refrigerant pipe 200 is a pipe having a circular cross-section, the third protrusion 120A may protrude in the first outward direction (+Y) in a curved shape so as to have the same or similar radius of curvature as that of the refrigerant pipe 200.

The third protrusion 120A may extend in the extension direction of the refrigerant pipe 200. For example, the refrigerant pipe 200 may extend in the first direction A1, which is the same direction as the extension direction of the linear portion 210.

In embodiment 2, the third protrusion 120A may have a length shorter than that of the linear portion 210. A plurality of the third protrusions 120A having such a length may be included. A plurality of the third protrusions 120A may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the first direction A1. The third protrusions 120A may be disposed between the fourth protrusions 130A, which will be described later.

The fourth protrusion 130A, together with the third protrusion 120A, may partition an ice-making region on the surface of the ice-making plate 100A. In embodiment 2, the fourth protrusion 130A may protrude from the surface of the ice-making plate 100A in the first outward direction (+Y) along the entire length thereof. Also, the fourth protrusion 130A may extend in a different direction from the third protrusion 120A. For example, the fourth protrusion 130A may extend in the second direction A2 perpendicular to the first direction A1.

A plurality of the fourth protrusion 130A may be included. The plurality of fourth protrusions 130A may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the first direction A1. For example, the fourth protrusions 130A may be evenly distributed and disposed on the surface of the ice-making plate 100A so as to be spaced apart from each other by an equal distance in the first direction A1. In this case, the third protrusion 120A may be disposed between the fourth protrusions 130A.

More specifically, a plurality of the third protrusions 120A may be spaced apart from each other by an equal distance so as to form rows extending in the first direction A1. Also, a plurality of rows of the third protrusions 120A may be formed to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the second direction A2. For example, the third protrusions 120A may form a plurality of rows spaced apart from each other by an equal distance in the first direction A1, and simultaneously, the plurality of rows may be spaced apart from each other by an equal distance in the second direction A2. Accordingly, the third protrusions 120A may be evenly distributed and disposed on the surface of the ice-making plate 100A in the first direction A1 and the second direction A2.

The fourth protrusion 130A may extend in the second direction A2 to pass between third protrusions 120A, spaced apart from each other by an equal distance in the first direction A1. As the plurality of fourth protrusions 130A extend by passing through the regions between the third protrusions 120A, the third and fourth protrusions 120A and 130A may intersect each other to form a grid on the surface of the ice-making plate 100A.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the third protrusion 120A and the fourth protrusion 130A may have different widths. Hereinafter, a width of the third protrusion 120A will be referred to as “third width w1A,” and a width of the fourth protrusion 130A will be referred to as “fourth width w2A. ” In this case, the third width w1A may be a length measured in the direction Z, perpendicular to the first direction A1 which is the extension direction of the third protrusion 120A. The fourth width w2A may be a length measured in the direction X, perpendicular to the second direction A2 which is the extension direction of the fourth protrusion 130A. For example, the fourth width w2A may be greater than the third width w1A. For example, the fourth width w2A may be 2 to 2.5 times the size of the third width w1A, but an embodiment thereof is not limited thereto.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the third protrusion 120A and the fourth protrusion 130A may protrude to different lengths. Hereinafter, the protruding length of the third protrusion 120A will be referred to as “third length h1A,” and the protruding length of the fourth protrusion 130A will be referred to as “fourth length h2A.” In this case, the third length h1A may be a length measured in the thickness direction Y of the evaporator 10A with respect to the external surface of the flat portion 110A, and may be a maximum protrusion length of the third protrusion 120A in the thickness direction Y. The fourth length h2A may be a length measured in the thickness direction Y of the evaporator 10A with respect to the external surface of the flat portion 110A, and may be a maximum protrusion length of the fourth protrusion 130A in the thickness direction Y.

The fourth protrusion 130A may protrude further in the thickness direction Y than the third protrusion 120A. That is, the fourth length h2A may be greater than the third length h1A. For example, the third length h1A may be half or more of the fourth length h2A and less than the fourth length h2A, but an embodiment thereof is not limited thereto.

In the above case, the third protrusion 120A may extend to have the same third width w1A in the first direction A1, which is the extension direction. Also, the third protrusion 120A may protrude and extend to have the same maximum protrusion length, which is a third length h1A, in the first direction A1. The fourth protrusion 130A may extend to have the same fourth width w2A in the second direction A2, which is the extension direction. Also, the fourth protrusion 130A may protrude and extend to have the same maximum protrusion length, which is a fourth length h2A, in the second direction A2.

As described above, one side surface of the linear portion 210 of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be enclosed by the third protrusion 120A. More specifically, the third protrusion 120A may be disposed such that the inner surface thereof encloses one side surface of the linear portion 210 while being in contact with the refrigerant pipe 200. Accordingly, heat exchange may occur between the third protrusion 120A and the refrigerant pipe 200 during ice-making and ice-removing operations. Also, as the fourth protrusion 130A protrudes further than the third protrusion 120A, the fourth protrusion 130A may partition for partitioning the ice-making region on the surface of the ice-making plate 100A. Accordingly, rather than a single block of ice forming on the ice-making plate 100A, a plurality of divided ice pieces may be created, thereby improving ice-making efficiency.

A pair of the ice-making plates 100A may be included and may oppose each other with a refrigerant pipe 200 interposed therebetween. Hereinafter, for ease of description, one of the pair of ice-making plates 100A will be referred to as “third ice-making plate” and the other as “fourth ice-making plate.” One side surface of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be enclosed by the third protrusion 120A of the third ice-making plate 100A. The other side surface of the refrigerant pipe 200 may be enclosed by the third protrusion 120A of the fourth ice-making plate 100A. To this end, the third ice-making plate 100A and the fourth ice-making plate 100A may be spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction Y, such that the “first spacing M10” may be formed between the ice-making plates 100A as described above.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state of the evaporator for an ice maker in FIG. 9, viewed from one side.

Referring to FIG. 12, in the case of the evaporator 10A according to embodiment 2, the ice-making plate 100A may further include a curved portion 140A. The curved portion 140A may be formed on at least one end of both ends of the ice-making plate 100. For example, the curved portion 140A may be provided on the upper end 101 of the ice-making plate 100A as illustrated in the diagram, but an embodiment thereof is not limited thereto.

The curved portion 140A may be disposed between a third protrusion (hereinafter, “uppermost third protrusion”) 120AU disposed at the uppermost side among a plurality of third protrusions 120A arranged in the second direction A2, and an upper end 101a of the ice-making plate 100A.

The curved portion 140A may be a portion of the ice-making plate 100A, and may have a curved shape. More specifically, in the case of the third ice-making plate (e.g., the ice-making plate on the left side in FIG. 12) 100A, the curved portion (hereinafter, the third curved portion) may be curved in the first outward direction (+Y) such that a width thereof may increase upwardly (+Z) between the uppermost third protrusion 120AU and the upper end 101a of the third ice-making plate 100A. In the case of the fourth ice-making plate (e.g., the right ice-making plate in FIG. 12) 100A, the curved portion (hereinafter, the fourth curved portion) may be curved in the first outward direction (−Y) such that a width thereof may increase upwardly (+Z) between the uppermost third protrusion 120AU and the upper end 101a of the fourth ice-making plate 100A. Accordingly, between the opposing uppermost third protrusions 120AU and the upper ends 101a of the third ice-making plate 100A and the fourth ice-making plate 100A, a distance d12A between the ice-making plates 100A may gradually increase upwardly (+Z). In this case, the upper ends 101a of the third and fourth ice-making plates 100A may extend parallel to each other in the second direction A2.

In the above case, the distance between the pair of opposing ice-making plates 100A may be a maximum spacing distance (hereinafter, the fourth distance) d2A between the upper ends 101a. In this case, the fourth distance d2A may be twice or more the third distance d1A, which is the spacing distance (that is, the minimum spacing distance) between the opposing flat portions 110A. The pair of ice-making plates 100A may extend parallel to each other in the length direction Z while the upper ends 101a thereof are spaced apart from each other by the fourth distance d2A.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional diagram illustrating a portion of the evaporator for an ice maker in FIG. 10, viewed in the III-III′ direction.

Referring to FIG. 13, as a pair of ice-making plates 100A are spaced apart in the thickness direction Y, a first spacing M10 may be formed between the ice-making plates 100A. Also, an opening 101a may be provided between the opposing upper ends 101a of the ice-making plates 100A. Through the opening 101a, the first spacing M10 may be connected to the outside. Also, a predetermined clearance may be present between the inner surface of the fourth protrusion 130A and the linear portion 210. Accordingly, as described above, a “second spacing M20,” which is a void space, may be formed between the linear portion 210 and the fourth protrusion 130A.

During the ice-removing process, when water is supplied to the opening 101a by a water supply portion, water may flow into the first spacing M10. In this case, water may be supplied at a temperature higher than the refrigerant supplied during the ice-making process.

The supplied water may move down in the first flowing direction L10 through the first spacing M10. Some of the water moving down may move in the second flowing direction L20 while passing through the first spacing M10, and may exchange heat with the refrigerant pipe 200 and the refrigerant passing therethrough. After passing through the first spacing M10, the water may move down again in the first flowing direction L10. While moving down by repeating the moving down process multiple times as above, the water may sequentially pass through the flat portions 110A (that is, the first spacings M10) arranged in the second direction A2 and the second spacings M20. During this process, heat exchange may occur between the water and the ice-making plate 100A, and between the water and the refrigerant.

Afterwards, water may be discharged through an opening provided on a lower end of the ice-making plate 100A. The discharged water may be returned to the water supply portion and may be recycled during ice-making or ice-removing operations as in the aforementioned embodiment 1.

The evaporator 10 and 10A for an ice maker according to embodiments of the present disclosure described above may increase ice-making and ice-removing efficiency by effectively exchanging heat between water and the ice-making plates 100 and 100A, and between the refrigerant pipe 200 (or refrigerant) and the ice-making plates 100 and 100A.

According to the aforementioned embodiments, an evaporator for an ice maker may have increased heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant pipe and the ice-making plate by preventing the reduction in the contact area between the ice-making plate and the refrigerant pipe. Consequently, the time and energy required for ice-making or ice-removing may be reduced, thereby improving ice-making and ice-removing efficiency.

While the embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.