REFRIGERATOR

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance for storing food at a low temperature in a storage space that is covered by a door.

The refrigerator is configured to keep stored food in in a refrigerated state or frozen state by cooling an inside of the storage space using cold air.

The refrigerator may be a side-by-side type refrigerator in which a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber are arranged left and right, a top mount type refrigerator in which the freezing chamber is located above the refrigerating chamber, or a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which the refrigerating chamber is located above the freezing chamber.

Typically, an ice maker is provided in the freezing chamber of a refrigerator to make ice. The ice maker receives water supplied from a water source or a water tank in a tray and cools the water to generate ice. The ice generated by the ice maker may be stored in an ice bin.

The ice stored in the ice bin can be discharged through a dispenser provided in the door, or the user can open a freezing chamber door, approach the ice bin, and take out the ice in the ice bin.

An ice making device mounted on a refrigerator door is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0080207 that is a prior art document.

The ice making device includes a tray on which ice is generated and a frame that rotatably supports the tray.

The frame is fixedly mounted on the inner surface of the door, and the tray is rotatably mounted on the frame. When the ice is generated, the tray rotates at a predetermined angle. When the tray rotates at a predetermined angle, one edge is caught on the frame, causing the tray to twist around a rotation axis. By this twisting process, the ice generated in the tray is separated and falls into an inside of the ice bank.

The tray includes a plurality of ice cubes formed with a predetermined size and depth.

However, in a case of the prior are, a technique for evenly distributing water to a plurality of ice cubes is not disclosed, and a technique for completely separating ice from the entire ice cube when the tray is twisted to separate ice is not disclosed.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

One embodiment provides a refrigerator in which water can be evenly distributed to a plurality of ice making cells within a tray.

Alternatively or additionally, one embodiment provides a refrigerator in which water can be distributed to a plurality of ice making cells while allowing easy installation of a temperature sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, one embodiment provides a refrigerator in which ice can be smoothly separated from each of a plurality of ice making cells of a tray during an ice separation process.

Alternatively or additionally, one embodiment provides a refrigerator in which a dispenser is slim.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a cabinet having a storage space.

The refrigerator may include a door to open and close the storage space. The refrigerator may further include an ice maker that receives cold air for cooling the storage space and generates ice.

The ice maker may include an ice tray including a plurality of ice making cells for generating ice. The ice maker may include a driver that generates driving force for rotating the ice tray. The ice tray may include a connector to receive power from the driver. The ice tray may include a shaft for the ice tray to be rotated.

The ice tray may include a first region positioned close to the connector. The ice tray may include a second region positioned close to the shaft.

A shape of a cell wall forming an ice making cell in the first region may be different from a shape of a cell wall forming an ice making cell in the second region.

An angle formed by a cell wall of the first region and a vertical line may be greater than an angle formed by a cell wall of the second region and the vertical line.

Water may be supplied to one ice making cell of the second region.

The ice tray may include a water channel for moving water between adjacent ice making cells in the first region. The ice tray may further include a water channel for moving water between adjacent ice making cells in the second region.

A depth of a water channel in the first region may be greater than a depth of a water channel in the second region.

A water channel in the first region may be provided with a first blade, and a water channel in the second region may be provided with a second blade. A width of the first blade may be greater than a width of the second blade.

A width of a water channel of the first region may be equal to a width of a water channel of the second region.

A number of ice making cells of the first region may be less than a number of ice making cells of the second region.

The plurality of ice making cells may be arranged in three or more rows in a direction crossing an extension direction of a rotation center of the ice tray, and each row may include two or more ice making cells.

In the ice tray, a second row may be arranged between a first row and a third row.

The ice tray may include a first water channel for moving water between the first row and the second row. The ice tray may further include a second water channel for moving water between the second row and the third row.

The ice tray may further include a third water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the first row. The ice tray may include a fourth water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the third row.

In the second region, a water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the second row does not exist, so that ice making cells of the second row of the second region may be supplied with water through the first water channel or the second water channel.

In the first region, a water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the second row does not exist, so that ice making cells of the second row of the first region may be supplied with water through the first water channel or the second water channel.

In the first region, a water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the second row may be provided.

Water may be supplied to one ice making cell of the second row in the second region.

The ice maker may further include a sensor module installed on a cell wall forming ice making cells of the second row.

The sensor module may include a temperature sensor positioned between two cell walls forming ice making cells of the second row. The sensor module may include a sensor frame to support the temperature sensor.

The ice tray may include three or more installation ribs to which the sensor frame is coupled. The sensor frame may be installed on two adjacent installation ribs among the three or more installation ribs.

In another embodiment of an ice tray, A plurality of ice making cells are arranged in three or more rows in a direction crossing an extension direction of a rotation center of the ice tray, and each row may include two or more ice making cells.

In the ice tray, a second row may be disposed between a first row and a third row.

The ice tray may include a first water channel for moving water between the first row and the second row. The ice tray may further include a second water channel for moving water between the second row and the third row. The ice tray may further include a third water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the first row. The ice tray may further include a fourth water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the third row.

In the second region, since the water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the second row does not exist, ice making cells of the second row of the second region may be supplied with water through the first water channel or the second water channel.

The refrigerator may further include a sensor module installed on a cell wall forming ice making cells of the second row.

The sensor module may include a temperature sensor positioned between two cell walls forming ice making cells of the second row, and a sensor frame to support the temperature sensor.

The first region may be provided with a water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the second row. Alternatively, a water channel for moving water between ice making cells of the second row in the first region does not exist, so that ice making cells of the second row in the first region may be supplied with water through the first water channel or the second water channel.

Water may be supplied to one ice making cells of the second row in the second region.

A number of ice making cells in the first region may be less than a number of ice making cells in the second region.

Advantageous Effects

According to one embodiment, there is an advantage that water may be evenly distributed to ice making cells in an ice tray.

According to one embodiment, there is an advantage that water may be smoothly distributed to ice making cells while reducing a rotational trajectory of an ice tray in which a temperature sensor is installed.

According to one embodiment, a force for ice separation at a portion of an ice tray located adjacent to a driver may be increased, so that an overall ice separation reliability in the ice tray can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a state in which one door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 is separated.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first refrigerating chamber door according to the present embodiment as viewed from a front side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first refrigerating chamber door according to the present embodiment as viewed from a rear side.

FIG. 5 is a lateral side view of a first refrigerating chamber door according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing cold air passage in a first refrigerating chamber door of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first ice maker and a first ice bin according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an ice tray according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an ice tray according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an ice tray according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 14(a) and (b) is a drawing for comparing a water channel of a first region and a water channel of a second region.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of an ice tray according to another embodiment.

MODE FOR INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a state in which one door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 is separated.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first refrigerating chamber door according to the present embodiment as viewed from a front side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first refrigerating chamber door according to the present embodiment as viewed from a rear side.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment may include a cabinet 2 having a storage space. The refrigerator 1 may further include a refrigerator door to open and close the storage space.

The storage space may include a refrigerating chamber 18. The storage space may optionally or additionally include a freezing chamber 19.

As an example, FIG. 2 illustrates that the storage space includes a refrigerating chamber 18 and a freezing chamber 19.

The refrigerating chamber 18 may be opened and closed by one or more refrigerating chamber doors 5. The freezing chamber 19 may be opened and closed by one or more freezing chamber doors 30.

Hereinafter, the refrigerating chamber 18 is described as being opened and closed by a first refrigerating chamber door 10 and a second refrigerating chamber door 20.

At least one of the first refrigerating chamber door 10 or the second refrigerating chamber door 20 may include a dispenser 11 for discharging water and/or ice. Of course, depending on a type of refrigerator, it is also possible for the freezing chamber door 30 to be provided with the dispenser 11.

At least one of the first refrigerating chamber door 10 or the second refrigerating chamber door 20 may include at least one ice maker.

Hereinafter, an example of an ice maker being provided in the first refrigerating chamber door 10 will be described. Of course, if necessary, an ice maker may also be provided in the second refrigerating chamber door 20 or the freezing chamber door 30. At this time, the dispenser 11 and the ice maker may be provided in the same door.

Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the first refrigerating chamber door 10 includes a plurality of ice makers. It is not limited thereto, and the second refrigerating chamber door 20 may also include a plurality of ice makers.

In FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 is exemplarily illustrated as a bottom freezer type refrigerator, but it is to be noted that an idea of the present invention can be equally applied to a side-by-side type refrigerator or a top-mount type refrigerator.

In the case of a side-by-side type or top-mount type refrigerator, the freezing chamber door may include a plurality of ice makers or the refrigerating chamber door may include a plurality of ice makers.

The dispenser 11 is disposed at a front side of the first refrigerating chamber door 10, and a portion of the dispensers may be recessed toward rearward to provide a space where a container can be disposed.

The plurality of ice makers may be arranged in a vertical direction. For example, the plurality of ice makers may include a first ice maker 200. The plurality of ice makers may further include a second ice maker 500.

The second ice maker 500 may be disposed at a lower side of the first ice maker 200. Of course, the present embodiment does not exclude the plurality of ice makers 200, 500 being arranged in a left-right direction.

The dispenser 11 may discharge at least ice generated in the first ice maker 200. To this end, the first ice maker 200 may positioned higher than the dispenser 11. If the dispenser 11 may discharge ice generated in the second ice maker 500, the second ice maker 500 may also positioned higher than the dispenser 11.

Or, even if the second ice maker 500 is positioned the same as or lower than the dispenser 11, ice generated the second ice maker 500 can be transferred to the dispenser 11 by a separate transfer mechanism.

As another example, the dispenser 11 may include a first dispenser to discharge ice generated in the first ice maker 200, and a second dispenser to discharge ice generated in the second ice maker.

The second ice maker 500 may be disposed at a rear side of the dispenser 11.

The first refrigerating chamber door 10 may include an outer case 101 configured to form a front exterior. The first refrigerating chamber door 10 may further include a door liner 102 coupled to the outer case 101. The door liner 102 may open and close the refrigerating chamber 18.

In a state in which the outer case 101 is coupled to the door liner 102, an insulating space may be formed in a space between the outer case 101 and the door liner 102. An insulating material may be provided in the insulating space.

The door liner 102 may include a first space 122 in which the first ice maker 200 is disposed. The first space 122 may also be referred to as a first ice making chamber. The door liner 102 may further include a second space 124 in which the second ice maker 500 is disposed. The second space 124 may also be referred to as a second ice making chamber.

In the present embodiment, the second ice maker 500 may be omitted, and in this case, the second space 124 may exist. In this case, the second space 124 may function as a door storage space used for a specific purpose.

Alternatively, a position of the second ice maker 500 in the present embodiment may vary. Depending on the type of refrigerator, the second ice maker 500 may be positioned in the storage space. In this case, the second space 124 may be present or may be omitted.

The first space 122 may be formed as one side of the door liner 102 is recessed toward the outer case 101. The second space 124 may be formed as one side of the door liner 102 is recessed toward the outer case 101. For example, the second space 124 may be recessed toward the dispenser 11.

The first refrigerating chamber door 10 may include a first ice bin 280 in which ice generated in the first ice maker 200 is stored. The first refrigerating chamber door 10 may further include a second ice bin 600 in which ice generated in the second ice maker 500 is stored. Of course, if the second ice maker 500 is omitted, the second ice bin 600 may also be omitted.

The first ice bin 280 may be received in the first space 122 together with the first ice maker 200. The second ice bin 600 may be received in the second space 124 together with the second ice maker 500.

The first space 122 may be supplied with cold generated from a cooler. The cooler may be defined as a means for cooling the storage space, including at least one of a refrigerant cycle or a thermoelectric element. For example, cold air for cooling the freezing chamber 19 may be supplied to the first space 122.

The second space 124 may be supplied with cold generated from a cooler. For example, cold air for cooling the freezing chamber 19 may be supplied to the second space 124.

The refrigerator 1 may include a supply passage 2a that guides cold air of the freezing chamber 19 or cold air of a space where an evaporator that generates cold air for cooling the freezing chamber 19 is disposed to the first refrigerating chamber door 10. The refrigerator 1 may further include a discharge passage 2b that guides cold air discharged from the first refrigerating chamber door 10 to the freezing chamber 19 or the space where the evaporator is disposed. The supply passage 2a and the discharge passage 2b may be provided in the cabinet 2.

The first refrigerating chamber door 10 may include a cold air inlet 123a. When the first refrigerating chamber door 10 is closed, the cold air inlet 123a may be communicated with the supply passage 2a. The first refrigerating chamber door 10 may further include a cold air outlet 123b.

When the first refrigerating chamber door 10 is closed, the cold air outlet 123b may be communicated with the discharge passage 2b.

The cold air inlet 123a may be formed on one side of the door liner 102. Although not limited, the one side of the door liner 102 may be a side facing a wall where the supply passage 2a is disposed in the refrigerating chamber 18 when the first refrigerating chamber door 10 is closed.

For example, the cold air inlet 123a may be disposed to overlap the second space 124 in a horizontal direction.

The cold air outlet 123b may be formed on one side of the door liner 102. Although not limited, the one side of the door liner 102 may be a side facing a wall where the discharge passage 2b is disposed in the refrigerating chamber 18 when the first refrigerating chamber door 10 is closed.

For example, the cold air outlet 123b may be disposed to overlap the second space 124 in a horizontal direction.

A shape of the ice generated from the first ice maker 200 may be the same as or different from a shape of the ice generated from the second ice maker 200. For example, the second ice maker 500 may form spherical ice.

The “spherical shape” mentioned in this specification means not only a geometrically spherical shape but also a shape similar to a spherical shape.

A transparency of ice generated from the first ice maker 200 may be the same as or different from a transparency of ice generated from the second ice maker 500. For example, a transparency of the ice generated from the second ice maker 500 may be greater than a transparency of the ice formed from the first ice maker 200.

A size or volume of ice generated from the first ice maker 200 may be different from a size or volume of ice generated from the second ice maker 500. For example, a size or volume of ice generated from the second ice maker 500 may be greater than a size or volume of ice formed from the first ice maker 200.

A structure of the first ice maker 200 for generating ice and a method for separation the generated ice may be the same as or different from a structure of the second ice maker 500 and a method for separation the ice generated from the second ice maker 500 is separated.

If the structure and/or the method of the ice makers are different, a shape of the first space 122 where the first ice maker 200 is disposed may be different from a shape of the second space 124 where the second ice maker 500 is disposed.

For example, a depth of the second space 124 may be greater than a depth of the first space 122.

Due to a difference in depth between the first space 122 and the second space 124, the one side of the door liner 102 may include a first side portion 102a and a second side portion 102b having different widths in a front-back direction.

A width of the second side portion 102b may be formed to be greater than a width of the first side portion 102a. Due to a difference in width between the first side portion 102a and the second side portion 102b, a front-back thickness of the first refrigerating chamber door 10 at a portion where the second ice maker 500 is positioned may be greater than a front-back thickness of the first refrigerating chamber door 10 at a portion where the first ice maker 200 is positioned.

At least one of the cold air inlet 123a or the cold air outlet 123b may be formed on the second side portion 102b of the door liner 102.

The second side portion 102b may protrude further toward the refrigerating chamber 18 than the first side portion 102a.

The first refrigerating chamber door 10 may further include a first door 130 (or a first space door) that opens and closes the first space 122. The first door 130 may be an insulated door having an insulating material provided therein.

The first refrigerating chamber door 10 may further include a second door 132 (or a second space door) that opens and closes the second space 124. The second door 132 may be an insulated door having an insulating material provided therein. Even if the second ice maker 500 is omitted, the second door 132 may exist.

Accordingly, a heat transfer between the refrigerating chamber 18 and the first and second spaces 122, 124 may be minimized by the first and second doors 130, 132.

The first door 130 may be rotatably provided on the first refrigerating chamber door 10 by a hinge.

The second door 132 may be rotatably provided on the first refrigerating chamber door 10 by a hinge. A rotation direction of the first door 130 and a rotation direction of the second door 132 may be the same or different.

Meanwhile, a basket 136 capable of storing food may be connected to the first door 130 by varying a thickness of the first refrigerating chamber door 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in a state in which the basket 136 is installed in the first door 130, at least a portion of the basket 136 may overlap the second space 124 in a vertical direction.

In a state in which the basket 136 is installed in the first door 130, at least a portion of the basket 136 may overlap the second ice maker 500 in the vertical direction.

In a state in which the basket 136 is installed in the first door 130 and the second door 132 is closed, at least a portion of the basket 136 may overlap the second ice bin 600 in the vertical direction.

In a state in which the basket 136 is installed in the first door 130 and the second door 132 is closed, at least a portion of the basket 136 may overlap the second door 132 in the vertical direction.

Meanwhile, a filter (not shown) may be mounted on one side 103 of the first refrigerating chamber door 10, and the filter may be covered by a filter cover 142.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing cold air passage in a first refrigerating chamber door of the present embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first refrigerating chamber door 10 may further include a cold air passage for cold air flow. The cold air passage may be formed by a cold air duct, not shown. The cold air duct may be installed, for example, in the door liner 102.

The cold air passage may guide cold air to at least one of the first space 122 or the second space 124.

The cold air passage may include a first cold air passage P1.

The first cold air passage P1 may guide cold air supplied from the cabinet 2 to the first space 122.

At least a portion of the first cold air passage P1 may extend in a vertical direction. Cold air may rise in the first cold air passage P1 and be supplied to an upper portion of the first space 122. For example, cold air guided by the first cold air passage P1 may flow toward the first ice maker 200.

The cold air passage may further include a second cold air passage P2.

The second cold air passage P2 may guide cold air of the first space 122 to the second space 124.

Cold air from a lower portion of the first space 122 may be discharged to the second cold air passage P2. At least a part of the second cold air passage P2 may extend in the vertical direction.

Cold air may descend in the second cold air passage P2 and be supplied to the second space 124. For example, cold air guided by the second cold air passage P2 may flow toward the second ice maker 500.

The cold air passage may further include a third cold air passage P3.

The third cold air passage P3 may guide cold air of the second space 124 to an outside of the first refrigerating chamber door 10.

Cold air from a lower portion of the second space 124 may flow through the third cold air passage P3. At least a portion of the third cold air passage P3 may extend in a horizontal direction.

Meanwhile, the first ice maker 200 may include an ice tray 210 to form an ice making cell.

The first ice maker 200 may further include a driver that provides power to automatically rotate the ice tray 210 to separate ice from the ice tray 210. The first ice maker 200 may further include a power transmission unit that transmits a power of the driver to the ice tray 210.

The ice tray 210 may include a plurality of ice making cells. Water discharged from a water supply portion and dropped onto the ice tray 210 may be distributed to the plurality of ice making cells.

When the ice generation in the ice tray 210 is completed, the ice may be separated from the ice tray 210 as the ice tray 210 is rotated (or twisted) by the driver. An ice separated from the ice tray 210 may be stored in the first ice bin 280.

The second ice maker 500 may include a first tray 510. The second ice maker 500 may further include a second tray 550. The first tray 510 and the second tray 550 may form an ice making cell 501. The second tray 550 may be moved with respect to the first tray 510. For example, the second tray 550 may be rotated with respect to the first tray 510, or may move linearly with respect to the first tray 510, or may move linearly and rotationally.

If the second tray 550 is a rotation type tray, water supply may be performed at a water supply position of the second tray 550. After the water supply is completed, the second tray 550 may be rotated to an ice making position. If the second tray 550 is a linear movement type tray, water supply may be performed at the ice making position of the second tray 550.

At least a portion of the second tray 550 may be spaced apart from at least a portion of the first tray 510 at the water supply position. A portion of the second tray 550 spaced apart from the first tray 510 at the water supply position may come into contact with the first tray 510 at the ice making position to form the ice making cell 501.

The dispenser 11 may include a dispenser housing 11a. The dispenser housing 11a may form a receiving space. A container such as a cup may be positioned in the receiving space. Water or ice may be discharged into the receiving space.

At least a portion of the dispenser housing 11a may be disposed to overlap the second space 124 in a front-back direction.

A minimum horizontal distance between a front surface of the first refrigerating chamber door 10 and the second space 124 is greater than a minimum horizontal distance between the front surface of the first refrigerating chamber door 10 and the first space 122 by the dispenser housing 11a.

A vertical length of the first space 122 may be greater than a vertical length of the second space 124. At least a portion of the second space 124 may overlap the first space 122 in the vertical direction.

The ice making cell 501 of the second ice maker 500 may overlap the dispenser housing 11a in the front-back direction.

An ice chute 700 may be disposed at a lower side of the first space 122. The ice chute 700 may be opened and closed by a cap duct 900.

An ice guide 800 may be disposed at a lower side of the ice chute 700.

The ice chute 700 may guide ice discharged from the first ice bin 280 to the ice guide 800.

The ice guide 800 may guide ice and finally discharge the ice. The ice guide 800 may be referred to as a second path forming a passage through which ice moves or is discharged.

The ice chute 700 may overlap at least a portion of the first space 122 in a vertical direction. At least a portion of the ice chute 700 may overlap at least a portion of the second space 124 in the vertical direction.

A water tank 340 may be detachably mounted on the first refrigerating chamber door 10. At least a portion of the ice chute 700 may overlap the water tank 340 in a vertical direction. At least a portion of the water tank 340 may overlap the ice making cell 501 in a vertical direction. At least a portion of the water tank 340 may overlap the second ice bin 600 in a vertical direction.

At least a portion of the water tank 340 may overlap the basket 136 in a vertical direction. Of course, in the present embodiment, a position of the water tank 340 is not limited, and it is disclosed that it may be placed in various positions as long as a thickness of the first refrigerating chamber door 10 is not increased or an increase in thickness is minimized.

The ice guide 800 may overlap at least a portion of the second space 124 in a horizontal direction.

In this embodiment, the second space 124 may be disposed at a rear side of the dispenser housing 11a because the dispenser housing 11a is slim. In order to slim down the dispenser housing 11a, a shape of the ice tray 210 can be improved. By improving a shape of the ice tray 210, a size of the ice generated may be reduced. If a size of ice is reduced, a width of the ice guide 800 or the ice chute 700 can be reduced, thereby making it possible to slim down a dispenser. A shape of the ice tray 210 will be described later with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first ice maker and a first ice bin according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the first ice maker 200 may include an ice tray 210 forming an ice making cell.

The first ice maker 200 may further include a driver 258 that provides power to automatically rotate the ice tray 210 to separate ice from the ice tray 210. The first ice maker 200 may further include a power transmission unit 255 that transmits a power of the driver 258 to the ice tray 210.

The first ice maker 200 may further include a tray cover 257 that covers the ice tray 210 to prevent water overflow when water is supplied to the ice tray 210.

The first ice maker 200 may further include a water supply 256 that guides water to the ice tray 200.

The ice tray 210 may include a plurality of ice making cells. Water discharged from the water supply 256 and dropped onto the ice tray 210 may be distributed to the plurality of ice making cells.

The first ice maker 200 may further include a support bracket 270 having a support wall 254 on which the ice tray 210 is supported.

The support bracket 270 may include a first supporter 272 and a second supporter 274 coupled to the first supporter 272 or integrally formed with the first supporter 272. However, a structure of the support bracket 270 in the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

The first supporter 272 may support the first ice bin 280. An ice opening 273 through which ice discharged from the first ice bin 280 passes may be formed in the first supporter 272.

A shaft 213 for rotation of the ice tray 210 may be rotatably supported by the support wall 254. The support wall 254 may be provided, for example, on the second supporter 274.

The support bracket 270 may further include a transmission member 279 to transmit power of a motor assembly (not shown) to the first ice bin 280.

The support bracket 270 may be provided with a full ice detection device 260 to detect whether the first ice bin 280 is full.

The full ice detection device 260 may be installed on the second supporter 274 at a position spaced apart from the ice tray 210. The full ice detection device 260 may be positioned below the ice tray 210.

The full ice detection device 260 may include a transmitter 261 that transmits a signal, and a receiver 262 spaced apart from the transmitter 261 and to receive a signal of the transmitter 261. If light transmitted from the transmitter 261 reaches the receiver 262, it may be determined that full ice is not detected. On the other hand, if light transmitted from the transmitter 261 is not received by the receiver 262 or amount of light received by the receiver 262 is less than a reference amount of light, it can be determined that full ice is detected.

Alternatively, the full ice detection device 260 may include a lever that rotates. The lever may rotate from a standby position to a full ice detection position. If the lever can rotate to the full ice detection position, it may be determined that full ice is not detected. On the other hand, if the lever cannot rotate to the full ice detection position, it may be determined that full ice is detected. Since the full ice detection device 260 may be implemented by a well-known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an ice tray according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an ice tray according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view of an ice tray according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is a drawing for comparing a water channel of a first region and a water channel of a second region. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 15, an ice tray 210 of the present embodiment may include a tray body 211 to define a plurality of ice making cells 230 for generating ice.

A connector 212 to receive power may be provided on one side of the tray body 211. A power transmission member 255 may be connected to the connector 212. A shaft 213 may be provided on another side of the tray body 211.

In the present embodiment, the ice making cells 230 may be arranged in a plurality in a first direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 9), as well as in a plurality in a second direction (Y-axis direction) crossing the first direction.

The first direction may be a direction in which a rotation center of the ice tray 210 extends. In the ice tray 210, the shaft 213 may extend in a direction parallel to the first direction.

In the present embodiment, the ice making cells arranged in the first direction may be called “rows” (or groups). In a case of the present embodiment, the ice making cells 230 may include first to third rows 222, 224, and 226 arranged in the second direction.

The first row 222 may include a plurality of first ice making cells 232. The second row 224 may include a plurality of second ice making cells 234. The third row 226 may include a plurality of third ice making cells 236.

It will be described that the second row 224 is positioned between the first row 222 and the third row 226.

The first ice making cell 232 may be formed by a first cell wall 232b. The second ice making cell 234 may be formed by a second cell wall 234b. The third ice making cell 236 may be formed by a third cell wall 236b.

As in the present embodiment, when a plurality of ice making cells are arranged in three rows within a limited width (a width in a Y-axis direction based on FIG. 9) range of the ice tray 210, a size of ice generated in each ice making cell may be reduced without reducing an ice making amount.

According to a distance from the connector 212 (or a point where a power of the driver 480 is transmitted), the tray body 211 may be divided into the first region 227 and the second region 228. The first region 227 may be a dotted line region on a left side based on FIG. 9, and the second region 228 may be a dotted line region on a right side based on FIG. 9.

At this time, the first region 227 may be disposed closer to the connector 212 than the second region 228. A number of ice making cells in the second region 228 may be greater than a number of ice making cells in the first region 227.

By the water supply 256, water may be supplied to one ice making cell 234a of the second region 228. At this time, the one making cell 234a may be an ice making cell provided in the second row 224. Hereinafter, the one ice making cell 234a can be referred to as a water supplied ice making cell.

Water supplied to the water supplied ice making cell 234a may be distributed to the first ice making cell 232 of the first row 222 and the third ice making cell 236 of the third row 226. However, water supplied to the water supplied ice making cell 234a is not directly distributed to the second ice making cell 234 of the second row 224.

The ice tray 210 may include a first water channel 241 (water passage) for moving water between the first ice making cell 232 of the first row 222 and the second ice making cell 234 of the second row 224.

The ice tray 210 may include a second water channel 242 (water passage) for moving water between the second ice making cell 234 of the second row 224 and the third ice making cell 236 of the third row 226.

The first water channel 241 and the second water channel 242 may be arranged to face each other.

The ice tray 210 may further include a third water channel 243 for moving water between a plurality of first ice making cells 232 of the first row 222.

The ice tray 210 may further include a fourth water channel 244 for moving water between a plurality of third ice making cells 236 of the third row 226.

In the present embodiment, a passage for moving water between a plurality of second ice making cells 234 of the second row 224 may not be formed in the ice tray 210.

Therefore, when water is supplied to the water supplied ice making cell 234a, a portion of the water may be distributed to an ice making cell 232a adjacent to the water supplied ice making cell 234a in the first row 222 through the first water channel 241. Water distributed to the ice making cell 232a of the first row 222 may be distributed to another ice making cell of the first row 222 through the third water channel 243.

Another portion of water supplied to the water supplied ice making cell 234a may be distributed to an ice making cell 236a adjacent to the water supplied ice making cell 234a in the third row 226 through the second water channel 242. Water distributed to the ice making cell 236a of the third row 226 may be distributed to another ice making cell of the third row 226 through the fourth water channel 244.

In a process of distributing water between a plurality of first ice making cells 232 of the first row 222, a portion of water may be distributed to the second ice making cell 234 of the second row 224 through the first water channel 241.

In a process of distributing water between a plurality of third ice making cells 236 of the third row 226, a portion of water may be distributed to the second ice making cell 234 of the second row 224 through the second water channel 242.

That is, in the present embodiment, remaining second ice making cells 234, excluding the water supplied ice making cell 234a in the second row 224, may receive water from a first row 222 or a third row 226.

A sensor module may be provided at a lower side of the ice tray 210. The sensor module may detect a temperature of the ice tray 210.

The sensor module may include a temperature sensor 292 and a sensor frame 294 to support temperature sensor 292. The sensor frame 294 may be coupled to the tray body 211.

Referring to FIG. 10, the water channels 241 to 244 are formed as a portion of the tray body 211 is recessed downward to allow water to move. Accordingly, the walls forming the water channels 241 to 244 may protrude toward between two adjacent cell walls.

The temperature sensor 294 may be positioned between two adjacent cell walls, but if there is a protruding portion forming a water channel between the two cell walls, a space for forming the temperature sensor 294 may be reduced, and it is difficult to install the temperature sensor 294.

Of course, it is also possible to position the temperature sensor 294 below the protruding portion, but in this case, a length of the sensor module protruding below the tray body 211 may increase. Then, a rotational trajectory of the tray body 211 on which the sensor module is installed may increase, causing a problem in that a space of remaining portion is reduced by a rotational trajectory of the tray body 211.

Therefore, if a temperature sensor 294 is installed in a second cell wall 234b forming the second row where a water channel is not formed as in the present embodiment, a rotational trajectory of the tray body 211 may be prevented from increasing.

A plurality of installation ribs 238 for installing the sensor frame 294 may be formed in the plurality of second cell walls 234b. The sensor frame 294 may be coupled to two installation ribs 238 that are spaced apart from each other. At this time, a number of installation ribs 238 may be at least three or more.

If a number of the installation ribs 238 increases, an installation location of the sensor module may be changed. Depending on a location where the first ice maker 200 is installed or a type of refrigerator, a location of the sensor module in the same type of ice tray 210 may be changed. In other words, a location of the sensor module can be changed without changing a structure of the ice tray 210.

As described above, water may be supplied to the water supplied ice making cell 234a of the second region 228. Since the water supplied ice making cell 234a is not disposed at an exact center of a plurality of ice making cells 230, there is a need for water supplied to the water supplied ice making cell 234a to be smoothly distributed to remaining ice making cells.

In particular, water needs to be smoothly supplied to an ice making cell disposed far from the water supplied ice making cell 234a. In the present embodiment, a shape of a water channel in the first region 227 may be different from a shape of a water channel in the second region 228.

Alternatively, a shape of a portion of water channels in the second region 228 may be the same as a shape of a water channel in the first region 227, and a shape of another of water channels in the second region 228 may be different from a shape of the water channel in the first region 227. Alternatively, two or more types of water channels with different shapes may exist in the second region 228, and a shape of the water channels in the second region 228 may be different from a shape of the water channel in the first region 227.

FIG. 12 illustrates a water channel of a first region, and FIG. 13 illustrates a water channel of a second region.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, a depth of each of water channels 241a, 242a, 243a, and 244a in the first region 227 may be greater than a depth of each of water channels 241b, 242b, 243b, and 244b in the second region 227.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14, a third water channel 243a of the first region 227 and a third water channel 243b of the second region 228 will be described as examples. A shape difference between third water channels in each region described below can be equally applied to first water channels, second water channels, and fourth water channels in each region.

Referring to FIG. 14a, a third water channel 243a of the first region 227 may be provided with a first blade 245.

Referring to FIG. 14b, a third water channel 243b of the second region 228 may be provided with a second blade 246.

After ice making is completed, there is a possibility that ice generated in two adjacent ice making cells may be connected to each other. The blades 245 and 246 serve to separate the two connected ices when a twisting force is applied to the ice tray 210 during an Ice separation process.

In order for water to be smoothly distributed in the first region 227, a depth bh1 of a third water channel 243a of the first region 227 may be greater than a depth bh2 of a third water channel 243b of the second region 228.

In order to minimize a difference in ice separation force between ice making cells, a width bw1 (for example, a maximum width) of a first blade 245 in the first region 227 may be greater than a width bw2 (for example, the maximum width) of a second blade 246 in the second region 228.

In this case, a width rw1 (for example, a maximum width) of a third water channel 243a in the first region 227 may be the same as a width rw2 (for example, a maximum width) of a third water channel 243b in the second region 228.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 15, when the ice tray 210 rotates during an ice separation process, a force for ice separation is generated by a twisting of the ice tray 210. At this time, an ice separation force is greater in a portion of the ice tray 210 that is farther away than in a portion near the connector 212.

If there are portions in the ice tray 210 that has a different ice separation forec, there is a possibility that a malfunction of ice separation may occur in a portion where an ice separation force is low.

In this specification, an angle formed by a cell wall forming an ice making cell 230 and a vertical line v1 may be called as a taper. At this time, if the taper is large, the ice separation force may be large. On the other hand, if the taper is large, a volume of an ice making cell may be reduced.

From a perspective of an ice separation force, it is advantageous to increase the taper of all cell walls, but in this case, a volume of the ice making cell is reduced, so that an ice making amount when ice making is completed once may be reduced.

Therefore, in order to minimize a reduction in the ice making amount while improving an ice separation reliability, a taper of a cell wall 227a in the first region 227 may be greater than a taper of a cell wall 228a in the second region 228. That is, a shape of a cell wall of the first region 227 may be different from a shape of a cell wall of the second region 228.

In this case, an ice separation force in a first region 227 disposed close to the connector 212 may be increased, thereby ensuring an ice separation reliability.

Meanwhile, the ice tray 210 may further include a blocking wall 215, 216 for preventing water overflow. One blocking wall 215 may be disposed around the connector 212, and another blocking wall 216 may be disposed around the shaft 212.

According to this embodiment, there is an advantage in that water may be evenly distributed to ice making cells in a ice tray.

In addition, there is an advantage in that a rotational trajectory of the ice tray with a temperature sensor installed may be reduced while allowing water to be smoothly distributed to ice making cells.

In addition, an ice separation force in a portion of the ice tray disposed adjacent to a driver can be increased, so that an overall ice separation reliability in an ice tray can be improved.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of an ice tray according to another embodiment.

This embodiment is identical to a previous embodiment in other parts, but is characterized in that a water channel is formed in some of second cell walls forming second ice making cells of a second row. Therefore, only characteristic parts of this embodiment will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 16, in this embodiment, the ice tray 210a may be divided into a first region 227 disposed close to a connector 212 and a second region 228 disposed far from the connector 212.

In order to ensure that water supplied to one ice making cell of the second region 228 is smoothly distributed to the first region 227, particularly, a second row 224 of the first region 227, a water channel 245 (a fifth water channel) may be formed in a second cell wall 234b forming a second ice making cell of the first region 227. Of course, a water channel may not be formed in a second cell wall forming the second ice making cell of the second region 228.