REFRIGERATOR

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a by-pass continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2025/013644, filed on Sep. 4, 2025, which is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0180461, filed on Dec. 6, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An embodiment of the disclosure relates to a refrigerator and, more specifically, to an ice-making assembly included in a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a refrigerator is a device that cools and stores food using a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The refrigerator may include an ice-making assembly positioned inside the storage compartment and configured to produce ice.

The ice-making assembly may include an ice-making tray forming a space where ice is generated, an ejector separating the ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket formed to store the ice separated from the ice-making tray. The ice-making assembly may further include a controller configured to control the overall ice-making process, thereby enabling the ice-making assembly to automatically produce ice and separate the generated ice.

The ice-making tray may include two trays disposed to be coupled to each other. When the two trays are coupled to each other, a space where ice is generated may be formed.

The ice-making assembly may further include a heater for controlling the transparency of the ice formed by the ice-making operation and for removing residual ice during the ice releasing process after the ice-making operation. However, when the heater is disposed on a portion of the rear surface of the ice-making tray, the ice positioned adjacent to the heater may have decreased transparency, and the shape of the ice may not be uniformly formed.

The above-described information may be provided as related art for the purpose of helping understanding of the disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing is applicable as background art in relation to the disclosure.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Solution to Problems

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide an ice-making assembly including a buffer cell formed separately from the space where ice is formed.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a heater disposed to cover at least a portion of the rear surface of the buffer cell.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide an ejector formed to release the ice formed inside the tray together with the ice formed inside the buffer cell.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may comprise a storage compartment, a water supply unit configured to supply water from an external water source, an ice-making assembly inside the storage compartment, the ice-making assembly including a cover housing, a first case connected to a side of the cover housing, a second case connected to the side of the cover housing and facing the first case, a first tray receivable in the first case, a second tray receivable in the second case, wherein the first tray and the second tray are configured to, with the first tray received in the first case and the second tray received in the second case, form an ice-making cell, a buffer cell under the ice-making cell, and a bridge forming a path for water to move between the ice-making cell and the buffer cell, an inlet unit mounted on the cover housing and forming a path for supplying water from the water supply unit into the ice-making cell, and a heater adjacent to a buffer cell and configured to heat the buffer cell, and a cooling unit configured to cool water in the ice-making cell and the buffer cell to form ice in the ice-making cell and the buffer cell.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may comprise a storage compartment, a water supply unit configured to supply water from an external water source, an ice-making assembly inside the storage compartment, the ice-making assembly including a cover housing, a first case connected to a side of the cover housing, a second case connected to the side of the cover housing and facing the first case, a first tray receivable in the first case, a second tray receivable in the second case wherein the first tray and the second tray are configured to, with the first tray received in the first case and the second tray received in the second case, form a first ice-making cell, a second ice-making cell adjacent to the first ice-making cell, a third ice-making cell adjacent to the first ice-making cell opposite the second ice-making cell, a first buffer cell under the first ice-making cell, a second buffer cell connected to the first buffer cell, a third buffer cell connected to the first buffer cell opposite the second buffer cell, a first bridge connecting the first ice-making cell and the first buffer cell, a second bridge connecting the second ice-making cell and the second buffer cell and inclined with respect to the first bridge, and a third bridge connecting the third ice-making cell and the third buffer cell and inclined with respect to the first bridge, an inlet unit mounted on the cover housing and forming a path for supplying water from the water supply unit into the first ice-making cell, a heater adjacent to the first buffer cell, the second buffer cell, and the third buffer cell and configured to heat the first buffer cell, the second buffer cell and the third buffer cell, and a cooling unit configured to cool water in the first ice-making cell, the second ice-making cell, the third ice-making cell, the first buffer cell, the second buffer cell, and the third buffer cell to form ice in the first ice-making cell, the second ice-making cell, the third ice-making cell, the first buffer cell, the second buffer cell, and the third buffer cell.

The disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but various modifications or changes may rather be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion of a refrigerator in the vicinity of portion P of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an ice-making assembly 100 included in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an ice-making assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ice-making assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an ice-making assembly in a first state according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating an ice-making assembly in a second state according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6C is a perspective view illustrating an ice-making assembly in a third state according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first block, a first pressing unit, and a heater included in an ice-making assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first block, a first pressing unit, and a heater included in an ice-making assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a front view illustrating a first block viewed from the front according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a front view illustrating a first block viewed from the front according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a path of water movement in a first block according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a portion of a first block and a first heater implemented as a heat-generating resin according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a portion of a first block and a second heater implemented as a heating wire according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a releasing process of ice generated when an ice-making assembly is in a second state according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a releasing process of ice generated when an ice-making assembly is in a third state according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a first block included in an ice-making assembly viewed from the rear direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view illustrating the vicinity of portion C of FIG. 13 to illustrate a fastening structure for coupling a first case and a first tray included in a first block according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates the appearance of ice generated by an ice-making assembly to show the transparency and degree of bubble formation of the ice in an embodiment and a comparative example according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a table comparing and summarizing the characteristics of ice in the embodiment and the comparative example of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the disclosure to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

In the disclosure, the directions are described based on the refrigerator.

However, in the disclosure, “forward/backward direction,” “left/right direction,” and “up/down direction” may be used based on the illustrated drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited thereby.

According to an embodiment, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. Some of the plurality of entities may be separately disposed in different components.

The refrigerator described below (e.g., the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1) may be understood as being exemplarily illustrated to aid in the understanding of the disclosure, and it may be understood that various modifications may be implemented. Further, in some of the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of some components are exaggerated, rather than on their actual scale, to aid in understanding the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion of the configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the state where the ice-making housing 110 and the ice bucket 60 are disposed in the freezer compartment 22, with the mounting frame 70 omitted for illustration purposes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 may include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 provided inside the main body 10, and a door formed to open and close the storage compartment 20.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 of the disclosure is exemplified as a bottom mounted freezer (BMF) type refrigerator 1, in which a refrigerator compartment 21 is provided at the top and a freezer compartment 22 is provided at the bottom. However, the technical spirit of the disclosure is not limited thereto and may be applied to various types of refrigerators 1, such as top mounted freezer (TMF), French door refrigerator (FDR), 4DOOR, and side by side (SBS) type refrigerators 1.

According to an embodiment, the storage compartment 20 may include a refrigerator compartment 21 and a freezer compartment 22.

According to an embodiment, at least one shelf 12 for loading food or items may be installed inside the refrigerator compartment 21. Further, a storage container (not illustrated) for storing fresh foods may also be installed.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 21 may be opened and closed by a refrigerator compartment door 30, and the refrigerator compartment door 30 may be rotatably disposed on the main body 10. The refrigerator compartment door 30 may be configured to open and close the open front of the refrigerator compartment 21. For example, the refrigerator compartment door 30 may be hinged to the main body 10 to be rotatable forward.

According to an embodiment, the freezer compartment 22 may be opened and closed by a freezer compartment door 40. The freezer compartment door 40 may be rotatably disposed on the main body 10. The freezer compartment door 40 may be configured to open and close the open front of the freezer compartment 22. The freezer compartment door 40 may be hinged to the main body 10 to be rotatable forward.

According to an embodiment, a door guard 13 for storing items may be installed on the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment door 30 and the freezer compartment door 40. A plurality of door guards 13 may be provided.

According to an embodiment, the interior of the refrigerator 1 may be cooled by a freezing cycle to maintain a low-temperature state. Although not specifically illustrated, the freezing cycle may be formed to supply refrigerant independently to the refrigerator compartment 21 and the freezer compartment 22. The refrigerator 1 includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant and a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant, and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser may be supplied along a flow path.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a mounting frame 70. The mounting frame 70 may be coupled to the inner case 11 of the freezer compartment 22.

According to an embodiment, an ice-making assembly 100 for generating ice using the cold air of the freezer compartment 22 may be disposed on one side of the freezer compartment 22. Further, an ice bucket 60 provided to store ice generated from the ice-making assembly 100 may be mounted on the mounting frame 70.

According to an embodiment, the ice-making assembly 100 may generate ball-shaped ice. However, without limitations thereto, various shapes of ice may be generated corresponding to the shape of the space formed by the trays (e.g., the first tray 170 and the second tray 270 of FIG. 3) included in the ice-making assembly 100.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may further include a water supply unit 50. The water supply unit 50 may be formed to receive and deliver water from an external water source. For example, the water supply unit 50 may be formed to receive water from the outside and deliver it into the ice-making assembly 100. The water supply unit 50 may communicate with the storage compartment 20 by passing through the inner case 11 of the refrigerator 1. To this end, a portion of the water supply unit 50 may be embedded in insulation, and one end of the water supply unit 50 may be disposed to be exposed to the storage compartment 20 of the refrigerator 1.

According to an embodiment, when the ice-making assembly 100 generates ice, to enhance the transparency of the ice and to generate the shape of the ice closer to a spherical shape, the ice-making assembly 100 of the disclosure may include buffer cells (e.g., the buffer cell 175 of FIG. 8A) formed in the first tray 170 and the second tray 270. The buffer cells 175 may be positioned under the ice-making cells (e.g., the first ice-making cell 172 and the second ice-making cell 272 of FIG. 5) formed to produce ball ice. The buffer cell 175 may form a space where water supplied from the water supply unit 50 to the ice-making assembly 100 is primarily stored. When water is stored in the buffer cell 175 beyond a predetermined amount, the water may move from the buffer cell 175 to the ice-making cells 172, 272.

According to an embodiment, when the ice-making assembly 100 generates ice, the ice-making assembly 100 may include a heater (e.g., the heater 500 of FIG. 4) to easily release ice formed in the first tray 170 and the second tray 270 and to easily remove remaining ice pieces (hereinafter referred to as residual ice) left in the first tray 170 and the second tray 270.

According to an embodiment, the heater 500 may be installed near the first tray 170 and/or the second tray 270. For example, the heater 500 may be installed at either the first tray 170 or the second tray 270, or the heater 500 may be installed at both the first tray 170 and the second tray 270.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 and/or the second tray 270 may be heated by the heater 500. For example, due to the heating of the first tray 170 and/or the second tray 270 by the heater 500, air bubbles may be present in the ice generated at a location adjacent to the heater 500, or ice of a shape different from the shape corresponding to the ice-making cells 172, 272 may be generated, or ice of a size different from the size of the shape corresponding to the ice-making cell may be generated.

The ice-making assembly 100 of the disclosure, described below, includes the buffer cell 175, and the heater 500 may be installed near the buffer cell 175. The heater 500 is configured to heat the ice generated in the buffer cell 175, thereby enhancing the transparency of the ice formed in the ice-making cells 172, 272 and generating the shape of the ice formed in the ice-making cells 172, 272 to be closer to a sphere. The description of FIG. 3 below focuses primarily on the structure and function of the ice-making assembly 100 of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an ice-making assembly 100 included in a refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an ice-making assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the ice-making assembly 100 may include a cover housing 120. The cover housing 120 may be provided to be coupled with the ice-making housing (e.g., the ice-making housing 110 of FIG. 2) inside the ice-making housing 110. The cover housing 120 may be provided in a box shape with one side and the bottom open.

According to an embodiment, the cover housing 120 may form the overall exterior of the ice-making assembly 100 and may be disposed to surround the first block 101 and the second block 102. The cover housing 120 may include a main housing 123 and an upper cover 121 disposed on the upper side or in the upper direction (e.g. z1 direction) of the main housing 123.

According to an embodiment, the main housing 123 may form a box-shaped space for receiving the first block 101 and the second block 102. For example, the main housing 123 may be formed so that the front and rear (e.g., x1 or x2 direction) where the first block 101 and the second block 102 move are open, and the lower direction (e.g., z2 direction) for removing the ice produced in the ice-making assembly 100 is open.

According to an embodiment, the ice-making assembly 100 may include an inlet unit 130. The inlet unit 130 may be mounted on one surface of the cover housing 120. For example, the inlet unit 130 may be mounted on the upper side of the upper cover 121. The inlet unit 130 may be provided to allow water supplied from the water supply unit 50 to move inside the cover housing 120. In other words, the inlet unit 130 may be provided to allow water supplied from the water supply unit 50 to move inside the space formed by the first tray 170 and the second tray 270.

According to an embodiment, the ice-making assembly 100 may include the cover housing 120 and the first block 101 and the second block 102, which are disposed to be fixed to the cover housing 120 and formed to move mutually. The ice-making assembly 100 may further include a first pressing unit 150 configured to press the first block 101 by the movement of the first block 101 and a second pressing unit 250 configured to press the second block 102 by the movement of the second block 102.

According to an embodiment, the first block 101 may include a first case 140, a first tray 170 disposed to be received in the first case 140, and a first fixing frame 190 formed to fix the first case 140 and the first tray 170.

According to an embodiment, the second block 102 may include a second case 240, a second tray 270 disposed to be received in the second case 240, and a second fixing frame 290 formed to fix the second case 240 and the second tray 270.

According to an embodiment, the ice-making assembly 100 may form an ice-making space (e.g., the first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2 of FIG. 5) by the mutual movement of the first block 101 and the second block 102, which are disposed to face each other. For example, due to the tight contact of the first block 101 and the second block 102, a first ice-making space s1 for forming ball ice and a second ice-making space s2 for forming buffer ice may be formed.

According to an embodiment, the ice-making assembly 100 may be formed so that the first block 101 and the second block 102 are spaced apart from each other to take out (e.g., release) the produced ice and store it in an ice bucket 60. For example, in the process of spacing apart the first block 101 and the second block 102, the first pressing unit 150 and the second pressing unit 250 may press the first tray 170 and the second tray 270, respectively, to remove the ice (e.g., ball ice and buffer ice) formed in the first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2.

According to an embodiment, the first case 140 may be formed on one surface of the cover housing 120. For example, the first case 140 may be integrally formed with the cover housing 120 or may be separately configured to be disposed to be coupled to one surface of the cover housing 120.

According to an embodiment, the first case 140 may receive the first tray 170. For example, the first case 140 may include a first tray receiving portion (e.g., the first tray receiving portion 142 of FIG. 7A) formed to receive the first tray 170. The first tray receiving portion 142 may be provided to receive first ice-making cells 172 and first buffer cells 175 formed in the first tray 170. The first tray receiving portion 142 may be provided corresponding to the numbers of the first ice-making cells 172 and the first buffer cells 175.

According to an embodiment, the first case 140 may have a first through hole 142a formed therein. The first through hole 142a may be formed by cutting a portion of the first tray receiving portion 142. The first through hole 142a may be formed to allow a first ejecting pin 152 included in a first pressing unit 150 to pass therethrough.

According to an embodiment, the first case 140 may have a second through hole 145a formed therein. The second through hole 145a may be formed by cutting a portion of the first tray receiving portion 142. The second through hole 145a may be formed to allow a second ejecting pin 155 included in the first pressing unit 150 to pass therethrough.

According to an embodiment, the first pressing unit 150 may be formed to press the first tray 170. For example, the first pressing unit 150 may press the first tray 170 to remove ice formed in the first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2.

According to an embodiment, the first pressing unit 150 may include a body 151, a first ejecting pin 152, and a second ejecting pin 155, which are formed to protrude toward the first tray 170 (e.g., in the x2 direction) from the body 151. For example, the first ejecting pin 152 may be formed to press the first ice-making cell 172. For example, the second ejecting pin 155 may be formed to press the first buffer cell 175.

According to an embodiment, the first pressing unit 150 may further include legs 153. The legs 153 may be disposed on two opposite sides of the body 151. For example, the legs 153 may be disposed parallel to the moving direction of the first pressing unit 150 (e.g., in the x1 or x2 direction). The legs 153 may be disposed on two opposite sides of the cover housing 120 and may be connected to one side of the second case 240.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 may be disposed inside the ice-making housing 110. For example, the first tray 170 may be mounted inside the cover housing 120.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 may be formed of a material having elasticity. For example, the first tray 170 may be composed of a material including at least one of silicone, synthetic rubber, and urethane.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 may receive water from the water supply unit 50. The first tray 170 may include a guide portion 171 to guide the water supplied from the water supply unit 50 into the ice-making cell inside the first tray 170 through the inlet unit 130. The guide portion 171 may be formed on the upper side of the first tray 170.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 may include a first ice-making cell (ice cell) 172 provided to form a portion of the ice. The first ice-making cell 172 may be formed by recessing or removing a portion of the first tray 170. For example, the first ice-making cell 172 may be provided in a substantially hemispherical shape. Although three first ice-making cells 172 are illustrated and described, it is not limited to the illustrated number, and the number of the first ice-making cells 172 is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 may include a first buffer cell (buffer cell) 175. The first buffer cell 175 may be disposed under the first ice-making cell 172. The first buffer cell 175 may be connected by a first bridge 173 with the first ice-making cell 172. By being connected by the first bridge 173, the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175 allow the water supplied from the water supply unit 50 to move from the first buffer cell 175 toward the first ice-making cell 172.

The first ice-making cell 172, the first buffer cell 175, and the first bridge 173 included in the first tray 170 is described below with reference to FIG. 7A.

According to an embodiment, a first fixing frame 190 may be formed to couple the first tray 170 with the first case 140. For example, the first fixing frame 190 may be fixed to one surface of the cover housing 120 in a state in which the first tray 170 and the first case 140 are coupled.

According to an embodiment, the first fixing frame 190 may be formed to support the edge of the first tray 170. The first fixing frame 190 may reinforce the insufficient rigidity of the first tray 170 as the material of the first tray 170 is composed of an elastic material.

According to an embodiment, the ice-making assembly 100 may include a first heater 500. For example, the first heater 500 may be disposed between the first tray 170 and the first case 140. For example, the heater may be disposed between the first tray 170 and the cover housing 120.

According to an embodiment, the heater may be implemented as a heat-generating resin. For example, the heat-generating resin may include a heat-generating plate having a predetermined area (e.g., the heat-generating plate 510 of FIG. 7A), and may be configured to generate heat when a predetermined level of current is applied to the first heater. The heater implemented as the heat-generating resin may be referred to as a first heater (e.g., the first heater 500 of FIG. 7A).

According to an embodiment, the heater 500 may be disposed between the first tray 170 and the cover housing 120, and may be disposed on the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175. The heater 500 may be configured to heat the first buffer cell 175 to a predetermined temperature.

According to an embodiment, the heater may also be implemented as a heating wire. For example, the heating wire may be configured to generate heat when a predetermined level of current is applied. The heater implemented as the heating wire may be referred to as a second heater (e.g., the second heater 600 of FIG. 10).

The shape and heat-generating principle of the first heater 500 are described below with reference to FIG. 7A and its subsequent figures.

According to an embodiment, the second block 102 may be provided to be movable in the cover housing 120.

According to an embodiment, the second block 102 may include a second case 240, a second tray 270 disposed to be received in the second case 240, a second pressing unit 250 formed to press the second tray 270, and a second fixing frame 290 formed to fix the second case 240 and the second tray 270.

According to an embodiment, the components (e.g., the second case 240, the second tray 270, the second pressing unit 250, and the second fixing frame 290) included in the second block 102 may respectively correspond to the components included in the first block 101. For example, the second case 240 may correspond to the first case 140. For example, the second tray 270 may correspond to the first tray 170. For example, the second pressing unit 250 may correspond to the first pressing unit 150. For example, the second fixing frame 290 may correspond to the first fixing frame 190. Each component included in the second block 102 may be substantially the same in shape and function as each component included in the first block 101. Therefore, the description of each component included in the first block 101 may be applied to each component included in the second block 102.

According to an embodiment, the second case 240 may be formed on one surface of the cover housing 120. For example, the second case 240 may be integrally formed with the cover housing 120, or may be separately configured and disposed to be coupled to one surface of the cover housing 120.

According to an embodiment, the second case 240 may receive the second tray 270. For example, the second case 240 may include a second tray receiving portion 242 formed to receive the second tray 270.

According to an embodiment, the second case 240 may have a first through hole 242a formed therein. The first through hole 242a may be formed by cutting a portion of the first tray receiving portion. The first through hole 242a may be formed to allow a first ejecting pin 252 included in the second pressing unit 250 to pass therethrough.

According to an embodiment, the second case 240 may have a second through hole 245a formed therein. The second through hole 245a may be formed by cutting a portion of the second tray receiving portion. The second through hole 245a may be formed to allow a second ejecting pin 255 included in the second pressing unit 250 to pass therethrough.

According to an embodiment, the second pressing unit 250 may be formed to press the second tray 270. For example, the second pressing unit 250 may press the second tray 270 to remove ice formed in the first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2.

According to an embodiment, the second pressing unit 250 may include a body 251 and a first ejecting pin 252 and a second ejecting pin 255 formed to protrude from the body 251 toward the second tray 270 (e.g., in the x1 direction). For example, the first ejecting pin 252 may be formed to press the second ice cell 272. For example, the second ejecting pin 255 may be formed to press the second buffer cell 275.

According to an embodiment, the second tray 270 may be disposed inside the ice-making housing 110. For example, the second tray 270 may be mounted inside the cover housing 120.

According to an embodiment, the second tray 270 may be formed of a material having elasticity. For example, the second tray 270 may be composed of a material including at least one of silicone, synthetic rubber, and urethane.

According to an embodiment, the second tray 270 may receive water from the water supply unit 50. The second tray 270 may include a guide portion 271 so that the water supplied from the water supply unit 50 flows into the ice-making cell inside the second tray 270 through the inlet unit 130. The guide portion 271 may be formed on the upper side of the second tray 270.

According to an embodiment, the second tray 270 may include a second ice cell 272 provided to form a portion of the ice. The second ice cell 272 may be formed by recessing or removing a portion of the second tray 270. For example, the second ice cell 272 may be provided in a substantially hemispherical shape. Although three second ice cells 272 are illustrated and described, it is not limited to the illustrated number, and the number of the second ice cells 272 is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the second tray 270 may include a second buffer cell 275. The second buffer cell 275 may be disposed under the second ice cell 272. The second buffer cell 275 may be connected to the second ice cell 272 by the second bridge 273. By being connected by the second bridge 273, the second ice cell 272 and the second buffer cell 275 may allow the water supplied from the water supply unit 50 to move from the second buffer cell 275 toward the second ice cell 272.

According to an embodiment, the second fixing frame 290 may be formed to couple the second tray 270 with the second case 240. For example, the second fixing frame 290 may be fixed to one surface of the cover housing 120 in a state in which the second tray 270 and the second case 240 are coupled.

According to an embodiment, the second fixing frame 290 may be formed to support the edge of the second tray 270. The second fixing frame 290 may reinforce the insufficient rigidity of the second tray 270 as the material of the second tray 270 is composed of an elastic material.

According to an embodiment, the ice-making assembly 100 may further include a driving unit 300, a pinion 310, a bar 320, a rack gear 330, and an elastic member 340.

According to an embodiment, the driving unit 300 may be provided to generate power. For example, various electrical components such as a motor and a circuit board may be disposed inside the driving unit 300. For example, the driving unit 300 may be coupled to the cover housing 120.

For example, the pinion 310 may be coupled to the driving unit 300 to transfer power generated from the driving unit 300. For example, a pair of pinions 310 may be provided. The pair of pinions 310 may be connected by the bar 320. For example, the pair of pinions 310 may be respectively connected to two opposite sides of the bar 320. The pinion 310 may be formed to rotate according to the driving of the driving unit 300. For example, the pinion 310 may be provided in a toothed shape to engage with the rack gear 330.

According to an embodiment, the rack gear 330 may be formed to be movable with respect to the cover housing 120. For example, based on the rotational movement of the pinion 310, the rack gear 330 may be moved linearly.

According to an embodiment, the rack gear 330 may include a support portion supported by the cover housing 120 and a toothed portion formed on an upper surface of the support portion. For example, by the engagement of the toothed portion of the rack gear 330 and a pinion 310, the rack gear 330 may be configured to move in a horizontal direction (e.g., x1 or x2 direction) relative to the cover housing 120.

According to an embodiment, the pinion 310 and the rack gear 330 may engage to convert rotational movement of the driving unit 300 into linear movement. However, the structure is not limited to the illustrated structure, and various structures capable of converting rotational movement into linear movement may be applied.

According to an embodiment, the elastic member 340 may be configured to connect the rack gear 330 and the second case 240. In other words, the rack gear 330 and the second case 240 may be connected by the elastic member 340. For example, the elastic member 340 may be implemented as a coil spring but, without limitations thereto, may be implemented as various components providing an elastic force in a predetermined direction.

According to an embodiment, as the rack gear 330 receives power from the driving unit 300 and moves, the second case 240 may move in a horizontal direction (e.g., x1 or x2 direction) relative to the cover housing 120 in conjunction therewith. For example, the second tray 270 and the second case 240 may move linearly relative to the cover housing 120 by the rack gear 330.

According to an embodiment, the second case 240 may be moved together with the second tray 270 and the second fixing frame 290, and the second tray 270 may move horizontally relative to the first tray 170. As a result, the first block 101 and the second block 102 may move relative to each other to either contact or separate during an ice-making process and an ice-releasing process.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ice-making assembly (e.g., the ice-making assembly 100 of FIG. 3) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 3. For example, FIG. 5 may be understood as a cross-sectional view for focusing on a first ice-making space s1 formed by a first ice-making cell 172 and a second ice-making cell 272, and a second ice-making space s2 formed by a first buffer cell 175 and a second buffer cell 275.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ice-making assembly 100 may form a state in which a first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) and a second block (e.g., the second block 102 of FIG. 4) are in tight contact for ice-making. This state is referred to as a “first state.”

According to an embodiment, in the first state, due to the tight contact of the first block 101 and the second block 102, the ice-making assembly 100 may form a space for ice formation. For example, the first ice-making space s1 may be formed by the first ice-making cell 172 and the second ice-making cell 272. For example, the second ice-making space s2 may be formed by the first buffer cell 175 and the second buffer cell 275.

According to an embodiment, in the first state, water may be supplied to guide portions 171, 172 of the first tray 170 and the second tray 270.

According to an embodiment, water may be stored in the first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2, and ice may be produced by the cooling of the water. For example, ice produced in the first ice-making space s1 may be referred to as “ball ice.” For example, ice produced in the second ice-making space s2 may be referred to as “buffer ice.”

According to an embodiment, the second ice-making space s2 may be positioned under the first ice-making space s1. The first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2 may be connected by a bridge (e.g., the bridge 173 of FIG. 8A). For example, water supplied by a water supply unit (e.g., the water supply unit 50 of FIG. 2) may be primarily stored in the second ice-making space s2, and after all spaces of the second ice-making space s2 are filled with water, water may secondarily be stored in the first ice-making space s1.

According to an embodiment, as the second ice-making space s2 for producing buffer ice is separately formed, the ice-making assembly 100 of the disclosure may enhance the transparency of ball ice produced in the first ice-making space s1 and may produce ball ice having a shape close to a sphere. For example, by placing a heater (e.g., the heater 500 of FIG. 4) near the second ice-making space s2, ice may be produced so that dissolved gases are gathered in the buffer ice produced inside the second ice-making space s2, enhancing the transparency and shape quality of the ball ice.

According to an embodiment, the volume of the first ice-making space s1 formed by the first ice-making cell 172 and the second ice-making cell 272 may be relatively larger than the volume of the second ice-making space s2 formed by the first buffer cell 175 and the second buffer cell 275.

According to an embodiment, as the volume of the second ice-making space s2 increases, the quality of the ball ice formed in the first ice-making space s1 may be enhanced. However, when the volume of the second ice-making space s2 becomes excessively large, the size of the first buffer cell 175 and the second buffer cell 275 may increase, causing the ice-making assembly 100 to excessively occupy the interior of a freezer compartment (e.g., the freezer compartment 22 of FIG. 1). Therefore, the volume of the second ice-making space s2 may be set considering the above-described requirements. For example, the volume of the second ice-making space s2 may be 7% to 100% of the volume of the first ice-making space s1.

According to an embodiment, a heater 500 may be provided to heat the second ice-making space s2. For example, the heater 500 may be disposed on the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175 and/or the second buffer cell 275. Contrary to what is illustrated, the heater 500 may be disposed on either the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175 or the rear surface of the second buffer cell 275, or may be disposed on both the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175 and the rear surface of the second buffer cell 275. For convenience of description, in the description, it is assumed that the heater 500 is disposed on the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175.

According to an embodiment, the heater 500 may be configured to heat the vicinity of the second ice-making space s2. The heater 500 may be provided to generate heat at a predetermined temperature. For example, the heater 500 may be implemented as a heat-generating resin or as a heating wire. Applicable types and configurations of the heater 500 are described below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

According to an embodiment, a first pressing unit (e.g., the first pressing unit 150 of FIG. 4) and a second pressing unit (e.g., the second pressing unit 250 of FIG. 4) may be configured to press the first tray 170 and the second tray 270, respectively, so as to remove ball ice formed in the first ice-making space s1 and buffer ice formed in the second ice-making space s2 from the ice-making assembly 100.

According to an embodiment, the first pressing unit 150 may include a first ejecting pin 152 formed to press the first ice-making cell 172 and a second ejecting pin 155 formed to press the first buffer cell 175.

According to an embodiment, the second pressing unit 250 may include a first ejecting pin 252 formed to press the second ice-making cell 272 and a second ejecting pin 255 formed to press the second buffer cell 275.

According to an embodiment, through holes may be formed in the first and second cases 140, 240 so that the first ejecting pin 152, 252 and the second ejecting pin 155, 255, which are respectively included in the first pressing unit 150 and the second pressing unit 250, may press the first and second ice-making cells 172, 272 and the first and second buffer cells 175, 275, respectively. For example, in the first case 140, a first through hole 142a may be formed at a point corresponding to the center of the first ice-making cell 172. For example, in the first case 140, a second through hole 145a may be formed at a point corresponding to the center of the first buffer cell 175. For example, in the second case 240, a first through hole may be formed at a point corresponding to the center of the second ice-making cell 272. For example, in the second case 240, a second through hole may be formed at a point corresponding to the center of the second buffer cell 275.

According to an embodiment, a through hole 510a may be formed in the heater 500 so that the second ejecting pin 155 included in the first pressing unit 150 may press the first buffer cell 175. For example, the through hole 510a may be formed at a point corresponding to the second through hole 145a formed in the first case 140.

According to an embodiment, a pressing unit cover 160 may be formed to receive the first pressing unit 150. For example, the pressing unit cover 160 may limit the movement range of the first pressing unit 150 when the first pressing unit 150 moves to the maximum extent in the x1 direction. The pressing unit cover may have a recessed portion 161 to accommodate the first pressing unit, when the pressing unit is at the maximum extent in the x1 direction.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an ice-making assembly (e.g., the ice-making assembly 100 of FIG. 3) in a first state according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating an ice-making assembly 100 in a second state according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view illustrating an ice-making assembly 100 in a third state according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate a process in which ice is formed in the ice-making assembly 100 and is released to be stored in an ice bucket (e.g., the ice bucket 60 of FIG. 2). To this end, a first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) and a second block (e.g., the second block 102 of FIG. 4) included in the ice-making assembly 100 may move close to or away from each other.

For convenience of description, some components included in the ice-making assembly 100 are omitted in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C. For example, the ice-making assembly 100 is illustrated without a driving unit (e.g., the driving unit 300 of FIG. 4), a cover housing (e.g., the cover housing 120 of FIG. 3), and a pressing unit cover (e.g., the pressing unit cover 160 of FIG. 4).

The embodiments of FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the first state may refer to a state in which the first block 101 and the second block 102 maintain a sealed state for ice formation in the ice-making assembly 100. For example, in the first state, the first tray 170 included in the first block 101 and the second tray 270 included in the second block 102 may maintain a contact state.

According to an embodiment, the second state may refer to a state in which the first block 101 and the second block 102, which maintain airtightness, are separated as the second block 102 moves. For example, in the second state, as the second block 102 moves in the x2 direction, the second tray 270 included in the second block 102 may be pressed by the second pressing unit 250.

According to an embodiment, in the second state, the first ejecting pin 252 and the second ejecting pin 255 included in the second pressing unit 250 respectively may press the second ice-making cell 272 and the second buffer cell 275 included in the second tray 270. For example, the first ejecting pin 252 and the second ejecting pin 255 respectively may press the second ice-making cell 272 and the second buffer cell 275 through the first through hole and the second through hole formed in the second case 240.

According to an embodiment, the third state may refer to a state in which the first block 101 and the second block 102 are spaced further apart from each other than in the second state as the first block 101 moves from the second state. For example, the third state may be defined as a state in which the first block 101 and the second block 102 are maximally spaced apart from each other. For example, in the third state, as the first block 101 moves in the x1 direction, the first tray 170 included in the first block 101 may be pressed by the first pressing unit 150.

According to an embodiment, in the third state, as the second block 102 moves, the first block 101 may move in conjunction with the second block 102. For example, as the second block 102 moves in the x2 direction, the first block 101 may move in the x1 direction. In the third state, the first block 101 and the second block 102 may be disposed to be maximally spaced apart from each other.

According to an embodiment, in the third state, the first ejecting pin 152 and the second ejecting pin 155 included in the first pressing unit 150 respectively may press the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175 included in the first tray 170. For example, the first ejecting pin 152 and the second ejecting pin 155 may press the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175 by passing through the first through hole 142a and the second through hole 145a formed in the first case 140.

According to an embodiment, as the driving unit 300, the pinion 310, the bar 320, and the rack gear 330 are operated by the driving unit 300, the ice-making assembly 100 may transition to any one of the first state to the third state. For example, by the power transferred by the driving unit 300, the second block 102 may move in the x2 direction or the x1 direction.

According to an embodiment, ice generated in the first state may fall into an ice bucket 60 in the second state or the third state. The ice bucket 60 may store ball ice formed in a first ice-making space (e.g., the first ice-making space s1 of FIG. 5) and buffer ice formed in a second ice-making space (e.g., the second ice-making space s2 of FIG. 5). The ice-making assembly 100 may generate ball ice with enhanced transparency and shape by the buffer cell 175, 275 and the heater 500 disposed adjacent to the buffer cell 175, 275.

To generate ball ice with enhanced transparency and shape, the first block 101, the first pressing unit 150, and the heater 500 included in the ice-making assembly 100 are described below with reference to FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first block 101, a first pressing unit 150 (e.g., the first pressing unit 150 of FIG. 4), a pressing unit cover 160 (e.g., the pressing unit cover 160 of FIG. 4), and a heater 500 (e.g., the heater 500 of FIG. 4) included in an ice-making assembly (e.g., the ice-making assembly 100 of FIG. 3) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first block 101, the first pressing unit 150, and the heater 500 included in the ice-making assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components in a direction in which the front surface of the first ice-making cell 172 (e.g., the first ice-making cell 172 of FIG. 4) is visible, and FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components in a direction in which the rear surface of the first ice-making cell 172 is visible.

FIGS. 7A and 7B primarily illustrate the first block 101, the first pressing unit 150, and the heater 500, and the description of the first block 101 and the first pressing unit 150 may be applied to the second block (e.g., the second block 102 of FIG. 4) and the second pressing unit 250, respectively.

The embodiments of FIGS. 7A and 7B may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first block 101 may include a first case 140, a first tray 170, and a first fixing frame 190. The first tray 170 may be received in the first case 140. The first fixing frame 190 may be disposed along the first case 140 and the edge of the first tray 170 received in the first case 140 and may fix the first case 140 to a cover housing (e.g., the cover housing 120 of FIG. 2).

According to an embodiment, the first case 140 may have a space for receiving a portion of the first tray 170 and a portion of the heater 500. For example, the first case 140 may have an ice-making cell receiving portion 142 and a heater receiving portion 145. The ice-making cell receiving portion 142 may be formed to receive the first ice-making cell 172. The heater receiving portion 145 may be formed to receive the heater 500. For example, the heater receiving portion 145 may be positioned under the ice-making cell receiving portion 142.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 may have a first ice-making cell 172 and a first buffer cell 175. The first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175 may be formed by cutting or recessing at least a portion of the first tray 170.

According to an embodiment, the heater 500 may be disposed to be received in the heater receiving portion 145 of the first case 140. For example, the rear surface of the heater 500 may be disposed to face the front surface of the heater receiving portion 145. The heater 500 may be disposed on the rear surface of the buffer cell 175 of the first tray 170. For example, the front surface of the heater 500 may be disposed to face the rear surface of the buffer cell 175.

According to an embodiment, the heater 500 may be disposed to cover at least a portion of the rear surface of the buffer cell 175. For example, the heater 500 may be configured to heat the buffer cell 175 to a predetermined temperature as a whole.

According to an embodiment, the heater 500 may include a heating plate 510, support portions 520 respectively positioned on two opposite sides of the heating plate 510, and an electrode 530 connected to one end of the support portion 520. For example, when a predetermined level of power is supplied to the electrode 530 of the heater 500, the heat-generating plate 510 may be formed to increase in temperature to heat the surroundings of the heater 500.

According to an embodiment, the heat-generating plate 510 and the support portion 520 may be implemented as a heat-generating resin. The heat-generating resin may be configured by mixing a plastic material and a heat-generating substance. For example, the heat-generating substance may be composed of a metal or a material having a predetermined resistance. For example, the heat-generating substance may be disposed in a powder form in the plastic material.

According to an embodiment, a through hole 510a may be formed in the heat-generating plate 510. The second ejecting pin 155 of the first pressing unit 150 may press the first buffer cell 175 through the through hole 510a. The through hole 510a may be formed at a point corresponding to the second through hole 145a of the first case 140.

FIG. 8A is a front view illustrating a first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) viewed from the front according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a front view illustrating a first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) viewed from the front according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B may be understood as drawings viewed from the front of the first tray 170 (e.g., the first tray 170 of FIG. 4) and the first case 140 (e.g., the first case 140 of FIG. 4) included in the first block 101, focusing on the first ice-making cell 172, the first buffer cell 175, and the bridge 173.

The embodiments of FIGS. 8A and 8B may be selectively combined with FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first tray 170 may include the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175 disposed under the first ice-making cell 172. A plurality of first ice-making cells 172 and a plurality of first buffer cells 175 may be provided. For example, the plurality of first ice-making cells 172 and first buffer cells 175 may be arranged in a horizontal direction (e.g., y1 or y2 direction). In FIGS. 8A and 8B, three first ice-making cells 172 and three first buffer cells 175 are provided, but the disclosure is not limited to the illustrated number, and one or more may be provided corresponding to the size of the ice-making assembly 100 and the size of the space in which the ice-making assembly 100 is installed.

According to an embodiment, the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175 may be connected through the bridge 173. The bridge 173 may be disposed between the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175 to form a path through which water supplied from the water supply unit (e.g., the water supply unit 50 of FIG. 2) moves.

According to an embodiment, when a plurality of first buffer cells 175 are provided, the adjacent first buffer cells 175 may be connected by a connecting portion 176. By connecting the first buffer cells 175 by the connecting portion 176, water may move between the first buffer cells 175.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 may include a guide portion 171 for introducing water supplied from the water supply unit 50. The guide portion 171 may form an inlet for introducing water supplied through the inlet unit 130 into the first tray 170.

According to an embodiment, in the first state, when water is introduced into the first tray 170, water may be primarily stored in the first buffer cell 175. When additional water is supplied after all the space in the first buffer cell 175 is filled with water, water may be secondarily stored in the first ice-making cell 172 through the bridge 173.

According to an embodiment, the heater 500 is positioned on the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175, and by heating the first buffer cell 175, bubbles caused by dissolved gas may be concentrated in the buffer ice generated in the second ice-making space (e.g., the second ice-making space s2 of FIG. 5) during the ice-making process, and the ice-making pressure may be concentrated by the heater. As a result, the transparency and shape of the ball ice generated in the first ice-making space (e.g., the first ice-making space s1 of FIG. 5), where relatively less dissolved gas is present and the ice-making pressure is decreased during the ice-making process, may be enhanced.

According to an embodiment, a portion of the bridge 173 may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the x-y plane. For example, the bridge 173 connecting the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175 positioned on two opposite sides may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the x-y plane.

According to an embodiment, as at least a portion of the bridge 173 is disposed to be inclined, when both the first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2 are filled with water and cooling begins, the water present in the bridge 173 may freeze relatively later than the water present in the first ice-making space s1, and the bubbles present in the first ice-making space s1 may be guided to move to the second ice-making space s2 through the bridge 173. For example, when the water present in the bridge 173 freezes relatively earlier, the passage for the bubbles present in the first ice-making space s1 to move to the second ice-making space s2 may be blocked.

According to an embodiment, the shape of the first buffer cell 175 may be implemented considering the easy discharge of bubbles when water is supplied from the water supply unit 50 to the first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2. For example, the upper edge near the connection of the first buffer cell 175 and the bridge 173 may be disposed to be inclined. For example, the upper edge of the first buffer cell 175 may be inclined to become lower as it moves away from the point where the first buffer cell 175 and the bridge 173 are connected. As a result, the ice-making assembly 100 may form a structure in which bubbles are easily discharged during the water supply process.

According to an embodiment, the bridge 173 and the connecting portion 176 may have a relatively narrow width compared to the first ice-making cell 172 and/or the first buffer cell 175. Accordingly, during the process of releasing ice by the ice-making assembly 100 in the second state and/or the third state, ball ice and buffer ice may fall and be separated into an ice bucket (e.g., the ice bucket 60 of FIG. 1).

According to an embodiment, the shape of the first buffer cell 175 may be implemented differently corresponding to the shape of the first ice-making cell 172 or the numbers of the first ice-making cells 172 and the first buffer cells 175 included in the ice-making assembly 100. Referring to FIG. 8B, the first buffer cells 175-1 (e.g., the first buffer cell 175 of FIG. 8A) positioned on two opposite sides may have a different shape to facilitate the removal of bubbles present in the first ice-making cell 172.

According to an embodiment, the heater 500 may be implemented differently corresponding to the shape of the first buffer cell 175, the number of the first buffer cells 175, and/or the area occupied by the first buffer cell 175.

According to an embodiment, the first tray 170 may further include a patch portion 178. The patch portion 178 may be defined as a portion surrounded by the first ice-making cell 172, the first buffer cell 175, the bridge 173, and the connection portion 176 included in the first tray 170.

According to an embodiment, when the first ejecting pin 152 and the second ejecting pin 155 included in the first pressing unit 150 press the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175, respectively, the patch portion 178 may protrude forward (e.g., in the x2 direction) by the pressing of the first ejecting pin 152 and the second ejecting pin 155. A fastening portion (e.g., the first fastening portion 179 of FIG. 13) may be formed on the rear surface of the patch portion 178 to limit the separation of the first tray 170 from the first case 140 or the twisting of the first tray 170 and to enhance the coupling force between the first tray 170 and the first case 140 when the patch portion 178 protrudes. The first fastening portion 179 may be formed to be fastened with the second fastening portion (e.g., the second fastening portion 149 of FIG. 13) formed in the first case 140. The fastening structure between the first fastening portion 179 and the second fastening portion 149 is described below with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a path through which water moves in a first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 6A. FIG. 8C illustrates the path through which water moves when water supplied from the water supply unit (e.g., the water supply unit 50 of FIG. 2) flows into the ice-making assembly 100 through the inlet unit (e.g., the inlet unit 130 of FIG. 3) in the first state where the first block 101 and the second block (e.g., the second block 102 of FIG. 4) maintain an airtight state, assuming that water is supplied in a state in which the second block 102 is omitted.

For convenience of description below, the first ice-making cell 172 disposed in the middle among the three first ice-making cells 172 is referred to as a 1-1th ice-making cell 172-1, the first ice-making cell 172 positioned on the left side (e.g., the y2 direction) of the 1-1th ice-making cell 172-1 is referred to as a 1-2th ice-making cell 172-2, and the first ice-making cell 172 positioned on the right side (e.g., the y1 direction) of the 1-1th ice-making cell 172-1 is referred to as a 1-3th ice-making cell 172-3. Similarly, the first buffer cell 175 positioned under the 1-1th ice-making cell 172-1 among the three first buffer cells 175 is referred to as a 1-1th buffer cell 175-1, the first buffer cell 175 positioned under the 1-2th ice-making cell 172-2 is referred to as a 1-2th buffer cell 175-2, and the first buffer cell 175 positioned under the 1-3th ice-making cell 172-3 is referred to as a 1-3th buffer cell 175-3. Likewise, among the three bridges 173 connecting the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175, the bridge 173 connecting the 1-1th ice-making cell 172-1 and the 1-1th buffer cell 175-1 is referred to as a first bridge 173-1, the bridge 173 connecting the 1-2th ice-making cell 172-2 and the 1-2th buffer cell 175-2 is referred to as a second bridge 173-2, and the bridge 173 connecting the 1-3th ice-making cell 172-3 and the 1-3th buffer cell 175-3 is referred to as a third bridge 173-3.

Referring to FIG. 8C, water supplied from the water supply unit 50 may flow toward the first ice-making cell 172 along the guide portion 171 along the path of F1. For example, water may flow into the 1-1th ice-making cell 172-1 positioned in the middle among the first ice-making cells 172, move in the lower direction (e.g., in the z 2 direction) along the 1-1th bridge 173-1, and move to the 1-1th buffer cell 175-1 positioned in the middle among the first buffer cells 175.

According to an embodiment, water moved to the 1-1th buffer cell 175-1 along the path of F1 may be branched to the 1-2th buffer cell 175-2 and the 1-3th buffer cell 175-3 along the paths of F2 and F2′ by the additionally supplied water. Water present in the 1-1th buffer cell 175-1 may move to the 1-2th buffer cell 175-2 and the 1-3th buffer cell 175-3 through the connection portions 176 connected to two opposite sides of the 1-1th buffer cell 175-1.

According to an embodiment, water stored in the first buffer cell 175 along the paths of F2 and F2′ may full the 1-1th ice-making cell 172-1, the 1-2th ice-making cell 172-2, and the 1-3th ice-making cell 172-3 along the paths of F3, F3′, and F3″ by the additionally supplied water. For example, when water is additionally supplied from the water supply unit 50 in a state in which the first buffer cell 175 is filled with water, water may fill the 1-1th ice-making cell 172-1, the 1-2th ice-making cell 172-2, and the 1-3th ice-making cell 172-3 along the 1-1th bridge 173-1, the 1-2th bridge 173-2, and the 1-3th bridge 173-3.

According to an embodiment, when water reaches a threshold level in the first ice-making space s1 and the second ice-making space s2 formed inside the first tray 170, the heater (e.g., the first heater 500 of FIG. 9 or the second heater 600 of FIG. 10) may be operated while ice-making starts. During the ice-making process, the heater 500, 600 may be operated to heat the first buffer cell 175 to a predetermined temperature. By heating the second ice-making space s2 to the predetermined temperature during the ice-making process, the ice-making assembly 100 may enhance the transparency of the ball ice generated in the first ice-making space s1 and produce the shape of the ball ice in a substantially spherical shape.

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a portion of a first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) and a first heater 500 implemented as a heat-generating resin according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a portion of a first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) and a second heater 600 implemented as a heating wire according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 9 and 10 may be understood as illustrating a state in which a portion of the configuration of the first block 101 is removed in FIGS. 8A and 8B to illustrate the heater 500, 600 included in the ice-making assembly (e.g., the ice-making assembly 100 of FIG. 3). For example, FIGS. 9 and 10 may be understood as front views illustrating a state in which the first tray (e.g., the first tray 172 of FIG. 7A) is removed in FIG. 8A or 8B.

The embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 may be selectively combined with the embodiment of FIGS. 7A, 7b, 8A, and 8B.

Referring to FIG. 9, a first case 140 may include a first tray receiving portion 142 formed to receive a first ice-making cell (e.g., the first ice-making cell 172 of FIG. 7A) and a heater receiving portion 145 formed to receive a heater 500 (e.g., the heater receiving portion 145 of FIG. 7A).

According to an embodiment, a first through hole 142a may be formed in the first tray receiving portion 142 to allow a first ejecting pin 152 (e.g., the first ejecting pin 152 of FIG. 7A) for pressing the first ice-making cell 172 to pass therethrough. A second through hole 145a may be formed in the heater receiving portion 145 to allow a second ejecting pin 155 (e.g., the second ejecting pin 155 of FIG. 7A) for pressing a first buffer cell (e.g., the first buffer cell 175 of FIG. 7A) to pass therethrough.

According to an embodiment, a first heater 500 may be disposed on the rear surface of a first buffer cell (e.g., the buffer cell 175 of FIG. 7A). The first heater 500 may be seated in the heater receiving portion 145 formed in the first case (e.g., the first case 140 of FIG. 4).

According to an embodiment, the first heater 500 may be implemented as a heat-generating substance. For example, the first heater 500 may be implemented as a heat-generating resin, and be to generate heat to heat the surroundings when a predetermined voltage is applied.

According to an embodiment, the first heater 500 may include a heat-generating plate 510 formed to cover the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175 and to heat the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175. The heat-generating plate 510 may be produced by applying metal particles in powder form to a polymer material.

According to an embodiment, the heat-generating plate 510 included in the first heater 500 may be disposed to cover at least a portion of the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175 and, when a predetermined voltage is applied through an electrode (e.g., the electrode 530 of FIG. 7A) included in the heater 500, the heat-generating plate 510 may be heated to heat the first buffer cell 175.

According to an embodiment, as the first heater 500 is disposed in the vicinity of the first buffer cell 175 to heat the first buffer cell 175, when the ice-making assembly 100 generates ice in the first state, the dissolved gas in the water stored in the first ice-making space (e.g., the first ice-making space s1 of FIG. 5) may be moved to the second ice-making space (e.g., the second ice-making space s2 of FIG. 5), thereby allowing the ice-making assembly 100 to enhance the transparency of ball ice generated in the first ice-making space s1 and to produce ball ice having a shape substantially close to a sphere.

Although not illustrated, the first heater 500 may additionally be disposed on the rear surface of the second buffer cell (e.g., the second buffer cell 275 of FIG. 5) to heat the vicinity of the second buffer cell 275. Further, the first heater 500 may be disposed on either the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175 or the rear surface of the second buffer cell 275.

Referring to FIG. 10, the second heater 600 may be disposed on the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175 in place of the first heater 500. The second heater 600 may be implemented as a heating wire, which is formed to generate heat when a predetermined voltage is applied, thereby heating the surroundings.

According to an embodiment, the second heater 600 may be disposed in the vicinity of the first buffer cell 175 to heat the first buffer cell 175. For example, the second heater 600 may be disposed along the edge of the heater receiving portion 145. However, the second heater 600 is not limited thereto and may be disposed in various ways in the space provided by the heater receiving portion 145. For example, the second heater 600 may be disposed in at least a portion of the space provided by the heater receiving portion 145 to cover at least a portion of the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175.

Although not illustrated, the second heater 600 may additionally be disposed on the rear surface of the second buffer cell (e.g., the second buffer cell 275 of FIG. 5) to heat the vicinity of the second buffer cell 275. Further, the second heater 500 may be disposed on either the rear surface of the first buffer cell 175 or the rear surface of the second buffer cell 275.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of releasing ice generated when an ice-making assembly (e.g., the ice-making assembly 100 of FIG. 3) is in a second state according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of releasing ice generated when the ice-making assembly 100 is in a third state according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an ice releasing process for removing ice generated by the ice-making assembly 100 into the ice bucket 60, where FIG. 11 may be understood as a cross-sectional view in the y1 direction in a state in which the ice-making assembly 100 in the second state illustrated in FIG. 6B is cut along the x1-x2 axis direction, and FIG. 12 may be understood as a cross-sectional view in the y1 direction in a state in which the ice-making assembly 100 in the third state illustrated in FIG. 6C is cut along the x1-x2 axis direction.

Since the components illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 may correspond to some or all of those illustrated in FIG. 5, the description of FIG. 5 may be applied.

The embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be selectively combined with the embodiment of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the ice-making assembly 100 may produce ice in a state in which the first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) and the second block (e.g., the second block 102 of FIG. 4) maintain a seal (or airtightness) in the first state. For example, the ice-making assembly 100 may produce ball ice generated in the first ice-making space s1 and buffer ice generated in the second ice-making space s2.

According to an embodiment, during the transition of the ice-making assembly 100 to the second state or the third state for releasing ice, the ball ice and buffer ice may adhere near the first tray (e.g., the first tray 170 of FIG. 4) or the second tray (e.g., the second tray 270 of FIG. 4). A first pressing unit (e.g., the first pressing unit 150 of FIG. 4) and/or a second pressing unit (e.g., the second pressing unit 250 of FIG. 4) may be configured to press the ball ice and buffer ice adhered near the first tray 170 or the second tray 270 during ice releasing.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the ice-making assembly 100 transitions from the first state to the second state, the ball ice and buffer ice may be separated from the vicinity of the second tray 270. For example, when the ice-making assembly 100 transitions from the first state to the second state, the first ejecting pin 252 included in the second pressing unit 250 may press the second ice-making cell 272 (e.g., the second ice-making cell 272 of FIG. 5), and the second ejecting pin 255 included in the second pressing unit 250 may press the second buffer cell 275 (e.g., the second buffer cell 275 of FIG. 5). As the first ejecting pin 252 and the second ejecting pin 255 press toward the second tray 270, the ball ice and buffer ice may be separated from the ice-making assembly 100.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the ice-making assembly 100 transitions from the first state to the third state, the ball ice and buffer ice may be released from the vicinity of the first tray 170. For example, when the ice-making assembly 100 transitions from the first state to the second state, the first ejecting pin 152 included in the first pressing unit 150 may press the first ice-making cell 172 (e.g., the first ice-making cell 172 of FIG. 5), and the second ejecting pin 155 included in the first pressing unit 150 may press the first buffer cell 175 (e.g., the first buffer cell 175 of FIG. 5). As the first ejecting pin 152 and the second ejecting pin 155 press toward the first tray 170, the ball ice and buffer ice may be released from the ice-making assembly 100.

Without limitations to what is illustrated, during the transition of the ice-making assembly 100 from a first state to a second state, or from a first state to a third state, the ball ice may be released from the vicinity of the first tray 170, and the buffer ice may be released from the vicinity of the second tray 270, and the ball ice may be released from the vicinity of the second tray 270, and the buffer ice may be released from the vicinity of the first tray 170. In such cases, the descriptions of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be applied.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view from the rear direction of a first block (e.g., the first block 101 of FIG. 4) included in an ice-making assembly (e.g., the ice-making assembly 100 of FIG. 3) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view illustrating the vicinity of portion C in FIG. 13 to illustrate a fastening structure for coupling a first case (e.g., the first case 140 of FIG. 4) and a first tray (e.g., the first tray 170 of FIG. 4) included in the first block 101 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the coupling relationship between the first case 140 and the first tray 170 included in the first block 101, and the descriptions of FIGS. 13 and 14 may be applied to the coupling relationship between a second case (e.g., the second case 240 of FIG. 4) and a second tray (e.g., the second tray 270 of FIG. 4) included in the second block 102.

The embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 14 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the first tray 170 may further include a patch portion 178. The patch portion 178 may be defined as a portion surrounded by a first ice-making cell (e.g., the first ice-making cell 172 of FIG. 7A), a first buffer cell (e.g., the first buffer cell 175 of FIG. 7A), a bridge (e.g., the bridge 173 of FIG. 8A), and a connecting portion 176 included in the first tray 170.

According to an embodiment, the patch portion 178 may be implemented as a portion of the first tray 170. The patch portion 178 may be provided with a material having elasticity. Thus, when the first ejecting pin 152 and the second ejecting pin 155 included in the first pressing unit 150 respectively press the first ice-making cell 172 and the first buffer cell 175, the patch portion 178 may protrude forward (e.g., in the x2 direction) by the pressing of the first ejecting pin 152 and the second ejecting pin 155.

According to an embodiment, a first fastening portion 179 may be formed on the rear surface of the patch portion 178 to limit the separation of the first tray 170 from the first case 140 or the twisting of the first tray 170 and to enhance the coupling force between the first tray 170 and the first case 140 when the patch portion 178 protrudes by the first pressing unit 150. For example, the first fastening portion 179 may be disposed to penetrate an opening formed in the first case 140.

According to an embodiment, the first fastening portion 179 may be formed to fasten with a second fastening portion 149 formed in the first case 140. The second fastening portion 149 may be coupled with the first fastening portion 179.

Referring to FIG. 14, the first fastening portion 179 and the second fastening portion 149 may be coupled in a hook coupling manner. For example, the first fastening portion 179 may be formed in a ring shape, and the second fastening portion 149 may be formed in a hook shape so that the first fastening portion 179 and the second fastening portion 149 are mutually coupled.

According to an embodiment, the first fastening portion 179 and the second fastening portion 149 may be coupled in various ways. For example, the first fastening portion 179 and the second fastening portion 149 may be coupled in a press-fitting manner. For example, when the first fastening portion 179 and the second fastening portion 149 are coupled in a press-fitting manner, the first fastening portion 179 may be coupled by being inserted into the second fastening portion 149.

FIG. 15 illustrates the appearance of ice generated by an ice-making assembly 100 to show the transparency and degree of bubble formation of the ice in an embodiment and a comparative example according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a table comparing and summarizing the characteristics of ice in the embodiment and the comparative example of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 14.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the embodiment may be understood as illustrating the appearance of ice (e.g., ball ice) generated by the ice-making assembly 100 of the disclosure. The comparative example may be understood as illustrating the appearance of ice (ball ice) generated by an ice-making assembly to which the first buffer cell (e.g., the first buffer cell 175 of FIG. 5) and the second buffer cell (e.g., the second buffer cell 275 of FIG. 5) are not applied. Unlike the ice-making assembly 100 of the disclosure, the ice-making assembly of the comparative example has a heater disposed at the lower portion of the ice-making cell.

According to an embodiment, both the embodiment and the comparative example may be understood as ice generated while heating with the heater in a predetermined operation period after filling the first ice-making space formed by the ice-making cell with water.

According to an embodiment, whitening may refer to the phenomenon in which ice becomes cloudy due to dissolved gases in the water during ice formation. Further, during ice formation, the dissolved gases may be present in the form of bubbles in the ice.

According to an embodiment, it was identified that the ball ice illustrated in the embodiment experienced substantially no whitening. In the case of the ball ice illustrated in the embodiment, bubbles move to a second ice-making space (e.g., the second ice-making space s2 of FIG. 5) during the ice-making process and, as ice is produced while heating the second ice-making space s2, the level of whitening observed by the naked eye in the ball ice is low, and the number of bubbles may be relatively small. This may be understood as resulting from the movement of dissolved gases to the buffer cells 175, 275, and performing ice-making while heating the second ice-making space s2 by the heater 500, 600.

According to an embodiment, it is identified that the ball ice illustrated in the comparative example has a relatively high whitening level compared to the embodiment, and the number of bubbles formed inside the ball ice is relatively large. This may be understood as resulting from the absence of separately provided buffer cells 175, 275, causing dissolved gases to gather in the ball ice due to the heating of the vicinity of the ball ice by the heater, and the concentration of ice-making pressure.

According to an embodiment, the ice-making assembly 100 of the disclosure may enhance the aesthetics of ball ice produced in the first ice-making space s1 by separately forming the second ice-making space s2 positioned under the first ice-making space s1 formed by the ice-making cells 172, 272 and formed by the buffer cells 175, 275. Accordingly, the ball ice generated by the ice-making assembly 100 of the disclosure may be closer to a spherical shape and have enhanced transparency.

A refrigerator 1 (e.g., the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making assembly (e.g., the ice-making assembly 100 of FIG. 3) configured to generate ball ice with enhanced transparency and shape.

The ice-making assembly (e.g., the ice-making assembly 100 of FIG. 3) included in the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may generate ball ice that is substantially close to a spherical shape.

The ice-making assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may generate ball ice with enhanced transparency and enhanced aesthetics due to a heater (e.g., the first heater 500 of FIG. 4 and the second heater 600 of FIG. 9) that heats the second ice-making space (e.g., the second ice-making space s2 of FIG. 5) formed by the buffer cell (e.g., the buffer cell 175, 275 of FIG. 5).

Effects obtainable from the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

A refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure may comprise a storage compartment 20, a cooling unit, a water supply unit 50 configured to supply water from an external water source, and an ice-making assembly 100 disposed inside the storage compartment 20. The ice-making assembly 100 may include a cover housing 120, a first case 140 and a second case 240 fixed to one side of the cover housing 120 and disposed to face each other, a first tray 170 received in the first case 140 and forming a first portion of ice, a second tray 270 received in the second case 240 and forming a second portion of the ice, an inlet unit 130 mounted on the cover housing 120 and forming a path for supplying water from the water supply unit to an ice-making cell 172, 272 formed by the first tray 170 and the second tray 270, and a heater 500, 600 disposed adjacent to a buffer cell 175, 275, the buffer cell being formed under the ice-making cell 172, 272 by the first tray 170 and the second tray 270 to primarily store water supplied from the inlet unit 130. The first tray 170 and the second tray 270 may include a bridge 173, 273 forming a path for water to move between the buffer cell 175, 275 and the ice-making cell 172, 272.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the heater 500, 600 may be disposed adjacent to a rear surface of the first tray 170 where the buffer cell 175, 275 is formed, or adjacent to a rear surface of the second tray 270 where the buffer cell 175, 275 is formed.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the heater 500, 600 may include a first heater 500 formed to generate heat using a heat-generating resin.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first heater 500 may include a heating plate 510 including the heat-generating resin, and an electrode 530 disposed on one side of the heating plate 510 and electrically connected to the heating plate.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first heater 500 may be disposed to cover at least a portion of the rear surface of the first tray 170 where the buffer cell 175, 275 is formed, or at least a portion of the rear surface of the second tray 270 where the buffer cell 175, 275 is formed.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the heater 500, 600 may include a second heater 600 formed to generate heat using a heating wire.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second heater 600 may be disposed to cover an edge of the rear surface of the first tray 170 where the buffer cell 175, 275 is formed, or an edge of the rear surface of the second tray 270 where the buffer cell 175, 275 is formed.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the ice-making assembly 100 may further include a pressing unit 150 formed to release ice formed in the ice-making cell 172, 272 and the buffer cell 175, 275. The pressing unit 150 may include a first ejecting pin 152, 252 formed to press a point corresponding to the ice-making cell 172, 272 and a second ejecting pin 155, 255 formed to press a point corresponding to the buffer cell 175, 275.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first tray 170 may include a first fastening portion 179 formed to protrude toward the first case 140. The first case 140 may include a second fastening portion 149 corresponding to the first fastening portion 179 and formed to be coupled with the first fastening portion 179.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening portion 179 may be disposed on a rear surface of the first tray 170 and between two adjacent ice-making cells 172 and the buffer cell 175.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening portion 179 and the second fastening portion 149 may be hook-coupled.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening portion 179 and the second fastening portion 149 may be press-fitted.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the bridge 173 may be disposed to pass through a center of the buffer cell 175 and to be inclined with respect to a surface disposed parallel to the cover housing 120.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the bridge 173 may be disposed above the buffer cell 175 adjacent to the ice-making cell 172, and inclined such that both sides, with respect to a point connected to the bridge 173, diverge away from the ice-making cell 172.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a volume formed by the buffer cell 175 may be 0.07 to 1 times a volume formed by the ice-making cell 172.

A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may comprise a storage compartment 20, a cooling unit, a water supply unit 50 configured to supply water from an external water source, and an ice-making assembly 100 disposed inside the storage compartment 20. The ice-making assembly 100 may include a cover housing 120, a first case 140 and a second case 240 fixed to one side of the cover housing 120 and disposed to face each other, a first tray 170 received in the first case 140 and forming a first portion of ice, an inlet unit 130 mounted on the cover housing 120 and forming a path for supplying water from the water supply unit to an ice-making cell 172, 272 formed by the first tray 170 and the second tray 270, and a heater 500, 600 disposed adjacent to a buffer cell 175, 275, the buffer cell being formed under the ice-making cell 172, 272 by the first tray 170 and the second tray 270 to primarily store water supplied from the inlet unit 130. The ice-making cell 172 may include a first ice-making cell 172-1 and a second ice-making cell 172-2 and a third ice-making cell 172-3 disposed on two opposite sides of the first ice-making cell 172-1. The buffer cell 175 may include a first buffer cell 175-1 connected to the first ice-making cell 172-1 through a first bridge 173-1, a second buffer cell 175-2 connected to the second ice-making cell 172-2 through a second bridge 173-2, and a third buffer cell 175-3 connected to the third ice-making cell 172-3 through a third bridge 173-3. The second buffer cell 175-2 and the third buffer cell 175-3 may be disposed to be connected to two opposite sides of the first buffer cell 175-1, and wherein the second bridge 173-2 and the third bridge 173-3 are disposed to be inclined with respect to the first bridge 173-1.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the heater 500, 600 may be disposed on a rear surface of the first tray 170 where the buffer cell 175 is formed, or on a rear surface of the second tray 270 where the buffer cell 175 is formed.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the heater 500, 600 may include a first heater 500 formed to generate heat using a heat-generating resin. The first heater 500 may be disposed to cover at least a portion of the rear surface of the first tray 170 where the buffer cell 175, 275 is formed, or at least a portion of the rear surface of the second tray 270 where the buffer cell 175, 275 is formed.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the ice-making assembly 100 may further include a pressing unit 150 formed to release ice formed in the ice-making cell 172, 272 and the buffer cell 175, 275. The pressing unit 150 may include a first ejecting pin 152, 252 formed to press a point corresponding to the ice-making cell 172, 272 and a second ejecting pin 155, 255 formed to press a point corresponding to the buffer cell 175, 275.

In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first tray 170 may include a first fastening portion 179 formed to protrude toward the first case 140. The first case 140 may include a second fastening portion 149 corresponding to the first fastening portion 179 and formed to be coupled with the first fastening portion 179.