CN102341663A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator provided with an ice supply device which can, when the user pours ice into a cup, prevent the ice from spilling and dropping from the side of the cup. A refrigerator (100) provided with an ice supply device (200) for supplying ice, wherein the ice supply device (200) is provided with a discharge opening (250a) for discharging ice to the outside of the ice supply device (200) and also with a guide body (211) having a flat surface for guiding the ice to the discharge opening (250a).

Description

refrigerator

technical field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and in particular, to a refrigerator provided with an ice supply device for supplying ice.

Background technique

In recent years, refrigerators equipped with an ice supply device for supplying ice have appeared (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). This ice supply device includes a supply pipe as an ice supply path. Furthermore, the ice supply device supplies the ice made by the ice maker to the user through the supply path of the supply pipe.

Here, the cup in which the user puts ice generally has an opening whose upper part opens in a circular shape. Therefore, conventionally, the cross-sectional shape of the supply pipe of the ice supply device is made to be circular in the same shape as the opening of the cup.

prior art literature

patent documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-287550

Contents of the invention

The problem to be solved by the invention

In the ice supply device of the above-mentioned conventional refrigerator, when the user puts ice into the cup, there is a problem that the ice sometimes falls from the side of the cup.

That is, since the cross-sectional shape of the supply pipe of the conventional ice supply device is circular, when ice passes through the supply path of the supply pipe, the ice may drop spirally inside the supply pipe. In this case, when the ice is discharged from the supply pipe, the centrifugal force will cause the ice to fly in the centrifugal direction, and the ice may fall from the sides of the cup.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator provided with an ice dispenser capable of preventing ice from falling from the side of a cup when a user puts ice in the cup.

means to solve the problem

In order to achieve the above object, the refrigerator of the present invention is provided with an ice supply device for supplying ice, and the refrigerator is characterized in that the above-mentioned ice supply device includes: a discharge port for discharging ice to the outside of the above-mentioned ice supply device; Flat guide body for outlet guide.

According to this configuration, the supplied ice slides down from the plane along the plane having the guide body. Therefore, when the ice is discharged from the discharge port, the ice does not fly out due to centrifugal force or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ice from being scattered from the sides of the cup when the user puts ice into the cup.

In addition, it is preferable that the discharge port is a circular opening.

According to this structure, the discharge port which discharges ice is a circular opening. Therefore, since the discharge port is a circular shape conforming to the shape of the opening of the cup, it is possible to prevent the ice from falling from the side of the cup when the user puts ice into the cup.

In addition, it is preferable that the ice dispenser further includes a drooping baffle plate disposed above the guide body at a predetermined distance from the guide body.

According to this configuration, the baffle plate is disposed on the upper portion of the supply pipe. Therefore, even if the user inserts the hand into the supply tube, it is possible to prevent the hand from touching the instrument located above the supply tube.

In addition, it is preferable that the ice dispenser further includes: a discharge portion formed of a light-transmitting member that forms the discharge port; and a light emitting device that illuminates the discharge port through the discharge portion.

According to this configuration, a light emitting device such as an LED is disposed, and the discharge port is irradiated by the light emitting device. Thereby, a user can easily confirm the discharge port which is an outlet of ice, and when a user puts ice into a cup, ice can be prevented from falling from the side of a cup.

In addition, it is preferable that the ice dispenser further includes a reflective member that covers the discharge portion at a predetermined distance from the discharge portion and reflects light emitted from the light emitting device toward the discharge portion.

According to this configuration, since the light emitted by the light emitting device such as LED is reflected by the reflecting member, the reflected light is irradiated to the discharge port. Therefore, the discharge port can be illuminated more brightly than when the light emitting device directly illuminates the discharge port. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the discharge port which is the outlet of the ice, and it is possible to prevent the ice from falling from the side of the cup when the user puts ice into the cup.

The present invention can be realized not only as a refrigerator provided with such an ice dispenser but also as an ice dispenser.

The effect of the invention

According to the present invention, since it is possible to provide a refrigerator provided with an ice dispenser capable of preventing ice from falling from the side of the cup when a user puts ice in the cup, the use value of the present invention is very high.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the refrigerator with the third and fourth doors opened.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the refrigerator with the first and second doors opened.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ice dispenser according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the ice dispenser according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice dispenser according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structures of a discharge unit and a reflection member in Embodiment 2. FIG.

8 is a perspective view showing the structures of a discharge unit and a reflection member in Embodiment 2. FIG.

9 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an ice dispenser according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

Detailed ways

(Embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the refrigerator of this invention is demonstrated with reference to drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the refrigerator with the third and fourth doors opened.

As shown in the above figure, the refrigerator 100 includes an insulating box 150 , a first door 111 , a second door 121 , a third door 112 , a through hole 113 , a fourth door 122 , and a receiving space 123 .

The heat insulation box 150 is a box with an open front, and has the heat insulation performance which blocks the heat in and out of the refrigerator 100 inside and outside.

The first door 111 is a door that can openably close an opening on the right side toward the heat insulating box 150 . In the case of the present embodiment, the first door 111 is hinged (hinge) (not shown) so as to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction in front of the right side wall of the heat insulating box 150 . Installed in the heat insulation box 150 . In addition, the first door 111 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and the above-mentioned rotation shaft passes through the right end edge of the first door 111 .

The second door 121 is a door that can openably close an opening on the left side toward the heat insulating box 150 . In the case of the present embodiment, the second door 121 is attached to the heat insulating box through a hinge (not shown) so as to turn around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction in front of the left side wall of the heat insulating box 150 . Body 150. In addition, the second door 121 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and the above-mentioned rotation shaft passes through the left end edge of the second door 121 .

The through hole 113 is a hole penetrating through the first door 111 in the thickness direction. The through hole 113 is a hole for storing objects stored behind the first door 111 without opening the first door 111 and for storing objects behind the first door 111 .

The third door 112 is a door that can open and close the through-hole 113 freely. In the present embodiment, the third door 112 is attached to the first door 111 via a hinge (not shown) so as to pivot about a pivot shaft extending in the left-right direction at the lower end edge of the through hole 113 . In addition, the third door 112 is substantially square (rounded corners) when viewed from the front, and the above-mentioned rotation shaft passes through the lower end edge of the third door 112 .

The receiving space 123 is provided inside the second door 121 and is a space for a user to receive ice or the like supplied from an ice supply device (not shown) disposed inside the second door 121 . In the front part of the receiving space 123, an opening part penetrating the front part of the 2nd door 121 in the thickness direction is formed.

That is, the fourth door 122 is a door that can open and close freely close the front part of the receiving space 123 . In the case of this embodiment, the fourth door 122 is attached to the second door via hinges (not shown) so as to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction at the lower end edge of the front portion of the receiving space 123 . 121. In addition, the fourth door 122 is substantially square (the corners are rounded) when viewed from the front, and the above-mentioned rotation shaft passes through the lower end edge of the fourth door 122 .

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the refrigerator with the first and second doors opened.

As shown in the figure, refrigerator 100 includes partition wall 153 .

Partition wall 153 is a partition wall that partitions the inside of heat insulating box 150 to the left and right. In the case of this embodiment, inside the heat insulating box 150, the right side of the partition wall 153 is the 1st storage room 151, which is a refrigerator room. On the other hand, inside the heat insulating box 150, the left side of the partition wall 153 is the second storage room 152, which is a freezer room. Partition wall 153 is a partition wall for partitioning the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, and has heat insulating performance.

In addition, inside the second door 121 (part A shown in the figure) that can open and close freely the opening of the second storage room 152 as a freezer is arranged to supply the generated ice to the user. ice dispenser.

Hereinafter, this ice supply device will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of ice dispenser 200 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, this figure is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-section of part A of the second door 121 shown in FIG. 3 . In addition, in this figure, for convenience of description, the fourth door 122 is omitted from the illustration.

As shown in the figure, ice dispenser 200 is an apparatus for supplying generated ice, and includes supply pipe 210 , cover 220 , lever 240 , discharge unit 250 , switch 280 , and light emitting device 290 .

The supply pipe 210 is a pipe having a quadrangular (square, quadrangular) cross-section forming a supply path for supplying ice made by an ice maker (not shown) disposed above to a user. The supply pipe 210 includes a guide body 211 and a blocking plate 212 .

The guide body 211 is a member having a flat surface that guides the made ice to the discharge part 250 . Specifically, the guide body 211 is a part of the supply pipe 210 and is a flat plate-shaped member that forms the bottom portion of the supply path. That is, the ice made by the ice maker slides down along the plane of the upper surface of the guide body 211 and is supplied to the discharge unit 250 .

The blocking plate 212 is a hanging member arranged above the guide body 211 at a predetermined interval from the guide body 211 . Specifically, the blocking plate 212 is a flat member and is arranged to partition the upper half of the supply path in the supply pipe 210 . The ice made by the ice maker slides down from the space between the blocking plate 212 and the guide body 211 below the blocking plate 212 and is supplied to the discharge part 250 .

The cap 220 is a cap that closes the outlet of the supply pipe 210 . Specifically, the upper shaft of the cover 220 rotates to open and close the outlet of the supply pipe 210 . The cap 220 is in the same shape as the quadrangular shape of the outlet of the supply pipe 210 , and has a quadrangular shape.

The lever 240 is a part for turning the shaft of the cap 220 to open and close the outlet of the supply pipe 210 . Specifically, when the user wants to supply ice into the cup P, the cup P is inserted into the receiving space 123, and the lever 240 is pushed in the X direction with the cup P. In this case, since the lower end of the lever 240 is pushed in the X direction, the lever 240 turns in the X direction centering on the upper end. Then, when the lever 240 is rotated to a predetermined angle, the outlet of the supply pipe 210 is opened by the cap 220 .

In addition, when ice is supplied into the cup P and the user takes out the cup P from the receiving space 123, the lever 240 returns to the original position. Then, since the lever 240 is released from the position of the above-mentioned predetermined angle when the lever 240 returns to the original position, the cap 220 closes the outlet of the supply pipe 210 .

The discharge part 250 is a part for discharging the ice supplied from the supply pipe 210 . The ice discharged from the discharge unit 250 is supplied to the cup P of the user. The discharge unit 250 includes a discharge port 250a.

The discharge port 250 a is an outlet of the discharge part 250 . That is, the discharge port 250 a is an outlet of ice for discharging the ice to the outside of the ice discharge device 200 . In addition, the discharge port 250a is a circular opening. Specifically, the ice passes through the supply path in the supply pipe 210 and is guided to the discharge port 250a by the guide body 211 .

The light emitting device 290 is a device that directly illuminates the discharge port 250a from above. The light emitting device 290 is arranged above the discharge port 250 a in the upper front portion of the receiving space 123 . The light emitting device 290 is, for example, an LED. Specifically, when the user intends to supply ice into the cup P or the like, the discharge port 250 a is illuminated by the light emitting device 290 .

The switch 280 is a switch for operating the ice supply device 200 . In order to facilitate the user's operation, the switch 280 is arranged above the front of the receiving space 123 . Specifically, the switch 280 includes a plurality of switches such as a switch for turning on the light emitting device 290 and a switch for switching between supplying ice and water.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of ice dispenser 200 according to the first embodiment. In addition, for convenience of description, in this figure, a cover (cover) 300 covering the lid 220 and the like is made transparent and indicated by dotted lines.

As shown in the figure, the ice dispenser 200 further includes a driving unit 260 .

The driving unit 260 is a driving mechanism for opening and closing the cover 220 . That is, the drive unit 260 rotates the shaft of the cap 220 to rotate the cap 220 around the shaft, and opens and closes the cap 220 with respect to the outlet of the supply pipe 210 .

Specifically, when the lever 240 is rotated to a predetermined angle, the drive unit 260 drives the cap 220 to open the outlet of the supply pipe 210 . Then, the ice made by the ice maker slides down from the guide body 211 and is supplied to the discharge part 250 from the outlet of the supply pipe 210 . The ice supplied to the discharge unit 250 is discharged from the discharge port 250a and supplied to the cup P of the user.

In addition, when the lever 240 is released from the predetermined angular position, the driving unit 260 is driven so that the cap 220 closes the outlet of the supply pipe 210 . As a result, the ice no longer slides down from the guide body 211, and the ice is no longer discharged into the cup P from the discharge port 250a.

As described above, since the guide body 211 serving as the bottom portion of the supply pipe 210 has a flat top surface, the supplied ice slides down from the flat surface of the flat guide body 211 . Therefore, when the ice is discharged from the supply pipe 210, the ice does not fly out due to centrifugal force or the like. Therefore, when the user puts ice into the cup, the ice can be prevented from being scattered from the side of the cup.

In addition, the discharge port 250a, which is an outlet for discharging ice, is a circular opening. Therefore, since the discharge port 250a has a circular shape conforming to the shape of the opening of the cup, when the user puts ice into the cup, the ice can be prevented from being scattered from the side of the cup.

In addition, since the light-emitting device 290 illuminates the discharge port 250a from above, when the user puts ice into the cup, the ice can be prevented from falling from the side of the cup.

In addition, a blocking plate 212 is disposed on the upper portion of the supply pipe 210 . Therefore, even if the user inserts a hand into the supply pipe 210 , it is possible to prevent the hand from touching a machine located above the supply pipe 210 .

(Embodiment 2)

Next, Embodiment 2 of the refrigerator of this invention is demonstrated. In Embodiment 1 described above, the light emitting device 290 is disposed above the discharge port 250a at the upper front portion of the receiving space 123, and directly illuminates the discharge port 250a from above. However, in Embodiment 2, the light emitting device 290 illuminates the discharge port 250 a via the discharge unit 250 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of ice dispenser 200 according to Embodiment 2. Referring to FIG.

As shown in the figure, ice dispenser 200 includes reflection member 270 in addition to discharge unit 250 and switch 280 shown in FIG. 4 . Here, the different configurations from the ice dispenser 200 of the first embodiment are that the ice dispenser 200 of the second embodiment does not include the lever 240 , includes the reflection member 270 , and places the light emitting device 290 in a different position.

In addition, in the ice delivery device 200 of the second embodiment, the lever 240 is not provided, and the outlet of the supply pipe 210 is opened by the cover 220 by pressing the switch 280. Similarly, a lever 240 is provided, and the cap 220 opens the outlet of the supply pipe 210 by the lever 240 .

In addition, in ice dispenser 200 according to Embodiment 2, discharge unit 250 is formed of a light transmissive member. For example, discharge unit 250 is a member made of transparent or translucent resin. In addition, the material of the discharge unit 250 is not limited as long as it can transmit light. Here, the light refers to the light emitted by the light emitting device 290 .

Reflecting member 270 covers discharge unit 250 at a predetermined distance from discharge unit 250 , and reflects light emitted from light emitting device 290 toward discharge unit 250 . For example, reflective member 270 is a metal or resin member that can reflect light. In addition, as long as the reflective member 270 is a member that reflects light, the material is not limited.

The structures of the discharge unit 250 and the reflection member 270 will be described in detail below.

7 and 8 are perspective views showing the structures of discharge unit 250 and reflection member 270 in Embodiment 2. FIG. Specifically, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of discharge unit 250 and reflection member 270 viewed from below, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of discharge unit 250 and reflection member 270 viewed from above.

As shown in these figures, reflective member 270 is a member having an elliptical cross-section that covers discharge portion 250 at a predetermined distance from discharge portion 250 . In addition, the inner surface of the reflective member 270 is made of a member capable of reflecting light. Here, the light refers to the light emitted by the light emitting device 290 .

In addition, the cross section of the lower part of the discharge part 250 is circular, and the cross section of the upper part of the discharge part 250 is square. That is, the discharge port 250a of the discharge part 250 has a circular shape, and the discharge part inlet 250b has a square shape.

Therefore, the upper part of the discharge part 250 has a quadrangular cross-section and can function as the guide body 211 in the first embodiment. That is, when the supplied ice is discharged from the discharge unit 250, it is possible to prevent the ice from flying out due to centrifugal force or the like.

Next, the position where the light emitting device 290 is arranged will be described.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of ice dispenser 200 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. Specifically, in order to show the position where the light emitting device 290 is arranged, this figure shows a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the ice dispenser 200 shown in FIG. 6 .

As shown in the figure, light emitting device 290 is disposed between discharge unit 250 and reflection member 270 . The light emitting device 290 is, for example, an LED. Furthermore, the light emitting device 290 illuminates the discharge port 250 a through the discharge part 250 .

Specifically, the user presses the switch for turning on the light emitting device 290 among the switches 280, whereby the light emitting device 290 emits light. When the light emitting device 290 emits light, the emitted light is reflected by the reflective member 270 . Then, the reflected light passes through the discharge portion 250 which is a light-transmitting member, and irradiates the discharge port 250a.

As described above, the light emitting device 290 such as LED is disposed, and the discharge port 250a is irradiated by the light emitting device 290 . Specifically, the light emitting device 290 is arranged between the discharge unit 250 and the reflection member 270 to emit light. Furthermore, since the light emitted by the light emitting device 290 is reflected by the reflecting member 270, the discharge port 250a is illuminated more brightly than when the light emitting device 290 directly illuminates the discharge port 250a. Therefore, since the user can more easily confirm the discharge port 250a which is the outlet of ice, when the user puts ice into the cup, the ice can be prevented from being scattered from the side of the cup.

As mentioned above, although the refrigerator of this invention was demonstrated using the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this.

That is, it should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration in all points, and it should not limit this invention. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of the claims, and includes meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all changes within the scope.

For example, in the present embodiment, the supply pipe 210 is a pipe having a square cross section. However, the cross-sectional shape of the supply pipe 210 is not limited to a square shape, and may be any shape as long as the guide body 211 has a plane for guiding the ice to the discharge port 250a.

In addition, in this embodiment, the discharge port 250a is a circular opening. However, the discharge port 250a is not limited to a circular shape, and may be a square shape or the like.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the ice dispenser 200 includes the reflective member 270, and the light emitted from the light emitting device 290 is reflected by the reflective member 270 to irradiate the discharge port 250a. However, the ice dispenser 200 may not include the reflective member 270, and the light emitting device 290 may directly illuminate the discharge port 250a through the discharge portion 250, which is a light-transmitting member.

Industrial availability

The present invention can be applied to refrigerators.

Explanation of reference signs

100 refrigerator

111 first door

112 The third door

113 through hole

121 Second Gate

122 Fourth Gate

123 receiving space

150 insulated box

151 First storage room

152 Second storage room

153 partition wall

200 ice supply device

210 supply pipe

211 guide body

212 blocking plate

220 cover

240 joystick (level)

250 Discharge Department

250a outlet

260 drive department

270 reflective parts

280 switch

290 light emitting devices

300 cover

Claims (as amended under Article 19 of the Treaty)

1. A refrigerator comprising an ice supply device for supplying ice, characterized in that:

The ice delivery device includes:

a discharge port for discharging ice to the outside of the ice supply device;

a guide body having a plane for guiding ice toward the outlet; and

A pendant-shaped blocking plate disposed above the guide body at a predetermined distance from the guide body, wherein

The discharge port is a circular opening.

2. (deleted)

3. (deleted)

4. A refrigerator comprising an ice supply device for supplying ice, characterized in that:

The ice delivery device includes:

a discharge port for discharging ice to the outside of the ice supply device;

a guide body having a plane for guiding ice toward the outlet;

a discharge portion formed of a light-transmitting member forming the discharge port; and

a light emitting device for illuminating the discharge port via the discharge portion, wherein

The discharge port is a circular opening.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that:

The ice dispenser further includes a reflective member that covers the discharge portion at a predetermined distance from the discharge portion, and reflects light emitted from the light emitting device toward the discharge portion.

6. The ice delivery device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 4 and 5.

Claims (6)

1. A refrigerator comprising an ice supply device for supplying ice, characterized in that: The ice delivery device includes: a discharge port for discharging ice to the outside of the ice supply device; and A guide body having a plane for guiding ice toward the outlet. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge port is a circular opening. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The ice dispenser further includes a hanging baffle plate disposed above the guide body at a predetermined distance from the guide body. 4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The ice delivery device also includes: a discharge portion formed of a light-transmitting member forming the discharge port; and A light emitting device that illuminates the discharge port through the discharge portion. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ice dispenser further includes a reflective member that covers the discharge portion at a predetermined distance from the discharge portion, and reflects light emitted from the light emitting device toward the discharge portion. 6. An ice supply device for supplying ice, the ice supply device is characterized in that it comprises: a discharge port for discharging ice to the outside of the ice supply device; and A guide body having a plane for guiding ice toward the outlet.

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