EP3469272A1

EP3469272A1 - Ice maker for use in a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: EP3469272A1
Application number: EP16730753.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet YASAR; Ali Gokhan GENC; Akin Ozdemir
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-06-08
Filing date: 2016-06-08
Publication date: 2019-04-17
Also published as: WO2017211407A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice maker (1) for use in a refrigerator comprising: a freezer compartment (3) for accommodating the ice maker; a water supply means (4) for supplying the water to the ice maker (1), wherein the water supply means (4) is connectable to the mains. The ice maker (1) comprises: a main body (5) which comprises: one or more ice trays for making the ice (1 a).

Description

ICE MAKER FOR USE IN A REFRIGERATOR

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, in particular to a refrigerator which has an ice maker.
Refrigerators having ice makers are commonly known in the art. A refrigerator generally comprises: a freezer compartment for freezing the articles which are stored therein; and an ice maker for making ice, wherein the ice maker is disposed into the freezer compartment; and a water supply means for supplying the water to the ice maker, wherein the water supply means is connectable to the mains. The ice maker generally comprises: a main body which comprises one or more ice trays for making the ice; an ejection means for ejecting the ice out of the ice trays; and a drawer for collecting the ejected ice. During the operation of the refrigerator, the water supply means replenishes the ice trays with water. The cool air inside the freezer compartment cools the interior of the freezer compartment, including the ice maker, and thus the ice is formed in the ice trays. The user takes the ice by operating the ejection means of the ice maker. The ejected ice is collected in the drawer.
US2009/0120122(A1) discloses a refrigerator which has an ice maker.
A problem with the prior art refrigerator is that the water cannot be uniformly filled into the ice trays. During the replenishment, in accordance with the changes in the water pressure of the mains, the water is from time to time spilled from the ice trays into the drawer and/or splashed in form of droplets onto the inner walls of the main body that supports the ice trays. These droplets freeze on the inner walls of the ice maker. Each time during the replenishment, new droplets may accumulate on the inner walls until eventually the ice maker cannot properly operate, and alerts the user. Moreover, the water that has spilled into the drawer causes the ice to stick, and to form large ice lump. In such incidents, the user informs the technical service or initiates a defrost operation which increases the energy consumption. Thus, the user satisfaction may easily decrease.
An objective of the present invention is to provide an ice maker for use in a refrigerator which solves the aforementioned problems in a cost effective way and which enables a uniform replenishment of the ice trays without spilling and splashing.
This objective has been achieved by the ice maker as defined in claim 1, and the refrigerator as defined in claim 11. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
The ice maker of the present invention comprises one or more water discharge chutes each having an inlet for receiving the water from the water supply means; and outlet for discharging the water into the respective ice tray; and a flow passage which fluidly connects the inlet with the outlet.
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the water can be uniformly filled into the ice tray by virtue of the water discharge chute. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the water can be prevented from spilling into the drawer and/or splashing onto the inner walls of the ice maker. Thereby, the need for defrosting the ice maker can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible, and thus the energy efficiency of the refrigerator can be further increased. Moreover, the ice maker can be properly operated, and the ice formation performance can be improved. Thereby, the user complaints can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible, and the user satisfaction can be increased.
In an embodiment, the inlet has a funnel-like section whereas the outlet has a tubular section which slopes towards the ice tray. Herein, the funnel like section regulates the water pressure; and the tubular section steadily discharges the water that has been accumulated in the funnel like section into the ice tray. The tubular section may have a circular cross section or an elongated cross section. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the replenishment of the ice trays can be performed more smoothly.
In another embodiment, the flow passage has one or more curved sections between the inlet and the outlet. Herein each curved section causes a pressure loss in the water flow. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the replenishment of the ice trays can be performed more smoothly.
In another embodiment, one or more obstacles are disposed into the flow passage of the water discharge chute. In alternative versions of this embodiment, one or more obstacles are respectively disposed into the funnel-like section and/or the tubular section and/or the curved section. Herein, each obstacle exerts a drag force onto the water flow, and thus the momentum of the water is gradually reduced within the funnel-like section, the tubular section, and the curved section. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the water can be uniformly filled into the ice trays without spilling and splashing even when the water pressure in the mains abruptly changes.
In other alternative embodiments, the upstream surface of the obstacle in the the flow passage deflects the water from the upper side to the lower side of the water discharge chute. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the water can be securely prevented from dispersing beyond the ice tray.
In another embodiment, one or more obstacles are disposed onto the inner surface of the water discharge chute such that they pierce into the flow passage. Herein, the surface-piercing obstacle can more effectively reduce the momentum of the water. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the water can be more uniformly filled into the ice trays without spilling and splashing even when the water pressure in the mains abruptly changes.
In another embodiment, the water supply means supplies the water from the mains perpendicularly onto the inner surface of the respective water discharge chute. Herein, a large pressure loss in the water flow is attained. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the water replenishment can be performed more smoothly.
Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the ice maker and the refrigerator of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 – is a schematic partial perspective view of a refrigerator which has an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 – is a schematic partial front view of the refrigerator of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 – is a schematic partial sectional view of the refrigerator of Fig. 2, taken along the line A-A;
Figure 4 – is a schematic partial sectional view of the refrigerator of Fig. 2, taken along the line B-B;
Figure 5 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail C of Fig. 3;
Figure 6 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail D of Fig. 4;
Figure 7 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 – is a schematic top view of the ice maker of Fig. 7;
Figure 9 – is a schematic side view of the ice maker of Fig. 7;
Figure 10 – is a schematic sectional view of the ice maker of Fig. 8, taken along the line E-E;
Figure 11 – is a schematic sectional view of the ice maker of Fig. 9, taken along the line F-F;
Figure 12 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail G of Fig. 10;
Figure 13 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail H of Fig. 11;
Figure 14 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the ice maker of Fig. 7, prior to mounting the water discharge chutes of Fig. 17;
Figure 15 – is another schematic side view of the ice maker of Fig.7;
Figure 16 – is a schematic front view of the water discharge chutes of Fig. 17;
Figure 17 – is a schematic perspective view of the water discharge chutes to be mounted into the ice maker of Fig. 14;
Figure 18 – is a schematic side view of the ice trays of the ice maker of Fig. 7;
Figure 19 – is a schematic perspective view of the ice trays of the ice maker of Fig. 7;
Figure 20 – is a schematic perspective view of the water discharge chute according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 21 – is a schematic perspective bottom view of the water discharge of Fig. 20;
Figure 22 – is a schematic front view of the water discharge of Fig. 20;
Figure 23 – is a schematic sectional view of the water discharge of Fig. 22, taken along the line I-I, wherein the arrows show the flow direction of the water;
Figure 24 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail J of Fig. 23;
Figure 25 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail K of Fig. 23.
The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Ice maker

1a. Ice
1b. Ejection means
1c. Drawer
1d. Motor
2. Refrigerator
3. Freezer compartment
4. Water supply means
5. Main body
5a. Mounting means
5b. Inner wall
6. Ice tray
7. Water discharge chute
8. Inlet
9. Outlet
10. Flow passage
11. Funnel-like section
12. Tubular section
13. Curved section
14. Obstacle
15. Inner surface
15a. Upper side
15b. Lower side
16. Conduit
The ice maker (1) is suitable for use in a refrigerator (2) (Fig. 1 to Fig. 4).
The refrigerator (2) comprises: a freezer compartment (3) for accommodating the ice maker (1); and a water supply means (4) for supplying the water to the ice maker (1), wherein the water supply means (4) is connectable to the mains; and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the water supply means (Fig. 3 and Fig 5).
The ice maker (1) comprises: a main body (5) which comprises: one or more ice trays (6) for making the ice (1a); and an ejection means (1b) for ejecting the ice (1a) into a drawer (1c) (Fig. 5).
The ice maker (1) of the present invention further comprising: one or more water discharge chutes (7) each having an inlet (8) for receiving the water from the water supply means (4); and outlet (9) for discharging the water into the respective ice tray (6); and a flow passage (10) which fluidly connects the inlet (8) with the outlet (9) (Fig. 10 and Fig. 11).
The refrigerator (2) of the present invention comprises the ice maker (1). The ice maker (1) is accommodated inside the freezer compartment (3). The water discharge chutes (7) are assembled with the water supply means (4) (Fig. 3).
In an embodiment, the inlet (8) of the water discharge chute (7) comprises a funnel-like section (11) (Fig. 20 to Fig. 22). In this embodiment, the outlet (9) of the water discharge chute comprises a tubular section (12) which slopes towards the ice tray (6) (Fig. 20 to Fig. 22).
In another embodiment, the flow passage (10) of the water discharge chute (7) comprises a curved section (13) between the inlet (8) and the outlet (9) (Fig. 20 to Fig. 22).
In another embodiment, the ice maker (1) further comprises one or more obstacles (14) which are disposed into the flow passage (10) of the water discharge chute (7) (Fig. 23).
In another embodiment, one obstacle (14) is disposed into the funnel-like section (11) of the water discharge chute (7) (Fig. 23).
In another embodiment, the upstream surface of the obstacle (14) in the funnel-like section (11) of the water discharge chute (7) deflects the water from the upper side (15a) of the inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7) towards the lower side (15b) of inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7) (Fig. 23 and Fig. 24).
In another embodiment, one obstacle (14) is disposed into the tubular section (12) of the water discharge chute (7) (Fig. 23).
In another embodiment, the upstream surface of the obstacle (14) in the tubular section (12) of the water discharge chute (7) deflects the water from the upper side (15a) of the inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7) towards the lower side (15b) of the inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7) (Fig. 23 and Fig. 25).
In another embodiment, one or more obstacles (14) are disposed onto the inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7) and are adapted to pierce into the flow passage (10) (Fig. 23 to Fig. 25).
In another embodiment, the water supply means (4) comprises one or more conduits (16) which are adapted to supply the water perpendicularly (as shown with the large arrow in Fig. 23) onto the inner surface (15) of the respective water discharge chute (7) (Fig. 5).
In another embodiment, the ejection means (1b) comprises a motor (1d) (Fig. 18 and Fig. 19).
In another embodiment, the main body (5) has a mounting means (5a) for mounting the same to the freezer compartment (2) (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the water discharge chute (7) is manufactured as a single piece (Fig. 20).
In another embodiment, the water discharge chute (7) comprises silicone rubber.
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the water can be uniformly filled into the ice tray (6) by virtue of the water discharge chute (7). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the water can be prevented from spilling into the drawer (1c) and/or splashing onto the inner walls (5b) of the ice maker (1). Thereby, the need for defrosting the ice maker (1) can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible, and thus the energy efficiency of the refrigerator (2) can be further increased. Moreover, the ice maker (1) can be properly operated, and the ice formation performance can be improved. Thereby, the user complaints can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible, and the user satisfaction can be increased. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above-described embodiments.

Claims

An ice maker (1) for use in a refrigerator (2) comprising:

a freezer compartment (3) for accommodating the ice maker (1);

a water supply means (4) for supplying the water to the ice maker (1), wherein the water supply means (4) is connectable to the mains,

the ice maker (1) comprising:

a main body (5) which comprises:

one or more ice trays (6) for making the ice (1a),

the ice maker (1) being characterized by further comprising:

one or more water discharge chutes (7) each having an inlet (8) for receiving the water from the water supply means (4); and outlet (9) for discharging the water into the respective ice tray (6); and a flow passage (10) which fluidly connects the inlet (8) with the outlet (9).
The ice maker (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet (8) of the water discharge chute (7) comprises a funnel-like section (11); and the outlet (9) of the water discharge chute (7) comprises a tubular section (12) which slopes towards the ice tray (6).
The ice maker (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flow passage (10) of the water discharge chute (7) comprises a curved section (13) between the inlet (8) and the outlet (9).
The ice maker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by further comprising one or more obstacles (14) which are disposed into the flow passage (10) of the water discharge chute (7).
The ice maker (1) according to claim 4, where dependent on claim 2, characterized in that one obstacle (14) is disposed into the funnel-like section (11) of the water discharge chute (7).
The ice maker (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the upstream surface of the obstacle (14) in the funnel-like section (11) of the water discharge chute (7) deflects the water from the upper side (15a) of the inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7) towards the lower side (15b) of inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7).
The ice maker (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, where dependent on claim 2, characterized in that one obstacle (14) is disposed into the tubular section (12) of the water discharge chute (7).
The ice maker (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the upstream surface of the obstacle (14) in the tubular section (12) of the water discharge chute (7) deflects the water from the upper side (15a) of the inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7) towards the lower side (15b) of the inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7).
The ice maker (1) according to any one of claim 4 to 8, characterized in that one or more obstacles (14) are disposed onto the inner surface (15) of the water discharge chute (7) and are adapted to pierce into the flow passage (10).
A refrigerator (2) comprising: a freezer compartment (3) for freezing the articles stored therein, characterized by further comprising: the ice maker (1) as defined in anyone of claim 1 to 9, wherein the ice maker (1) is accommodated inside the freezer compartment (3); and a water supply means (4) for supplying the water to the ice maker (1), wherein the water supply means (4) is connectable to the mains.
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the water supply means (4) comprises one or more conduits (16) which are adapted to supply the water perpendicularly onto the inner surface (15) of the respective water discharge chute (7).