KR20250106044A - Ice storage assembly comprising drainage path for residual water - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a structure of an ice storage assembly, which is built into an ice purifier and configured to manufacture, store, and discharge ice, including an ice-making module including an ice-making evaporator for manufacturing ice and a tray disposed below the ice-making evaporator, wherein the tray has a drain portion that induces residual water in the tray to be discharged rearward without falling into a basket when the tray is placed in the ice-breaking position.

Description

ICE STORAGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING DRAINAGE PATH FOR RESIDUAL WATER

The present invention relates to a structure of an ice storage assembly for manufacturing and freezing ice, the ice storage assembly having a passage for discharging remaining water after manufacturing ice.

A water purifier is a device that purifies water so that it can be consumed. It generally provides purified water and additionally provides cold water and/or hot water. Types of water purifiers include reverse osmosis (RO) water purifiers, nano filter (NF) water purifiers, hollow fiber membrane filter (UF) water purifiers, and sterilizing water purifiers. Among these, an ice water purifier is a type of water purifier that provides ice along with cold water. An ice water purifier is equipped with an ice-making evaporator that cools water to make ice.

Meanwhile, existing ice purifiers are usually equipped with an insulated ice storage room to store ice. However, this type of ice purifier has the following problems. First, since ice is stored at room temperature, it melts over time and its size and shape become uneven, which reduces user satisfaction. Second, the quality of ice varies depending on the external environment, which can cause sanitary problems. For example, in a high temperature and humid environment, ice melts more easily and can become contaminated more easily. Third, since ice must be remade as much as it melts, it consumes a lot of energy and is inefficient.

To solve these problems, an ice purifier has been proposed that separates the ice making room and the ice storage room and has a freezing evaporator in the ice storage room to keep the ice frozen (registered patent no. 10-1275188). This ice purifier can always keep the ice frozen by installing a freezing evaporator in the ice storage room, and the user can take out the ice and use it whenever he wants.

However, in the case of ice water purifiers where ice is stored frozen, since the ice is stored at a sub-zero temperature, if you pour the remaining water directly onto the ice, the remaining water may freeze between the ice and cause the ice to clump. This affects the quality of the ice and makes it difficult to dispense the ice normally.

Additionally, ice storage rooms are usually equipped with drains and drains to drain residual water, but if the ice storage room is maintained at a temperature below zero, there is also the problem that residual water may freeze in these drains or drains, blocking the drainage path.

The present invention has been created under the background of the above-described prior art, and its purpose is to provide a structure of an ice storage assembly capable of effectively processing residual water remaining in a tray during an ice-making process in an ice storage assembly in which ice is frozen and stored. Specifically, the present invention provides a structure of an ice storage assembly capable of draining residual water from a tray placed on ice while preventing ice from clumping due to residual water.

Another technical problem of the present invention is to provide a structure of an ice storage assembly having a residual water discharge valve that prevents blockage due to freezing of residual water while storing ice at a sub-zero temperature.

In order to achieve the above technical problems, the present invention seeks to provide a structure of an ice storage assembly having a tray that does not interfere with ice removal from an ice evaporator.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned purposes, and other purposes and advantages of the present invention that are not mentioned can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, it will be easily understood that the purposes and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an ice storage assembly built into an ice purifier and configured to manufacture, store, and discharge ice, the ice storage assembly including: an inner case defining an ice storage room accommodating a basket in which ice is frozen and stored; and an ice-making module disposed above the basket in the ice storage room and including an ice-making evaporator for manufacturing ice and a tray disposed below the ice-making evaporator; wherein the tray is installed so as to be rotatable between an ice-making position and an ice-separating position about a rotational axis extending parallel to the ice-making evaporator on one side in the width direction of the ice-making evaporator, and the tray has a drain portion connected to one end parallel to the rotational axis.

The structure of the above ice-making module is not specifically limited as long as it has a tray for collecting residual water. For example, the ice-making module may be a finger-type ice-making module including a finger evaporator that creates ice by entering water supplied to the tray, a spray-type ice-making module that creates ice by spraying water onto the evaporator, or an ice-tray ice-making module that creates ice by freezing water contained in an ice tray.

At this time, the drain portion may include a baffle portion that prevents residual water in the tray from falling into the basket when the tray is placed in the ice position, and a flow path portion that guides residual water in the tray to be discharged rearward.

As the above drain portion is provided, the remaining water in the tray can be discharged to the rear space where there is no ice without falling on the ice stored in the basket.

When the tray rotates from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, if the drain portion interferes with ice formed in the ice-making evaporator, the drain portion and/or the ice may be damaged or deformed, or the rotation of the tray may be restricted.

Accordingly, the drain portion may be spaced apart from the ice evaporator by a predetermined distance in the radial direction of the rotation axis so as not to interfere with ice formed in the ice evaporator.

Alternatively, the drain portion may include a soft material. The soft material may include a silicone resin or the like.

The above drain portion may be formed integrally with the tray. The fact that the drain portion and the tray are formed integrally may mean that the drain portion and the tray are connected so that they cannot be separated without being damaged. Even when the drain portion and the tray are formed integrally, the drain portion and the tray may have different materials, such as soft and hard.

At least a portion of the drain portion may be formed as a separate member connected to one end of the tray. At this time, at least a portion of the drain portion may be detachable from the tray. For example, the tray may be formed of a hard synthetic resin injection molding, and at least a portion of the drain portion may be a separate member made of a soft silicone resin or rubber material that is detachably connected to one end of the tray.

The side plate of the above tray can form a first inclined surface facing the drain portion when the tray is placed in the ice-free position. Accordingly, when ice-freezing occurs, residual water remaining in the tray can flow into the drain portion by gravity.

The above drain portion may be provided on the other side in the width direction of the tray. In other words, the drain portion may be positioned radially apart from the rotation axis. Accordingly, when the tray is placed in the ice-making position away from the ice-making evaporator, the drain portion is positioned at a lower position than one side in the width direction of the tray, and the remaining water in the tray may flow into the drain portion.

At this time, the drain portion protrudes from the other side in the width direction of the tray, thereby preventing the remaining water flowing into the drain portion from flowing back to the other side in the width direction and falling onto the ice.

The above-mentioned baffle portion can restrict residual water within the tray from flowing forward and in the widthwise direction when the tray is placed in the ice position. Specifically, the baffle portion can have a shape extending from the front end portion and the widthwise other end portion of the drain portion.

The above drain portion may have a shape with an open rear end. Preferably, at this time, the flow path portion may form a second inclined surface facing rearward based on the time when the tray is placed in the separation position. Accordingly, the residual water flowing into the drain portion may be discharged to the rear of the drain portion.

The rear end of the above drain portion may be positioned rearward compared to the rear end of the basket in order to discharge residual water while avoiding the basket.

A drainage channel extending in the height direction may be formed at the rear of the basket. Along the drainage channel, residual water discharged from the tray to the rear of the basket may flow to the bottom of the inner case.

At this time, a downward-facing drain is provided at the bottom of the inner case so that residual water can be discharged outside the inner case.

A heater may be provided in the drain and/or the drain outlet, so that the drain and/or the drain outlet can be prevented from being blocked due to freezing of residual water.

The present invention can provide a structure of an ice storage assembly that prevents ice from clumping due to residual water by allowing residual water remaining in a tray during an ice-making process to flow into a rear space where there is no ice.

The present invention provides a structure of an ice storage assembly that can discharge the remaining water in a tray to the maximum extent possible by simply rotating the tray for ice removal without a separate operation, by having a tray formed with an incline.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to provide a structure of an ice storage assembly having a residual water discharge valve that prevents blockage due to freezing of residual water by providing a heater.

In addition, a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention has a drain portion formed softly, thereby enabling discharge of residual water without being affected by or affecting ice during freezing.

In addition, the present invention may have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment, or an explanation of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the structure of an ice storage assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the ice storage assembly of FIGS. 1 to 3.
Figure 5 shows the structure of an inner case according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of an inner case according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows the flow of cold air in Figure 6.
Figure 8 shows the arrangement and structure of an ice making module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 shows a fixing structure of an ice evaporator according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 shows a tray with the drain portion removed according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 11 and 12 respectively illustrate a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention placed in an ice-making position and an ice-removing position.
FIG. 153 shows a cross-section of a tray placed in a moving position according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 shows the structure of a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 shows the structure of a tray according to one modified example of the present invention. FIGS. 16 and 17 show a drainage path of an ice storage assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 illustrates an ice purifier having an ice storage assembly built in according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Indicates the drainage path.

The above-mentioned objects, features and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily practice the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is judged that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

Although the terms first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specifically stated, a first component may also be a second component.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

Hereinafter, the phrase “any configuration is disposed on (or below)” a component or “on (or below)” a component may mean not only that any configuration is disposed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration disposed on (or below) said component.

Additionally, when a component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through other components.

In particular, in the description of the refrigerant path in this specification, when it is said that a component is connected to another component in “series,” it means that the two components are connected in series so that the refrigerant passing through one component flows to the other component. Even in this case, it should be understood that a component that forms a passage through which the refrigerant flows, such as a refrigerant pipe or expansion valve, may exist between the two components connected in series.

In addition, when it is mentioned that a component and another component are connected in “parallel,” it means that the path connected to one component and the path connected to the other component branch off from the upstream of the two components based on the direction of flow of the refrigerant, and join at the downstream of the two components. Meanwhile, in the present specification, a refrigerant path may refer to a single pipe through which the refrigerant flows, and may also collectively refer to a plurality of pipes separated in order to be connected to other devices such as an evaporator and a capillary tube. Specifically, the refrigerant path may be implemented with components in which a passage through which the refrigerant flows is formed, such as a refrigerant pipe and an expansion valve, and components such as valves and connecting pipes may be arranged at the points where the paths branch and join.

As used herein, the singular expressions include the plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "consisting of" or "comprising" should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or various steps described in the specification, and should be construed as not including some of the components or some of the steps, or may include additional components or steps.

Throughout the specification, when reference is made to "A and/or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when reference is made to "C through D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

The present invention relates to the structure of an ice storage assembly configured to freeze and store and discharge ice. Hereinafter, for convenience, the case where the ice storage assembly is built into an ice water purifier is exemplified, but it will be clear from the following description that the structure of the ice storage assembly according to the present invention can be applied to any assembly configured to manufacture, freeze and store ice, and/or discharge ice, regardless of the type of device into which it is built, such as a refrigerator or ice maker.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[Module layout structure]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the general structure of an ice storage assembly and the arrangement structure of each module according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the structure of an ice storage assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section thereof. Referring to these drawings, an ice storage assembly (IS) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an inner case (1) defining an ice storage room (first compartment) in which an ice-making module (3) is arranged and ice is frozen and stored, a cold air supply room (second compartment) in which a cold air supply module (4) is arranged, and a cold water tank (third compartment) in which a cold water module (5) is arranged.

The inner case (1) above may be formed integrally as a single injection-molded product, or may include a plurality of parts. For example, the inner case (1) may include a plurality of cases that are adjacent to each other as separate parts, or may be configured to form a plurality of compartments by having a main body and a partition wall connected to the main body.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner case (1) is formed in a form in which a first partition wall (110) that divides the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) is combined with a main body made of a synthetic resin injection material, and the second partition wall that divides the first compartment (11) and the third compartment (13) may be formed integrally with the main body.

The first to third compartments (11, 12, 13) may be arranged horizontally with respect to each other. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second compartment (12) may be arranged on the first horizontal direction side of the first compartment (11), and the third compartment (13) may be arranged on the second horizontal direction side of the first compartment (11). At this time, it is preferable that the third compartment (13) has a slim shape extending in the front-back direction. Accordingly, the first to third compartments (11, 12, 13) may form a compactly arranged single assembly.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first horizontal direction may be rearward, and the second horizontal direction may be a width direction intersecting with the front-back direction. Through this configuration, the first compartment (11) and the third compartment (13) where ice and cold water are manufactured and discharged may be arranged in a front position where the user can easily access them, while the entire ice storage assembly (IS) may be arranged compactly.

Specifically, according to the present embodiment, a part of the third compartment (13) may be positioned on one side of the width direction of the first compartment (11), and the remainder may be positioned on one side of the width direction of the second compartment (12). At this time, the third compartment (13) may have a smaller width than the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12). Accordingly, the ice storage assembly (IS) may have a slim shape that extends forward and backward.

Ice can be stored in the first compartment (11). In order to facilitate the forward discharge of ice stored in the first compartment (11), it is preferable that the first compartment (11) be provided at the frontmost portion of the ice storage assembly (IS).

The first compartment (11) can accommodate a basket (10) in which ice is stored. The basket (10) can be placed in the first compartment (11) so as to be separable from the inner case (1). Specifically, the basket (10) can be configured to have an upper open shape and to receive ice produced and falling from the ice-making module (3).

The ice-making module (3) may be arranged in the first compartment (11). Specifically, it is preferable that the ice-making module (3) be provided above the basket (10). The structure of the ice-making module (3) is not specifically limited. For example, the ice-making module (3) may be a finger-type ice-making module including a finger evaporator that receives water supplied to a tray and creates ice, a spray-type ice-making module that sprays water into the evaporator to create ice, or an ice mold ice-making module that freezes water contained in an ice mold to create ice. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ice-making module (3) may be a finger-type ice-making module including an ice-making evaporator (30) and a tray (31) that supplies water to the ice-making evaporator (30).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the ice-making module (3) is provided in the first compartment (11) where ice is stored, the first compartment (11) can function as both an ice storage compartment and an ice-making compartment, and the entire ice storage assembly (IS) can have a more compact shape compared to when they are separated.

The first compartment (11) may be provided with an auger (620) for transporting ice to be discharged to the outside. The auger (620) may be provided in a tilted state so as to rise upward as it goes forward in order to pull up ice from the bottom of the first compartment (11) and discharge it forward. Correspondingly, the first compartment (11) and/or the basket (10) may have a bottom surface that is inclined so as to rise upward as it goes forward. In addition, it is preferable that the bottom surface of the first compartment (11) and/or the basket (10) has a shape that is concave downward so that ice can be supplied to the auger (620) by gravity.

The cold air supply module (4) may be arranged in the second compartment (12). The cold air supply module (4) cools the air in the second compartment (12) and supplies it to the first compartment (11), thereby supplying cold air to ice stored in the first compartment (11). The structure of the cold air supply module (4) is not particularly limited, but may generally include a refrigeration evaporator (40). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cold air supply module (4) may include a fin tube-type refrigeration evaporator in which a plurality of thin fins are provided on the surface of a refrigerant pipe.

A refrigerant pipe may be extended from the above-described refrigerant evaporator to the outside of the second compartment (12). The refrigerant pipe may be fixed to the second compartment (12) by a packing (400). In addition, the packing (400) may seal a gap between the second compartment (12) and the refrigerant pipe. At this time, the packing (400) may be mounted in a packing groove (121) provided in the second compartment (12). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the packing groove (121) may be a groove shape that is sunken downward from the upper end of the second compartment (12) so that the packing (400) may be mounted. Alternatively, the packing groove (121), regardless of its name, may be a hole shape that penetrates the side wall of the second compartment (12).

The cold water module (5) may be placed in the third compartment (13). The structure of the cold water module (5) is not particularly limited, but is generally configured to include a cold water evaporator that cools cooling water and a cold water coil that is cooled by the cooling water. In one embodiment of the present invention, the third compartment (13) is filled with cooling water, and the cold water module (5) accommodated in the third compartment (13) may include a cold water evaporator (50), a cold water coil (51), and a stirrer (51) that stirs the cooling water to promote heat exchange.

A refrigerant pipe may be extended from the cold water evaporator to the outside of the third compartment (13). The refrigerant pipe may be fixed to the third compartment (13) by a packing (500). In addition, the packing (500) may seal a gap between the third compartment (13) and the refrigerant pipe. At this time, the packing (500) may be mounted in a packing groove (131) provided in the third compartment (13). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the packing groove (131) may be a groove shape that is sunken downward from the upper end of the inner case (1) so that the packing (500) may be mounted. Alternatively, the packing groove (131), regardless of its name, may be a hole shape that penetrates the side wall of the third compartment (13).

The inner case (1) can be accommodated in an outer case (2) that constitutes the exterior of the ice storage assembly (IS). The outer case (2) is made of one or more members and can accommodate the inner case (1) so that a predetermined space is formed between it and the outer surface of the inner case (1).

According to the present embodiment, the inner case (1) may be mounted in a form in which its upper end is hung over the upper end of the outer case (2), and at this time, the first to third compartments (11, 12, 13) may be formed in a recess shape that is sunken downward from the upper part of the inner case (1) hung over the upper end of the outer case (2). In particular, according to the present embodiment, the first compartment and the second compartment (11, 12) may be formed by having one recess partitioned by the first partition (110), and the third compartment (13) may be formed as a recess that is different from the first and second compartments (11, 12).

A case insulation material (20) may be provided between the outer case (2) and the inner case (1). The case insulation material (20) may include a vacuum insulation material, etc., attached to the outer surface of the inner case (1) and/or the inner surface of the outer case (2), or interposed therebetween, or may include a foam insulation material, etc., filled in the space between the inner case (1) and the outer case (2).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, instead of the compartments in which each module is accommodated being arranged separately from each other and independently insulated, the entire inner case (1) divided into a plurality of compartments (11, 12, 13) is externally insulated, thereby improving space utilization and energy efficiency.

A front case (6) forming a front assembly may be installed in front of the first compartment (11). The front case (6) may have side walls extending forward and backward, and may have a front cover and a rear cover connected forward and backward to the side walls. Accordingly, the front case (6) may be formed to have a separate internal space protruding forward from the front of the first compartment (11).

The front case (6) may be formed as a separate body, or may be formed as an integral body, in whole or in part from the inner case (1) and/or the outer case (2). For example, the front case may be a separate body connected to the front of the inner case (1) and/or the outer case (2), or may be formed by protruding the front of the inner case (1) and/or the outer case (2). Or, for example, the rear cover of the front case (6) may form part or all of the front of the inner case (1) and/or the outer case (2). The front case (6) may be equipped with a dispenser that can transport ice within the first compartment (11) and discharge it to the outside.

[Bulkhead and duct structure]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the compartment partition and communication structure of the ice storage assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

Fig. 5 shows the structure of an inner case according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of an inner case according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, the inner case (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first partition wall (110) that divides the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12).

The first bulkhead (110) may be included in the inner case (1) as a separate member from the member forming the outer appearance of the inner case (1), or may be a part integral with the member forming the outer appearance of the inner case (1).

The first bulkhead (110) may be provided with a first duct (111) that partially connects the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12). As the first duct is provided in the first bulkhead (110), the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) are partitioned from each other, and cold air can be supplied to the first compartment (11) from the cold air supply module (4) arranged in the second compartment (12).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ice storage assembly (IS) may be configured so that a user can open and close the first compartment (11) to clean the ice storage or to resolve ice formation. However, the surface of the freezer evaporator (40) is maintained at a low temperature and may be provided with sharp metal fins. Accordingly, in order to allow cold air to pass from the second compartment (12) to the first compartment (11) while restricting a user from accessing the first compartment (11) to the second compartment (12), it is preferable that the first duct (111) includes a mesh shape. The mesh shape may mean a shape in which a large number of small mesh holes are arranged so that a user's fingers, etc. cannot pass through. This can also prevent a safety accident caused by a fan, which will be described later.

The first duct (111) may be provided at least in the upper half of the first bulkhead (110). Since cold air tends to flow downward, the cold air supplied to the first compartment (11) through the first duct (111) flows downward and can efficiently cool the ice stored in the first compartment (11). At this time, the first duct (111) does not need to be provided only in the upper half of the first bulkhead (110), and may extend from the upper half to the lower half of the first bulkhead (110).

The above-described cold air supply module (4) may include a fan (41) that blows cold air from the second compartment (12) to the first compartment (11) through the first duct (111). The fan (41) is also preferably positioned above the refrigerated evaporator (40), just as the first duct (111) is preferably positioned at the upper half of the first bulkhead (110). Accordingly, the fan (41) can pull up cold air that settles at the lower portion of the second compartment (12) and blow it to the first compartment (11) through the first duct (111). At this time, the fans (41) may be arranged both above and below the refrigerated evaporator (40), or may be arranged in multiple numbers in the height direction.

If the fan (41) is in contact with or placed too close to the refrigerated evaporator (40), frost may be generated or grown on the fan (41) and may interfere with the operation of the fan (41). To prevent this, it is preferable that the fan (41) be provided with a heater or insulation material to prevent the generation of such frost, or be placed at a predetermined distance upward from the upper portion of the refrigerated evaporator (40).

Hereinafter, with respect to the fan (41), the direction in which air passes through the fan (41) is defined as the blowing direction, and one surface of the fan (410) intersecting the blowing direction is defined as the blowing surface.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, in other words, the fan (41) may be placed in an erected state with respect to the refrigerated evaporator (40). At this time, the fan (41) may be placed so that its airflow surface does not face the refrigerated evaporator (40) but is adjacent to the refrigerated evaporator (40). Accordingly, the restraint or failure of the driving unit due to the formation or growth of frost on the surface of the fan (41) due to cold air may be prevented.

According to the present embodiment, the fan (41) may be arranged so that its blowing direction is substantially parallel to the normal direction of the first partition wall (110). In addition, at this time, the blowing surface of the fan (41) may face or be opposite to the first partition wall (110), and may be arranged so that at least a portion thereof overlaps the first duct (111) in the front-rear direction. In this case, since the flow rate of air passing through the first duct (111) is increased by the fan (41), the speed at which cold air is introduced from the second compartment (12) to the first compartment (11) may also be increased.

In one variation, the fan (41) may have its airflow direction substantially parallel to the height direction. That is, at this time, the fan (41) may be arranged so that its airflow surface faces or faces the upper surface of the refrigerated evaporator (40). In this case, in order to prevent the fan (41) from being restrained or broken due to the generation and growth of frost caused by the cold air of the refrigerated evaporator (40), as described above, it is preferable that the fan (41) have a sufficient distance from the refrigerated evaporator (40).

A second duct (112) may be provided in at least the lower half of the first bulkhead (110) to return air from the lower portion of the first compartment (11) to the second compartment (12).

Fig. 7 shows the flow of cold air in Fig. 6. Referring to this, the first duct (111) and the second duct (112) connect the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) at different locations, so that air that is introduced into the first compartment (11) through the first duct (111) and supplies cold air to ice, and then is re-introduced and re-cooled into the second compartment (12) through the second duct (112) and then supplied to the first compartment (11) again through the first duct (111), thereby forming a cold air circulation path. At this time, the second duct (112) does not have to be provided only in the lower half of the first bulkhead (110), and may extend from the lower half to the upper half of the first bulkhead (110). For example, the first duct (111) and the second duct (112) may be connected to form a single duct extending from the top to the bottom of the first bulkhead (110).

At this time, a basket hole (101) penetrating the basket (10) inside and outside may be provided on at least one of the bottom surface and the first horizontal side surface of the basket (10). The basket holes (101) may be arranged in a plurality of mesh shapes. Cold air is supplied to the first compartment (11) through the first duct (111) to supply cold air to the ice, and air passing through the ice may pass through the basket hole (101) and then flow into the second compartment (12) again. That is, a path for cold air to pass through the ice may be formed by connecting the upper and lower sides of the basket (10) based on the ice.

The above-mentioned cold air supply module (4) may include a defrosting heater that heats the surface of the above-mentioned refrigerating evaporator (40). Frost may occur or grow on the surface of the above-mentioned refrigerating evaporator (40) due to moisture, and if defrosting is not performed to remove the frost, the growth of the ice may cause the driving unit to become restricted or malfunction. Alternatively, the above-mentioned refrigerating evaporator (40) may remove the frost on its surface by receiving hot gas, which is a refrigerant supplied without passing through an expansion valve.

In particular, when the cold air supply module (4) is provided with a defrosting means such as the defrosting heater, the first partition wall (110) may be provided with an insulating material that insulates between the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12). As the insulating material, a known insulating material including a vacuum insulating material or polyurethane foam may be used. Accordingly, the heat that heats the surface of the refrigerating evaporator (40) is conducted to the first compartment (11), thereby preventing the temperature of the first compartment (11) from increasing. When the refrigerating evaporator (40) is heated for defrosting, it is preferable that the fan (41) is controlled not to operate in order to prevent heat from convecting to the first compartment (11).

Meanwhile, a drain (14) may be provided at the bottom of the inner case (1). The drain (14) may be connected to the outside of the inner case (1). Through the drain (14), the defrost water generated by melting the frost formed on the surface of the refrigerating evaporator (40) and/or the ice-making evaporator (30) may be discharged to the outside of the inner case (1). The drain (14) may be connected to a drain tank or a drain path.

The inner case (1) may include a second partition wall that divides the first compartment and the third compartment. The second partition wall (120) may be included in the inner case (1) as a separate member from the member forming the outer appearance of the inner case (1), or may be a part that is integral with the member forming the outer appearance of the inner case (1).

Since the cooling water filled in the third compartment (13) must be maintained in a liquid state, the temperature of the third compartment (13) needs to be maintained higher than the temperature of the first compartment (11), so it is preferable that the second bulkhead (120) be provided with an insulating material that insulates between the first compartment (11) and the third compartment (13).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an ice storage assembly and an ice water purifier including the same are provided, in which an ice storage room, a cold air supply module, and a cold water module are compactly arranged in a horizontal direction to enhance space utilization. At this time, the first to third compartments (11, 12, 13) are connected to each other or insulated as described above, so that the thermal efficiency of the ice storage assembly (IS) as a single assembly can be increased.

[Structure of ice making module and ice making evaporator]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the fixing structure of the ice making module and the ice making evaporator according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 8 shows the arrangement and structure of an ice-making module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the ice-making module (3) may be arranged on the upper portion of the first compartment (11). The ice-making module (3) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an ice-making evaporator (30) that cools water to make ice, and a tray (31) that supplies water to the ice-making evaporator (30) and processes residual water. One end of a water supply pipe (32) that supplies water to the tray (31) may be positioned above the tray (31). The water supply pipe (32) may protrude and extend from the inner case (1) toward the tray (31).

The ice evaporator (30) may be a finger-type evaporator having an extension extending in the longitudinal direction and a plurality of finger portions extending in a direction intersecting with the extension portion. A pipe for introducing and discharging refrigerant may be connected to one end of the extension portion, and the refrigerant introduced into the ice evaporator (30) may absorb heat from the finger portion and then be discharged, thereby cooling the finger portion. Accordingly, the ice evaporator (30) may produce ice by immersing the finger portion in water supplied to the tray (31) to cool the water around it.

The above ice evaporator (30) may be configured so that its surface can be heated in order to perform a process of slightly melting and dropping ice. For example, the ice module (3) may include a heater that heats the surface of the ice evaporator (30). Alternatively, the ice evaporator (30) may be configured so that it can selectively receive not only cold refrigerant but also relatively high-temperature hot gas.

Fig. 9 shows a fixing structure of an ice evaporator according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the ice evaporator (30) can be fixed to a pair of fixing members (113) provided at both ends in the first compartment (11) at its longitudinal ends. Since the ice evaporator (30) has an elongated shape, it is preferable for the ice evaporator (30) to be supported at both ends in terms of structural stability. The fixing members (113) have a shape in which the upper surface thereof corresponds to the lower surface of the ice evaporator (30), and can guide the assembly position of the ice evaporator (30) while stably supporting the lower portion of the ice evaporator (30).

The above ice evaporator (30) can be fixed by being interposed between the bracket (300) mounted on its upper side and the mounting portion (113). The bracket (300) can be fixed on both sides of the width direction of the mounting portion (113), and has a bottom surface having a shape corresponding to the upper surface of the bracket (300) to stably support the upper portion of the ice evaporator (30).

Specifically, the bracket (300) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a main body (300a) that protrudes downward so as to be inserted into the mounting portion (113) and wing portions (300b) that extend in both width directions from the upper end of the main body. The main body (300a) may be inserted into the mounting portion (113) so that its lower surface may support the upper portion of the ice evaporator (30) downward, and the wing portions (300b) may be fastened to the upper end of the inner case (1) to fix the main body (300a) downward.

At this time, the fixing portion (113) may include a first fixing portion (113a) that is sunken downward from the upper portion of the inner case (1) to correspond to the shape of the main body portion (300a) and a second fixing portion (113b) that corresponds to the wing portion (300b). The second fixing portion (113b) may be sunken downward from the upper portion of the inner case (1) to a depth corresponding to the thickness of the wing portion (300b), thereby allowing the upper portion of the inner case (1) to be flatly connected. The edge shapes of the wing portion (300b) and the second fixing portion (113b) may correspond to each other.

The above wing portion (300b) and the second fixing portion (113b) may each be provided with a predetermined fastening hole, and may be connected to each other by a predetermined fastening member, such as a bolt, passing through them and fastening them.

[Structure of tray and drain section]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15, the structure of a residual water tray having a drain portion according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

Fig. 10 shows a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention with the drain portion removed. Referring to this, the tray (31) may be formed as a container capable of supplying water, which is a raw material for ice, to the ice evaporator (30). The tray (31) may have a shape that extends in the longitudinal direction as a whole, similar to the ice evaporator (30).

The above tray (31) may be configured to rotate around a rotation axis (31A) provided along the longitudinal direction on one side of the width direction. Specifically, the tray (31) may be configured to rotate between an ice-making position below the ice-making evaporator (30) and an ice-moving position that avoids the lower side of the ice-making evaporator (30).

After ice is formed in the ice evaporator (30), as the tray (31) rotates from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, the tray (31) can avoid the lower part of the ice evaporator (30), and then as the ice evaporator (30) is heated, some of the formed ice can melt and fall into the inside of the basket (10).

Figures 11 and 12 respectively illustrate a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention placed in an ice-making position and an ice-separating position, and Figure 13 illustrates a cross-section of a tray placed in an ice-separating position according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, the tray (31) may be provided with a drain portion (310) connected to one end parallel to the rotation shaft (31A). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drain portion (310) may be provided at an upper end of the other side in the width direction of the tray (31).

The above drain portion (310) may be formed so that the remaining water in the tray (31) after making ice can be discharged to the outside of the basket (10). Specifically, the drain portion (310) may include a baffle portion (311) that prevents the remaining water from falling into the basket (10) and a flow path portion (312) that guides the remaining water to flow to the rear. Accordingly, the remaining water in the tray (31) can be discharged to the rear of the basket (10) where there is no ice, and the phenomenon of ice clumping due to freezing of the remaining water can be prevented.

When the tray (31) rotates from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, if the drain part (310) interferes with ice formed in the ice-making evaporator (30), the drain part (310) and/or the ice may be damaged or deformed, or the rotation of the tray (31) may be restricted.

Accordingly, the drain portion (310) may be spaced apart from the ice evaporator (30) by a predetermined distance in the radial direction of the rotation axis (31A) so as not to interfere with ice formed in the ice evaporator (30). In other words, the portion of the drain portion (310) closest to the rotation axis (31A) may be located radially farther from the rotation axis (31A) than the portion of the ice evaporator (30) that is farthest from the rotation axis (31A).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drain part (310) may include a soft material to prevent ice from being broken or deformed and to not interfere with the rotation of the tray (31). The soft material may include silicone resin, etc.

FIG. 14 shows the structure of a tray according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, at least a part of the drain portion (310) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed as a separate member connected to one end of the tray (31). At this time, at least a part of the drain portion (310) may be detachable from the tray (31). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tray (31) is formed as a hard synthetic resin injection-molded product, and the drain portion (310) may include a separate member made of a soft silicone resin or rubber material that is detachably connected to one end of the tray (31).

FIG. 15 shows the structure of a tray according to one modified example of the present invention. Referring to this, the drain part (310) according to one modified example may be formed integrally connected with the tray (31). The fact that the drain part (310) and the tray (31) are formed integrally may mean that the drain part (310) and the remaining portion of the tray (31) are connected so that they cannot be separated without being damaged. Even when the drain part (310) is formed integrally with the tray (31), the drain part (310) and the tray (31) may have different materials, such as soft and hard. Referring again to FIG. 13, the side plate of the tray (31) may form a first inclined surface (31S) facing the drain part (310) based on the time when the tray (31) is placed in the separation position. Accordingly, when ice is being moved, the remaining water in the tray (31) can flow into the drain part (310) by gravity. At this time, the drain part (310) protrudes from the upper end of one end of the width direction of the tray (31) that descends when ice is being moved, thereby preventing the remaining water that flows into the drain part (310) from flowing toward the basket (10) and falling onto the ice.

The above-mentioned partition wall (311) can restrict the residual water in the tray (31) from flowing forward and toward the basket (10) when the tray (31) is placed at the ice position. Specifically, the above-mentioned partition wall (311) can have a shape that extends from the front end of the drain portion (310) and one end in the width direction of the basket (10).

Referring again to FIGS. 10, 11, and 14, the flow path (312) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first flow path (312a) formed integrally with the tray (31) and a second flow path (312b) that is a separate body connected to the first flow path (312a). At this time, the first flow path (312a) may extend upward from one end of the width direction of the tray (31), and the second flow path (312b) may be a separate body that extends in a direction parallel to the first flow path (312a). According to the present embodiment, the partition wall (311) may extend from the second flow path (312a). The first flow portion (312a) and the second flow portion (312b) can be joined by inserting a joining projection (3120b) provided in the second flow portion (312b) into a joining hole (3120a) provided in the first flow portion (312a).

At this time, the drain part (310) may have a shape with an open rear. Preferably, at this time, the flow path part (312) may form a second inclined surface (312S) facing rearward based on the time when the tray (31) is placed in the separation position. Accordingly, the residual water flowing into the drain part (310) may be discharged to the rear of the drain part (310).

The rear end of the above drain portion (310) may be positioned rearward compared to the rear end of the basket (10) in order to discharge residual water while avoiding the basket (10).

Referring again to FIG. 15, according to the above-described modified example, when placed in the ice-making position, the flow path (312) may extend upward from the side plate of the tray (31), and the baffle portion (311) may protrude from the flow path (312) in a direction facing the ice-making evaporator (30).

[Drainage path]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, a detailed description will be given of a residual water drainage path of an ice storage assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a drainage path of an ice storage assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, a drainage channel (114) extending in the height direction may be formed at the rear of the basket (10). Along the drainage channel (114), residual water discharged from the tray (31) to the rear of the basket (10) may flow to the bottom of the inner case (1).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drain (114) may be formed in the space between the first partition (110) and the basket (10). The rear end of the drain part (310) may be located above the drain (114). Accordingly, the remaining water that has fallen from the rear end of the drain part (310) may flow into the drain (114). According to this embodiment, the drain (114) is provided at the rear compared to the basket (10), and the remaining water flows into the drain (114) from the rear of the basket (10), so there is no concern that it will fall or splash onto the basket (10).

At this time, a downward-facing drain (14) is provided at the bottom of the inner case (1) so that residual water can be discharged outside the inner case (1).

It is preferable that a heater be provided in the drain (114) and/or the drain port (14) to prevent the drain (114) and/or the drain port (14) from being blocked due to freezing of residual water.

[Ice water purifier structure]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 18, the structure of an ice purifier having an ice storage assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Meanwhile, as described above, the structure of the ice storage assembly according to the present invention can be applied not only to an ice purifier as described below, but also to any device configured to store or discharge ice.

Fig. 18 shows an ice purifier having an ice storage assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the ice purifier (WP) may have a water outlet protruding forward from its upper portion. One or more discharge ports (540, 640) may be installed below the water outlet.

The above discharge ports (540, 640) may include a purified water discharge port (540) through which purified water is discharged and an ice discharge port (640) through which ice is discharged.

Through the above-mentioned water discharge port (540), purified water that has passed through the filter can be discharged as is or after being heated or cooled in the form of purified water, hot water, or cold water, and through the above-mentioned ice discharge port (640), ice stored in the above-mentioned ice storage assembly (IS) can be transported forward and discharged. A user can receive water or ice by placing a container below the above-mentioned water outlet and manipulating the opening and closing of the above-mentioned discharge ports (540, 640).

It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention will be indicated by the claims that follow rather than by the detailed description set forth above. And the meaning and scope of the claims that follow, as well as all changes and modifications that can be derived from the equivalent concept thereof, should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings as examples, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, even if the effects according to the configuration of the present invention were not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects that can be predicted by the corresponding configuration should also be recognized.

1: Inner case
10: Basket
101: Basket Hole
11: Compartment 1 (Ice Storage Room)
110: First bulkhead
111: Duct 1
112: Duct 2
113: Settlement
113a: First Settlement
113b: Second Settlement Couple
114: Drain
12: Second compartment (cold supply room)
120: Second bulkhead
121: Packing Home
13: Third compartment (cold water tank)
131: Packing Home
14: Drain
2: Outer Case
20: Case insulation
21: 1st cover
210: Gasket
211: First fixing means
22: 2nd cover
220: Border
23: Third Cover
230: Interference Section
231: Temperature sensor
232: Bracket
3: Ice making module
30: Ice evaporator
300: Bracket
300a: Main body
300b: Wings
31: Tray
31A: Rotation axis
31S: 1st slope 310: Drain section
311: Bulkhead
312: Europart
312a: First Euro Division
3120a: Combination hole
312b: 2nd Euro
3120b: Combination projection
312S: 2nd slope
32: Water supply pipe
4: Cold supply module
40: Refrigerated Evaporator
400: Packing
41: Fan
5: Cold water module
500: Coolant
50: Cold water evaporator
500: Packing
51: Cold water coil
52: Stirrer
520: Central axis
521: Impeller
522: Blade
523: Stirring motor
53: Absence of compartment
531: The plate
532: Side plate
533: Settlement
534: Spacer
540: outlet
6: Front case
60: Side wall
61: Front cover
610: First insulation member
611: 1st tray motor receiving section
612: Auger motor housing
62: Back cover
620: Second insulation member
621: Second tray motor housing
620: Ogre
621: Auger Motor
631: Tray Motor
64: Dispenser
640: outlet
641: Door
641a: Door 1
641b: 2nd door
641I: Door Insulation
WP: (Ice) Water Purifier
IS: Ice storage assembly
CW: Cold Water Module Assembly
CP: Refrigerant pipe (refrigerant path)
WP: Cold water pipe
A1: Axis 1
A2: Second axis
D1: Outer diameter of impeller
D2: Inner width of the cold water coil
Cmp: Compressor
Cnd: Condenser
V0: Multi-valve
V1: First expansion valve
V2: Second expansion valve
V3: Third expansion valve
HG: Hot Gas Euro

Claims (17)

An inner case defining an ice storage compartment for accommodating a basket in which ice is frozen; and
An ice-making module is provided, which is disposed above the basket in the ice storage room and includes an ice-making evaporator for making ice and a tray disposed below the ice-making evaporator;
The above tray is installed so as to be rotatable between an ice-making position and an ice-removing position about a rotational axis extending parallel to the ice-making evaporator on one side of the width direction of the ice-making evaporator,
The above tray includes a drain portion connected to one end parallel to the above rotation axis,
An ice storage assembly, wherein the drain portion includes a baffle portion that prevents residual water in the tray from falling into the basket when the tray is placed in the ice-making position, and a flow path portion that guides residual water in the tray to be discharged rearward.
In claim 1,
An ice storage assembly, wherein the drain portion is spaced apart from the ice evaporator in the radial direction of the rotation axis by a predetermined distance so as not to interfere with ice formed in the ice evaporator.
In claim 1,
An ice storage assembly in which the above drain portion is formed as an integral part connected to the tray.
In claim 1,
An ice storage assembly, wherein at least a portion of the drain portion is formed as a separate body connected to one end of the tray.
In claim 4,
An ice storage assembly, wherein at least a portion of the drain portion is detachable from the tray.
In claim 3 or 4,
An ice storage assembly, wherein the above drain portion comprises a soft material.
In claim 1,
An ice storage assembly, wherein the side plate of the tray forms a first inclined surface facing the drain portion when the tray is placed in the ice-making position.
In claim 1,
The above drain portion is an ice storage assembly that protrudes from the other side in the width direction of the tray.
In claim 1,
An ice storage assembly, wherein the above-mentioned bulkhead restricts residual water within the tray from flowing forward and in the width direction when the tray is placed in the ice-making position.
In claim 9,
An ice storage assembly, wherein the drain portion has an open rear shape.
In claim 10,
An ice storage assembly, wherein the above-mentioned euro portion forms a second inclined surface facing rearward based on the time when the tray is placed in the ice-making position.
In claim 10,
An ice storage assembly, wherein the rear end of the above drain portion is located rearward compared to the rear end of the above basket.
In claim 1,
An ice storage assembly, wherein a drainage channel extending in the height direction is formed at the rear of the above basket.
In claim 13,
An ice storage assembly, wherein a heater is provided in the above drain.
In claim 13,
An ice storage assembly having a downward-facing drain hole provided at the bottom of the inner case.
In claim 15,
An ice storage assembly, wherein a heater is provided in the above drain.
In any one of claims 1 to 16,
An ice storage assembly characterized by being built into an ice purifier and configured to manufacture, store, and dispense ice.