Technical Field:

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a refrigerator dispenser.

Technical Background of the Invention:

[0002] In accordance with the recent trend of upgrading refrigerators, dispensers are installed on the doors of refrigerators to allow for the convenient supply of chilled beverages without the need to open the door. Additionally, an ice maker is installed to allow ice to be supplied in a crushed form as needed from a dispenser.

[0003] In a conventional refrigerator, when a user wants to get ice from the dispenser, he or she presses a lever or switch, and the resulting signal crushes the ice into small pieces through a crusher installed inside the ice maker or discharges it as ice cubes through an ice passage. The device that opens and closes the ice chute is a flapper. Since most dispenser flappers open and close before and after the ice passage, space is needed inside the dispenser to allow the flapper to move to the top of the cup.

[0004] When the ice maker and dispenser are installed together in the limited width of the refrigerator door, the ice maker must be formed to be large in the longitudinal direction of the refrigerator door in order to provide a lot of ice. However, the structure of the conventional flapper has limitations regardless of the size of the ice cubes, the flapper opens and closes before and after the ice passage, causing the ice to pour into the cup and often pop out of the cup.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention, which was conceived based on the above technical background, greatly reduces the moving space of a flapper, more completely blocks cold air leakage from an ice passage connected to a dispenser, and discharges an appropriate amount depending on the ice condition. It relates to the dispenser that can dispense ice. [0006] In the dispenser of a refrigerator configured to store ice generated in the ice maker in a housing and discharge the ice as is or by crushing it by the crusher through the ice passage according to the user's selection, in one embodiment of the present invention, According to the refrigerator dispenser, a discharge hole is formed at a location corresponding to the ice passage. It may include a cover connected to the dispenser, a rotating means connected to the cover and located adjacent to the discharge hole, and the flapper connected to the rotating means and rotating in contact with the cover to open the discharge hole.

[0007] The cover may be installed on the inner upper surface of the dispenser.

[0008] The cover may have the flapper installed on the surface facing the dispenser to open and close the ice passage.

[0009] The flapper described above can adjust the opening area of the discharge hole according to the state of the ice selected by the user.

[OOIO] The flapper includes a contact portion that rotates and abuts a flapper guide, a shielding portion curved at the contact portion, and a connection portion that protrudes from the contact portion toward the rotating means and connects the contact portion and the rotating means.

[0011] The shielding portion may include a circular protrusion that protrudes on a side facing the discharge hole and is larger than the discharge hole.

[0012] The shielding unit may include a second scraper protruding along an edge of the shielding portion on a surface facing the cover unit.

[0013] The rotating means is installed on the outer surface of the cover and may be connected to the connection portion.

[0014] In the flapper guide, the height of the discharge hole may be formed to be lower than the height of other portions so that the protrusion is inserted between the ice storage box and the discharge hole to seal it. [0015] The refrigerator dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention significantly reduces the moving space of the flapper, more completely blocks cold air from leaking from the ice passage connected to the dispenser, and discharges an appropriate amount of ice depending on the ice condition.

Brief explanation of drawings

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic showing an example of a refrigerator to which a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section showing an ice passage inside the dispenser and the refrigerator.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the dispenser showing a cover to which a flapper is connected to the dispenser.

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing the cover and the flapper.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the cover to which the flapper and a rotating means are connected to the dispenser.

FIG. 6 is an exploded top view of the flapper, the cover and the rotating means.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the rear of the flapper.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cover and flapper.

Specific details for implementing the invention

[0017] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts not related to the description are omitted, and identical or similar components are given the same reference numerals throughout the specification. [0018] In this specification, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to designate the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof described in the specification, but are intended to indicate the presence of one or more of them. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the presence or addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Additionally, when a portion such as a layer, sheet, region, plate, etc. is said to be "above" another portion, this includes cases where there is another portion "directly above" as well as cases where there is another portion in between. Conversely, when a portion such as a layer, sheet, region, plate, etc. is said to be "below" another portion, this includes cases where there is another portion "directly below" as well as cases where there is another portion in between.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic showing an example of a refrigerator to which the dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 200 may include a main door 211 and a sub-door 214.

The sub-door 214 is connected to the main door 211 and can be opened and closed while sealing the main door 211. For example, the sub-door 214 is made of glass so that consumers can see the inside of the main door 211 without opening the door. As another example, the sub-door 214 can be made of a display panel such as LCD or LED, and through the sub-door 214, consumers can obtain information from outside.

[0021] The main door 211 may include a storage space 212 and the dispenser 100 inside. As another example, the main door 211 may include only the dispenser 100.

[0022] Taking the main door 211 including the storage space 212 and the dispenser 100 as an example, the storage space 212 may be located above the dispenser 100. That is, when the subdoor 214 is opened, the storage space 212 can be located at the user's eye level. Simple refrigerated food such as drinks can be stored in this storage space 212, and the user can more easily access the refrigerated food stored in the storage space 212 by opening and closing the sub-door 214. Additionally, energy can be greatly saved by not opening the main door 211 that seals the main storage compartment. [0023] The dispenser 100 is located at the bottom of the storage space 212, and the user can receive ice through the dispenser 100. For example, the dispenser 100 may be closed by the subdoor (not shown). Through this, it is possible to prevent external contaminants from flowing into the dispenser 100 or into the refrigerator 200 through the dispenser.

[0024] In addition, heat transfer to the internal space of an ice storage box 240 or an ice maker

230, which are shown in FIG. 2, connected to the dispenser 100 can be prevented. Accordingly, more efficient energy saving is possible.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-section showing an ice passage 250 inside the dispenser and refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 and 2, the main door 211 may be connected to the ice maker 230 and the ice storage box 240. The ice maker 230 and the ice storage box 240 may be connected behind the storage space 212, and the ice storage box 240 may be connected below the ice maker 230.

[0027] The ice storage box 240 may include an auger 241 and a crusher 242. For example, the auger 241 may be formed in the longitudinal or width direction of the ice storage box 240. Here, the width direction refers to the width direction of the main door 211. The ice that has fallen from the ice maker 230 flows by the auger 241 installed inside the ice storage box 240, preventing the ice from sticking together. Through this, ice cubes can be more easily discharged through the ice passage 250 of a predetermined size.

[0028] The ice passage 250 is located between the ice storage box 240 and the dispenser 100, and allows the ice storage box 240 and the dispenser 100 to connect to each other. For example, ice generated in the ice maker 230 may be discharged from the ice storage box 240 through the ice passage 250. The ice passage 250 may be formed to be inclined from the ice storage box 240 toward the dispenser 100. Through this, the ice can move along the slope and naturally flow into the cup. If it is formed vertically, it is possible to prevent ice from falling directly into the cup, causing shock, and leaving the ice from the cup. The passage way 250 may be eliminated and the discharge hole 20a can be connected to the ice storage box 240 directly. [0029] The crusher 242 is connected to the ice storage box 240 and is located at the front of the ice passage 250. For example, if the user selects crushed ice, the ice may flow in the auger 241 and be crushed in the crusher 242 before being discharged into the ice passage 250 and discharged through the ice passage 250. The operation of the crusher 242 may be operated arbitrarily according to the user's selection.

[0030] A shutter 243 may be located between the ice passage 250 and the ice storage box 240.

The shutter 243 may be rotatably connected to the ice storage box 240. The shutter 243 can prevent ice from the ice storage box 240 from being randomly discharged into the ice passage 250.

[0031] The dispenser 100 may include a case 10, a cover 20, and a flapper 30. Case 10 forms the external shape of dispenser 100 and can be installed on the main door 211. For example, a cup may be placed on the inner lower surface of the case 10, and ice may be discharged from the ice passage 250 on the upper inner surface of the case 10.

[0032] Considering FIG. 3-6, the cover 20 may be installed on the inner upper surface of the case 10. For example, the case 10 may have a discharge hole 20a formed at a location corresponding to the ice passage 250. A first scraper 20c may protrude from the cover 20. That is, ice moving through the ice passage 250 may flow into the cup seated inside the dispenser 100 through the discharge hole 20a.

[0033] The flapper 30 is located between the cover 20 and the case 10, and can rotate to open and close the ice passage 250 and the discharge hole 20a. The flapper 30 may be made of an insulating material. When the flapper 30 seals the discharge hole 20a, cold air may not leak to the outside from the ice passage 250.

[0034] The flapper 30 can rotate between the cover 20 and the case 10 while contacting the cover 20. That is, the flapper 30 can rotate in a direction parallel to the inner upper surface of the case 10. Therefore, when a cup is placed inside the dispenser 100, even if the space between the cup and the inner upper surface of the dispenser 100 is narrow, the flapper 30 can rotate and thus discharge ice into the cup. [00351A rotating means 40 is connected to the cover 20 and may be located near the discharge hole 20a. For example, the rotating means 40 may be an electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic motor and alike that receives a signal from a pedal or switch and causes the flapper 30 to rotate. The flapper 30 is connected to the rotating means 40, and rotates to open and close the discharge hole 20a by the operation of the rotating means 40. Through this, the rotation of the flapper 30 can be controlled at a constant speed and strength, and the opening size of the discharge hole 20a can be adjusted. Accordingly, the amount of ice discharged through the discharge hole 20a can be adjusted. Specifically, the user can select the state of ice through a control unit 260. The control unit 260 is connected to the main door 211 and may be located near the dispenser 100. The control unit 260 may select the state of ice cubes or crushed ice. Since the ice cubes are larger than the crushed ice, the discharge hole 20a must be opened relatively large. Conversely, crushed ice is formed to be smaller in size than ice cubes, so the discharge hole 20a can be opened smaller than when it is cube ice. Through this, it is possible to prevent crushed ice from pouring out all at once, contrary to the user's expectations, when the discharge hole 20a is opened to a certain size.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the cover 20 is connected to the inner upper surface of the dispenser 100, and the flapper 30 may be located between the cover 20 and the dispenser 100. Specifically, the flapper 30 is located between the ice passage 250 in contact with the case 10 of the dispenser 100 and the discharge hole 20a formed in the cover 20 allowing for the discharge of ice while adjusting the opening size of the discharge hole 20a.

[0037] According to FIG. 5 and 6, the rotating means 40 is installed on the outside of the cover 20 and can be connected to the flapper 30. A connection hole 20b is formed in the cover 20, so that a connection portion 34a of the flapper 30 can pass through and be connected to the rotating means 40.

[0038] The flapper 30 may have a second scraper 32a formed in a direction toward the discharge hole 20a. The second scraper 32a protrudes from the flapper 30 and is formed along the edge of the shielding portion 32, and facing the cover portion 20 for a better sealing at the discharge hole 20a. The second scrapper 32a is positioned between the flapper 30 and the cover 20, and it rotates with the flapper 30 because it is in contact with the flapper. This allows it to discharge condensation and foreign substances adhered to the inner surface of the cover 20 through the discharge hole 20a. Additionally, by sealing the area around the discharge hole 20a, it is possible to prevent outside air from flowing into the ice passage 250 through the discharge hole 20a.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, a flapper guide 21 may be formed inside the cover 20. A guide wall 21a is formed on the inner surface of the flapper guide 21 and is formed along the rotation path of the flapper 30. The height of the guide wall 21a may gradually decrease as it approaches the discharge hole 20a. For example, the guide wall 21a increases in height as it moves away from the discharge hole 20a. Through this, the flapper 30 can easily rotate when rotating away from the discharge hole 20a, that is, when opening the discharge hole 20a, and when rotating close to the discharge hole 20a, i.e., when the discharge hole 20a is closed, the flapper 30 may rotate while being tightly fitted to the inner upper surface of the case 10. The flapper 30 is inserted between the discharge hole 20a and the ice passage 250 as if press-fitted, thereby completely preventing leakage of cold air from the ice passage 250. Through this, it can be more hygienic by preventing from dew forming on the cover 20 and mold forming due to the dew.

[0040] The flapper 30 may include a contact portion 31 , a shielding portion 32, and the connection portion 34a. First, the connection portion 34a is connected to the rotating means 40 and is located on one side of the flapper 30. The connection portion 34a includes a hinge portion 34, and the hinge portion 34 may be connected to the case 10 of the dispenser 100. Through this, the flapper 30 can stably rotate around the connection portion 34a.

[0041] The contact portion 31 may be formed parallel to the radial direction of the hinge portion 34. When the flapper 30 rotates, it may be formed parallel to the radial direction. The contact portion 31 may contact one side of the cover 20 inside the flapper guide 21 when the flapper 30 rotates to open the discharge hole 20a. Through this, the flapper 30 can be brought into close contact with the flapper guide 21 more stably.

[0042] The shielding portion 32 extends from the contact portion 31 and may be curved. The overall shape of the flapper 30 on which the shielding portion 32 is formed may have a semicircular shape. The shielding portion 32 is formed in a semicircle, forming an area where the discharge hole 20a is closed, so that the discharge hole 20a can be closed more efficiently. [0043] A protrusion 33 is formed to protrude from the shielding portion 32 in a direction toward the ice passage 250. The protrusion 33 may be formed in a circular shape. When the flapper 30 rotates in the flapper guide 21 to block the ice passage 250, the protrusion 33 can completely seal the ice passage 250. Furthermore, when the guide wall 21a approaches the ice passage 250, the flapper 30 may be pressed into place as it approaches the ice passage 250 because of its low height. At this time, the protrusion 33 is inserted into the ice passage 250 to prevent cold air from leaking from the ice passage 250.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a view showing the rear of the flapper.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 7, the second scraper 32a may be formed along the edge of the shielding portion 32. For example, the second scraper 32a may be formed on the curved surface of the shielding portion 32. The second scraper 32a is formed on the surface where the shielding portion 32 faces the cover 20 and protrudes. Accordingly, as the shielding portion 32 rotates, dew or foreign substances formed on the cover 20 can be wiped off and discharged through the discharge hole 20a.

[0046] The connecting portion 34a is formed to protrude from the side of the flapper 30 facing the cover 20, and may be connected to the rotating means 40. The connection portion 34a may be formed at the contact portion 31. Through this, the flapper 30 creates a different amount of movement for each part. That is, the shielding portion 32 of the flapper 30 is formed to be curved from the contact portion 31 and can open or close the discharge hole 20a even with a slight rotation. The contact portion 31 is positioned parallel to the rotational radius direction of the flapper 30, meaning it is formed in a straight line from the connecting part. As a result, when the flapper 30 rotates, it moves along the guide wall 21a inside the flapper guide 21. Through this, dew or frost that may form inside the flapper guide 21 can be removed.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cover and flapper shown in FIG. 4.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 8, the height of the guide wall 21a may be lower as it approaches the discharge hole 20a. As described above, the flapper 30 is wedged in between the discharge hole 20a and the ice passage 250, creating a tight seal, almost as if it was forcibly inserted. Through this, it is possible to prevent leakage of cold air from the ice passage 250 and the inflow of external air through the discharge hole 20a without applying special force.

[0049] Specifically, when the contact portion 31 of the flapper 30 is in close contact with the cover 20 in the flapper guide 21, that is, when the discharge hole 20a is completely opened, the flapper 30 is located on the side where the height of the guide wall 21a is highest (LI). As the flapper 30 moves to close the discharge hole 20a, the height of the guide wall 21a decreases and the resistance transmitted to the flapper 30 increases. That is, the flapper 30 moves to the place where the height of the guide wall 21a is lowest (L2). Through this, the flapper 30 can be prevented from moving rapidly.

[0050] In addition, when the flapper 30 is positioned between the discharge hole 20a and the ice passage 250, that is, when the discharge hole 20a is completely sealed, the flapper 30 can prevent the leakage of outside air more effectively by completely sealing the discharge hole 20a and the ice passage 250.

[0051] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented in this specification, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention will understand the spirit of the present invention, within the scope of the same spirit, and the components Other embodiments can be easily proposed by adding, changing, deleting, adding, etc., this will also be said to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 100: Dispenser

10: Case 0: Cover 0a: Discharge hole 0b: Connection hole 0c: First Scraper

21: Flapper guide

21a: Guide wall

30: Flapper

31: Contact portion

32: Shielding portion

32a: Second Scraper

33: Protrusion

34: Hinge portion

34a: Connection portion

40: Rotating means

200: Refrigerator

210: Main body

211 : Main door

212: Storage space

214: Sub-door 230: Ice maker

240: Ice storage box

241 : Auger

242: Crusher

243: Shutter

250: Ice passage

260: Control unit

LI, L2: Height of guide wall

The summery of the invention is as follows:

A dispenser of a refrigerator configured to store ice produced in an ice maker comprising: an ice storage box to store ice generated in the ice maker; a dispenser which is connected to the ice storage box to dispense the ice to a user comprising: a cover having a discharge hole through which the ice discharge; a flapper to open and close the discharge hole; a rotating means which is connected to the flapper and rotates the flapper to open the discharge hole.

The cover may be installed on the inner upper surface of the dispenser and may be comprising a flapper guide which is formed inside the cover to form the rotation path of the flapper.

The cover may be further comprising:

- a guide wall which is formed on the inner surface of the flapper guide and is formed along the rotation path of the flapper;

- a connection hole which is formed in the cover, to connect the cover to the rotating means.

- a first scraper which protrudes from the cover for a better sealing; The rotating means which rotates the flapper to adjust the open area of the discharge hole according to the state of the ice selected by the user, the rotating means may be an electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic motor.

The flapper may rotate in contact with the cover to open and close the discharge hole, the flapper may be comprising:

- a contact portion which rotates;

- a shielding portion extends from the contact portion and gets in touch with the first scraper for a better sealing at the discharge hole, the shielding portion have a semicircular shape.

- a connection portion, that is located on the contact portion, connecting the flapper to the rotating means, the connection portion further comprising a hinge portion to stably rotates the flapper around the connection portion.

The flapper further may be comprising a second scraper protruding from the flapper along an edge of the shielding portion facing the cover portion for a better sealing at the discharge hole.

The flapper further may be comprising a protrusion that is on the surface of the flapper facing the discharge hole and is larger than the discharge hole to seal the discharge hole, the protrusion is in a circular shape.

The flapper guide may have a height on the discharge hole portion lower than the height of other portions so that the protrusion is inserted between the ice passage and the discharge hole to seal it.

The ice storage box is connected to the discharge hole through an ice passage to move the ice along the ice passage and naturally dispense from the discharge hole.

[Abstract]

In a dispenser of a refrigerator configured to store ice produced in an ice maker in a housing and discharge the ice through an ice passage by user selection, either as whole ice or crushed by a crusher, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator dispenser includes a discharge hole formed at a position corresponding to the ice passage, and a cover connected to the dispenser and located adjacent to the discharge hole. It also includes a rotating means connected to the cover and located near the discharge hole, and a flapper connected to the rotating means, which contacts the cover and opens the discharge hole by rotating.