Pulse Electrothermal Mold Release Icemaker For Refrigerator Having Interlock Closure And Baffle For Safety
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An icemaker comprising:
- a case having an open chamber;
a case door mounted to the case to open and close the open chamber;
a locking unit to lock the case door to the case;
an ice mold disposed within the case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat when electric current flows through the material to perform an ice body separation;
apparatus for dispensing water into the ice mold;
a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and
a safety unit to interrupt the supply of the electric current to the ice mold when the case door is opened.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present document relates to an icemaker having a pulse electrothermal ice release system for separating ice bodies from an ice mold. The pulse electrothermal ice release system operates by applying an electric current through the ice mold through two wires. Safety apparatus for preventing electric shock to users of the icemaker is described. A refrigerator having the icemaker, and an operating method of the icemaker are disclosed. In an embodiment, the safety apparatus interrupts current flow through both wires.
106 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An icemaker comprising:
-
a case having an open chamber; a case door mounted to the case to open and close the open chamber; a locking unit to lock the case door to the case; an ice mold disposed within the case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat when electric current flows through the material to perform an ice body separation; apparatus for dispensing water into the ice mold; a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and a safety unit to interrupt the supply of the electric current to the ice mold when the case door is opened. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
7. An icemaker comprising:
-
an ice mold placed in a case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat, when electric current flows through the material, to perform an ice body separation; a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and A shield member surrounding the ice mold to prevent a user from touching the ice mold, the shield member configured to allow air to flow through. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20)
-
-
15. An icemaker comprising:
-
an ice mold placed in a case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat, when electric current flows through, to perform an ice body separation; a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and an insulation layer of an electrically insulating material coated on the ice mold.
-
-
21. A refrigerator comprising:
-
a refrigerator body having a cold chamber; a door to open and close the cold chamber; and an icemaker placed in the cold chamber, wherein the icemaker comprises; an ice mold made of a material that generates heat, when electric current flows through the material, to perform an ice body separation; a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to control the separation of ice bodies from the ice mold; and at least one of a power interruption unit to interrupt the supply of the electric current to the ice mold, a shield member surrounding the ice mold to prevent a user from touching the ice mold, and an insulation layer of an electrically insulating material coated on the ice mold.
-
-
22. A refrigerator comprising:
-
a refrigerator body having a cold chamber; a door to open and close the cold chamber; and an icemaker placed in the cold chamber, wherein the icemaker comprises; a case having an open chamber; a case door mounted to the case to open and close the open chamber; a locking unit to lock the case door to the case; an ice mold place in the case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat, when electric current flows through the material, to perform an ice body separation; a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and a safety unit to interrupt the supply of the electric current to the ice mold when the case door is opened.
-
Specification