초록 ▼

A refrigerator ice dispensing assembly includes first, second and third ice delivery units for directing a flow of ice from a collecting bin through a discharge housing. A baffle plate is secured within the discharge housing to divide the same into first and second portions within which are arranged

A refrigerator ice dispensing assembly includes first, second and third ice delivery units for directing a flow of ice from a collecting bin through a discharge housing. A baffle plate is secured within the discharge housing to divide the same into first and second portions within which are arranged the second and third ice delivery units respectively. The baffle plate is formed with a passage through which the ice cubes are directed by the second ice delivery unit. The passage includes a generally crescent-shaped forward edge that leads from an outer radial edge of the passage to an inner radial edge thereof. The second ice delivery unit includes a central hub having an outer surface that is contiguous with the inner radial edge. The forward edge of the passage terminates directly adjacent the central hub in order to provide structural reinforcement for a high stress concentration zone associated with the passage.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An ice dispensing assembly for a refrigeration device comprising:a collecting bin adapted to house ice cubes;a discharge housing including a first portion which opens into the collecting bin and a second portion, spaced from the first portion, having an associated ice discharge open

[ I claim:] [1.] An ice dispensing assembly for a refrigeration device comprising:a collecting bin adapted to house ice cubes;a discharge housing including a first portion which opens into the collecting bin and a second portion, spaced from the first portion, having an associated ice discharge opening;a baffle member fixed within the discharge housing between the first and second portions, the baffle member being formed with a through passage enabling a flow of ice from the first portion to the second portion of the discharge housing, the passage being defined by an outer radial edge, an arcuate inner radial edge having first and second end sections, an arcuate forward edge leading from the first end section of the inner radial edge to the outer radial edge, and a rear edge extending from the radial outer edge to the second end section of the inner radial edge; andan ice supplying mechanism for directing ice cubes from the collecting bin to the discharge opening, with the ice supplying mechanism including a first ice delivery unit, located in the collecting bin for directing a flow of ice cubes from the collecting bin into the first portion of the discharge housing, a second ice delivery unit, rotatably mounted within the first portion of the discharge housing, for directing ice cubes to the passage of the baffle member and into the second portion of the discharge housing, and a third ice delivery unit rotatably mounted within the second portion of the discharge housing for directing ice to the discharge opening, wherein the second ice delivery unit includes a central hub, having an associated outer surface, and a plurality of vanes projecting radially from the central hub, with a portion of the central hub being contiguous with the inner radial edge of the passage formed in the baffle member and the forward edge of the passage terminating directly adjacent the central hub.