A refrigerator icemaker assembly includes a bin having a bottom wall, as well as first and second pairs of opposing side walls. One of the first pair of opposing side walls includes an opening within which is movably mounted a coupler. The coupler is provided with a recessed portion having formed th
A refrigerator icemaker assembly includes a bin having a bottom wall, as well as first and second pairs of opposing side walls. One of the first pair of opposing side walls includes an opening within which is movably mounted a coupler. The coupler is provided with a recessed portion having formed therein an aperture and a cog member. An auger is rotatably mounted in the bin and includes a first end portion that extends through the aperture of the coupler. A drive member extends into the coupler and drives the auger in a first direction to dispense ice cubes and in a second direction to dispense crushed ice. The driver engages with the cog member when being rotated in the first direction and directly engages the first end of the auger when being driven in the second direction.
대표청구항▼
We claim: 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining at least a freezer compartment; and an icemaker assembly mounted in the freezer compartment, said icemaker assembly including: a bin removably mounted in the freezer compartment, said bin including a bottom wall, as well as first and second
We claim: 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining at least a freezer compartment; and an icemaker assembly mounted in the freezer compartment, said icemaker assembly including: a bin removably mounted in the freezer compartment, said bin including a bottom wall, as well as first and second pairs of opposing side walls, with one of the first pair of opposing side walls including an opening; a coupler rotatably mounted in the opening of the bin, said coupler including a recessed interior portion having an aperture and a cog member; an auger rotatably mounted in the bin, said auger including a first end portion extending through the aperture of the coupler leading to a second end portion; and a drive member extending within the freezer compartment and operatively connected to the coupler, said drive member including at least one arm member having first and second opposing side edges, said first and second opposing side edges being provided with an arcuate notch and a drive flat respectively, said drive member being driven in a first direction during an ice cube dispensing operation to cause a corresponding rotation of the auger and, in a second direction during a crushed ice dispensing operation to cause a corresponding rotation of the auger, said at least one arm member engaging the cog member through the drive flat to establish an indirect connection to the auger when being rotated in the first direction and, said at least one arm member engaging the first end portion of the auger with the first portion of the auger nesting within the arcuate notch to establish a direct and positive connection to the auger when being driven in the second direction. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a motor including a drive shaft mounted in the freezer compartment, said motor being adapted to drive the drive member during the ice cube dispensing operation and the crushed ice dispensing operation. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the drive member includes a main body section having first and second end sections joined through an intermediate section, said intermediate section including an opening adapted to receive the drive shaft of the motor. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the at least one arm member of the drive member includes a first end portion, a second end portion with said first and second opposing edges being provided on an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions, said first end portion extending, substantially perpendicularly outward from the first end section of the drive member and said second end portion of the first arm member being angled. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the at least one arm member includes a first arm member and a second arm member, said second arm member having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion having first and second side edges provided with an arcuate notch and a drive flat respectively, said first end portion extending, substantially perpendicularly outward from the second end section of the drive member and said second end portion being angled. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein when driven in the first direction, said second arm member engaging the first end portion of the auger through the drive flat and, when driven in the second direction, said second arm member engages with the cog member. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the coupler includes a main body portion having a bottom section and a circumferential side section that collectively define the recessed interior portion. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the aperture is formed in the circumferential side section. 9. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the cog member extends from the bottom section and along the circumferential side section. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the cog member projects inwardly from the circumferential side section toward a central portion of the interior portion. 11. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the coupler includes at least one clip member provided on the circumferential side section, said at least one clip member including a tab element that is adapted to engage with the bin to rotatably support the coupler. 12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the circumferential side wall includes an opening, said clip member projecting from the bottom section within the opening. 13. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the bin includes an ice dispenser/crusher operatively coupled to the auger, said drive member rotating the auger, through the coupler, to operate the ice dispenser/crusher. 14. A method of operating an ice dispenser assembly of a refrigerator icemaker including a bin for storing ice cubes, an auger positioned in the bin for guiding the ice cubes towards a dispenser, a coupler rotatably mounted relative to the bin and connected to the auger, and a drive member including at least one arm member having first and second opposing side edges comprising: operating the ice dispenser assembly for an ice cube dispensing operation by rotating the drive member in a first direction, wherein said drive member drives the auger through an interaction of the drive member and a cog member of the coupler; and operating the ice dispenser assembly in a crushed ice dispensing operation by rotating the drive member in a second direction, wherein said drive member drives the auger through a direct, positive engagement with an end portion of the auger which is nested in an arcuate notch formed in the drive member. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein, when rotating in the first direction, said drive member engages the auger through a drive flat provided on the at least one arm member. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein, when rotating in the second direction, said drive member engages the cog member through the at least one arm member.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (9)
Steffenhagen Mark G. (Knight Township ; Vanderburgh County IN), Ice conveyor system for refrigerator.
Pastryk Jim J. ; Nelson Mark H. ; Myers Verne H. ; Harmon Daryl L. ; Oltman Andrew M. ; Hortin Gregory G. ; Singh Devinder, Ice delivery system for a refrigerator.
Hansen, Henning Ingemann, Arrangement for conveying controlled portions of a product material to a combinational weighing system consisting of a transport screw with a quick release mechanism.
Jeong, Jin; Park, Kyoung Ki; Son, Bong Su; Jang, Do Yun; An, Jae Koog; Jeong, Bu Kil, Refrigerator door ice maker and dispenser with a coupling unit for motor connection between the door and the main body.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.