Refrigerator having dispenser

A refrigerator includes a cooling chamber, a door that is configured to open and close at least a portion of the cooling chamber, and a dispenser positioned on the door and configured to dispense ice pieces or water through the door when the door is oriented in a closed position. The refrigerator also includes a dispensing button unit configured to control a dispensing start time and a dispensing speed of the ice pieces or water dispensed through the dispenser based on a position of at least a portion of the dispensing button unit that results from movement of the portion of the dispensing button unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Application 10-2008-0096292, filed on Sep. 30, 2008, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a refrigerator having a dispenser capable of to dispensing ice and/or water.

BACKGROUND

In general, a refrigerator serves to store items, such as food and beverage, at a temperature cooler than ambient room temperature. The refrigerator stores the items in a cooled state or in a frozen state.

To this end, the refrigerator is provided with a refrigeration cycle composed of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes that use a refrigerant as a fluid. As the refrigeration cycle is repeated, cool air is generated. Then, the cool air is evenly supplied to an interior of the refrigerator, thereby allowing the refrigerator to maintain a relatively cool inner temperature.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a refrigerator includes a cooling chamber, a door that is configured to open and close at least a portion of the cooling chamber, and a dispenser positioned on the door and configured to dispense ice pieces or water through the door when the door is oriented in a closed position. The refrigerator also includes a dispensing button unit configured to control a dispensing start time and a dispensing speed of the ice pieces or water dispensed through the dispenser based on a position of at least a portion of the dispensing button unit that results from movement of the portion of the dispensing button unit. The dispensing button unit is configured to, in response to the portion of the dispensing button unit being moved to a first position, control the dispenser to start dispensing the ice pieces or water at a first speed and is configured to, in response to the portion of the dispensing button unit being moved to a second position that is different than the first position, control the dispenser to change a dispensing speed of the ice pieces or water to a second speed that is different than the first speed.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the portion of the dispensing button unit may include a lever portion that is configured to generate a dispensing start signal when the lever portion is moved, toward the cooling chamber when the door is oriented in the closed position, to the first position and that is configured to generate a dispensing speed signal when the lever portion is moved, toward the cooling chamber when the door is oriented in the closed position, from the first position to the second position.

In some implementations, the refrigerator may include a dispensing start switch that is positioned to contact the lever portion when the lever portion is moved to the first position and that is configured to generate the dispensing start signal when contacted by the lever portion and a dispensing speed switch that is positioned to contact the lever portion when the lever portion is moved to the second position and that is configured to generate the dispensing speed signal when contacted by the lever portion. In these implementations, the dispensing button unit may include a lever frame portion configured to move, in a plane perpendicular to a surface of the door, between a stored position at which the lever frame portion is positioned on a side of the surface of the door where the cooling chamber is positioned and an extended position at which at least a portion of the lever frame portion is positioned on a side of the surface of the door opposite of the cooling chamber and a lever portion that is elastically supported by the lever frame portion and that is configured to, when the lever frame portion is oriented in the extended position, move, in response to application of force to the lever portion, toward the surface of the door and move, in response to release of the force applied to the lever portion, away from the surface of the door.

The refrigerator may include a position informing unit that is configured to enhance user detection that, subsequent to the lever portion being moved to the first position at which the lever portion contacts the dispensing start switch, the lever portion is disposed at a position before contacting the dispensing speed switch. The position informing unit may include a locking protrusion that is elastically supported at one of the lever portion and the lever frame portion and a locking groove that is defined at the other of the lever portion and the lever frame portion and that is configured to contact the locking protrusion subsequent to the lever portion being moved to the first position at which the lever portion contacts the dispensing start switch and prior to the lever portion being moved to the second position at which the lever portion contacts the dispensing speed switch. Contact between the locking protrusion and the locking groove may cause additional resistance in moving the lever portion toward the surface of the door and, thereby, enhances user detection that the lever portion is disposed at a position before contacting the dispensing speed switch.

The locking protrusion may be elastically supported by a contact surface between the lever portion and the lever frame portion in a vertical direction. The locking protrusion may have sequentially an upward inclination portion and a downward inclination portion along a moving direction of the lever portion.

In some examples, when the door is oriented in the closed position, the dispenser may define an ice flow passage that enables passage of ice pieces through the door from an outlet of an ice bank that is disposed in the cooling chamber and that is configured to store ice pieces. In these examples, the dispenser may include a fixed guide portion configured to communicate with the outlet of the ice bank; and a movable guide portion that is configured to rotate between a stored position and a dispensing position and that is configured to communicate the fixed guide portion with an exterior of the cooling chamber when the movable guide portion is oriented in the dispensing position. The movable guide portion may be coupled to a cover portion that is configured to rotate between a stored position at which the cover portion is positioned in a plane of an external surface of the door and a dispensing position at which at least a portion of the cover portion is positioned on a side of the surface of the door opposite of the cooling chamber and at which the movable guide portion communicates with the fixed guide portion. The dispensing button unit may be positioned behind the cover portion when the cover portion is oriented in the stored position, and at least a portion of the dispensing button unit may be positioned on the side of the surface of the door opposite of the cooling chamber when the cover portion is oriented in the dispensing position.

In some implementations, the dispensing button unit may include a pressing portion disposed at an inner side of a concaved region of the door, a dispensing start switch configured to generate a dispensing start signal when contacted, a dispensing speed switch configured to generate a dispensing speed signal when contacted, and a switch operating portion that is configured to move in response to force applied to the pressing portion, that is configured to, when the door is oriented in the closed position and force is applied to the pressing portion, move toward the cooling chamber to the first position at which the switch operating portion contacts the dispensing start switch, and that is configured to, when the door is oriented in the closed position, the switch operating portion is positioned at the first position, and force is applied to the pressing portion, move toward the cooling chamber to the second position at which the switch operating portion contacts the dispensing speed switch. In these implementations, when the door is oriented in the closed position, the dispenser may define an ice flow passage between one side of the concaved region and an outlet of an ice bank that is disposed in the cooling chamber and that is configured to store ice pieces. The pressing portion may be provided on a wall surface inside the concaved region and is elastically supported in a thickness direction of the door. The pressing portion may be coupled to the door by hinges, may be configured to rotate in a thickness direction of the door, may be provided on a wall surface inside the concaved region, and may be elastically supported in a manner that applies a force to rotate the pressing portion toward a front surface of the door.

In another aspect, a method of controlling a dispenser includes receiving force that moves a portion of a dispensing button to a first position and controlling a dispenser to start dispensing ice pieces or water at a first speed in response to the portion of the dispensing button unit being moved to the first position. The method also includes receiving force that moves the portion of the dispensing button from the first position to a second position that is different than the first position and controlling the dispenser to change a dispensing speed of the ice pieces or water to a second speed that is different than the first speed in response to the portion of the dispensing button unit being moved to the second position.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the method may include providing a physical alert to a user indicating that the portion of the dispensing button unit is approaching the second position at which the dispensing speed of the ice pieces or water changes. The method also may include causing an increase in force needed to complete movement of the portion of the dispensing button from the first position to the second position.

In yet another aspect, a refrigerator includes a cooling chamber, a door that is configured to open and close at least a portion of the cooling chamber, and a dispenser positioned on the door and configured to dispense ice pieces or water through the door when the door is oriented in a closed position. The refrigerator also includes a dispensing button unit configured to receive force that results in movement of at least a portion of the dispensing button unit. The refrigerator further includes means for controlling the dispenser to start dispensing the ice pieces or water at a first speed in response to the portion of the dispensing button unit being moved to a first position and means for controlling the dispenser to change a dispensing speed of the ice pieces or water to a second speed that is different than the first speed in response to the portion of the dispensing button unit being moved to a second position that is different than the first position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a refrigerator having a dispenser,FIG. 2illustrates an inner structure of the dispenser ofFIG. 1, andFIG. 3illustrates the dispenser along line ‘I-I’ inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator10comprises a cooling chamber12for storing items, and a door13for shielding the cooling chamber12from outside.

The cooling chamber12is positioned in a body11that defines an external appearance of the refrigerator10. A gap exists between an inner surface of the cooling chamber12and an outer surface of the body11, and a heat insulator is positioned within the gap. The heat insulator insulates the inside of the cooling chamber12from outside of the body11.

The cooling chamber12has one opened surface through which items can be received into or taken out of the cooling chamber12. The opened surface is open and closed by one or more doors13that are coupled to the body11by hinges.

The heat insulator is also positioned within the door13. The heat insulator reduces heat transfer to inside of the cooling chamber12through the door13.

A door handle14is coupled to a front surface of the door13. The door handle14is configured to be grasped by a user and to facilitate opening and closing of the door13.

A refrigeration cycle (not shown) for generating cool air to cool the cooling chamber12is provided at one side of the body11. The refrigeration cycle is generally provided on a rear surface of the body11, and at a lower space of the rear surface (e.g., a mechanic chamber or machine room). The refrigerator10may use any type of configuration and operation of the refrigeration cycle.

Cool air generated by the refrigeration cycle is supplied to the cooling chamber12through a cool air supply duct (not shown) of the body11, thereby cooling inside of the cooling chamber12. A blower (not shown) may be further provided so as to supply cool air to the cool air supply duct.

The cooling chamber12may be divided into a refrigerating chamber12afor freshly storing items in a cooled state that is above freezing, and a freezing chamber12bfor storing items in a frozen state. The refrigerating chamber12aand the freezing chamber12bmay include various structures (e.g., shelves, bins, etc.) according to a consumer's usage patterns and the kinds or amount of storage items.

As shown inFIG. 1, the refrigerating chamber12amay be disposed above the freezing chamber12b, so that a user who uses the refrigerating chamber12amore frequently than the freezing chamber12bcan have enhanced convenience when opening and closing the refrigerating chamber12aor storing items in the refrigerating chamber12a.

In this example, a freezing chamber door13bfor opening and closing the freezing chamber12bis not coupled to the body11by hinges, but is configured to slide in and out in a manner similar to a drawer. Accordingly, a user removes items stored in the freezing chamber12bfrom above. This may reduce inconvenience of a user having to lower his or her posture to take out the items stored in the freezing chamber12b.

FIG. 1shows an example of the refrigerator10in an ordinary operating orientation. For instance, as shown, when a support structure of the refrigerator10rests against the ground, the refrigerating chamber12ais positioned at a relatively upper portion of the main body11and the freezing chamber12bis positioned at a relatively lower portion of the main body11. The ordinary operating orientation may reflect the intended orientation of the refrigerator10when being used by a consumer.

In other implementations, the freezing chamber12bmay be disposed above the refrigerating chamber12a. Alternatively, the refrigerating chamber12aand the freezing chamber12bmay be oriented and positioned at the left and right sides, respectively, in parallel to each other.

The refrigerator10is provided with a dispenser100through which ice pieces and/or water stored in the cooling chamber12can be dispensed to an exterior of the refrigerator10without opening the door13.

An ice making apparatus15including an ice maker for freezing ice pieces dispensed through the dispenser100, and an ice bank for storing the ice pieces made by the ice maker is provided on a surface inside of the cooling chamber12or the rear surface of the door13. The dispenser100and the ice making apparatus15communicate with each other by a communication unit140for communicating an outlet of the ice bank with a guide unit110of the dispenser100.

An opening/closing member141for selectively opening the communication unit140when transferring ice pieces through the communication unit140is provided in the communication unit140. The opening/closing member141has one side coupled to the communication unit140or a concaved region101by hinges, and is opened and closed by being rotated by an additional unit such as a solenoid142. Any type of ice maker may be used as the ice making apparatus15.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the dispenser100is provided on a refrigerating chamber door13a. In other examples, the dispenser100may be provided on the freezing chamber door13b.

In the example of the dispenser100being positioned on the refrigerating chamber door13aas shown inFIG. 1, an additional space (e.g., an ice making chamber) having a lower temperature than the refrigerating chamber12a, which is maintained at a temperature above zero, is configured to maintain a temperature at or below freezing and, thereby, prevent ice pieces from melting at the temperature of the refrigerating chamber12a. The ice making apparatus15and the ice storage bin are installed in the ice making chamber.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the dispenser100includes a guide unit110that guides dispensing of ice pieces and/or water, and a dispensing button unit120that controls a dispensing start time and a dispensing speed of the ice pieces and/or water dispensed through the guide unit110.

The dispenser100is positioned at a concaved region150defined at a predetermined region on a front surface of the door13. The concaved region150is a recess within a thickness direction of the door13.

The guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120are accommodated at a stored position in the concaved region150when the dispenser100is not operated. When water and/or ice pieces are dispensed through the dispenser100, the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120are disposed in a dispensing position with at least a portion (e.g., an outlet) being positioned outside of the concaved region150and outside of a front surface of the door13. The guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120move between the stored position and the dispensing position based on whether the dispenser is being used to dispense content or not.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120are installed in a casing101disposed that corresponds to the concaved region150. In other examples, the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120may be directly installed on a wall surface of the door13that defines the concaved region150.

The dispenser100includes a driving unit130that automatically controls accommodated (e.g., stored) and protruding (e.g., dispensing) states of the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120by turning on/off power.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of the guide unit ofFIG. 2. Referring toFIGS. 1 to 4, the guide unit110includes a fixed guide portion115and a movable guide portion113for guiding dispensing of ice pieces and/or water transferred through the communication unit140. The guide unit110includes a cover portion111that is coupled to the movable guide portion113and that shields the concaved region150when the dispenser100is not operated (e.g., when the dispenser100is in a stored position).

The fixed guide portion115is fixed to the end of the communication unit140, and guides water and/or ice pieces received from the communication unit140to the movable guide portion113. The movable guide portion113has two upper ends coupled to both inner sides of the concaved region101by hinges. The hinges enable the movable guide portion113to be vertically rotated.

Under this configuration, the movable guide portion113rotates in a thickness direction of the door13, and communicates the fixed guide portion115with an exterior of the door13when the guide unit110is extended to the dispensing position. The movable guide portion113and the fixed guide portion115define a passage for guiding dispensing of ice pieces and/or water through the door13when the guide unit110is positioned in the dispensing position.

For example, the movable guide portion113is coupled to the cover portion111that is at a front surface of the door13when the guide unit110is in a stored position. The movable guide portion113performs a reciprocating motion between a stored position in which the cover portion111is disposed on the same plane as a front surface of the door13, and a dispensing position in which the cover portion111is disposed at a front side of the door13(e.g., beyond the plane of the front surface of the door13). In the dispensing position, the movable guide portion113communicates with the fixed guide portion115.

As shown inFIG. 3, in the stored position, the movable guide portion113overlaps the fixed guide portion115in a thickness direction of the door13. Based on the overlapping of the movable guide portion113and the fixed guide portion115, a volume of the concaved region101needed to accommodate the fixed guide portion115and the movable guide portion113in the stored position may be reduced. This may minimize volume decrease of the cooling chamber12due to the dispenser100.

The cover portion111is configured to shield the opened front surface of the concaved region101in the stored position. The opened front surface of the concaved region101shielded by the cover portion111may correspond to the entire part of the front surface of the door13where the concaved region101is defined. In some examples, the cover portion111has an upper edge that is high enough for an upper end portion113uof the movable guide portion113to be blocked by an outside of the door13, and a lower edge that is positioned high enough such that the cover portion111does not cause interference with horizontal motion of the dispensing button unit120. In these examples, a front surface of the door13that is not shielded by the cover portion111may be shielded by an additional member fixed on the same plane as the front surface of the door13, or may be shielded by a surface extending from the front surface of the door13. In these configurations, power required to drive the movable guide portion113may be reduced, and an enhanced appearance when the dispenser100is in a stored position may be achieved.

The movable guide portion113may be installed so as to rotate with an axis of rotation being around both sides of a front end of the upper end portion113u. The rotation center of the movable guide portion113with respect to the thickness direction of the door13is spaced above the upper end portion113uof the movable guide portion113.

In these examples, the movable guide portion113may have a large rotation radius without increasing the height of the cover portion111. Thus, the end of the movable guide portion113may have an increased protruding length in the dispensing position with a small rotation angle (α) of the cover portion111. Accordingly, a space available for a container to receive dispensed ice pieces and/or water may be increased. Furthermore, degraded appearance of the dispenser100in a dispensing position due to excessive rotation of the cover portion111may be reduced. In order to reduce degraded appearance of the dispense100in a dispensing position, the cover portion111maintains a rotation angle (α) of 45˜60° from the front surface of the door13.

A control button unit118for controlling the operation of the dispenser100may be provided between a rear surface of the cover portion111and the movable guide portion113. The control button unit118includes a button printed circuit board (PCB)118bthat generates control signals when pressed by a user, a button accommodation portion118apositioned at the cover portion111and configured to transmit a pressing force to the button PCB118b, and a PCB accommodation portion118cthat accommodates the button PCB118btherein.

The movable guide portion113includes a guide body portion113athat guides and passes ice pieces and/or water therethrough, and a guide fixing portion113bdisposed at both sides of the guide body portion113aand coupled to a rear surface of the cover portion111or the PCB accommodation portion118c.

A hinge portion116that rotates the movable guide portion113is coupled to two side surfaces of the PCB accommodation portion118c. The hinge portion116includes a fixation portion116cfixed to both ends of the PCB accommodation portion118c, a hinge-coupled portion116athat is coupled to the concaved region101in a manner that enables rotation, and a driven portion116bthat has a circular arc shape and a saw tooth-shaped outer circumference. The driven portion116bis coupled to the driving unit130and connects the fixation portion116cto the hinge-coupled portion116a.

FIG. 5illustrates an example of the dispensing button unit ofFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 5, the dispensing button unit120includes a lever frame portion123disposed below the guide unit110and configured to move inside and outside of the concaved region101in a plane horizontal to the surface of the door13. The lever frame portion123is configured to move with rotation of the cover portion111. The dispensing button unit120also includes a lever portion121elastically coupled to the lever frame portion123. When the dispenser100is in a dispensing position, the lever portion121is configured to receive force pressing the lever portion121toward the concave region101to start dispensing of ice pieces and/or water. A restoring force moves the lever portion121toward a front side of the concave region101when force pressing the lever portion121toward the concave region101is removed.

In this configuration, the lever portion121generates a dispensing signal of ice pieces and/or water when pressed, in a thickness direction of the door13, by a container in which ice pieces and/or water is to be received. As an inlet of the container is disposed to face the end of the movable guide portion113, dispensed ice pieces and/or water are received in the container.

The dispensing button unit120may further include a frame guide portion125that guides horizontal motion of the lever frame portion123, and reduces motion of the lever frame portion123in other directions (e.g., right and left directions).

The frame guide portion125is fixed to a lower surface of the concaved region101, and the lever frame portion123is coupled to an upper surface of the frame guide portion125in a manner that enables the lever frame portion123to move in a sliding motion. For this, a guide protrusion123aand a guide groove125aare provided on contact surfaces between the frame guide portion125and the lever frame portion123.

The lever portion121is provided with a stopping end121dat a side of a rear end thereof. The stopping end121dserves to limit motion of the lever portion121by contacting the lever frame portion123.

In this configuration, a maximum protruding position of the lever portion121toward the front side of the concaved region101by a restoration force of an elastic member, such as a spring, (S) is determined based on contact of the stopping end121dwith the lever frame portion123. The stopping end121dmay be installed on any surfaces of the lever portion121such as an upper surface and a lower surface, rather than the side surface.

In some implementations, the lever portion121includes a tray121bconfigured to receive and hold residual content (e.g., ice and/or water) dispensed from the dispenser after a dispensing operation. The tray121bmay be an ice bank configured to receive ice pieces. The tray121bhas an opened upper surface configured to receive content and one or more recesses configured to retain content received through the opened upper surface.

In this configuration, when the pressed state of the lever portion121is released before ice pieces and/or water dispensed through the guide unit110are accommodated in a container, the ice pieces and/or water are received and stored in the tray121b. The tray121bmay reduce contamination of the peripheries of the lever portion121or inside of the to dispenser100caused by residual content that is dispensed, but not received in a container.

A container contact portion121aconfigured to receive contact of a container being pressed against the tray121bis positioned on a front surface of the tray121b. The container contact portion121ais an elastic member so that an impact amount transmitted to the container is attenuated by a restoration force applied to the lever portion121when pressing the lever portion121.

The tray121bof the lever portion121may be configured so as to be detachable (e.g., removable and replaceable). For this, the lever portion121includes a button body portion121cseparate from the tray121b, and to which the tray121bis detachably mounted.

The dispensing button unit120includes a ice guide portion127disposed between an upper surface of the tray121band the fixed guide portion115. The ice guide portion127guides ice pieces and/or water abnormally dispensed from the fixed guide portion115of the dispenser100to the tray121b.

The ice guide portion127includes an opening127athat allows ice pieces and/or water to pass through the ice guide portion127, and an inclined portion127bthat is downward inclined toward the circumference of the opening127aand that guides ice pieces and/or water to the opening127a.

In some implementations, the dispensing button unit120includes a lever locking unit129that determines a position where the lever portion121is pressed to the maximum state. Accordingly, a pressed position of the lever portion121where water or ice pieces start to be dispensed is made known to a user. This may reduce the possibility of dispensed ice pieces or water falling outside of a container due to a mis-aligned position of the lever portion121.

The lever locking unit129includes a hinge portion129bdisposed below the lever portion121and hinge-coupled to the frame guide portion125, a first extension portion129athat extends at an angle from the hinge portion129bin a first direction (e.g., a forward direction), and a second extension portion129cthat extends at an angle from the hinge portion129bin a second direction (e.g., a backward direction). The first extension portion129aprotrudes upwardly from a horizontal surface. The lever locking unit129also includes a third extension portion129dthat extends from an end of the second extension portion129cand faces a rear surface of the lever portion121in the dispensing position. The third extension portion129dlimits motion of the lever portion121. The hinge portion129bis coupled to a shaft125bof the frame guide portion125. An installation groove125caccommodates the lever locking unit129therein is further provided at the frame guide portion125. A pressing protrusion123cis located on a lower surface of the lever frame portion123. The pressing protrusion123crotates and fixes the lever locking unit129by contacting the first extension portion129awhen the lever frame portion125moves.

As the lever frame portion123moves toward a front side of the door13, the pressing protrusion123clocated on a lower surface of the lever frame portion123pushes the first extension portion129a. As the first extension portion129ais pushed, the lever locking unit129is rotated centering around the hinge portion129b. Upon completion of the movement of the lever frame portion123to a dispensing position, the third extension portion129dis disposed in correspondence to a rear surface of the lever portion121based on rotation of the lever locking unit129.

Because, when in the dispensing position, the first extension portion129ais in a pressed state by the pressing protrusion123clocated on a lower surface of the lever frame portion123, counterclockwise rotation of the lever locking unit129as shown inFIG. 3is restricted. This allows the third extension portion129dto limit horizontal movement of the lever portion121when pressed because a rear surface of the lever portion121contacts the third extension portion129dand the lever locking unit129does not rotate based on the contact.

Once the restricted state of the first extension portion129aby the lever frame portion123is released when the lever frame portion123moves into the concaved region150, the second extension portion129cand the third extension portion129dhave a larger load than the first extension portion129aare downwardly rotated into the installation groove125c. That is, the lever locking unit129is rotated in a clockwise direction based onFIG. 3. As a result, the lever frame portion123and the lever portion121are accommodated in the concaved region150without interfering with the lever locking unit129.

In addition, a switching unit126is provided. The switching unit126sequentially generates a dispensing start signal and a dispensing speed signal to change a dispensing start time and a dispensing speed of ice pieces or water when the lever portion121is moved in a pressed state. The dispensing start signal causes the dispenser to start dispensing ice and/or water at a first speed that is relatively slow. The dispensing speed signal causes the dispenser to increase a dispensing speed of ice and/or water to a second speed that is relatively fast as compared to the first speed. Accordingly, as a user applies force to the dispensing button unit120, the switching unit126controls the dispenser to first start dispensing ice and/or water at a relatively slow speed and then controls the dispenser to dispense ice and/or water at a relatively fast speed as additional force is applied to the dispensing button unit120.

The switching unit126may be fixed to the frame guide portion125so as to be pressed by a side surface of the stopping end121dof the lever portion121. In this case, the frame guide portion125restricts movement of the lever frame portion123and the lever portion121in right and left directions. Accordingly, contact reliability between the lever portion121and the switching unit126is enhanced. In some implementations, the position of the switching unit126may be different.

The switching unit126includes a dispensing start switch126athat generates an electric signal to start dispensing of ice pieces or water. The switching unit126also includes a dispensing speed switch126bthat generates an electric signal to change a dispensing speed of the ice pieces or water being dispensed.

Generally, the ice bank that stores ice pieces is provided with a transfer device that moves and guides the stored ice pieces to an outlet of the ice bank. Ice pieces or water are dispensed based on input to the switching unit126, which controls the operation and speed of the transfer device.

The dispensing start switch126aand the dispensing speed switch126bare installed so as to be sequentially pressed as the lever portion121is pressed. More specifically, the dispensing speed switch126bis contacted when the lever portion121is pressed by a predetermined length after the dispensing start switch126ahas been contacted.

As shown inFIG. 5, the dispensing start switch126aand the dispensing speed switch126bmay be installed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined length. When the lever portion121is pressed, the dispensing start switch126ais pressed. While the dispensing start switch126amaintains the pressed state, the lever portion121is pressed further by the predetermined length and then presses the dispensing speed switch126b.

In the case that contact terminals126aaand126bbof the switches126aand126bare arranged in a length direction of the lever portion121, the contact terminal126aaof the dispensing start switch126amay be pressed by the lever portion121and thereby press the contact terminal126bbof the dispensing speed switch126b. In some examples, the contact terminals126aaand126bbare installed in parallel to each other at an angle that extends upward or downward. This may reduce an installation space of the switches126aand126bnecessary to obtain the predetermine length (L).

The lever portion121is elastically supported in the lever frame portion123. A sliding protrusion123btransmits a driving force to the lever frame portion123to horizontally move the lever frame portion123. The sliding protrusion123bis positioned on an outer side surface of the lever frame portion123.

FIG. 6illustrates an example of a driving unit,FIG. 7shows an assembled state of the driving unit ofFIG. 6,FIG. 8shows the driving unit when the dispenser is in a standby position, andFIG. 9shows the driving unit when the dispenser is in a dispensing position.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the driving unit130includes a gear portion131having a plurality of gears engaged with each other and connected to the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120. The gear portion131is configured to transmit a driving force to the dispensing button unit120. The driving unit130also includes a driving motor133that transmits a driving force to the gear portion131, and cover members134aand134bthat house the gear portion131and the driving motor133.

As the driving motor133rotates, the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120move with each other based on rotation of the gear portion131. The gear portion131includes a driving gear131acoupled to the driving motor133, and a driven gear131bthat is engaged with the driving gear131a. The driven gear131bis rotated by the driving gear131aand moves the dispensing button unit120based on the rotation.

The driving gear131aalso is engaged with the driven portion116bcoupled to the movable guide portion113. The driven portion116bis rotated by the driving gear131aand, thereby, rotates the movable guide portion113.

The driving gear131a, the driven portion116b, and the driven gear131bare installed so that rotation surfaces thereof are perpendicular to the cover portion111. Also, a diameter (D1) of the driven portion116bis smaller than a diameter (D2) of the driven gear131b.

Since an angular speed of the driven portion116bdue to rotation of the driving gear131ais faster than that of the driven gear131b, a speed difference between the movable guide portion113and the dispensing button unit120occurs when moving from a stored position to a dispensing position. The speed difference may prevent the dispensing button unit120from interfering with the cover portion111while the movable guide portion113and the dispensing button unit120are being moved from a stored position to a dispensing position.

In some examples, a diameter (D3) of the driving gear131ais smaller than the diameter (D1) of the driven portion116band the diameter (D2) of the driven gear131b. In these examples, protruding speeds of the movable guide portion113and the dispensing button unit120are decreased to reduce noise. In addition, impact amounts applied to the movable guide portion113and the dispensing button unit120are reduced.

The driving gear131a, the driven gear131b, and the driving motor133are installed at an inner side of the first cover portion134aand the second cover portion134b. A part of the driving gear131ais exposed to through one side of the first cover portion134a, and the driven portion116bis engaged with the exposed part of the driving gear131a.

The driven portion116bis part of a hinge connecting member116. The hinge connecting member116also includes a hinge-coupled portion116aand a fixation portion116c, and has a circular arc shape with a central angle. One end of the driven portion116bis coupled to the hinge-coupled portion116a, which is hinge-coupled to the concaved region150. Another end of the driven portion116bis coupled to the fixation portion116c, which is fixed to the movable guide portion113. The central angle of the hinge connecting member116is larger than a motion angle of the cover portion111.

The driven portion116bis provided at a side surface of the concaved region150. Here, the driven portion116bis supported by idle gears (not shown) rotated by being engaged with the driven portion116b.

The driven gear131bis provided with a sliding lever portion132extending in a radius direction of the driven gear131b. The sliding lever portion132drives horizontal movement of the lever frame portion123.

The sliding lever portion132is provided with a sliding slot132ain a length direction thereof. A sliding protrusion123bprotruding from a side surface of the lever frame portion123is inserted into the sliding slot132a.

As the driven gear131bis rotated, the sliding lever portion132pushes the sliding protrusion123b. The sliding protrusion123bhorizontally moves while performing a sliding motion along the sliding slot132a.

The guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120of the dispenser100may be manually accommodated into or protruded from the door13by an elastic member, and a locking member. When the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120are in a protruding or dispensing state, the elastic member serves to elastically support the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120so as to maintain the protruding or dispensing state. When the guide unit110and the dispensing button unit120are in an accommodated or stored state, the locking member serves to maintain the accommodated or stored state.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, when the dispenser100is in a standby or stored position accommodated in the door13, the dispenser100is completely shielded by the cover portion111when viewed from outside of the refrigerator10. In the standby or stored position, the movable guide portion113is disposed so as to overlap the fixed guide portion115in a thickness direction of the door13. Also, the dispensing button unit120is accommodated in the concaved region150by the sliding lever portion132.

In the standby or stored position, once a user inputs a signal through the control button unit118of the cover portion111, the driving gear131ais rotated by the driving motor133in a counterclockwise direction with reference toFIG. 8. The driven portion116band the driven gear131bthat are each engaged with the driving gear131aare each rotated in a clockwise direction based on rotation of the driving gear131a.

Accordingly, the cover portion111and the movable guide portion113are rotated around the hinge-coupled portion116awith the center of rotation being at the hinge-coupled portion116a. Based on the rotation, the cover portion111and the movable guide portion113move toward the front side of the concaved region150.

The sliding protrusion123bof the lever frame portion123is pushed by rotation of the driven gear131b. In response, the sliding protrusion123bhorizontally moves toward the front side of the concaved region150along the sliding slot132aof the sliding lever portion132.

When the lever portion121is pressed, the dispensing start switch126aand the dispensing speed switch126bdisposed on a moving path of the lever portion121are sequentially pressed, thereby changing a dispensing start time and a dispensing speed of ice pieces or water. More specifically, when the dispensing start switch126ais pressed, water or ice pieces start to be dispensed. When the lever portion121is pressed further into the concaved region150, the dispensing speed switch126bis also pressed to change a dispensing speed of the water or ice pieces.

The operation to move the dispenser100from the dispensing position to the standby position is the reverse of the operation to move the dispenser100from the standby position to the dispensing position (e.g., the driving gear131ais rotated by the driving motor133is a reverse or opposite direction). Accordingly, the operation to move the dispenser100from the dispensing position to the standby position is apparent from the above description of the operation to move the dispenser100from the standby to position to the dispensing position.

FIG. 10illustrates another example of a dispensing button unit. Referring toFIG. 10, the refrigerator having a dispenser has features similar to those described above, except for a switching unit226.

The switching unit226is installed so that a dispensing start switch226aand a dispensing speed switch226bare disposed above and below one another at the same horizontal position with respect to the lever portion121. The dispensing start switch226aand the dispensing speed switch226bhave contact terminals226aaand226bb, respectively.

At the stopping end121dof the lever portion121that operates the switches226aand226b, a switch groove226cis provided. The switch groove226caccommodates the dispensing speed switch226bwhen the lever portion121is pressed. The switch groove226cis opened toward a rear surface of the lever portion121, and has a predetermined length (L) in a length direction of the lever portion121.

As the lever portion121is pressed, the dispensing start switch226ais pressed by the stopping end121d. At the same time, the dispensing speed switch226bis accommodated into the switch groove226cand, therefore, is not pressed.

Once the lever portion121is pressed further by a predetermined length (L), the dispensing speed switch226bis no longer accommodated into the switch groove226c, and is pressed by the lever portion121. In some examples, the end of the switch groove226chas an inclined surface or a curved surface, thereby allowing the dispensing speed switch226bto be easily detached from the switch groove226c.

FIG. 11illustrates another example of a dispensing button unit. Components having the same configurations as those of described above are provided with the same reference numerals. The refrigerator having a dispenser has features similar to those described above, except for a dispensing button unit320.

The dispensing button unit320is further provided with a position informing unit324provides output to a user that indicates a position of the lever portion121. For instance, the position informing unit324informs the user when the lever portion121is disposed at a position prior to pressing the dispensing speed switch126b.

The position informing unit324includes a locking protrusion324aelastically supported at one of the lever portion121and the lever frame portion123, an elastic member324bthat elastically supports the locking protrusion324a, and a fixing member324cthat fixes the elastic member324b. The position informing unit324may be further provided with a locking groove located at the other of the lever portion121and the lever frame portion123in correspondence to the locking protrusion324a.

Once the dispensing start switch126ais pressed as the lever portion121is pressed, a relative motion between the lever portion121and the lever frame portion123is limited by the position informing unit324. This may allow a user to sense a changed dispensing speed when more pressing the lever portion121.

Referring toFIG. 11, the position informing unit324is located at one side surface of the lever portion121. However, the position informing unit324may be located at both side surfaces of the lever portion121. Any installation position of the position informing unit324may be used according to the positions of the dispensing start switch126aand the dispensing speed switch126b.

The locking protrusion324amay have an upward inclined portion and a downward inclined portion in a direction in which the lever portion121is pressed. This may reduce limitations of a relative motion between the lever portion121and the lever frame portion123by the locking protrusion324a.

FIG. 12illustrates another example of a dispenser400. Referring toFIG. 12, the refrigerator having a dispenser400includes a concaved region450(e.g., a dispensing cavity that accommodates insertion of a container) concaved in a thickness direction of the door13so as to be opened toward a front side of the door13. The dispenser400also includes a guide unit410disposed in the concaved region450in communication with a communication port440that communicates with an outlet of an ice bank15. The guide unit410and the communication port440guide water or ice pieces dispensed from the ice bank15. The guide unit410receives ice and/or water when an opening/closing member441, which selectively opens and closes the communication port440, opens the communication port440. The opening/closing member441has one side coupled to the communication port440or the concaved region450by hinges, and is opened and closed by being rotated by an additional unit such as a solenoid442.

The dispenser400further includes a dispensing button unit420for controlling a dispensing start time and a dispensing speed of water or ice pieces dispensed through the guide unit410. The dispensing button unit420includes a pressing portion421disposed at an inner side of the concaved region450, and a switch operating portion422that operates a switching unit426. Specifically, the switch operating portion422sequentially operates a dispensing start switch426aand a dispensing speed switch426b.

The dispensing start switch426aand the dispensing speed switch426bgenerate a dispensing start signal and a dispensing speed signal of water or ice pieces, respectively, based on how much the pressing portion421is pressed. The pressing portion421and the switch operating portion422extend from a hinge shaft the is hinge-coupled to one side surface of the concaved region450, respectively, toward an inside of the concaved region450and inside of the door13.

FIG. 13illustrates another example of a dispenser500. Referring toFIG. 13, the dispenser500includes a concaved region550(e.g., a dispensing cavity that accommodates insertion of a container) concaved in a thickness direction of the door13so as to be opened toward a front side of the door13. The dispenser500also includes a guide unit510disposed in the concaved region550in communication with a communication port540that communicates with an outlet of an ice bank15. The guide unit510and the communication port540guide water or ice pieces dispensed from the ice bank15. The guide unit510receives ice and/or water when an opening/closing member541, which selectively opens and closes the communication port540, opens the communication port540. The opening/closing member541has one side coupled to the communication port540or the concaved region550by hinges, and is opened and closed by being rotated by an additional unit such as a solenoid542.

The dispenser500further includes a dispensing button unit520that controls a dispensing start time and a dispensing speed of water or ice pieces dispensed through the guide unit510. The dispensing button unit520includes a pressing portion521disposed at an inner side of the concaved region550, and a switch operating portion522that sequentially operates a dispensing start switch526aand a dispensing speed switch526b. The dispensing start switch526aand the dispensing speed switch526bgenerate a dispensing start signal and a dispensing speed signal of water or ice pieces, respectively, based on how far the pressing portion521has been pressed.

The pressing portion521is fixed to a rear inner side of the concaved region550with a plurality of elastic members523coupled to a rear surface524thereof. This structure allows the pressing portion521to be elastically supported in a thickness direction of the door13.

The switch operating portion522upwardly extends from an upper side of the pressing portion521. When the pressing portion521is pressed, the switch operating portion522serves to first contact the dispensing start switch526aand then contact the dispensing speed switch526bas the pressing portion521is pressed.

Although the above disclosure has described a single dispensing start switch and a single dispensing speed switch, some implementations may include multiple switches. For instance, multiple, different dispensing speed switches may be provided to enable user control of multiple, different dispensing speeds depending on how much force the user applies to the dispensing button unit. In this regard, in some examples, the dispenser includes a dispensing start switch, a first dispensing speed switch, and a second dispensing speed switch. In these examples, as the dispensing button unit is pressed by a user, the dispensing button unit first contacts the dispensing start switch, then contacts the first dispensing speed switch, and finally contacts the second dispensing speed switch. When the dispensing button unit contacts the dispensing start switch, the dispenser begins dispensing of ice and/or water at a relatively slow speed. As the dispensing button unit is pressed further by the user and contacts the first dispensing speed switch, the dispenser increases a dispensing speed of ice and/or water to a relatively medium speed that is faster than the relatively slow speed. As the dispensing button unit is pressed further by the user and contacts the second dispensing speed switch, the dispenser further increases a dispensing speed of ice and/or water to a relatively fast speed that is faster than the relatively medium speed.

In some implementations, as a user releases force applied to a dispensing button unit, the dispensing button unit stops contacting a dispensing speed switch, but continues to contact a dispensing start switch. In these implementations, the dispenser decreases dispensing speed of ice and/or water when the dispensing button unit stops contacting a dispensing speed switch, but continues to contact a dispensing start switch. As such, a user is able to control the dispenser to decrease dispensing speed by releasing force applied to a dispensing button unit.

Although the above disclosure has described a dispensing speed switch that is contacted subsequent to a dispensing start switch to increase a dispensing speed of ice and/or water, in some examples, contacting the dispensing speed switch causes the dispenser to decrease a dispensing speed of ice and/or water. In these examples, the dispensing start signal causes the dispenser to start dispensing ice and/or water at a first speed that is relatively fast, and the dispensing speed signal causes the dispenser to decrease a dispensing speed of ice and/or water to a second speed that is relatively slow as compared to the first speed. Accordingly, as a user applies force to the dispensing button unit, the switching unit controls the dispenser to first start dispensing ice and/or water at a relatively fast speed and then controls the dispenser to dispense ice and/or water at a relatively slow speed as additional force is applied to the dispensing button unit.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. For example, advantageous results still could be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.