Patent Publication Number: US-11378319-B2

Title: Ice maker with specific coupling of a driving unit with a storage container, and household cooling appliance

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     One aspect of the invention relates to an ice maker for a household cooling appliance. A further aspect of the invention relates to a household cooling appliance with an ice maker. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for self-locking of an ice maker. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,107,560 B2 discloses a locking unit comprising a translationally and rotationally moved latch. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,594,413 B2 discloses a locking system for an ice maker with a latch mounted at a front cover of an ice compartment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an ice maker, in which mechanical coupling between a driving unit and a storage container is improved. A further object is to provide a household cooling appliance with improved coupling concept of an ice maker. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for an improved coupling of a driving unit and a storage container of an ice maker. 
     With the above and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an ice maker for mounting into a household cooling appliance, comprising: 
     a storage container for ice having a rear wall and an opening that is accessible from above; 
     a coupling extension arranged on the rear wall and extending towards a rear; 
     a driving unit having a drive housing and a closing aid arranged in the drive housing for locking the storage container in a closed end position; 
     the drive housing having a front wall at which an insertion opening of the closing aid is arranged so that, upon an insertion of the coupling extension into the insertion opening, the coupling extension couples with the closing aid and the coupling extension is pulled by the closing aid into a locking position towards the rear viewed in a depth direction of the ice maker. 
     That is, the objects of the invention are solved by the ice maker and a household cooling appliance, as well as by a method, as claimed. 
     An aspect relates to an ice maker for mounting into a household cooling appliance, comprising: 
     a storage container for ice comprising a rear wall and an opening, which is accessible from the top, 
     a coupling extension, which is arranged on the rear wall and extends towards the rear, 
     a driving unit comprising a drive housing and a closing aid arranged in the drive housing for locking of the storage container in a closed end position, wherein the drive housing comprises a front wall, at which an insertion opening of the closing aid is arranged so that upon inserting of the coupling extension into the insertion opening the coupling extension couples with the closing aid and by the closing aid viewed in the depth direction of the ice maker said coupling extension is pulled into the locking position towards the rear. 
     With the above and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, a household cooling appliance comprising an ice maker, wherein the ice maker comprises: 
     a storage container for ice comprising a rear wall and an opening, which is accessible from the top, 
     a coupling extension, which is arranged on the rear wall and extends towards the rear, 
     a driving unit comprising a drive housing and a closing aid arranged in the drive housing for locking of the storage container, wherein the drive housing comprises a front wall, at which an insertion opening of the closing aid is arranged so that upon inserting the coupling extension into the insertion opening the coupling extension couples with the closing aid and by the closing aid viewed in the depth direction of the ice maker said coupling extension is pulled into the locking position towards the rear. 
     Finally, with the above and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for locking of an ice maker comprising the following steps: 
     providing a driving unit of the icemaker; 
     providing a storage container of the ice maker; 
     inserting the storage container into an outer housing of the ice maker in the depth direction of the ice maker; 
     inserting a coupling extension, which is arranged on a rear wall of the storage container, into an insertion opening of a closing aid of the ice maker, wherein the insertion opening is formed in a front wall of the drive housing of the driving unit and the closing aid is arranged in the drive housing of the driving unit; 
     coupling the coupling extension with a gripper of the closing aid upon further inserting in the depth direction; 
     rotating of the gripper from the basic position by further inserting of the storage container in the depth direction; 
     releasing of a loaded energy storage after a defined rotating movement of the gripper and further translatory moving of the gripper into a snapped-over position by unloading of the energy storage and thereby pulling of the storage container in the depth direction up to the driving unit so that a front wall of the outer housing of the ice maker. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the ice maker comprising an outer housing with a front wall, wherein the front wall is arranged at the front of the storage container and this front wall upon pulling towards the rear of the storage container is capable of being pulled along towards the rear. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the ice maker comprising an outer housing with a front frame, wherein in the locking position the front wall is pressed to the front frame. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein on a rear side of the front wall a sealing is arranged. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the driving unit is arranged at the rear of the ice maker viewed in the depth direction of the ice maker. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the closing aid comprises a gripper and an loaded energy storage for snapping the gripper over from a basic position into a snapped-over position, wherein upon inserting the coupling extension into the insertion opening the gripper is rotated and thereby the loaded energy storage is released so that the gripper is translatory movable into the snapped-over position by the loaded energy storage and the coupling extension coupled with the gripper is pulled towards the rear and the locking position of the storage container is set. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the driving unit comprises: 
     a drive motor, which is arranged in the drive housing, at least one drive motor arranged in a chamber of the drive housing, a first receiving duct for accommodating a first fastening part extending completely through the drive housing, wherein the drive housing can be fastened by the first fastening part to an inner liner wall of the refrigeration compartment, wherein said first receiving duct extending across the entire depth of the drive housing and is open at a front end and is open at a rear end, and a second receiving duct for a second fastening part extending completely through the drive housing, wherein the drive housing can be fastened by the second fastening part to the same inner liner wall of the refrigeration compartment, wherein said second receiving duct extends across the entire depth of the drive housing and is open at a front end and is open at a rear end. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the drive housing of the driving unit comprises a front wall and in the drive housing an air duct is formed, wherein an air duct outlet of the air duct is arranged on the front wall. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the drive housing comprises a front wall, and the driving unit comprises a coupling entry for mechanical coupling of a storage container of the ice compartment with the driving unit, wherein the coupling entry is arranged at said front wall of the drive housing. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the drive housing comprises a front wall, and in the drive housing a drive motor is arranged, wherein at the front wall a passage is formed, through which a shaft of the drive motor extends or through which a coupling part of a conveyer of the ice compartment can extend in order to couple with the drive motor in the interior of the drive housing. 
     Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, implementations are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown in the figures and explained, but arise from and can be generated by separated feature combinations from the explained implementations. Implementations and feature combinations are also to be considered as disclosed, which thus do not comprise all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Moreover, implementations and feature combinations are to be considered as disclosed, in particular by the implementations set out above, which extend beyond or deviate from the feature combinations set out in the dependencies of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a household cooling appliance according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ice maker according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a driving unit of an ice maker; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the drive unit according to  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a further perspective view of the driving unit according to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective section view of the driving unit according to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5  in the installed state on a wall of an inner liner of the household cooling appliance; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective sectional view of the arrangement according to  FIG. 6  in a sectional plane that is different therefrom; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the ice maker with removed housing wall of an outer housing; 
         FIG. 9  is a vertical sectional view of the embodiment according to  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a further perspective view of an embodiment of an ice maker; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of partial components of the ice maker; 
       and 
         FIG. 12 a    is a sectional view of the ice maker according to  FIG. 2  with a storage container in a released position; 
         FIG. 12 b    is a sectional view of the ice maker according to  FIG. 2  with a storage container in a locking position; 
         FIG. 13 a    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a closing aid with housing in a basic position; 
         FIG. 13 b    is a perspective view of the closing aid with housing according to  FIG. 13 a    in a snapped-over position; 
         FIG. 14 a    is a schematically perspective view of the closing aid according to  FIG. 13 a    without the housing; and 
         FIG. 14 b    is a schematically perspective view of the closing aid according to  FIG. 13 b    without the housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the figures, identical or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference signs. 
     With indications of “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “width direction”, “height direction”, etc., the positions and orientations given in intended use and intended arrangement of the apparatus are specified. 
     In  FIG. 1  in a perspective view an embodiment of a household cooling appliance  1  is shown. The household cooling appliance  1  is configured for storing and preserving food items. In the shown embodiment the household cooling appliance  1  is a fridge freezer combination appliance. However, it can also be only a cooling or refrigeration appliance. 
     The shown household cooling appliance  1  comprises an outer housing  2 . In the outer housing a first receiving space for food items is configured, which here is a refrigeration compartment  3 . In an embodiment, the household cooling appliance  1  moreover comprises a second receiving space for food items, which is separate from the first receiving space and which here is a freezer compartment  4 . As can be recognized, in the embodiment shown here the refrigeration compartment  3  and the freezer compartment  4  are arranged one above the other in the height direction (y-direction) of the household cooling appliance  1 . The freezer compartment  4 , which is arranged further below, is capable of being locked by a door  5 . The door  5  in the shown embodiment is a front wall of a drawer, which can be shifted linearly in the depth direction (z direction) of the household cooling appliance  1 . The refrigeration compartment  3  is capable of being locked by two separate doors  6  and  7 , which are shown in  FIG. 1  in the opened state. The two separate doors  6  and  7  are capable of being pivoted about pivot axles, which are vertically oriented, and are arranged on the outer housing  2 . The two doors  6  and  7  are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction (x direction) and extend in the closed state in a front side plane. In particular, also the door  5  in the closed stated extends in this plane, in which also the two doors  6  and  7  extend in the closed state. 
     In an embodiment, the household cooling appliance  1  moreover comprises a dispenser  10  configured to output ice form elements or crushed ice. The dispenser  10  moreover can also optionally be configured to output a drink. In an embodiment, the household cooling appliance  1  comprises a module  8 . In an embodiment, the dispenser  10  comprises said module  8 . 
     The module  8  in the shown embodiment is arranged in the interior of the refrigeration compartment  3 . This means that whilst the module  8  is arranged to be thermally insulated against the refrigeration compartment  3 , however, that it is only accessible and reachable via the feed opening of the refrigeration compartment  3 . Thus, the module  8  can only be made accessible, when at least the door  6  is opened. 
     The dispenser  10  in addition to the module  8  also comprises an output  9 . The output  9  here is for instance configured to be integrally formed in the door  6 . On an outer side of the door  6 , which faces away from the refrigeration compartment  3  and then is also a front side, a niche is formed, in which a receiving container can be placed and in which then via the output  9  the ice form elements or the crushed ice can be output. 
     In the closed state of the door  6  the output  9  is coupled with the module  8  so that via an ice chute  11  formed here in the output  9  ice form elements or crushed ice can arrive at the output  9  from the module  8 . 
     The module  8  can be an ice compartment  12   a . The household cooling appliance  1  can then also be configured without an ice maker  12 . The module  8  can also be an ice maker  12 . The ice compartment  12   a  can be an integral part of the ice maker  12  if the household cooling appliance  1  comprises an ice maker  12 . 
     In  FIG. 1  an example for a household cooling appliance  1  comprising an ice maker  12  is schematically shown. The ice maker  12  is arranged in the refrigeration compartment  3 . Viewed from the front side, it is arranged in a left top corner portion of the refrigeration compartment  3 . The ice maker  12  is arranged to be thermally insulated from the remaining volume of the receiving space  3 . The ice maker is only accessible, if the door  6  is opened. 
     In  FIG. 2  in a perspective view an embodiment of the ice maker  12  is shown. The ice maker  12  comprises an ice producer  13 . Moreover, the ice maker  12  comprises a storage container  14 . In the storage container  14  the ice form elements produced in the ice producer  13  can be stored. In  FIG. 2  a conveyor  79  ( FIG. 11 ) is not shown. The conveyor  79  is arranged in the storage container  14 . In an embodiment, the conveyor  79  is part of the ice compartment  12   a . The conveyor  79  can be part of the ice maker  12 . By the conveyor  79  the ice form elements stored in the storage container  14  are ejected from the ice maker  12  on demand. They then can be output via the ice chute  11  into the corresponding front side niche in the door  6 . The storage container  14  is connected with a front wall  15  of the ice maker  12 . The front wall  15  also represents a front wall of an outer housing  16  of the ice maker  12 . The outer housing  16  moreover comprises an outer housing wall  17 . The outer housing wall  17  is configured to be thermally insulated. The outer housing wall  17  is configured to comprise a vertical wall  17   a  and a bottom wall  17   b  integrally formed therewith. In particular, the outer housing wall  17  is configured with an L-shape. 
     In particular, the front wall  15  is configured to be separate from the outer housing wall  17 . Preferably the ice maker  12  comprises a front frame  18 . The front frame  18  is configured to be separate from the front wall  15 . The front frame  18  is connected in particular with the outer housing wall  17 . In the mounted state, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the front wall  15  contacts the front frame  18  directly. The front frame  18  can then also be referred to as front flange. In particular, the front wall  15  is pushed, in particular pressed to the front frame  18 . Thereby a sealing state is achieved. In particular, between the front wall  15  and the front frame  18  a sealing  19  ( FIG. 11 ) is arranged. The sealing  19  is in particular a sealing that is configured to be completely circumferentially extending or almost completely circumferentially extending. It can be arranged on a rear side  20  ( FIG. 11 ) of the front wall  15 . The front frame  18  is circumferentially closed. Thereby an opening  18   a  bounded by the front frame  18  is rendered. By this opening  18   a  the storage container  14  is inserted into the outer housing  16  from the front side. 
     Moreover, the ice maker  12  comprises a driving unit  21 . The driving unit  21  is in particular configured to drive the conveyor  79  already mentioned in the above. In particular, here a driving by a drive motor is envisaged. Moreover, it may be envisaged that the driving unit  21  is configured for generating an air stream in the ice maker  12 . In particular, here a cold air stream should be generated. The driving unit  21  is a separate module. The driving unit  21  thus is configured to be separate from the ice producer  13  and separate from the storage container  14 . In the embodiment it is arranged at the rear end of the ice maker  12  viewed in the depth direction (z direction). The driving unit  21  comprises a drive housing  22 . In the drive housing  22  functional units are arranged. A functional unit of the driving unit  21  can for instance be a fan for generating the air stream. A functional unit, however, can also be for instance a drive motor for driving the conveyor  79 . The functional unit, however, for instance can also be an air duct. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the driving unit  21  in an embodiment. Exemplarily, here also a fan  23  is shown, which is arranged in the drive housing  22 . The drive housing  22  comprises a front wall  24 . Moreover, the drive housing  22  comprises a roof wall  25  as well as a bottom wall  26 . Moreover, viewed in the width direction (x-direction), also side walls  27  and  28  are provided. In particular, the drive housing  22  forms a cuboid shape. The drive housing  22  with regard to this shape is configured to have a housing wall at each side. Further the roof wall comprises an integrated cable channel  54 . 
     The driving unit  21  comprises a first receiving duct  29 . The receiving duct  29  is configured for receiving a first fastening part that is separate thereto to extend completely through the receiving duct  29 . The fastening part, which is not shown in  FIG. 3 , can be a screw or a rivet or a bolt. Also a snapper or a bayonet part for generating a bayonet lock is feasible as fastening part. This fastening part can be inserted from the front through an entry  30  of the receiving duct  29 . The receiving duct  29  is formed as a single piece with the drive housing  22 . The first fastening part can then be inserted in the first receiving duct  29  in the depth direction towards the back. The first receiving duct  29 , as this can be recognized in the front view on the front side  24  in  FIG. 4 , comprises a rear exit  31 . The first receiving duct  29  extends in particular across the entire depth of the drive housing  22 . The first receiving duct  29  thus is configured to extend completely through the drive housing  22 , wherein this extension is viewed in the depth direction. The exit  31  is equally configured to be open towards the front. Thereby the fastening part can extend towards the rear out of the drive housing  22 . By this first receiving duct  29  it is facilitated that the driving unit  21  can be mounted external to the ice maker  12 . This means that the driving unit  21  can be fastened to a component of the household cooling appliance  1  that is different to the ice producer  13  and the storage container  14  and the wall  17 . By the above-named exemplary fastening parts here a simple non-destructively releasable connection can be achieved. Thereby, a simple mounting concept is facilitated. In particular, it is thereby facilitated that a specific module of the ice maker, namely the driving unit  21  itself, can be individually fastened and thus can also be individually fastened at such a component of the household cooling appliance  1 . Thereby the most varied individual mounting options and positioning of the driving unit  21  relative to other components of the ice maker  12  are also rendered possible in an improved way. The driving unit  21  can also be referred to as driving unit module or driving unit station. 
     The first receiving duct  29 , as this has already been set out in the above, extends across the entire depth of the drive housing  22 . It is configured to be open both at its front end or the entry  30  as well as at its rear end or the exit  31 . Moreover, the driving unit  21  comprises a second receiving duct  32  ( FIG. 3 ). The second receiving duct  32  is separate and spaced from the first receiving duct  29 . In particular, also the second receiving duct  32  is integrated in the drive housing  22 . It, too, is thus integrally formed therewith. The second receiving duct  32  equally comprises a front side entry  33 . It equally extends in the depth direction up to the rear end of the drive housing  22 . Also the second receiving duct  32  thus extends across the entire depth of the drive housing  22 . As can be recognized in  FIG. 4 , the second receiving duct  32  comprises a rear exit  34 . This exit  34  is open. Thereby, a further fastening part can be provided, which can be inserted through the entry  33  and can project through the exit  34  and the drive housing  22  towards the rear. Also it is thereby facilitated that the driving unit  21  can be fastened to a component that is separate from the driving unit  21 . This means that the driving unit  21  can be fastened to a component of the household cooling appliance  1  that is different to the ice producer  13  and the storage container  14  and the wall  17 . This component, to which the driving unit  21  is fastened by means of the second fastening part, which is inserted into the second receiving duct  32  and extends through it, is the same component, to which the driving unit  21  can be fastened by the first fastening part, which is inserted into the first receiving duct  31 . 
     As can be recognized in  FIG. 3 , the first receiving duct  29  is oriented with its longitudinal axis A in the depth direction. The same is true for the second receiving duct  32 , which is oriented with its longitudinal axis B in the depth direction. The longitudinal axes A and B are in particular oriented in parallel to each other. In the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A the first receiving duct  29  is fully bounded by bounding walls  35 . The same is envisaged for the second receiving duct  32 . It, too, in the circumferential direction around its longitudinal axis B is fully bounded by bounding walls  36 . The receiving ducts  29  and  32  thus are designed to be tunnel-like or tube-like. 
     As can be recognized in  FIG. 4 , the exit  31  is configured to be constricted, in comparison with entry  30 . This means that the rear opening or the inner width of the exit  31  is smaller in terms of surface than is the case with the entry  30 . In particular, it is envisaged that for this purpose a throat  37  or a constriction is configured. Thereby it is achieved that a fastening part with a broadened fastener head can be inserted via the entry  30  into the first receiving duct  29 . However, this fastener head is retained to the exit  31 . This means that the fastener head cannot be inserted through the exit  31 . This is because the exit  31  with its recess hole is dimensioned too small for the fastener head to be capable of being passed through. This is achieved by the throat  37 . The throat  37  can for instance also at least in portions be configured to be funnel-like or cone-shaped. Thereby a correspondingly complementarily shaped fastening head can be arranged to be recessed. Thereby the mechanical retention force is increased. Correspondingly, this can be envisaged for the second receiving duct  32 . In particular here, too, the exit  34  in comparison with its entry  33  is configured to be constricted. Here, too, correspondingly a throat  38  or constriction can be envisaged. Also this is configured with regard to avoiding a passage or slipping of a fastener head of the further fastening part. 
     As can be recognized in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the two receiving ducts  29  and  32  are arranged offset relative to each other in the height direction (y direction). Additionally or instead, these receiving ducts  29  and  32  are offset relative to each other also in the width direction (x direction). In particular, here they are maximally offset relative to each other. The first receiving duct  29  is preferably arranged in a bottom left corner portion  39  of the drive housing  22 . This is configured when viewing the front wall  24  from the front side. Preferably the second receiving duct  32  is formed in a lateral edge portion  40  of the drive housing  22 . Moreover, in an advantageous embodiment it is configured to be at a distance from a top corner portion  41  and at a distance from a bottom corner portion  42  of the drive housing  22 . In particular, the second receiving duct  32  is formed approximately half way up the height between the two corner portions  41  and  42 . 
     The first receiving duct  29  comprises a, viewed in the depth direction, rear end portion  29   a  ( FIG. 6 ), as this has already been explained in the above. In the depth direction viewed towards the front, the first receiving duct  29  comprises a front portion  29   b  extending therefrom. This rear end portion  29   a  comprises a constriction so that the rear end portion  29   a  viewed in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A is smaller than the front portion  29   b . This constriction is formed by the throat  37  that has already been explained. This constriction or throat  37  in an advantageous embodiment forms a stop and a passage barrier for a head of the fastening part, as it has already been set out in the above. This fastener head therefore cannot slip through this constriction or this throat  37 . 
     The same is true in analogy for the second receiving duct  32 . Here, too, the rear end portion and a front portion extending therefrom in the depth direction towards the front are configured. Here, too, the rear portion has a constriction or narrowing formed by the throat  38 . Also thereby the rear end portion is smaller than the front portion viewed in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B. 
     Moreover the driving unit  21  comprises an air duct  43  positioned inside the drive housing  22 . From this air duct  43  an air stream L generated by the fan  23  can be guided in the driving unit  21  and thus in the drive housing  22  in a defined way. This air duct  43  of the driving unit  21  comprises an air duct outlet  44 . Same is configured in the embodiment in the front wall  24  of the drive housing  22 . 
     In a further advantageous embodiment it is envisaged that on the front wall  24  a passage  45  is formed. Through this passage  45  a shaft  46  of a drive motor  64  shown here ( FIG. 7 ) can extend. The drive motor  64  can be arranged as functional unit in the drive housing  22 . A conveyor  79  of the ice maker  12 , which conveyor  79  has already been mentioned in the above and by which ice form elements can be conveyed out from the storage container  14 , can be coupled by this shaft  46 . Thereby the conveyor  79  is set in motion by the drive motor  64 . For this purpose the conveyor  79  can comprise a counter-coupling part, which can be coupled in a non-destructively releasable manner to the shaft  46 . However, it may also be envisaged that the counter-coupling part extends through the coupling part  45  into the interior of the drive housing  22  and only in the interior of the housing  22  can couple to a shaft  46  of the drive motor  64 . 
     In a further advantageous embodiment it is envisaged that the driving unit  21  comprises a coupling guide  47  for mechanical coupling of the storage container  14  to the driving unit  21 . For instance, the storage container  14  can comprise a counter-coupling part at its rear side, which can be inserted into the coupling guide  47 . Thereby a mechanical coupling and a position centering of the storage container  14  relative to the driving unit  21  is facilitated. Preferably, this coupling guide  47  is configured immediately above the entry  30  of the first receiving duct  29 . The coupling guide  47  can be integral part of a mechanical stick connection. However, it may also be integral part of a snap connection. The corresponding counter coupler  80  ( FIG. 11 ), which is arranged at the storage container  14 , then forms the respective counterpart for generating the stick connection or the snap connection. The counter coupler  80  can be a coupling pin. The counter coupler  80  is preferably configured to be integrally formed with the storage container  14 . In an embodiment, the counter coupler  80  is said counter-coupling part. 
     In a further advantageous embodiment it may be envisaged that the driving unit  21  comprises a closing aid  48 . This closing aid  48  can be configured as a separate module of its own. The closing aid  48  allows for the driving unit  21  with the storage container  14  to be held fixed in position. In particular, here a self-locking principle is facilitated so that the storage container  14  in the depth direction is led via a certain path independently to the driving unit  21 , in particular drawn into the drive housing  22 . In an advantageous embodiment it is thereby rendered possible that the front wall  15  resp. front cover of the ice maker  12 , which is firmly connected with the storage container  14 , equally automatically is drawn in the depth direction towards the rear. Thereby the front wall  15  with a defined pressing force is pressed to the front frame  18  or pulled towards the rear and a corresponding pressing force generated between the named components. Further, since the closing aid  48  is arranged at the driving unit  21 , which is provided at the rear of the ice maker, the front wall  15  is free from any closing mechanisms of the ice maker. Further, the insulation provided in the front wall for thermally insulating the ice maker  12  or ice compartment  12   a  from the ambient is not weakened. Moreover, the customer is not forced to actuate any buttons or switches to release the front wall  15  or storage container  14  from the ice maker  12  or ice compartment  14 . 
     The closing aid  48  comprises an insertion opening  49 , as it can be recognized in  FIG. 3 . This insertion opening  49  is formed in the front wall  24 . In an embodiment, this insertion opening  49 , viewed in the height direction, is configured above the second receiving duct  32 . In particular, this insertion opening  49 , viewed in the height direction, is configured below the air duct outlet  44 . Viewed in the width direction, this insertion opening  49 , when viewing the front wall  24  from the front side, is configured to be adjacent to the edge portion  40 . Thereby, viewed quasi in the height direction, in a sequence from top to bottom the arrangement of the air duct outlet  44 , the insertion opening  49 , and the entry  33  of the second receiving duct  32  is rendered. Preferably, the insertion opening  49  is arranged in a top half of the height, wherein here the height of the front wall  64  is viewed. The closing aid  48  can be configured as separate module of its own, which is inserted into the drive housing  22 . 
     In  FIG. 4  according to the viewing from the front side the closing aid  48  is shown. The insertion opening  49  (see  FIG. 3 ) can be recognized. The closing aid  48  comprises a gripper  50 , which can be recognized in the representation in  FIG. 4 . The gripper  50  is positioned inside a housing  481  (see  FIG. 13 a , 13 b   ) of the closing aid  48  and thus arranged to be offset towards the rear in the interior of the housing  22 . Moreover, the closing aid  48  comprises an energy storage  51 , which is loaded in a basic position resp. in a unlocked or open position of the closing aid  48 . The energy storage  51  is also arranged in the interior resp. within the housing  481  of the closing aid  48  and cannot be recognized in the representation shown in  FIG. 4 . It is therefore only indicated by the corresponding reference sign. By the energy storage  51  a snapping-over of the gripper  50  from a basic position into a snapped-over position is achievable, when the loaded energy storage  51  is changed from the loaded state to the unloaded state. This is effected by the fact that in case of an insertion of a coupling extension  52  ( FIG. 11 ), which is arranged on a rear wall  53  ( FIG. 11 ) of the storage container  14  and projects relative to the rear wall  53  towards the rear, into the insertion opening  49  of the coupling extension  52 , contacts this gripper  50  in the basic position. By a further pushing of the storage container  14  towards the rear, the gripper  15  is pressed resp. turned towards the rear and thereby the loaded energy storage  51  is actuated. The gripper  50  during this contacting by the coupling extension  52 , to start with, performs a rotary movement. The energy storage  51  is then released or then unload and the gripper  50  coupled therewith further performs a translational resp. linear movement towards the rear. By the operating principle, the gripper  50  is automatically moved linearly towards the rear by the energy storage  51 . By the coupling extension  52  already being coupled to the gripper  50 , in the case of this automatic snapping-over of the gripper  50  a pulling movement along of the coupling extension  52  in the depth direction towards the rear is effected. This is also the automatic dynamic process of the storage container  14  in the depth direction, which is caused by this closing aid  48 . The further mechanisms resulting therefrom, as has already been explained in the above, are thereby achieved. In particular, this concerns the drawing of the storage container  14  to the front wall  24 . In particular, however, this also concerns the sealing pressing of the front wall  15  to the front frame  18 . Thus, an independent drawing of the front wall  15  into the locking position is effected. In particular, thereby also the storage container  14  is independently drawn into the closed end position towards the rear. In the case of a returning of the gripper  50  to the basic position this is preferably effected by the fact that the front wall  15  with the storage container  14  is pulled in the depth direction towards the front. Thereby the gripper  50 , which is coupled with the coupling extension  52 , is drawn towards the front. This is a translational movement, which at its end transitions into a rotary movement of the gripper  50 . Thereby the gripper  50  then reaches its basic position again. The energy storage  51  is loaded again by this movement of the gripper  50 , as it is coupled to the gripper  50 . In particular, it is thereby pre-stressed. The energy storage  51  can be a spring or preferably a plurality of springs  51   a ,  51   b  (see  FIG. 14 a , 14 b   ). However, also a different mechanical energy storage can be provided. 
       FIG. 5  once again shows the driving unit  21  as corresponding separate module. In  FIG. 5  here the representation of the rear wall  25  of the drive housing  22  is shown. The exits  31  and  34  of the receiving ducts  29  and  32  can be recognized. The correspondingly constricted passages can be recognized. 
     Thereby in  FIG. 5  in a manner corresponding to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  it can be recognized that in the roof wall  25  of the drive housing  22  coupling entries  55  and/or  56  are formed. These coupling entries  55  and/or  56  can be engaged by counter couplers. Thus, the driving unit  21  can also be fastened to a ceiling wall  57  ( FIG. 1 ) of an inner liner  59  of the household cooling appliance  1 . In particular, thereby a suspension can be effected. In addition to the non-destructively releasable connections to a rear wall  58  of this inner liner  59  by the fastening parts and the receiving ducts  29  and  32  thus an additional mechanical fastening to the inner liner  59  can be effected. In an embodiment thus the component, to which the driving unit  21  is fastened is the rear wall  58 . This is effected by fastening parts, which are horizontally inserted into the receiving ducts  29  and  32 . A further component, to which the driving unit  21  can be fastened, is the roof wall  57  of this inner liner  59 . The inner liner  59  by its walls bounds the refrigeration compartment  3 . In particular, it bounds the refrigeration compartment  3  thereby directly. 
     In  FIG. 6  in a perspective view a partial portion of the household cooling appliance  1  is shown. Here the inner liner  59  is partially shown. In particular, the rear wall  58  and the roof wall  57  is shown. The driving unit  21  is shown in the installed state. In  FIG. 6  a perspective sectional view is shown. The sectional plane here is drawn through the first receiving duct  29 . As can be recognized, at an outer side of the rear wall  58  a reinforcement part  60  is arranged. This comprises a receiving portion, into which the fastening part (not shown) can be inserted. In particular, this may for instance be a screw boss, into which a screw representing a fastening part can be screwed. Equally, this, however, can also be for instance a bolt duct or a rivet duct. Also a socket for a snap connection can be configured in the reinforcement part  60 . A further reinforcement part  61  can be recognized. Same is arranged in the portion at the rear side of the rear wall  58 , on which the exit  34  of the second receiving duct  32  is arranged. Moreover corresponding couplers  62  and  63  are shown as reinforcement parts that are arranged at the outer side of the roof wall  57  of the inner liner  59 . Therein the corresponding options for coupling to the coupling entries  55  and  56  are facilitated. In the inserted state of a first fastening part into the first receiving duct  29  a head of a fastening part contacts the entry of the constriction or the throat  37  and extends towards the rear through the constricted rear end portion  29   a  of the first receiving duct  29  through the rear wall  58  into the reinforcement part  60 . Accordingly, the second fastening part is arranged in the second receiving duct  32  and extends accordingly into the further reinforcement part  61 . 
     For mounting, as this can be recognized in  FIG. 6 , a separate fastening part is pushed through via the front side of the ice compartment  12   a  or the ice maker  12 , in particular through the front frame  18 , and inserted into the first receiving duct  29 . The module with the front wall  15  and the storage container  14  in this mounting state is not yet present. This first fastening part is then pushed within the receiving duct  29  far enough towards the rear to reach through the rear wall  58  and to be inserted into the reinforcement part  60 . It is then correspondingly fastened so that a stable holding of the driving unit  12  is reached. The same is performed before or after with a second fastening part, which in an advantageous way is equally inserted through the front frame  18  in the depth direction and then introduced into the second receiving duct  32 , is passed through the rear wall  58  and inserted into the reinforcement part  61 . 
     In  FIG. 7  a representation according to  FIG. 6  is shown, with the sectional plane, however, being shown in a different way than in  FIG. 6  partly through a coupler  63 . The drive motor  64  can be recognized equally as in  FIG. 6 . 
     In  FIG. 8  in a further perspective view the ice maker  12  is shown. The storage container  14  comprises an opening  65 . The opening  65  is directed upward so that the storage container  14  is accessible from the top via this opening  65 . The storage container  14  moreover has an outer side  14   a . This is the outer side  14   a  of the walls of the storage container, which bound the volume of the storage container  14 . The walls of the storage container  14  are a first side wall, a bottom wall that is adjacent to first side wall, and a second side wall that is adjacent to the bottom wall. The bottom wall is positioned opposite the opening  65 , when viewed in the height direction. The storage container  14 , viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the depth direction, is configured to be U-shaped. 
     The ice maker  12  moreover comprises an air guiding duct  66 . The air guiding duct  66  comprises a first lateral duct wall  67 . This first lateral duct wall  67  extends in the depth direction of the ice maker  12  and extends in the height direction of the ice maker  12 . The air guiding duct  66  moreover is bounded by a second duct wall  68 . The second duct wall  68  is a roof wall. The air guiding duct  66  comprises at least one opening  69 , which is open towards the bottom. In particular, in an embodiment three such openings  69 ,  70 , and  71  are configured. All of these are configured to be open towards the bottom. An air stream L flowing through the air guiding duct  66  by the geometry of the duct walls and their arrangement relative to each other is released from the air guiding duct  66  towards the bottom. This is effected by the openings  69 ,  70 , and  71 . 
     The air guiding duct  66 , viewed in the width direction of the ice maker  12 , is arranged offset relative to the opening  65  of the storage container  14 . In particular, this offset arrangement is such that the air stream L exiting from the first opening  69 ,  70 ,  71  of the air guiding duct  66  flows around the storage container  14  at its outer side  14   a . In particular, the arrangement of the first openings  69 ,  70 , and  71  to the storage container  14 , in particular its opening  65  toward the top, is such that no overlapping in the width direction is given. The exiting of the air stream L from the openings  69 ,  70 ,  71  thereby is not effected via the opening  65  into the storage container  14 . The air stream L thus only flows around the storage container  14  at its outer side  14   a.    
     In particular, the air guiding duct  66  comprises a bottom wall  72 . In this bottom wall  72  the first openings  69 ,  70 ,  71  are formed. Through the bottom wall  72  the opening  65  of the air guiding duct  66  is also covered in the portion, in which it overlaps in the width direction with the opening  65 . Thereby no air stream flows through the opening  65  into the storage container  14 . In particular, by the first lateral duct wall  67  and the second duct wall  68  showing the roof wall the air stream L is conducted into the air conduction duct in the depth direction of the ice maker  12 . The first lateral duct wall  67 , the second duct wall  68 , and in particular the bottom wall  72  are integrally formed with each other as a single piece. In particular, a component  77  is thereby formed, in particular from plastic. The first lateral duct wall  67  is configured to be uneven. It is curved in an arch-shaped manner. In particular, at the rear end facing the driving unit  62 , in particular a rear half, an arch-shaped curvature is configured. A curvature is provided only in one direction. In particular, the curvature is directed towards the ice producer  13 . 
     Preferably the air guiding duct  66  comprises a second lateral duct wall bounding the air guiding duct  66  at the side opposite the first lateral duct wall  67 . In particular, this second lateral duct wall is formed by an outer housing wall of the outer housing  16  of the ice maker  12 . The outer housing wall is in particular formed by the wall  17   a , as it is shown in  FIG. 2 . This wall  17   a , however, is a wall that is separate from the walls  67 ,  68 , and  72 . In the assembled state the component  77  with the walls  67 ,  68 , and  72 , viewed in the width direction, directly contacts the inner side of the outer housing wall  17   a.    
     As can be recognized moreover in  FIG. 8 , the component  77  with the integrally formed walls  67 ,  68 , and  72  comprises a flange  73 . This flange  73  is in particular L-shaped. It is envisaged for contacting the inner side of the outer housing wall  17   a . In an advantageous embodiment in this flange  73  resilient parts  74 ,  75 , and  76  are configured to be integrally formed with each other as a single piece. Thereby in the mounted state a pressing of this  77  to the outer housing wall  17   a  is achieved. 
     The component  77 , which is formed as a single piece and comprises the walls  67 ,  68 , and  72  as well as the flange  73 , is arranged in non-destructively releasable manner at the driving unit  21 . For this purpose the driving unit  21  comprises a coupler oriented in the depth direction towards the front. This component is fitted upon this coupler. This component  77  in  FIG. 9  is shown in the sectional view, as is the storage container  14  and the ice producer  13 . The progression of the air stream L is shown in  FIG. 9 . It can be recognized that this fully flows around the storage container  14  at its outer side  14   a  and then enters the ice producer  13 . 
     The air guiding duct  66 , viewed in the depth direction, comprises a front end  66   a  and a rear end  66   b . The air guiding duct  66  narrows, in particular continuously, starting from the rear end  66   b  towards the front up to the front end  66   a . Thereby a pressing of the airstream L outward out of the openings  69 ,  70 ,  71  is supported. 
     In  FIG. 10  in a further perspective view the ice maker  12  is shown. The component  77  moreover comprises further openings  78 , from which the air stream L can exit towards the top. Thereby additionally an air stream can directly reach the ice producer  13 . A further opening  78 ′ corresponding with fixation element on the ceiling of the ice compartment  12   a  for mounting of the air guiding duct  66  to the ice compartment  12   a . The ceiling of the ice compartment  12   a  is a portion of the inner liner of the refrigeration compartment  3 . 
     In  FIG. 11  is shown a perspective view of the storage container  14  with the front wall  15 . A sealing  19  is provided on a rear side of the front wall  15  in order to prevent entry of humidity and warm air from the ambient into the ice maker  12 . The sealing  19  is in particular, a sealing  19  that is configured to be completely circumferentially extending or almost completely circumferentially extending. It is arranged on a rear side  20  of the front wall  15 . In the storage container  14  is also arranged the conveyor  79 . The coupling extension  52  is configured in particular as loop. The coupling extension  52  protrudes from a rear wall  53  of the storage container  14  in the depth direction of the ice maker  12  resp., in a mounted state of the storage container  14 , in direction of the driving unit  21  (see  FIG. 2 or 8 ). The coupling extension  52  comprises a frame bounding a cut-out  522  and forms a cross bar  525  at its free end. In this embodiment, the coupling extension  52  is integrally formed with the storage container  14 . The coupling extension  52  may be formed separately to the storage container  14  and connected to the storage container by a snap-fit connection or screw connection. A gripper  50  (see  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b   ) of the closing aid  48  can project through the cut-out  521  and engages with the cross bar  522  in order to cause a pull force on the coupling extension  52  resp. storage container  14 . 
     In  FIG. 12 a    is shown in principle a sectional view of the ice maker  12  with a storage container  14  in a released position. A sealing  19  is provided on a rear side of the front wall  15  in order to prevent entry of humidity and warm air from the ambient into the ice maker  12 . The sealing  19  is in particular a sealing  19  that is configured to be completely circumferentially extending or almost completely circumferentially extending. It is arranged on a rear side  20  of the front wall  15 . In the front wall  15  is arranged a crushing unit  82  for crushing the cubed ice stored in the storage container  14  which conveyed to the crushing unit  82  by turning movement of a conveyor  79  provided in the storage container  14 . The cubed or crushed ice can be discharged through an opening (not represented) in the front wall  15  into an ice chute  11  of the output  9  (see  FIG. 1 ). The driving unit  21  is positioned at a rear end viewed in depth direction of the ice maker  12  resp. opposite to the front wall  15 . The driving unit  21  comprises an air duct  43  positioned inside the drive housing  22 . From this air duct  43  an air stream L (see  FIG. 7 ) generated by the fan  23  can be guided in the driving unit  21  and thus in the drive housing  22  in a defined way. This air duct  43  of the driving unit  21  comprises an air duct outlet  44 . Same is configured in the embodiment in the front wall  24  of the drive housing  22 . The air duct  43  guides the air stream L from the fan  23  to the air duct outlet  44  of about an angle of 90 degree. Accordingly, the air duct  43  is formed with a curved section, which has an angle of about 90 degree (see detail at  FIG. 7 ). The driving unit  21  further comprises a closing aid  48  with an insertion opening  49  at a front side  24  of the drive housing  22 , which can be recognized in detail in  FIG. 4 . The closing aid  48  comprises a gripper  50 . The storage container  14  comprises a coupling extension  52  configured in particular as loop. The coupling extension  52  protrudes from a rear wall  53  of the storage container  14  in depth direction to the rear of the ice maker  12  or in other words, in a mounted state of the storage container  14 , in direction of the driving unit  21  (see  FIG. 2 or 8 ). The coupling extension  52  comprises a frame bounding a cut-out  522  and forms a cross bar  525  (see  FIG. 11 ) at its free end. The coupling extension  52  is integrally formed with the storage container  14 . By further inserting of the storage container  14  resp. the coupling extension  52  in depth direction on the driving unit  21 . In the nearly closed end position of the storage container  14  according to  FIG. 12 a   , the coupling extension  52  contacts the gripper  50  in the basic position resp. unlocked position or non-activated position. In this position, the front wall  15  or at least the seal  19  resp. gasket is not in contact with front frame  18  of the ice maker  12  and it remains a certain gap D resp. distance between the rear wall  20  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the front wall  15  and the front frame  18 . By further inserting of the coupling extension  52  (see  FIG. 11 ) into the insertion opening  49  of the closing aid  48 , the closing aid  48  resp. the gripper  50  would be activated which is further described to  FIG. 12   b.    
     In  FIG. 12 b    is shown a sectional view of the ice maker  12  with a storage container  14  in a locked position. In contrast to  FIG. 12 , the storage container  14  is in the closed end position resp. completely retracted into the ice maker  12 . By further inserting of the coupling extension  52  (see  FIG. 11 ) into the insertion opening  49  of the closing aid  48 , the gripper  50  undergoes a rotational movement about an rotational axis. After the rotational movement of the gripper  50 , the gripper  50  projects through the cut-out  521  of the coupling extension  52  and engages with the cross bar  522  in order to cause a pull force on the coupling extension  52  resp. storage container  14 . Further, after the rotational movement of the gripper  50 , a loaded energy storage  51  (see  FIG. 14 a , 14 b   ) is released and the gripper  50  moves into a snapped-over position by unloading of the energy storage  51 . Thereby, the coupling engagement  52  resp. the storage container  14  is moved in the depth direction up to the driving unit  21  so that a front wall  15  of the outer housing  16  arranged at the storage container  14  is pressed to a front frame  18  of the ice maker and a locking position of the storage container is set. In the snapped-over position of the closing aid resp. locked position of the storage container  14 , the front wall  15  or at least the seal  19  resp. gasket is in contact with front frame  18  of the ice maker  12  and no gap D remains between the rear wall  20  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the front wall  15  and the front frame  18 . Thereby the front wall  15  is pressed with a defined pressing force to the front frame  18  or pulled towards the rear and a corresponding pressing force is generated between these components. Preferably, the front frame  18  and the front wall  15  are pressed tightly together and the seal  19  resp. gasket is compressed in between in order to realize a proper sealing of the ice maker  12  to the ambient air. Since the closing aid  48  is arranged at the driving unit  21 , which is provided at the rear of the ice maker  20 , the front wall  15  is free from any closing mechanisms of the ice maker. Further, the heat insulation provided in the front wall  15  for thermally insulating the ice maker  12  or ice compartment  12   a  from the ambient is not weakened by any assembly space for mechanical components of a closing mechanism. Moreover, the customer is not forced to actuate any buttons or switches to release the front wall  15  or storage container  14  from the ice maker  12 . 
     It will be understood that the manner of arranging the coupling extension  52  and the closing aid  48  can also be reversed if desired, that is to say the coupling extension  52  can be arranged at the drive unit  21 , while the closing aid  12  with the components accommodated therein can be mounted at the rear wall of the storage container  14 . 
       FIG. 13 a    shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a closing aid  48  with housing  481  in a basic position. The housing  481  of the closing aid has an insertion opening  49 . The insertion opening  49  is provided at a front wall  24  of the driving unit  21  resp. drive housing  22  facing a storage container  14  in the mounted state of the storage container  14  in the ice maker  12 . A gripper portion  509  of the gripper  50  comprise two jaws  501 ,  502  (see  FIG. 14 a , 14 b   ). In the basic position of the closing aid  48 , the gripping portion  519  is open towards the insertion opening  49  (see  FIG. 12 a , 12 b   ), so that the coupling extension  52  (see  FIG. 11, 12   a ,  12   b ) can be inserted into the gripping portion  509 . In the basic position of the gripper  50 , a curved part  506  of the gripper  50  is in contact with a blocking wall  483  formed by the housing  481 . The housing  481  comprises at least one shaft guiding groove  501 , especially two shaft guiding grooves  501  at opposite sides of the housing  481 , into which the supporting shaft  503  is accommodated. The supporting shaft  503  is part of the gripper  50  and the guiding groove  501  defines a translational or linear movement of the gripper  50  and allows rotatable movement of the gripper  50 . Accordingly, the supporting shaft  503  is clockwise/counter-clockwise rotatable (with respect to the viewpoint of a sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the housing  481 ) in this guiding groove  501  and linearly movable in longitudinal direction of the housing  481  resp. linearly movable from the insertion opening  49  to an opposite side of the housing  481  and vice versa. 
       FIG. 13 b    is a schematic and perspective view of the closing aid  48  with a housing  481  in a snapped-over position. In contrast to  FIG. 13 a   , the shaft  503  is moved along the guiding formation resp. the shaft guiding groove  501  into to the rear of the closing aid  48  resp. away from the insertion opening and is now provided farther away from the insertion opening  49 . In the snapped-over position of the gripper  50 , the jaw  501  of the gripper  50  is in contact with the blocking wall  483 . In the snapped over position of the gripper  50 , the gripping portion  519  faces away from the insertion opening  49  (see  FIG. 12 a , 12 b   ) and a pulling of any coupling extension  52  provided at a storage container  14  further into the housing  481  is effected 
     In  FIG. 14 a    is schematically shown a perspective view of the closing aid  48  according to  FIG. 13 a    without the housing  481 . The closing aid  48  comprises the gripper  50  positioned inside the closing aid  48  resp. housing  481 . The closing aid  48  comprises a loaded energy storage  51  respectively tensioned springs  51   a ,  51   b  in the basic position resp. unlocked or open position of the closing aid  48 . The energy storage  51  is arranged in the interior of the closing aid  48 . By the energy storage  51  a pull force of the gripper  50  is achievable, when the loaded energy storage is changed from the loaded state to the unloaded state. This is effected by the fact that in case of an insertion of a coupling extension  52  ( FIG. 11 ), which is arranged on a rear wall  53  ( FIG. 11 ) of the storage container  14  and projects relative to the rear wall  53  towards the rear into the insertion opening  49 , the coupling extension  52  contacts a first jaw  501  of the gripper  50  in the basic position or unlocked position. By a further pushing of the storage container  14  towards the rear, the gripper  50  is turned towards the rear and thereby the energy storage  51  is released. The gripper  50  during this contacting of the first jaw  501  by a coupling extension  52 , to start with, performs a rotary movement about an axis of rotation formed by a supporting shaft  513 . After the rotary movement of the gripper  50  and no longer contacting of a vertical wall surface  484  of a blocking wall  483  by a curved surface  5061  of a curved part  506  of the gripper  50 , the loaded energy storage  51  resp. the tensioned springs  51   a ,  51   b  are released and the gripper  50  coupled therewith further performs a linear movement towards the rear of the closing aid  48  resp. the gripper  50  moves farther away from the insertion opening  49 . By the operating principle, the gripper  50  is preferably automatically moved linearly towards the rear by the energy storage  51 . If a coupling extension  52  of a storage container  15  is coupled to the gripper  50 , a pulling movement along of the coupling extension  52  in the depth direction towards the rear is effected (see  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b   ). 
     In detail, the gripper  50  forms the gripping portion  509 , into which the coupling extension  52  of the storage container  14  plunges with its front cross bar  522  (see  FIGS. 11, 12   a ,  12   b ). The gripping portion  2509  is bounded by two jaws  501 ,  502  opposite one another. In the basic position of the closing aid  48 , the gripping portion  519  is open towards the insertion opening  49  (see  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b   ), so that the coupling extension  52  (see  FIGS. 11, 12   a ,  12   b ) can travel into the gripping portion  509 , striking with its cross-bar  22  against the jaw  511  and thereby imparting a rotary movement about an axis of rotation formed by a shaft  513 . In the course of this rotary movement, the other jaw  512  plunges into the cut-out  521  of the coupling extension  52 , so that the cross bar  522  is thereby caught in the gripping portion  519  of the gripper  50  (see  FIGS. 11, 12   a ,  12   b ). 
     In detail, the energy storage  51  comprises the springs  51   a ,  51   b  which are accommodated in the closing aid  48 . These springs  51   a ,  51   b  are tensioned in the basic position of the closing aid  48 , i.e. when the storage container  15  is released, and relaxed in the snapped-over position of the gripper  50 , i.e. when the storage container is locked, and thereby is caused a pull movement on a coupling extension  52  of the gripper  50 , by which the gripper  50  is pushed deeper into the housing  481  resp. away from the insertion opening  49  (see  FIG. 13 a , 13 b   ). Simultaneously with this pull movement of the gripper  50 , a storage container  14  is pulled into the closed end position resp. locked position, which is comfortable for the user, since the forces required to compress an optionally present door seal do not have to be produced completely by the user, but are at least partly provided by the closing aid  48  resp. by the first  514  and second spring  515 . The first spring  514  and second spring  515  is formed as a helical compression springs. 
     In detail, the supporting shaft  503  is formed separately from the gripper  50  and is inserted through an opening  507  of the gripper  50 . The supporting shaft  513  is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the gripper  50 , for example, by form fit or friction fit. Of course, it is not beyond the scope of the invention to design the supporting shaft  503  otherwise. 
     In detail, the longitudinal axis of the springs  51   a ,  51   b  runs substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the coupling extension  52 . In the basic position of the closing aid  48 , the tensioned springs  51   a ,  51   b  push the gripper  24  into engagement with a blocking wall  483 . The blocking wall  483  is formed in this case by a part of the housing  481 . In the basic position, the gripper  50  is supported on a vertical wall  484  of this blocking wall  483  via a curved surface  5061  of a curved part  506  of the gripper  50 . The curved surface  5061  is designed approximately in the form of a circular arc and allows a rotary movement of the gripper  50  about the axis of rotation defined by the supporting shaft  503 . Such a rotary movement of the gripper  50  takes place as mentioned upon inserting of the coupling extension  52  as soon as the coupling extension  52  strikes with its front cross bar  522  the first jaw  501  and thereby sets the gripper  50  in rotation. Upon this rotation, the curved surface  5061  slides along the vertical wall  484  until an edge between the vertical wall  484  and a horizontal wall  485  of the blocking wall  483  is passed. This allows the springs  51   a ,  51   b  to relax and the gripper  50  slides under the action of the relaxing springs  51   a ,  51   b  substantially in longitudinal direction of the closing aid  48  farther away from the insertion opening  14  along the horizontal wall  485  of the blocking wall  483  (see  FIG. 11, 13   a ,  13   b ). Since at this stage the coupling extension  52  of the storage container  14  is caught in the gripping portion  509  resp. between the first jaw  501  and second jaw  502 , the coupling extension  52  and therewith the storage container  14  with the front wall  15  is drawn by the second jaw  502  along upon this pulling movement of the gripper  50 . The front wall  15  of the ice maker  20  is thus closed tightly. 
     In detail, the springs  51   a ,  51   b  can be seated in the guiding shafts supported at one of their spring ends on the housing  481 . At their other spring end, they are supported directly of the supporting shaft  503 . The springs  15   a ,  15   b  are arranged such that their spring axes intersect the respective supporting shaft  503 . 
     In  FIG. 14 b    is schematically shown a perspective view of the closing aid  48  without housing  481  in a snapped-over position. In contrast to  FIG. 14 a   , the gripper  50  rest in the snapped-over position resp. locked position. In this state, the grapping portion  509  of the gripper  50  faces away from an insertion opening  49  of a housing  481  (see  FIG. 13 a , 13 b   ) the first jaw  501  is in contact with the vertical wall of the blocking wall  483 . Further, a flat surface  5062  of the curved part  506  of the gripper  50  is in contact with the horizontal surface  485  of the blocking wall  483 . Further, in this state, the energy storage  51  is unloaded resp. the first spring  51   a  and the second spring  52   b  are relaxed or almost relaxed and still pressing the gripper  50 , especially the first jaw  501 , against the vertical wall  484 . The gripper  24  thereby is supported on the blocking element  44 . 
     To unlock or to bring the gripper  50  back into the basic position, the user need to pull on a front wall  15  resp. front cover of the ice maker  12  or storage container  14 . This produces a force on the gripper  50  opposite to the direction of the pull movement, or linear movement away from an insertion opening  49 , of the gripper  50 . The gripper  50  then moves, under over-increasing tension of the springs  15   a ,  15   b  in the direction towards the insertion opening  49  until the curved surface  5061  of the curved part  506  of the gripper  50  can rotate back in front of the vertical surface  4831  of the blocking wall  483 . This reverse rotation of the gripper  50  can be assisted, for example, by a further pretensioned spring (not shown) which is arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the springs  51   a ,  51   b . An projection  508  is provided on the curved part  506  of the gripper  50  in order to limit the reverse rotation of the gripper  50 . 
     In an embodiment, the first receiving duct and the second receiving duct viewed in the width direction of the driving unit are arranged offset relative to each other. 
     In an embodiment, the ice maker comprises an outer housing with a front wall, wherein the front wall is arranged at the front of the storage container and this front wall wherein said front wall upon pulling automatically towards the rear of the storage container is capable of being pulled along towards the rear. 
     In an embodiment, the ice maker comprises an outer housing with a front frame, wherein in the locking position the front wall is pressed to the front frame. 
     In an embodiment, on a rear side of the front wall a sealing is arranged. 
     In an embodiment, the closing aid comprises a gripper and an loaded energy storage for snapping the gripper over from a basic position into a snapped-over position, wherein upon inserting the coupling extension into the insertion opening the gripper is rotated and thereby the loaded energy storage is released so that the gripper is translatorily movable into the snapped-over position by the loaded energy storage automatically and the coupling extension coupled with the gripper is automatically pulled towards the rear and the locking position of the storage container is set. 
     In an embodiment, the driving unit comprises a drive motor, which is arranged in the drive housing, at least one drive motor arranged in a chamber of the drive housing, a first receiving duct for accommodating a first fastening part extending completely through the drive housing, wherein the drive housing can be fastened by the first fastening part to an inner liner wall of the refrigeration compartment, wherein: 
     the first receiving duct extends across the entire depth of the drive housing and is open at a front end and is open at a rear end; and 
     a second receiving duct for a second fastening part extends completely through the drive housing, wherein the drive housing can be fastened by the second fastening part to the same inner liner wall of the refrigeration compartment, and wherein 
     said second receiving duct extends across the entire depth of the drive housing and is open at a front end and is open at a rear end. 
     In an embodiment, the drive housing of the driving unit comprises a front wall and in the drive housing an air duct is formed, wherein an air duct outlet of the air duct is arranged on the front wall. 
     In an embodiment, the drive housing comprises a front wall, and the driving unit comprises a coupling guide for mechanical coupling of a storage container of the ice compartment with the driving unit, wherein the coupling guide is arranged at the front wall. 
     In an embodiment, the drive housing comprises a front wall, and in the drive housing a drive motor is arranged, wherein at the front wall a passage is formed, through which a shaft of the drive motor extends or through which a counter-coupling part of a conveyer of the ice compartment can extend in order to couple with the drive motor in the interior of the drive housing. 
     In an embodiment, a method for locking of an ice maker comprising the following steps: providing a driving unit of the icemaker; providing a storage container of the ice maker; inserting the storage container into an outer housing of the ice maker in the depth direction of the ice maker; inserting a coupling extension, which is arranged on a rear wall of the storage container, into an insertion opening of a closing aid of the ice maker, wherein the insertion opening is formed in a front wall of the drive housing of the driving unit and the closing aid is arranged in the drive housing of the driving unit; coupling the coupling extension with a gripper of the closing aid upon further inserting in the depth direction; triggering a loaded energy storage of the closing aid after predetermined rotating movement of the gripper by further inserting of the storage container in the depth direction; moving the gripper in translation into a snapped-over position by the loaded energy storage of the gripper and thereby pulling of the storage container automatically in the depth direction up to the driving unit so that a front wall of the outer housing of the ice maker arranged at the storage container is pressed to a front frame of the ice maker and a locking position of the storage container is set. 
     The following is a list of reference numerals used in the above description of the invention with reference to the drawing figures: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                  1 
                 household cooling appliance 
               
               
                  2 
                 outer housing 
               
               
                  3 
                 refrigeration compartment 
               
               
                  4 
                 freezer compartment 
               
               
                  5 
                 door 
               
               
                  6 
                 door 
               
               
                  7 
                 door 
               
               
                  8 
                 module 
               
               
                  9 
                 output 
               
               
                 10 
                 dispenser 
               
               
                 11 
                 ice chute 
               
               
                 12 
                 ice maker 
               
               
                     12a 
                 ice compartment 
               
               
                 13 
                 ice producer 
               
               
                 14 
                 storage container 
               
               
                     14a 
                 outer side 
               
               
                 15 
                 front wall 
               
               
                 16 
                 outer housing 
               
               
                 17 
                 outer housing wall 
               
               
                     17a 
                 vertical wall 
               
               
                  17b 
                 bottom wall 
               
               
                 18 
                 front frame 
               
               
                     18a 
                 opening 
               
               
                 19 
                 seal 
               
               
                 20 
                 rear side 
               
               
                 21 
                 driving unit 
               
               
                 22 
                 drive housing 
               
               
                 23 
                 fan 
               
               
                 24 
                 front wall 
               
               
                 25 
                 roof wall 
               
               
                 26 
                 bottom wall 
               
               
                 27 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 28 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 29 
                 receiving duct 
               
               
                     29a 
                 rear end portion 
               
               
                  29b 
                 front portion 
               
               
                 30 
                 entry 
               
               
                 31 
                 exit 
               
               
                 32 
                 receiving duct 
               
               
                 33 
                 entry 
               
               
                 34 
                 exit 
               
               
                 35 
                 bounding walls 
               
               
                 36 
                 bounding walls 
               
               
                 37 
                 throat 
               
               
                 38 
                 throat 
               
               
                 39 
                 corner portion 
               
               
                 40 
                 edge portion 
               
               
                 41 
                 corner portion 
               
               
                 42 
                 corner portion 
               
               
                 43 
                 air duct 
               
               
                 44 
                 air duct outlet 
               
               
                 45 
                 passage 
               
               
                 46 
                 shaft 
               
               
                 47 
                 coupling entry 
               
               
                 48 
                 closing aid 
               
               
                 481  
                 housing 
               
               
                 482  
                 shaft movement guide 
               
               
                 483  
                 blocking wall 
               
               
                 484  
                 vertical wall surface 
               
               
                 485  
                 horizontal wall surface 
               
               
                 49 
                 insertion opening 
               
               
                 50 
                 gripper 
               
               
                 501  
                 first jaw 
               
               
                 502  
                 second jaw 
               
               
                 503  
                 shaft 
               
               
                 506  
                 curved part 
               
               
                 5061  
                 curved surface 
               
               
                 5062  
                 plane surface 
               
               
                 507  
                 opening 
               
               
                 508  
                 protrusion 
               
               
                 509  
                 gripping portion 
               
               
                 51 
                 energy storage 
               
               
                     51a 
                 first spring 
               
               
                  51b 
                 second spring 
               
               
                 52 
                 coupling extension 
               
               
                 521  
                 cut-out 
               
               
                 522  
                 cross bar 
               
               
                 53 
                 rear wall 
               
               
                 54 
                 cable channel 
               
               
                 55 
                 coupling entry 
               
               
                 56 
                 coupling entry 
               
               
                 57 
                 ceiling wall 
               
               
                 58 
                 rear wall 
               
               
                 59 
                 inner liner 
               
               
                 60 
                 reinforcement part 
               
               
                 61 
                 reinforcement part 
               
               
                 62 
                 coupling element 
               
               
                 63 
                 coupling element 
               
               
                 64 
                 drive motor 
               
               
                 65 
                 opening 
               
               
                 66 
                 air guiding duct 
               
               
                     66a 
                 front end 
               
               
                  66b 
                 rear end 
               
               
                 67 
                 duct wall 
               
               
                 68 
                 duct wall 
               
               
                 69 
                 opening 
               
               
                 70 
                 opening 
               
               
                 71 
                 opening 
               
               
                 72 
                 bottom wall 
               
               
                 73 
                 flange 
               
               
                 74 
                 part 
               
               
                 75 
                 part 
               
               
                 76 
                 part 
               
               
                 77 
                 component 
               
               
                 78 
                 opening 
               
               
                     78′ 
                 opening 
               
               
                 79 
                 conveyor 
               
               
                 80 
                 counter coupler 
               
               
                 81 
                 coupling part 
               
               
                 82 
                 crusher unit 
               
               
                 A 
                 longitudinal axis 
               
               
                 B 
                 longitudinal axis 
               
               
                 L 
                 air stream 
               
               
                 D 
                 gap