Patent Publication Number: US-9423166-B2

Title: Refrigerator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0071169 filed on Jun. 29, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, refrigerators are home appliances for storing foods at a low temperature in an inner storage space covered by a door. That is, since a refrigerator cools the inside of a storage space by using cool air generated through heat-exchange with a refrigerant circulating a refrigeration cycle, foods stored in the storage space may be stored in a cooled state. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example prior art refrigerator, and  FIG. 2  illustrates an example cool air circulation state inside the refrigerator shown in  FIG. 1  and an ice making compartment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a refrigerator  1  includes a cabinet  10  defining a storage space and doors  20  and  30  mounted on the cabinet  10 . An outer appearance of the refrigerator  1  may be defined by the cabinet  10  and the doors  20  and  30 . 
     The storage space within the cabinet  10  is vertically partitioned by a barrier  11 . A refrigerating compartment  12  is defined in the partitioned upper side, and a freezing compartment  13  is defined in the partitioned lower side. 
     The doors  20  and  30  include a refrigerating compartment door  20  for opening or closing the refrigerating compartment  12  and a freezing compartment door  30  for opening or closing the freezing compartment  13 . Also, the refrigerating compartment door  20  includes a pair of doors disposed on left and right sides thereof. The pair of doors includes a first refrigerating compartment door  21  and a second refrigerating compartment door  22  disposed on a right side of the first refrigerating compartment door  21 . The first refrigerating compartment door  21  and the second refrigerating compartment door  22  independently rotate with respect to each other. 
     The freezing compartment door  30  may be provided as a slidably accessible door. The freezing compartment door  30  may be vertically provided in plurality. The freezing compartment door  30  may be provided as one door as desired. 
     A dispenser  23  for dispensing water or ice is disposed in one of the first refrigerating compartment door  21  and the second refrigerating compartment door  22 . For example, a structure in which the dispenser  23  is disposed in the first refrigerating compartment door  21  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     An ice making compartment  40  for making and storing ice is defined in the first refrigerating compartment door  21 . The ice making compartment  40  is provided as an independent insulation space. The ice making compartment  40  may be opened or closed by an ice making compartment door  41 . An ice maker for making ice may be provided within the ice making compartment  40 . Also, components for storing made ice or dispensing the made ice through the dispenser  23  may be provided in the ice making compartment  40 . 
     In addition, the cool air duct  50  for supplying cool air into the ice making compartment  40  and recovering the cool air from the ice making compartment  40  is disposed in a side wall of the cabinet  10 . Also, a cool air inlet  42  and a cool air outlet  43  which communicate with the cool air duct  50  when the first refrigerating compartment door  21  is closed are provided in a surface of the ice making compartment  40 . Cool air introduced into the cool air inlet  42  cools the inside of the ice making compartment  40  to make ice. Then, the heat-exchanged cool air is discharged to the outside of the ice making compartment  40  through the cool air outlet  43 . 
     A heat exchange chamber  14  partitioned from the freezing compartment  13  is defined in a rear side of the freezing compartment  13 . An evaporator is provided in the heat exchange chamber  14 . Cool air generated in the evaporator may be supplied into the freezing compartment  13 , the refrigerating compartment  12 , and the ice making compartment  40  to cool the inside of each of the freezing compartment  13 , the refrigerating compartment  12 , and the ice making compartment  40 . 
     In some implementations, the cool air duct  50  communicates with the heat exchange chamber  14  and the freezing compartment  13 . Thus, cool air within the heat exchange chamber  14  is introduced into the ice making compartment  40  through a supply passage  51  of the cool air duct  50 . Also, cool air within the ice making compartment  40  is recovered into the freezing compartment  13  through a recovery passage  52  of the cool air duct  50 . Further, ice is made and stored within the ice making compartment  40  by continuous circulation of the cool air through the cool air duct  50 . 
     In the refrigerator having the above-described structure, the making and storage of ice are performed within the ice making compartment  40  provided in the refrigerating compartment  20 , which may increase a volume of the refrigerating compartment door  20 . Thus, an accommodation space defined in a back surface of the refrigerating compartment door  20  may be reduced. 
     Also, since cool air for making ice should be supplied up to the ice making compartment, power consumption may increase. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a refrigerator includes a main body comprising a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment and a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment. The refrigerator also includes an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment and an ice bank disposed on the door and configured to store ice made by the ice maker. The refrigerator further includes an ice transfer device configured to transfer ice made by the ice maker to the ice bank and an ice chute that connects the ice transfer device to the ice bank and defines a transfer path for ice from the ice transfer device to the ice bank. The ice transfer device includes a housing that receives ice separated from the ice maker and a transfer member accommodated within the housing and configured to transfer ice from the housing into the ice chute. An inlet end of the ice chute is located at a point that is spaced upward from a bottom surface of the housing and the ice chute extends, from the inlet end, upward from a horizontal plane at an angle. The angle at which the ice chute extends is less than an angle between the horizontal plane and a tangent that passes through an outer circumferential surface of the housing at a lower end of the inlet end of the ice chute. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the angle at which the ice chute extends may be between about 0° to about 90°. In this example, the angle at which the ice chute extends may be between 20° to 50°. The angle at which the ice chute extends may be 45°. 
     In some implementations, the angle at which the ice chute extends may be between about 20° to about 50°. In these implementations, the angle at which the ice chute extends may be about 45°. 
     In some examples, an upper end of the inlet end of the ice chute may extend into the housing by a predetermined length. In these examples, the lower end of the inlet end of the ice chute may not extend into the housing. 
     In addition, the transfer member may have a plurality of lifters that radially extend from the transfer member. Each of the lifters may include a leading edge that defines a front surface of the lifter when the transfer member rotates in a forward direction, a trailing edge that defines a rear surface of the lifter when the transfer member rotates in the forward direction, and a tip part that protrudes from an end of the trailing edge toward a circumference of the transfer member. The transfer member may be configured to rotate in the forward direction to transfer ice from the housing into the ice chute. 
     In some implementations, an ice accommodation groove configured to accommodate ice located in the housing may be defined between each pair of adjacent lifters. In these implementations, the ice accommodation groove may have a depth ranging from about one time to about one and a half times a diameter of an ice piece the ice maker is configured to make. 
     In addition, a distance between the tip part and the leading edge of adjacent lifters may be about one time to about one and a half times a diameter of an ice piece the ice maker is configured to make. The plurality of lifters may be six lifters. The ice maker may be configured to make spherical ice. 
     In some examples, the refrigerator may include a guide part that protrudes from an inner circumferential surface of the housing and that is configured to guide ice dropping from the ice maker toward the transfer member. The guide part may include a first surface protruding downward from an inner circumferential surface of the housing and a second surface connecting an end of the first surface to the inner circumferential surface of the housing. The second surface may be rounded with a curvature that is equal to or greater than the curvature of the transfer member. The first surface may be inclined such that the first surface protrudes downward from the inner circumferential surface of the housing in an inclined manner. The first surface may be rounded such that the first surface protrudes downward from the inner circumferential surface of the housing in a rounded manner. The second surface may be rounded with a curvature that is equal to the curvature of the transfer member. The second surface may be rounded with a curvature that is greater than the curvature of the transfer member. 
     The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example prior art refrigerator. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an example cool air circulation state within the refrigerator shown in  FIG. 1  and an example ice making compartment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an example refrigerator. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an example door of the refrigerator shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partially perspective view illustrating an example inner structure of an example freezing compartment. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of an example ice maker. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an example overall structure of an example ice transfer device. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating an example ice transfer state through the ice transfer device shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIGS. 9 to 12  are views successively illustrating example operation processes in which ice pieces are guided into an example ice chute by an example transfer member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example refrigerator,  FIG. 4  illustrates an example door of the refrigerator shown in  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 5  illustrates an example inner structure of an example freezing compartment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , a refrigerator  100  includes a cabinet  110  and a door. The cabinet  110  and the door define an outer appearance of the refrigerator  100 . The inside of the cabinet  110  is partitioned by a barrier  111 . That is, a refrigerating compartment  112  is defined at an upper side, and a freezing compartment  113  is defined at a lower side. 
     An ice maker  200  for making ice and an ice transfer device  300  for transferring the made ice into an ice bank  140  may be provided within the freezing compartment  113 . 
     The door includes a refrigerating compartment door  120  for covering the refrigerating compartment  112  and a freezing compartment door  130  for covering the freezing compartment  113 . The refrigerating compartment door  120  includes a first refrigerating compartment door  121  and a second refrigerating compartment door  122 , which respectively rotate to open or close the refrigerating compartment  112 . Also, the freezing compartment door  130  may be slidably withdrawn in front and rear directions to open or close the freezing compartment  113 . 
     A dispenser  123  may be provided in a front surface of the first refrigerating compartment door  121 . Purified water and ice made in the ice maker  200  may be dispensed to the outside through the dispenser  123 . 
     The ice bank  140  is provided in a back surface of the refrigerating compartment door  120 . The ice bank  140  provides a space for storing ice transferred by the ice transfer device  300 . Also, the ice bank  140  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be openable by a door  141 . The ice bank  140  defines an insulation space. When the first refrigerating compartment door  121  is closed, the ice bank  140  is connected to the ice chute  340  and the cool air duct  350  to allow ice to be supplied and cool air to be circulated. The ice bank  140  communicates with the dispenser  123 . Thus, when the dispenser  123  is manipulated, ice stored in the ice bank  140  may be dispensed. Also, a separate case  142  for accommodating ice may be provided within the ice bank  140 . In addition, an auger  143  configured to smoothly transfer ice and a crusher for crushing ice to dispense crushed ice pieces may be further provided within the ice bank  140 . 
     In some implementations, the ice bank  140  protrudes backward to allow a side surface part of the ice bank  140  to contact an inner wall of the refrigerating compartment  112  when the first refrigerating compartment door  121  is closed. Also, an air hole  144  and an ice inlet hole  145  may be further defined in a sidewall of the ice bank  140  corresponding to the openings  341  and  351  of the ice chute  340  and the cool air duct  350 , which are disposed in the inner sidewall of the refrigerating compartment  112 . Thus, when the first refrigerating compartment door  121  is closed, the ice may be transferred into the ice bank  140  and cool air for maintaining frozen states of the ice may be supplied. 
     A withdrawable drawer, the ice maker  200 , and the ice transfer device  300  may be disposed inside the freezing compartment  113 . 
     The ice maker  200  is configured to make ice using water supplied from a water supply source. The ice maker  200  may be disposed in the vicinity of an upper edge of the freezing compartment  113 . The ice maker  200  is fixedly mounted on a bottom surface of the barrier  111 . The ice made in the ice maker  200  may drop down and then be accommodated in a housing  310  of the ice transfer device  300 . 
     Also, the ice transfer device  300  may be disposed under the ice maker  200  to supply the ice made in the ice maker  200  into the ice bank  140 . For instance, the positions of the ice maker  200  and the ice transfer device  300  may be determined according to the position of the ice bank  140 . For example, the ice maker  200  and the ice transfer device  300  may be provided in an upper left portion of the freezing compartment  113  that corresponds to the shortest distance from the ice bank  140  disposed in the first refrigerating compartment door  121 . 
     In some examples, the ice transfer device  300  may be disposed under the ice maker  200  and fixedly mounted on a sidewall of the freezing compartment  113 . In addition, a transfer member  320  for transferring ice may be disposed within the housing  310 . The housing  310  is connected to the ice chute  340  to transfer the made ice into the ice bank  140  through the ice chute  340 . Also, an end of the cool air duct  350  is disposed on a side of the ice transfer device  300 . The cool air duct  350  is configured to supply the cool air within the freezing compartment  113  into the ice bank  140 . An inlet of the cool air duct  350  may be exposed to the inside of the freezing compartment  113 , and a cool air suction part  352  in which a blower fan  353  (see  FIG. 7 ) is accommodated may be further disposed on an inlet-side of the cool air duct  350 . The cool air suction part  352  communicates with an evaporating chamber in which an evaporator is disposed to allow cool air within the evaporating chamber to be supplied into the ice bank  140 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example ice maker. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the ice maker  200  is mounted on an ice maker bracket (see reference numeral  250  of  FIG. 7 ) disposed on the barrier  111 . Also, the ice maker  200  includes an upper plate tray  210 , a lower plate tray  220  rotatably coupled to the upper plate tray  210 , a motor assembly  240  providing rotation force to the lower plate tray  220 , and an ejecting unit separating ice made in the upper and lower plate trays  210  and  220 . 
     In some examples, the lower plate tray  220  has a substantially square shape when viewed from an upper side. Also, a recess part  225  recessed downward in a hemispherical shape to define a lower portion of a globular or spherical ice piece is defined in the lower plate tray  220 . The lower plate tray  220  may be formed of a metal material. As necessary, at least a portion of the lower plate tray  120  may be formed of an elastically deformable material. An example in which a portion of the lower plate tray  220  is formed of an elastic material will be described. 
     The lower plate tray  220  includes a tray case  221  defining an outer appearance thereof, a tray body  223  seated on the tray case  221  and having the recess part  225 , and a tray cover  226  for fixing the tray body  223  to the tray case  221 . 
     The tray case  221  may have a square frame shape. Also, the tray case  221  may further extend upward and downward along a circumference thereof. Further, a seat part  221   a  punched in a circular shape is disposed within the tray case  221 . The seat part  221   a  may have a shape corresponding to that of the recess part  225  of the tray body  223  so that the recess part  225  is stably seated thereon. That is to say, the seat part  221   a  may be rounded with the same curvature as that of the recess part  225 . Thus, when an outer circumferential surface of the recess part is closely attached to the seat part  221   a , the tray body  223  may be stably seated on the tray case  221  without being shaken. 
     The seat part  221   a  may be provided in plurality to correspond to the position and shape of the recess part  225 . Thus, the plurality of seat parts  221   a  may be connected to each other. 
     Also, a lower plate tray connection part  222  coupled to the upper plate tray  210  and the motor assembly  240  so that the tray case  221  is rotatably mounted is disposed on a rear side of the tray case  221 . 
     In addition, an elastic member mounting part  221   b  is disposed on a side surface of the tray case  221 . Further, an elastic member  231  providing elastic force to maintain a closed state of the lower plate tray  220  may be connected to the elastic member mounting part  221   b.    
     The tray body  223  may be formed of an elastically deformable flexible material. The tray body  223  is seated on the tray case  221 . The tray body  223  includes a plane part  224  and the recess part  225  recessed downward from the plane part  224 . The plane part  224  has a plate shape with a predetermined thickness. Also, the plane part  224  may have a shape to correspond to that of a top surface of the tray case  221  so that the plane part  224  is accommodated into the tray case  221 . Also, the recess part  225  may have the hemispherical shape to define a lower portion of a globular or spherical cell providing a space in which an ice piece is made. The recess part  225  may have a shape corresponding to that of a recess part  213  of the upper plate tray  210 . Thus, when the upper plate tray  210  and the lower plate tray  220  are closed, a shell providing a space having a globular or spherical shape may be defined. 
     The recess part  225  may pass through the seat part  221   a  of the tray case  221  to protrude downward. Thus, the recess part  225  may be pushed by the ejecting unit when the lower plate tray  220  rotates. As a result, an ice within the recess part  225  may be separated to the outside. 
     Also, a lower protrusion protruding upward is disposed around the recess part  225 . When the upper plate tray  210  and the lower plate tray  220  are closed with respect to each other, the lower protrusion may overlap an upper protrusion of the upper plate tray  210  to reduce (e.g., prevent) water from leaking. 
     The tray cover  226  may be disposed above the tray body  223  to fix the tray body  223  to the tray case  221 . A screw or rivet may be coupled to the tray cover  226 . The screw or rivet successively passes through the tray cover  226 , the tray body  223 , and the tray case  221  to assemble the lower plate tray  220 . 
     A punched part  226   a  having a shape corresponding to that of an opened top surface of the recess part  225  defined in the tray body  223  is defined in the tray cover  225 . The punched part  226   a  may have a shape in which a plurality of circular shapes successively overlap each other. Thus, when the lower plate tray  220  is completely assembled, the opened top surface of the recess part  225  is exposed through the punched part  226   a . Also, the lower protrusion protruding upward from an edge of a top surface of the recess part  225  is disposed inside the punched part  226   a.    
     The upper plate tray  210  defines an upper appearance of the ice maker  200 . The upper plate tray  210  may include a mounting part  211  for mounting the ice maker  200  and a tray part  212  for making ice. 
     For instance, the mounting part  211  is configured to mount the ice maker  200  inside the freezing compartment  113 . The mounting part  211  may extend in a vertical direction perpendicular to that of the tray part  212 . Thus, the mounting part  211  may surface-contact the freezing compartment  113  to maintain a stably mounted state thereof. 
     Also, the tray part  212  may have a shape corresponding to that of the lower plate tray  220 . The tray part  212  may include a plurality of recess parts  213  each being recessed upward and having a hemispherical shape. The plurality of recess parts  213  are successively arranged in a line. When the upper plate tray  210  and the lower plate tray  220  are closed, the recess part  225  of the lower plate tray  220  and the recess part  213  of the upper plate tray  210  are coupled to match each other to define a shell which provides an ice making space having a globular or spherical shape. The recess part  213  of the upper plate tray  210  may have a hemispherical shape corresponding to that of the lower plate tray  220 . 
     A shaft coupling part  211   a  to which the lower plate tray connection part  222  is shaft-coupled may be further disposed on a rear side of the tray part  212 . The shaft coupling part  211   a  may extend downward from both sides of a bottom surface of the tray part  212  and be shaft-coupled to the lower plate tray connection part  222 . Thus, the lower plate tray  220  may be shaft-coupled to the upper plate tray  210  and be rotatably mounted on the upper plate tray  220 . That is, the lower plate tray  220  may be rotatably opened or closed by the rotation of the motor assembly  240 . 
     The upper plate tray  210  may be formed entirely of a metal material. Thus, the upper plate tray  210  may be configured to quickly freeze water within the shell. Also, a heater for heating the upper plate tray  210  to separate ice from the upper plate tray  210  may be further disposed on the upper plate tray  210 . Further, a water supply tube for supplying water into a water supply part  214  of the upper plate tray  210  may be disposed above the upper plate tray  210 . 
     The recess part  213  of the upper plate tray  210  may be formed of an elastic material, like the recess part  225  of the lower plate tray  220 , so that ice pieces are easily separated. 
     A rotating arm  230  and the elastic member  231  are disposed on a side of the lower plate tray  220 . The rotating arm  230  may be provided for the tension of the elastic member  231 . The rotating arm  230  may be rotatably mounted on the lower plate tray  220 . The rotating arm  230  has one end shaft-coupled to the lower plate tray connection part  222 . Also, the elastic member  231  has ends connected to the end of the rotating arm  230  and the elastic member mounting part  221   b . In the state where the lower plate tray  220  and the upper plate tray  210  are closely attached and thus completely closed, the rotating arm  230  may further rotate to tension the elastic member  231 . As a result, the lower plate tray  220  may be further closely attached to the upper plate tray by restoring force through which the elastic member  231  is contracted to securely reduce (e.g., prevent) water from leaking. 
     In the state where the lower plate tray  220  is closed, the rotating arm  230  further rotates in the direction in which the lower plate tray  220  is closely attached to the upper plate tray  210  to tension the elastic member  231 . Thus, the lower plate tray  220  may be further closely attached to the upper plate tray  210  by the restoring force of the elastic member  231  to reduce (e.g., prevent) water from leaking. 
     The motor assembly  240  may be disposed on a side of the upper and lower plate trays  210  and  220  and include a motor. Also, the motor assembly  240  may include a plurality of gears that are combined with each other to adjust the rotation of the lower plate tray  220 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example overall structure of an example ice transfer device, and  FIG. 8  is illustrates an example ice transfer state through the ice transfer device shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the ice transfer device  300  is disposed in the freezing compartment  113  and connected to the ice bank  140  via the freezing compartment  113 , the refrigerating compartment  112 , and the first refrigerating compartment door  121  to supply ice made in the ice maker  200  into the ice bank  140 . 
     The ice transfer device  300  may be mounted within an inner case defining an inner surface of the cabinet  110  and be exposed to the inside of the refrigerator. For instance, the ice transfer device  300  may be mounted on a member such as a separate bracket coupled to the inner case. Also, at least a portion of the ice transfer device  300  may be buried by an insulation material between an outer case and the inner case of the cabinet  110  to provide insulation properties. 
     The ice transfer device  300  includes the housing  310  in which ice pieces separated from the ice maker  200  are primarily stored, the transfer member  320  disposed within the housing  310  to transfer the ice within the housing  310 , a driving unit  330  for rotating the transfer member  320 , and the ice chute  340  for guiding the ice within the housing  310  up to the dispenser  123 . 
     The housing  310  is disposed under the ice maker  200 . Also, a space for accommodating ice and the transfer member  320  is defined within the housing  310 . Further, the housing  310  may have an opened top surface to allow the ice supplied from the ice maker  200  to drop therein and be accommodated. 
     In some examples, the top surface of the housing  310  may be disposed under the ice maker  200  and exposed to the inside of the freezing compartment  113 . Also, a lower portion of the housing  310  in which the transfer member  320  is accommodated may be buried in the insulation material between the outer case and the inner case. 
     The transfer member  320  may have a gear or impeller shape. In some examples, the gear or impeller may be called as a lifter that lifts ice upward. In addition, the globular or spherical ice pieces made in the ice maker  200  may be accommodated between the plurality of lifters  321  disposed on the transfer member  320 . Further, the lifters  321  may rotate to lift the ice pieces, thereby pushing the ice pieces toward the ice chute  340 . 
     In some implementations, the entire transfer member  320  may be accommodated in the housing  310 . A rotation shaft of the transfer member  320  passes though the housing  310  and is exposed to the outside of the housing  310 . Also, the driving unit  330  is connected to the rotation shaft of the transfer member  320  to provide a power for rotating the transfer member  320 . 
     The driving unit  330  includes a driving motor for providing rotation power and a gear assembly rotated by the driving motor. The gear assembly may be provided in plurality. Also, a plurality of gears may be combined with each other to control a rotation rate of the transfer member  320 . 
     The ice chute  340  extends from a side of the housing  310  up to the first refrigerating compartment door  121  on which the ice bank  140  is mounted. Thus, the ice chute  340  may have a hollow tube shape so that globular or spherical ice pieces are transferred therethrough. For instance, the ice chute  340  may have an inner diameter corresponding to that of a globular or spherical ice piece or slightly greater than that of the globular or spherical ice piece. Thus, the made ice pieces may be successively transferred in a line. 
     The ice chute  340  may extend to pass through the barrier  111 . Also, the ice chute  340  may be mounted so that the ice chute  340  is exposed to the inside of the freezing compartment  113  and the refrigerating compartment  112 . For instance, the insulation member may be provided outside the ice chute  340  to reduce (e.g., prevent) the refrigerating compartment  112  from being heat-exchanged with the ice chute  340 . 
     The ice chute  340  may be disposed between the outer case and the inner case. That is, the ice chute  340  may be disposed in a sidewall of the cabinet  110  corresponding to the first refrigerating compartment door  121 . For example, the ice chute  340  may be thermally insulated by the insulation material within the cabinet  110  and not be exposed to the inside of the refrigerator. 
     The ice chute  340  may extend up to an inner sidewall of the refrigerating compartment  112  corresponding to a position of the ice bank  140 . Also, the opening  341  opened in the inner wall of the refrigerating compartment  112  is defined in an upper end of the ice chute  340 . 
     Thus, when the first refrigerating compartment door  121  is closed, the ice bank  140  and the ice chute  340  may communicate with each other. Thus, ice pieces may move along the ice chute  340  by the rotation of the transfer member  320  and be supplied into the ice bank  140 . 
     The cool air duct  350  may be disposed along the refrigerating compartment  112  at a side of the freezing compartment  113 . Also, the cool air duct  350  may be buried within the cabinet  100 , like the ice chute  340 . The cool air duct  350  communicates with the ice bank  140  in the state where the first refrigerating compartment door  121  is closed to supply cool air within the freezing compartment  113  into the ice bank  140 . Thus, the cool air supplied into the cool air duct  350  cools the inside of the ice bank  140 . Then, the cool air may return to the freezing compartment  113  through the ice chute  340  to realize the circulation of the cool air. 
     When the refrigerator  1  is operating, cool air generated in the evaporator may be supplied into the ice maker  200  that is disposed inside the freezing compartment  113 . A globular or spherical ice piece may be made inside the ice maker  200  by using water supplied into the ice maker  200 . When the ice is completely made, the ice drops down by the heater provided in the ice maker  200  or a component for separating the ice. 
     An upwardly opened inlet of the housing  310  may be defined under the ice maker  200 , and thus the made globular or spherical ice piece may be supplied into the housing  310 . The ice supplied through the upper side of the housing  310  may move according to the rotation of the transfer member  320 . 
     In detail, the plurality of lifters  321  are disposed on the transfer member  320 . Spaces in which each of the globular or spherical ice pieces are accommodated one by one are defined between the lifters  321 . Thus, the ice introduced into the housing  310  is accommodated into the spaces between the plurality of lifters  321  disposed on the transfer member  320  by the rotation of the transfer member  320 . 
     The ice pieces accommodated in the spaces defined in the transfer member  320  may be transferred by the rotation of the transfer member  320 . Thus, the ice chute  340  may be maintained in a state where the made ice pieces fully fill the ice chute  340 . In this regard, the transfer member  320  may rotate to push the ice pieces within the ice chute  340 , thereby discharging the ice pieces into the ice bank  140 . 
     The ice pieces discharged into the ice bank  140  are stored into the ice bank  140 . The ice pieces stored in the ice bank  140  may be dispensed through the dispenser  123  when the dispenser  123  is manipulated. 
     Also, a full ice detection device  146  may be provided in the ice bank  140 . In addition, a full ice detection device  312  may be additionally provided inside the housing  310 . A preset amount or more of ice pieces may be filled into the ice bank  140  and the housing  310  by the full ice detection device disposed in each of the ice bank  140  and the housing  310 . Further, the operation of the ice maker  200  may be controlled by the full ice detection device until the preset amount or more of ice pieces are fully filled. In this state, the transfer member  320  may operate to supply the ice pieces into the ice bank  140 . 
     When a user manipulates the dispenser  123  in the state where the ice bank  140  is fully filled with ice, the operation of the driving unit  330  may start. When the transfer member  320  is rotated, the ice pieces accommodated in the spaces defined in the transfer member  320  may rotate together to push the ice pieces accommodated in a lower end of the ice chute  340  upward. When the ice pieces accommodated in the lower end of the ice chute  340  are pushed upward, the ice pieces successively stacked within the ice chute  340  may be pushed at the same time to ascend upward. Also, globular or spherical ice pieces may be supplied into the ice bank  140  through the opening  341  of the ice chute  340 . Then, the ice pieces may be dispensed to the outside through the dispenser  123 . 
     In some implementations, each of the ice pieces dispensed through the dispenser  123  may have a globular or spherical shape, and also, the user may dispense the desired number of ice pieces by manipulating the dispenser  123 . 
     The operation of the driving unit  330  may be restricted by a door sensor for detecting an opening/closing of the refrigerating compartment door  120 . That is, when the user manipulates the dispenser  123  in a state where the refrigerating compartment door  120  is opened, the driving unit  330  may not operate to prevent ice pieces from being dispensed. 
     A predetermined amount of ice pieces may be accommodated in the housing  310 . Thus, the globular or spherical ice pieces may be successively transferred by the rotation of the transfer member  320 . That is, ice pieces corresponding to the number of dispensed ice pieces may be supplied into the ice chute  340  to maintain a state in which the ice chute  340  is fully filled with ice. 
     In some implementations, the ice pieces may adhere to each other within the housing  310  or the ice chute  340 , or the ice pieces may not be smoothly transferred due to foreign substances. In this state, when the transfer member  320  rotates, a load above a preset load may be applied. Thus, when the load above the preset load is detected from the driving unit  330 , the motor of the driving unit  330  may reversely rotate. 
     When the driving unit  330  reversely rotates, the transfer member  320  may reversely rotate. Based on reverse rotation, ice pieces accommodated in the spaces of the transfer member  320  may move into the housing  310 . Also, ice pieces within the ice chute  340  may smoothly move downward by their self-weight. Then, the ice pieces may move downward along the inclined ice chute  340 . The ice pieces moving downward may be accommodated in the spaces of the transfer member  320  which reversely rotates, and then the ice pieces may successively move into the housing  310 . 
     In some implementations, the driving unit  330  may reversely rotate for a preset time to completely empty the inside of the ice chute  340 . In this state, the driving unit  330  may forwardly rotate to successively supply the ice pieces accommodated in the spaces of the transfer member  320  into the ice chute  340 . Then, a process for transferring ice pieces may be prepared. 
     While the ice pieces are transferred, if two or more ice pieces are put into the space defined between the lifters  321 , two or more ice pieces may be jammed or collide with each other and thus be damaged. Thus, a unit for reducing (e.g., preventing) the above-described phenomenon from occurring may be used. 
     Hereinafter, a jam or damage prevention unit for controlling ice pieces so that the ice pieces are put into the spaces defined between the lifters  321  of the transfer member  320  one by one when the transfer member  320  rotates to transfer the ice pieces will be described. 
       FIGS. 9 to 12  illustrate example operation processes in which ice pieces are guided into an ice chute by a transfer member. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 12 , the ice chute  340  extends from a transfer case  311 . That is, the ice chute  340  extends from a horizontal plane at a predetermined inclined angle. A jam phenomenon in which a plurality of ice pieces are introduced into an ice accommodation groove  323  of the transfer member  320  may occur according to an inclined angle of the ice chute  340 . In a case where an inclined angle θ of the ice chute  340  is equal to an angle between a tangent passing through an outer circumferential surface of the transfer case  311  and a horizontal plane at a point at which a lower end of the ice chute  340  start, when the transfer member  320  reversely rotates, at least two ice pieces may be accommodated into the ice accommodation hole  323  to cause the jam phenomenon in which the ice pieces adhere to each other or are broken. 
     To prevent the jam phenomenon from occurring, the ice chute  340  may extend upward at an incline from any point of the transfer case  311 . For example, the ice chute  340  may be designed to extend so that the ice chute  340  is not parallel to a tangent passing through the outer circumferential surface of the transfer case  311  corresponding to the any point. 
     For instance, the inclined angle θ of the ice chute  340  with respect to the horizontal plane may be less than an angle between a tangent passing through the outer circumferential surface of the transfer case  311  corresponding to the point at which the lower end of the ice chute  340  starts and the horizontal plane. As a result, the starting point of the lower end of the ice chute  340  is spaced a predetermined height (h:h=P 1 -P 2 ) from a bottom of the transfer case  311 . Also, the inclined angle θ may have an angle ranging from about 0° to about 90°, particularly, ranging from about 20° to about 50°, and more particularly, an angle of about 45°. 
     To prevent ice pieces dropping from the ice bin  312  from being introduced (see an arrow a) into the ice chute  340  without being guided by the transfer member  320 , an upper portion  342  of an inlet end of the ice chute  340  may extend by a predetermined length within the transfer case  311 . Thus, the ice pieces dropping into the upper portion  342  of the inlet end may be guided toward a central shaft  322  of the transfer member  320  along the upper portion  342  of the inlet end that is inclined downward. In some implementations, the upper end  342  of the inlet end may extend up to the outside of a rotation region of the transfer member  320  so that the upper end  342  does not interfere with the lifter  321  when the transfer member rotates. 
     Also, the ice accommodation groove  323  may have a depth (R 1 -R 2 ) greater than a diameter D of the ice pieces and less than double the diameter D. While the ice pieces are transferred toward the ice chute  340  or reversely transferred toward the transfer case  311 , the ice accommodation groove  323  may have a depth so that only one ice piece is accommodated therein by an end of a leading edge  321   a  of the transfer member  320  or the tip part  321   c.    
     Particularly, the ice accommodation groove  323  may have a depth less than half as much as the diameter D of the ice piece. 
     For instance, in a case where another ice piece is placed on an ice piece accommodated in the ice accommodation groove  323 , when the transfer member  320  rotates, the upper ice piece is pressed by the end of the transfer member  320 . When the end of the transfer member  320  contacts a point corresponding to a lower side from a center of the upper ice piece, the ice piece may be pressed by the transfer member  320  and thus be pushed to the outside of the rotation region of the transfer member  320 . If the end of the transfer member  320  contacts a point corresponding to an upper side from the center of the upper ice piece, the jam phenomenon in which the upper ice piece is jammed or damaged between a guide part  313  and the end of the transfer member  320  may be occur. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a moving process of an ice piece i 1 . As the transfer member  320  forwardly rotates, the leading edge  321   a  of the transfer member  320  contacts an outer circumferential surface of the ice piece i 1 . In this state, when the transfer member  320  further rotates, the ice piece i 1  may be pushed from a space between the guide part  313  and the transfer member  320  to move upward. This is because the leading edge  321   a  of the transfer member  320  presses the point corresponding to the lower side from the center of the ice piece i 1 . The same result occurs in a case in which the transfer member  320  reversely rotates to allow the tip part  321   c  to contact the upper ice piece. 
     For the tip part  321   c , a trailing edge  321   b  radially extends in a straight line shape like the leading edge  321   a . Without the trailing edge  321   b  and the tip part  321   c , a distance between the lifters  321  adjacent to each other may be excessively expanded to cause a phenomenon in which two ice pieces may be accommodated. According to the result of the experiment in which the number of lifters  321  is variously set in consideration of a size and moving rate of an ice accommodated into the ice accommodation groove  323  and an amount of ice supplied into the ice bank per unit time, when six lifters  321  are provided, a successful result may be obtained. Also, since the tip part  321   c  protrudes, one ice is accommodated in each of the ice accommodation grooves  323  to reduce (e.g., prevent) the jam phenomenon from occurring. 
     Also, a distance L 1  between the tip part  321   c  and the leading edge  321   a  of the adjacent lifters  321  may be less than double the diameter D of the ice pieces. As described above, this is done for preventing two ice pieces from being accommodated in one ice accommodation groove  323 . 
     According to the transfer mechanism including the above-described components, when the transfer member  320  rotates to forwardly or reversely transfer ice pieces, the jam phenomenon in which the ice pieces are jammed in the transfer member  320  or damaged may be reduced (e.g., prevented). 
     Since the ice maker is disposed in the freezing compartment, the space for storing foods in the back surface of the refrigerating compartment door may be further widely secured to expand the storage capacity of the refrigerator. 
     Since the ice making process is performed in the freezing compartment, it may be unnecessary to continuously supply strong cool air into the refrigerating compartment door for making ice. As a result, the cooling efficiency and power consumption saving may be improved. Also, since the ice making process is performed within the freezing compartment, the ice making efficiency may be improved. 
     When ice pieces are dispensed from the ice making compartment to transfer the ice pieces from the ice making compartment into the ice bank, the phenomenon in which the plurality of ice pieces are dispensed at once to collide with each other, thereby being damaged, or an overload is applied to the transfer unit to damage the parts may be reduced (e.g., prevented). 
     Although implementations have been described with reference to a number of illustrative examples thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and implementations can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements and fall within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.