Patent Publication Number: US-2020284490-A1

Title: Ice maker and household refrigeration apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of patent application Ser. No. 16/203,026 filed Nov. 28, 2018; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     An aspect of the invention relates ice maker comprising a specifically constructed flap adjustable into a closed position for dispensing of crushed ice and into an opened position for dispensing of uncrushed ice. A further aspect relates to a household refrigeration apparatus comprising such an ice maker. 
     Household refrigeration apparatuses are known in diverse configurations. In this context, it is also known that an interior container bounds a receiving space for a household refrigeration apparatus. This receiving space is usually a refrigerating compartment. A partial area is occupied by an ice maker in this receiving space. Thereto, it is known that the ice maker is separated from the remaining volume of the refrigerating compartment. In this context, it is provided that a housing area of the housing of the ice maker is formed by a separate wall element, which is attached to inner sides of walls of the interior container in the interior of the receiving space of the interior container. 
     From U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,355 B2, a household refrigeration apparatus with an ice maker is known. The ice maker occupies a partial area of the interior volume of a refrigerating compartment, which is a receiving space for food. The ice maker comprises a housing. A drive unit is arranged in this housing, by which a control means is to be actuated. An outlet of the housing is closed or opened by the control means. Ice can be output from the ice maker via this outlet. In the configuration of the ice maker, it is provided that this drive unit is arranged at the rearmost end of the housing viewed in depth direction of the household refrigeration apparatus. However, the control means is arranged at the frontmost end, where the opening is also formed. Thereby, it is required in this configuration to bridge a relatively long path, namely the entire length of this housing of the ice maker measured in depth direction, to provide a mechanical coupling between the drive unit and this control means. In this respect, it is provided that a thin rod drive is formed, which extends over this entire distance. Thereto, this relatively thin and delicate rod is mechanically fixed or suspended at multiple locations. Due to the different positions of the components, it comprises multiply bent areas to be able to allow the mechanical coupling to the drive unit on the one and to the control means on the other hand anyway. Therefore, the coupling distance is formed by a very long element, namely this connecting rod. By such a configuration, however, disadvantages exist to the effect that more space is required, movement transmission from the drive unit to the control means is very inaccurately effected on the other hand. Here, tolerances are given by the large path distance, by which the precision of the movement transmission, which is generated by the drive unit, and is then performed by the control means, is restricted and deviating, respectively. This also results in the fact that the movement of the control means becomes inaccurate and an open position or a closed position of this control means is only achieved to a limited extent. Thereby, problems in passing the ice can occur on the one hand, on the other hand, if this control means is not completely opened, jam of ice in the opening not completely unblocked can occur. Moreover, a loss of stability is also associated with this very thin and delicate connecting rod. This means that the long rod can also deform in itself, for example bend or twist, upon force effect by the drive unit. Thereby too, an insufficient and not complete or not direct transmission of the movement initiated by the drive unit to this control means can be effected. In the configuration of the ice maker from the prior art, a very expensive assembly process is also required due to the plurality of components and the individual positions. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ice maker. Similarly, it is an object of the invention to provide a household refrigeration apparatus with such an ice maker. 
     This object is solved by an ice maker, a household refrigeration apparatus according to the independent claims. 
     An aspect relates to an ice maker for a household refrigeration apparatus, comprising a housing with an opening through which ice is dispensable from an interior of the housing out of the housing, a crushing device for crushing of ice provided at the opening, a flap movably arranged at the opening and switchable between a closed position for dispensing of crushed ice and an opened position for dispensing of uncrushed ice through the opening, a drive unit coupled to the flap by a coupling device for moving the flap, and wherein the flap having a pivot axis about which the flap pivots and from the pivot axis extends radially away a first flap arm which is coupled to the coupling device and a second flap arm which is movable relative to the opening. 
     A further aspect relates to a household refrigeration apparatus comprising an apparatus housing with a receiving space for food, and an ice maker for a household refrigeration apparatus, comprising a housing with an opening through which ice is dispensable from an interior of the housing out of the housing, a crushing device for crushing of ice provided at the opening, a flap movably arranged at the opening and switchable between a closed position for dispensing of crushed ice and an opened position for dispensing of uncrushed ice through the opening, a drive unit coupled to the flap by a coupling device for moving the flap; and wherein the flap having a pivot axis about which the flap pivots and from the pivot axis extends radially away a first flap arm which is coupled to the coupling device and a second flap arm which is movable relative to the opening. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first flap arm extends above of the crushing device in width direction of the ice maker and the second flap arm extends adjacent to the crushing device in height direction of the ice maker. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first flap arm and the second flap arm is formed in one part. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the pivot axis is arranged above the crushing device. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the coupling device having a coupling rod which connects the flap and the drive unit and the coupling rod protrudes through a wall of a front cover of the ice maker. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the flap having an engagement slit at a first end portion of the first flap arm and in the engagement slit engages the coupling device. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an end part of the coupling rod is movable along the engagement slit. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second flap arm is located inside the opening in the closed position of the flap and outside of the opening in the opened position of the flap. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second flap arm having a shovel-like form and curved form. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the flap having a spring for returning the flap into the closed position. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a center portion of the spring is arranged at a rotation axis of the coupling device. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the spring having a first spring arm which extends radially away and downwardly from the center portion and the first spring arm is coupled with a protrusion of a wall a front cover of the ice maker. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the spring having a second spring arm which extends radially away and upwardly from the center portion and the second spring arm is coupled with an end part of the coupling device. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the spring is more tensed in the opened position than in the closed position of the flap. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the coupling device having a further end part that is coupled with the drive unit, and the further end part is angled away from the ice container. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the opening and the flap is provided inside a front cover of the housing, to which the ice container is integrally formed. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second flap arm is movable in and out of the opening. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the drive unit is formed as a separate module, wherein the entire module of the drive unit is arranged adjacent to the opening in the housing. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the ice container and the module of the drive unit is arranged laterally directly next to each other inside the housing. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the drive unit comprises a motor and an actuating element, which is coupled to the motor, wherein the actuating element is coupled to the flap. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the housing has a depth direction, and the opening is arranged in a front third of depth of the entire depth of the housing and the module of the drive unit is arranged in this front third of depth. Preferably, the housing has a depth direction, and the housing comprises a front flange, wherein the module is arranged adjacent to the front flange. Preferably, the housing has a depth direction, and the module is arranged in a front-side corner area of the interior of the housing with front-side view of the ice maker in this depth direction. Preferably, the module is arranged in a left lower, front-side corner area of the interior. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the ice maker comprises an ice container for ice form elements, wherein the ice container is arranged in the housing and the module of the drive unit is arranged laterally directly next to the ice container viewed in width direction of the ice maker. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the coupling device comprises a coupling rod, which is connected to the flap and to the module of the drive unit. In particular, the flap comprises an engagement slit at an end portion of the flap, with which the coupling rod engages. Preferably, the flap is formed shovel-like and curved. Preferably, the module of the drive unit comprises a module housing, which is non-destructively detachably arranged at the housing. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the module housing is fixed to the housing by a mechanical connection, which is a plug connection or a locking connection or a plug and locking connection. Preferably, the mechanical connection comprises at least one plug runner and one plug rail, which can be plugged together by a linear relative movement to each other. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the plug runner is formed integrally with the module housing and the plug rail is formed integrally with the housing. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the drive unit comprises a motor and an actuating element, which is coupled to the motor, wherein the actuating element is coupled to the flap. 
     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 relations of the claims. 
     Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an ice maker and a household refrigeration apparatus, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified perspective representation of an embodiment of a household refrigeration apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective representation of an embodiment of an interior container of the household refrigeration apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective representation of partial components of a housing of an ice maker, as it can be installed in the household refrigeration apparatus according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial representation of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective representation of a drive unit of the ice maker; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective representation of an assembled state of the drive unit according to  FIG. 5  in a partial area of the housing according to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional representation through a partial area of the configuration according to  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a further sectional representation through the configuration according to  FIG. 6  with an additionally assembled front cover; 
         FIG. 9  is a horizontal sectional representation through the assembled drive unit with the representation of specific partial components; 
         FIG. 10  is a further perspective representation, in which the configuration according to  FIG. 6  is installed in the interior container of the household refrigeration apparatus; 
         FIG. 11  is a horizontal sectional representation through the household refrigeration apparatus in the area of the ice maker; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view from behind to partial components of the ice maker; 
         FIG. 13  is the representation according to  FIG. 12  in a perspective different from  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged representation of partial components of the arrangement in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective vertical sectional representation through the arrangement of the components according to  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective representation to partial components of the ice maker; 
         FIG. 17  is a representation according to  FIG. 16  with additionally assembled components of the ice maker; 
         FIG. 18  is a further representation according to  FIG. 15  in a closed state of the flap; and 
         FIG. 19  is a further representation according to  FIG. 15  in an opened state of the flap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters. 
     The indications “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “depth direction,” “width direction,” “height direction,” etc. specify the positions and orientations given in intended use and intended arrangement of the apparatus. 
     Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is seen a household refrigeration apparatus  1  in a simplified representation, which is formed for storing and preserving food. The household refrigeration apparatus  1  comprises a housing  2 . The housing  2  comprises an exterior housing  3 . Moreover, the household refrigeration apparatus  1  comprises an interior container  4  separate from the exterior housing  3 . The interior container  4  is received in the exterior housing  3 . A thermally insulating material such as for example insulating foam and/or a vacuum insulating panel is arranged in a clearance  5  between the exterior housing  3  and the interior container  4 . 
     In the embodiment, the interior container  4  bounds a receiving space  6  with its walls, which is formed for receiving food. Here, the receiving space  6  is in particular formed as a refrigerating compartment. 
     On the front side, the interior container  4  comprises a loading opening, via which food can be taken into or be removed from the receiving space  6 . In the embodiment, the receiving space  6  is closable by two separate doors  7  and  8 . The two doors  7  and  8  are pivotably arranged at the housing  2 . The two doors  7  and  8  are arranged in the same height position viewed in height direction (y-direction) of the household refrigeration apparatus  1 . In width direction (x-direction) of the household refrigeration apparatus  1 , they are arranged next to each other such that they collectively close the receiving space  6  on the front side in the closed state. In particular, these two doors  7  and  8  are arranged in a common plane in the closed state, which is spanned by the height direction and the width direction. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the door  7  on the left side with front-side view is illustrated opened and the door  8  on the right side is illustrated closed. 
     Advantageously, the household refrigeration apparatus  1  comprises at least one further receiving space  9  for food. This further receiving space  9  is separated from the first receiving space  6 . The further receiving space  9  can for example be a freezing compartment or a keep-fresh compartment or a further refrigerating compartment. Viewed in height direction, this further receiving space  9  is formed below the first receiving space  6 . The further receiving space  9  is in particular bounded by further walls of an interior container, which can also be the interior container  4 . Preferably, it is provided that the further receiving space  9  is bounded by a further door  10 , which is shown in the closed state in  FIG. 1 . Preferably, it is provided that this door  10  is formed as a front plate of a drawer linearly retractable and extendable in depth direction (z-direction) of the household refrigeration apparatus  1 . 
     It can be provided that the household refrigeration apparatus  1  comprises multiple, separate further receiving spaces  9 , and further such explained drawers are preferably formed in this context. They can adjoin to the further receiving space  9  towards the bottom viewed in height direction. They are in particular also formed within the housing  2 . 
     Further, the door  10 , in particular this front plate, is arranged in the same plane as the doors  7  and  8  in the closed state of the doors  7 ,  8  and  10 . In particular, the doors  7 ,  8  and  10  are front-side vision components of the household refrigeration apparatus  1 . In particular, they are also, if they are closed, arranged without overlap with each other. 
     Moreover, the household refrigeration apparatus  1  comprises an ice maker  11 . The ice maker  11  occupies a partial area of the volume of the receiving space  6  and is thermally insulated from the remaining volume of the receiving space  6 . The ice maker  11  is formed to produce ice from water, which is supplied to the household refrigeration apparatus  1  via an external water supply line. In this context, ice form elements such as ice cubes or crushed ice can be produced. 
     Further, the ice maker  11  is a constituent of the dispenser unit  12  of the household refrigeration apparatus  1 . In this advantageous implementation, the dispenser unit  12  comprises an output unit  13  in addition to the ice maker  11 . This output unit  13  can preferably be formed at a door  7 ,  8 . In the shown embodiment, the output unit  13  is arranged at the door  7 . This is in particular advantageous because the ice maker  11  is arranged in the left upper corner area of the total volume of the receiving space  6  with front-side view of the household refrigeration apparatus  1 . For outputting produced ice form elements, short paths are achieved by this local positioning. The output unit  13  is fixedly installed at the door  7 . Moreover, the output unit  13  is separated from the ice maker  11  and also decoupled from it in this context. In the closed state of the door  7 , ice form elements produced by the ice maker  11  can get into the output unit  13  and be output via a front side  14  of the door  7 . Thereto, it is provided that a recess is formed on the front side  14 , which faces away from the receiving space  6  in the closed state of the door  7 . A vessel can be placed in this recess to be able to collect the output ice form elements. 
     Further, the dispenser unit  12  can also be formed for outputting liquid such as water or other drinks in addition to the output of ice form elements. 
     In  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the interior container  4  is shown in a perspective representation. The interior container  4  is preferably integrally produced from plastic, for example by deep-drawing. Injection molding can also be provided. 
     The interior container  4  comprises multiple walls, which bound the receiving space  6 . For example, the interior container  4  is formed with a first vertical side wall, which is a first wall  15  in the example, an opposing second vertical side wall  16 , a rear wall  17 , which is a third wall in the example, a bottom wall  18  and a ceiling wall, which is a second wall  19  in the example. 
     The first vertical side wall for example represents a first wall  15  of the interior container  4 . In an embodiment, the ceiling wall represents a second wall  19  of the interior container  4 , which is arranged angled, in particular at an angle of 90°, to the first wall  15 . 
     The ice maker  11  comprises a housing  20  ( FIG. 1 ). A receiving space  21  of this ice maker  11  is bounded by the housing  20 . The housing  20  comprises a wall area  22  ( FIG. 2 ) of the first wall  15  as a constituent. This wall area  22  is an upper wall area in the configuration according to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Moreover, a further constituent of the housing  20  of the ice maker  11  is formed by a wall area  23  of the second wall  19 . 
     Moreover, the receiving space  21  is bounded by a further wall area  24 . This further wall area  24  is an integral constituent of the rear wall  17  of the interior container  4 . The wall areas  22 ,  23  and  24  directly join to each other. 
     Moreover, the housing  20  comprises a wall unit  25  ( FIG. 1 ), which is a component separate from the interior container  4 . This wall unit  25  is a further constituent of the housing  20  and bounds the receiving space  21  of the housing  20  in addition to the wall areas  22 ,  23  and  24 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the wall unit  25  is shown in a perspective representation. It comprises a first wall plate  27  and a second wall plate  28 , which form a plate unit  26 . The two wall plates  27  and  28  directly join to each other and in particular at an angle of 90° to each other. The first wall plate  27  is in particular horizontally oriented and the second wall plate  28  is vertically oriented. In a vertical section, in which the sectional plane is formed by the width direction (x-direction) and the height direction (y-direction) of the household refrigeration apparatus  1  and also of the ice maker  11  in this context, this plate unit  26  has an L-shape. 
     In the shown embodiment, the wall unit  25  also comprises an L-shaped positioning bracket  29 . It is connected to the wall plate  28  on the one hand and to the wall plate  27  on the other hand with its ends. In depth direction (z-direction), this positioning bracket  29  is arranged in a front area and thus in a front end of this wall unit  25 . It bounds a front-side opening of this wall unit  25  with the front area of the wall plates  27  and  28 . The wall plates  27  and  28  are formed with an integral, L-shaped outer wall element  30  and an L-shaped and integral inner wall element  31  separate therefrom. In a clearance between the outer wall element  30  and the inner wall element  31 , a thermally insulating material  32  is introduced. Thereby, the receiving space  21  of the ice maker  11  is thermally insulated from the remaining volume of the receiving space  6 . A front-side, also L-shaped end flange  33  covers this clearance between the outer wall element  30  and the inner wall element  31  on the front side. 
     As is apparent in  FIG. 3 , an assembly area  34  for a drive unit of the ice maker  11  is formed at the first wall plate  27 , in particular at the inner wall element  31 . The drive unit, which is not yet illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is formed for moving a flap. An opening can be closed by this flap, from which ice can be output from the housing  20  of the ice maker  11 , in particular can be output into the output unit  13 . 
     Components of a mechanically, non-destructively detachable connection  35  are formed in the assembly area  34 . The connection  35  can be formed to the effect that it is only formed for directly plugging components together. However, this plug connection can additionally also be formed as a locking connection and a locking can then additionally be provided besides simply plugging together. Thus, a locking connection is in particular also understood by a plug connection. 
     This connection  35  comprises mating plug elements  36  and  37 . These mating plug elements  36  and  37  are in particular formed integrally with the inner wall element  31 . The mating plug elements  36  and  37  are formed as plug rails in the embodiment. They are oriented parallel to each other and extend linearly in depth direction. Moreover, it is provided that the assembly area  34  is formed in the front area viewed in depth direction of the housing  21 . In particular, this assembly area  34  and thus also the connection  35  to the mating plug elements  36  and  37  is formed in a front third of length of the wall unit  25 . This means that these mating plug elements  36  and  37  are formed in a front third of length of this entire length of the wall unit  25  upon length view of the wall unit  25  in depth direction. In particular, the mating plug elements  36  and  37  are thus formed in a front third of length of the housing  21  and thus also of the entire ice maker  11 . 
     In an implementation, it is provided that the mating plug elements  36  and  37  are formed in a corner area  38  with front-side view of the wall unit  25  and thus with view in depth direction. In particular, this corner area  38  is a left-side, lower corner area with this front-side view. 
     In  FIG. 4 , that partial area of the representation in  FIG. 3  is shown enlarged, in which the mating plug elements  36  and  37  are formed. As is apparent, these mating plug elements  36  and  37  each comprise a rear stop  36   a ,  37   a . These stops  36   a ,  37   a  thus limit the depth of this plug-in length. The plug elements of the plug connection not shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  can be plugged in over this plug-in length and thus be mechanically coupled to these mating plug elements  36  and  37 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , a drive unit  39  of the ice maker  11  is shown in a perspective representation. This drive unit  39  is constructed as a compact module  40 . This drive unit  39  comprises a module housing  41 . It is in particular formed of plastic. The module housing  41  advantageously comprises plug elements  42 ,  43  and  44  formed integrally therewith. These separate plug elements  42  to  44  are a further constituent of the plug connection  35 . In particular, the plug elements  42 ,  44  are formed as plug runners in the embodiment. 
     They are formed in a lower area of the module housing  41 . 
     The drive unit  39  moreover comprises an actuating element  45 . The actuating element  45  is a separate component, which is movably arranged. Here, it is in particular linearly displaceable. Here, the actuating element  45  is arranged obliquely inclined and thus can be moved on an obliquely inclined linear guiding track relative to a retaining unit  46  of the drive unit  39 . Here, the actuating element  45  is formed as a duct-like box, so that introduction of the end of the lever rod  58  into the actuating element  45  is simplified while closing of the front cover  50 . Further, the end of the closing rod  58  is angled or curved in direction away from the container  56  in order to support guidance of the lever rod  58  into duct-like box of the actuating element  45  while closing of the front cover  50 . The direction of movement of the actuating element  45  relative to the retaining unit  46  is shown by the arrow P 1 . 
     Further, the actuating element  45  comprises at least one engagement element  47 , which is guided in a guiding groove  48  of the retaining unit  46 . In particular, an upper engagement element  47  and a lower engagement element  47  as well as an upper guiding groove  48  and a lower guiding groove  48  are formed. 
     As is moreover apparent in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the connection  35  comprises a receptacle  49 . The receptacle  49  is formed in the inner wall element  31  and formed between the mating plug elements  36  and  37  viewed in width direction. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the assembled state of the module  40  at the wall unit  25  is shown in a perspective representation. Thus, the drive unit  39  is arranged in a front area of the housing  21 , in particular in a front third of length of this housing  20 . As it is apparent in  FIG. 6 , a secure retention is achieved by the mechanical coupling of the plug elements  42 ,  43  to the mating plug elements  36  and  37  and the receptacle  49 . In particular, it is provided that the drive unit  39  and thus the module  40  are arranged at the wall unit  25  only by this connection  35 . Additional separate fixing elements such as for example screws or the like are not provided. 
     As is apparent in  FIG. 6 , the plug element  42  formed as a plug runner is coupled to the mating plug element  36  and inserted into it up to the stop  36   a . The further plug element  44  formed spaced thereto is inserted into the mating plug element  37 , in particular up to the stop  37   a.    
     Such a configuration would already be sufficient to allow the secure retention of the module  40  at the wall unit  25 . In an advantageous implementation, it is provided that the element  43  is present in addition to these plug elements  42 ,  44  and the mating plug elements  36  and  37 . It is preferably formed with a locking element  43   a . This locking element  43   a  plunges into the receptacle  49  in the assembled state, as it is shown in  FIG. 6 , and snaps therein or locks therein. An even better positional fixing of the module  40  at the wall unit  25  is thereby achieved. Thus, secure positioning of the module  40  at the wall unit  25  is in particular achieved in all three spatial directions. In particularly advantageous manner, simple detachment of the module  40  from the assembled final position shown in  FIG. 6  is also allowed. 
     In that the element  43  is actuated at its front-side edge, in particular upward bent, this snapped or locked state can be detached and then the module  40  can be forward pulled by a movement linear viewed in depth direction. 
     In the assembly, thus, this module  40  is provided and the wall unit  25  is also provided. For assembling this drive unit  39  to the wall unit  25 , this module  40  is displaced into the wall unit  25  coming from the front. Thereto, the plug elements  42  and  44  are coupled to the mating plug elements  36  and  37 . Upon then guided linear displacement of the module  40  in depth direction to the rear, the plug elements  42  and  44  are moved until they have reached the stops  36   a  and  37   a . Snapping of the locking element  43   a  in the receptacle  49  is then also automatically achieved on this movement path. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the module  40  is shown in the assembled state in a vertical sectional representation. This vertical section is formed in a rear area of the module  40  such that the snapped state of the locking element  43   a  in the receptacle  49  is not apparent. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the wall unit  25  with the module  40  assembled thereto is shown in a further vertical sectional representation. Here, the sectional plane is given by the height direction and the depth direction. Moreover, the sectional representation in  FIG. 8  is also perspectively shown. In contrast to the representation according to  FIG. 6 , moreover, a front-side cover  50  is additionally illustrated, which represents a front-side frame. The front flange  33  and the positioning bracket  29  are covered on the front side by this cover  50 . 
     In this representation, the snapped state between the locking element  43   a  of the element  43  and the receptacle  49  is shown. 
     Moreover, it is also apparent that the drive unit  39  comprises a motor  51 , which is arranged in the module housing  41 . In the embodiment, it is provided that the drive unit  39  moreover comprises a cam  52 . The cam  52  is coupled to the motor  51 . On the other hand, the cam  52  is coupled to the actuating element  45 . The cam  52  is set in a rotational movement by the motor  51 . By this rotational movement, the actuating element  45  is actuated. Therein, the coupling between the cam  52  and the actuating element  45  is such that the rotational movement of the cam  52  is converted to a linear movement according to the arrow P 1 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , the drive unit  39  is shown in a horizontal sectional representation. As is here apparent, a shaft  53  of the motor  51  engages with the cam  52 . The cam  52  comprises a pin-like coupling element  54 , which engages with a receptacle  55  of the actuating element  45 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , the housing  20  of the ice maker  11  is shown in a further perspective representation. Therein, the wall unit  25  is assembled to the interior container  4  in the upper left corner area. In particular, the actuating element is also guided in the lower area by the coupling between a guiding groove or guiding track  48  and an engagement element  47 , as it is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In  FIG. 11 , a partial area of the household refrigeration apparatus  1  is illustrated in a horizontal sectional representation (the sectional plane is formed by the width direction and the depth direction). The ice maker  11  is shown in the installed state in the household refrigeration apparatus  1 . As is apparent, the module  40  is arranged in a near area to a flap  56 . The flap  56  is an ice flap, which closes or unblocks an opening  57  of the housing  20 . The flap  56  is movably arranged and movable by the drive unit  39 . The flap  56  is movably arranged at the opening  57  and switchable between a closed position for dispensing of crushed ice and an opened position for dispensing of uncrushed ice through the opening  57 . That means, that the flap  56  is switchable between a closed position in which the opening  57  is partly closed, so that the crushed ice can fall through the opening, and a opened position in which the opening  57  is completely opened, so that uncrushed or cubed ice can fall through the remaining opened area of the opening  57 . 
     As is in particular apparent in  FIG. 11 , this flap  56  is arranged in a front area of the ice maker and thus also of the housing  20 . The module  40  is arranged directly adjacent to this flap  56 , which is preferably also located in the front third of the length of the housing  20  measured in depth direction. By this immediately adjacent arrangement between the module  40  and the flap  56 , very short paths arise, to be able to actuate this flap  56  by the drive unit  39  via mechanical coupling. As is apparent in this context, the ice maker  11  comprises a very short lever rod  58 . This lever rod  58  is directly connected to the actuating element  45 . On the other hand, this lever rod  58  is connected to the flap  56 . 
     In the representation according to  FIG. 11 , a container or a collecting pan  59  is furthermore shown. The produced ice form elements, in particular the ice cubes, can be stored in the ice maker  11  in this collecting pan  59  until they can be transported out of the housing  20 . Thereto, a screw conveyor  60  is provided. The ice form elements can be transported forward into the collecting pan  59  viewed in depth direction by this screw conveyor  60  until they get into the opening  57 . If it is to be provided that these ice form elements are crushed and for example crushed ice is produced, these ice form elements are crushed by a crushing device  61 , which is arranged adjacent to the opening  57 . 
     The flap  56  is opened or closed depending on need such that the ice form elements or the crushed ice can be output via the opening  57 . 
     As is moreover apparent in  FIG. 11 , the module  40  is arranged next to this collecting pan  49  viewed in width direction (x-direction). Thus, the module  40  is arranged directly adjacent and lateral to this collecting pan  59  viewed in width direction. Viewed in depth direction, the module  40  is arranged overlapping with the collecting pan  59  in particular over its entire length. Thereby, a compact construction of the housing  20  is achieved in depth direction. 
     In  FIG. 12 , an arrangement of multiple components of the ice maker is shown in a perspective representation viewed from behind. The lever rod  58  is shown. 
     In  FIG. 13 , the configuration of the components according to  FIG. 12  is shown in a perspective different from  FIG. 12 . 
     In  FIG. 14 , partial elements of the representation in  FIG. 13  are shown, wherein the front cover  50  is removed hereto. Here, the flap  56  is shown with its upper area. The lever rod  58  is also illustrated. 
     In  FIG. 15 , the arrangement is shown in a perspective sectional representation along the sectional line XV-XV in  FIG. 13 . This flap  56  comprises a receptacle  63  at its end portion  62  facing away from the opening  57  and facing the module  40 . The lever rod  58  engages with this receptacle  63 . In particular, this receptacle  63  is formed as an elongated hole or an engagement slit. By the movement transmission of the movement of the cam  52  to the actuating element  45 , the lever rod  58  coupled thereto is actuated, in particular rotated, such that by the coupling of the lever rod  58  to the flap  56 , this flap  56  is moved between the opened position and the closed position. 
     In  FIG. 16 , the ice maker  11  is shown with partial components. These partial components are shown in a perspective representation with view from behind. In this perspective representation, the front-side position of the entire module  14  immediately in the near area to the flap  56  is apparent. Here, the arrangement of the module  40  in the front third of length of the length of the housing  20  measured in depth direction is in particular also apparent. 
     In  FIG. 17 , the representation according to  FIG. 16  is shown, wherein additional further components of the ice maker  11  are installed in the housing  20  in  FIG. 17 . In particular, this is an ice form tray  64 , into which water can be introduced. The water introduced into form areas of this ice form tray  64  freezes. The thus produced ice form elements can then be removed from the ice form tray  64  and be introduced into the collecting pan  59 . In particular, the lever rod  58  is a coupling rod. The coupling rod is in turn a constituent of a coupling device, by which the drive unit  39  is mechanically coupled to the flap  56 . 
     In  FIG. 18 , the representation of  FIG. 15  is shown, wherein the flap in a closed position. In the closed position of the flap  56  it is prevented that untreated ice stored in the ice container  59 , which is conveyed to the crushing device  61  by operation of the screw conveyer  60 , is dispensed through the opening  57 . In the closed position of the flap  56 , in which the flap  56  partly closes the opening  57 , the stored ice in the container  59  cannot bypass the crushing device  61  or falling down through the opening  57  and is conveyed into the crushing device  61 . In the closed position of the flap  56  only crushed ice by the crushing device  61  can be dispensed through the opening  57 . The crushing device  61  comprises fixed blades  612  and rotating blades  611  which having crushing teeth on edge surfaces which facing each other in the installed state and in rotating movement the teeth of the blades  611 ,  612  faces each other. The rotating blades  611  are coupled with the shaft  601  and, in operation, the rotating blades  611  rotate in the same direction as the screw conveyer  60 . The fixed blades  612  are coupled loosely with the shaft  601  of the screw conveyer  60 , so that, in operation, the shaft  601  or the screw conveyer  60  is able to rotate relative to the fixed blades  612 , and coupled firmly with a wall of the cover  50 . The rotating blades  611  and the fixed blades  612  are arranged offset and alternately in longitudinal direction of the screw conveyer  60  and, in operation, the rotating blades  611  carries the ice to the fixed blades  612  and breaks it at the teeth by rotating through a gap between adjacently arranged fixed blades  612 . In operation of the screw conveyer, which is initiated by customer request for ice, and in closed position of the flap  56 , the stored ice in the ice container can only take the way through the crushing device  61  and falls through the remaining opened area of the opening  57  provided directly below the crushing device  61 . 
     In the installed state, the flap  56  extends around the crushing device  61 , in particular extends a first flap arm  64  above the crushing device  61  in width direction of the ice maker  20  and a second flap arm  67  extends downwardly in height direction of the ice maker  20  along a right side, in front view of the ice maker  20 , of the crushing device  61 . This flap  56  comprises a pivot axis  66  between the first flap arm  64  and the second flap arm  67  about which the flap  56  rotates between the closed position to the opened position and vice versa. The pivot axis  66  is preferably provided above the crushing device  61  and from the pivot axis  66  extends horizontally away the first flap arm  65  of the flap  56  in direction of the coupling rod  58  or module  40  and the second flap arm  67  of the flap  65  extends downwardly away in direction of the opening  57 . At the first flap arm  65  is provided a first end portion  62  of the flap  56  at which a receptacle  63 , or engagement slit or elongated hole, is provided. In the installed state, the coupling rod  58  engages with the receptacle  63 , in particular the end portion  581  of the coupling rod  58  protrudes into the elongated hole or engagement slit of the receptacle  63  and is movable therein. The first flap arm  65  is substantially formed straight. The second flap arm  67  of the flap  56  faces away from the module  40  and facing the opening  57 . The second flap arm  67  is formed shovel-like and/or is curved and extending in height direction of the ice maker  11  from the pivot axis  66  around or along the container opening  571  in direction of the opening  57 . The second flap arm  67  having a second end portion  68  of the flap  56  which rotates in or rotates out of the area of the opening  57 . The arrangement of the pivot axis  66  enables a rocket function, so that a drive unit  39  can be provided with less power for causing the rotating movement of the flap  56 . Further, the configuration of the flap  56  allows close arrangement of the drive unit  39  to the opening  57 , so that the place inside the housing can be utilized optimally. 
     The coupling rod  58  or lever rod having a main part  583 , a middle part  582  and an end part  581  which are formed from metal and formed in one part. The middle part  583  connects the end part  581  with the main part  583  and the middle part is provided orthogonally to the end part  581  and main part  583 . The end part  581 , middle part  582 , and main part  583  having a U-shape and both the main part  583  and the end part  581  extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  601  of the screw conveyor  60 . 
     At the main part  583  of the coupling rod  58  is arranged a spring  70 . This spring  70  is preferably a coil spring or spiral spring. The spring  70  having a center portion which is coiled around a rotating axis of the coupling rod  58 . The center portion of the spring  70  is provided either loosely coiled around the main part  583  or a sleeve protruding from the wall of the cover  50  through which the lever rod  58  protrudes. From the center portion of the spring  70  extends radially away a first spring arm  71  and second spring arm  72 . The first spring arm  71  extends downwardly in height direction of the ice maker  20  and is coupled with a protrusion  69  provided at a wall of the front cover  50 . The first spring arm  71  may be disposed in a groove of the protrusion  69 . The second spring arm  72  extends upwardly from the center portion to the first end part  581  and is coupled or in contact with the end part  581 , in particular the second spring arm  72  is loosely coiled around the first end part  581  which protrudes out from the engagement slit on the side of the first flap arm facing ice container  59 . In this representation, the coupling of the second spring arm  72  with the end part  581  is hidden by the flap  56 . The spring  70  in this representation at least slightly pre-tensed, so that the flap  56  is always pressed with a specific force into the closed position. By the movement transmission of the movement of the cam  52  to the actuating element  45 , the lever rod  58  coupled thereto is actuated, in particular rotated, such that by the coupling of the lever rod  58  to the flap  56 , this flap  56  is moved between the closed and opened position. In particular, due to the scope of movement of the coupling rod  58  inside the actuation element  45  or inside the duct-like box of the actuating element  45  and small movement of the drive unit  39 , the drive unit  39  does not facilitate the closed or at least a completely closed position of the flap  56 , so that the return movement of the flap  56  from the opened position into the closed position is facilitated partly or completely by the spring  70 . 
     In order to move the flap  56  into the opened position, the lever rod  58  is rotated clockwise by the drive unit  39  and by this movement the first flap arm  65  is pushed downwardly or in direction of the opening  57  by the coupling rod  58 . Thereby, the end part  581  moves closer to the pivot axis  66  inside the elongated hole of the receptacle  63  and the second flap arm  67  rotates counter-clockwise away from the opening  57  about the pivot axis  66  until the lever rod  58  is in contact with the other end of the elongated slit of the receptacle  63  which is closer to the pivot axis  66  or the drive unit  39  has reached the stop position. 
     In  FIG. 19 , the representation of  FIG. 15  is shown, wherein the flap is provided in an opened position. In the opened position of the flap  56 , the second end portion  68  is pivoted counter-clockwise away from the opening  57  or out of the opening  57  about the pivot axis  66 , so that the opening  57  is completely free and the ice conveyed to the opening  57  can be uncrushed dispensed through the opening  57  by bypassing the crushing device  61 . Further, the coupling rod  58  is rotated in direction of the opening  57  or clockwise and the end part  581  of the lever part  58  moves along the elongated hole  63  closer to the pivot axis  66  of the flap  56 . Thereby, the first end portion  62  or the first flap arm  65  of the flap  67  is pushed downwardly by a clockwise rotation of the lever rod  58  and the second end portion  68  or the second flap arm  67  rotates away from the opening  57 , so that the opening  57  is increased and the stored ice can bypass the crushing device  61  or falling through the opening  57  before reaching or coming into contact with the crushing device  61 . The second spring arm  70  rotates with the lever rod  58 , whereby the spring  70  is loaded or more tensed in the opened position of the flap  56 . 
     In order to rotate the flap  56  back to the closed position, the lever rod  58  is rotated counter-clockwise, driven by the drive unit  39  and/or the tensed spring  70 , and the first flap arm  65  is pushed upwardly by the lever rod  58 , which moves away from the pivot inside the elongated hole of the receptacle  63 , and the second flap arm  67  moves clockwise about the pivot axis  66  relative to the opening  57  or into the opening  57  until the lever rod  58  is in contact with the end of the receptacle  63  which end of the elongated hole of the receptacle  63  is farther away from the pivot axis  66 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
     
         
           1  Household refrigeration apparatus 
           2  housing 
           3  exterior housing 
           4  interior container 
           5  clearance 
           6  receiving space 
           7  door 
           8  door 
           9  receiving space 
           10  door 
           11  ice maker 
           12  dispenser unit 
           13  output unit 
           14  front side 
           15  side wall 
           16  side wall 
           17  rear wall 
           18  bottom wall 
           19  ceiling wall 
           20  housing 
           21  receiving space 
           22  wall area 
           23  wall area 
           24  wall area 
           25  wall unit 
           26  plate unit 
           26  wall plate 
           28  wall plate 
           29  positioning bracket 
           30  outer wall element 
           31  inner wall element 
           32  thermally insulating material 
           33  end flange 
           34  assembly area 
           35  plug connection 
           36  mating plug element 
           36   a  stop 
           37  mating plug element 
           37   a  stop 
           38  corner area 
           39  drive unit 
           40  module 
           41  module housing 
           42  plug element 
           43  plug element 
           43   a  locking element 
           44  plug element 
           45  actuating element 
           46  retaining unit 
           47  engagement element 
           48  guiding groove 
           49  receptacle 
           50  cover 
           51  motor 
           52  cam 
           53  shaft 
           54  coupling element 
           55  receptacle 
           56  flap 
           57  opening 
           571  container opening 
           58  coupling device 
           581  end part 
           582  middle part 
           583  main part 
           59  ice container 
           60  screw conveyor 
           601  shaft 
           61  crushing device 
           611  movable blade 
           612  fixed blade 
           62  first end portion 
           63  receptacle 
           64  ice form tray 
           65  first flap arm 
           66  pivot axis 
           67  second flap arm 
           68  second end portion 
           69  protrusion 
           70  spring 
           71  first spring arm 
           72  second spring arm