Patent Description:
In general, refrigerators are home appliances for storing foods at a low temperature in a storage chamber that is covered by a door. To this end, the refrigerator is configured to keep stored food in an optimal state by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle.

Recently, refrigerators are gradually becoming larger and more multifunctional in accordance with the change in dietary habits and the trend of luxury products. For instance, refrigerators having various structures and convenient devices for user convenience and efficient use of internal space have been released.

In particular, recent refrigerators are provided with an automatic ice maker capable of automatically making and storing ice. In some cases, an ice maker is provided in a freezing compartment. In the refrigerator having such a structure, a cold air discharge port may be formed at the rear of the ice maker so as to ensure the ice making performance of the ice maker. However, in the case of such a structure, at least a part of the discharge port may be covered by the ice maker. As a consequence, cold air may not be effectively supplied to a space in front of the ice maker. In addition, if cold air is not circulated in the space in front of the ice maker and becomes stagnant, frost may be generated in this space. This may cause inconvenience to users and cause a deterioration in refrigeration performance.

<CIT> presents that an ice collection area is disposed inside the cabinet proximate an ice maker. An ice storage area is disposed inside the cabinet. A first relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The first relocatable ice bin is disposed in one of the ice collection area and the ice storage area. A second relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The second relocatable ice bin is disposed in the other of the ice collection area and the ice storage area.

<CIT> presents a refrigerator that includes a cabinet that defines a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the freezing compartment, an ice maker located adjacent to a rear surface of the door and configured to supply water to make ice automatically, to provide ice to an ice tray, and to transfer ice automatically, a cabinet duct located above the freezing compartment and configured to supply cold air to the freezing compartment or to the ice maker, an ice cover that is located above the ice maker and that includes a cover inflow hole configured to receive cold air located at a position that faces an outlet of the cabinet duct, and a supply duct that connects the cover inflow hole to the ice maker and that defines a cold air supply passage to an interior area of the ice maker.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an ice maker and a refrigerator capable of smoothly supplying cold air to a front of the ice maker.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a refrigerator capable of being applied to refrigerators having various depths and capable of evenly supplying cold air therein.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a refrigerator capable of evenly supplying cold air to two ice makers disposed in a freezing compartment.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a refrigerator capable of evenly supplying cold air to two ice makers plurality freezing compartment.

At least one of these objects is solved by the features of the independent claim. The invention is set out by the features of the independent claim.

Hereinafter, detailed implementations will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to proposed implementations of the present disclosure.

In addition, in implementations of the present disclosure, a side-by-side type (or a double-door type) refrigerator in which a pair of doors are disposed on left and right sides will be described as an example for convenience of explanation and understanding, and it is noted that the present disclosure is applicable to any refrigerators provided with a dispenser.

Prior to the description, the directions are defined below for improved clarity. In <FIG> and <FIG>, a direction toward a door with respect to a cabinet may be defined as "front" or "forward," a direction toward the cabinet with respect to the door may be defined as "rear" or "rearward," a direction toward the floor where the refrigerator is installed may be defined as "downward," and a direction away from the floor where the refrigerator is installed may be defined as "upward.

<FIG> is a front view of a refrigerator according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Also, <FIG> is a front view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator is opened. Also, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an upper portion of a freezing compartment of the refrigerator.

As shown in the drawings, an outer appearance of a refrigerator <NUM> according to the implementation of the present disclosure is defined by a cabinet <NUM> defining a storage space and a door <NUM> coupled to the cabinet <NUM> to open or close the storage space.

The cabinet <NUM> may include an outer case <NUM> defining an outer appearance and an inner case <NUM> disposed inside the outer case <NUM> to define the storage space. A heat insulating material <NUM> may be filled between the outer case <NUM> and the inner case <NUM>.

A barrier <NUM> may be formed in the inner case <NUM>. The barrier <NUM> may partition the storage space inside the cabinet <NUM> left and right, so that a freezing compartment <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment <NUM> are defined side by side. The inner case <NUM> may define inner surfaces of the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM>. If necessary, the inner case <NUM> defining the refrigerating compartment <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> defining the freezing compartment may be formed independently.

Storage members such as drawers and shelves may be disposed inside the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM>.

An evaporator <NUM> may be provided at the rear of the freezing compartment <NUM>, and the evaporator <NUM> may be shielded by a grille pan <NUM>. The grille pan <NUM> may define rear wall surfaces of the refrigerating compartment <NUM> and the freezing compartment <NUM>. The grille pan <NUM> may be provided with a shroud <NUM> defining a passage through which cold air generated by the evaporator <NUM> may flow. A fan motor <NUM> and a blowing fan <NUM> are provided in the shroud <NUM> to allow cool air generated by the evaporator <NUM> to flow along the passage of the grille pan <NUM>. A discharge port <NUM> through which cold air is discharged may be defined in the grille pan <NUM>.

An ice maker assembly <NUM> may be provided in an uppermost space of the freezing compartment <NUM>. The ice maker assembly <NUM> includes an second ice maker <NUM> which may be capable of making automatically supplied water into ice and separating the ice.

The ice maker assembly <NUM> may include a distribution duct <NUM> that allows cold air discharged through the grille pan <NUM> to be branched and guided to the inside of the second ice maker <NUM> and above the second ice maker <NUM>. The ice maker assembly <NUM> may further include an ice maker cover <NUM> that allows cold air branched by the distribution duct <NUM> to pass the upper side of the second ice maker <NUM> and direct toward the front of the ice maker assembly <NUM>. In addition, the ice maker assembly <NUM> may further include a front cover <NUM> capable of shielding a part of the space defined at the upper end of the freezing compartment <NUM>.

An ice bin <NUM> may be provided below the second ice maker <NUM>. Ice made by the second ice maker <NUM> may be dropped and stored in the ice bin <NUM>.

The doors <NUM> may be disposed on both left and right sides of the refrigerator in a side by side manner. The doors <NUM> may be configured to rotate to open or close the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM> disposed on the left and right sides. The door <NUM> may define the front appearance of the refrigerator <NUM> in a closed state. The door <NUM> may include a freezing compartment door <NUM> for opening or closing the freezing compartment <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment door <NUM> for opening or closing the refrigerating compartment <NUM>.

The refrigerating compartment door <NUM> may have an opening communicating with the accommodation space at the rear of the door, and may be further provided with a sub-door <NUM> opening or closing the opening. At least a part of the sub-door <NUM> may be provided with a see-through portion <NUM> through which the inside can be seen.

A first ice maker assembly <NUM> is provided at the freezing compartment door <NUM>. The first ice maker assembly <NUM> includes a first ice maker <NUM> which may be provided on the upper rear surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM>. The first ice maker <NUM> may be configured to make ice using automatically supplied water and to separate the made ice to an ice bank <NUM>.

In detail, the first ice maker <NUM> may include an ice tray 253a that contains water and makes ice, and a driving device 253d provided on one side of the ice tray 253a. The ice tray 253a may have an open upper surface, and the inside of the ice tray 253a may be partitioned into a plurality of cells 253c. The cell 253c may have a cube or semicircular shape or the like, and may have a different shape and size from the spherical ice made in the second ice maker <NUM>. Spherical ice is typically larger in volume than ice made in the cells 253c.

A rotation shaft 253b of the ice tray 253a may be connected to the driving device 253d, and may rotate according to the operation of the driving device 253d. That is, the ice tray 253a may be configured to rotate for ice separation upon completion of ice making. The first ice maker <NUM> having such a structure may be referred to as a twist type ice maker. In some cases, the ice tray 253a may have a structure to maintain a fixed state, and an ejector may be rotated by the rotation shaft 253b connected to the driving device 253d to separate the ice from the cell 253c.

The first ice maker <NUM> may be elongated in the horizontal direction (left-and-right direction). Therefore, the rotation shaft 253b of the ice tray 253a may also extend in the horizontal direction, and the cells 253c may be continuously arranged in the horizontal direction.

Compared with the rotation shaft <NUM> of the second ice maker <NUM>, the rotation shaft 253b of the first ice maker <NUM> may extend in the same direction. That is, the rotation shaft <NUM> of the second ice maker <NUM> and the rotation shaft 253b of the first ice maker <NUM> may be arranged side by side. In this case, the rotation shaft 253b of the first ice maker <NUM> may be located slightly higher than the rotation shaft <NUM> of the second ice maker <NUM>.

The plurality of cells C formed in the second ice maker <NUM> may be continuously arranged in the horizontal direction, and the plurality of cells 253c formed in the first ice maker <NUM> may also be continuously arranged in the horizontal direction. That is, the cells C of the second ice maker <NUM> and the cells 253c of the first ice maker <NUM> may be continuously arranged in the parallel direction.

The second ice maker <NUM> and the first ice maker <NUM> may be disposed in the same freezing compartment. When the freezing compartment door <NUM> is closed, the second ice maker <NUM> and the first ice maker <NUM> may be disposed at positions facing each other.

That is, the front surface of the ice maker assembly <NUM> may be formed at a position facing the rear surface of the first ice maker assembly <NUM>. The front surface of the ice maker assembly <NUM> and the rear surface of the first ice maker assembly <NUM> may be disposed at positions spaced apart from each other. An illumination device <NUM> for illuminating the inside of the freezing compartment <NUM> may be disposed in a region between the ice maker assembly <NUM> and the first ice maker assembly <NUM>.

Both the second ice maker <NUM> and the first ice maker <NUM> may be located at the uppermost position inside the freezing compartment <NUM>. Therefore, the second ice maker <NUM> and the first ice maker <NUM> may fill the space at the upper end of the freezing compartment <NUM> of the side-by-side type refrigerator, which is narrower in the left-and-right direction, compared to other types of refrigerators. In addition, the remaining space of the freezing compartment <NUM> may be completely used as a space for food storage.

To this end, the ice maker assembly <NUM> may be formed to have a size corresponding to the width of the left and right side ends of the freezing compartment <NUM> by arranging the second ice maker <NUM> in the horizontal direction. Due to the horizontal arrangement of the second ice maker <NUM>, the distance at which the ice maker assembly <NUM> protrudes forward may be minimized. Therefore, the arrangement space of the first ice maker assembly <NUM> protruding from the rear surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM> may be secured as much as possible.

By arranging the second ice maker <NUM> and the first ice maker <NUM> side by side in front and rear at the upper end of the inside of the freezing compartment <NUM>, cold air discharged from the rear of the second ice maker <NUM> may be effectively transmitted to the second ice maker <NUM> and the first ice maker <NUM>, and the ice making performance may be secured.

That is, the second ice maker <NUM> may make ice by cold air supplied by the distribution duct <NUM>. The first ice maker <NUM> may make ice using cold air supplied by the door duct <NUM> provided on the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>.

The first ice maker cover <NUM> may be provided above the first ice maker <NUM>. The first ice maker cover <NUM> has a cover inlet <NUM> defined at a position corresponding to a duct outlet <NUM> of the door duct <NUM>, and cold air supplied through the door duct <NUM> is supplied to the first ice maker <NUM>.

The ice bank <NUM> in which ice made by the first ice maker <NUM> is stored may be provided below the first ice maker <NUM>. The ice bank <NUM> may be provided with a crushing device <NUM> for crushing the discharged ice. An ice chute <NUM> communicating with a dispenser <NUM> may be formed at the lower end of the ice bank <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> may be provided on the front surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> may be configured to take out purified water or ice from the outside while the freezing compartment door <NUM> is closed. The dispenser <NUM> may be connected to the ice bank <NUM> by the ice chute <NUM>. Therefore, when the dispenser <NUM> is operated, the ice stored in the ice bank <NUM> may be taken out.

Hereinafter, the structure of the grille pan <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the grille pan according to an implementation of the present disclosure, when viewed from the front. <FIG> is a perspective view of the grille pan when viewed from the rear.

As shown in the drawing, the grille pan <NUM> may be mounted inside the inner case <NUM> defining the freezing compartment <NUM>, and may be formed to partition the space of the freezing compartment <NUM> back and forth.

The grille pan <NUM> may include a grille plate <NUM> defining a front surface and a shroud <NUM> coupled to the rear surface of the grille plate <NUM>.

The grille plate <NUM> may form at least a part of the rear wall surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>, and a discharge port <NUM> through which cold air is discharged may be defined in the grille plate <NUM>. A cold air discharge port <NUM> through which cold air is discharged for supplying cold air to the second ice maker <NUM> may be defined at an upper end of the grille plate <NUM>. The cold air discharge port <NUM> may be formed to have a corresponding size so that the inlet of the distribution duct <NUM> may be inserted thereinto.

A front guide portion <NUM> extending upward and forward so as to be opened downward and guide cold air forward may be formed at the upper end of the grille plate <NUM>.

The cold air discharge port <NUM> may be defined on the front surface of the front guide portion <NUM>. At least a part of the inner surface of the front guide portion <NUM> may be formed in a round shape so that cold air introduced downward is directed toward the front, that is, the cold air discharge port <NUM>.

The shroud <NUM> may be mounted on the rear surface of the grille plate <NUM>, and may define a passage through which cold air generated by the evaporator <NUM> flows. A shroud opening 152a may be defined in the shroud <NUM>, and the blowing fan <NUM> may be disposed inside the shroud opening 152a. A fan motor <NUM> may be provided at the rear of the shroud <NUM>, and a rotation shaft of the fan motor <NUM> may be connected to the blowing fan <NUM>. The blowing fan <NUM> is rotated inside the shroud <NUM> so that cold air generated by the evaporator <NUM> is introduced into the shroud <NUM> and then discharged.

The opened upper end of the shroud <NUM> may communicate with the front guide portion <NUM> disposed at the upper end of the grille plate <NUM>. Therefore, cold air forcedly flowed by the blowing fan <NUM> may pass through the upper end of the shroud <NUM>, may be guided forward by the front guide portion <NUM>, and may be discharged to the cold air discharge port <NUM>.

An upper guide portion <NUM> extending upward may be formed in the shroud <NUM>. The upper guide portion <NUM> may be formed at a position shifted to one of the left and right sides, and may be located at a position corresponding to the door duct <NUM>.

The upper guide portion <NUM> may be formed separately from the front guide portion <NUM>, and may extend further upward than the upper end of the front guide portion <NUM>. The upper guide portion <NUM> may define a passage having an opened upper surface. The lower surface of the upper guide portion <NUM> may communicate with the inside of the shroud <NUM>, and the upper surface of the upper guide portion <NUM> may communicate with the door duct <NUM>. An opened first discharge port <NUM> may be defied at the upper end of the upper guide portion <NUM>, and the first discharge port <NUM> may be connected to a duct inlet <NUM> of the door duct <NUM>. Therefore, a part of cold air forcedly flowed by the blowing fan <NUM> may flow into the door duct <NUM> along the upper guide portion <NUM>.

A damper mounting portion <NUM> may be formed at one end of the shroud <NUM>. The damper mounting portion <NUM> may be formed on a side adjacent to the refrigerating compartment <NUM>, and a damper may be provided therein. One surface of the damper mounting portion <NUM> may be opened to be connected to the opened one side of the barrier <NUM>, and may communicate with the refrigerating compartment <NUM>. Therefore, a part of cold air forcedly flowed by the blowing fan <NUM> according to the opening and closing of the damper may flow into the refrigerating compartment <NUM> through the damper mounting portion <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the internal structure of the freezing compartment <NUM> and the arrangement structure of the ice maker assembly <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a partial perspective view illustrating the arrangement structure of the ice maker assembly and the arrangement of the door duct and the guide tube disposed in the inner case of the freezing compartment, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a partial perspective view of the inside of the freezing compartment in which the ice maker assembly is mounted, as viewed from below. Also, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the coupling structure of the ice maker assembly, the door duct, and the guide tube.

As shown in the drawings, an upper surface inlet 102a and an upper surface outlet 102b may be defined on the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> defining the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>. The upper surface inlet 102a may be opened to communicate with the space in which the evaporator <NUM> is disposed, and the upper surface outlet 102b may be opened at the front end of the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>. The upper surface outlet 102b may be located at an upper side facing the first ice maker cover <NUM> in a state in which the freezing compartment door <NUM> is closed.

The door duct <NUM> may be provided on the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>. The door duct <NUM> may be elongated in the front-and-rear direction, the front end and the rear end of the door duct <NUM> may be opened, and a passage through which cold air flows may be defined therein. The door duct <NUM> may be buried in the heat insulating material <NUM> in a state of being mounted to the inner case <NUM>.

The duct outlet <NUM> and the duct inlet <NUM> may be defined at the front end and the rear end of the door duct <NUM>, respectively. The duct inlet <NUM> may communicate with the first discharge port <NUM> exposed through the upper surface inlet 102a, and the duct outlet <NUM> may communicate with the upper surface outlet 102b. Therefore, a part of the cold air generated by the evaporator <NUM> may be supplied to the first ice maker <NUM> through the door duct <NUM>.

An illumination mounting portion 102d to which the illumination device <NUM> is mounted may be further defined on the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>. The illumination mounting portion 102d may be located in front of the ice maker assembly <NUM> to illuminate the inside of the freezing compartment <NUM>.

A water supply pipe opening 102c may be defined on the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>. The water supply pipe opening 102c may be opened above a water supply member <NUM> to be described below, and a water supply pipe <NUM> may pass toward the second ice maker <NUM>.

A guide tube <NUM> may define a passage through which the water supply pipe <NUM> for supplying water to the second ice maker <NUM> is guided. Both ends of the guide tube <NUM> may be provided with a front bracket <NUM> and a rear bracket <NUM>.

The front bracket <NUM> may be in close contact with the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>, and may shield the water supply pipe opening 102c. The end of the guide tube <NUM> may pass through the front bracket <NUM> and may be opened toward the second ice maker <NUM>. A tube support <NUM> protruding upward to support the guide tube <NUM> from below may be disposed on the front bracket <NUM>.

The rear bracket <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. The end of the guide tube <NUM> may be exposed to the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> through the rear bracket <NUM>. Therefore, the water supply pipe <NUM> disposed along the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> may be introduced into the guide tube <NUM> through the rear bracket <NUM> and directed to the second ice maker <NUM> through the front bracket <NUM>.

The ice maker assembly <NUM> may be provided on the inner upper surface of the inner case <NUM>. The ice maker assembly <NUM> may be located at the upper end of the freezing compartment <NUM>, and may be spaced apart at a position higher than an accommodation member disposed at the uppermost portion of the freezing compartment <NUM>. The ice bin <NUM> in which ice made by the second ice maker <NUM> is stored may be located below the ice maker assembly <NUM>. The ice bin <NUM> may define an ice accommodation space <NUM> having an opened upper surface, and may be seated on the accommodation member such as a shelf. An empty handle <NUM> may be formed on the front surface of the ice bin <NUM> so that the ice bin <NUM> can be pulled out or lifted and moved.

A horizontal width of the ice maker assembly <NUM> may be formed to correspond to a horizontal width of the freezing compartment <NUM>. Therefore, in a state in which the ice maker assembly <NUM> is mounted, the cold air discharge port <NUM> and the distribution duct <NUM> provided at the rear of the ice maker assembly <NUM> may be covered by the ice maker assembly <NUM>. In particular, when viewed from the front of the freezing compartment, only the front cover <NUM> may be exposed, and all rear components may be shielded by the front cover <NUM>.

The ice maker assembly <NUM> may include an second ice maker <NUM> for making ice, an ice maker cover <NUM> for shielding the upper surface of the second ice maker <NUM>, and a distribution duct <NUM> for distributing and supplying cold air to the second ice maker <NUM>. The ice maker assembly <NUM> may further include the front cover <NUM> for shielding the second ice maker <NUM> and the ice maker cover <NUM> from the front.

Hereinafter, the structure of the ice maker assembly <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the ice maker assembly. Also, <FIG> is an exploded view of the ice maker assembly when viewed from the front. Also, <FIG> is an exploded view of the ice maker assembly when viewed from the rear.

As shown in the drawings, the ice maker assembly <NUM> may include the second ice maker <NUM>. The second ice maker <NUM> receives automatically supplied water and makes spherical ice. The second ice maker <NUM> may include an ice maker case <NUM> defining an outer appearance, an ice tray <NUM> in which water is accommodated for making ice, a driving device <NUM> for rotating the ice tray <NUM>, an ejector <NUM> for separating the separated ice from the ice tray <NUM>, and an ice full detection lever <NUM> for detecting whether the ice bin <NUM> is full.

The second ice maker <NUM> may be referred to as a main body ice maker, a cabinet ice maker, or a spherical ice maker so as to be distinguished from the first ice maker <NUM>.

The ice maker case <NUM> may include a case upper surface <NUM> defining the upper surface of the ice maker case <NUM>, and a case circumferential surface <NUM> extending downward along the circumference of the case upper surface <NUM>. The ice tray <NUM>, the driving device <NUM>, and the ice full detection lever <NUM> may be provided inside the space defined by the circumferential surface <NUM> of the case. The made ice may be separated from the ice tray <NUM> by the ejector <NUM>, dropped downward, and stored in the ice bin <NUM>.

A tray opening 442a communicating with the cell C in which ice is made inside the ice tray <NUM> may be exposed on the upper surface <NUM> of the case. The tray opening 442a may be provided in each of the plurality of cells C, and water supplied through the water supply pipe <NUM> may be introduced into the cell C through the tray opening 442a. As an ejecting pin <NUM> of the ejector <NUM> enters and exits above the tray opening 442a, the ice made in the cell C may be discharged.

A case inlet <NUM> through which cold air flows into the second ice maker <NUM> and a case outlet <NUM> through which cold air flows out of the second ice maker <NUM> through the case upper surface <NUM> may be defined at the front end and the rear end of the case upper surface <NUM>.

A front cover <NUM> may be provided in front of the ice maker case <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> defines the front surface of the ice maker assembly <NUM>, and may shield all components disposed at the rear.

The front cover <NUM> may include a front portion <NUM> and an edge portion <NUM> extending rearward along the circumference of the front portion <NUM>.

The front end of the ice maker case <NUM> may be inserted into the opened rear surface of the front cover <NUM>. Case coupling portions <NUM> may be disposed on both left and right sides of the edge portion <NUM>, and may be coupled to both side surfaces of the ice maker case <NUM>.

A front discharge port <NUM> may be defined on the upper surface of the front cover <NUM>, that is, on the upper surface of the edge portion <NUM>. The front discharge port <NUM> may be defined by recessing the upper surface of the front cover <NUM> downward, and may be connected to a front end of a cover passage <NUM> of the ice maker cover <NUM> to define a passage through which cold air guided forward by the cover passage <NUM> is discharged.

A mounting portion accommodation groove <NUM> in which the cover mounting portion <NUM> of the ice maker cover <NUM> is accommodated may be further defined on the upper surface of the edge portion <NUM>. The mounting portion accommodation groove <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the cover mounting portion <NUM> in a corresponding size. The mounting portion accommodation groove <NUM> may be defined on both sides of the front discharge port <NUM> so that the cover mounting portion <NUM> is exposed. Therefore, a screw fastened to the ice maker case <NUM> passes through the cover mounting portion <NUM> and is fastened to the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> or a bracket disposed on the inner case <NUM> so that the ice maker assembly <NUM> is fixedly mounted.

The ice maker cover <NUM> may be provided on the upper surface of the second ice maker <NUM> to shield the upper surface of the second ice maker <NUM>, and may define a passage of cold air that passes above the second ice maker <NUM> and is bypassed to the front of the freezing compartment <NUM>.

A distribution duct <NUM> may be provided at the rear of the second ice maker <NUM> so that cold air discharged into the freezing compartment <NUM> is branched and supplied to the second ice maker <NUM> and the ice maker cover <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the distribution duct <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the distribution duct according to an implementation of the present disclosure, when viewed from the front. Also, <FIG> is a perspective view of the distribution duct when viewed from the rear. Also, <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the distribution duct according to the implementation of the present disclosure is mounted.

As shown in the drawings, the distribution duct <NUM> may be provided at the rear of the second ice maker <NUM>, and may be mounted to the rear wall surface of the freezing compartment <NUM> or the front surface of the grille pan <NUM>. The distribution duct <NUM> may connect the second ice maker <NUM> to the cold air discharge port <NUM> on the rear wall surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>, so that cold air generated by the evaporator <NUM> is supplied to the inside of the second ice maker <NUM> and the ice maker cover <NUM>. The distribution duct <NUM> may be in close contact with the rear wall surface and the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>.

The distribution duct <NUM> may include a cooling guide portion <NUM> and an ice making guide portion <NUM> as a whole. Since the cooling guide portion <NUM> is located above, the cooling guide portion may be referred to as an upper guide portion or a first guide portion, and may define a cooling passage <NUM> connected to the ice maker cover <NUM>. Since the ice making guide portion <NUM> is located below the cooling guide portion <NUM>, the ice making guide portion <NUM> may be referred to as a lower guide portion or a second guide portion, and may define an ice making passage <NUM> connected to the inside of the ice maker case <NUM>.

In detail, the cooling guide portion <NUM> may include a guide portion base <NUM> and a guide portion side <NUM>. The guide portion base <NUM> may define the bottom surface of the cooling guide portion <NUM>, and may be formed in a plate shape. The rear end of the guide portion base <NUM> may be formed to correspond to or be larger than the width of the cold air discharge port <NUM> at the rear of the freezing compartment <NUM>, and may be formed to be narrower as the rear end of the guide portion base <NUM> extends forward. The front end of the guide portion base <NUM> may be formed to have a width corresponding to the inlet of the cover passage <NUM> defined on the upper surface of the ice maker cover <NUM>, and may be connected to the inlet of the cover passage <NUM>.

A plurality of base protrusions <NUM> extending rearward may be disposed at the rear end of the guide portion base <NUM>. A plurality of base protrusions <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other along the rear end of the guide portion base <NUM>, and thus a base groove may be defined between the base protrusions <NUM>. The rear end of the base protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the cold air discharge port <NUM>, and may be supported at the inside of the grille pan <NUM>. Therefore, cold air flowing from the lower side to the upper side may flow into the cooling guide portion <NUM> through the base groove between the base protrusions <NUM>.

The guide portion side <NUM> may extend upward from both left and right ends of the guide portion base <NUM>. The guide portion side <NUM> may extend to contact the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>, and the cooling passage <NUM> may be defined between the inner case <NUM> and the guide portion base <NUM>. The guide portion side <NUM> may be connected to the sidewall <NUM> formed in the cover passage <NUM>, so that the cooling passage <NUM> and the cover passage <NUM> communicate with each other.

A base opening <NUM> may be defined at the center of the guide portion base <NUM>. The base opening <NUM> may communicate with the ice making guide portion <NUM>, and may serve as the inlet of the ice making passage <NUM>. Therefore, the base opening <NUM> may be referred to as an ice making passage inlet.

A vertical extension portion <NUM> extending upwardly may be defined along the circumference of the base opening <NUM>. The vertical extension portion <NUM> guides cold air flowing into the cooling guide portion <NUM> toward the ice making guide portion <NUM>, and may be defined along the front surface and one side surface of the base opening <NUM>. The vertical extension portion <NUM> may be integrally formed with the ice making guide portion <NUM>, or may be formed in a shape extending upward through the base opening <NUM>.

Therefore, a part of cold air flowing into the cooling guide portion <NUM> may be directed toward the ice making guide portion <NUM> by the vertical extension portion <NUM>, and may be supplied into the second ice maker <NUM>.

The ice making guide portion <NUM> may communicate with the base opening <NUM> and extend downward from the base opening <NUM>, and may extend up to the inlet of the ice maker case <NUM>. That is, in a state in which the distribution duct <NUM> and the second ice maker <NUM> are mounted, the ice making guide portion <NUM> may communicate with the inside of the second ice maker <NUM>.

In detail, the ice making guide portion <NUM> may be provided with a duct extension portion <NUM> extending downward, and the duct extension portion <NUM> may define an ice making passage <NUM> communicating with the base opening <NUM> therein. In addition, the opened lower surface of the duct extension portion <NUM> may be opened toward the front, and the outlet of the ice making passage <NUM> may communicate with the case inlet <NUM>.

The duct extension portion <NUM> may extend downward and forward. An extension portion inclination surface <NUM> directed forward to face downward may be disposed inside the duct extension portion <NUM>. Therefore, cold air flowing through the inlet of the ice making guide portion <NUM> may smoothly flow to the second ice maker <NUM> through the duct extension portion <NUM>.

The duct extension portion <NUM> may extend to be inserted into the case inlet <NUM>. Therefore, cold air flowing through the ice making passage <NUM> may be effectively supplied into the second ice maker <NUM>. The ice making guide portion <NUM> may be formed to be narrower than the width of the cooling guide portion <NUM> to supply cold air to a specific area of the second ice maker <NUM> below.

Hereinafter, the structure of the second ice maker <NUM> and the flow of cold air in the second ice maker <NUM> will be described in more detail.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker assembly and is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV' of <FIG>. Also, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure for supplying water to the ice maker and is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI' of <FIG>. Also, <FIG> is a perspective view of the ice maker.

As shown in the drawings, the second ice maker <NUM> may include an ice maker case <NUM> and an ice tray <NUM> provided inside the ice maker case <NUM>. An ice maker cover <NUM> may be provided on the upper surface of the ice maker case <NUM>, and the ice maker cover <NUM> may define a cooling space <NUM> of the second ice maker <NUM> and a space <NUM> through which cold air bypasses above the second ice maker <NUM>. In addition, in a state in which the ice maker cover <NUM> is mounted, the front cover <NUM> is mounted on the front of the second ice maker <NUM> to shield the second ice maker <NUM> from the front. A distribution duct <NUM> may be provided at the rear of the second ice maker <NUM> in a state in which the ice maker cover <NUM> is mounted, and cold air branched by the distribution duct <NUM> may be branched and supplied to the space inside the second ice maker <NUM> and the space above the ice maker cover <NUM>.

The structure of the second ice maker <NUM> will be described in more detail. The second ice maker <NUM> may be provided with an ice tray <NUM> disposed inside the ice maker case <NUM>. The ice tray <NUM> may include a plurality of cells C in which water is accommodated and ice can be made. For example, the cell C may be formed in a spherical shape, and thus the second ice maker <NUM> may be configured to make spherical ice.

The ice tray <NUM> may include an upper tray <NUM> and a lower tray <NUM>. A plurality of cells C inside the ice tray <NUM> may be continuously disposed. In this case, the cells C may be disposed horizontally or vertically according to the arrangement direction of the ice tray <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the plurality of the cells C may be continuously disposed in the horizontal direction, and the ice tray <NUM> may be disposed in the horizontal direction (left-and-right direction). Of course, the ice tray <NUM> may be disposed in the front-and-rear direction according to the size and arrangement of the space in which the ice maker assembly <NUM> is disposed.

The upper tray <NUM> may be fixedly mounted on the upper surface <NUM> of the case, and at least a part of the case upper surface <NUM> may be exposed. The upper tray <NUM> may be provided with an upper mold <NUM> defining the upper portion of the cell C therein, and the upper mold <NUM> may be made of a silicone material. A tray opening 442a opened to communicate with the cell C may be defined at the upper end of the upper mold <NUM>. The ejecting pin <NUM> may enter and exit through the tray opening 442a to separate the made ice, and water may be supplied by the water supply member <NUM>.

The water supply member <NUM> may be provided at a position corresponding to the cell C formed at one end of the plurality of cells C continuously disposed in the horizontal direction. Therefore, water supplied through the water supply member <NUM> may be introduced through one cell C, and may sequentially fills the plurality of cells C continuously disposed in the horizontal direction.

In particular, the water supply member <NUM> may extend to protrude further laterally than the ice tray <NUM>, and the water supply member <NUM> may be positioned at a position corresponding to the end of the water supply pipe <NUM> located on one side of the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>. The bottom surface of the water supply member <NUM> is inclined so that water is smoothly supplied to the tray opening of the upper end of the cell C.

The lower tray <NUM> may be provided below the upper tray <NUM>, and may be rotatably mounted by a driving device <NUM> including a combination of a motor and a gear. A lower mold <NUM> defining the lower portion of the cell C may be disposed inside the lower tray <NUM>. When the lower tray <NUM> and the upper tray <NUM> are coupled to each other and closed, the upper mold <NUM> and the lower mold <NUM> contact each other to form the spherical cell C and ice can be made.

A driving device <NUM> may be provided on one side of the ice maker case <NUM>, and the driving device <NUM> may be connected to the rotation shaft <NUM> of the lower tray <NUM> to rotate the lower tray <NUM>. An ice full detection lever <NUM> capable of detecting whether the inside of the ice bin <NUM> is full may be connected to the driving device <NUM>. The ice full detection lever <NUM> may be operated when the driving device <NUM> is driven, and may be linked with the operation of the lower tray <NUM>.

A lower ejector <NUM> may be provided on the rear surface of the ice maker case <NUM>. The lower ejector <NUM> may be located on the trajectory of the lower tray <NUM> and may protrude forward. Therefore, when the lower tray <NUM> rotates after ice is made in the ice tray <NUM>, the lower tray <NUM> may press the lower mold <NUM> to separate the ice from the lower tray <NUM>.

The ice tray <NUM> may be accommodated inside the ice maker case <NUM>, and ice may be made inside the cell C by cold air supplied into the second ice maker <NUM>.

To this end, the ice making guide portion of the distribution duct <NUM> may communicate with a space <NUM> defined by the coupling of the ice maker case <NUM> and the ice maker cover <NUM>, and cold air introduced through the ice making guide portion <NUM> may cause ice making while passing through the second ice maker <NUM>.

In detail, a downwardly recessed case outlet <NUM> may be defined at the front end of the case upper surface <NUM>. A front guide <NUM> that rises toward the rear may be disposed on the lower surface of the case outlet <NUM>. The front guide <NUM> may be inclined or rounded, and cold air passing through the case upper surface <NUM> is guided to smoothly flow to the case outlet <NUM>.

A downwardly recessed case inlet <NUM> may be defined at the rear end of the case upper surface <NUM>. A rear guide <NUM> that rises toward the front may be disposed on the lower surface of the case inlet <NUM>. The case inlet <NUM> may be connected to the distribution duct <NUM> to serve as an inlet through which cold air is introduced toward the second ice maker <NUM>.

Therefore, cold air flowing into the case inlet <NUM> may flow forward while being directed upward through the rear guide <NUM>, may flow forward while being directed downward through the front guide <NUM>, and may be discharged to the case outlet <NUM>. That is, cold air supplied to pass through the case upper surface <NUM> passes through the upper position separated from the case upper surface <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to ensure smooth flow of cold air and minimize interference with components protruding upward from the case upper surface <NUM>.

Of course, a part of cold air flowing to the case upper surface <NUM> may flow into the ice maker case <NUM> through a plurality of openings defined on the case upper surface <NUM>, such as the tray opening 442a and the opening through which the ejector <NUM> passes, and may cool the ice tray <NUM> located inside the ice maker case <NUM> as a whole.

Cold air guided above the ice maker cover <NUM> through the cooling guide portion <NUM> of the distribution duct <NUM> may be discharged into the space in front of the ice maker assembly <NUM> through the ice maker cover <NUM>, without flowing into the second ice maker <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the ice maker cover <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the ice maker cover according to an implementation of the present disclosure, when viewed from the front. Also, <FIG> is a perspective view of the ice maker cover when viewed from the rear.

As shown in the drawings, the ice maker cover <NUM> may be formed to shield the upper surface of the second ice maker <NUM>. The ice maker cover <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>, that is, between the inner case <NUM> and the second ice maker <NUM> in a state in which the ice maker assembly <NUM> is mounted.

The ice maker cover <NUM> may shield the second ice maker <NUM> from above, and may further define a cold air passage, which is separated from the inside of the second ice maker <NUM>, above the second ice maker <NUM>. Therefore, cold air supplied by the distribution duct <NUM> may be guided by the ice maker cover <NUM> without passing through the second ice maker <NUM>, and may be supplied toward the front of the ice maker assembly <NUM>, that is, toward the front space of the freezing compartment <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM>.

The ice maker cover <NUM> may include a cover body <NUM> having an opened lower surface and a cover edge <NUM> formed along the circumference of the cover body <NUM>.

The cover edge <NUM> may protrude outward from the lower end of the cover body <NUM>, and may be in contact with the circumference of the upper surface of the ice maker case <NUM>. When the cover edge <NUM> is coupled to the ice maker case <NUM>, a space accommodating cold air introduced through the ice making guide portion <NUM> may be defined above the case upper surface <NUM>.

A cover mounting portion <NUM> may be defined at the front end of the cover edge <NUM>. The cover mounting portion <NUM> may protrude upward, and may be formed on both left and right sides of the ice maker cover <NUM>. The cover mounting portion <NUM> may pass through the mounting portion accommodation groove <NUM> to be in contact with the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>, and may be fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM> by a screw. Therefore, the cover mounting portion <NUM> may be fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM> in a state in which the front cover <NUM> and the ice maker cover <NUM> are coupled to the ice maker case <NUM>.

The cover body <NUM> may be coupled to the second ice maker <NUM> so that a space to which cold air is supplied is defined above the second ice maker <NUM>. A recessed space is provided so that components above the second ice maker <NUM>, including the ejector <NUM>, do not interfere.

A guide surface <NUM> for guiding the flow of cold air may be defined on the upper surface of the cover body <NUM>. Sidewalls <NUM> may protrude upward on both left and right sides of the guide surface <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> may have a height corresponding to the cover mounting portion <NUM>, and may be in contact with the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>, that is, the inner case <NUM>. Therefore, in a state in which the ice maker cover <NUM> is mounted, a cover passage <NUM> through which cold air flows may be defined by the inner case <NUM>, the sidewall <NUM>, and the guide surface <NUM>.

The guide surface <NUM> may include a front guide surface <NUM> that rises from the front end of the upper surface of the cover body <NUM> toward the rear, and a rear guide surface <NUM> that rises from the rear end of the upper surface of the cover body <NUM> toward the front. The front guide surface <NUM> and the rear guide surface <NUM> may be formed to have the same height and may be connected to each other.

The rear guide surface <NUM> may be connected to the opened front end of the cooling guide portion <NUM>, and the end of the front guide surface <NUM> may communicate with the front discharge port <NUM> of the front cover <NUM>. Therefore, cold air supplied through the cooling guide portion <NUM> may sequentially pass through the rear guide surface <NUM> and the front guide surface <NUM> and may be discharged forward through the front discharge port <NUM>. In this case, the inclined structure of the rear guide surface <NUM> and the front guide surface <NUM> enables the smooth flow of cold air.

Discharge guides <NUM> and <NUM> for guiding the flow direction of cold air passing through the cover passage <NUM> may be disposed on the guide surface <NUM>. The discharge guides <NUM> and <NUM> may be respectively formed on the rear guide surface <NUM> and the front guide surface <NUM>, and cold air passing through the cover passage <NUM> may flow with directionality.

In detail, the rear discharge guide <NUM> may be formed on the rear guide surface <NUM>. The rear discharge guide <NUM> may be formed at an eccentric position on one of the left and right sides with respect to the center of the cover passage <NUM>, and may be formed to protrude to a height corresponding to the height of the sidewall <NUM>. For example, the rear discharge guide <NUM> may be formed in a shape of a protrusion or a rib elongated in the front-and-rear direction.

The flow of cold air flowing into the cover passage <NUM> may be partially restricted by the rear discharge guide <NUM>, or the flow amount of cold air may be controlled. Therefore, more cold air may flow to the left side (in <FIG>) where the rear discharge guide <NUM> is not formed among the entire regions of the rear guide surface <NUM>.

The front discharge guide <NUM> may be formed on the front guide surface <NUM>. The front discharge guide <NUM> may extend obliquely in one direction from the center of the front guide surface <NUM>. Therefore, due to the front discharge guide <NUM>, cold air guided to the front guide surface <NUM> through the rear guide surface <NUM> may flow more to the left side (in <FIG>) among the left and right sides.

With such a structure, due to the rear discharge guide <NUM> and the front discharge guide <NUM>, the flow amount of cold air passing through the cover passage <NUM> may increase in one direction among the left and right sides. For example, a position with a larger flow amount of cold air may be a position close to the left and right sidewalls of the refrigerator <NUM>, and it is possible to prevent the growth of condensation or frost by preventing stagnant air at positions adjacent to the left and right sidewalls of the refrigerator <NUM>.

A water supply port <NUM> may be defined on the upper surface of the ice maker cover <NUM>. The water supply port <NUM> is a portion through which a water supply pipe <NUM> extending through the inner case <NUM> passes, and may be opened at a position corresponding to a water supply member <NUM> provided in the second ice maker <NUM>. The water supply port <NUM> may be defined on a portion outside the cover passage <NUM>, that is, on the outside of the sidewall <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the flow of cold air in the freezing compartment <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> having the above structure will be described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the flow of cold air in the freezing compartment. Also, <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion A of <FIG>.

As shown in the drawings, cold air generated in the evaporator <NUM> by the rotation of the blowing fan <NUM> may flow upward through the shroud <NUM>. Cold air flowing along the shroud <NUM> may be discharged into the freezing compartment <NUM> through the cold air discharge port <NUM> of the grille pan <NUM> and cool the freezing compartment <NUM>.

A part of cold air forcibly flowed by the blowing fan <NUM> may be introduced into the door duct <NUM> and the distribution duct <NUM> from the upper end of the grille pan <NUM>. In this case, the door duct <NUM> and the distribution duct <NUM> may be connected to the upper end of the grille pan <NUM>.

That is, cold air discharged from the first discharge port <NUM> along the upper end of the grille pan <NUM>, that is, the upper guide portion <NUM>, may flow into the door duct <NUM> through the duct inlet <NUM> of the door duct <NUM>, may flow along the door duct passage <NUM> inside the door duct <NUM>, and may be discharged toward the first ice maker cover <NUM> through the duct outlet <NUM>. Cold air discharged from the door duct <NUM> may flow into the first ice maker <NUM> through the cover inlet <NUM> of the first ice maker cover <NUM>, and may allow the first ice maker <NUM> to perform ice making.

Cold air discharged through the cold air discharge port <NUM> along the upper end of the grille pan <NUM>, that is, the front guide portion <NUM>, may flow into the distribution duct <NUM>, and may be branched in the distribution duct <NUM> and supplied to the inside of the second ice maker <NUM> and the outside of the second ice maker <NUM>.

In detail, cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port <NUM> on the rear wall of the freezing compartment <NUM> or the grille pan <NUM> may flow into the distribution duct <NUM>. In this case, cold air flowing into the distribution duct <NUM> may be branched and supplied to the cooling guide portion <NUM> and the ice making guide portion <NUM>.

A part of cold air flowing into the guide portion base <NUM> of the distribution duct <NUM> is introduced into the base opening <NUM> by the vertical extension portion <NUM>, and cold air flowing into the base opening <NUM> may be introduced into the second ice maker <NUM> through the ice making passage <NUM> of the ice making guide portion <NUM>.

In detail, the outlet of the ice making passage <NUM> at the end of the ice making guide portion <NUM> may communicate with the case inlet <NUM>. Therefore, cold air discharged from the ice making passage <NUM> may be supplied toward the second ice maker <NUM>.

Cold air flowing into the case upper surface <NUM> through the case inlet <NUM> may be supplied to the space <NUM> shielded by the ice maker cover <NUM>, and may be supplied toward the ice tray <NUM> through the openings of the case upper surface <NUM>. An ice making operation may be performed in the ice tray <NUM> by cold air supplied around the ice tray <NUM>. Cold air passing through the ice tray <NUM> is discharged through the opened lower surface of the ice maker case <NUM>, and cools the space of the freezing compartment below.

The remaining cold air except for cold air branched into the ice making guide portion <NUM> among cold air flowing into the cooling guide portion <NUM> may flow into the cover passage <NUM> above the ice maker cover <NUM> through the guide portion base <NUM>, that is, the cooling passage <NUM>.

Cold air flowing into the cover passage <NUM> may sequentially pass through the front guide surface <NUM> and the rear guide surface <NUM>, and may be finally discharged into the space of the freezing compartment <NUM> in front of the ice maker assembly <NUM> through the front discharge port <NUM>.

As such, cold air discharged into the freezing compartment <NUM> may be supplied to the first ice maker <NUM> by the door duct <NUM>, and a part of the cold air may be supplied into the second ice maker <NUM> by the distribution duct <NUM> and the ice maker cover <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a first portion of the cold air is discharged to the first ice maker <NUM> via a first cold air passage P1, and a second portion of the cold air is discharged to the second ice maker <NUM> via a second cold air passage P2. In this manner, ice making can be performed. The remaining part of the cold air may be discharged to the space in front of the ice maker assembly <NUM>, namely a cooling space <NUM>, through the space between the second ice maker <NUM> and the upper surface of the freezing compartment <NUM> without passing through the inside of the second ice maker <NUM>. A third portion of the cold air can be discharged to the ice maker cooling space <NUM> via a third cold air passage P3. The third portion of the cold air can continue to flow downward through the cooling space <NUM> to provide cooling to a portion of the storage space positioned vertically lower than the ice maker assembly <NUM>.

Therefore, it is possible to evenly supply cold air to the entire inside of the freezing compartment <NUM> and to maintain the entire cooling performance of the freezing compartment <NUM> while maintaining the ice making performance. In particular, cold air may also be supplied to the upper space of the freezing compartment <NUM> covered by the ice maker assembly <NUM>, that is, the space between the ice maker assembly <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM>.

Therefore, it is possible to ensure uniform cold air circulation and uniform temperature distribution throughout the freezing compartment <NUM>.

In addition, cold air flowing into the cover passage <NUM> may be guided so that more cold air is supplied in one direction by the discharge guides <NUM> and <NUM> inside the cover passage <NUM>. In <FIG>, when the freezing compartment door <NUM> is closed, the left end of the upper portion of the freezing compartment <NUM> may define a cold air stagnant space blocked by the upper surface and left side surface of the freezing compartment <NUM>, the rear surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM>, and the first ice maker cover <NUM>, and the ice bank <NUM>.

However, the supply of cold air to the cold air stagnant space is guided by the discharge guides <NUM> and <NUM>, and cold air is not stagnant in the cold air stagnant space and is forcibly circulated, thereby preventing the occurrence of condensation and frost in the cold air stagnant space.

As such, the passage of cold air supplied to the freezing compartment <NUM> when the blowing fan <NUM> is driven may include three passages as a whole.

In detail, cold air discharged from the first discharge port <NUM> of the grille pan <NUM> may be supplied to the first ice maker <NUM> through the door duct passage <NUM> of the door duct <NUM>. In this case, the distance from the first discharge port <NUM> to the upper surface outlet 102b may be referred to as a first passage or a door ice making passage <NUM>.

Cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port <NUM> of the grille pan <NUM> may be branched while passing through the cooling guide portion <NUM> of the distribution duct <NUM>, and may be supplied to supplied to the storage space of the freezing compartment <NUM> in front of the ice maker assembly <NUM>, that is, the space between the ice maker assembly <NUM> and the first ice maker assembly <NUM> through the cover passage <NUM> between the ice maker cover <NUM> and the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>. In this case, the distance from the cold air discharge port <NUM> to the front discharge port <NUM> may be referred to as a second passage or a storage space passage.

Cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port <NUM> of the grille pan <NUM> may be branched while passing through the ice making guide portion <NUM> of the distribution duct <NUM>, and may be supplied to the space between the second ice maker <NUM> and the ice maker cover <NUM> through the ice making passage <NUM> inside the ice making guide portion <NUM>, and ice making is performed in the second ice maker <NUM>. In this case, the distance from the cold air discharge port <NUM> to the outlet of the ice making passage <NUM> may be referred to as a third passage or an ice making passage in the refrigerator.

As such, in a state in which the second ice maker <NUM> and the first ice maker <NUM> are disposed to face each other in the space at the upper end of the freezing compartment <NUM>, cold air may be supplied through the three passages. That is, even in a state in which the ice maker assembly <NUM> and the first ice maker assembly <NUM> are densely disposed in a narrow space above the freezing compartment <NUM>, cold air may be supplied to ensure the ice making performance of each of the second ice maker <NUM> and the first ice maker <NUM>, and cold air may be supplied and circulated so that cold air circulation and uniform temperature distribution in the dense upper space of the freezing compartment <NUM> are possible.

According to an implementation of the present disclosure, cold air for ice making may be smoothly supplied to the ice maker disposed inside the freezing compartment, and the inside of the freezing compartment may be cooled through the cover passage bypassing the ice maker.

In some implementations, the distribution duct is provided at the cold air discharge port at the rear of the ice maker, and the distribution duct is branched into the ice making guide portion supplying cold air to the ice maker and the cooling guide portion supplying cold air to pass through the ice maker cover above the ice maker.

Therefore, cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port is branched and supplied to the ice maker and the inside of the freezing compartment, so that both ice making and cooling performance may be satisfied.

In addition, even in the structure in which the ice maker is disposed to cover the cold air discharge port, cold air may be bypassed to the space in front of the ice maker through the cover passage by the ice maker cover. Therefore, cold air may be supplied to the entire region of the freezing compartment, so that the inside of the freezing compartment has a uniform temperature distribution.

When the ice maker is an ice maker that makes spherical ice, the size thereof may be somewhat large. Even when a plurality of cells for making ice are horizontally disposed, the ice maker may be disposed to fill all the horizontal spaces of the freezing compartment.

In such a structure, the cold air discharge port may be covered by the ice maker, but cold air may be supplied to the front of the ice maker through the cover passage, so that the entire freezing compartment may be evenly cooled.

In addition, the ice maker structure having a relatively large size may be disposed in the vertical direction in the freezing compartment, that is, in the direction in which the cells are disposed in the front-and-rear direction and the horizontal direction, so that the ice maker may be variously disposed according to the size of the storage space of the refrigerator.

Since the cover passage is defined between the upper surface of the ice maker cover and the upper surface of the storage space, excessive loss of space for forming the cover passage does not occur.

In addition, since the ice maker cover is coupled to the upper surface of the storage space to define the cover passage, the cover passage may be formed with a simple structure.

In addition, since the front discharge port is located on the upper surface of the storage space, the entire inside of the freezing compartment may be cooled by cold air discharged downward.

The discharge guide may be provided inside the cover passage, and cold air discharged by the discharge guide may be concentrated to one side.

Therefore, it is possible to guide the supply of cold air to the space between the rear surface of the freezing compartment door and the front surface of the freezing compartment adjacent to the rotation shaft of the door where the cold air may be structurally stagnated.

Therefore, it is possible to solve the temperature imbalance due to the cold air stagnation and to prevent the occurrence of condensation or frost due to the cold air stagnation.

When the first ice maker is provided in front of the ice maker, that is, on the rear of the door, the space between the ice maker and the first ice maker is close, and thus the supply of cold air may not be smooth. Cold air that bypasses the ice maker and is discharged forward due to the cover passage may be supplied to the space between the ice maker and the first ice maker to enable cold air circulation in a narrow space.

The ice maker and the first ice maker may be disposed at positions facing each other. In particular, the ice maker and the first ice maker are disposed at positions facing each other in the freezing compartment area where the left and right widths are narrow, so that the space inside the freezing compartment may be used more efficiently.

In addition, since the ice maker and the first ice maker are disposed at positions at which they are at least partially facing each other, a part of cold air that bypasses the ice maker and is discharged may cool the first ice maker or an area adjacent to the first ice maker, thereby providing an efficient cold air supply structure.

Since the rotation shaft of the ice maker is disposed in the horizontal direction (left-and-right direction), the protrusion of the ice maker module is minimized. Therefore, it is possible to have a structure that does not interfere with the first ice maker assembly protruding rearward even when the freezing compartment door is closed.

In addition, since the ice maker is located at the upper end of the freezing compartment and the first ice maker is disposed at the upper end of the freezing compartment door, the arrangement and connection of the water supply pipe to the ice maker and the first ice maker may be facilitated.

In the upper part of the freezing chamber, cold air discharged from the rear of the freezing compartment is branched into three passages and supplied to the first ice maker, the ice maker, and the space between the door ice may and the ice maker, cold air may be effectively distributed and supplied in the densely arranged upper space of the freezing compartment to secure ice making performance and enable uniform temperature distribution in the narrow upper space of the freezing compartment.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) defining a storage space;
a door configured (<NUM>) to open and close at least a portion of the storage space (<NUM>);
a first ice maker (<NUM>) provided in the door (<NUM>);
a second ice maker (<NUM>) provided in the storage space and facing the door (<NUM>) in a closed state of the door (<NUM>);
characterized by
a first cold air passage (P1) configured to guide the cold air to the first ice maker (<NUM>), by bypassing the second ice maker (<NUM>); and
a second cold air passage (P2) configured to guide the cold air to the second ice maker (<NUM>).