Patent Description:
A refrigerator is a home appliance providing a low-temperature storage that can be opened and closed by a door for storing foods at a low temperature. For this, the refrigerator cools the inside of the storage space using cool air generated by heat-exchanging with a refrigerant that circulates a cooling cycle to store the foods in an optimum state.

The size of the refrigerator tends to increase more and more and multi-functions are provided to the refrigerator as dietary life changes and pursues high quality, and accordingly, refrigerators of various structures with consideration of user convenience and energy efficiency are brought to the market.

Specifically, as demands of ice increase, an ice making device having various and convenient structures in the refrigerator are being developed.

<CIT> discloses a refrigerator with a water tank for supplying water to an ice tray by closing of a door. A refrigerator includes a cooling chamber for storing an article at a low temperature, an ice tray positioned in the cooling chamber and filled with water, for making ice, a water tank with a water supply hole for storing water and supplying water to the ice tray, and a valve for selectively opening and closing the water supply hole. In addition, a refrigerator includes a cooling chamber for storing an article at a low temperature, a main body for defining the cooling chamber, a door for opening and closing the cooling chamber, an ice tray positioned inside the door and filled with water, for making ice, a water tank with a water supply hole for storing water and supplying water to the ice tray, and a valve for selectively opening and closing the water supply hole.

Embodiments provide a refrigerator including an ice making device which is convenient in use and maintained in a stable mounting state.

One or more objects are achieved by the invention set out by the features of the independent claim.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; a freezing compartment door opening or closing the freezing compartment; and an ice making device disposed on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door, wherein the ice making device includes: a case disposed on the freezing compartment door; an ice tray rotatably disposed inside the case, the ice tray making an ice therein; a knob exposed to the outside of the case, the knob being axially connected to a rotation shaft of the ice tray and rotated by being manipulated from the outside; and an elastic member disposed on the rotation shaft of the ice tray, the elastic member providing an elastic force into the ice tray so that the ice tray is rotated to an original position.

The case may be disposed on a door dike protruding from both left and right sides of the rear surface of the freezing compartment door, and at least portion of the case may protrude forward from the door dike.

The knob may be disposed at a front side of the door dike.

A mounting part may be disposed on an inner surface of the door dike, and a case mounting part coupled to the mounting part may be disposed on each of both left and right sides of the case to allow the case to be detachably disposed on the freezing compartment.

The ice tray is according to the present invention accessibly disposed on the case, and when the ice tray is inserted into the case, the ice tray is cooperably coupled to the knob.

The knob may include: a manipulation part disposed outside the case, the manipulation part being rotated by a user; and a rotation plate in which at least portion thereof passes through the case and is coupled to the manipulation part, thereby being rotated together with the manipulation part, the rotation plate being disposed inside the case.

A tray connection part may be disposed on a rotation shaft of the ice tray, and a second guide part coupled to the tray connection part when the ice tray is mounted may be further disposed on the knob.

A protruding restriction projection may be disposed on the rotation plate, and a rotation plate restriction part restricting the restriction projection to maintain a position at which the knob is coupled to the ice tray may be further disposed on the case.

The refrigerator may further include a mounting case in which the ice tray is rotatably disposed, the mounting case being accessibly disposed inside the case.

A first guide part in which a guide projection protruding from a side surface of the mounting frame is slidably inserted may be disposed on an inner surface of the case facing the knob. The mounting plate may be disposed at a front side of the first guide part to pass through the first guide part, and a first fixing part in which a fixing protrusion protruding from one side surface thereof is fitted may be further disposed on the mounting plate.

The first fixing part may have a width gradually decreasing from an inlet thereof to an outlet.

A rotation shaft of the ice tray may be disposed on a front side of the knob to pass through the knob, and a second fixing part to which a second fitting part is protruding from one side surface thereof is closely attached and fixed may be further disposed on the mounting plate. The refrigerator may further include a second guide part disposed at a rear side of the second fixing part to insert the rotation shaft of the ice tray passing through the second fixing part therein on the knob.

A first guide part for guiding insertion of a side of the mounting case when the mounting case is mounted may be disposed on the case, and a second guide part for guiding insertion of a side of the rotation shaft of the ice tray when the mounting case is mounted may be disposed on the knob.

According to embodiments, the following effects can be attained.

First, the knob may be disposed on a side of the case on which the door dike is disposed to expose the knob to the outside. Thus, the knob may be easily accessible and manipulated.

Second, since the knob is directly manipulated to rotate the ice tray, a separate gear structure may be unnecessary. Thus, the assembling process may be easy and manufacturing costs may be reduced.

Third, the first and second guide parts for guiding the take in/out of the mounting frame when the mounting frame is inserted may be provided. Also, the first and second fixing parts for restricting the mounting frame when the mounting frame is completely inserted may be provided. Thus, the mounting frame may be more stably mounted.

Fourth, the restriction projection may be disposed on the rotation restriction part to locate the rotation plate in position. Thus, the mounting frame may be more easily mounted.

The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, that alternate embodiments included in other retrogressive inventions or falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment includes a cabinet <NUM> defining a storage space and a door <NUM> which is openably or closably disposed on the cabinet <NUM>. An outer appearance of the refrigerator <NUM> may be defined by the cabinet <NUM> and the door <NUM>.

The inside of the cabinet <NUM> is partitioned into left and right sides to define a refrigerating compartment <NUM> at the left side and a freezing compartment <NUM> at the right side. A plurality of shelves and drawers are disposed inside the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM> to receive foods.

The door <NUM> may include a freezing compartment door <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment door <NUM> which respectively open or close the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM>. The freezing compartment door <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> are rotatably disposed on the cabinet <NUM> to open or close the refrigerating compartment <NUM> and the freezing compartment <NUM> by their rotation.

<FIG> is a rear view of a freezing compartment door according to an embodiment.

A plurality of baskets <NUM> may be disposed on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM>. The rear surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM> may be defined by a door liner <NUM>. A protruding door dike <NUM> may be disposed on each of both left and right sides of the rear surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM>. The door dike <NUM> may extend in a vertical direction. A mounting part <NUM> coupled to both left and right side surfaces of the plurality of baskets <NUM> to mount the baskets may protrude from an inner surface of the door dike <NUM>. The mounting part <NUM> may be vertically provided in plurality to mount the baskets at desired positions. That is, the plurality of baskets <NUM> may be mounted at various positions by the various combinations of the plurality of mounting parts <NUM>.

An ice making device <NUM> and an ice storage device <NUM> may be detachably disposed on the rear surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM>. The ice making device <NUM> and the ice storage device <NUM> may be disposed on the mounting parts <NUM>, like the plurality of baskets <NUM>. Also, the mounting positions of the ice making device <NUM> and the ice storage device <NUM> may be decided according to the positions of the mounting parts <NUM>.

The ice making device <NUM> may receive supplied water to make ices. Here, the ices made by the manipulation of a user may be transferred downward by the manipulation of the user. The ice storage device <NUM> may be disposed below the ice making device <NUM> to store the transferred ices. Also, the ice storage device <NUM> may have a structure similar to that of the accessible basket.

The ice storage device <NUM> may include a case detachably disposed on the door dike <NUM> and a storage basket <NUM> which is slidably accessible into the case <NUM> to store ices.

Hereinafter, the ice making device will be described in more detail.

<FIG> is a plan view of the ice making apparatus. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the ice making apparatus when viewed from a side.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the ice making device <NUM> includes a case <NUM> disposed on the freezing compartment door <NUM>, a mounting frame <NUM> on which the ice tray <NUM> is rotatably disposed, the mounting frame <NUM> being accessibly disposed on the case <NUM>, the ice tray receiving water to make ices, and a knob <NUM> manipulated to rotate the ice tray <NUM>.

In detail, the case <NUM> may include both left and right side surfaces <NUM> for receiving the mounting frame <NUM> and a connection part <NUM> for connecting rear and front ends of both left and right side surfaces <NUM> to each other. The most of connection part <NUM> may be opened to allow cool air to smoothly flow.

A rear end of the case <NUM> may be disposed inside the door dike <NUM> when the freezing compartment door <NUM> is mounted. A case mounting part <NUM> coupled to the mounting part <NUM> may be disposed on each of both left and right sides of the rear end of the case <NUM>. The case mounting part <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to that of the mounting part <NUM>. Also, the case mounting part <NUM> may be configured to move the case from an upper side to a lower side, thereby seating the case <NUM>.

When the case <NUM> is mounted, a front end of the case <NUM> may be disposed at a front side of the door dike <NUM>. Also, when the case <NUM> is mounted on the door dike <NUM>, both left and right side surfaces <NUM> of the case <NUM> may be disposed on the same extension line as those of side surfaces of the door dike <NUM>.

A knob mounting part <NUM> on which the knob <NUM> is mounted may be disposed on one side surface (the right side surface when viewed in <FIG>) of the case <NUM>. The knob mounting part <NUM> may be recessed inward. Also, the knob <NUM> may be disposed on the recessed inside of the knob mounting part <NUM>. Also, the knob <NUM> may be mounted on the knob mounting part <NUM> so that the knob <NUM> is exposed to the outside of the knob mounting part <NUM>. Thus, when the case <NUM> is mounted on the door dike <NUM>, the knob <NUM> may be exposed laterally to be easily manipulated by the user.

The knob <NUM> may have a circular shape and rotatably disposed on a side surface of the case <NUM>. The knob <NUM> may include a manipulation part <NUM> rotated by the user at the outside of the case and a rotation plate <NUM> coupled to the manipulation part <NUM> and rotated at the inside of the case <NUM>. Also, the rotation plate <NUM> may be coupled to a side of the ice tray <NUM>. Thus, the ice tray <NUM> may be rotated by the rotation operation of the knob <NUM>.

The mounting frame <NUM> may be slidably and accessibly disposed inside the case <NUM>. The mounting frame <NUM> may have a vertically opened square frame shape. Also, the mounting frame <NUM> may be received inside the case <NUM>.

When the mounting frame <NUM> is mounted on the case <NUM>, a front surface of the mounting frame <NUM> may define a portion of a front surface of the case <NUM>. Thus, the case <NUM> and the mounting frame <NUM> may be mounted with sense of unity in a state where the mounting frame <NUM> is mounted. A handle to be grasped by the user when the mounting frame <NUM> is taken in/out may be further disposed on a front surface of the mounting frame <NUM>.

A twisting projection <NUM> may be disposed on a side (left side when viewed in <FIG>) of the inner surface of the mounting frame <NUM>. The twisting projection <NUM> may be disposed at a front side of a rotation shaft <NUM> of the ice tray <NUM>. The twisting projection <NUM> may protrude inward to twist the ice tray <NUM> when the ice tray <NUM> is rotated at about <NUM>°, thereby dispensing the ices.

A structure for guiding the take in/out of the mounting frame <NUM> and fixing the mounting frame <NUM> may be disposed on each of left and right side surfaces of the outside and the inside of the mounting frame <NUM>. The structure will be described below in more detail.

The ice tray <NUM> may have a plurality of cells <NUM> which receive water to make ices. The plurality of cells <NUM> may be continuously disposed in two rows or three rows. The ice tray <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material. When the user rotates the ice tray <NUM>, the ice tray <NUM> may contact the twisting projection <NUM> to dispense ices within the cells <NUM>.

The rotation shaft <NUM> may be disposed on each of both left and right sides of the ice tray <NUM>. The rotation shaft <NUM> may be rotatably disposed on each of both left and right sides of the mounting frame <NUM>. Here, at least one side of the rotation shaft <NUM> may pass through the ice tray <NUM>.

An auxiliary connection part <NUM> may be further disposed on a side of the ice tray <NUM>. The auxiliary connection part <NUM> may be disposed at a side away from the rotation shaft <NUM> to extend outward. The auxiliary connection part <NUM> may be bent several times. Also, the auxiliary connection part <NUM> may extend up to a position corresponding to that of an end of the rotation shaft <NUM>. The rotation shaft <NUM> adjacent to the auxiliary connection part <NUM> may pass through the mounting frame <NUM> or be seated on the mounting frame <NUM> to stably support the ice tray <NUM> in a state where the ice tray <NUM> is mounted on the mounting frame <NUM>.

An extending end of the auxiliary connection part <NUM> and an end of the rotation shaft <NUM> may be connected to each other to form a tray connection part <NUM>. The tray connection part <NUM> may extend in front and rear directions. Also, the tray connection part <NUM> may be coupled to a second guide part (see reference numeral <NUM> of <FIG>) of the knob. Thus, when the knob <NUM> is rotated, the ice tray <NUM> may be rotated because the second guide part <NUM> and the tray connection part <NUM> are connected to each other. Also, when the tray connection part <NUM> is rotated, the rotation shaft <NUM> and the auxiliary connection part <NUM> may be rotated at the same time to more effectively twist the ice tray <NUM> during the twisting of the ice tray <NUM>.

An elastic member <NUM> may be disposed on a side of the left and right sides of the rotation shaft <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be a torsion spring wound on the rotation shaft <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may have one end fixed to the mounting frame <NUM> and the other end fixed to the ice tray <NUM>. Thus, when the ice tray <NUM> is rotated, the elastic member <NUM> may be elastically deformed. After the rotation of the ice tray <NUM> is completed, the ice tray <NUM> may be reversely rotated by a restoring force of the elastic member <NUM>. Accordingly, the ice tray <NUM> may return to its original position, i.e., a horizontal shate.

Hereinafter, a structure for fixing the mounting frame will be described in more detail.

<FIG> is a sectional view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM>' of <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the ice making apparatus when viewed from the other side. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM>' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first guide part <NUM> for guiding the taken in/out of the mounting frame <NUM> and a first fixing part <NUM> for fixing the mounting frame <NUM> may be disposed on a side surface (left side surface when viewed in <FIG>) of the inside of the case <NUM>. A guide projection <NUM> and a fixing projection <NUM> may be disposed on an outer surface of the mounting frame <NUM> to correspond to the first guide part <NUM> and the first fixing part <NUM>.

In detail, the guide projection <NUM> may protrude laterally from a side surface of the mounting frame <NUM>. Also, the guide projection <NUM> may extend backward from a position away from the fixing projection <NUM>. The fixing projection <NUM> may be disposed on the front end of the case <NUM> to extend in front and rear directions. A fixing projection protrusion 333a which vertically protrudes may be disposed on the fixing projection <NUM>. The fixing projection protrusion 333a may vertically protrude and have a rounded shape. Thus, the fixing projection <NUM> may be more easily moved when the fixing projection <NUM> is inserted into the first fixing part <NUM>.

The first guide part <NUM> may receive the guide projection <NUM> to extend in front and rear direction when the mounting frame <NUM> is mounted. Also, the first guide part <NUM> may have a size corresponding to that of the guide projection <NUM>. The first guide part <NUM> may protrude inward so as to receive the guide projection <NUM>, thereby defining a space therebetween. The first guide part <NUM> may have a width gradually decreasing backward from an inlet thereof to easily insert the guide projection <NUM> therein.

The first fixing part <NUM> may receive the fixing projection <NUM> to extend from a front end of the side surface of the case <NUM> up to a front side of the first guide part <NUM>. The first fixing part <NUM> may protrude inward so as to receive the fixing projection <NUM>, thereby defining a space therebetween. A first fitting part 316a may be disposed on the first fixing part <NUM> to correspond to the fixing projection protrusion 333a when the mounting frame <NUM> is mounted. A first fitting part 316a may have a rounded shape corresponding to that of the first fixing part <NUM>. Also, the first fitting part 316a may vertically protrude and be shapely coupled to the fixing projection protrusion 333a. Also, the first fixing part <NUM> may have a wide inlet. The first fixing part may have a predetermined curvature from an opened front end thereof up to the first fitting part 316a. Here, the first fixing part <NUM> may have a width gradually decreasing from the inlet. The first fixing part <NUM> may have an opened rear end. At least portion of a circumference of the first fixing part <NUM> may be cut to allow the first fixing part <NUM> to be vibrated when the fixing projection <NUM> is inserted.

Thus, when the mounting frame <NUM> is mounted outside the case <NUM>, the guide projection <NUM> may pass through the first fixing part <NUM> and then be inserted into the first guide part <NUM>.

Here, the first fixing part <NUM> and the first guide part <NUM> may be disposed on the same extension line as each other to smoothly insert the guide projection <NUM>. After the mounting frame <NUM> is inserted by a predetermined distance, the guide projection <NUM> may be guided into the first fixing part <NUM>. When the mounting frame <NUM> is completely inserted, the fixing projection protrusion 333a is fitted into the first fitting part 316a. Thus, the mounting frame <NUM> may be firmly mounted inside the case <NUM>.

A second fixing part <NUM> may be disposed on the other side surface (right side surface when viewed in <FIG>) of the inside of the case <NUM>. The second fixing part <NUM> may be disposed at the same height as that of the first fixing part <NUM> on a position opposite to that of the first fixing part <NUM>. Also, the second fixing part <NUM> may be disposed at a height corresponding to that of the tray connection part <NUM>. The second fixing part <NUM> may protrude inward from the case <NUM> to extend up to a front side of the knob <NUM>. The second fixing part <NUM> may have front and rear ends having widths greater than that of a middle portion. When the mounting frame <NUM> is inserted, the tray connection part <NUM> may pass through the second fixing part <NUM>.

An inclined surface 317a may be disposed at a side of a lower portion of the second fixing part <NUM>. The inclined surface 317a may protrude from a front side to a rear side. When the mounting frame <NUM> is mounted, the inclined surface 317a may contact a second fitting part <NUM> disposed on a side surface of the mounting frame <NUM>.

The second fitting part <NUM> may be disposed on the side surface of the mounting frame <NUM> corresponding to that of the inclined surface 317a. The second fitting part <NUM> may protrude outwardly. Also, the second fitting part <NUM> may have a central portion further protruding when compared to front and rear ends thereof. The second fitting part <NUM> may be rounded or inclined in front and rear direction with respect to a center thereof. Thus, when the mounting frame <NUM> is taken in/out, the second fitting part <NUM> may be easily hooked with the mounting frame <NUM>. Also, the second fitting part <NUM> may have a circumference in which the most thereof is cut. Also, a large amount of second fitting part <NUM> may be away from a side surface of the mounting frame <NUM>. Thus, when the second fitting part <NUM> contacts the second fixing part <NUM>, the second fitting part <NUM> may be vibrated.

Thus, when the mounting frame <NUM> is inserted, the second fitting part <NUM> may be moved along the inclined surface 317a of the second fixing part <NUM>. Then, as the mounting frame <NUM> is inserted, the second fitting part <NUM> may be gradually pressed. After the mounting frame <NUM> is completely inserted, the most protruding portion of the second fitting part <NUM> may pass over the inclined surface 317a. Then, the second fitting part <NUM> may be restored into its original shape, and thus hooked and restricted with the second fixing part <NUM>. Thus, the mounting frame <NUM> may be maintained in a state it <NUM> is completely inserted.

A rotation plate <NUM> coupled to the knob <NUM> and rotated together with the knob <NUM> may be disposed at a rear side of the second fixing part <NUM>. A second guide part <NUM> in which the tray connection part <NUM> is slidably inserted may be disposed on the rotation plate <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a structure of the rotation plate will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a view of a coupled state between an ice tray and a knob according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a view of a separated state between a case and a mounting frame according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a view illustrating a restrained state of a knob according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a plurality of knob fixing holes <NUM> may be defined in the rotation plate <NUM>. A knob coupling part <NUM> may be inserted into the knob fixing hole <NUM>. Thus, the knob <NUM> and the rotation plate <NUM> may be rotated together with each other in a state where they are coupled to each other. That is, the rotation plate <NUM> may be rotated at the same angle as a rotation angle of the knob manipulated by the user.

A second guide part <NUM> which protrudes inwardly may be disposed on the rotation plate <NUM>. The second guide part <NUM> may be disposed on each of upper and lower sides so as to receive the tray connection part <NUM>, thereby defining a space therebetween. The second guide part <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding to that of the tray connection part <NUM> when the mounting frame <NUM> is completely inserted. The second guide part <NUM> may have an inlet and outlet which respectively have wide widths. Thus, the tray connection part <NUM> may be easily inserted.

Also, a restriction projection <NUM> which extends outward may be disposed on a side of the rotation plate <NUM>. The restriction projection <NUM> may locate the rotation plate <NUM> in position. The restriction projection <NUM> may be restricted by a rotation plate restriction part <NUM> disposed on a side surface of the case <NUM>.

The rotation plate restriction part <NUM> may be restricted with the restriction projection <NUM> when the rotation plate <NUM> is disposed in position so that an inlet of the second guide part <NUM> is disposed at a position corresponding to that of the opened rear end of the second fixing part <NUM>.

In detail, the rotation plate restriction part <NUM> may include a rotation prevention stopper 318a which protrudes inward to prevent the restriction projection <NUM> from being further rotated in a clockwise direction (when viewed in <FIG>) and a separation prevention stopper 318b extending forward from the rotation prevention stopper 318a and having the extending end protruding in a hook shape.

The most of circumference of the separation prevention stopper 318b may be cut. Thus, when restriction projection <NUM> is taken in/out, the separation prevention stopper 318b may be vibrated. A portion protruding from an end of the separation prevention stopper 318b may be inclined to smoothly move the restriction projection <NUM>. When the restriction projection <NUM> is disposed between the rotation prevention stopper 318a and the separation prevention stopper 318b, the restriction projection <NUM> may not be randomly separated.

Thus, when the mounting frame <NUM> is mounted, the rotation plate <NUM> is disposed in position in a state where the restriction projection <NUM> is disposed on the rotation restriction part <NUM>. Thus, the tray connection part <NUM> may be inserted into the second fixing part <NUM>. In this state, when the knob <NUM> is operated, the ice tray <NUM> may be rotated together with the knob <NUM>.

Hereinafter, operations of the ice making device including the above-described parts will be described.

First, to utilize the ice making device <NUM>, the case <NUM> is disposed on the door dike <NUM>. Then, water is filled into the ice tray <NUM>. The mounting frame <NUM> on which the ice tray <NUM> is mounted is slidingly inserted into the case <NUM>.

For this, the user manipulates the knob <NUM> to locate the restriction projection <NUM> on the rotation plate restriction part <NUM>. As a result, the rotation plate <NUM> may be disposed in position. Next, the mounting frame <NUM> is pushed and inserted into the case <NUM>.

Here, the guide projection <NUM> disposed on a side surface of both side surfaces of the mounting frame <NUM> passes through the first fixing part <NUM> and is inserted into the first guide part <NUM>. Then, the guide projection <NUM> is moved along the inside of the first guide part <NUM>. Simultaneously, the tray connection part <NUM> of the ice tray <NUM> passes through the second fixing part <NUM> and is inserted into the second guide part <NUM>. When the mounting frame <NUM> is completely inserted, the guide projection <NUM> is disposed inside the first guide part <NUM>. Also, the tray connection part <NUM> is disposed inside the second guide part <NUM>.

Also, when the mounting frame <NUM> is completely inserted, the fixing projection <NUM> is disposed inside the first fixing part <NUM>. Here, in the process in which the mounting frame <NUM> is inserted, the fixing projection protrusion 333a may be fitted into the first fitting part 316a.

Also, in the state where the mounting frame <NUM> is completely inserted, the second fitting part <NUM> may be hooked and restricted with the inclined surface 317a of the second fixing part <NUM>. Here, the second fitting part <NUM> is moved along the inclined surface 317a in the process in which the mounting frame <NUM> is inserted. When the mounting frame <NUM> is completely inserted, the second fitting part <NUM> may pass over the inclined surface 317a, and thus be hooked and restricted. Thus, the mounting frame <NUM> may be maintained in a state the mounting frame <NUM> is fixed inside the case <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) defining a refrigerating compartment (<NUM>) and a freezing compartment (<NUM>);
a freezing compartment door (<NUM>) opening or closing the freezing compartment (<NUM>); and
an ice making device (<NUM>) disposed on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door (<NUM>),
wherein the ice making device (<NUM>) comprises:
a case (<NUM>) disposed on the freezing compartment door (<NUM>);
an ice tray (<NUM>) rotatably disposed inside the case (<NUM>), the ice tray (<NUM>) making an ice therein;
a knob (<NUM>) exposed to the outside of the case (<NUM>), the knob (<NUM>) being axially connected to a rotation shaft (<NUM>) of the ice tray (<NUM>) and rotated by being manipulated from the outside; and
an elastic member (<NUM>) disposed on the rotation shaft (<NUM>) of the ice tray (<NUM>), the elastic member (<NUM>) providing an elastic force into the ice tray (<NUM>) so that the ice tray (<NUM>) is rotated to an original position;
characterized in that: the ice tray (<NUM>) is accessibly disposed on the case (<NUM>), and when the ice tray (<NUM>) is inserted into the case (<NUM>), the ice tray (<NUM>) is cooperably coupled to the knob (<NUM>).