Pulse Electrothermal Mold Release Icemaker For Refrigerator Having Interlock Closure And Baffle For Safety

Abstract

The present document relates to an icemaker having a pulse electrothermal ice release system for separating ice bodies from an ice mold. The pulse electrothermal ice release system operates by applying an electric current through the ice mold through two wires. Safety apparatus for preventing electric shock to users of the icemaker is described. A refrigerator having the icemaker, and an operating method of the icemaker are disclosed. In an embodiment, the safety apparatus interrupts current flow through both wires.

1 . An icemaker comprising:
 a case having an open chamber;   a case door mounted to the case to open and close the open chamber;   a locking unit to lock the case door to the case;   an ice mold disposed within the case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat when electric current flows through the material to perform an ice body separation;   apparatus for dispensing water into the ice mold;   a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and   a safety unit to interrupt the supply of the electric current to the ice mold when the case door is opened.   
   
   
       2 . The icemaker according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety unit includes a power interruption unit mounted to the case, the power interruption unit configured to switch off the supply of the current when the locking unit is unlocked. 
   
   
       3 . The icemaker according to  claim 2 , wherein the locking unit includes a locking hook mounted to the case door, and the power interruption unit includes a switch and a counter switch, both switches released off by being depressed by the locking hook. 
   
   
       4 . The ice maker according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the control unit includes a first line to electrically connect one end of the ice mold to a power supply unit and a second line to connect another end of the ice mold to the power supply unit, and   the power interruption unit includes at least one switch to control a flow of current through the first line and at least one counter switch to control a flow of current through the second line, and   the locking unit includes a locking hook mounted on the case door to switch on the at least one switch and the at least one counter switch when the case door is closed.   
   
   
       5 . The ice maker according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the control unit includes a first line to electrically connect one end of the ice mold to a power supply unit and a second line to connect another end of the ice mold to the power supply unit, and   the power interruption unit includes at least one switching device to switch on and off both current through the first line and the second line, and   the locking unit includes a locking hook mounted on the case door to switch on the switching device when the case door is closed.   
   
   
       6 . The icemaker according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety unit includes a button switch mounted on the case to switch on and off a flow of electric current to the ice mold by being pushed and released when the case door is closed and opened. 
   
   
       7 . An icemaker comprising:
 an ice mold placed in a case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat, when electric current flows through the material, to perform an ice body separation;   a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and   A shield member surrounding the ice mold to prevent a user from touching the ice mold, the shield member configured to allow air to flow through.   
   
   
       8 . The icemaker according to  claim 7 , wherein the shield member includes
 a shield case to surround the ice mold, the shield case having a discharge port through which cool air flows and ice bodies, separated from the ice mold, are discharged, and   a shield cover for covering a top of the shield case to prevent the user from touching the ice mold, the shield cover configured to allow air to flow through.   
   
   
       9 . The icemaker according to  claim 8 , wherein the shield cover includes:
 a first shield cover to cover the top of the shield case, the first shield cover provided at one side thereof with an opening, through which cool air circulates, and   a second shield cover disposed below the first shield cover with a predetermined distance, the second shield cover provided at one side thereof with an opening that is formed at a position substantially not overlapping with the opening of the first shield cover.   
   
   
       10 . The icemaker according to  claim 8 , wherein the shield cover includes a plurality of holes, the holes small enough to prevent the user from touching the ice mold. 
   
   
       11 . The icemaker according to  claim 8 , wherein the shield cover includes:
 a first shield cover to cover top of the shield case, the first shield cover having a plurality of holes small enough to prevent the user from touching the ice mold; and   a second shield cover disposed below the first shield cover with a predetermined distance, the second shield cover having a plurality of holes.   
   
   
       12 . The icemaker according to  claim 10 , wherein the shield cover further includes louvers mounted to guide a flow of the cool air to the ice mold. 
   
   
       13 . The icemaker according to  claim 11 , wherein the shield cover further includes louvers mounted to guide a flow of the cool air to the ice mold. 
   
   
       14 . The icemaker according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a shield box surrounding the shield member to further prevent the user from touching the ice mold, the shield box having at least one hole through which cool air flows.   
   
   
       15 . An icemaker comprising:
 an ice mold placed in a case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat, when electric current flows through, to perform an ice body separation;   a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and   an insulation layer of an electrically insulating material coated on the ice mold.   
   
   
       16 . The icemaker according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shield member surrounding the ice mold to prevent a user from touching the ice mold, the shield member configured to allow air to flow through.   
   
   
       17 . The icemaker according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shield box to surround the ice mold to prevent a user from touching the ice mold, the shield box having at least one hole through which cool air flows.   
   
   
       18 . The icemaker according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an insulation layer of an electrically insulating material coated on the ice mold.   
   
   
       19 . The icemaker according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a power interruption unit connected to the control unit to interrupt a supply of the electric current to the ice mold.   
   
   
       20 . The icemaker according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an insulation layer of an electrically insulating material coated on the ice mold.   
   
   
       21 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a refrigerator body having a cold chamber;   a door to open and close the cold chamber; and   an icemaker placed in the cold chamber, wherein the icemaker comprises:
 an ice mold made of a material that generates heat, when electric current flows through the material, to perform an ice body separation; 
 a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to control the separation of ice bodies from the ice mold; and 
 at least one of a power interruption unit to interrupt the supply of the electric current to the ice mold, a shield member surrounding the ice mold to prevent a user from touching the ice mold, and an insulation layer of an electrically insulating material coated on the ice mold. 
   
   
   
       22 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a refrigerator body having a cold chamber;   a door to open and close the cold chamber; and   an icemaker placed in the cold chamber, wherein the icemaker comprises:
 a case having an open chamber; 
 a case door mounted to the case to open and close the open chamber; 
 a locking unit to lock the case door to the case; 
 an ice mold place in the case, the ice mold made of a material that generates heat, when electric current flows through the material, to perform an ice body separation; 
 a control unit to control a supply of electric current to the ice mold to perform the ice body separation; and 
 a safety unit to interrupt the supply of the electric current to the ice mold when the case door is opened.