Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a first tray assembly to define one portion of an ice making cell, a second tray assembly to define another portion of the ice making cell, a heater disposed adjacent to at least one of the first or second tray assemblies, and a controller configured to control the heater. The refrigerator further includes a pusher including a first edge having a surface pressing the ice or at least one of the first and second tray assemblies to easily separate the ice from the tray assemblies, a bar extending from the first edge, and a second edge disposed at the end of the bar; and a pusher link having a connection part connected to the pusher. The controller controls at least one of the pusher or the second tray assembly to move and to change a relative position between the pusher and the second tray assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ice maker comprising:
 a first tray assembly, the first tray assembly including a first tray and a first tray case;   a second tray assembly, the second tray assembly including a second tray and a second tray case;   a cell in which liquid is phase-changed into ice, the first tray defining a first portion of the cell and the second tray defining a second portion of the cell;   a driver including a motor;   a first pusher including a first edge having a surface configured to press at least one of the ice, the first tray assembly, or the second tray assembly to separate the ice from at least one of the first tray assembly or the second tray assembly, a column extending from the first edge,   a link configured to connect the first pusher to the driver, the link including a first end coupled to the first pusher and a second end coupled to the driver,   wherein the second tray assembly is configured to move relative to the first tray assembly between a first position and a second position,   wherein at least one of the first pusher or the second tray assembly moves to change a position of the first pusher relative to the second tray assembly, and   wherein a portion of the link is disposed at different positions in a horizontal direction, respectively, when the second tray assembly is at the first position and at the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the first position is a liquid supply position and the second position is an ice making position, a liquid supply being started when the second tray assembly moves to the liquid supply position, and an ice making being started when the second tray assembly moves to the ice making position. 
     
     
         3 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the first position is an ice separation position and the second position is a liquid supply position, the second tray assembly moves to the ice separation position after an ice making is completed, and a liquid supply being started when the second tray assembly moves to the liquid supply position. 
     
     
         4 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the first position is an ice making position and the second position is an ice separation position, an ice making being started when the second tray assembly moves to the ice making position, and the second tray assembly moves to the ice separation position after the ice making is completed. 
     
     
         5 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray case includes the first tray supporter and the first tray cover. 
     
     
         6 . The ice maker of  claim 5 , wherein the first tray supporter and the first tray cover are integrally provided, or coupled to each other after being manufactured in separate configurations. 
     
     
         7 . The ice maker of  claim 5 , further comprising a bracket defining at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray assembly and the second tray assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The ice maker of  claim 7 , wherein the first tray cover is manufactured as a separate part from the bracket and then is coupled to the bracket, or integrally formed with the bracket. 
     
     
         9 . An ice maker comprising:
 a first tray assembly, the first tray assembly including a first tray and a first tray case;   a second tray assembly, the second tray assembly including a second tray and a second tray case;   a cell in which liquid is phase-changed into ice, the first tray defining a first portion of the cell and the second tray defining a second portion of the cell;   a driver including a motor;   a first pusher including a first edge having a surface configured to press at least one of the ice, the first tray assembly, or the second tray assembly to separate the ice from at least one of the first tray assembly or the second tray assembly, a column extending from the first edge,   a link configured to connect the first pusher to the driver, the link including a first end coupled to the first pusher and a second end coupled to the driver,   wherein the second tray assembly is configured to move relative to the first tray assembly between a first position and a second position,   wherein at least one of the first pusher or the second tray assembly moves to change a position of the first pusher relative to the second tray assembly,   wherein the ice maker further comprises a guide including a housing configured to provide a path for a movement of the link, the housing including a first wall and a second wall extending in a different direction from the first wall,   wherein a portion of the link is positioned at a third position in the housing when the second tray assembly is at the first position, and the portion of the link is positioned at a fourth position in the housing when the second tray assembly is at the second position, and   wherein the third position in the housing is different from the fourth position in the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The ice maker of  claim 9 , wherein the housing is provided as a shape of a slot. 
     
     
         11 . The ice maker of  claim 9 , wherein the first position is a liquid supply position and the second position is an ice making position, a liquid supply being started when the second tray assembly moves to the liquid supply position, and an ice making being started when the second tray assembly moves to the ice making position. 
     
     
         12 . The ice maker of  claim 9 , wherein the first position is an ice separation position and the second position is a liquid supply position, the second tray assembly moves to the ice separation position after the ice making is completed, and a liquid supply being started when the second tray assembly moves to the liquid supply position. 
     
     
         13 . The ice maker of  claim 9 , wherein the first position is an ice making position and the second position is an ice separation position, an ice making being started when the second tray assembly moves to the ice making position, and the second tray assembly moves to the ice separation position after the ice making is completed. 
     
     
         14 . The ice maker of  claim 9 , wherein the first tray case includes the first tray supporter and the first tray cover. 
     
     
         15 . The ice maker of  claim 14 , wherein the first tray supporter and the first tray cover are integrally provided, or coupled to each other after being manufactured in separate configurations. 
     
     
         16 . The ice maker of  claim 14 , further comprising a bracket defining at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray assembly and the second tray assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The ice maker of  claim 16 , wherein the first tray cover is manufactured as a separate part from the bracket and then is coupled to the bracket, or integrally formed with the bracket. 
     
     
         18 . The ice maker of  claim 9 , wherein the third position in the housing is different from the fourth position in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         19 . The ice maker of  claim 9 , wherein the guide is formed as a separate component to the first tray. 
     
     
         20 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a storage chamber; and   an ice maker of  claim 1 .