Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a first tray assembly defining one portion of an ice making cell, a second tray assembly defining another portion of the ice making cell, a heater disposed adjacent to at least one of the first and second tray assemblies, and a controller to control the heater. The refrigerator further includes a pusher including a first edge having a surface pressing at least one of the ice or the first and second tray assemblies to separate the ice from the tray assemblies, a bar extending from the first edge, a second edge disposed at the end of the bar, and a guide connection part. The controller moves at least one of the pusher and the second tray assembly to change a relative position between the pusher and the second tray assembly. The refrigerator further includes a guide slot providing a movement path of the guide connection part.

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; and   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,   wherein the first pusher further comprises a guide connection section connected with 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 a position of the guide connection section is controlled to correspond to a position of the first pusher, and   wherein the guide connection section 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 an 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 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the column includes a first column and a second column that is spaced apart from the first column,
 wherein the first pusher includes a connection part configured to connect the first column and the second column; and the guide connection section is formed in the connection part, and   wherein the guide connection section is disposed not to contact the first tray.   
     
     
         10 . 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,   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 first pusher, the housing including a first wall and a second wall extending in a different direction from the first wall,   wherein a portion of the first pusher is positioned at a third position in the housing when the second tray assembly is at a first position, and the portion of the first pusher is positioned at a fourth position in the housing when the second tray assembly is at a second position, and   wherein the third position in the housing is different from the fourth position in the housing.   
     
     
         11 . The ice maker of  claim 10 , wherein the housing is provided as a shape of a slot. 
     
     
         12 . The ice maker of  claim 10 , 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. 
     
     
         13 . The ice maker of  claim 10 , 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. 
     
     
         14 . The ice maker of  claim 10 , 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 an ice making is completed. 
     
     
         15 . The ice maker of  claim 10 , wherein the first tray case includes the first tray supporter and the first tray cover. 
     
     
         16 . The ice maker of  claim 15 , 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 10 , wherein the third position in the housing is different from the fourth position in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         19 . The ice maker of  claim 10 , 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 .