Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a first tray assembly defining a 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 configured to control the heater. The refrigerator further includes a pusher having a first edge pressing the ice or at least one of the first and second tray assemblies to 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. The second tray assembly includes a first coupling part connected to the pusher and a second coupling part connected to the driver. 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.

1 . An ice maker comprising:
 a cell in which a liquid is phase-changed into ice;   a tray configured to define at least a portion of the cell;   a tray case having a portion configured to surround the tray;   a pusher including at least one column configured to separate the ice from the cell and; and   a link coupled to the pusher,   wherein the tray case includes a link connection part to which the link is coupled and a spring coupling part to which a spring is coupled.   
     
     
         2 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the tray case includes a tray support configured to support at least a portion of the tray, and
 the tray support includes the link connection part and the spring connection part.   
     
     
         3 . The ice maker of  claim 2 , wherein the tray supporter includes a support body configured to define a space to accommodate at least a portion of the tray, and an extension wall extending from the support body, and
 wherein the link connection part is protruded from the extension wall.   
     
     
         4 . The ice maker of  claim 2 , wherein the tray supporter includes a support body configured to define a space to accommodate at least a portion of the tray, and an extension wall extending from the support body, and
 wherein the spring coupling part is protruded from the extension wall.   
     
     
         5 . The ice maker of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the link connection part or the spring connection part is protruded from the tray support. 
     
     
         6 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , further comprising an arm connected to the spring, and
 wherein the link connection part is a separate component to the arm.   
     
     
         7 . The ice maker of  claim 2 , wherein the tray case further includes a tray cover configured to surround at least a portion of the tray. 
     
     
         8 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the tray includes a first tray configured to define a first portion of the cell, and a second tray configured to define a second portion of the cell. 
     
     
         9 . The ice maker of  claim 8 , wherein the tray case includes a portion configured to surround the second tray. 
     
     
         10 . The ice maker of  claim 8 , wherein the tray case includes a portion in contact with the second tray. 
     
     
         11 . The ice maker of  claim 8 , wherein the tray case includes a tray support and a tray cover, and
 wherein the tray support includes the link connection part and the spring connection part.   
     
     
         12 . The ice maker of  claim 11 , wherein the tray cover includes a portion is positioned closer to the first tray than the tray supporter. 
     
     
         13 . The ice maker of  claim 8 , wherein when the second tray is at an ice making position, the link connection part is positioned closer to the second tray than the first tray. 
     
     
         14 . The ice maker of  claim 8 , wherein when the second tray is at an ice making position, the first tray and the second tray are arranged in a first direction, and
 wherein a distance between a portion of the spring connection part and the first tray in the first direction is greater than a radius of the cell.   
     
     
         15 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the link includes a first connection part coupled to the pusher, a second connection part coupled to the link connection part, and a link body having a portion extended from the first connection part toward the second connection part. 
     
     
         16 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet including a storage chamber;   a door that opens and closes the storage chamber; and   the ice maker of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         17 . An ice maker comprising:
 a cell in which a liquid is phase-changed into ice;   a tray assembly configured to define at least a portion of the cell;   a pusher including at least one column configured to separate the ice from the cell and; and   a link coupled to the pusher,   wherein the tray assembly includes a link connection part to which the link is coupled and a spring coupling part to which a spring is coupled,   wherein the link includes a portion that overlaps the cell in one direction.   
     
     
         18 . The ice maker of  claim 17 , wherein the cell includes a first cell and a second cell, the first cell and the second cell being arranged in the one direction. 
     
     
         19 . The ice maker of  claim 18 , wherein the tray includes a first tray configured to define a first portion of the cell, and a second tray configured to define a second portion of the cell, the first tray and the second tray being arranged in a first direction crossing the one direction. 
     
     
         20 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet including a storage chamber;   a door that opens and closes the storage chamber; and   the ice maker of  claim 17 .