Refrigerator with icemaker

Abstract

A refrigerator with an icemaker ( 100 ) is disclosed, having an improved structure for supplying ice to a user of the outside through a dispenser ( 30 ) provided in a door ( 25 ), which includes a dispenser ( 30 ) provided in a door ( 25 ); an icemaker ( 100 ) for making ice by using a cool air of a freezer; a container ( 200 ) for receiving and storing the ice discharged from the icemaker; and a lifter ( 300 ) provided between the dispenser and the container, for lifting the ice stored in the container to the dispenser.

1 . A refrigerator having an icemaker comprising:
 a dispenser provided in a door;   an icemaker for making ice by using a cool air of a freezer;   a container for receiving and storing the ice discharged from the icemaker; and   a lifter provided between the dispenser and the container, for lifting the ice stored in the container to the dispenser, wherein the lifter includes:
 a shaft rotatably provided between the container and the dispenser; and 
 a helical blade provided on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft, for being rotated together with the shaft to lift the ice stored in the container to the dispenser; and 
   a crusher assembly provided between the icemaker and the dispenser, to crush the ice made by the icemaker, the crushed ice to be supplied to the dispenser.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the freezer is positioned in a lower part of the refrigerator, and a cooling chamber is positioned in an upper part of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the door is provided to open and close the cooling chamber positioned above the freezer. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the icemaker includes:
 an ice tray for receiving water therein; and   an ejector rotatably provided above the ice tray, for discharging the ice of the ice tray.   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the container is positioned below the ice tray, and has an open top for receiving the ice dropped from the icemaker. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the lifter is extended from the cooling chamber to the freezer. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a duct for forming a path of ice, transported by the lifter, between the dispenser and the container. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a duct that extends from the cooling chamber to the freezer, to form a path of ice transported by the lifter. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the crusher assembly comprises:
 an auxiliary container for storing the ice transported by the lifter; and   at least one crushing blade, rotatably provided in the auxiliary container, to crush the ice.   
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the crusher assembly is provided between the lifter and the dispenser, to crush the ice transported by the lifter. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the crusher assembly further comprises an ice-discharging device for selectively discharging the appropriate amount of ice. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the ice-discharging device comprises:
 a shutter provided in the auxiliary container, for opening and closing an outlet provided at one side of the auxiliary container so as to supply the crushed ice to the dispenser; and   an actuator connected with the shutter to control the extent of opening the outlet.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the crusher assembly further comprises:
 a housing positioned above the outlet inside the auxiliary container;   a shaft horizontally provided in the housing for mounting the at least one crushing blade thereon; and   a supporter provided in the housing to support the shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the crusher assembly further comprises a transport device provided in the auxiliary container to transport the ice stored in the auxiliary container to the outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the transport device is formed in a helical shape, for being across the inside of the auxiliary container.