Refrigerator and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator, comprising a main body having a food storage space therein, a casing disposed in the storage space, the casing having a space for producing ice, and an ice tray provided in the casing and configured to contain water for producing ice, wherein the casing comprises a first outer frame and a second outer frame that are configured to form an appearance of the casing, an inner frame provided between the first outer frame and the second outer frame, and an L-shaped thermal insulation frame configured to fill a space between the inner frame and the first outer frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a main body comprising a food storage space;   a casing disposed in the storage space, the casing comprising a space for producing ice; and   an ice tray disposed in the casing and configured to contain water for producing ice,   wherein the casing comprises:   a first outer frame and a second outer frame;   an inner frame provided between the first outer frame and the second outer frame; and   an L-shaped thermal insulation frame configured to reside within a space between the inner frame and the first outer frame.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an ice bucket disposed below the ice tray and configured to receive ice dropped from the ice tray; and   an outlet port through which the ice is removed from the ice bucket, wherein the outlet port is connected to a first end of the casing, and wherein a cold air supply port is installed on a second end of the casing and configured to supply cold air from a cooling unit.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a transfer system configured to transfer the ice to the outlet port.   
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein a heater is installed on the first end of the casing. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the casing is installed in close contact with the main body of the refrigerator; and   a sealing membrane is provided on at least one edge of the first and second outer frames, wherein said membrane is disposed in contact with the main body of the refrigerator.   
     
     
         6 . A method for manufacturing a refrigerator, the method comprising:
 preparing a first outer frame configured to form a portion of an outer surface of a casing, the casing comprising a cooling space for an ice machine;   installing a heater on an end of the first outer frame;   installing a thermal insulation frame having an L-shaped cross-section inside the first outer frame;   installing an inner frame on the thermal insulation frame;   coupling a second outer frame to the first outer frame, the second outer frame being configured to form a remaining portion of the outer surface of the casing; and   installing a sealing membrane on at least one edge of the first and second outer frames, wherein said membrane is brought into contact with the main body of the refrigerator when the casing is installed in the refrigerator.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, after installing the inner frame,
 installing an ice-making system comprising:   an ice tray configured to contain water therein;   an ice bucket configured to receive ice dropped from the ice tray;   an outlet port through which the ice is removed from the ice bucket;   and a transfer system configured to transfer the ice toward the outlet port.   
     
     
         8 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a main body comprising a food storage space;   a casing disposed in the storage space, the casing comprising a space for producing ice; and   an ice tray disposed in the casing and configured to contain water for producing ice,   wherein the casing comprises:   a first outer frame and a second outer frame;   an inner frame provided between the first outer frame and the second outer frame; and   a thermal insulation frame configured to fill a space between the inner frame and the first outer frame.   
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an ice bucket disposed below the ice tray and configured to receive ice dropped from the ice tray; and   an outlet port through which the ice is removed from the ice bucket, wherein the outlet port is connected to a first end of the casing, and wherein a cold air supply port is installed on a second end of the casing and configured to supply cold air from a cooling unit.   
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a transfer system configured to transfer the ice to the outlet port.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein a heater is installed on the first end of the casing. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the casing is installed in close contact with the main body of the refrigerator; and   a sealing membrane is provided on at least one edge of the first and second outer frames, wherein said membrane is disposed in contact with the main body of the refrigerator.