Ice selector apparatus and method

Abstract

Embodiments include ice selector devices and methods. In one embodiment, an ice selector operates to crush ice in a refrigerator with relatively low operating noise. In one embodiment, a refrigerator ice selector, comprises: a motor portion configured to rotate a shaft; a reducer configured to be coupled to the motor portion; a connecting rod portion coupled to the reducer, the connecting rod configured to perform a linear reciprocating motion depending on a rotating direction of the shaft; and a lever portion having one side coupled to the connecting rod portion and the other side coupled to a connection member of an ice crusher, the lever portion configured to provide an external force to the connection member depending on a force from the connecting rod portion. The motor portion can be a DC motor which includes a shaft that can rotate two different directions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator ice selector, comprising:
 a motor portion configured to rotate a shaft;   a reducer configured to be coupled to the motor portion;   a connecting rod portion coupled to the reducer, the connecting rod configured to perform a linear reciprocating motion depending on a rotating direction of the shaft; and   a lever portion having one side coupled to the connecting rod portion and the other side coupled to a connection member of an ice crusher, the lever portion configured to provide an external force to the connection member depending on a force from the connecting rod portion.   
     
     
         2 . The ice selector of  claim 1 , wherein the motor portion is a DC motor which includes a shaft that can rotate two different directions. 
     
     
         3 . The ice selector of  claim 1 , wherein the reducer includes:
 a worm gear portion formed on a rotating shaft of the motor portion;   a first gear portion coupled to the worm gear portion, the first gear portion configured to rotate depending on force from the worm gear portion;   a second gear portion coupled to the first gear portion, the second gear portion configured to move based upon a force from the first gear portion, second gear portion having a diameter lager than that of the first gear portion; and   a rack gear portion formed at one side of the connecting rod portion, the rack gear configured to be supplied with a force from the second gear portion and include a rack gear portion.   
     
     
         4 . The ice selector of  claim 3 , wherein the first gear portion includes:
 a first driven gear coupled to the worm gear portion; and   a driving gear coupled to the first driven gear, the driving gear configured to rotate with the first driven gear.   
     
     
         5 . The ice selector of  claim 4 , wherein the second gear portion includes:
 a second driven gear coupled to the driving gear; and   a pinion gear coupled to the second driven gear and the rack gear portion, the pinion gear configure to rotate with the second driven gear.   
     
     
         6 . The ice selector of  claim 5 , wherein the driving gear has a substantially equal or smaller diameter size than that of the first driven gear, the second driven gear has a diameter larger than that of the driving gear, and the pinion gear has a substantially equal or smaller diameter size than that of the second driven gear. 
     
     
         7 . The ice selector of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion includes a connection groove in which the connection member is fitted. 
     
     
         8 . A method of crushing ice comprising:
 selectively operating a motor causing a shaft to rotate in a first direction or a second direction;   introducing a difference between a first speed and a first torque at which a first gear coupled to the shaft rotates and a second speed and second torque at which a second gear rotates, the first gear coupled to the second gear,   moving a support member of an ice crusher in accordance with rotation of the second gear; and   crushing ice in accordance with the selective operation of the motor.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the motor is a DC motor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising an ice selector process including:
 receiving a rotational first force from the shaft; 
 translating the rotational first force to a rotational second force; and 
 converting the rotational second force into a rotational third force; wherein the rotational second force is generated at a greater rotational speed and lower torque than the rotational third force; and 
 transforming the rotational third force into a linear fourth force. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein force from the shaft is translated into a force of the first gear. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the converting include converting the second force into the third force, wherein a first rotation speed and torque associated with the second force and a second rotation speed and torque associated with the third force are different. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  Wherein the converting include creating a difference in a first rotational speed and first torque associated with the first gear compared to a second rotational speed and second torque associated with the second gear. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the size of the first gear portion can different from the size of the second gear portion. 
     
     
         15 . A reducer includes:
 a worm gear portion formed on a rotating shaft of the motor portion;   a first gear portion coupled to the worm gear portion, the first gear portion configured to rotate depending on force from the worm gear portion;   a second gear portion coupled to the first gear portion, the second gear portion configured to move based upon a force from the first gear portion, second gear portion having a diameter lager than that of the first gear portion; and   a rack gear portion formed at one side of the connecting rod portion, the rack gear configured to be supplied with a force from the second gear portion and include a rack gear portion.   
     
     
         16 . The reducer of  claim 15 , wherein the first gear portion includes:
 a first driven gear coupled to the worm gear portion; and   a driving gear coupled to the first driven gear, the driving gear configured to rotate with the first driven gear.   
     
     
         17 . The reducer of  claim 16 , wherein the second gear portion includes:
 a second driven gear coupled to the driving gear; and   a pinion gear coupled to the second driven gear and the rack gear portion, the pinion gear configure to rotate with the second driven gear.   
     
     
         18 . The reducer of  claim 17 , wherein the driving gear has a substantially equal or smaller diameter size than that of the first driven gear, the second driven gear has a diameter larger than that of the driving gear, and the pinion gear has a substantially equal or smaller diameter size than that of the second driven gear. 
     
     
         19 . The reducer of  claim 15 , wherein the lever portion includes a connection groove in which the connection member is fitted.