Dispenser module and refrigerator including the same

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a dispenser module and a refrigerator including the same, which are capable of preventing ice from being scattered around the refrigerator, and ensures that ice is only discharged using a specified route. A dispenser module is disclosed, including a dispenser body having a discharge port, a guide wall formed along an edge of the dispenser body so as to protrude from the dispenser body, an ice cap mounted to the guide wall and configured to be rotated by a drive unit to open or close a movement route through which ice is moved toward the discharge port. The dispenser module further includes a push lever having an end mounted to the dispenser body and extending away from the guide wall, and a switch configured to control an operation of the drive unit by sensing a rotation of the push lever.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ice dispenser for a refrigerator, the ice dispenser comprising:
 a dispenser body comprising a discharge port;   a guide wall disposed on an edge of the dispenser body and protruding outward from the dispenser body;   a rotatable ice cap mounted on the guide wall, wherein the rotatable ice cap is rotated by a drive unit, and wherein rotation of the rotatable ice cap selectively opens a route through which ice is operable to be moved to the discharge port;   a push lever comprising a first end portion rotatably mounted on the dispenser body, and a second end portion extending away from the guide wall; and   a switch configured to activate the drive unit when the push lever is manipulated.   
     
     
         2 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein activating the drive unit causes ice to be dispensed. 
     
     
         3 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the guide wall is disposed on at least a portion of the edge of the dispenser body and extends upward, wherein an upper end of the guide wall is disposed above the rotatable ice cap. 
     
     
         4 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the guide wall comprises: a first sidewall disposed at a first side of the rotatable ice cap; a second sidewall disposed at a second side of the rotatable ice cap; and a rear wall interconnecting the sidewalls, wherein the rear wall faces the rotatable ice cap, and wherein the first side and second side are opposite sides. 
     
     
         5 . The ice dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the rotatable ice cap comprises a shaft mounted to the sidewalls and a stopper connected to the shaft and configured to open or close a movement route connected to the discharge port. 
     
     
         6 . The ice dispenser of  claim 5 , further comprising an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is configured to provide a restoration force to the rotatable ice cap and is mounted to a first end of the shaft, and wherein the drive unit is mounted to a second end of the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The ice dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the rotatable ice cap comprises an end configured to contact an inner surface of the rear wall when the rotatable ice cap is rotated. 
     
     
         8 . A dispenser module, the dispenser module comprising:
 a dispenser body comprising a discharge port;   a guide wall disposed on an edge of the dispenser body and protruding away from the dispenser body;   a hinged ice cap mounted to the guide wall using a hinge and operable to be rotated by a drive unit;   a hinged push lever comprising: a first end mounted to the dispenser body using a hinge; and a second end extending outward from the guide wall; and   a switch configured to activate the drive unit when a manipulation of the push lever is detected,   wherein the guide wall is disposed on at least a portion of the edge of the dispenser body and extends upward, and wherein an upper end of the guide wall is disposed above the hinged ice cap.   
     
     
         9 . The dispenser module of  claim 8 , wherein activating the drive unit causes ice to be dispensed. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser module of  claim 8 , wherein the hinged push lever is separated from the dispenser body by a gap. 
     
     
         11 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a refrigerator main body;   a refrigerator door mounted to the refrigerator main body and configured to rotate for selectively opening and closing the refrigerator main body;   a dispenser module comprising a switch, wherein the dispenser module is disposed within the refrigerator door; and   an ice maker disposed within the refrigerator main body configured to produce ice and supply the ice to the dispenser module in response to a signal transmitted from the switch.   
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , further comprising a push lever mounted to the refrigerator door for activating the switch, wherein at least a portion of the push lever is exposed outside of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 12 , further comprising: a guide wall disposed on an edge of the dispenser module; and
 an ice cap mounted to the guide wall, wherein an upper end of the guide wall extends upward above the ice cap.   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the guide wall comprises: a first sidewall disposed at a first side of the ice cap; a second sidewall disposed at a second side of the ice cap; and a rear wall interconnecting the sidewalls, wherein the rear wall faces the ice cap, and wherein the first side and the second side are opposite sides. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the ice cap is rotatable and comprises: a shaft mounted to the first and second sidewalls; and a stopper connected to the shaft and configured to open and close a movement route for ice. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator of  claim 15 , further comprising: an elastic member configured to provide a restoration force to the ice cap mounted to a first end of the shaft; and a drive unit mounted to a second end of the shaft, wherein the drive unit rotates the ice cap to dispense ice. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the ice cap comprises an end that contacts an inner surface of the rear wall when the ice cap is rotated. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the ice cap is mounted to the guide wall using a hinge and comprises a stopper configured to open and close a movement route for ice.