WO2009017285A1

WO2009017285A1 - Dispenser assembly for refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2009017285A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005997
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyung Han Jeong; Wook Yong Lee
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2007-07-31
Filing date: 2007-11-26
Publication date: 2009-02-05
Also published as: KR101275945B1; KR20090012683A

Abstract

The dispenser assembly for refrigerator is capable of driving a duct cap using a relatively simple mechanical configuration without a pricey solenoid as driving means of a duct cap for opening and closing a chute, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and yet improving the productivity. The dispenser assembly for refrigerator can solve the disadvantages that degrade the refrigerating efficiency of a refrigerator caused by a solenoid that pulls an armature using a magnetic force generating magnetic field by applying an electric power to the coil, where the armature generates a metallic frictional noise and the solenoid generates a significant amount of electrical noise in operation due to saturation of magnetic field generated in the course of electrical conduction, and heat generated by electrical power applied to an inner coil of the solenoid causes thermal deformation of constituent elements comprising the dispenser, and decrease the refrigerating efficiency of a refrigerator.

Description

Description DISPENSER ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATOR

Technical Field

[1] The present disclosure relates to a dispenser assembly for refrigerator, and more particularly to a dispenser assembly for refrigerator capable of driving a duct cap through a relatively simple mechanical configuration unlike that of the conventional techniques employed with a pricey solenoid as driving means of a duct cap for opening and closing a chute which is an ice transport passage, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and yet improving the productivity.

[2]

Background Art

[3] Concomitant with the current trend of increasing the size of a refrigerator, conventional household refrigerators installed with a built-in ice maker are increasingly on the market. These refrigerators are installed therein with an ice maker capable of making ice cubes and the ice pieces, and an ice bank storing the ice cubes and ice pieces made from the ice maker.Through-the-door ice dispensers are usually provided at the refrigerators and such dispensers typically include an external discharge opening formed on a door of the refrigerator convenient for a user to fill a glass with ice without opening the door.

[4]

[5] As illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2, a door (D) of the refrigerator is provided with a niche for a dispenser unit (12) from which ice cubes or ice pieces (hereinafter referred to as ice) can be taken out without opening the door (D). An inner side of the refrigerator adjacent to the door (D) is installed with an ice bank (2) for storing the ice made from an ice maker (not shown), and the ice (I) is stored in the ice tank (2).

[6]

[7] The ice tank (2) is installed therein with a push member (4) for taking out the ice (I).

The push member (4) is rotated by a dispenser motor (M) disposed at a rear side of the ice tank (2) to transfer the ice to a chute (6) in communication with the dispenser unit (12). At a distal end toward the dispenser unit (12) of the chute (6), there is provided a duct cap (10) for opening and closing the chute (6) to receive the ice (I) when the chute (6) is opened.

[8]

[9] Now, structure in relation to the opening and closing of the chute (6) through the duct cap (10) will be described with reference to FIG.3. [11] An uppermost end portion of the duct cap (10) is connected to a lever (13), the rotation of which enables the duct cap (10) to open and close the chute (6). An operational projection (13a) disposed at one end of the lever (13) is rotated counterclockwise by an operational bar (1 Ia) of a solenoid (11) to rotate the duct cap (10) in association therewith and to open the chute (6). The lever (13) is resiliency supported at all times by a spring (15) toward a direction closing the chute (6).

[12]

[13] Now, an operational process of the conventional dispenser unit for refrigerator having the above-mentioned construction will be described.

[14]

[15] When a user pushes a predetermined container like a cup into the dispenser unit (12) and to push the lever (13) backward in order to take out the ice (I), a switch (8) is depressed and turned on (ON) as shown in FIG.l, whereby a dispenser motor (M) and the solenoid (11) are turned on at the same time.

[16]

[17] As a result, the push member (4) is rotated by the dispenser motor (M) to send the ice

(I) to the chute (6) side, and simultaneously to activate the solenoid (11), whereby the duct cap (10) is rotated to open the chute (6). The ice (I) taken out as a result of the operation is put into a container inside the dispenser unit (12) for use by a user.

[18]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[19] However, the conventional dispenser unit for refrigerator suffers from the following disadvantages.

[20]

[21] Since the dispenser unit employs a solenoid that pulls an armature by magnetic force generating magnetic field by applying an electric power to the coil, the armature generates a metallic frictional noise and the solenoid generates a significant amount of electrical noise in operation due to saturation of magnetic field generated in the course of electrical conduction. Another disadvantage is that heat generated by electrical power applied to an inner coil of the solenoid may cause thermal deformation of constituent elements comprising the dispenser, and decrease the refrigerating efficiency of a refrigerator.

[22]

[23] Still another disadvantage are that productivity decreases due to use of relatively high-priced element such as a solenoid, and exposure to outside of a switch for operating a dispenser motor causes disgracing the external look of a refrigerator. Still further disadvantage is that frequently depressed use of the switch causes foreign objects to be caught in a gap between the switch and the refrigerator, where the gap may become a hotbed of bacteria and a cause of erroneous operation.

[24]

[25] Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser assembly for refrigerator that substantially obviates one or more of the disadvantages due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[26]

[27] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dispenser assembly for refrigerator capable of driving a duct cap through a relatively simple mechanical configuration unlike that of the conventional techniques employed with a pricey solenoid as driving means of a duct cap for opening and closing a chute which is an ice transport passage, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and yet improving the productivity.

[28]

[29] Another object is to provide a dispenser assembly for refrigerator capable of substantially obviates various disadvantages caused by use of a solenoid.

[30]

[31] Still another object is to provide a dispenser assembly for refrigerator capable of installing a driving switch of a dispenser motor inside a refrigerator door lest the switch should be exposed to outside of the refrigerator, substantially obviating disadvantages due to limitations of the prior art such as disgraceful external appearance created by exposure of the switch to the outside of the refrigerator and foreign objects being caught in a gap between the switch and the refrigerator due to frequently depressed use of the switch that causes the gap to become a hotbed of bacteria and a cause of erroneous operation.

[32]

Technical Solution

[33] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present disclosure, as implemented and broadly described herein, in one general aspect, a dispenser assembly for refrigerator including an ice making room, an ice tank for storing ice made from the ice making room, a push member for transferring the ice to a chute, and a dispenser motor for driving the push member, the dispenser assembly characterized by a main bracket installed at a refrigerator door; a lever rotatably connected via a lever rotation axis to one side of the main bracket; a lever linkage connected to the lever rotation axis and installed with a rack rotating with the lever when the lever is rotated; a duct cap rotatably connected via a duct cap rotation axis to the other side of the main bracket to open and close the chute; a duct cap linkage connected to the duct cap rotation axis for rotating the duct cap by being rotated by push operation of the lever linkage when the lever is rotated; a coil spring connected to the duct cap rotation axis for applying resilience to cause the duct cap to close the chute; and a damper connected to the rack to perform a cushioning operation for rotation of the duct cap only when the duct cap is rotated to a direction closing the chute.

[34]

[35] Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following features.

[36]

[37] The damper may include a first gear meshed with the rack, a second gear connected to the first gear via a gear axis; a one-way bearing so configured as to allow the second gear to rotate only to a predetermined direction, and a decelerating gear meshed with the second gear.

[38]

[39] The dispenser assembly may further include a dispenser motor driving switch installed at one side of the main bracket for applying a driving signal to the dispenser motor, and a switch driving piece installed at a distal end of the lever rotation axis for being rotated along with the lever when the lever is rotated to turn on/off the dispenser motor driving switch.

[40] The dispenser assembly may further include an auxiliary coil spring supported at one side thereof by one side of the lever linkage and supported at the other side thereof by one side of the main bracket.

[41] The dispenser motor driving switch may be a micro switch.

[42] The duct cap may be further disposed at an upper surface thereof with a chute sealing member for sealing the chute.

[43] The chute may have a curved shape bent toward the downward direction.

[44] The duct cap linkage may have a curved shape bent toward the upward direction.

Advantageous Effects

[45] The dispenser assembly (100) for refrigerator is capable of driving a duct cap (130) using a relatively simple mechanical configuration unlike that of the conventional techniques employed with a pricey solenoid as driving means of a duct cap for opening and closing a chute (6), thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and yet improving the productivity. The dispenser assembly for refrigerator therefore can solve the disadvantages that degrade the refrigerating efficiency of a refrigerator caused by a solenoid that pulls an armature using a magnetic force generating magnetic field by applying an electric power to the coil, where the armature generates a metallic frictional noise and the solenoid generates a significant amount of electrical noise in operation due to saturation of magnetic field generated in the course of electrical conduction, and heat generated by electrical power applied to an inner coil of the solenoid causes thermal deformation of constituent elements comprising the dispenser, and decrease the refrigerating efficiency of a refrigerator.

[46]

[47] The second gear (154b) connected to the decelerating gear (158) of the damper (150) is connected to the gear axis (152) via the one-way bearing (156) to be rotated to a predetermined direction only, such that when the lever (120) is pushed by a vessel such as a cup (C) to rotate backward, the second gear (154b) is not affected by the rotation of the first gear (154a) due to operation of the one-way bearing (156) even if the first gear (154a) is rotated counterclockwise by the rack (124a) rotating in association therewith, thereby enabling to maintain a no-rotation status.

[48]

[49] In other words, reaction force caused by the cushioning action of the damper (150) is not received when a user pushes the lever (120) backwards using the cup (C). However, conversely, the second gear (154b) is also rotated counterclockwise when the user retrieves the cup (C) to remove external force applied to the damper (120) and the first gear (154a) is rotated clockwise, such that the decelerating gear (158) meshed therewith is also cooperatively rotated to decelerate the rotation of the first gear (154a) and the second gear (154b) to the advantage of cushioning action in which the rotation of the duct cap (130) is slowed to a direction closing the chute (6).

[50]

[51] The disposition inside the refrigerator door (D) of dispenser motor driving switch

(160) for operating the dispenser motor (M) instead of exposure to outside of the refrigerator door (D) prevents the refrigerator from being disgraced by the bad external look, and from becoming a hotbed of bacteria caused by foreign objects caught in a gap between the switch and the refrigerator and from becoming a cause of erroneous operation resultant from frequently-depressed use of the switch.

[52]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[53] FIG.1 is an exemplary structural cross-sectional view of a conventional dispenser for refrigerator.

[54] FIG.2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a conventional ice tank in which ice is transferred.

[55] FIG.3 is an exemplary perspective view of principal structure in a conventional dispenser for refrigerator.

[56] FIG.4 is a partially structured perspective view of dispenser assembly for refrigerator according to an exemplary implementation of the instant disclosure.

[57] FIG.5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dispenser assembly installed in a refrigerator according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[58] FIGS.6 to 8 are enlarged views of principal parts in FIG.5 for explaining an operational state of a dispenser assembly for a refrigerator according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[59]

Mode for the Invention

[60] Reference will now be made in detail to specific implementations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. FIG.4 is a partially structured perspective view of dispenser assembly for refrigerator according to an exemplary implementation of the instant disclosure, FIG.5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dispenser assembly installed in a refrigerator according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, and FIGS.6 to 8 are enlarged views of principal parts in FIG.5 for explaining an operational state of a dispenser assembly for a refrigerator according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[61]

[62] Referring to FIGS.4 and 5, a dispenser assembly (100) for refrigerator according to the present disclosure may be applied to a refrigerator that includes an ice tank (2) for storing ice made from the ice making room (not shown), a push member (4) for transferring the ice to a chute (6), and a dispenser motor (M) for driving the push member (4). The dispenser assembly (100) (whose principal parts are installed in a main bracket (110) having a roughly inverse "L"-shaped cross-section) is disposed at an upper end of a dispenser (102) formed at a refrigerator door (D). The main bracket (110) is formed at one distal upper end thereof with a fastening protrusion (112) for fastening the main bracket (110) to the upper end of the dispenser (112).

[63]

[64] Now, some of the essential parts installed on the main bracket (110) will be described. The main bracket (110) is provided at one side thereof with a lever (120) rotatably connected via a lever rotation axis (122). The lever (120) is a member for pushing backward a vessel such as a cup containable of ice when a user takes out the ice. The lever rotation axis (122) is connected to a lever linkage (124) that rotates along with the lever (120) when the lever (120) is rotated. The lever linkage (124) is provided at one side thereof with a rack (124a), where the rack (124a) is integrally formed with the lever linkage (124) and where the rack (124a) is meshed with a first gear (154a) of a damper (150. described later). The rack (124a) has a curved shape bent toward the downward direction, and is formed thereon with teeth that mesh with those of the first gear (154a).

[65]

[66] Furthermore, an auxiliary coil spring (128) is provided, where one end of the auxiliary coil spring (128) is supported by one side of the lever linkage (124) and the other end of the auxiliary coil spring (128) is supported by the main bracket (128). The auxiliary coil spring (128) serves to assist a coil spring (136) that provides a resilient restoring force to a duct cap (130. described later) and also provides a resilient restoring force to the lever linkage (124). To be more specific, and as will be described later, the coil spring (136) not only provides a resilient restoring force to the duct cap (130) to close the chute (6), but also provides the resilient restoring force to the lever (120) to restore an initial state. The coil spring (136) may therefore suffer from the lost resilient force due to ageing caused by frequent uses.

[67]

[68] The dispenser assembly (100) for refrigerator according to the preseent disclosure adopts the aforementioned auxiliary coil spring (128) to supplement the lost resilient force of the coil spring (136) due to the ageing caused by the frequent uses of coil spring (136). In other words, the duct cap (130) incompletely closes the chute (6) to allow the cooling air to escape the refrigerator, thereby preventing the efficiency of the refrigerator from being degraded.

[69]

[70] The main bracket (110) is also provided at one side thereof with the duct cap (130) for opening/closing the chute (6) communicating with the ice tank (2) by being rotataby connected via a duct cap rotation axis (132). The duct cap (130) is made of insulation material, such that the cooling air inside the chute (6) can be properly maintained while the chute (6) is closed.

[71]

[72] The duct cap (130) is provided thereon with a chute sealing member (131) for sealing the chute (6) by being closely contacted with a distal end contacting surface of the chute (6). The chute sealing member (131) is preferably made of material having excellent insulation and flexibility characteristics so as to completely contact the distal end contacting surface of the chute (6). Polyurethane may be the material suitable for the chute sealing member (131) that has the excellent insulation, adhesion, workability and flexibility characteristics.

[73]

[74] The duct cap rotation axis (132) is provided with a duct cap linkage (134). The lever linkage (124) rotates the duct cap linkage (134) through the pushing action. The rotating duct cap linkage (134) rotates the duct cap (130) as a result of rotation thereof. The duct cap linkage (134) has a curved shape bent toward the upward direction. The reason of the duct cap linkage (134) having a curved shape bent toward the upward direction is to allow the duct cap linkage (134) to easily rotate by effectively receiving a little pushing of the lever linkage (124), and to have a small rotational radius relative to the same length, thereby making it possible to miniaturize an entire module of the dispenser assembly (100).

[75]

[76] The duct cap rotation axis (132) is also formed with a coil spring (136) for providing a resilient restoring force to the duct cap (130) such that the chute (6) can be closed by the duct cap (130). Meanwhile, the dispenser assembly (100) is provided a damper (150) connected to the rack (124a) to perform a cushioning operation for rotation of the duct cap (130) only when the duct cap (130) is rotated to a direction closing the chute (6).

[77]

[78] The damper (150) includes a first gear (154a) meshed with the rack (124a), a second gear (154b) connected to the first gear (154a) via a gear axis (152); a one-way bearing (156) so configured as to allow the second gear (154b) to rotate only to a predetermined direction, and a decelerating gear (158) meshed with the second gear (154b).

[79]

[80] The gear axis (152) is rotatably fastened at one end thereof to one side of a damper bracket (151) and receives supports from an auxiliary bracket (140. described later) and the damper bracket (151) by passing through one lateral wall of the auxiliary bracket (140) installed at the main bracket (110) and the damper bracket (151), and the other end of the gear axis (152) is connected to the first gear (154a).

[81]

[82] The second gear (154b) is mounted with the one-way bearing (156) and connected to the gear axis (152) via the one-way bearing (156), such that the second gear (154b) is rotated to a predetermined direction only. In other words, when the vessel such as a cup is pushed back by the lever (120) to rotate backward, the second gear (154b) can maintain a rotationless state in response to the operation of the one-way bearing (156) because of not being affected by the rotation of the first gear (154a), even if the first gear (154a) is rotated counterclockwise by the rack (124a) rotating in association with the lever (120). Conversely, when the first gear (154a) is rotated clockwise, the second gear (154b) is rotated clockwise along with the first gear (154a).

[83]

[84] The first gear and second gear (154a, 154b) are decelerated because the decelerating gear (158) meshed with the second gear (154b) is rotated in association with the rotation of the second gear (154b), such that a cushing operation can be performed relative to the rotation of the duct cap (130) to a direction closing the chute (6).

[85]

[86] As noted above, the dispenser assembly (100) for refrigerator according to the instant disclosure is capable of driving a duct cap (130) using a relatively simple mechanical configuration unlike that of the conventional techniques employed with a pricey solenoid as driving means of a duct cap for opening and closing a chute (6), thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and yet improving the productivity. The dispenser assembly for refrigerator therefore can solve the disadvantages that degrade the refrigerating efficiency of a refrigerator caused by a solenoid that pulls an armature using a magnetic force generating magnetic field by applying an electric power to the coil, where the armature generates a metallic frictional noise and the solenoid generates a significant amount of electrical noise in operation due to saturation of magnetic field generated in the course of electrical conduction, and heat generated by electrical power applied to an inner coil of the solenoid causes the thermal deformation of constituent elements comprising the dispenser, and decrease the refrigerating efficiency of a refrigerator.

[87]

[88] Meanwhile, the auxiliary bracket (140) mounted at one side (114) of the main bracket (110) is provided with a dispenser motor driving switch (160) for applying a driving signal to the dispenser motor (M) for driving the push member (4) for transferring the ice stored in the ice tank (2) to the chute (6). The lever rotation axis (122) is provided at one end thereof with a switch driving piece (126) that rotates along with the lever (120) to turn on/off the dispenser motor driving switch (160).

[89]

[90] When the lever (120) is pushed and rolled backward by a user using a vessel such as a cup, and when the switch driving piece (126) is rotated in association with the lever (120) to depress a resilient bar (161) of the dispenser motor driving switch (160) and to depress a button (162), the dispenser motor driving switch (160) is turned on and applies a driving signal to the dispenser motor (M). As a result, the push member (4) is activated to take out the ice via the chute (6) and to allow the ice to be contained in a vessel such as a cup. Conversely, when a user retrieves the cup to remove the force that has been worked on the lever (120), a process that is reverse from the aforementioned process is progressed to stop the driving of the dispenser motor (M) and to stop the ice transfer to the chute (6).

[91]

[92] As explained in the above description, the dispenser assembly (100) for refrigerator according to the present disclosure can substantially obviate the conventional disadvantages caused by the facts that the dispenser motor driving switch (160) for operating the dispenser motor (M) is disposed outside of the refrigerator instead of being installed inside the refrigerator door (D) to thereby disgrace the external look of the refrigerator, to create a hotbed of bacteria caused by foreign objects caught in a gap between the switch and the refrigerator and to bring forth a cause of erroneous operation resultant from frequently-depressed use of the switch.

[93]

[94] Now, operation of the dispenser assembly for refrigerator according to the instant disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

[95]

[96] First, referring to FIGS.5 to 7, an operational process for opening the chute (6) using the duct cap (130) will be described. As illustrated in FIG.6, when a user inserts a predetermined vessel such as a cup (C) into the dispenser (102) to push the lever (120) backward in order to take out the ice (I) while the duct cap (130) closes the chute (6), the lever linkage (124) connected to the lever (120) via the lever rotation axis (122) is rotated counterclockwise in association with the lever rotation axis (122) to apply a pushing force to the duct cap linkage (134) and to rotate the duct cap linkgage (134) counterclockwide, as shown in FIG.7. As a result, the duct cap (130) connected to the duct cap linkage (134) via the duct cap rotation axis (132) is also rotated counterclockwise to open the chute (6). At this time, the auxiliary coil spring (128) and the coil spring (136) are pressed to form a state of the resilient restoring force being increased.

[97]

[98] Meanwhile, when the lever (120) is pushed backward, the switch driving piece (126) connected to the lever rotation axis (122) is simultaneously rotated clockwise to depress the resilient bar (161) of the dispenser motor driving switch (160). Concurrently, the dispenser motor driving switch (160) is turned on to apply a driving signal to the dispenser motor (M). As a result of these operations, the push member (4) is activated to allow the stored ice to be taken out via the chute (6) and contained in a vessel such as a cup.

[99]

[100] Furthermore, when the lever (120) is pushed backward, the first gear (154a) is simultaneously rotated counterclockwise by the rack (124a) integrally rotating with the lever linkage (124). However, as mentioned above, the second gear (154b) is not affected by the rotation of the first gear (154a) n response to the operation of the one-way bearing (156) to maintain a rotationless state. The decelerating gear (158) also maintains the the no-rotation state to prevent the cushioning operation of the damper (150) from occurring, such that no reaction force by the cushioning operation of the damper (150) is received in the process of the user pushing back the lever (120) using the cup (C). [101]

[102] Now, referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, an operational process of closing the chute (6) using the duct cap (130) will be described. As in the state illustrated in FIG.7 in which the user retrieves the cup (C) to remove an external force applied on the lever (120) while the chute (6) is opened, the duct cap (130) is rotated clockwise by the resilient restoring force of the coil spring (136) to close the chute (6). At this time, the duct cap linkage (134) connected to the duct cap (130) via the duct cap rotation axis (132) is rotated clockwise in association with the duct cap rotation axis (132) to push up the lever linkage (124) and to restore the lever (120) to an initial state of FIG.6.

[103]

[104] Furthermore, the auxiliary coil spring (128) allows the lever linkage (124) to rotate counterclockwise using the resilient restoring force thereof and assists the coil spring (136) in causing the lever (120) to get back to an initial state of FIG.6. Simultaneously, the switch driving piece (126) is rotated counterclockwise to release the pushing force applied to the resilient bar (161) of the dispenser motor driving switch (160), whereby the dispenser motor driving switch (160) is turned off to cease the driving of the dispenser motor (M), thereby stopping the ice transfer to the chute (6).

[105]

[106] On the other hand, when the duct cap (130) is rotated clockwise by the resilient restoring force of the coil spring (136), the lever linkage (124) is rotated counterclockwise by the operation of the duct cap linkage (134) to clockwise rotate the first gear (154a) in response to rotation of the rack (124a) rotating in association with the lever linkage (124) and to rotate the second gear (154b) as well. At this time, the second gear (154b) is meshed to the decelerating gear (158) to therefore receive the cushioning action as the second gear (154b) is decelerated. In other words, unlike the case of the chute (6) being closed by the duct cap (130), the duct cap (130) receives the cushioning action when the chute (6) is opened by the duct cap (130),

[107]

[108] While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary implementations thereof, the general inventive concept is not limited to the above-described implementations. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and variations in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

[109]

Industrial Applicability

[110] As noted from the foregoing, the dispenser assembly (100) for refrigerator according to the present disclosure can substantially obviate the conventional disadvantages caused by the facts that the dispenser motor driving switch (160) for operating the dispenser motor (M) is disposed outside of the refrigerator instead of being installed inside the refrigerator door (D) to thereby disgrace the external look of the refrigerator, to create a hotbed of bacteria caused by foreign objects caught in a gap between the switch and the refrigerator and to bring forth a cause of erroneous operation resultant from frequently-depressed use of the switch.

Claims

[1] A dispenser assembly (100) for refrigerator including an ice making room, an ice tank (2) for storing ice made from the ice making room, a push member (4) for transferring the ice to a chute (6), and a dispenser motor (M) for driving the push member (4), the dispenser assembly (100) characterized by a main bracket (110) installed at a refrigerator door; a lever (120) rotatably connected via a lever rotation axis (122) to one side of the main bracket (110); a lever linkage (124) connected to the lever rotation axis (122) and rotating with the lever (120) when the lever (120) is rotated and installed with a rack (124a); a duct cap (130) rotatably connected via a duct cap rotation axis (132) to the other side of the main bracket (110) to open and close the chute (6); a duct cap linkage (134) connected to the duct cap rotation axis (132) for rotating the duct cap (130) by being rotated by pushing operation of the lever linkage (124) when the lever (120) is rotated; a coil spring (136) connected to the duct cap rotation axis (132) for applying resilience to cause the duct cap (130) to close the chute (6); and a damper (150) connected to the rack (124a) to perform a cushioning operation for rotation of the duct cap (130) only when the duct cap (130) is rotated to a direction closing the chute (6).

[2] The dispenser assembly as claim in claim 1, characterized in that the damper

(150) includes a first gear (154a) meshed with the rack (124a), a second gear (154b) connected to the first gear (154a) via a gear axis (152); a one-way bearing (156) so configured as to allow the second gear (154b) to rotate only to a predetermined direction, and a decelerating gear (158) meshed with the second gear (154b).

[3] The dispenser assembly as claim in claim 2, characterized in that the dispenser assembly (100) further includes a dispenser motor driving switch (160) installed at one side of the main bracket (110) for applying a driving signal to the dispenser motor(M), and a switch driving piece (126) installed at a distal end of the lever rotation axis (122) for being rotated along with the lever (120) when the lever (120) is rotated to turn on and off the dispenser motor driving switch (160).

[4] The dispenser assembly (100) as claim in claim 3, characterized in that the dispenser assembly (100) further includes an auxiliary coil spring (128) supported at one side thereof by one side of the lever linkage (124) and supported at the other side thereof by one side of the main bracket (110).

[5] The dispenser assembly (100) as claim in claim 3, characterized in that the dispenser motor driving switch (160) is a micro switch.

[6] The dispenser assembly (100) as claim in claim 3, characterized in that the duct cap (130) is further disposed at an upper surface thereof with a chute sealing member for sealing the chute (6). [7] The dispenser assembly (100) as claim in claim 6, characterized in that the chute sealing member is formed with polyurethane material. [8] The dispenser assembly (100) as claim in claim 3, characterized in that the rack

(124a) has a curved shape bent toward the downward direction. [9] The dispenser assembly as claim in claim 3, characterized in that the duct cap linkage (134) has a curved shape bent toward the upward direction.