CN102102927B

CN102102927B - Refrigerating appliance and operating method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN102102927B
Application number: CN200910265966.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 鲁松涛; 章礼生
Original assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Current assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-12-22
Filing date: 2009-12-22
Publication date: 2014-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-22
Also published as: WO2011080048A2; CN102102927A; WO2011080048A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerating appliance and an operating method thereof. The refrigerating appliance (1) comprises a channel (4), a closing element (5) for opening and closing the channel (4), a driving device (6) for driving the closing element (5) and a switch device (7) connected in series with the driving device (6), wherein the switch device (7) comprises a movable terminal (8) and a first terminal (9). The switch device (7) is associated with the closing element (5) in the following way: when the closing element (5) is at the closing position or between the closing position and the opening position, the movable terminal (8) is connected with the first terminal (9); and when the closing element (5) is at the opening position, the movable terminal (8) is disconnected with the first terminal (9). According to the refrigerating appliance, a control unit (11) is used for distributing a first signal of ice in response to requirements, so that the first terminal (9) and an operating power supply of the driving device (6) are connected for a first preset period of time and then are disconnected.

Description

Refrigeration device and working method thereof

[ technical field ]

The invention relates to a refrigeration tool and a working method thereof.

[ background art ]

Refrigeration appliances with a dispenser are known. Such refrigeration appliances are usually provided with an ice chute (ice chute) running through the inside and outside of the door of the refrigeration appliance, in which a closing element is provided for selectively opening or closing the ice chute. Specifically, under normal conditions, the closing element is in the closed position to close the ice chute to prevent outside air from entering the interior of the refrigeration appliance through the ice chute; when a user desires ice, the closing member is moved to the open position by the driving of the driving member to allow the ice stored inside the refrigerator to be dispensed outside the refrigerator through the ice chute.

In the refrigeration appliance disclosed in US 2006/0065006 a1, when an external force acts on the actuating lever, the actuating lever rotates and presses against the actuating switch, whereby the motor for driving the closing element is energized to operate. The motor transmits a force to the closing element via a cam arranged in operative association therewith. The closing element is rotated from the closed position to the open position by the cam. Thereafter, the closing element is maintained in the open position for a predetermined time under the action of the motor to allow the ice to pass. After a predetermined time elapses, the cam is rotated to the initial position, the closing member is returned to the closed position by the torsion spring, and the ice chute is closed. In addition, the cam acts on the actuating lever in the process of returning to the initial position, the actuating lever moves towards the initial position to release the pressing action of the actuating lever on the actuating switch, and therefore the actuating switch is disconnected, and the working power supply of the motor is also disconnected.

In this arrangement, if the start switch fails (e.g., the start switch fails to return to the off state), the power supply to the motor may not be turned off all the time, which may cause damage to the refrigeration appliance.

[ summary of the invention ]

The invention aims to provide a refrigeration appliance with reliable work and a working method thereof.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention pertains to a refrigeration appliance comprising an ice transport channel; a closing element to open and close the passage; drive means for driving the closing element, wherein the closing element is movable between an open position in which the passage is fully opened and a closed position in which the passage is fully closed; a switching device in series with the drive device, the switching device including a movable terminal and a first terminal; wherein the switching device is arranged in such a way in relation to the closing element that: the movable terminal is connected with the first terminal when the closing element is in the closed position or between the closed position and the open position; the movable terminal and the first terminal are disconnected when the closing element is in the open position; and the control unit responds to a first signal for requiring opening of the channel and disconnects the first terminal after connecting the first terminal with the working power supply of the driving device for first preset time.

The dual control of the switching device and the control unit ensures that the drive device is switched off after the shut-off element has reached the predetermined position, which significantly reduces the possibility that the shut-off element is still driven continuously by the drive device after the predetermined position has been reached.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention, individually or in combination with other features, are set forth in the following appended claims.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, said first predetermined time is greater than or equal to the time for which said closing element moves from said closed position to said open position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an input unit is included which is connected to the control unit, the input unit generating the first signal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input unit includes at least one ice dispensing switch, and the first signal is generated to request dispensing of ice when the ice dispensing switch is activated.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a refrigeration appliance comprising a channel; a closing element to open and close the passage; drive means for driving the closing element, wherein the closing element is movable between an open position in which the passage is fully opened and a closed position in which the passage is fully closed; a switching device in series with the drive device, the switching device including a movable terminal and a second terminal; wherein the switching device is arranged in such a way in relation to the closing element that: the movable terminal and the second terminal are connected when the closing element is in the open position, and the movable terminal is disconnected from the second terminal when the closing element is in the closed position or between the closed position and the open position; and the control unit responds to a second signal for requesting to close the channel and disconnects the second terminal after connecting the second terminal with the working power supply of the driving device for a second preset time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing element is moved out of the open position after a delay time after the second signal has been generated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said drive means is operative for at least a part of said delay time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second predetermined time is greater than or equal to the delay time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first cam is included, driven by the drive means, the state of the switching device being controlled by the first cam.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing element comprises a second cam driven by said driving means and a cam follower following said second cam, said driving means driving said closing element through said second cam and said cam follower.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second cam has a cylindrical outer surface with a maximum radius against which the cam follower rests when the closing element is in the open position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, during an initial phase of closing the closing element, the cam follower is moved relative to the outer surface while the closing element remains in the open position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive means is an electric motor.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating a refrigeration appliance comprising a passage, a closing element movable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the passage, drive means for driving the closing element and switching means connected to the drive means, the switching means comprising a movable terminal, a first terminal, characterized in that the method comprises: a) connecting the movable terminal and the first terminal; b) generating a first signal requesting opening of the channel; c) connecting the first terminal with an operating power source of the driving device in response to the first signal to drive the closing element to move from the closed position to the open position; d) disconnecting the movable terminal from the first terminal when the closing element reaches the open position; e) disconnecting the first terminal from the operating power supply of the driving device after connecting the first terminal to the operating power supply of the driving device for a first predetermined time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first predetermined time is greater than or equal to the time for which said closing element moves from said closed position to said open position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable terminal is connected with the second terminal of the switching device when the closing element reaches or is in the open position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a second signal is generated which requires closing of the channel; and connecting the second terminal with an operating power supply of the driving device in response to the second signal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said channel is intended to convey ice and said second signal is a signal requiring the cessation of dispensing of ice.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supply of the operating power to the second terminal is stopped after supplying the operating power of the driving apparatus to the second terminal for a second predetermined time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing element is held in the open position for a delay time after the generation of the second signal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first signal is a signal requiring the dispensing of ice to the outside of the refrigerator appliance.

The construction of the present invention and other objects and advantages thereof will be more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[ description of the drawings ]

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherein,

fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigeration appliance 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic partial sectional view of a refrigeration appliance 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic layout of a refrigeration appliance 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a closing module 19 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the closing element 5 is in the closed position.

Fig. 5 is another perspective view of the closing module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the closing element 5 has just reached the open position.

[ detailed description of the invention ]

Referring to fig. 1, 2 and 3, the refrigeration appliance 1 includes an insulated cabinet 28 having a storage compartment 20 and a door 2 for selectively closing or opening the storage compartment 20.

An ice storage container 21 is provided in the storage chamber 20. Ice made by an ice maker (not shown) is stored in the ice storage container 21. A discharge opening 22 is provided on a lower wall of the front end of the ice storage container 21, through which the ice can be pushed forward to exit the ice storage container 21 by the pushing of an ice discharging device 23.

The refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a dispenser 3 which can dispense ice and water. The dispenser 3 comprises a support wall 25 for supporting the outer container. In the present embodiment, the supporting wall 25 is formed by a bottom wall of the dispensing chamber 24 located inside the door 2 and opening forward to receive the outer container.

The door 2 is provided with an input unit 12 for receiving user input. The input unit 12 may include at least one ice dispensing switch 31 for initiating dispensing of ice and a water dispensing switch 32 for initiating dispensing of water.

The user initiates the dispensing of ice by operating ice dispensing switch 31. The ice dispensing switch 31 may be a push button, knob or actuating lever or the like. In the present embodiment, the input unit 12 includes two ice dispensing switches 31 to initiate dispensing of ice cubes and crushed ice, respectively.

The input unit 12 may also include switches (not shown) to select the operating mode, parameter settings, etc. of the refrigeration appliance 1.

The input unit 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 receives input information from the input unit 12, processes the input information accordingly, and issues instructions to corresponding functional components such as a refrigeration system component, an ice maker, and the like.

Above the ice dispensing switch 31, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a display 33 for displaying information such as the installation state of the refrigerator 1 and the internal temperature.

Referring to fig. 2 to 5, the dispenser 3 includes a door 2 provided with an ice transfer passage 4 penetrating front and rear sides of the door 2. The ice transfer passage 4 is inclined. When the door 2 is closed, the upper end of the ice transfer passage 4 faces the discharge opening 22 so that ice from the ice storage container 21 can enter the ice transfer passage 4. The lower end of the ice transfer passage 4 is located above the dispensing chamber and communicates with the dispensing chamber 24.

A closing module 19 for controlling the opening and closing of the ice conveying path 4 is provided in the ice conveying path 4. The closing module 19 has a housing 29 in which other components are mounted, and the closing module 19 is fixed in the door 2 by the housing 29.

The closing module 19 includes a closing element 5 for selectively closing or opening the ice conveying passage 4. The closing element 5 may be provided with a thermally insulating material therein to enhance its insulating effect.

The closing element 5 is movable in rotation between an open position and a closed position. In the open position (as shown in fig. 5), the closing member 5 is opened to the extreme position, the ice transfer passage 4 is fully opened, and the ice can smoothly pass through. In the closed position (as shown in fig. 4), the ice transfer passage 4 is completely closed.

The closing module 19 is provided with a torsion spring 27 so that the closing element 5 is reliably and tightly held in the closed position. The torsion spring 2 is preferably arranged on the rotational axis of the closing element 5.

The closing module 19 comprises a motor 6 for driving the closing element 5 from the closed position to the open position. The motor 6 drives the closing element 5 via a cam body 26 arranged in operative association therewith.

The closing module 19 comprises a switch 7 located near the cam body 26 and cooperating with the cam body 26. One end of the motor 6 is connected in series with the switch 7, and the other end is connected with the control unit 11.

In the present embodiment, the switch 7 is a change-over switch that can be switched in a two-way circuit. The switch 7 comprises a movable terminal 8, a first terminal 9 and a second terminal 10. When the movable terminal 8 is connected to the first terminal 9, the first path of the switch 7 is turned on, and when the movable terminal 8 is connected to the second terminal 10, the second path of the switch 7 is turned on.

In the present embodiment, the switch 7 includes a switch case 38 surrounding the movable terminal 8, the first and second terminals 9, 10, and the operation knob 18 protruding outside the case 38. Resilient means (e.g., a spring) associated with the operating knob 18 may also be provided within the switch housing 38.

The operating button 18 can change position under the action of an external force. The movable terminal 8 is connected to the first terminal 9 when no external force acts. When an external force acts on the operation knob 18, the operation knob 18 is pressed to retract. The movable terminal 8 is switched to be connected to the second terminal 10.

The switch 7 is preferably a microswitch which enables the rapid actuation of the movable terminal 8 after a certain travel with little effort, thus achieving the switching of the circuit.

The cam body 26 includes a first cam 13 that cooperates with the switch 7. The switch 7 and the first cam 13 are arranged such that: the state of the switch 7 changes when the closing element 5 reaches or leaves the open position from the closed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral wall of the first cam 13 includes a lower portion 35 of smaller radius and a protrusion 34 circumferentially connected to the lower portion 35 but of larger radius. The lower portion 35 and the protruding portion 34 each have a certain circumferential length. In the present embodiment, the first cam 13 has a pair of oppositely disposed lower portions 35 and a pair of oppositely disposed protruding portions 34, and the lower portions 35 and the protruding portions 34 are alternately disposed.

When the closing element 5 is in the closed position, the operating knob 18 corresponds to the lower portion 35 of smaller radius, so that the operating knob 18 is in the extended position and the movable terminal 8 is connected to the first terminal 9.

When the motor 6 drives the closing element 5 to rotate from the closed position towards the open position, the first cam 13 starts to rotate anticlockwise (as indicated by the arrow in figure 4) driven by the motor 6, during which the operating knob 18 still corresponds to the lower portion 35 of smaller radius. The movable terminal 8 remains connected to the first terminal 9.

When the closing member 5 reaches or is in the open position, the operating knob 18 is pressed by the projection 34 of the first cam 13 to be in the retracted position, the movable terminal 8 is connected to the second terminal 10, and the switch 7 switches the circuit.

When the closing element 5 leaves the open position, the operating knob 18 leaves the area of the protrusion 34 and enters the adjacent area of the lower portion 35, the pressure of the operating knob 18 is released, and the movable terminal 8 is switched to be connected with the first terminal 9.

The cam body 26 also includes a second cam 14 adjacent the first cam 13. The first cam 13 and the second cam 14 are rotated around the same rotation axis by the motor 6. In the present embodiment, the first cam 13 and the second cam 14 are of a one-piece structure. Of course, the first cam 13 and the second cam 14 may be provided separately.

The motor 6 drives the closing element 5 by means of a second cam 14. The closing module 19 comprises a cam follower 15 connected at one end to the closing element 5 and at the other end cooperating with the second cam 14. The cam follower 15 is connected to one end of the rotation shaft of the closing member 5.

The second cam 14 is generally reverse S-shaped. The second cam 14 includes a pair of oppositely disposed heads 16 that are furthest from the axis of rotation of the second cam 14 and a connecting portion 36 between the heads 16.

The connecting portion 36 is provided with a hole (not labeled) for passing a fixed shaft/rotating shaft. The connecting portion 36 has a groove 37 between the head portion 16 and the rotational axis of the second cam 14.

The head 16 has a cylindrical outer surface 17 parallel to the axis of rotation of the second cam 14. When the cam follower 15 abuts against the outer surface 17 of the head 16, the closing element 5 is in the open position. When the cam follower 15 corresponds to the connecting portion 36 of the second cam 14, the closing element 5 is in the closed position or in the not fully open position.

The outer surface 17 has a length along the circumferential direction of the second cam 14. The radial distance is the same throughout the outer surface 17 with respect to the axis of rotation of the second cam 14. The outer surface 17 is preferably continuously smooth.

The step of opening the closing element 5 from the closed position to the open position is described in detail below.

As described above, the closing element 5 is normally in the closed position, and the movable terminal 8 is connected to the first terminal 9. The tip of the cam follower 15 corresponds to the connecting portion 36 of the second cam 14, as shown in fig. 4.

When the user activates the ice dispensing switch 31, the state of the ice dispensing switch 31 is changed accordingly to generate a first signal and transmit it to the control unit 11. The control unit 11, upon receiving the first signal, connects the first terminal 9 with the operating power supply of the motor 6. At the same time, the control unit 11 times a first supply time T1 during which the first terminal 9 is supplied with power.

At this time, the movable terminal 8 is connected to the first terminal 9, and the first terminal 9 is connected to the operating power supply of the motor 6, so that the motor 6 is turned on to start operation. The cam body 26 starts to rotate under the drive of the motor 6, the cam follower 15 enters the groove 37 of the second cam 14 to rotate with the second cam 14, and in turn, the closing element 5 is rotated from the closed position towards the open position.

When the closing element 5 is rotated to the open position, as shown in fig. 5, the operating knob 18 of the switch 7 interferes with the projection 34 of the first cam 13 and the latter presses the operating knob 18, thereby causing the movable terminal 8 to change position. The movable terminal 8 and the first terminal 9 are disconnected and switched to be connected to the second terminal 10. At the same time, the end of the cam follower 15 is uppermost against one end of the outer surface 17 of the head 16, the closing element 5 rotating to the maximum opening position.

With the movable terminal 8 and the first terminal 9 disconnected, the power supply to the motor 6 is disconnected, and the motor 6 is disconnected.

In addition, when the first supply time T1 during which the first terminal 9 is supplied with power reaches the first predetermined time Ta, the control unit 11 disconnects the first terminal 9 from the operating power.

The first predetermined time Ta is set to a time greater than or equal to the time for which the closing element 5 moves from the closed position to the open position, in order to ensure that the motor 6 can operate before the closing element 5 completes the opening action. Optimally, the time of the first predetermined time Ta is set to be slightly greater than the time required for the closing element 5 to move from the closed position to the open position.

Since the operating power of the motor 6 is independently dually controlled by the switch 7 and the control unit 11 during the opening of the closing member 5, the motor 6 can be reliably turned off after the process of opening the closing member 5 is completed.

When the closing element 5 is opened, ice stored in the refrigerator 1 can be dispensed outside the refrigerator 1 via the ice conveying channel 4. The closing procedure of the closing element 5 is described in detail below.

First, the refrigeration device 1 generates a second signal to stop dispensing ice. The second signal may be generated based on the user's operation of the ice dispensing switch 31, for example, the user stops the operation of the ice dispensing switch 31 or operates the ice dispensing switch 31 again. In further embodiments, the second signal may also be generated based on a signal of a timing unit of the control unit 11 or in dependence on a signal from a sensor arranged in operative association with the control unit 11.

Based on the second signal, the control unit 11 supplies power to the second terminal 10. At the same time, the control unit 11 times the time T2 at which the second terminal 10 is supplied with power. Since the closing element 5 is now in the open position, the movable terminal 8 and the second terminal 10 are switched on, so that the motor 6 is switched on again and drives the first cam 13 and the second cam 14 to continue rotating.

As the second cam 14 continues to rotate, the end of the cam follower 15 moves relative to the outer surface 17 of the head 16. Since the outer surface 17 has a cylindrical shape and is equally spaced at all radial positions with respect to the rotational axis of the second cam 14, the cam follower 15 does not undergo a positional change with respect to the ice conveying path 4 although it relatively moves with respect to the second cam 14. That is, although the second cam 14 has already started to rotate, the closing element 5 remains in the open position.

Since the closing element 5 remains in the open position for a period of time after the generation of the second signal, that is to say the closing element 5 is closed after a delay time because of the cooperation between the second cam 14 and the cam follower 15. So that the ice discharged from the ice storage container 21 has a sufficient time to pass through the ice transfer passage 4 to the dispensing chamber 24, which prevents the closing member 5 from being frozen due to the ice staying in the vicinity of the closing member 5.

As the second cam 14 continues to rotate, the relative sliding of the cam follower 15 with the outer surface 17 ends, the cam follower 15 moving away from the outer surface 17 and into the region of the connecting portion 36. At the same time, the protrusion 34 of the first cam 13 releases the pressing of the operation knob 18, the operation knob 18 enters the area of the low portion 34, and the movable terminal 8 and the second terminal 10 are disconnected from each other, and the movable terminal 8 and the first terminal 9 are restored to each other. As the movable terminal 8 and the second terminal 10 are disconnected, the motor 6 is powered off.

In addition, when the second supply time T2 during which the second terminal 10 is supplied with power reaches the second predetermined time Tb, the control unit 11 disconnects the second terminal 10 from the power supply.

The second predetermined time Tb is set to be greater than or equal to the time required for the cam follower 15 to move circumferentially from one end of the outer surface 17 to the other end to ensure that the motor 6 can operate before the cam follower 15 leaves the outer surface 17. The second predetermined time Tb is preferably slightly greater than the time required for the cam follower 15 to move circumferentially from one end of the outer surface 17 to the other.

After the cam follower 15 is released from the holding force of the outer surface 17, the closing member 5 returns to the closed position by the torsion spring 27 and is held in the closed position.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is only a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that the invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the above embodiment, the switch 7 is a change-over switch that can be switched in a two-way circuit, however, in other embodiments, the switch 7 may obviously be a one-way off switch if no driving means are required for driving during the closing of the closing element 5.

In addition, the ice conveying passage 4 and the closing module 19 thereof are exemplified as the preferred embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the present invention may be applied to other applications. For example, the present invention may also be applied to a damper for controlling air flow in a refrigeration appliance.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance (1) comprises

A channel (4);

a closing element (5) for opening and closing the passage (4);

-drive means (6) for driving the closing element (5), wherein the closing element (5) is movable between an open position, in which the passage (4) is fully opened, and a closed position, in which the passage (4) is fully closed;

a switching device (7) connected in series with the drive device (6), the switching device (7) comprising a movable terminal (8) and a first terminal (9); wherein the switching device (7) is arranged in such a way in relation to the closing element (5) that: -the movable terminal (8) is connected with the first terminal (9) when the closing element (5) is in the closed position or between the closed position and the open position; -when the closing element (5) is in the open position, the movable terminal (8) and the first terminal (9) are disconnected;

and the control unit (11) responds to a first signal for requesting the opening of the channel (4) and disconnects the first terminal (9) after connecting the working power supply of the driving device (6) with the first preset time (Ta).

2. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first predetermined time is greater than or equal to the time of movement of said closing element (5) from said closed position to said open position.

3. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an input unit (12) connected to the control unit (11), the input unit (12) generating the first signal.

4. A refrigerator appliance (1) as in claim 3, characterized by the input unit (12) comprising at least one ice dispensing switch (31), the first signal being generated to request dispensing of ice when the ice dispensing switch (31) is activated.

5. A refrigeration appliance (1) comprises

A channel (4);

a closing element (5) for opening and closing the passage (4);

a switching device (7) in series with the drive device (6), the switching device (7) comprising a movable terminal (8) and a second terminal (10); wherein the switching device (7) is arranged in such a way in relation to the closing element (5) that: -when the closing element (5) is in the open position, the movable terminal (8) and the second terminal (10) are connected, -when the closing element (5) is in the closed position or between the closed position and the open position, the movable terminal (8) is disconnected from the second terminal (10);

and the control unit (11) responds to a second signal for requesting to close the channel (4), and disconnects the second terminal (10) after connecting with the working power supply of the driving device (6) for a second preset time (Tb).

6. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the closing element (5) leaves the open position after a delay time after the second signal has been generated.

7. A refrigerator appliance (1) as in claim 6, characterized by the driving means (6) being active during at least a part of the delay time.

8. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said second predetermined time is greater than or equal to said delay time.

9. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to any of claims 1-2 and 5-7, comprising a first cam (13) driven by said driving means (6), the state of said switching means (7) being controlled by said first cam (13).

10. A refrigerator appliance (1) as in claim 3, comprising a first cam (13) driven by the drive means (6), the state of the switching means (7) being controlled by the first cam (13).

11. A refrigerator appliance (1) as in claim 4, comprising a first cam (13) driven by the drive means (6), the state of the switching means (7) being controlled by the first cam (13).

12. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 8, comprising a first cam (13) driven by said driving means (6), the state of said switching means (7) being controlled by said first cam (13).

13. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 2 and 5 to 7, comprising a second cam (14) driven by the driving means (6) and a cam follower (15) following the second cam (14), the driving means (6) driving the closing element (5) through the second cam (14) and the cam follower (15).

14. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 4, comprising a second cam (14) driven by said driving means (6) and a cam follower (15) following said second cam (14), said driving means (6) driving said closing element (5) through said second cam (14) and said cam follower (15).

15. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 9, comprising a second cam (14) driven by said driving means (6) and a cam follower (15) following said second cam (14), said driving means (6) driving said closing element (5) through said second cam (14) and said cam follower (15).

16. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 13, wherein said second cam (14) has a cylindrical outer surface (17) with a maximum radius, said cam follower (15) resting on said outer surface (17) when said closing element (5) is in said open position.

17. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 16, wherein, in an initial phase of closing said closing element (5), said cam follower (15) moves with respect to said outer surface (17) while said closing element (5) remains in said open position.

18. Refrigeration appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 2 and 5 to 7, characterized in that the drive means (6) is an electric motor.

19. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 9, wherein said drive means (6) is an electric motor.

20. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 13, wherein said drive means (6) is an electric motor.

21. A working method for a refrigeration appliance (1), wherein the refrigeration appliance (1) comprises a passage (4), a closing element (5) movable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the passage (4), drive means (6) for driving the closing element (5), and switching means (7) connected to the drive means (6), the switching means (7) comprising a movable terminal (8), a first terminal (9), characterized in that the method comprises:

a) connecting the movable terminal (8) with the first terminal (9);

b) -generating a first signal requesting to open said channel (4);

c) -connecting said first terminal (9) to an operating power supply of said driving means (6) in response to said first signal to drive the closing element (5) from the closed position towards the open position;

d) -disconnecting the movable terminal (8) from the first terminal (9) when the closing element (5) reaches the open position;

e) disconnecting the first terminal (9) from the operating power supply of the drive device (6) after connecting the first terminal (9) to the operating power supply of the drive device (6) for a first predetermined time.

22. Method according to claim 21, wherein said first predetermined time is greater than or equal to the time for which said closing element (5) moves from said closed position to said open position.

23. Method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the movable terminal (8) is connected with the second terminal (10) of the switching device (7) when the closing element (5) reaches or is in the open position.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, characterized by generating a second signal requesting the closing of the channel (4); -connecting said second terminal (10) to an operating power supply of said drive means (6) in response to said second signal.

25. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the channel (4) is used for conveying ice and the second signal is a signal requesting the stop of dispensing ice.

26. A method according to claim 24, characterized by stopping the supply of operating power to the second terminal (10) after a second predetermined time from the supply of operating power to the drive means (6) to the second terminal (10).

27. A method according to claim 25, characterized by stopping the supply of operating power to the second terminal (10) after a second predetermined time from the supply of operating power to the drive means (6) to the second terminal (10).

28. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the closing element (5) is held in the open position for a delay time after the generation of the second signal.

29. A method according to claim 28, characterized in that said drive means (6) is operated during at least a part of said delay time.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the second predetermined time is greater than or equal to the delay time.

31. The method of any of claims 21-22 and 24-30, wherein the first signal is a signal requesting ice to be dispensed outside of the refrigerator appliance.