Valve device for an ice cube dispensing conduit in a refrigerator

A valve device (1) for an ice cube dispensing conduit in a refrigerator, comprising

• a bearing structure (2), stationary in operation, wherein there is defined a passage (3) intended to be coupled with said dispensing conduit;
• an obturator (12) mounted rotatable in the bearing structure (2), between a closed position and an opened position, in which it substantially shuts and opens said passage (3), respectively;
• and
• electrically-controlled motor means (W;
• 22, 28, 30), connected with the bearing structure (2) and coupled with the obturator (12) and adapted to cause a rotation of the obturator (12) between the closed position and the opened position;
• the valve device (1) being characterized in that said motor means comprise a wire (W) of a shape-memory material, capable of shrinking when an electric current flows therethrough, and having one end (25) anchored to said bearing structure (2) and the other end (21) coupled with the obturator (12) through a transmission mechanism (22, 29, 30, 10, 11), such that a flow of an electric current in said shape-memory wire (W) causes a shrinking thereof and a consequent rotation of the obturator (12) towards the opened position, and an interruption of said current allows the shape-memory wire (W) to re-expand and the obturator (12) to return towards its closed position.