CN104764265B

CN104764265B - Refrigerator and its manufacture method

Info

Publication number: CN104764265B
Application number: CN201510109695.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 鲁松涛; 柏玉发; 陈凯驹; 章礼生
Original assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Current assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-14
Filing date: 2008-11-14
Publication date: 2018-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-14
Also published as: EP2357435A2; CN101738049A; WO2010055478A2; WO2010055478A3; CN104764265A; EP2357435B1; RU2011121056A

Abstract

The present invention is on a kind of refrigerator and its manufacture method.The refrigerator includes thermal insulation layer (25) and an at least fluid delivery tube (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f), wherein fluid delivery tube (15a, the 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) at least partly it is housed in the thermal insulation layer (25).According to the suggestion of the present invention, the fluid delivery tube (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is removably contained in the thermal insulation layer (25).

Description

Refrigerator and method of manufacturing the same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a household or commercial refrigerator provided with a fluid transfer tube and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background

It is known that a refrigerator has a dispenser provided at a door so that a user can obtain water and ice in a storage space, which is generally used to keep the refrigerator, through the dispenser without opening the door. The ice may be provided by an ice maker located in a storage space (e.g., a freezer), and the water may be obtained from a water tank located in a freezer that holds filtered water.

For a typical refrigerator that automatically dispenses ice and water, a water system is typically provided within the refrigerator to take and treat water from an external water source (e.g., a tap). Such a water system may comprise a water filter, a switching valve connected to an outlet end of the water filter. An outlet of the switching valve is connected to a water tank for holding filtered water, via which water located in the water tank flows via at least one water duct to a distributor, usually located on the door. The other outlet of the switching valve is used for supplying water to the ice maker. At least one water duct is distributively provided between the water filter and the switching valve, between the switching valve and the water tank, between the water tank and the dispenser, and between the switching valve and the ice maker to define a flow passage of water.

It has been suggested to improve the appearance of the refrigerator by effectively hiding the water duct by disposing the water duct in the thermal insulation layer of the refrigerator. However, the water pipes in the prior art are tightly combined with the thermal insulation layer through a foaming process. Due to the close connection of the water pipe and the thermal insulation layer, maintenance personnel cannot inspect/replace the water pipe without damaging the thermal insulation layer. When the water pipe is damaged, the door and/or the box body provided with the water pipe can only be integrally scrapped, so that the maintenance cost is improved, and the service life of the refrigerator is also shortened.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the above technical problems of the prior art, thereby providing a refrigerator in which the repair cost of a fluid delivery pipe can be greatly reduced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a refrigerator, so as to obtain a refrigerator that can greatly reduce the cost of repairing the fluid delivery pipe.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator including: a housing defining at least one storage space, said housing including a thermal insulation layer for surrounding said storage space, at least one fluid transport tube at least partially received within said thermal insulation layer and extending at least partially along said storage space, wherein said fluid transport tube is removably received within said thermal insulation layer.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator including: a storage space; a door to selectively open or close at least a portion of the storage space, the door including a thermal insulation layer; at least one fluid transport tube at least partially received within the thermal insulation layer, wherein the fluid transport tube is removably received within the thermal insulation layer.

Because the fluid delivery tube is removable, a person (especially a service person) can service the fluid delivery tube without damaging the thermal insulation of the refrigerator. Only the fluid delivery tube needs to be replaced in case the fluid delivery tube has been damaged, instead of replacing the casing of the refrigerator (e.g. the entire cabinet and/or door), thereby considerably prolonging the service life of the refrigerator.

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 preferred embodiment of the invention, an isolation element is included to isolate the fluid delivery tube from the thermal insulation layer. The insulating element not only prevents contact between the fluid transport tube and the thermal insulation layer, but also allows a better protection of the fluid transport tube.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer element defines a passage through which the fluid delivery tube passes and with which a gap is formed. This facilitates the mounting and dismounting of the fluid delivery tube.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, said insulating element is embedded in and tightly bonded to said thermal insulation layer, so that the position of the fluid-carrying pipe can be determined.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer element is tubular, so that the spacer element is relatively cheap and easily available.

In order to prevent the material of the thermal insulation layer from entering the channel, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the channel is isolated from the thermal insulation layer. Particularly preferably, both ends of the insulating element extend beyond the thermal insulation layer.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises an inner wall and an outer wall closely abutting the inner side and the outer side, respectively, of the thermal insulation layer, at least a part of the fluid transport pipe being arranged close to the inner surface of the second wall, thereby reducing the influence of cold air in the storage space on the fluid transport pipe, so as to reduce or even avoid the occurrence of ice formation in the fluid transport pipe. Particularly preferably, at least a portion of the fluid delivery tube is in contact with the outer wall.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid-carrying tube terminates in a dispenser.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a thermal insulation layer for thermal insulation, a dispenser, a water filter for filtering water, and a water tank for storing water, wherein at least one water pipe is connected between the dispenser and the water tank and between the water filter and the water tank, respectively, characterized in that at least one water pipe is detachably mounted to the thermal insulation layer.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator including a cabinet defining at least one storage space, a door to selectively open or close at least a portion of the storage space, the cabinet and the door including a thermal insulation layer, an ice maker; and a water delivery path for supplying water to the ice maker, wherein the water delivery path includes a pipe connector for connecting to a water source and a plurality of water delivery pipes connected between the pipe connector and the ice maker, characterized in that at least one of the water delivery pipes is detachably inserted into the thermal insulation layer.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a refrigerator, the method including: a) providing a foaming pre-assembled unit having a space adapted to receive a thermally insulating foaming agent, the pre-assembled unit comprising an insulating element located at least partially within the space, the insulating element defining a channel, the channel being isolated from the space; b) injecting a thermal insulation foaming agent into the space to form a thermal insulation layer, the insulation element being bonded to the thermal insulation layer; and c) receiving the fluid transport tube within the thermal insulation layer through the channel.

Although it is possible that step c) is carried out before step b), according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said step c) is carried out after said step b) is completed.

Preferably, said step a) comprises fixing said spacer element to a wall defining said space.

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.

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 refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a water system of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic partial sectional view of a door of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is another schematic partial sectional view of a door of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the following description of the preferred embodiments, the same or similar features have the same reference numerals.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to fig. 1 and 2. The refrigerator 1 comprises a cabinet 5, the cabinet 5 defining, in this embodiment, a freezer compartment 3 and a refrigerator compartment 4 arranged side by side. The refrigerator 1 further includes a freezing chamber door 6 and a refrigerating chamber door 7 corresponding to the freezing chamber 3 and the refrigerating chamber 4, respectively. The freezing chamber door 6 and the refrigerating chamber door 7 are respectively connected to one side of the cabinet 5 by hinges 8 and are rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In a normal case, the freezing chamber door 6 and the refrigerating chamber door 7 are closed to prevent cold air from leaving the freezing chamber 3 and the refrigerating chamber 4, and at this time, the inner sides of the freezing chamber door 6 and the refrigerating chamber door 7 define front boundaries of the freezing chamber 3 and the refrigerating chamber 4, respectively. When necessary, the user can open the corresponding door 6, 7 to perform an operation of taking and putting food, for example, from the freezing chamber 3 or the refrigerating chamber 4. The user can perform an opening or closing action on the doors 6, 7 by means of the handle 9.

The peripheral wall of the box 5 and the wall for isolating the respective storage spaces are provided with thermal insulation layers 25. Similarly, a heat insulating layer 25 is also provided in the freezing chamber door 6 and the refrigerating chamber door 7. The thermal insulation layer 25 is a thermal insulation foam layer, preferably formed by foaming a thermal insulation foaming agent. When the doors 6, 7 are closed, the freezing chamber 3 and the refrigerating chamber 4 are surrounded on the periphery by a thermal insulation layer 25.

In the present embodiment, the freezing chamber 3 and the refrigerating chamber 4 are arranged side by side and are opened or closed by a corresponding one of the doors 6, 7, respectively. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto but that other embodiments are possible. For example, in an alternative implementation, the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are distributed top-to-bottom. In another embodiment, one storage compartment (e.g., a refrigerator compartment) is provided with two doors side by side to open or close, in which case one door opens or closes only a portion of the storage compartment.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, an ice maker 10 and an ice storage unit 11 are provided in the freezing chamber 3. The ice maker 10 includes a housing groove having a lattice shape for containing water, and the water in the housing groove is made into ice and has a shape corresponding to the housing groove. The ice storage unit 11 includes an ice storage container 12 to receive and hold ice made by the ice maker 10. A discharge port (not shown) for discharging ice is provided at a front end of the ice storage unit 11. The ice storing unit 11 includes an ice discharging device 13 to push the ice toward the discharge port. In the present embodiment, the ice discharging device 13 includes a screw (auger) inside the ice storage container 12 and a motor (not shown) to drive the screw.

The freezing chamber door 6 is provided with a dispenser 19 adapted to automatically dispense ice stored in the ice storage unit 11, so that a user can take the ice stored in the ice storage container 12 without opening the door. It is to be understood that the invention should not be limited thereto, but that in another embodiment it is also possible that the dispenser 19 is arranged on the refrigerating compartment door 7 by a suitable arrangement.

The dispenser 19 includes a dispenser housing 33 fixed to the freezing chamber door 6. The dispenser housing 33 defines the dispensing chamber 24 exposed to the front surface of the freezing chamber door 6. A dispensing chamber 24 is also provided and adapted to receive at least a portion of an outer container 23, such as a cup.

The dispenser 19 includes an ice discharge passage 21 penetrating the freezing chamber door 6. An inlet end of the ice discharge passage 21 is provided to be adapted to receive the ice discharged from the ice storage unit 11. An outlet of the ice discharge passage 21 is provided to be adapted to discharge ice to the outer receptacle 23. The ice discharge passage 21 is normally closed by a cover 22 to prevent external air from entering the refrigerator 1. At the time of ice discharge, the cover 22 opens the ice discharge passage 21.

The refrigerator 1 includes an ice making water delivery path to supply water to the ice maker 10. The ice-making water delivery path includes a tube connector 2 to be connected with an external water source. The pipe connector 2 is preferably located at the rear side of the housing 5. In this embodiment, the water source is a tap water tap, to which the pipe connector 2 is connected by an external pipe (the pipe shown in broken lines in fig. 2).

To obtain water suitable for consumption, the ice making water delivery path includes a water filter 14 to filter water from the water source. The water filter 14 is provided in the refrigerating compartment 4. The inlet end of the water filter 14 is connected to the pipe connector 2 by a first water duct 15 a. The pipe connector 2 may be formed by a pipe joint provided at an end of the first water duct 15 a. In the present embodiment, most of the first water transport tubes 15a except for both ends extend inside the rear wall of the case 5. The structure of the water filter 14 may employ a known filter and thus will not be described further herein.

The outlet end of the water filter 14 is connected to the switching valve 16 through a second water duct 15 b. The switching valve 16 is a three-position two-way valve in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the second water duct 15b extends inside the rear wall of the case 5. The second water transport pipe 15b extends substantially along a diagonal of the rear wall of the case 5 from a rear upper side of the rear wall of the case 5 to a left lower side of the rear wall of the case 5.

An outlet of the switching valve 16 supplies water to the ice maker 10 through a third water delivery pipe 15 c. The third water transport pipe 15c also extends in the longitudinal direction within the rear wall of the case 5 as a part of the ice-making water transport path. The third water transport tubes 15c have portions substantially parallel to the outer surface of the rear wall. The end of the third water delivery tube 15c located at the upper left corner of the rear wall of the case 5 is connected to the water inlet nozzle 17 through a pipe joint 35 so that the filtered water is finally supplied to the ice maker 10 through the water inlet nozzle 17. The water inlet nozzle 17 extends into the freezing chamber 3 through a hole (not shown) penetrating the rear wall of the cabinet 5.

The refrigerator 1 comprises a water dispensing path to deliver potable water to the dispenser 19. The water distribution path includes a fourth water duct 15d connected to the other outlet of the switching valve 16. The fourth water transport tubes 15d extend in the bottom walls of the freezer compartment 3 and the refrigerator compartment 4 in the present embodiment, with portions substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

The water distribution path further includes a water tank 18 connected to the other end of the fourth water delivery pipe 15 d. A water tank 18 is provided in the refrigerating compartment 4 for holding filtered potable water.

The water dispensing path further comprises a fifth water duct 15e connected at the outlet end of the water tank 18. The fifth water duct 15e extends in the present embodiment in the bottom walls of the refrigerating compartment 4 and 5. The end of the fifth water transport tube 15e extends to the lower left corner of the case 5.

The fifth water duct 15e is connected to a sixth water duct 15f located in the freezing chamber 3 through a connector 34. The sixth water transport pipe 15f extends upward from the bottom of the freezing chamber door 6 into the dispenser housing 33. The inlet end of the sixth water duct 15f preferably protrudes from the bottom wall of the freezing chamber door 6 so as to be connected with the fifth water duct 15 e. The end of the sixth water transport tube 15f extends into the distributor 19. Preferably, a water outlet nozzle 20 is connected to the end of the sixth water duct 15f, the end of the water outlet nozzle 20 being disposed towards the dispensing chamber 24 and being configured to be suitable for dispensing water towards the external container 23.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a longitudinal partial sectional view of the freezing chamber door 6 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 schematically shows a lateral partial sectional view of the freezing chamber door 6 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the first to sixth water pipes 15a to 15f are all disposed through the thermal insulation layer 25. The first to sixth water transport pipes 15a to 15f are detachably accommodated in the heat insulating layer 25. In the present embodiment, the first to sixth water transport pipes 15a to 15f are installed in a similar manner, and therefore, the installation manner of the water transport pipes 15a to 15f will be specifically described below by taking the sixth water transport pipe 15f as an example.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the sixth water transport tubes 15f pass through and are accommodated in the thermal insulation layer 25, but the thermal insulation layer 25 is not in contact with the thermal insulation layer 25. An isolation element 26 for isolating the sixth water transport pipe 15f from the thermal insulation layer 25 is provided between the sixth water transport pipe 15f and the thermal insulation layer 25, so that the sixth water transport pipe 15f is detachably received in the thermal insulation layer 25. That is, the sixth water transport pipes 15f may be detached from the freezing compartment door 6 without breaking the thermal insulation layer 25.

In this embodiment, isolation element 26 comprises an outer tube 29 that surrounds sixth water duct 15 f. The outer tube 29 is tightly bonded to the thermal insulation layer 25. Preferably, the outer tube 29 is embedded within the thermal insulation layer 25 by a foaming process. Therefore, the outer tube 29 preferably has a structure and a material that are not easily deformed during the foaming process.

Outer tube 29 defines a passage 27 that allows sixth water duct 15f to pass through. The length of channel 27 within thermal insulation layer 25 is approximately equal to the length of the portion of sixth water duct 15f within thermal insulation layer 25, such that all portions of sixth water duct 15f within thermal insulation layer 25 are surrounded and isolated by outer tube 29.

There is a gap between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sixth water duct 15f, so that the sixth water duct 15f is movable in the channel 27. In this embodiment, the channel 27 has a circular cross section, and an inner diameter thereof is larger than an outer diameter of the sixth water delivery pipe 15f, and preferably, the inner diameter of the channel 27 is 1.2 to 2.5 times the outer diameter of the sixth water delivery pipe 15 f.

The channel 27 is provided to be isolated from the space for receiving the thermal insulation layer 25 so that the foaming agent cannot enter the channel 27 during foaming. In this embodiment, the spacer element 26 comprises a hollow cylinder 28 connected to the end of an outer tube 29. The column 28 extends upward from a door bottom wall 30 of the freezer door 6. The post 28 may be integrally formed with a door edge covering that forms a door bottom wall 30. As shown in fig. 3, one end of the post 28 is inserted into the channel 27 and the other end extends out of the thermal insulation layer 25. In another embodiment, it is also possible that the outer tube 29 extends directly beyond the thermal insulation layer 25.

The freezing chamber door 6 includes an inner wall 31 and an outer wall 32 closely adhered to the inner and outer sides of the heat insulating layer 25. When the freezing chamber door 6 is closed, the inner wall 31 faces the freezing chamber 3. The outer wall 32 is less affected by the freezing chamber 3 with respect to the inner wall 31 due to the heat insulating function of the heat insulating layer 25, and the outer wall 32 forms the front surface of the freezing chamber door 6 in this embodiment.

To further reduce the influence of the freezing chamber 3 on the sixth water duct 15f, at least a portion of the sixth water duct 15f is disposed close to the outer wall 32. Preferably, as shown in fig. 4, the sixth water conveying tube 15f is in contact with the outer wall 32.

As described above, the first to sixth water pipes 15a to 15f have similar installation manners, and extend in the thermal insulation layer 25 by being isolated from the thermal insulation layer 25 by the isolation element, and thus, the description thereof is omitted.

A method of manufacturing the refrigerator 1 according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention is specifically described below.

The manufacture of the doors 6, 7 and the cabinet 5 of the refrigerator 1 requires the inclusion of a foaming process to form a rigid thermal insulating foam. The following is a description of a method of manufacturing the freezing chamber door 6.

In the manufacture of the freezer door 6, a foamed pre-assembled unit of the door is first provided. The foaming pre-assembly unit has a foaming space adapted to receive a thermally insulating foaming agent, which for freezer door 6 defines a one-way opening door tray by an outer wall 32, longitudinal side walls and lateral side walls of freezer door 6.

The pre-assembled unit comprises an outer tube 29 housed inside the foaming space. The outer tube 29 defines a passage 27, the passage 27 being isolated from the foaming space. In this embodiment, the outer tube 29 is secured at one end to a post 28 extending upwardly from the inside of the bottom wall 30 and at the other end to a dispenser housing 33 and extends into a cavity defined by the dispenser housing 33. In addition, a portion of the outer tube 29 between both ends is fixed to the inside of the outer wall 32 by a fixing means such as an adhesive tape.

Then, the prepared thermal insulation foaming agent is injected into the foaming space. In this process, the thermally insulating foaming agent floods the portion of the outer tube 29 located within the foaming space. After the foaming is completed, the outer surface of the outer tube 29 is tightly bonded to the thermal insulation layer 25. Therefore, the outer tube 29 does not move within the heat insulating layer 25, and further, cannot be detached from the heat insulating layer 25 without damaging the heat insulating layer 25.

After the foaming process is completed, the sixth water duct 15f is installed inside the freezing chamber door 6 through the passage 27 defined by the outer tube 29. One end of the sixth water duct 15f is connected to a water outlet nozzle 20 located in the distributor 19, and the other end is exposed inside the pipe head 28.

The cabinet 5 is manufactured substantially the same as the freezing chamber door 6, including a step of providing a cabinet foaming pre-assembly unit, a foaming process, and a step of mounting the first to fifth water transport pipes 15f on the cabinet 5. Similar to the method of manufacturing the freezer door 6, an insulating member is also provided within the cabinet foaming pre-assembly unit to define a passage for passing the water duct.

When the freezing chamber door 6 is mounted on the cabinet 5, a) the first water duct 15a is connected to the inlet end of the water filter 14, b) one end of the second water duct 15b is connected to the outlet end of the water filter 14, and the other end is connected to the inlet end of the switching valve 16, c) one end of the third water duct 15c is connected to one of the outlet ends of the switching valve 16, and the other end is connected to the water inlet nozzle 17 extending into the freezing chamber 3; d) one end of the fourth water pipe 15d is connected to the other outlet end of the switching valve 16, and the other end is connected to the inlet end of the water tank 18; e) one end of the fifth water delivery pipe 15e is connected to an outlet of the water tank 18, and the other end thereof is connected to the sixth water delivery pipe 15f extending to a lower left corner of the case 5 (preferably, near a connection of the case 5 and the freezing chamber door 6).

The installation of the other water transport pipes and the connection with the corresponding elements are not limited thereto except that the connection of the fifth water transport pipe 15e and the sixth water transport pipe 15f needs to be made together with the cabinet 5 at the freezing chamber door 6.

In the above embodiment, the first to sixth water pipes 15a to 15f are inserted into the outer pipe 29 after the foaming process is completed. However, in another alternative embodiment, it is also possible to connect the outer tube 29, which is previously sheathed with the water pipe, in the foaming bath assembly unit and then perform the foaming process, in the step of providing the foaming bath assembly unit.

In the above embodiment, the first to sixth water transport tubes 15a to 15f are all detachably mounted in the thermal insulation layer 25. However, in alternative embodiments, it may also be possible that only one or several of the water ducts are detachably arranged through the thermal insulation layer 25.

In the above embodiments, the water delivery pipe is associated with dispensing of ice or water. However, it should be noted that the present invention can be applied to a fluid delivery pipe used in other occasions of a refrigerator, such as a water delivery pipe for guiding defrosting water. It is apparent that the present invention is also applicable to a duct for transporting a fluid other than water in a refrigerator.

Claims

1. A refrigerator (1) comprising: -a storage space, -a thermally insulating wall, and-at least one water duct (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f), wherein said wall comprises an inner wall facing said storage space, an outer wall, and a thermal insulation layer (25) between the inner and outer walls, wherein said thermal insulation layer (25) is formed by foaming a thermal insulation foaming agent in a foaming space between said inner and outer walls adapted to receive said thermal insulation foaming agent, and said inner and outer walls are in close proximity to the inner and outer sides of said thermal insulation layer (25), respectively, -said water duct (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) being at least partially housed within said thermal insulation layer (25), characterized in that said water duct (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is removably housed within said thermal insulation layer (25).

2. A refrigerator (1) comprising:

a storage space (3);

a door (6) for selectively closing or opening at least a portion of the storage space (3), the door (6) including an inner wall facing the storage space, an outer wall, and a thermal insulation layer (25) between the inner wall and the outer wall, the thermal insulation layer (25) being foamed by a thermal insulation foaming agent to be formed in a foaming space between the inner wall and the outer wall adapted to receive the thermal insulation foaming agent, and the inner wall and the outer wall being closely attached to an inner side and an outer side of the thermal insulation layer (25), respectively; and

at least one water duct (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) at least partially housed inside said thermal insulation layer (25),

the heat insulation layer is characterized in that the water conveying pipes (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) are detachably accommodated in the heat insulation layer (25).

3. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising an insulating element (26) inside the thermal insulating layer (25) to insulate the water duct (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) from the thermal insulating layer (25).

4. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 3, characterized by the fact that said insulating element (26) defines a channel (27), said water ducts (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) passing through said channel (27) and forming a gap with said channel (27).

5. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 3, characterized by the insulating element (26) embedded in the thermal insulation layer (25) and tightly bonded to the thermal insulation layer (25).

6. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 3, characterized by the spacer element (26) being tubular.

7. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 4, characterized by the channel (27) being isolated from the thermal insulation (25).

8. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 5, characterized by the insulating element (26) that defines a channel (27), the water ducts (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) passing through the channel (27) and forming a gap with the channel (27), the channel (27) being insulated from the thermal insulating layer (25).

9. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 6, characterized by the insulating element (26) that defines a channel (27), the water ducts (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) passing through the channel (27) and forming a gap with the channel (27), the channel (27) being insulated from the thermal insulating layer (25).

10. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 3, characterized by the insulating element (26) which extends beyond the thermal insulation (25) at both ends.

11. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 5, characterized by the insulating element (26) which extends beyond the thermal insulation (25) at both ends.

12. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 7, characterized by the insulating element (26) which extends beyond the thermal insulation (25) at both ends.

13. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 2, characterized by the fact that at least a part of the water duct (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is arranged close to the inner surface of the outer wall (32).

14. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 13, characterized by the water duct (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) having at least a portion in contact with the outer wall (32).

15. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the end of the water duct (15f) is located inside a distributor (19).

16. A refrigerator (1) comprises

A storage space (3, 4);

an insulating wall including an inner wall facing the storage space, an outer wall, and a thermal insulation layer (25) for thermal insulation between the inner wall and the outer wall, the thermal insulation layer (25) being foamed by a thermal insulation foaming agent into a foaming space between the inner wall and the outer wall adapted to receive the thermal insulation foaming agent, and the inner wall and the outer wall being respectively closely adhered to an inner side and an outer side of the thermal insulation layer (25);

a dispenser (19); a water filter (14) for filtering water; and

a water tank (18) for storing water;

wherein the distributor (19) and the water tank (18) and the water filter (14) and the water tank (18) are connected by at least one water duct (15a, 15b, 15d, 15e, 15f), respectively, characterized in that at least one water duct (15a, 15b, 15d, 15e, 15f) is detachably mounted to the thermally insulating layer (25).

17. A refrigerator (1) comprises

A box (5) defining at least one storage space (3, 4),

a door (6) for selectively opening or closing at least a portion of the storage space (3, 4), the cabinet (5) and the door (6) including an insulating wall including an inner wall facing the storage space, an outer wall, and a thermal insulation layer (25) between the inner wall and the outer wall, the thermal insulation layer (25) being foamed by a thermal insulation foaming agent into a foamed space between the inner wall and the outer wall adapted to receive the thermal insulation foaming agent, and the inner wall and the outer wall being in close proximity to an inner side and an outer side of the thermal insulation layer (25), respectively;

an ice maker (10); and

a water delivery path for supplying water to the ice maker (10), wherein the water delivery path comprises a pipe connector (2) for connecting to a water source and a plurality of water delivery pipes (15a, 15b, 15c) connected between the pipe connector (2) and the ice maker (10),

characterized in that at least one water conveying pipe (15a, 15b, 15c) is detachably arranged in the heat insulation layer (25) in a penetrating way.

18. A method of manufacturing a refrigerator (1), characterized by comprising:

a) providing a foaming pre-assembled unit having a space adapted to receive a thermally insulating foaming agent, the pre-assembled unit comprising an insulating element (26) located at least partially within the space, the insulating element (26) defining a channel (27), the channel (27) being insulated from the space;

b) injecting a thermal insulation foaming agent into the space to form a thermal insulation layer (25), the insulating element (26) being bonded to the thermal insulation layer (25); and

c) water transport tubes (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) are received in the thermal insulation layer (25) through the channels (27).

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step c) is performed after said step b) is completed.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the step a) comprises: -fixing the spacer element (26) to an outer wall (32) defining the space.