CN108931095B

CN108931095B - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN108931095B
Application number: CN201810506176.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 柳志玟
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2017-05-26
Filing date: 2018-05-24
Publication date: 2020-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-24
Also published as: KR101997259B1; EP3406992A1; EP3406992B1; CN108931095A; KR20180129259A

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; a refrigerating chamber door opening and closing the refrigerating chamber; a freezing chamber door which opens and closes the freezing chamber; a dispenser provided in a front surface of the refrigerating chamber door; an ice maker disposed in the freezing chamber door; a water tank detachably disposed on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door above the dispenser to supply water by a self weight of water when the water tank is installed; and a tank connection part disposed in the refrigerating compartment door and connected to the water tank to provide a passage branched toward the dispenser and the ice maker when the water tank is installed.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

Embodiments relate to a refrigerator.

Background

Generally, a refrigerator is an electric appliance for storing food at a low temperature in a storage space closed by a door. The storage space is cooled by cold air, which is heat-exchanged with refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle, thereby optimally storing food.

In addition, as diet changes and user preferences change, refrigerators are on a trend to become larger and more functional, and various comfortable structures are being added to refrigerators.

For example, in recent years, a refrigerator in which a dispenser for dispensing water is provided in a refrigerating chamber door or an ice maker for making ice is installed in a freezing chamber or a freezing chamber door is being developed. In addition, a water tank in which water supplied to the dispenser is stored may be detachably disposed on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door.

However, in such a refrigerator, it is impossible to supply water to the ice maker from a water tank for supplying water to the dispenser.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments provide a refrigerator in which water can be supplied to a dispenser and an ice maker through a water tank detachably disposed on a door.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which water can be supplied to a dispenser by its own weight when a water tank is installed, and water can also be supplied to an ice maker.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a detachable water tank having a simple structure is provided, the water tank being capable of supplying water to a dispenser and an ice maker.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a passage branched from a tank connection part connected to a water tank when the water tank is installed is provided to supply water to a dispenser by self-weight of water and also to supply water to an ice maker by a pump.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; a refrigerating chamber door opening and closing the refrigerating chamber; a freezing chamber door which opens and closes the freezing chamber; a dispenser provided in a front surface of the refrigerating chamber door; an ice maker disposed in the freezing chamber door; a water tank detachably disposed on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door above the dispenser to supply water by a self weight of water when the water tank is installed; and a tank connection part disposed in the refrigerating compartment door and connected to the water tank to provide a passage branching toward the dispenser and the ice maker when the water tank is installed.

The freezer compartment may be disposed above the refrigerator compartment.

A center hinge rotatably supporting the refrigerating compartment door and the freezing compartment door may be disposed between the refrigerating compartment door and the freezing compartment door in the cabinet, and the center hinge may have a hollow portion through which a pipe for supplying water from the bin connection part to the ice maker passes.

The box connection part may include: a case upper part defining a recessed space exposed to a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door and into which a portion of the water tank is inserted; and a housing lower part defining a recessed space leading to the dispenser, wherein the tank connection part may further include a connector disposed in the housing lower part to communicate with the water tank mounted on the housing upper part.

The lower portion of the housing may be disposed higher than a dispensing nozzle of the dispenser to discharge the water in the water tank to the dispenser by the self-weight of the water.

A tank mounting part supporting a bottom surface and both side surfaces of the water tank may be disposed on a rear surface of the door, and a connector inlet opening to one side of the connector and connected to the water tank may be exposed to the bottom surface of the tank mounting part.

The water tank may include: a tank storing water; a case cover that opens and closes the case body; and a tank outlet protruding from the tank body and inserted into the tank connection part when the refrigerating chamber door is installed to provide a drainage channel.

The tank connection part may include a connector branched into a dispenser-side connection part into which the tank outlet is inserted and which supplies water to the dispenser from a lower side of the tank outlet, and an ice maker-side connection part which supplies water to the ice maker.

The dispenser-side connection portion may extend to the dispenser, and the ice maker-side connection portion may extend to a side opposite to the dispenser-side connection portion.

Side fixing parts may be disposed on the connector, the side fixing parts extending in a direction crossing the dispenser-side connecting part and the ice maker-side connecting part, and the side fixing parts being shaft-coupled to both side surfaces of the box connecting part in a rotatable manner.

A lower fixing portion may be further disposed on a lower end of the connector, the lower fixing portion extending downward along the side fixing portion and a screw for fixing coupled to the lower fixing portion.

An opening protrusion may extend into the inside of the connector, the opening protrusion protruding upward and being inserted into the tank outlet when the water tank is installed to open the check valve inside the tank outlet.

A pump may be disposed in the refrigerating chamber door, the pump being connected to a branch side of the tank connection part to supply water to the ice maker, and the pump may be disposed lower than the water tank.

A sealing member may be disposed at the open upper end of the connector, the sealing member sealing a gap between the tank outlet and the connector, and a sealing rib may be disposed inside the sealing member, the sealing rib protruding inward and being closely attached to an outer surface of the tank outlet.

The dispenser-side connection part and the ice maker-side connection part may be inclined downward, and a pump for supplying water to the dispensing nozzle of the dispenser and the ice maker may be disposed lower than the dispenser-side connection part and the ice maker-side connection part.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view of the refrigerator with the door open.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mounting structure of a water tank according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a view showing an arrangement of an ice maker assembly and a water tank and a water supply structure according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5' of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of a dispenser and a tank connection part according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tank connection member.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a view showing a state of water flow in the tank connection member.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of an overall water flow path in the refrigerator.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments provided herein. On the contrary, it will be apparent that other embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure may be readily derived by adding, modifying and deleting elements herein.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Also, fig. 2 is a view of the refrigerator with the door open.

As shown in the drawings, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment includes a cabinet 10 and a door 20, the cabinet 10 defining a storage space therein, the door 20 opening and closing an opened front surface of the cabinet 10, the cabinet 10 and the door 20 defining an external appearance of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerating chamber 12 and the freezing chamber 11 may be vertically defined in the cabinet 10. The refrigerating chamber 12 may be defined in a lower portion of the cabinet 10, and the freezing chamber 11 may be defined in an upper portion of the cabinet 10. In addition, although not shown, components constituting a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expansion device of a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage space may be provided in the cabinet 10.

The door 20 may include a refrigerating compartment door 22 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 12 and a freezing compartment door 21 for opening and closing the freezing compartment 11. Since the refrigerating compartment door 22 is disposed at the lower side, the refrigerating compartment door 22 may be referred to as a lower door. Also, since the freezing chamber door 21 is disposed at the upper side, the freezing chamber door 21 may be referred to as an upper door.

Also, the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 may be rotatably installed on the cabinet 10. Here, the center hinge 13 rotatably supporting the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 may be disposed between the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21.

The upper end of the refrigerating chamber door 22 and the lower end of the freezing chamber door 21 may be shaft-coupled to each other by a center hinge 13. As shown in fig. 4, the hinge shaft of the center hinge 13 may have a hollow portion. Therefore, a pipe through which water flows between the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 may pass through the hollow portion.

In addition, the upper end of the refrigerating chamber door 22 and the lower end of the freezing chamber door 21 may be connected to each other by a hinge (not shown) to rotatably support the refrigerating chamber door 22 and the freezing chamber door 21.

The ice maker assembly 30 may be disposed on the freezing compartment door 21. The ice maker assembly 30 may include a case 31 installed on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door 21, an ice maker 33 disposed in the case 31 to make ice, and an ice drawer 32 to store the ice made in the ice maker 33.

The ice maker 33 may be provided as an automatic ice maker that automatically transfers ice when ice making is completed after water for making ice is automatically supplied. The structure of the automatic ice maker can be realized by a general technology, and automatic ice makers having various structures can be applied to the present disclosure.

Also, the ice drawer 32 may be disposed below the ice maker 33 and installed to be withdrawable from the case 31. The user can take out the made ice through the ice drawer and use the ice.

A dispenser 70 for dispensing water at an outside of the refrigerating compartment door 22 may be provided in a front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22. The dispenser 70 may include a dispenser housing 71, the dispenser housing 71 providing a recessed space in the front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22. Alternatively, at least a portion of the recessed space of the dispenser 70 may be defined by recessing the housing 31 defining the outer surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22.

A cover plate 73 may be disposed at an upper end of the dispenser 70, the cover plate 73 covering the dispensing nozzle 75 through which water is dispensed. Also, a tray 74 for collecting residual water occurring when water is dispensed may be disposed at a lower end of the dispenser 70. In addition, a dispensing lever 72 for manipulating the water dispensing through the dispensing nozzle 75 may be disposed in the concave inside of the dispenser 70. Water may be dispensed through dispensing nozzle 75 by manipulation of dispensing lever 72.

The water tank 40 may be disposed on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 22. The water tank 40 may be disposed at an upper end of a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 22. That is, the water tank 40 may be disposed at a position higher than the position of the dispenser 70. Accordingly, the water dispensed from the water tank 40 may be supplied to the dispenser 70 by its own weight. When the dispensing lever 72 is manipulated, water may be dispensed through the dispensing nozzle 75.

Hereinafter, the water tank 40 will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown, the water tank 40 may include a case 41 defining a space in which water is contained, and a cover 42 opening and closing the case 41. At least a portion of the tank 41 may be made of a transparent material in order to confirm the level of water stored therein.

The tank outlet 43 may be provided at one side of the bottom surface of the tank body 41 or a circumferential surface including the bottom surface. The tank outlet 43 may have a downwardly extending pipe shape to communicate with a tank connection part 50 provided on the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 22. Accordingly, in a state where the water tank 40 is installed, the water 40 in the water tank may be supplied to the tank connection part 50.

The tank outlet 43 may extend directly downward or in an inclined direction and have a pipe shape insertable into the tank connection member 50. Also, a check valve may be disposed in the tank outlet 43. Accordingly, in a state where the water tank 40 is separated from the refrigerating chamber door 22, the check valve may be closed, and thus the water inside the water tank 40 may not be discharged. When the water tank 40 is mounted on the refrigerating chamber door 22, the check valve may be opened, and thus water inside the water tank 40 may be supplied through the tank connection part 50.

To this end, the box connection member 50 may be mounted on the door liner 222, and the connection member case may be exposed through the box mounting portion 224. Also, an upper recess 511 recessed to accommodate the tank outlet 43 may be defined in the tank connection part 50. Also, the connector inlet 621 of the connector 60 into which the tank outlet 43 is inserted may be exposed to the inside of the upper recess 511. The construction of the tank connection member 50 will be described in more detail below.

The cover 42 can open and close the opening surface of the case 41. When the cover 42 is opened, water can be filled in the case 41. That is, the user can confirm the level of the water stored in the water tank 40 through the tank 41. Then, if it is determined that the water needs to be replenished, the tank cover 42 may be opened to fill the tank 41 with water. The water tank 40 may replenish water in a state of being mounted on the refrigerating chamber door 22. After the water tank 40 is separated to be filled with water, the water tank 40 may be mounted on the refrigerating compartment door 22.

The water tank 40 is mounted on the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 22. In a state where the refrigerating chamber door 22 is closed, the water tank 40 is disposed in an inner region of the refrigerating chamber 12. Accordingly, the water contained in the water tank 40 can be cooled to a low temperature by the cool air of the refrigerating chamber 12. Thus, cooled water may be provided through the dispenser 70.

The refrigerating compartment door 22 may include an outer panel 221 defining an appearance of a front surface thereof and a door liner 222 defining an appearance of a rear surface thereof. A plurality of door baskets 223 may be detachably disposed on the door liner 222. Also, an inwardly recessed tank mounting portion 224 may be disposed at an upper end of the door liner 222 defining a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22.

The tank mounting part 224 may support at least the lower end and both left and right surfaces of the water tank 40. And, a coupling structure with the water tank 40 may be provided in the tank mounting part 224. Therefore, even if the refrigerating chamber door 22 is rotated, the water tank 40 may not be arbitrarily separated. Also, when the water tank 40 is completely mounted on the tank mounting portion 224, the tank connection part 50 may be disposed inside the tank mounting portion 224 to communicate with the tank outlet 43.

As shown, the ice maker assembly 30 may be installed on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door 21. Here, the case 31 may be coupled to a mounting bracket 34 disposed on a rear surface of the freezing chamber 21. At least a portion of the mounting bracket 34 may be exposed through a door liner defining a rear surface of the freezer door 21. Also, the connector portion 341 and the water supply pipe connection portion 342 may be disposed on the mount bracket 34.

Connector portion 341 can be coupled to one side of ice maker 33 in a male and female connection. An electrical wire may be connected to connector portion 341 to communicate with ice maker 33 and supply power to ice maker 33. Also, the water supply pipe connection part 342 may be connected to the ice maker side pipe 23 to supply water in the water tank 40 to the ice maker 33.

In addition, the ice maker 33 may be disposed at an upper portion of the case 31, and a plurality of cold air holes 311 for supplying cold air to the ice maker 33 may be defined in a top surface of the case 31. An ice drawer 32, which is extractable from the housing 31, may be arranged below the ice maker 33. And, a drawer for receiving food may be further disposed under the drawer 32.

The water tank 40 may be disposed on the refrigerating chamber door 22. Also, in a state where the water tank 40 is installed, water in the water tank 40 may communicate with the tank connection part 50. Also, the pump housing 25 may be disposed on one side of the tank connection part 50.

A pump 24 for supplying water supplied from the water tank 40 to the ice maker 33 disposed above the water tank 40 may be provided in the pump housing 25. The pump 24 may be accommodated in a pump mounting portion 251 provided inside the pump housing 25. Also, the tank connection member 50 and the pump 24 may be connected to each other by a connection pipe 231. The pump 24 may be connected to one end of the ice maker side pipe 23.

Therefore, when the pump 24 is driven, the water supplied from the water tank 40 may flow to the pump through the connection pipe 231, and then flow upward along the ice maker side pipe 23 by the pump 24, and be supplied to the ice maker 33.

Here, the ice maker side tube 23 may pass through the hinge shaft of the center hinge 13 while being guided to the freezer door 21 via the refrigerator door 22. Accordingly, when the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 are rotated, the ice maker side tube 23 may not be exposed to the outside and thus may not interfere with the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21.

Also, the ice maker side tube 23 may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of ice maker side tubes 23 may be connected to each other. For example, as shown, the ice maker side duct 23 may include a first duct 232 extending to the center hinge 13 in the refrigerator compartment 12 and a second duct 233 extending from the center hinge 13 to the ice maker 33. Here, the first and

second tubes

232 and 233 may be connected to each other at the central hinge 13.

Hereinafter, the dispenser 70 and the tank connection part 50 will be described in more detail.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5' of fig. 1. Also, fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of a dispenser and a tank connection member according to an embodiment.

As shown, the dispenser 70 may be disposed in a front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22. The dispenser 70 may have a concave space through the dispenser housing 71. Also, the dispenser housing 71 may be configured to support a recessed front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22.

In detail, the dispenser housing 71 may include an upper housing 711 defining an upper portion of the dispenser 70, a lower housing 712 defining a lower portion of the dispenser housing 71, and a housing connecting portion 713 connecting the upper housing 711 to the lower housing 712.

The upper housing part 711a may be recessed to be defined in the upper housing 711. The upper housing part 711a may be opened forward, and the dispensing nozzle 75 and the dispensing rod 72 may be disposed in the upper housing part 711 a. Also, at least a portion of the upper housing part 711a in which the dispensing nozzle 75 is disposed may be covered by the upper cover 42. For this, the cover coupling part 711b coupled to the upper cover 42 may be disposed within the upper accommodation part 711 a.

Also, a pipe connection part 751 connected to the dispenser-side pipe 75 is disposed at an upper end of the dispensing nozzle 75. The dispenser-side tube 76 may be disposed inside the refrigerating chamber door 22. One end of the distributor-side pipe 76 is connected to the distribution nozzle 75 by passing through the upper housing part 711a, and the other end is connected to a distributor-side connecting part disposed on the tank connecting part 50. Accordingly, the water in the water tank 40 may be introduced into the distributor-side pipe 76 through the distributor-side connection 63 of the connector 60 and then distributed to the distribution nozzle 75 through the distributor-side pipe 76.

Here, a dispensing nozzle 75 or a dispensing valve 752 for opening and closing a passage connected to the dispensing nozzle 75 may be further disposed at one side of the dispensing nozzle 75 or the upper receiving part 711 a. The dispensing valve 752 can be opened and closed by manipulating the dispensing lever 72.

The lower receiving portion 712a may be defined in a recessed lower end of the dispenser 70, i.e., the lower case 712, to provide a space in which the dispenser tray 74 is detachably mounted. Also, a tray coupling part 712b coupled to the dispenser tray 74 may be further disposed on a bottom surface of the lower receiving part 712 a.

The housing connection portions 713 are provided in a pair. The pair of housing connection parts 713 may extend from both upper ends of the lower receiving part 712a to the lower end of the upper receiving part 711 a. A space between the upper accommodation part 711a and the lower accommodation part 712a may be maintained by the housing connection part 713.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tank connection member. Also, fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment.

As shown, the box connection component 50 may include a connection component housing and a connector 60 mounted on the connection component housing.

In detail, the connecting member housing may be injection molded by using a plastic material. The connector 60 may be fixedly installed on the link member housing such that the dispenser-side tube 76 and the connection tube 231 are connected. Also, the connection part housing may have a structure into which the tank outlet 43 of the water tank 40 is inserted.

The link housing may include a housing upper portion 51 and a housing lower portion 52. The case upper part 51 may be a part exposed to the outside of the door liner 222, and the case lower part 52 may be disposed inside the door liner 222. Also, the housing upper part 51 may be connected to the water tank 40, and the connector 60 may be disposed on the housing lower part 52.

The housing upper portion 51 may define an upper portion of the coupling member housing. A concave upper recess 511 may be defined at the center of the case upper part 51, and an upper edge 512 may be disposed on a circumference of the upper recess 511. Accordingly, the upper recess 511 may be exposed through the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 22 in a state where the box connection part 50 is mounted on the refrigerating chamber door 22.

The upper edge 512 may be attached to be secured to the door liner 222. Also, the upper edge 512 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the upper recess 511. The upper edge 512 may include a vertical portion that contacts the rear surface of the tank mounting portion 224 and a horizontal portion 512b that contacts the bottom surface of the tank mounting portion 224.

Also, the opened top surface of the connector 60 may be exposed to the inner surface of the upper recess 511. Accordingly, when the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22 is viewed, the upper concave portion 511 may be exposed to the inside of the box mounting portion 224. A connector inlet 621 of a top surface of the connector may be exposed to the inside of the upper recess 511 to communicate with the water tank 40.

The housing lower portion 52 may define a lower portion of the connector housing. The case lower part 52 may extend to a lower end of the case upper part 51, and include a lower recess 521 opened forward and a lower edge disposed on a peripheral edge of the lower recess 521.

The lower recess 521 may have an upper end contacting the horizontal portion 512 b. A communication portion 522 communicating with the lower recess 521 may be provided in a bottom surface of the horizontal portion 512b, i.e., a top surface of the lower recess 521. The communication part 522 may extend to the inside of the lower concave part 521 and be connected to the opened top surface of the connector 60.

Also, a pipe hole 523 opened rearward may be defined in one side of the inner surface of the lower recess 521. The pipe hole 523 may be opened at a position corresponding to the ice maker side connection part 64 of the connector, and the ice maker side connection part 64 or the connection pipe 231 connected to the ice maker side connection part 64 may pass through the pipe hole 523.

The lower recess 521 may be disposed at a rear side corresponding to the dispenser 70, and the dispenser-side connection portion 63 of the connector 60 received in the lower recess 521 may extend to the dispenser 70.

The connector 60 may be accommodated in the lower recess 521. The connector 60 may be coupled to the communication portion 522 inside the lower concave portion 521 to communicate with the upper concave portion 511. Also, the distributor-side connection 63 of the connector 60 may be disposed to face the distributor and connected to the distributor-side pipe 76. In addition, the ice maker side connection portion 64 of the connector 60 may extend to a position adjacent to the pump 24, and may be connected to a connection pipe 231 connected to the pump 24.

When describing the structure of the connector 60 in more detail with reference to fig. 8, the connector 60 may include a connector body 61 completely defining a passage and a sealing member 62 sealing a gap between the connector body 61 and the water tank 40.

In detail, the connector body 61 may be injection molded by using a plastic material. The connector body 61 may have open upper and lower ends that branch forward and backward to provide a dispenser-side connection portion 63 and an ice maker-side connection portion 64.

The upper end of the connector body may have a cylindrical shape having an open top surface and extending upward. In detail, a sealing member coupling portion 611 may be disposed at an upper end of the connector body 61, and the sealing member 62 is coupled to the sealing member coupling portion 611. Also, the lower end of the sealing member coupling portion 611 may have a stepped structure to support the lower end of the sealing member 62.

In addition, the outlet connection portion 612 may be disposed below the sealing member coupling portion 611. The outlet connection 612 may correspond to the outer diameter of the tank outlet 43. When the water tank 40 is installed, the lower end of the tank outlet 43 may be supported by the outlet connection portion 612.

An opening protrusion 613 extending upward may be disposed on a bottom surface of the outlet connection portion 612. The opening protrusion 613 may be spaced apart from the circumferential surface of the tank outlet 43 to provide a space. In addition, when the tank outlet 43 is inserted into the outlet connection part 612, the opening protrusion 613 may push the check valve 431 inside the tank outlet 43 to open the check valve 431. Here, an end of the tank outlet 43 may be inserted into a space 614 between a circumferential surface of the outlet connection portion 612 and the opening protrusion 613. The opening protrusion 613 may be provided in plurality along the bottom surface of the outlet connection portion 612 to uniformly push the entire check valve 431 upward such that the check valve 431 moves.

The drain portion 615 may be disposed below the outlet connection portion 612. The water drain part 615 may be recessed downward and branched to both sides of the dispenser-side connection part 63 and the ice maker-side connection part 64. Accordingly, water discharged from the water tank 40 may be separated at the water discharge part 615 and then supplied to the dispenser-side connection part 63 and the ice maker-side connection part 64.

The dispenser-side connection part 63 and the ice maker-side connection part 64 may be inclined downward. Therefore, the water divided at the drain part 615 may flow along the inclined parts of the dispenser-side connection part 63 and the ice maker-side connection part 64 by the self weight of the water. Also, the distribution nozzle 75 and the pump 24, which communicate with the dispenser-side connection 63 and the ice maker-side connection 64, may be disposed below the dispenser-side connection 63 and the ice maker-side connection 64, and thus, water may be supplied to the dispenser-side connection 63 and the ice maker-side connection 64 by the self weight of the water.

A side fixing part 65 extending in a horizontal direction (i.e., a direction crossing an extending direction of the dispenser-side connecting part 63 and the ice maker-side connecting part 64) may be disposed on a lower end of the connector body. The side fixing parts 65 may extend in both left and right directions between the dispenser-side connecting part 63 and the ice maker-side connecting part 64. The side fixing parts 65 may be fixed to both side surfaces of the lower concave part 521, and screws passing through the lower concave part 521 may be coupled to the side fixing parts 65 such that the side fixing parts 65 are fixed within the lower concave part 521.

Further, the side fixing portion 65 may be provided in a shaft shape and coupled internally in the lower recess 521. In this case, the connector 60 can be slightly moved by using the side fixing part 65 as an axis. Therefore, the connection with the water tank 40 or the connection between the dispenser-side pipe 76 and the connection pipe 231 may be easy.

The lower fixing portion 66 may be disposed at a lower end of the connector body 61. The lower fixing portion may extend downward between the dispenser-side connection portion 63 and the ice maker-side connection portion 64. Also, the lower fixing portions 66 may extend along the side fixing portions 65.

A screw hole 661 may be defined at the center of the lower fixing portion 66. Accordingly, the connector 60 may be fixed to the inside of the lower recess 521 by using a screw coupled to the screw hole 661. Here, the connector 60 may be fixed at three points by the side fixing portions 65 and the lower fixing portion 66 to provide a stable coupling structure inside the lower recess 521.

In addition, when the connector 60 is fixed, the side fixing portion 65 may be fixed first so that the connector 60 is rotatably fixed to the lower fixing portion 66. Then, the distributor-side tube 76 and the connection tube 231 may be connected to each other to fix the lower fixing portion 66, thereby facilitating the connection between the

tubes

76 and 231 and stably fixing the connector 60.

The sealing member 62 may be fixedly mounted on a sealing member coupling portion 611 disposed at an upper end of the connector body 61. The sealing member 62 may be made of rubber or silicon material. The sealing member 62 may be disposed inside the communication portion 522 of the upper concave portion 511 in a state of being fixed to the sealing member coupling portion 611. Accordingly, when the water tank 40 is installed, the tank outlet 43 of the water tank 40 may be inserted into the connector inlet 621 disposed at the upper end of the sealing member 62.

Specifically, the top surface of the sealing member 62 may be opened to provide the connector inlet 621 and have a shape corresponding to the outer diameter of the tank outlet 43. Also, a plurality of sealing ribs 623 projecting in the center direction may be arranged on the inner surface of the sealing member 62. The sealing rib 623 may be disposed along an inner surface of the sealing member 62 and have an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the tank outlet 43. Therefore, when the tank outlet 43 is inserted, the sealing rib 623 may be closely attached to the peripheral edge of the tank outlet 43 to seal the gap between the tank outlet 43 and the connector 60. The sealing rib 623 may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of sealing ribs 623 may be vertically spaced apart from each other to maintain more effective sealing performance.

The inner extension 622 and the outer extension 625 may be disposed on a lower portion of the sealing member 62. The inner extension 622 and the outer extension 625 may be spaced apart from each other to provide a space between the inner extension 622 and the outer extension 625 into which the upper end of the sealing member coupling portion 611 is inserted.

Accordingly, when the sealing member 62 is mounted, the upper end of the sealing member coupling portion 611 may be coupled between the inner extension 622 and the outer extension 625 such that the sealing member 62 is fixedly mounted. Here, a restriction protrusion 624 extending in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the sealing member coupling portion 611 may be disposed on the inner extension 622. The restriction protrusion 624 may be provided in plurality and press the outside of the sealing member coupling portion 611, so that the sealing member 62 and the connector body 61 are more firmly coupled to each other. Therefore, even if the water tank 40 is repeatedly disassembled, the sealing member 62 may not be separated from the connector body 6 but maintained in the coupled state.

Hereinafter, a process of supplying water in the water tank 40 to the dispenser 70 and the ice maker 33 in the refrigerator 1 having the above-described structure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 9 is a view showing a state of water flow in the tank connection member. Also, fig. 10 is a schematic view of an overall water flow path in the refrigerator.

As shown in the drawing, the user fills water into the water tank 40 in a state where the water tank 40 is mounted on the tank mounting part 224 or separated from the tank mounting part 224. In a state where the water tank 40 is mounted on the tank mounting portion 224, the tank outlet 43 may be in a state of being inserted into the connector 60. Here, the check valve 432 in the tank outlet 43 may be opened by the opening protrusion 613 to supply water.

A part of the water introduced into the connector 60 may be discharged to the distributor-side pipe 76 through the distributor-side connection 63 branched from the tank outlet 43 inside the connector 60 and then supplied to the distributor 70. In this state, preparation for dispensing water through the dispenser 70 may be completed, and when the user manipulates the dispensing lever 72, water may be dispensed through the dispensing nozzle 75.

A portion of the water introduced into the connector 60 may be discharged to the connection pipe 231 through the ice maker side connection part 64 branched from the tank outlet 43 inside the connector 60 and then supplied to the pump 24. In this state, when a single unit for supplying water to the ice maker 33 is generated, the operation of the pump 24 may be started. When the pump 24 is driven, water in the water tank 40 may be supplied to the water tank 40 through the ice maker side pipe 23.

Here, the water supplied by the operation of the pump 24 may flow through the first and

second pipes

232 and 233 constituting the icemaker-side pipe 23, pass through the center hinge 13, and then flow from the refrigerating compartment door 22 to the freezing compartment door 21 via the center hinge 13.

As described above, the supply of water to the ice maker 33 may be automatically performed, and the operation of the pump 24 may be stopped after a set amount of water is supplied to the ice maker 33. Accordingly, the supply of water to the ice maker 33 may be terminated.

The following effects can be expected in the refrigerator according to this embodiment.

A water tank installed inside the refrigerator may supply water to the dispenser and also to the ice maker to improve convenience of use.

Also, the water supplied from the detachable water tank may be supplied to the dispenser and the pump by the self-weight of the water. In particular, water may be supplied to the ice maker disposed at the upper side by the operation of the pump. As a result, water can be supplied to the dispenser and the ice maker as a whole with a simple structure to reduce manufacturing costs and improve productivity.

Also, the connector and the water tank may automatically communicate with each other when the water tank is installed. Therefore, water can be supplied to the dispenser and the ice maker without separate manipulation, thereby more improving convenience in use.

Also, even if the dispenser and the ice maker are disposed to be spaced apart from each other, water can be supplied simultaneously through one water tank. In particular, automatic ice making can be achieved by automatic water supply through a simple structure to improve convenience of use and reduce manufacturing costs.

Also, water can be supplied to the dispenser and the ice maker as a whole only by a simple structure of the connector and the pump to achieve a compact structure.

In addition, water can be automatically supplied to an ice maker disposed inside a freezing chamber door through a water tank detachably disposed on the freezing chamber door to improve water supply convenience and to allow water to be automatically supplied and ice is made without being connected to a separate water pipe, thereby improving ice making performance and ice supply convenience.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention. More specifically, various changes and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment disposed above the refrigerating compartment;

a refrigerating chamber door that opens and closes the refrigerating chamber;

a freezing chamber door that opens and closes the freezing chamber;

a dispenser provided in a front surface of the refrigerating chamber door;

an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment door;

a water tank detachably disposed on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door above the dispenser to supply water by a self weight of water when the water tank is installed; and

a box connection part disposed in the refrigerating chamber door and connected to the water tank,

characterized in that the box connecting member includes:

a case upper part defining a recessed space exposed to a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door and into which a portion of the water tank is inserted;

a housing lower portion defining a recessed space to the dispenser; and

a connector disposed in the housing lower part to communicate with the water tank;

the connector includes:

a connector inlet opening a top surface of the connector and exposed to the housing upper portion to communicate with the water tank;

a dispenser-side connection part branched at a lower end of the connector and extended to the dispenser to supply water to the dispenser;

an ice maker side connection part branched at the lower end of the connector and extended to a side opposite to the dispenser side connection part to supply water to the ice maker,

wherein the water tank is mounted on the refrigerating chamber door, and the tank connection part provides a passage branched toward the dispenser and the ice maker.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a center hinge is disposed in the cabinet, the center hinge rotatably supporting the refrigerating compartment door and the freezing compartment door between the refrigerating compartment door and the freezing compartment door, and

the center hinge has a hollow portion through which a pipe for supplying water from the tank connection part to the ice maker passes.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein side fixing parts are disposed on the connector, the side fixing parts extending in a direction crossing the dispenser-side connecting part and the ice maker-side connecting part, and the side fixing parts are rotatably shaft-coupled to both side surfaces of the box connecting part.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein a lower fixing portion is further disposed on a lower end of the connector, the lower fixing portion extends downward along the side fixing portion, and a screw for fixing is coupled to the lower fixing portion.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the dispenser-side connection part and the ice maker-side connection part are inclined downward, and,

the pump for supplying water to the dispensing nozzle of the dispenser and the ice maker is disposed lower than the dispenser-side connection portion and the ice maker-side connection portion.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein an opening protrusion extends to an inside of the connector, the opening protrusion protruding upward such that one side of the water tank is inserted inward when the water tank is installed to open a check valve of the water tank.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a pump is disposed in the refrigerating chamber door, the pump being connected to a branched side of the tank connection part to supply water to the ice maker, and

the pump is disposed lower than the water tank.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a sealing member is disposed at an open upper end of the connector, the sealing member sealing a gap between a tank outlet of the water tank inserted into the connector and the connector, and

a sealing rib is disposed inside the sealing member, the sealing rib protruding inward and closely attached to an outer surface of the tank outlet.