EP1030143B1 - Dispositif de distribution d'eau réfrigérée pour réfrigérateur - Google Patents

Dispositif de distribution d'eau réfrigérée pour réfrigérateur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1030143B1
EP1030143B1 EP20000200421 EP00200421A EP1030143B1 EP 1030143 B1 EP1030143 B1 EP 1030143B1 EP 20000200421 EP20000200421 EP 20000200421 EP 00200421 A EP00200421 A EP 00200421A EP 1030143 B1 EP1030143 B1 EP 1030143B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
solenoid valve
dispenser device
tank
refrigerator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP20000200421
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1030143A2 (fr
EP1030143A3 (fr
Inventor
Silvano Fumagalli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Candy SpA
Original Assignee
Candy SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Candy SpA filed Critical Candy SpA
Publication of EP1030143A2 publication Critical patent/EP1030143A2/fr
Publication of EP1030143A3 publication Critical patent/EP1030143A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1030143B1 publication Critical patent/EP1030143B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • F25D23/126—Water cooler
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
    • B67D1/0009—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in an intermediate container connected to a supply
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00031—Housing
    • B67D2210/00034—Modules
    • B67D2210/00036—Modules for use with or in refrigerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2323/121—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass the refrigerator is characterised by a water filter for the water/ice dispenser

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a cool water dispenser device for a refrigerator, particularly for a domestic type appliance.
  • Dispensing devices for cool water.
  • Such dispensers provide for the use of a tank, that being adequately connected with an external water network that is always present in environments where refrigerators are located, allows the accumulation of drinkable water.
  • This tank is situated internally of the heat insulated casing of the refrigerator in a such way as to keep a determined quantity of drinkable water constantly cooled, that is possible to tap through output water delivering means.
  • this device provides for the utilisation of appropriate internal filters suitable to purify the drinkable water incoming from the water network from possible organic compounds, from products of the reaction of the chlorine present in the water, from substances released by the piping of the water network.
  • filters suitable to purify the drinkable water incoming from the water network from possible organic compounds, from products of the reaction of the chlorine present in the water, from substances released by the piping of the water network.
  • Such filter has a filtration capacity that is determined by the litres of water being treated. After a certain number of litres it is opportune to replace the filter cartridge in order to prevent to lose in effectiveness in the filtering action.
  • US-A-3 982 406 discloses a water dispenser for refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • object of the present invention is to realise a dispenser of cool water for a refrigerator, in particular for a domestic refrigerator, that is capable to dispense cooled water without the inconveniences shown by the known dispensers.
  • said electronic control unit is also suitable to control the closing of said valve means when a pre-established period of time is over.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram of the hydraulic circuit according of a dispenser.
  • the water 1 deriving from an external water network feeds a tank 4 through a solenoid valve 2 and, downstream of the same, there is a litre-counter 3.
  • Said litre-counter 3 can either be a separate device from the solenoid valve 2, or it can be integrated therein.
  • the tank for the accumulation of the water 4 is inserted in a heat insulated and refrigerated casing located inside the refrigerator, so as to refrigerate the drinkable water of the external water network.
  • the solenoid valve 2 that allows the flow of the network water 1 into the tank is essentially made up of a mechanical valve whose closing and opening operation is controlled by the switch 9 located on the door 10 of the refrigerator, in normal conditions of operation.
  • the closing of the solenoid valve 2 can be controlled also by an electronic control device 8 in particular cases of operation.
  • the litre-counter is a device for the reading of the flow of the water and is usually made up of an electromechanical apparatus that allows to obtain a certain number of digital pulses for each litre of water that goes through the solenoid valve 1. It can be realised by different implementations.
  • a first type of litre-counter device provides the use of an electrodynamic circuit in which a mechanical revolving mean, made up of paddles, is connected with a magnet and with a reed reading element. By turning, the magnet determines the opening and the closing of the reed contact. The contact closing and opening actions are monitored by the electronic control device 8.
  • a variation of this type of device provides for the use of different elements as paddles for the mechanical revolving mean, some of which the possibility is given to reflect a bright signal, adequately produced, so that it is possible to excite a photo-detector element (a photodiode or a phototransistor) that produces measurable pulses.
  • a second type of litre-counter device provides for the use of a piezoelectric sensor that is sensitive to the pressure variations.
  • a body introduced in the path of the water and adequately modelled in order to create loops therein creates vortexes and therefore sudden pressure changes that can be detected by the piezoelectric sensor.
  • the mechanical vibrations are transduced into measurable electric pulses.
  • a filter 5 suitable to purify the drinkable water deriving from the external water network is located downstream of the refrigerant tank 4 in order to treat only the water that is used immediately. It is generally manufactured with a material that allows to eliminate possible organic compounds, products of the reaction of the chlorine present in the water and substances released by the piping of the water network in the common use water.
  • the switch 9 of the dispensers is advantageously situated on the door 10 of the refrigerator appliance and controls the opening and closing operation of the solenoid valve 2, in such a way as to allow the inflow of new network water in the tank 4, in order to replace the water previously tapped.
  • a dispenser 6 for the delivery of cool water is provided downstream of the filter 5 .
  • the filter 5 deteriorates for quantity of filtered water and for time of utilisation.
  • the litre-counter 3 provides a certain number of pulses to the control device for each litre of water that flows in the dispenser.
  • Such control device consists essentially of a microprocessor data acquisition circuit 80, that it is possible to set so that it controls the closing of the solenoid valve 2 upon the attainment of the number of wanted litres, and therefore stops the water feed to the dispensers. Since the filter 5 also deteriorates with the time of utilisation, it is possible and preferable to set a timer in the control device, in order to cause it to close the solenoid valve 2, thus stopping the delivery of water even after a desired period of time.
  • the microprocessor 80 is connected with a file memory 11, that is used to store the readings of the litre-counter 3 and possibly the value of the timer, in the case of sudden or lasting lack of supply voltage of the electronic control device.
  • an user interface device 14 is connected with the microprocessor 80. In this way the user can reset the count of the litres of water that go through the tank 4 and reactivate the delivery. The attainment of the quantity of water being set can be signalled through an acoustic or optical signaller.
  • a display 13 that can consists of a numerical device or of an analog hand indicator or only of a light led.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown an embodiment of the dispenser according to the present invention in which the use of a second solenoid valve 12 is provided, that is placed downstream of the tank 4, that controls the delivery of cool water.
  • the opening and closing of said solenoid valve are also controlled by the switch 9, in normal conditions of operation.
  • the closing of said solenoid valve can be controlled by the control device 8, when it is necessary to change the filter.

Claims (8)

  1. Dispositif de distribution d'eau réfrigérée pour réfrigérateur, en particulier un réfrigérateur domestique, comprenant un réservoir (4) pour l'accumulation d'eau potable adapté pour être logé dans un boítier calorifugé du réfrigérateur, un filtre (5) pour purifier l'eau du réseau, un moyen pour la connexion à un système d'alimentation en eau extérieur d'eau potable, un moyen pour le débit de l'eau réfrigérée (6) contenue dans ledit réservoir (4), ledit filtre (5) étant placé en aval du réservoir et ledit dispositif de distribution comprenant un dispositif de commande comprenant une première électrovanne (2) interposée entre le système d'alimentation en eau extérieur de l'eau potable (1) et le réservoir (4), caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif de commande comprend un compteur (3) pour compter la quantité d'eau introduite dans le réservoir, un bloc de commande électronique (8) qui est relié audit compteur et commande la fermeture de ladite première électrovanne (2) lorsque ladite quantité d'eau qui est comptée par le compteur (3) atteint une valeur préétablie ou lorsqu'un temps préétabli s'est écoulé, ledit dispositif de distribution comprenant un interrupteur (9) qui commande l'opération d'ouverture et de fermeture de ladite électrovanne (2) dans les autres conditions normales d'utilisation, ledit dispositif de distribution comprenant une seconde électrovanne (12) placée en aval du réservoir (4) et qui commande le débit de l'eau réfrigérée et dont l'ouverture et la fermeture sont commandées par l'interrupteur (9) dans des conditions normales d'utilisation tandis que la fermeture de ladite seconde électrovanne (12) est commandée par le dispositif de commande au cas où le remplacement du filtre deviendrait nécessaire.
  2. Dispositif de distribution selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'interrupteur (9) commande l'opération d'ouverture/fermeture de l'électrovanne (2) lors de l'opération d'ouverture/fermeture de la porte (10) du réfrigérateur.
  3. Dispositif de distribution selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit compteur (3) de la quantité d'eau se compose d'un appareil électromécanique qui fournit des impulsions en fonction de la quantité d'eau (1), en litres, qui passe par l'électrovanne (2).
  4. Dispositif de distribution selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit bloc de commande électronique (8) se compose d'un circuit d'acquisition de données à microprocesseur (80) qui, en recevant les données du compteur (3), commande la fermeture de l'électrovanne (2) de façon à ce que le remplacement du filtre (5) qui se détériore en raison de la quantité d'eau potable filtrée ou en raison du temps d'utilisation devienne possible.
  5. Dispositif de distribution selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit bloc de commande électronique (8) comprend une unité de mémoire de fichiers (11) pour stocker les lectures en cas de défaut de tension d'alimentation.
  6. Dispositif de distribution selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit bloc de commande électronique (8) est relié à un dispositif indicateur (13) adapté pour visualiser la consommation instantanée d'eau réfrigérée (6), ledit dispositif indicateur (3) se composant d'un affichage numérique ou d'un indicateur de bande analogique ou simplement d'une diode électroluminescente.
  7. Dispositif de distribution selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif de commande comprend un dispositif d'interface utilisateur (14) relié audit bloc de commande (8) et qui est adapté pour réinitialiser le comptage des litres d'eau qui passent par le réservoir réfrigérant et pour redémarrer son débit, ledit dispositif de distribution comprenant un dispositif de signalisation acoustique ou optique pour signaler que la quantité définie d'eau débitée est atteinte.
  8. Réfrigérateur, en particulier pour un usage domestique, comprenant un boítier calorifugé réfrigéré, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un dispositif de distribution d'eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.
EP20000200421 1999-02-18 2000-02-08 Dispositif de distribution d'eau réfrigérée pour réfrigérateur Expired - Lifetime EP1030143B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI990318 IT1308712B1 (it) 1999-02-18 1999-02-18 Apparecchio dispensatore di acqua fresca per frigorifero
ITMI990318 1999-02-18

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1030143A2 EP1030143A2 (fr) 2000-08-23
EP1030143A3 EP1030143A3 (fr) 2001-02-28
EP1030143B1 true EP1030143B1 (fr) 2005-03-23

Family

ID=11381929

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20000200421 Expired - Lifetime EP1030143B1 (fr) 1999-02-18 2000-02-08 Dispositif de distribution d'eau réfrigérée pour réfrigérateur

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1030143B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60018828T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2240006T3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1308712B1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8240092B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2012-08-14 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Headwall to bed interface

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6405491B1 (en) 1999-04-22 2002-06-18 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Modular patient room
US7174678B2 (en) * 1999-04-22 2007-02-13 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Modular patient room
US6637049B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2003-10-28 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Personal care module
US6978499B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2005-12-27 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Architectural bed docking apparatus
US7201005B2 (en) * 2004-06-04 2007-04-10 Whirlpool Corporation Measured fill water dispenser for refrigerator freezer
ITTO20040546A1 (it) * 2004-08-03 2004-11-03 Merloni Elettrodomestici Spa Apparato di refrigerazione con distributore di acqua
DE102005057132A1 (de) 2005-11-30 2007-06-06 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Kältegerät mit Wasserfilter
DE102007017840A1 (de) 2007-04-16 2008-10-23 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Kältegerät mit Wasserfilter
KR100900300B1 (ko) 2009-02-23 2009-06-02 주식회사 크로버 물분배기

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3982406A (en) * 1975-11-28 1976-09-28 General Motors Corporation Refrigerator water storage and dispensing system with water filter
US4681677A (en) * 1978-02-17 1987-07-21 Olin Corporation Water processor having automatic shutoff and bypass means
US4769135A (en) * 1987-03-02 1988-09-06 Culligan International Company Automatic metering system
US4918426A (en) * 1988-05-02 1990-04-17 Amway Corporation Method and apparatus for sensing fluid flow volume to indicate end of filter life
US5135645A (en) * 1991-03-28 1992-08-04 Raytheon Company Refrigerator water filter
WO1994020784A1 (fr) * 1993-03-05 1994-09-15 Sheringham Investments Pty. Ltd. Distributeur d'eau chaude et d'eau froide
US5499197A (en) * 1994-04-05 1996-03-12 Fou; Hsu-Chao Intelligent and all-bearing control circuit device of reverse osmosis drinking water machine
AU5308096A (en) * 1995-03-15 1996-10-02 Elkay Manufacturing Company Liquid flow monitor
US5636653A (en) * 1995-12-01 1997-06-10 Perception Incorporated Fluid metering apparatus and method

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8240092B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2012-08-14 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Headwall to bed interface
US8418287B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2013-04-16 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Bed side rail having cavity for infusion unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2240006T3 (es) 2005-10-16
ITMI990318A1 (it) 2000-08-18
EP1030143A2 (fr) 2000-08-23
IT1308712B1 (it) 2002-01-10
EP1030143A3 (fr) 2001-02-28
DE60018828D1 (de) 2005-04-28
DE60018828T2 (de) 2006-04-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1030143B1 (fr) Dispositif de distribution d'eau réfrigérée pour réfrigérateur
EP1607700B1 (fr) Distributeur d'eau avec remplissage mesuré pour congélateur
US5817231A (en) Water purifying and vending apparatus
US7543453B2 (en) Measured fill water dispenser for refrigerator
US7338594B2 (en) Faucet filter with sight glass
KR100730804B1 (ko) 윤활 액체 분배방법 및 윤활 액체 분배장치
US4881283A (en) Self contained eye wash fountain
US20040251210A1 (en) Water filter control unit
US20060027267A1 (en) Systems and methods for detecting and eliminating leaks in water delivery systems for use with appliances
US20090120122A1 (en) Water supply for supplyingan ice cube maker and/or a water dispenser of a refrigerator and/or freezer
WO2015142863A1 (fr) Dispositif filtrant avec une activation mesurée d'une réduction de débit d'écoulement
WO2001000938A1 (fr) Systeme de distribution de fluide filtre
US7000468B2 (en) Electronic level gauge
KR20140089617A (ko) 정전용량 센서 조립체를 갖는 물질 분배 시스템 및 방법
JP4274940B2 (ja) 家庭用の浄水ポット
KR20010005331A (ko) 수도수 직결형 정수장치 및 그 제어방법
JP6736681B2 (ja) 水道接続用飲料作成器（特にコーヒーマシン）及び水道給水装置
EP1645825B1 (fr) Réfrigérateur ménager avec distributeur d'eau
JPS63191212A (ja) 流量制御器
JP2740944B2 (ja) 浄水器
CN101317062A (zh) 制冰机以及装有其的家用电器
JP2756660B2 (ja) 浄水器
JP3864829B2 (ja) 給湯装置
US10858234B1 (en) Drain system with overflow protection
KR0175884B1 (ko) 정수기의 제어장치

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7F 25D 23/12 A, 7B 67D 1/08 B, 7B 67D 1/00 B, 7B 01D 35/143 B

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010728

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE ES FR GB IT

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20030807

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60018828

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20050428

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2240006

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20051227

ET Fr: translation filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20120217

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20130207

Year of fee payment: 14

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20130218

Year of fee payment: 14

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20130321

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20130429

Year of fee payment: 14

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60018828

Country of ref document: DE

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20140208

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20141031

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60018828

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20140902

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20140208

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20140902

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20140228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20150528

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20140209

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20140208