KR100366502B1 - The dispense portion of refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator dispenser capable of removing the residual water taken out of the dispenser installed in the refrigerator at the same time withdrawal without a user's work.

Refrigerator dispenser according to the present invention, the dispenser is installed on the door outer surface of the refrigerator to extract water or ice; A water collecting part formed at a lower side of the dispenser and having a drain hole at a bottom thereof; A drain pipe connected to a lower portion of the drain port and guiding the remaining water generated in the dispense into the machine room of the refrigerator; Is installed in the machine room of the refrigerator is configured to include a tray for collecting the residual water discharged from the drain pipe.

According to the present invention having the configuration as described above, the residual water can be removed without the user's direct operation, and the residual water can be removed from the dispensing unit at the same time as it is taken out can provide the user with convenience and cleanliness.

Description

Refrigerator dispenser {The dispense portion of refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a residual water discharge structure of a refrigerator dispenser that can remove the residual water taken out from the dispenser installed in the refrigerator without a user's work and at the same time as the takeout.

Recently introduced large refrigerators have a dispensing device that can extract the ice or water inside without opening the door of the refrigerator. The dispensing apparatus can extract water or ice without opening the door of the refrigerator, thereby preventing the cold air from escaping to the outside and providing convenience for the user.

The dispensing apparatus is generally installed in a door of a refrigerator, and it is common to form a dispensing unit by recessing a part of an outer surface of the door inward and installing the dispensing unit in the recess.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow path until water supplied from the outside of the refrigerator is taken out of the dispense unit.

As shown, the water introduced into the refrigerator from the outside through the connecting pipe (D1) is purified through the filter body (1) installed inside the refrigerator is supplied to the ice maker (2) for making ice or to store the purified water Flows into the reservoir tank (3). A water supply valve 4 is installed between the filter body 1, the ice maker 2, and the water storage tank 3 to adjust the amount of water supplied to the ice maker 2 or the water storage tank 3.

The ice maker 2 and the water storage tank 3 are connected to the dispensing unit 6 and the connection pipes D2 and D3 installed in the refrigerator door 5, and the stored water and ice are connected to the connection pipes D2 and D3. It is supplied to the dispensing unit 6 along with it and is taken out through the outlet 8 (see Fig. 2).

Hereinafter, the dispenser 6 will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the refrigerator in which the dispense part is installed in the door, and FIG. 3 shows a side sectional view of the dispense part 6.

As shown, the dispense unit 6 is provided with an ice switch 7a and a water supply switch 7b for the user's operation. When the user operates the switches 7a and 7b, the ice maker 2 or The reservoir tank 3 is opened so that ice or purified water is taken out from the outlets 8a and 8b connected to the ice maker 2 and the reservoir tank 3.

Normally, the outlets 8a and 8b are formed in the ceiling of the recessed part of the door 5 in which the dispense unit 6 is installed, and the switches 7a and 7b protrude downwardly behind the outlets 8a and 8b. It is formed or formed on the inner side of the recess close to the ejection openings 8a and 8b so that the user can push or press the switches 7a and 7b inward with a cup to eject water or ice from the ejection openings 8a and 8b. .

For example, when the water supply switch 7a is formed to protrude from the upper surface of the depression, when the user wants to drink water, when the user pushes the water supply switch 7a with a cup, the water stored in the water storage tank 3 is connected to the connection pipe D2. Accordingly, it is taken out from the water supply port 8a formed in front of the water supply switch 7a and put in a cup.

In general, the connection pipes D2 and D3 connecting the ice maker 2 and the water storage tank 3 to the dispense unit 6 do not interfere with opening and closing of the door 5 in which the dispense unit 6 is installed. It penetrates through the upper hinge part for rotation of the door 5, and is connected between the inner case 9a and the outer case 9b of the door 5, that is, through the inside of the door 5, and connected to the dispense part 6. .

In the lower part of the dispensing part 6, that is, the lower surface of the recessed part of the door 6, a concave recessed collecting part 10 is formed. The water collecting unit 10 collects the residual water flowing out of the gap that is opened for a short time before the ejection openings 8a and 8b are completely closed when the cup is removed after the dispensing unit 6 is used. It is formed to prevent water from flowing down to the floor of the area where the refrigerator is installed.

In addition, the upper part of the water collecting unit 10 is provided with a drip cover 11 having a plurality of through holes 11a to provide a horizontal surface to place a cup or the like on the dispensing unit 6, and at the same time, an outlet 8a and 8b. Residue flowed down is configured to be collected in the water collecting unit 10 through the through hole (11a).

However, the residual water collecting part 10 of the conventional dispensing part 6 as described above has the following problems.

While using the dispensing unit 6, the user must continuously check the amount of water collected in the water collecting unit 10 so that the water collecting unit does not overflow, and if the water is somewhat filled, the water must be removed every time.

In addition, due to the transparency of the water, even if the water collecting unit 10 is full, the user may not recognize the fact may occur when the water collecting unit 10 overflows during use.

In addition, if the water remaining in the water collecting unit 10 is left unattended for a long time, since the odor is generated from the water collecting unit 10, there is a hassle that needs to be frequently cleaned and may cause dissatisfaction of the user related to cleanliness.

An object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide a residual water discharge structure of the refrigerator dispenser that can remove the residual water taken out from the dispenser from the water collecting unit without the user's work.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a residue discharge structure of a refrigerator dispenser capable of removing the residual water taken out from the dispenser at the same time as taking out.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a residual water discharge structure of the refrigerator dispenser, which can prevent odor from occurring due to accumulated water accumulated in the water collecting unit and give cleanliness to the user.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a residual water discharge structure of the refrigerator dispenser, which can reduce the frequency of cleaning of the water collecting unit and give convenience to the user.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing a water supply passage of a refrigerator equipped with a dispensing unit.

Figure 2 is a front view of a refrigerator equipped with a conventional dispensing unit.

3 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional dispensing unit.

Figure 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator configured with a dispenser according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit according to the present invention.

※ Explanation of code about main part of drawing ※

23: dispense unit 24: water supply switch

25: water supply port 26: water collecting part

26a: Drainage 27: Defrost water dish

R2: Drain pipe 31: Drip cover

Refrigerator dispenser according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the dispensing is installed on the outer surface of the door of the refrigerator of the refrigerator to extract water or ice, and the water collecting portion formed in the lower side of the dispense, the drain is formed on the bottom surface; A drain pipe connected to a lower portion of the drain hole inside the door and penetrating the lower hinge portion of the door to guide the remaining water generated in the dispense into the machine room of the refrigerator, and a tray installed in the machine room of the refrigerator to collect the remaining water discharged from the drain pipe; It is configured to include.

And the present invention is characterized in that the tray is a defrost water dish provided to collect the defrost water generated in the heat exchanger of the refrigerator. Therefore, the residual water generated in the dispensing unit can be collected without having a separate tray, and the collected residual water is removed together with the defrost water generated in the heat exchanger.

In addition, the shape of the water collecting portion is a hemispherical or inverted pyramid shape having a curvature, and the drain hole is formed at its lowest point. Therefore, the residual water introduced into the water collecting part is easily guided to the drain pipe to be discharged.

Through the configuration as described above, the remaining water taken out from the dispensing unit can be removed from the water collecting unit at the same time as taking out. Therefore, the user may be provided with convenience and cleanliness.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiments described below and its operation have been described by taking the situation of taking out water from the dispenser as an example.

4 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator provided with a residual water discharge structure according to the present invention. The water stored in the water storage tank 21 after being introduced into the refrigerator and purified is discharged to the outside by the user's operation of the water supply switch 24 from the dispenser 23 formed on the outer side of the refrigerator door 22. The connecting pipe R1 connecting the water storage tank 21 and the dispensing part 23 has an upper hinge part of the door 22 so as not to interfere with opening and closing of the door 22 in which the dispensing part 23 is installed. It penetrates through 22a and is connected to the water supply port 25 of the dispensing part 23 inside the door 22.

The dispense unit 23 is provided with a water supply switch 24 on one side, the user is supplied with water or ice by operating the switch 24. The lower portion of the dispensing portion 23 is formed with a concave concave collecting portion 26 to collect the residual water taken out from the water supply port 25. A drain hole 26a is formed at the bottom of the water collecting part 26, and a drain pipe R2 is connected to the lower side of the water collecting part 26a so that the drain pipe R2 is formed at the bottom of the refrigerator. Induced by the defrost water plate 27 of the machine room (C) located in.

In general, the refrigerator has a defrost water discharge structure for discharging the defrost water generated in the evaporator 28 to the outside of the refrigerator. Defrost water is generated in the process of removing the frost generated on the surface of the evaporator 28 installed in the refrigerator, and the defrost water flows into the discharge pipe R3 located at the lower part of the evaporator and is located at the bottom of the refrigerator along the discharge pipe R3 installed at the rear of the refrigerator. It collects in the defrosting dish 27 in the located machine room C.

Inside the machine room (C) is installed a major component constituting a refrigeration cycle, such as a condenser (not shown) and the compressor 29, the compressor 29 is for compressing the refrigerant vaporized in the evaporator 28, A condenser (not shown) is a device for liquefying the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 29.

And one side of the compressor 29 is provided with a cooling fan 30, the cooling fan 30 is for cooling the components that generate heat inside the machine room (C). That is, the condenser (not shown) installed inside the machine room C generates heat during the liquefaction of the refrigerant, and the compressor 29 generates heat during the compression of the refrigerant. Such a condenser (not shown) and The cooling fan 30 is required to cool the compressor 29.

The defrost water plate 27 is configured to collect the defrost water guided to the machine room (C), the user pulls out the defrost water plate 27 to the outside and discards the defrost water and then reinserts it or uses the machine room ( Defrost water is removed by evaporation using heat of the compressor 29 or a condenser (not shown) located in C) or wind generated by the fan 30. Therefore, the residual water generated in the dispensing unit 23 flows into the defrosting water plate 27 so that the remaining water in the dispensing unit 23 together with the defrosting water generated in the evaporator 28 can be removed.

In consideration of the above configuration, it is preferable that the shape of the collecting part 26 is formed into a slightly tapered shape, that is, a funnel shape, and forms a drain hole 26a at the lowest point of the collecting part 26. .

Drainage pipe (R2) for the connection of the water collecting unit 26 and the defrosting dish (27) is similar to the installation of the connection pipe (R1), the dispensing unit 23 is installed on the door 22 of the refrigerator In order to exclude interference between the opening and closing of the door 22 and the drain pipe R2, which may occur, the refrigerator 22 is connected to the outlet 26a of the water collecting part 26 in the refrigerator door 22. It penetrates through the lower hinge part 22b of 22, and is connected to the said machine room C. As shown in FIG.

And the upper side of the water collecting unit 26 is provided with a drip cover 30 is formed with a through hole 31a to provide a horizontal surface on which to place a cup, etc., the remaining water through the through hole (31a) the collecting unit 26 It is configured to gather together.

Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described in detail.

When the user wants to receive water, the cup is placed at the lower end of the water supply port 25 formed in the dispensing unit 23 and the water supply switch 24 is operated to receive water from the water supply port 25. After the user is supplied with the required amount, the water supply switch 24 is turned off, the water inlet 25 is closed, the remaining water flows into a small gap opened for a short time until the water inlet 25 is completely closed. .

Meanwhile, the residual water flowing down from the water supply port 25 passes through the through hole 31a of the drip cover 31 and flows into the water collecting part 26 formed at the lower end of the dispensing part 23. Residual water flowing into the water collecting part 26 is located in the machine room C of the refrigerator along the drain pipe R2 connected to the lower part of the water draining hole 26a through a drain hole 26a formed at the bottom of the water collecting part 26. Guided to the defrost plate (27).

And the residual water collected in the defrost plate 27 is evaporated by the heat generated by the compressor 29 or a condenser (not shown) installed in the machine room (C) or by the wind generated by the cooling fan (30).

Therefore, the remaining water generated in the dispensing unit 23 is removed from the water collecting unit 26 without the user's direct work. In addition, since the residual water does not accumulate in the water collecting part 26, odor does not occur and cleanness can be maintained without frequent cleaning.

As described above, according to the present invention, the remaining water taken out from the dispensing unit can be removed from the water collecting unit without the user's work and can be removed at the same time as taking out the user, thereby eliminating the trouble of having to remove the remaining water one by one.

In addition, since odors are prevented from occurring due to the residual water accumulated in the water collecting unit and the frequency of cleaning of the water collecting unit is reduced, it is possible to provide cleanness and convenience to the user.

Claims (4)

A dispenser installed at an outer side of a door of the refrigerator to extract water or ice; A water collecting part formed at a lower side of the dispenser and having a drain hole at a bottom thereof; A drain pipe connected to the lower part of the drain hole and penetrating the lower hinge part of the door to guide the remaining water generated in the dispense into the machine room of the refrigerator; The refrigerator dispenser is installed in the machine room of the refrigerator and comprises a tray collecting the residual water discharged from the drain pipe. delete The refrigerator dispenser of claim 1, wherein the tray is a defrost water dish provided to collect defrost water generated from a heat exchanger of a refrigerator. The refrigerator dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein a shape of the water collecting unit is a hemispherical or inverted pyramid having a curvature, and the drain hole is formed at the lowest point thereof.