KR20100102048A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator is provided to simplify the assembling structure of a water supply system by the reduced length of a water supply pipe due to a water purifying unit integrated with a water tank unit and a filter unit. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator comprises a main body, a drawer type container(19), and a water purifying unit(100). The main body comprises storage rooms(11,12). The drawer type container is installed in the storage room to be able to be drawn. The water purifying unit comprises a case(110) and a filter unit. The filter unit is installed in the case and purifies the water provided from a water supply source. The water purifying unit is located between one sidewall of the container and the storage room. A holding part holding the water purifying unit is formed on one side of the drawer type container. The filter unit comprises the filter assembly and the valve assembly. The valve assembly controls the supply of the water to the filter assembly.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having a water purification unit for supplying purified water to a dispenser and / or an ice maker.

Generally, a refrigerator is a device for supplying low temperature cold air to a storage room where food is stored to keep food fresh at a low temperature. The refrigerator includes a freezer compartment for keeping the freezing temperature below the freezing temperature, and a refrigerating compartment for maintaining the temperature slightly above the freezing temperature. .

Recently, various large refrigerators have been released according to the convenience of living and the need for storage space, and these refrigerators have a general type in which a freezer is provided at the upper side, a double door type in which the freezer is provided at the left and right sides, and a mixed type in which the freezer is provided at the lower part. There are various kinds of lamps.

Some such refrigerators include an ice maker that can produce ice in a dispenser or storage compartment to allow drinking water to be drawn out from the front side of the door.

Typically, such refrigerators have a water supply system for supplying water to a dispenser at the front side of the door or an ice maker of a freezer compartment, as well as a water filter for purifying the supplied water and a water tank for storing the purified water.

The water filter and the water tank are provided separated from each other, the water tank is mainly disposed in the rear of the refrigerating chamber, the water filter is disposed on one side of the upper chamber.

Therefore, as the existing storage compartment of the refrigerator requires a certain space for installing the water filter and the water tank, not only the space efficiency of the storage compartment is lowered but also the user is not easily accessible when the water filter is replaced.

In addition, the water tank installed in the rear of the refrigerating chamber is likely to be frozen by the cold air to be provided with a heater to prevent this, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

In addition, in the case of a water supply system in which the water filter and the water tank are separately installed, there is a problem that the structure of the water supply system becomes complicated as the length of the water supply pipe connecting the water filter increases.

One aspect of the present invention provides a refrigerator having a water purification unit that can simplify the structure of a water supply system as well as efficiently use a storage space in a refrigerator having a water supply system.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides a refrigerator having a water purification unit that facilitates the filter replacement of the water purification unit to improve user convenience and improve the reliability of the water supply system when replacing the filter.

To this end, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; a main body having a storage compartment; and a drawer-type storage container provided to be withdrawn to the storage compartment; and a case, purifying water provided in the case and supplied from a water supply source. And a water purifying unit having a filter unit, wherein the water purifying unit may be provided between the storage container and one side wall of the storage chamber.

In addition, one side of the drawer-type storage container may be provided with a receiving portion recessed to accommodate the water purification unit.

In addition, the filter unit may include a filter assembly provided to be pulled in and pulled out of the case, and a valve assembly for controlling supply of water to the filter assembly in accordance with the insertion and withdrawal of the filter assembly.

In addition, the filter assembly may be provided detachably from the valve assembly.

In addition, the case is provided with a filter housing for insertion when the filter assembly is attached and detached, characterized in that the inlet of the filter housing is exposed from the storage container.

The filter assembly may include a plug portion inserted into the valve assembly and a coupling protrusion provided on an outer circumferential surface of the plug portion. The valve assembly may include a socket portion into which the plug portion is inserted, and the plug portion is inserted into and rotates. A locking protrusion may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the socket to support the engaging protrusion.

In addition, the valve assembly includes a valve housing provided with an inflow passage and an outlet passage, and a valve unit provided to be able to move back and forth in the valve housing, wherein the valve housing is moved according to the movement of the valve unit when the filter assembly is separated. A bypass passage communicating with the inflow passage and the outflow passage may be formed.

In addition, the water purification unit may further include a water tank unit for storing the water purified by the filter unit.

In addition, the filter unit may include a filter assembly provided to be pulled in and pulled out of the case, and a valve assembly for controlling supply of water to the filter assembly and / or the water tank unit in accordance with the insertion and withdrawal of the filter assembly. Can be.

The filter unit may further include an inflow passage through which water supplied from a water supply source flows in, and an outflow passage through which water introduced through the inflow passage is purified and discharged, wherein the outflow passage includes the water into which the purified water flows in. It may be in communication with the inlet of the tank unit.

The water purifying unit further includes an inlet pipe through which water is supplied to the filter unit, and an outlet pipe through which water purified from the water tank unit is discharged, and the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are coupled to one side of the rear wall of the storage chamber. Connector unit for may be provided.

The apparatus may further include a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, a dispenser unit provided at the door, and a water supply system for supplying water to the dispenser unit, wherein the water supply system includes a first water supply pipe connecting the water supply source and the filter unit. And a second water supply pipe connecting the water tank unit and the dispenser.

In addition, the storage compartment is partitioned into an upper refrigerator compartment and a lower freezer compartment by a horizontal partition wall, the drawer-type storage container may be provided on the lower side of the storage container cover provided under the refrigerator compartment.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a main body having an upper refrigerating compartment and a lower freezing compartment; and a plurality of drawer-type storage containers retractable from the refrigerating compartment; and a case and a water supply source provided in the case. And a water purification unit having a filter unit for purifying water supplied from the water purification unit. The water purification unit may be provided in a space between the plurality of drawer-type storage containers.

In addition, the plurality of drawer-type storage containers are provided on the lower side of the storage container cover provided in the lower part of the refrigerating chamber, and the water purification unit performs a function of a partition wall partitioning the plurality of storage containers from the lower side of the storage container cover. It is characterized by.

In addition, the water purifying unit may be provided in the center of the receiving space under the storage container cover, the plurality of drawer-type storage containers may be provided in each of the left and right spaces partitioned by the water purifying unit.

In addition, guide rails may be provided on both side surfaces of the case to guide the drawout of the storage container.

In addition, the water purification unit may further include a water tank unit for storing the water purified by the filter unit.

In addition, the water purification unit may further include a connection pipe for connecting the inlet of the water tank unit and the outflow passage through which the water purified by the filter unit is discharged.

The filter unit may include a filter assembly in which a filter is embedded and a valve assembly in which the filter assembly is detachably provided.

When the filter assembly is mounted, the valve assembly supplies water supplied from the water supply source to the filter assembly side, and when the filter assembly is separated, water supplied from the water supply source to the water tank unit. It is characterized by the supply.

The water purification unit further includes an inlet pipe through which water is supplied to the filter unit, and an outlet pipe through which water purified from the water tank unit is discharged, and the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are coupled to one side of the rear wall of the refrigerating chamber. Connector unit for may be provided.

As described above, in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, as the water purification unit is provided between one side wall of the storage compartment and the storage vessel or between the plurality of storage vessels, not only the space efficiency of the storage compartment is improved, Since the freezing place is reduced, a separate heater for freezing is not required, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

In addition, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce the length of the water supply pipe by the water purification unit having a water tank unit and a filter unit integrally to simplify the assembly structure of the water supply system.

In addition, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is easy to replace the filter assembly as the filter assembly is detachably provided, thereby improving the convenience of the user, by the valve assembly to prevent leakage when replacing the filter assembly The reliability of the water supply system is improved.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a perspective view showing an open state of a refrigerator compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a water purification unit of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part 'C' of FIG. 4 and shows a state in which the filter assembly is separated from the valve assembly of the filter unit.
Figure 6 shows a configuration in which the water purification unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in the refrigerator compartment.
Figure 7 shows a configuration in which the water purification unit of the refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention is installed.
8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a valve assembly of a refrigerator water purification unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 8.
10 is a perspective view showing a water purification unit of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the drip tray member of FIG. 19 is drawn out.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments according to the technical idea of the refrigerator of the present invention as described above are as follows.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an open state of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10, storage compartments 11 and 12, which are vertically partitioned inside the main body 10 and whose front surfaces are opened, and a storage compartment. And doors 20 and 21 for opening and closing the opened front face of 11 and 12.

The storage compartments 11 and 12 are partitioned up and down by the horizontal bulkheads 13, and a refrigerating chamber 11 for refrigerating and storing food is formed in the upper portion, and the freezing chamber 12 for freezing and storing food in the lower portion.

In the upper portion of the refrigerating chamber 11 is provided with a shelf 18 for placing food, the lower portion of the refrigerating chamber 11 is provided with a drawer-type storage container 19 for storing food sensitive to moisture evaporation, such as vegetables.

The drawer-type storage container 19 has an upper opening to store food and is supported by a guide rail 14 (see FIG. 6) provided on the side wall 16 of the storage chamber 11 so as to be able to be pulled out.

The drawer-type storage container 19 may be provided in plurality in accordance with the storage space of the food, the drawer-type storage container 19 according to an embodiment of the present invention is separated from the refrigerator compartment 11 as shown in FIG. Sliding drawers are provided in the left and right spaces partitioned by the wall 15, respectively.

In addition, an ice making unit 30 may be provided at an upper side of the refrigerating chamber 11 installed in a space partitioned by a heat insulating wall.

The doors 20 and 21 include a refrigerating chamber door 20 for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber 11 and a freezing chamber door 21 for opening and closing the freezing chamber 12.

The freezer compartment door 21 is provided in a drawer type that opens and closes by sliding the freezer compartment 12. The refrigerating compartment door 20 is hinged to the left and right sides of the main body 10 in pairs.

Inside the refrigerating chamber door 20, a plurality of door guards 23 for storing articles such as beverages are provided. In addition, the refrigerator compartment door 20 is provided with a dispenser unit 40 through which the user can take out purified water from the outside.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser unit 40 includes a water intake space 41 recessed to a predetermined depth from the front of the refrigerating chamber door 20, and an intake port through which water is discharged is disposed above the water intake space 41. 43).

In addition, in the water intake space 41, an operation lever 45 for performing water intake is provided.

On the other hand, the main body 10 and the refrigerating chamber door 20 is provided with a water supply system 50 for supplying water to the intake port (43).

The water supply system 50 includes water supply pipes 53 and 54 for guiding water supplied from an external water supply source 51 to the intake port 43, a water supply valve 55 for controlling water supply, and purification of the supplied water. It may include a water purification unit 100 having a filter unit 120 and a water tank unit 170 for storage.

One side of the water supply valve 55 is connected to the water supply source 51 through the connecting pipe 56, the other side is connected to the filter unit 120 of the water purification unit 100 through the first water supply pipe 53, The water tank unit 170 of the water purification unit 100 is connected to the intake port 43 through the second water supply pipe 54.

The water purification unit 100 is provided between the storage vessel 19 provided below the refrigerating compartment 11 and one side wall 16 inside the refrigerating compartment 11 as shown in FIG. 3 for the efficiency of the internal space of the refrigerating compartment 11. Can be provided.

The storage container 19 is provided below the storage container cover 60 provided under the refrigerating chamber 11. The storage container cover 60 partitions the internal space of the refrigerating chamber 11 to provide a food storage space at the upper side, and to both side walls 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11 to shield the upper surface of the storage container 19 at the lower side. Supported.

The storage container cover 60 may be formed of a part of the transparent material so as to check the food contained therein.

On one side of the storage container 19 adjacent to one side wall 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11 is provided a receiving portion 19a recessed to accommodate the water purification unit 100.

The receiving unit 19a has a shape corresponding to the appearance of the water purification unit 100, and when the water purification unit 100 is provided between the storage container 19 and one side wall 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11, the water purification unit 100 is provided. And the receiving portion 19a are arranged to be in contact with each other.

Through such a configuration, the existing filter unit 120 and the water tank unit 170 are prevented from being reduced in the storage space of the refrigerating chamber 11 due to being separately installed. That is, the water purification unit 100 is disposed in an invalid space between the existing storage container 19 and one side wall 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11, and the case 110 of the water purification unit 100 is placed in the storage container 19. Since it is provided to be wrapped by, the space utilization of the refrigerating chamber 11 is increased, the appearance is also beautiful.

In the present embodiment, the receiving unit 19a for accommodating the water purification unit 100 is provided in the storage container 19, but the receiving unit 19a is formed in one side wall 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11, or Of course, it can be formed on both the side wall 16 and the storage container 19 of the refrigerating chamber (11).

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the water purification unit 100 in which the filter unit 120 and the water tank unit 170 are accommodated in the case 110 is provided between the storage container 19 and one side wall 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11. Of course, but only the filter unit 120 may be provided in the case 110.

In addition, when the water purification unit 100 having the water tank unit 170 is provided between the storage container 10 and one side wall 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11, it is installed on the rear wall 17 of the existing refrigerating chamber 11. Compared to the water tank, the freezing possession of the water stored in the water tank by the cold air is reduced, so that a separate heater for preventing the freezing of water in the water tank is not necessary.

In addition, when the filter unit 120 and the water tank unit 170 are integrally provided in the water purification unit 100, the water supply system 50 according to the existing filter unit 120 and the water tank unit 170 are separately installed. The complicated assembly structure of) can be greatly simplified.

Meanwhile, the water purification unit 100 of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is provided between the storage container 19 and the one side wall 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11, but is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. When the storage containers 19 are provided on the left and right sides by (15, FIG. 2), the function of the separation wall 15 may be provided by the water purification unit 100.

That is, the water purification unit 100 is disposed in the center of the storage space under the storage container cover 60 in which the storage container 19 is accommodated, and partitions the receiving space from side to side. It is provided to be able to withdraw.

As a result, the void space of the dividing wall 15 partitioning the plurality of storage containers 19 is replaced by the water purification unit 100, thereby further improving space utilization.

In this case, guide rails 14 may be provided at both sides of the water purification unit 100 provided between the plurality of storage containers 19 to guide the withdrawal of the storage container 19.

4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a water purification unit of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion 'C' of FIG. 4 and shows a state in which the filter assembly is separated from the valve assembly of the filter unit. It is shown.

Referring to FIG. 4, the purified water unit 100 includes a case 110, a filter unit 120 for purifying water supplied from an external water supply source 51, and water purified by the filter unit 120. It includes a water tank unit 170 to be stored.

The filter unit 120 and the water tank unit 170 are respectively accommodated in the case 110, and in this embodiment, the water tank unit 170 is provided at the upper portion of the filter unit 120 in the case 110. Of course, but it is obvious that the water tank unit 170 may be provided in the lower portion of the filter unit 120.

The filter unit 120 includes a filter assembly 130 provided to be pulled in and pulled out of the case 110 and water to the filter assembly 130 and the water tank unit 170 according to the insertion and withdrawal of the filter assembly 130. And a valve assembly 140 to interrupt the supply.

That is, the valve assembly 140 supplies the water supplied from the water supply source 51 to the filter assembly 130 when the filter assembly 130 is inserted into the case 110 and mounted on the valve assembly 140. When the filter assembly 130 is drawn out from the case 110 and separated from the valve assembly 140, the filter assembly 130 is provided to supply water supplied from the water supply source 51 to the water tank unit 170.

The filter assembly 130 includes a filter housing 131 and a filter 135 accommodated in the filter housing 131.

The filter housing 131 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end opened, and the filter 135 is mounted inside the filter housing 131 through a portion opened with both sides supported by the cap 136, and the filter housing ( The handle portion 132 is coupled to the opened portion of the 131 to seal the opened portion of the filter housing 131.

The other end of the filter housing 131 is provided with a plug portion 133 to be inserted into the valve assembly 140, and a coupling protrusion 134 for coupling with the valve assembly 140 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the plug portion 133. .

The valve assembly 140 is provided with a valve housing 150 and a valve unit 160 which is provided to be retractable in the valve housing 150 to control the supply of water to the filter assembly 130 and / or the water tank unit 170. Include.

One side of the valve housing 150 is provided with an inflow passage 151 through which water supplied from the water supply source 51 flows in, and an outflow passage 153 through which water purified by the filter unit 120 is discharged, and the other side of the valve housing 150. The socket part 155 into which the plug part 133 of the filter assembly 130 is inserted is provided.

The inflow passage 151 is connected to the first water supply pipe 53 through the inflow pipe 115 so that water supplied from the water supply source 51 through the first water supply pipe 53 is introduced.

The inner circumferential surface of the socket 155 is provided with a locking projection 157 which is engaged by the engaging projection 134 of the plug 133 when the plug 133 is inserted and rotated 90 degrees.

Through this configuration, the filter assembly 130 is inserted into the filter accommodating portion 111 of the case 110 as shown in FIG. 6, and then rotates the handle 132 by 90 degrees. 134 is mounted by being caught by the locking protrusion 157 of the valve assembly 140, and when replacing the filter assembly 130, the handle 132 is rotated in the opposite direction, and then the case (in accordance with the pull) is pulled. 110 can be removed.

In the present embodiment, the filter assembly 130 is made to be detachable from the valve assembly 140 by the coupling protrusion 134 and the locking protrusion 157, but this is only an example and is known as a latch structure or a hook structure. Of course, it can be made by other components.

On the other hand, when the water purification unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided between the storage vessel 19 and one side wall 16 of the storage chamber 11 as shown in FIG. The case 110 is provided so as not to be exposed to the outside while being wrapped by the storage container 19, but the inlet 113 (see FIG. 6) of the filter accommodating part 111 provided in the case 110 is the filter assembly 130. ) Is provided to be exposed from the storage container 19 for withdrawal and withdrawal.

That is, when the filter assembly 130 is inserted into the filter accommodating portion 111 of the filter housing 131, when the filter assembly 130 is viewed from the front of the refrigerating chamber 11, only the handle part 132 of the filter assembly 130 is exposed and thus beautiful. It can have an appearance.

In addition, when the user replaces the filter assembly 130, access is easier than the filter provided in the existing refrigerating chamber 11, thereby improving the convenience of the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the valve assembly 140 is provided with a bypass passage A for preventing water leakage to the outside of the valve housing 150 when the filter assembly 130 is separated. The bypass flow path A is formed by the valve unit 160 provided to be able to move back and forth in the valve housing 150.

That is, when the filter assembly 130 is separated from the valve assembly 140, the first communication passage 161 and the outlet passage 153 and the filter assembly 130 communicating the inflow passage 151 and the filter assembly 130 may be provided. The second communication passage 163 communicating with) is closed by the opening and closing member 165, respectively.

Specifically, as the opening and closing member 165 is pressed toward the filter assembly 130 by the elastic member 167, the first and second communication passages 161 and 163 may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the opening and closing member 165. The valve unit 160 communicates with the inflow passage 151 and the outflow passage 153 as the valve unit 160 moves to the left direction (arrow B direction) by the water pressure of the water introduced through the inflow passage 151. The bypass flow path A is formed.

On the contrary, when the filter assembly 130 is mounted on the valve assembly 140, the filter assembly 130 pressurizes the valve unit 160 and the opening / closing member 165 as shown in FIG. The pass passage A is closed by the second sealing member 169, and the first and second communication passages 161 and 163 are opened.

Through this configuration, even when the water supply system 50 is operated during the replacement of the filter assembly 130, the water supply to the filter assembly 130 can be effectively blocked, thereby preventing the reliability of the water supply system 50 from being leaked. You can do it.

The water tank unit 170 may include an inlet 171 through which purified water is introduced, a reservoir space 175 for storing water introduced through the inlet 171, an ice making unit 30, and / or a dispenser unit 40. It includes an outlet 173 for discharging the water stored in the reservoir space 175 so that the purified water to the side.

The inlet 171 of the water tank unit 170 is provided in communication with the outlet passage 153 of the filter unit 120 through the connection pipe 119, the outlet 173 is the second through the outlet pipe 117 It is connected to the water supply pipe (54).

In addition, the water storage unit 175 of the water tank unit 170 may be provided with a guide tube 172 for guiding the water introduced through the inlet 171 to the water storage space 175 side.

The guide tube 172 is provided such that the inlet 172a communicates with the inlet 171 and the outlet 172b communicates with the reservoir 175, and the outlet 172b communicated with the reservoir 175 is a reservoir. The water stored in the 175 may be disposed to be opposite to the outlet 173 through which the water is discharged.

This allows the water introduced through the inlet 171 to be stored from the front surface 175a of the reservoir space 175, so that the water near the outlet 173 that is stored in the reservoir space 175a by the cold air supplied to the storage compartment is cooled. This is to be supplied to the ice making unit 30 and the dispenser unit 40.

That is, water cooled by cold air among the water stored in the reservoir space 175a may be supplied to the ice making unit 30 and the dispenser unit 40 through the outlet 173.

In addition, the front surface 175a of the storage space 175 facing the outlet 172b of the guide tube 172 through which water is discharged to the storage space 175 may be formed in a curved shape to disperse the pressure of the discharged water. have.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the water tank unit 170 from being damaged by the pressure of the water discharged from the outlet 172a of the guide tube 172 disposed to face the front surface 175a of the storage space 175. .

In this embodiment, the outlet passage 153 of the filter unit 120 is provided to communicate with the inlet 171 of the water tank unit 170 to reduce the length of the water supply pipe, but the outlet passage of the filter unit 120 ( Purified water flowing out through the 153 flows into the water supply valve 52 (see Fig. 1), it is natural that the water supply amount is controlled by the water supply valve 55 may be provided to be supplied to the water tank unit 170. Do.

Figure 6 shows a configuration in which the water purification unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in the refrigerator compartment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the water purification unit 100 is installed adjacent to one side wall 16 of the refrigerating chamber 11, and one side of the rear wall 17 below the storage container cover 60 for convenience of installation. The connector unit 180 is provided at positions corresponding to the inlet pipe 115 and the outlet pipe 117 of the water purification unit 100, respectively.

The connector unit 180 is connected to the ends of the first water supply pipe 53 and the second water supply pipe 54, respectively, and the inlet pipe 115 and the outlet pipe 117 of the water purification unit 100 are each a connector unit. As coupled to 180, the first and second water supply pipes 53 and 54 are connected to the inlet pipe 115 and the outlet pipe 117, respectively.

The connector unit 180 may be formed of a conventional one-touch fitting unit or a quick connector to enable the inlet pipe 115 and the outlet pipe 117 to be mounted to the connector unit 180 in a one-touch manner.

8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a valve assembly of a refrigerator water purification unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I of FIG. 8.

Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to components having the same function, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

8 and 9, the valve assembly 140 of the refrigerator water purification unit of the present embodiment includes a valve housing 150 and a valve unit 160 having a valve body 162 advancing and retreating in the valve housing 150. ) May be included.

The valve body 162 is provided with a first communication passage 161 and a second communication passage 163, and the first and second communication passages 161 and 163 are pressed by the elastic member 167 to open the passages 161 and 163. An opening and closing member 165 may be provided to open and close.

Second between the valve housing 150 and the valve body 162 to support the valve body 162 to prevent the valve unit 160 from moving when the water pressure of the water introduced through the inflow passage 151 is weak An elastic member 164 may be provided.

One end of the second elastic member 164 may be supported by the valve body 162, and the other end thereof may be supported by the valve housing 150 to press the valve body 162 to the filter assembly 130.

As a result, when the filter assembly 130 is separated from the valve assembly 140, the valve body 162 may be formed by the second elastic member 164 even though the water pressure of the water flowing through the inflow passage 151 is weak. 130 is moved to the side to the bypass unit (A) is formed in the valve unit 160, the reliability of the valve unit 160 is improved.

10 is a perspective view showing a water purification unit of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the drip member of Figure 10 is drawn out.

Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 10, the water purification unit 100 of the refrigerator of the present embodiment includes a case 110 forming an appearance, a filter unit 120 for purifying water supplied from an external water supply source 51, and a filter unit. It includes a water tank unit 170 in which the water purified by the 120 is stored.

The filter unit 120 and the water tank unit 170 are accommodated in the case 110, and the filter unit 120 and the water tank unit 170 communicate with each other through the connection pipe 119.

The filter unit 120 includes a filter assembly 130 provided to be pulled in and pulled out of the case 110 and water to the filter assembly 130 and the water tank unit 170 according to the insertion and withdrawal of the filter assembly 130. And a valve assembly 140 to interrupt the supply.

In addition, the water purification unit 100 may include a drip member 190 for receiving water leaking from the valve assembly 140 when the filter assembly 130 is separated from the valve assembly 140.

Drip member 190 is provided in the lower portion of the filter unit 120 in a state accommodated inside the case 110, it may be provided detachably from the case 110 as shown in FIG.

As a result, the residual water present in the valve assembly 140 flows to the inside of the case 110 when the filter assembly 130 is replaced, thereby preventing the water purification unit 100 from being contaminated.

10: main body, 11, 12: storage room,
19: reservoir, 40: dispenser,
50: water supply system, 53: first water supply pipe,
54: second water supply pipe, 100: water purification unit,
110: case, 111: filter housing,
113: inlet, 120: filter unit,
130: filter assembly, 131: filter housing,
132: handle portion, 133: plug portion,
134: coupling projection, 135: filter,
140: valve assembly, 150: valve housing,
151: inflow channel, 153: outflow channel,
155: socket portion, 157: locking projection,
160: valve unit, 170: water tank unit,
171: inlet, 171: inlet,
173: outlet, 180: connector unit.

Claims (38)

A main body having a storage compartment; and
A drawer-type storage container provided to be pulled out of the storage room;
And a water purifying unit provided in the case and having a filter unit for purifying water supplied from the water supply source.
The water purifying unit is a refrigerator, characterized in that provided between the storage container and one side wall of the storage compartment. The method of claim 1,
Refrigerator, characterized in that one side of the drawer-type storage container is provided with a receiving portion recessed to accommodate the water purification unit. The method of claim 1,
The filter unit may include a filter assembly provided to be pulled in and pulled out of the case, and a valve assembly for controlling supply of water to the filter assembly according to the insertion and withdrawal of the filter assembly. The method of claim 3, wherein
The filter assembly is a refrigerator, characterized in that provided detachably to the valve assembly. The method of claim 4, wherein
The case is provided with a filter housing for insertion when the filter assembly is attached and detached, the refrigerator characterized in that the inlet of the filter housing is exposed from the storage container. The method of claim 3, wherein
The filter assembly includes a plug portion inserted into the valve assembly and a coupling protrusion provided on an outer circumferential surface of the plug portion. The valve assembly includes a socket portion into which the plug portion is inserted, and the coupling protrusion when the plug portion is inserted and rotated. Refrigerator, characterized in that provided with a locking projection provided on the inner peripheral surface of the socket portion to be supported. The method of claim 3, wherein
The valve assembly includes a valve housing provided with an inflow passage and an outlet passage, and a valve unit provided to be able to move back and forth in the valve housing. The valve housing includes an inflow according to movement of the valve unit when the filter assembly is separated. And a bypass passage communicating with the flow passage and the outflow passage. The method of claim 1,
The water purifying unit further comprises a water tank unit for storing the water purified by the filter unit. The method of claim 8,
The filter unit may include a filter assembly provided to be pulled in and pulled out of the case, and a valve assembly for controlling supply of water to the filter assembly and / or the water tank unit in accordance with the insertion and withdrawal of the filter assembly. Refrigerator. The method of claim 8,
The filter unit may include an inflow passage through which water supplied from a water supply source flows in, and an outflow passage through which water introduced through the inflow passage is purified and discharged, wherein the outflow passage includes the water tank unit into which the purified water flows in. Refrigerator, characterized in that in communication with the inlet. The method of claim 8,
The water purifying unit further includes an inlet pipe through which water is supplied to the filter unit, and an outlet pipe through which water purified from the water tank unit is discharged, and on one side of the rear wall of the storage chamber for the coupling of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. Refrigerator characterized in that the connector unit is provided. The method of claim 8,
A door for opening and closing the storage compartment, a dispenser portion provided in the door, and a water supply system for supplying water to the dispenser portion, wherein the water supply system includes a first water supply pipe connecting the water supply source and the filter unit; And a second water supply pipe connecting the water tank unit and the dispenser. The method of claim 1,
The storage compartment is partitioned into an upper refrigerating compartment and a lower freezing compartment by a horizontal partition wall, the drawer-type storage container, characterized in that provided in the lower side of the storage container cover provided in the lower refrigerator compartment. A main body having an upper refrigerator compartment and a lower freezer compartment;
A plurality of drawer-type storage containers provided to be pulled out of the refrigerating chamber;
And a water purifying unit provided in the case and having a filter unit for purifying water supplied from the water supply source.
The water purifying unit is a refrigerator, characterized in that provided in the space between the plurality of drawer-type storage container. The method of claim 14,
The plurality of drawer-type storage containers are provided on a lower side of the storage container cover provided in the lower part of the refrigerating chamber, and the water purification unit performs a function of a partition wall partitioning the plurality of storage containers from the lower side of the storage container cover. Refrigerator. 16. The method of claim 15,
The water purifying unit is provided in the center of the receiving space below the storage container cover, the plurality of drawer-type storage containers, characterized in that each provided in the left and right space partitioned by the water purification unit. 17. The method of claim 16,
Refrigerator, characterized in that the guide rail for guiding the withdrawal of the storage container on both side surfaces of the case. The method of claim 14,
The water purifying unit further comprises a water tank unit for storing the water purified by the filter unit. 19. The method of claim 18,
The water purifying unit further comprises a connection pipe connecting the inlet of the water tank unit and an outlet flow path through which the water purified by the filter unit is discharged. The method of claim 14,
The filter unit may include a filter assembly in which a filter is built and a valve assembly in which the filter assembly is detachably provided. The method of claim 20,
The valve assembly supplies water supplied from the water supply source to the filter assembly when the filter assembly is mounted, and supplies water supplied from the water supply source to the water tank unit when the filter assembly is separated. Refrigerator, characterized in that. The method of claim 19,
The water purifying unit further includes an inlet pipe through which water is supplied to the filter unit, and an outlet pipe through which water purified from the water tank unit is discharged, and one side of the rear wall of the refrigerating chamber for combining the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. Refrigerator characterized in that the connector unit is provided. A main body having a storage compartment; and
A drawer-type storage container provided to be pulled out of the storage room;
And a water purifying unit including a case, a filter unit accommodated in the case and purifying water supplied from a water supply source, and a water tank unit storing water purified by the filter unit.
The water purifying unit is disposed adjacent to the drawer type storage container,
The water tank unit has a reservoir and a guide tube for guiding water discharged through the filter unit toward the reservoir,
The outlet of the guide tube is provided so as to be located on the opposite side to the discharge port for discharging the water stored in the reservoir. 24. The method of claim 23,
The inner surface of the water storage space facing the outlet of the guide tube is formed in a curved shape to distribute the water pressure of the water discharged from the outlet. 24. The method of claim 23,
And the filter unit includes a filter assembly to be pulled into and out of the case, and a valve assembly to control the supply of water to the filter assembly according to the drawing of the filter assembly. The method of claim 25,
The valve assembly has a valve housing and a valve unit for controlling the supply of water to the filter assembly or the water tank unit side,
And the valve unit includes a valve body installed to be retractable in the valve housing, and an elastic member for pressing the valve body toward the filter assembly. The method of claim 26,
The elastic member is a refrigerator, characterized in that the one end is supported by the valve body, the other end is a coil spring supported by the valve housing. 24. The method of claim 23,
The water purifying unit is a refrigerator, characterized in that disposed between the side wall of the drawer-type storage container and the storage compartment. 24. The method of claim 23,
The drawer type storage container includes a first and second drawer type storage containers arranged in parallel, and the water purifying unit is disposed in a space between the first drawer type storage container and the second drawer type storage container. Refrigerator. 24. The method of claim 23,
The water purifying unit further comprises a water receiving member for receiving water leaking from the filter unit. The method of claim 30,
The dripping member is a refrigerator, characterized in that it is provided to be pulled in and out inside the case. A main body having a storage compartment; and
A drawer-type storage container provided to be pulled out of the storage room;
A water purifying unit having a case, a filter assembly having a filter assembly drawn in and out of the case, and a valve assembly intermittently supplying water to the filter assembly in accordance with drawing in and out of the filter assembly.
The water purifying unit is disposed adjacent to the drawer type storage container,
The valve assembly includes a valve housing and a valve unit for controlling the supply of water to the filter assembly side, wherein the valve unit presses the valve body to the filter assembly side, and the valve body is removably installed in the valve housing. Refrigerator comprising an elastic member. The method of claim 32,
The water purifying unit further comprises a water tank unit provided in the case to store the water purified by the filter unit. The method of claim 32,
The water purifying unit further comprises a water receiving member for receiving water leaking from the filter unit. The method of claim 34,
The dripping member is a refrigerator, characterized in that it is provided to be pulled in and out inside the case. A main body having a storage compartment; and
A drawer-type storage container provided to be pulled out of the storage room;
A filter unit for purifying water supplied from a water supply source, a water tank unit for storing water purified by the filter unit, a drip member for receiving water leaking from the filter unit, the filter unit, and the water tank And a water purifying unit having a unit and a case accommodating the drip member.
The water purifying unit is a refrigerator, characterized in that disposed adjacent to the drawer-type storage container. 37. The method of claim 36,
The dripping member is a refrigerator, characterized in that it is provided to be pulled in and out inside the case. 37. The method of claim 36,
And the filter unit includes a filter assembly to be pulled into and out of the case, and a valve assembly to control the supply of water to the filter assembly according to the drawing of the filter assembly.

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