KR20110026602A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator is provided to minimize cost required for manufacturing processes by simplifying the installing structure of a water supplying unit. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator includes a storage room door, a dispenser, and a water supplying unit(300). The storage room door opens and closes a storage room. The dispenser is installed at the storage room door. The water supplying unit detachably installed to the rear side of the storage room door and supplies water through the dispenser. The water supplying unit includes a case(400). The case includes a receiving part in which a water tank assembly(600) is received. The case is detachably combined with the rear side of the storage room door.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator in which a water supply device is formed in an integrated structure at the back of a door of a storage compartment to improve hygiene and space use.

In general, a refrigerator is a device for low temperature storage of food, and is configured to freeze or refrigerate food according to a state of food to be stored.

In recent years, refrigerators are provided with a device for discharging water or ice stored in the refrigerator from the outside without opening the door of the refrigerator to improve consumer convenience, a so-called dispenser. In addition, there is provided with an ice making device for receiving ice from the outside to ice the ice taken out through the dispenser.

These dispensers and ice makers need to be supplied with external water for their operation, for which the refrigerator is connected to a water supply. The water from the water supply is split into valves and fed into the refrigerator. Part of the water at the valve is supplied to the ice making machine, and another part of the water is supplied to the water tank. The water tank is connected to the dispenser installed at the front of the door of the refrigerator through a supply pipe.

However, generally, an ice making apparatus is installed in a freezing compartment, a water tank is provided in a refrigerating compartment, and a dispenser is provided in the refrigerator main body in a freezer compartment door to supply water to them. Therefore, the length of the supply pipe as a whole becomes complicated, the manufacturing process is complicated, there is a problem in maintaining hygiene and cleanliness.

One side of the present invention relates to a refrigerator to reduce the manufacturing cost by simply installing a complex water supply device on the back of the refrigerating chamber door in an integrated structure.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator that separates a water supply device from a storage door so as to clean or replace a filter assembly, a water tank assembly, and a supply pipe.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage door for opening and closing a storage compartment, a dispenser installed in the storage compartment door, and a water supply device detachably installed on a rear surface of the storage compartment door adjacent to the dispenser for supplying water to the dispenser. Characterized in that.

In addition, the water supply device further includes a case having a receiving portion for receiving the water tank assembly, characterized in that the case is detachably coupled to the back of the door.

In addition, the case is characterized in that it further comprises a hook portion formed on both sides of the receiving portion detachably coupled to the back of the door.

In addition, the back of the door is provided with a support protrusion for supporting the door guard, the hook portion is characterized in that it is detachably coupled to the support protrusion.

In addition, the case is characterized in that it further comprises a cover member for making the internal components of the receiving portion from the outside.

In addition, the case is characterized in that it comprises a first case having a first flow path, and a second case having a second flow path to be combined with the first flow path to form an internal passage through which water passes.

In addition, the case is characterized in that the LED lamp for displaying the state of the water stored in the water tank assembly.

In addition, the water tank assembly is characterized in that it comprises a connector connected to the external water supply and the water tank detachably coupled to the connector.

In addition, the water tank is characterized in that it comprises a tank body for storing water, and a tank cover detachably coupled to the upper side of the tank body.

In addition, the tank body is characterized in that it is provided with a transparent material.

In addition, the water supply device is characterized in that it further comprises a filter assembly for purifying the water supplied from the external water supply source in the receiving portion of the case to supply to the water tank assembly.

In addition, the filter assembly is characterized in that it comprises a connector connected to the external water supply, and the water filter detachably coupled to the connector.

The apparatus may further include an ice making apparatus installed inside the storage compartment to generate ice.

The water supply device is characterized in that it further comprises a control valve for supplying the water passed through the filter assembly to the ice making device or selectively supply to the water tank assembly.

In addition, the water supply device is characterized in that it further comprises a shielding member coupled to the case to surround the control valve to shield the noise.

In addition, the water supply device is characterized in that it further comprises a supply pipe for connecting the water supply device to the dispenser or an external water supply at the back of the storage compartment door.

In addition, the refrigerating compartment door is characterized in that the receiving portion is formed to form a space between the foam so that the supply pipe is connected to the external water source or dispenser.

The apparatus may further include a hinge part rotatably supporting the storage door, and the accommodation part may be formed adjacent to the hinge part.

In addition, the receiving portion is characterized in that it is provided in the form of a pipe that is formed relatively larger than the supply pipe.

When the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from another side, a refrigerator having a refrigerator compartment formed at an upper portion of the refrigerator body and a freezer compartment formed at a lower portion thereof, the refrigerator compartment door for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment, and a detachable installation on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door And a dispenser configured to store water, and a dispenser formed on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door to allow the user to take out the water stored in the water tank assembly.

In addition, the water tank assembly is characterized in that it comprises a connector connected to the external water source, and the water tank detachably connected to the connector.

The apparatus may further include a case accommodating the water tank assembly, and the case may be detachably coupled to the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door.

In addition, the case further comprises a filter assembly for purifying the water supplied from the external water supply source, and includes a supply pipe formed between the foam material filled in the inside of the refrigerating compartment door to connect the filter assembly with the water supply source, the refrigerator compartment door It characterized in that the receiving portion for receiving the supply pipe so that the supply pipe flows in the foam.

In addition, the supply tank is formed in the foam filled in the interior of the refrigerating compartment door to connect the water tank assembly to the dispenser, the dispenser is characterized in that the receiving unit is provided with a receiving portion for the supply pipe to flow in the foam material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator may include a refrigerator body, a refrigerator compartment formed at an upper portion of the refrigerator body, a refrigerator compartment door connected to the refrigerator body to open and close the refrigerator compartment, and an ice cube installed inside the refrigerator compartment. It includes an ice making device for manufacturing, a dispenser formed on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door, and a water supply device detachably installed on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door to selectively supply water supplied from an external source to the ice making device or the dispenser. It features.

In addition, the water supply device includes a filter assembly for receiving and purifying water from an external source, a water tank assembly for storing purified water from the filter assembly, a control valve for controlling water supply to the ice making device or the water tank assembly, and And a case accommodating the filter assembly and the water tank assembly and the control valve and detachably installed on the rear surface of the refrigerator door.

In addition, a first supply pipe connecting the filter assembly and the water supply source, a second supply pipe connecting the filter assembly with the control valve, a third supply pipe connecting the control valve with the water tank assembly, and ice making the control valve with ice And a fourth supply pipe connecting the device and a fifth supply pipe connecting the water tank assembly with the dispenser from which water is drawn.

In addition, the case has a first case having a first flow path, and a second case having a second flow path coupled with the first flow path to form a passage through which water flows, and some of the supply pipes are integrally formed inside the case. It is characterized by.

In addition, the first supply pipe and the fifth supply pipe is characterized in that the flow is provided in the refrigerator door.

Therefore, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention simply installs a complicated water supply device to reduce manufacturing costs, and separates the water supply device from the refrigerating chamber door to clean or replace the filter assembly, the water tank assembly, and the supply pipe. To keep the water supply clean.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the refrigerator body 10 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 20 and a freezer compartment 30, which are storage spaces. The refrigerating chamber 20 and the freezing chamber 30 are divided up and down by the partition 40 in the refrigerator body 10. In the present embodiment, the refrigerating chamber 20 is formed on the upper portion of the refrigerator body 10, and the freezing chamber 30 has been described in the structure formed on the lower side, it may be configured in reverse, it may be applied to the structure of the double door refrigerator.

The refrigerating chamber 20 and the freezing chamber 30 are formed so that the front surface of the refrigerator main body 10 is opened, and the opened portion is opened and closed by the doors 50 and 60. In particular, the refrigerating chamber 20 is opened and closed by a pair of doors 50. The refrigerating compartment door 50 is rotatably supported by hinge parts 70 respectively provided above and below the front end sides of the refrigerator main body 10.

The door handle 80 is provided at the front end side of the refrigerating compartment door 50. The door handle 80 is a part that a user holds by hand and applies a force when opening and closing the refrigerating compartment door 50. The freezer door 60 is also provided with a door handle 90 on the front of the front. Here, the freezer compartment door 60 may be configured to be pulled out of the freezer compartment 30.

In the refrigerating chamber 20, an ice making chamber 100 for manufacturing ice is provided. The ice making chamber 100 is provided at an upper side of the refrigerating chamber 20. Since the ice making chamber 100 is a part which should keep a remarkably low temperature state compared with the refrigerating chamber 20, it becomes a space partitioned by the separate thermal insulation partition wall 100a.

An ice making apparatus 110 that actually manufactures ice is provided inside the ice making chamber 100. The ice making device 110 contains water supplied to the ice making tray 111 to freeze the water at a low temperature inside the ice making room 100. An ice storage unit 112 is provided below the ice maker 110. The ice storage unit 112 is a portion capable of storing the ice made by the ice making device 110. The ice made in the ice making device 110 may be transferred to the ice storage 112 in various ways.

The ice storage unit 112 temporarily stores the iced ice, and is then transferred by the ice transfer unit 113. The ice storage unit 112 is in communication with the ice discharge duct 114 provided through the refrigerating compartment door 50 and the insulating partition wall 100a, and the ice discharge duct 114 is selectively opened and closed to open the ice in the refrigerating compartment door 50. Transfer to the dispenser 200 provided in). The ice discharge duct 114 is formed in the refrigerating chamber door 50 so as to be in communication with the dispenser 200 on the outside, and the ice storage unit 112 through the insulating partition wall 100a of the ice making chamber 100 on the inside. In communication with

The dispenser 200 allows water and ice to be taken out without opening the refrigerating compartment door 50. The dispenser 200 is provided with a configuration for taking out water and ice. That is, the operation lever receiving the opening / closing signal of the air outlet through which water or ice is discharged is exposed on the front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 50 or provided with a button.

Meanwhile, the dispenser 200 and the ice maker 110 need to be supplied with water from the outside for its operation. For this purpose, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided on the rear surface 50a of the refrigerating compartment door 50. It is connected to an external water supply source such as a faucet through the water supply device 300 provided in an integrated structure.

Hereinafter, a water supply apparatus for a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

However, in the present embodiment has been described a case in which the water supply device is formed on the back of the refrigerating compartment door, the water supply apparatus of the present invention through the appropriate modification to prevent the water from freezing inside the water supply using a heat insulating means the freezer compartment door Naturally applicable to the back of the.

3 is an exploded perspective view showing the water supply apparatus of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the water supply apparatus of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment from the front of the refrigerator compartment door.

3 and 4, the water supply apparatus 300 of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a case 400, filter assembly 500, water tank assembly 600, control valve ( 700, and the supply pipe 800 is configured.

The case 400 is installed along the guide rail 51 provided on the rear surface 50a of the refrigerating compartment door 50. Since the case 400 is installed at the back surface 50a of the refrigerating compartment door 50 adjacent to the dispenser 200 and the ice making device 110, the first to fifth supply pipes P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 are overall. The length of the supply pipe 800 made to be shortened.

The case 400 is formed on a side of the accommodating part 410 in which the filter assembly 500, the water tank assembly 600, and the control valve 700 are accommodated, and the accommodating part 410 and the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 50. And a hook portion 420 detachably attached to 50a.

The accommodating part 410 may be provided in a form recessed inward so that the filter assembly 500, the water tank assembly 600, and the control valve 700 may be accommodated. The accommodating part 410 includes an upper accommodating part 411 in which the filter assembly 500 and the water tank assembly 600 are accommodated, and a lower accommodating part 412 in which the control valve 700 is accommodated.

The upper accommodating part 411 may be formed relatively larger than the lower accommodating part 412 to accommodate the filter assembly 500 and the water tank assembly 600. Then, the lower receiving portion 412 may be coupled to the shield cover 412a for shielding the noise according to the operating state of the control valve 700.

The hook part 420 may be formed at both side surfaces of the upper accommodating part 411. A guide rail 51 is provided on the rear surface 50a of the refrigerating compartment door 50, and a support protrusion 51a for supporting a door guard (not shown) is formed to protrude from the inside of the guide rail 51. Hook portion 420 is formed so that the case 400 can be inserted between the guide rails 51 on both sides, and may be supported by the support protrusions 51a on both sides for supporting the door guard (not shown). So that it is formed. Therefore, the water supply device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the back surface 50a of the refrigerating compartment door 50 by using a support protrusion 51a formed to support the door guard (not shown). Can be achieved.

The filter assembly 500 is provided at the upper accommodating part 411 of the case 400. The filter assembly 500 serves to purify the water so that the user can drink water introduced from the external water supply source through the first supply pipe (P1). The filter assembly 500 includes a connector 510 and a water filter 520.

5A to 5C are views illustrating a process of coupling or decoupling a connector and a water filter according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5A to 5C, the connector 510 is connected to the first supply pipe P1 to allow the water to flow into the water filter 520, and the control valve connected to the second supply pipe P2. An outlet 512 is provided to allow 700 to flow out of water. In addition, the connector 510 may include a first inlet 513 for moving the water flowing through the inlet 511 toward the water filter 520, and a second inlet 512 for moving the water filter 520 from the water filter 520 to the outlet 512. 514).

The first inlet 513 and the second inlet 514 are provided in the form of a hole. The first and second inlets 513 and 514 of the hole form are respectively fitted to a part of the inner wall to prevent the leakage of water. 515 may be provided. In addition, the first and second entrances 513 and 514 are respectively provided with a first hook 513a and a second hook 514a made of an elastic material to be detachably coupled to the water filter 520.

The water filter 520 may be connected to the water filter housing 521, the first guide 522 protruding from the water filter housing 521, and the second entrance 514 to be connected to the first entrance 513. A second guide 523 protruding from the water filter housing 521, a connection guide 524 connected to the first and second guides 522, 523, a nonwoven fabric, a reverse osmosis membrane, etc. formed in the water filter housing 521. It includes a filter element (not shown).

The first guide 522 and the second guide 523 are formed to protrude in the form of a pipe and fitted to the first entrance 513 and the second entrance 514 in the form of a hole, respectively. The first and second guides 522 and 523 are coupled to the first hook 513a of the first entrance 513 and the second hook 514a of the second entrance 514, respectively. And a second catching jaw 523a.

The first catching jaw 522a and the second catching jaw 523a are formed to protrude outwardly from a part of the first guide and the second guide 523, respectively, to be attached to and detached from the first hook 513a and the second hook 514a. Combined as possible.

The connection guide 524 may be provided with an annular pusher mounted on the first and second guides 522 and 523 in the form of a pipe. That is, the connecting guide 524 is provided with a donut-shaped hard bar, and when pressed to the connector side pushes the first and second hooks (513a, 514a), the first and second hooks (513a, 514a) made of elastic material It can be released from the first and second locking jaw (522a, 523a). Therefore, the water filter 520 can be easily released from the connector 510 even in a narrow space. (See FIGS. 5A-5C)

The lower receiving portion 410 of the case 400 is provided with a control valve 700. Water passing through the filter assembly 500 is purified and supplied to the control valve 700 through the second supply pipe (P2). The control valve 700 allows the water supplied through the second supply pipe P2 to be divided and supplied to the third and fourth supply pipes P4.

The control valve 700 has a pair of solenoid opening and closing plates (not shown) therein so that water flowing through the second supply pipe P2 can be selectively supplied to or blocked by the third and fourth supply pipes P3 and P4. Can be installed. That is, the water supplied from the control valve 700 to the third supply pipe P3 is supplied to the water tank assembly 600 and then supplied to the dispenser 200, and from the control valve 700 to the fourth supply pipe P4. The water supplied is configured to be supplied to the ice making unit 110 to make ice.

On the other hand, as described above, the control valve 700 is able to block the noise by the shield cover 412a covering the lower receiving portion 410.

The water tank assembly 600 is provided in the upper receiving portion 410 of the case 400. The water tank assembly 600 may be provided below the filter assembly 500 described above. The water tank assembly 600 receives water introduced from the control valve 700 through the third supply pipe P3 and stores the water below a predetermined temperature. That is, the water tank assembly 600 supplies water to the dispenser 200 so that a user can take in low temperature water while maintaining a predetermined amount of water in a refrigerated state. Therefore, the water tank assembly 600 may always be supplied and stored with purified water through the filter assembly 500 in a constant amount.

The water tank assembly 600 may include a connector 610 and a water tank 620 detachably coupled to the connector. Although not shown, the connector 610 is connected to the third supply pipe (P3) to the water inlet to the water tank 620, and is connected to the fifth supply pipe (P5), the water flows out to the dispenser 200. It is natural to have an outlet to make it.

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, the case 400 may further include a cover member for preventing the internal components installed in the receiving portion 410 from being visible from the outside. Therefore, since the water supply device 300 is not exposed to the outside through the cover member, it is possible to improve the aesthetics of the refrigerating compartment door 50 as a whole.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing a water tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the water tank 620 may include a tank body 621 and a tank cover 622 coupled to an upper side of the tank body 621. The tank body 621 is provided with a locking portion 621a that protrudes small on the outer edge. The tank cover 622 protrudes from an inner surface of each of the cover part 622a covering the tank body 621, the coupling part 622b coupled to the tank body 621, and the coupling part 622b, and the tank body 621. It includes a locking projection (622c) that is elastically locked to the locking portion (621a) of the).

The water tank 620 applies a force toward the tank body 621 by a locking protrusion 622c protruding into the inner surfaces of the coupling parts 622b facing each other when the tank cover 622 is coupled to the tank body 621. When pressed, the locking protrusion 622c is elastically caught by the locking portion 621a, so that the tank cover 622 is coupled to the tank body 621. In addition, the water tank 620 is a state in which the engaging portion 622b is applied to the opposite side of the tank body 621, the locking portion 621a and the locking projection 622c is released to separate. Therefore, the water tank 620 can be easily separated and cleaned to maintain the clean state of the water tank 620.

On the other hand, the water tank 620 is made of a transparent material so that the user can easily grasp the state of the water inside.

In addition, an LED lamp 900 indicating a cleaning cycle is installed in the case 400 adjacent to the water tank 620 to indicate a state of water. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the LED lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the water in the water tank 620 passes seven days, the LED lamp 900 is turned on in red, otherwise it is turned on in blue.

If the user does not clean the water tank 620 in the red light state, the LED lamp 900 lit in red blinks to display a warning about the water tank 620 state to the user. In addition, even if the user does not press the reset button even after washing the water tank 620, the LED lamp 900 is flickering in the same manner as if the water tank 620 is not washed.

When the user washes the water tank 620 in the red light state and presses the reset button, the blue light is turned on. Therefore, since the user recognizes the cleaning cycle through the LED lamp 900, it is possible to easily grasp the sanitary state inside the water tank 620.

Next, the process of supplying water to the dispenser and the ice maker through the water supply device through the plurality of supply pipes will be described.

A first supply pipe P1 is provided to guide the water from the water supply source to the water supply device 300. The first supply pipe P1 is connected to the filter assembly 500 installed on the rear surface 50a of the refrigerating chamber door 50 by passing through the upper surface 50b of the refrigerating chamber door 50.

Water introduced into the filter assembly 500 is moved through the second supply pipe (P2) provided below the first supply pipe (P1). The second supply pipe P2 is connected to the control valve 700 on the opposite side of the portion connected to the filter assembly 500.

Water introduced into the control valve 700 is branched and moved to the third supply pipe (P3) and the fourth supply pipe (P4). That is, a part of the water moved along the second supply pipe (P2) flows to the third supply pipe (P3), the remaining portion is flowed through the fourth supply pipe (P4).

The third supply pipe P3 is connected to the ice making device 110. The ice maker 110 serves to make ice using water purified by the filter assembly 500 so that the user can use it. Ice is delivered at the user through the dispenser 200.

The fourth supply pipe P4 is connected to the water tank assembly 600. The water tank assembly 600 is to supply water to the dispenser 200 so that the user can take in the low temperature water while maintaining a certain amount of water in the refrigerated state. A fifth supply pipe P5 is provided at a portion of the water tank assembly 600 at which water is discharged.

The fifth supply pipe P5 is connected to the dispenser 200 on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door. Water discharged from the water tank assembly 600 flows to the dispenser 200 through the fifth supply pipe P5 and is delivered from the user through the dispenser 200.

Next, the coupling relationship between the first supply pipe and the water supply source will be described with reference to FIG. 8. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a relationship in which a water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is combined with a water supply source and a dispenser.

As shown in FIG. 8, a hinge portion 70 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment door 50 is provided on the upper surface 50b of the refrigerating compartment door 50. The upper surface 50b of the refrigerating compartment door 50 is formed with an insertion hole 50c through which a portion of the hinge portion 70 is coupled.

In addition, a foam material 50d is filled in the refrigerating compartment door 50, and the refrigerating compartment door adjacent to the insertion hole 50c in order to enable the first supply pipe P1 to flow in the refrigerating compartment door 50. The first accommodating hole H1 is provided inside the 50. That is, the first accommodation hole H1 serves to form a passage through which the first supply pipe P1 flows from the rear surface 50a of the refrigerating compartment door 50 to the upper surface 50b of the refrigerating compartment door 50. do.

The first accommodating hole H1 may be provided in the form of a pipe having a larger diameter than that of the first supply pipe P1. Accordingly, the first accommodation hole H1 is formed by preventing the first supply pipe P1 of the water supply device 300 connected to the water supply source from being fixed by the foam 50d of the refrigerating compartment door 50. Make it easy to replace (P1).

Next, look at the coupling relationship between the fifth supply pipe and the dispenser.

As shown in FIG. 8, a portion of the water tank assembly 600 where water is discharged is provided with a fifth supply pipe P5, and the fifth supply pipe P5 is connected to the dispenser 200 to supply water to the user. Can be.

In detail, the dispenser 200 includes a dispenser base 200a recessed from the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 50 by a predetermined depth, and the fifth supply pipe P5 may be connected to the dispenser base 200a. The second accommodating hole H2 is provided in the foam 50d so as to be provided.

That is, the fifth supply pipe P5 may be inserted into the pipe-shaped second accommodation hole H2 provided in the dispenser base 200a to supply water from the fifth supply pipe P5 to the dispenser 200.

Therefore, in the foam 50d filled in the refrigerating compartment door 50, the second accommodation hole H2 is provided to maintain a predetermined distance from the fifth supply pipe P5 so that the flow of the fifth supply pipe P5 is free. , So that the fifth supply pipe (P5) is not fixed by the foaming material (50d) to facilitate the cleaning or replacement of the fifth supply pipe (P5) to maintain the clean state of the fifth supply pipe (P5).

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, when showing the same component as 1st Example mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted. 9 is a view showing a water supply apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the water supply device 300 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a case 400 ′, a filter assembly 500, a water tank assembly 600, a control valve 700, It comprises a supply pipe (P1 ', P2', P3 ', P4', P5 ').

The case 300 'is a first case 430' having a first flow path 430'a and a second flow path 440 'coupled to the first flow path 430'a to form an inner passage through which water flows. and a second case 440 having a).

Water from the water supply source may be supplied to the filter assembly 500 through the first supply pipe (P1 '). In addition, water may be supplied from the filter assembly 500 to the control valve 700 by connecting the second supply pipe P2 ′ to the inner passage formed by the combination of the first case 430 and the second case 440. have. In addition, by connecting the third supply pipe (P3 ') and the fourth supply pipe (P4') to the inner passage formed by the combination of the first case 430 and the second case 440, the water from the control valve 700 The water tank assembly 600 and the ice maker 110 may be supplied. Further, by connecting the fifth supply pipe (P5 ') to the inner passage formed by the combination of the first case 430 and the second case 440 to supply water from the water tank assembly 600 to the dispenser (not shown). It becomes possible.

Therefore, the first case 400 and the second case 400 are combined so that the case 400 forms an inner passage through which the water passes, so that the whole of the supply pipes P1 ', P2', P3 ', P4', and P5 'are connected. The length can be shortened. In addition, the supply pipe (P1 ', P2', P3 ', P4', P5 ') can be prevented from the bending caused by the lack of installation space.

In addition, as the size of the inner passage formed by the combination of the first passage 430'a and the second passage 440'a may be changed, water passes through the filter assembly 500 and the water tank assembly 600. You can adjust the speed at which it is stored.

As described above, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention can be seen that the basic technical idea to solve the problems of hygiene, space usability, material use by installing the water supply unit in the back structure of the refrigerator compartment door. have. Thus, of course, many other modifications are possible to those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the basic technical idea of the present invention.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a water supply device of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view showing the water supply apparatus of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment from the front of the refrigerating compartment door.

5A to 5C are views illustrating a process of coupling or decoupling a connector and a water filter according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing a water tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the LED lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a perspective view illustrating a relationship in which a water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is combined with a water supply source and a dispenser.

9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a water supply device of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

10 ... refrigerator body 20 ... refrigerator

30 ... Freezer 50 ... Freezer door

100 Ice machine 110 Ice machine

200 ... Dispenser 300 ... Water Supply

400 ... case 500 ... filter assembly

600 ... water tank assembly 700 ... regulating valve

800 ... supply pipe

Claims (28)

A storage door to open and close the storage compartment, A dispenser installed at the storage door; And a water supply device detachably installed at a rear surface of the storage compartment door adjacent to the dispenser to supply water to the dispenser. The method of claim 1, The water supply device further includes a case having a receiving portion for receiving the water tank assembly, And the case is detachably coupled to the rear surface of the door. 3. The method of claim 2, The case further comprises a hook portion formed on both sides of the receiving portion detachably coupled to the back of the door. The method of claim 3, wherein The back of the door is provided with a support protrusion for supporting the door guard, The hook unit is a refrigerator, characterized in that detachably coupled to the support projection. The method of claim 2, The case further comprises a cover member for preventing the internal components of the receiving unit from being visible from the outside. 3. The method of claim 2, The case comprises a first case having a first flow path, and a refrigerator having a second case having a second flow path to be combined with the first flow path to form an internal passage through which water passes. 3. The method of claim 2, The case is provided with an LED lamp for displaying the state of the water stored in the water tank assembly. 3. The method of claim 2, The water tank assembly is a refrigerator comprising a connector connected to an external water supply and a water tank detachably coupled with the connector. The method of claim 8, The water tank is a refrigerator, characterized in that the tank body for storing water, and a tank cover detachably coupled to the upper side of the tank body. 10. The method of claim 9, The tank body is a refrigerator, characterized in that provided with a transparent material. 3. The method of claim 2, The water supply device further comprises a filter assembly for purifying the water supplied from an external water supply source in the accommodating portion of the case to supply the water tank assembly. The method of claim 11, The filter assembly may include a connector connected to an external water supply and a water filter detachably coupled to the connector. The method of claim 11, It further comprises an ice making apparatus installed in the storage compartment to generate ice, The water supply device further comprises a control valve for supplying the water passing through the filter assembly to the ice making device or selectively to the water tank assembly. The method of claim 13, The water supply device further comprises a shielding member coupled to the case to surround the control valve to shield the noise. The method of claim 1, The water supply device further comprises a supply pipe for connecting the water supply device to the dispenser or an external water supply at the rear of the storage compartment door. The method of claim 15, The refrigerator compartment is characterized in that the refrigerator is provided with a receiving portion for forming a space between the foam so that the supply pipe is connected to the external water supply or the dispenser. The method of claim 16, Further comprising a hinge for rotatably supporting the storage door, And the accommodation portion is formed adjacent to the hinge portion. The method of claim 16, The accommodation unit is a refrigerator, characterized in that provided in the form of a pipe formed relatively larger than the supply pipe. In the refrigerator in which a refrigerator compartment is formed in the upper portion of the refrigerator body and the freezer compartment is formed in the lower portion, A refrigerator compartment door for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment; A water tank assembly detachably installed on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door and storing water; And a dispenser formed at a front surface of the refrigerating compartment door to allow a user to take out the water stored in the water tank assembly. The method of claim 19, The water tank assembly is a refrigerator, characterized in that it comprises a connector connected to an external water source, and a water tank detachably connected to the connector. The method of claim 19, Further comprising a case for receiving the water tank assembly, And the case is detachably coupled to the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door. The method of claim 21, Further comprising a filter assembly for purifying the water supplied from the external water supply inside the case, A supply pipe formed between a foam material filled in the refrigerating compartment door to connect the filter assembly to the water supply source, The refrigerator compartment door is provided with a receiving portion for receiving the supply pipe so that the supply pipe flows in the foam material. The method of claim 19, And a supply pipe formed in a foam filled in the interior of the refrigerating compartment door to connect the water tank assembly to the dispenser. The dispenser is provided with a receiving portion for receiving the supply pipe so that the supply pipe flows in the foam. With the refrigerator body, A refrigerator compartment formed at an upper portion of the refrigerator body; A refrigerator compartment door connected to the refrigerator main body to open and close the refrigerator compartment; An ice making apparatus installed in the refrigerating chamber and manufacturing ice; A dispenser formed on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door, And a water supply device detachably installed on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door and selectively supplying water supplied from an external source to the ice maker or the dispenser. The method of claim 24, The water supply device includes a filter assembly for purifying water supplied from an external source, a water tank assembly for storing the purified water in the filter assembly, and a control valve for controlling the water supply to the ice making device or the water tank assembly. And a case accommodating the filter assembly and the water tank assembly and the control valve and detachably installed on a rear surface of the refrigerator door. The method of claim 25, A first supply pipe connecting the filter assembly and the water supply source; A second supply pipe connecting the filter assembly to the control valve; A third supply pipe connecting the control valve to the water tank assembly; A fourth supply pipe connecting the control valve to an ice making device for producing ice; And a fifth supply pipe connecting the water tank assembly to a dispenser from which water is drawn. The method of claim 26, The case includes a first case having a first flow path, and a second case having a second flow path so as to form a passage through which water is coupled to the first flow path, Some of the supply pipe is a refrigerator, characterized in that formed integrally inside the case. The method of claim 26, The first supply pipe and the fifth supply pipe is characterized in that the refrigerator is provided to enable flow inside the refrigerator door.

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