KR20110072369A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator is provided to improve productivity since water supply tank is attached and detached with simple control by the fastening part. CONSTITUTION: The refrigerator includes: a main body; a door(12); and a water tank(32). The main body includes a storage compartment. The door is connected to the main body and opens and closes the storage room. The water tank is installed in one side of the door and is located in one spot of the water supply passage. The water tank is formed into container having sectional area lager than sectional area of the water supply passage. The water tank has a water inlet port(323) and a water outlet port(324). The water inlet port is formed in the one-side end and is connected to the water supply passage. The water outlet port is formed in the other side end part. The water outlet port is formed higer than the water inlet port.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Generally, a refrigerator is a home appliance that stores food in a low temperature state by low temperature air.

Recently, the demand for a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment is provided on the upper side and a freezer compartment is provided on the lower side is increasing. In the case of such a bottom freezer type refrigerator, an ice making device for making ice and a water dispenser structure for taking out the drink may be provided in the door. In the case of a conventional bottom freezer type refrigerator, a water tank for temporarily storing water for supplying to an ice making device and a water dispenser is mounted to a refrigerator compartment door. Then, a water tank receiving groove is formed in the lower side of the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door, and the water tank is provided in a form in which the water supply hose is rolled up several times.

In the case of such a conventional water tank structure, the water tank in which the water hose is rolled up is large in volume, while the amount of water stored is relatively small. In addition, since the water supply hose must be rolled into the water tank accommodating groove, there is a disadvantage in that the productivity of the refrigerator decreases due to a long manufacturing process of the refrigerator.

In addition, when the supply of the ice making water is stopped, there is a problem that the water remaining inside the ice making water hose freezes.

The present invention has been proposed to improve the above disadvantages, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water supply tank structure capable of storing a maximum amount of water in a limited space.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a water supply tank structure that can be easily mounted in a water supply tank storage space by improving the shape of the water supply tank.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a water supply tank structure capable of preventing water remaining in the water supply hose after the water supply is stopped to the water supply tank, thereby preventing freezing in the hose.

Refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the body is provided with a storage compartment; A door connected to the main body to open and close the storage compartment; A water tank mounted on one side of the door and provided at a point of the water supply flow path, wherein the water tank has a cylindrical shape having a cross-sectional area larger than that of the water supply flow path, and the water tank is disposed at one end portion. And an inlet port formed at the other end and an inlet port to which the water supply passage is connected, wherein the outlet port is formed above the inlet port.

Refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention in another aspect, the body; A door connected to the main body to open and close the storage compartment; A water tank mounted on a rear surface of the door and provided at a point of a water supply flow path, wherein the water tank includes a tank body having an empty inside and opening at one side thereof, and a tank cover shielding an opening of the tanker body. Include.

According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention constituting the above configuration has the following effects.

First, since the water supply tank is provided in a cylindrical shape having a predetermined volume, there is an effect that the volume of the water supply tank is reduced.

Second, since the water supply tank is provided in a tubular shape instead of a rolled hose, the amount of water to be stored is relatively large compared to the conventional.

Third, the fastening means according to the embodiment of the present invention provided on the outer circumferential surface of the water supply tank, it is possible to attach and detach the water supply tank with a simple operation, there is an effect that can contribute to improved productivity.

Fourth, since the water supply tank has a tubular shape with a larger cross-sectional area than the water supply hose, a space may be formed inside the tank in the state where water supply is stopped. Therefore, since the residual water remaining in the water supply hose after the water supply stops can be returned to the water supply tank, there is also an effect that the freezing phenomenon in the hose is removed.

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

1 is an external perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be rotatably connected to a main body 11 having a refrigerating chamber 111 and a freezing chamber formed therein, and a front edge of the main body 11. And a refrigerating compartment door 12 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 111 and a freezing compartment door for opening and closing the freezing compartment.

In detail, the freezing compartment may be formed below the refrigerating compartment 111 as a single space, and may be divided into a plurality of spaces by separate partition members according to products. In addition, a storage box may be accommodated in the freezer compartment in a forward direction. More specifically, the freezer compartment is provided with a drawer, the drawer, a door for selectively shielding the front opening of the freezer compartment, a door frame extending rearward from the rear of the door, a storage box seated on the door frame and And a rail member for allowing the door to slide in the front-rear direction.

In addition, the freezing compartment may be divided into a plurality of spaces in the vertical direction or the left and right directions by a separate partition member. In the drawing, the freezer compartment is divided in the vertical direction, and each space is shown to be shielded by a door. In addition, any one of the freezer compartment spaces divided by the division member may be used as a switching chamber. Then, the door that opens and closes the freezing compartment may include a switching room door 13 and a freezing compartment door 14.

Meanwhile, a plurality of shelves and baskets may be provided in the refrigerating chamber 111. The front opening of the refrigerating compartment 111 may be opened and closed by a pair of refrigerating compartment doors 12, as shown. The pair of refrigerating compartment doors 12 may be rotatably connected to the left and right edges of the main body 11.

In addition, the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 12 may be provided with an ice making chamber 20 for making ice, and one or more door baskets 15 may be mounted on an outer surface of the ice making chamber 20. . In addition, a cold air inlet 123 and a cold air outlet 124 may be formed at a side portion of the ice making chamber 20, in detail, at a side portion in contact with an inner surface of the refrigerating chamber 111. When the refrigerating compartment door 12 is closed, a cold air inlet and a cold air outlet are respectively formed at the side of the refrigerating chamber 111 at the point where the cold air inlet 123 and the cold air outlet 124 contact each other. In addition, a cold air supply duct and a cold air return duct are formed in the side surface of the refrigerating chamber 111 to connect an evaporation chamber (not shown).

In addition, one or more door baskets 15 may be provided on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12 corresponding to the lower side of the ice making chamber 20. In addition, a water storage unit 30 having a predetermined size is provided at a lower rear surface area of the refrigerating compartment door 12.

On the other hand, a dispenser (not shown) for drinking water extraction and ice extraction may be formed on the front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12, particularly on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 12 on the side where the ice making chamber 20 is formed. The water supply hose 41 extends from the rear surface of the main body 11 and extends into the refrigerating chamber door 12 through a hinge connecting the refrigerating chamber door 12 and the main body 11. In addition, the water supply hose 41 extending into the refrigerating compartment door 12 is formed in the ice maker (not shown) and the dispenser provided inside the ice making chamber 20 via the water storage unit 30. It is divided into each outlet and extends. The water supply flow path as described above will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view showing an enlarged refrigerator compartment door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the refrigerating compartment door 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an outer case 121 of a metal plate forming a front exterior and a door liner 122 coupled to a rear surface of the outer case 121. And an insulating material (not shown) filled between the outer case 121 and the door liner 122.

In detail, the side of the door liner 122, in detail, when the pair of refrigerating chamber doors close to the side portion corresponding to each other when the filler 16 for preventing cold air leakage may be mounted. The filler 16 is in close contact with the side of the door liner 122 as shown when the refrigerator compartment door 12 is opened. On the other hand, when the refrigerating compartment door 12 is closed, it rotates 90 degrees to shield the boundary portion with the opposite refrigerating compartment door, thereby preventing cold air from leaking into the boundary portion gap between the refrigerating compartment doors.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, the water storage unit 30 is located in the lower rear portion of the refrigerating compartment door 12, covering the water tank (to be described later) and the valve (to be described later) so as not to be exposed to the outside. A shield 31.

In detail, the shield 31 is detachably coupled to the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12, and a locking protrusion 311 protrudes from an upper end of the shield 31. In addition, a locking rib 151 extends at a lower end of the door basket 15 that is detachably mounted to the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12 above the water storage unit 30. In addition, the locking protrusion 311 is located behind the locking rib 151. That is, the locking rib 151 is located between the door liner 122 and the locking protrusion 311 so that the door basket 15 is inadvertently separated from the rear surface of the door 12. prevent.

Hereinafter, the structure of the water storage unit 30 will be described in detail based on the drawings.

3 is a rear perspective view of a refrigerating compartment door showing a state in which a shield of a water storage unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is removed, and FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state in which a water tank constituting the water storage unit is separated.

3 and 4, the water storage unit 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the shield 31; A tank housing (123) shielded by the shield (31) and recessed to a predetermined depth at the bottom of the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door (12); A water tank 32 mounted at one side of the tank housing 123 and storing water supplied through the water supply hose 41; It includes a branch valve 40 to allow the water discharged from the water tank 32 flows into the dispenser and the ice maker.

In detail, the tank housing 123 is formed by recessing a lower portion of the door liner 122 toward the outer case 121 at a predetermined depth. The inner wall of the tank housing 123 is provided with a passage hole 125 through which the hose extending from the water supply hose 41 and the branch valve 40 passes. In addition, a shield fastening protrusion 124 is formed on a sidewall of the tank housing 123 so as to be fitted into a groove (not shown) formed on the side of the shield 31 to prevent any detachment of the shield 31. The branch valve 40 is accommodated in one space of the tank housing 123, and the water tank 32 is mounted in the other space.

In detail, the water tank 32 may be formed in a tubular shape having a predetermined volume, and in this embodiment, a hollow cylindrical shape is presented. However, of course, the polygonal cylindrical shape is also applicable. In more detail, the water tank 32 has a tank cover 321 having an inlet port 323 formed at one side thereof and opened at the other side thereof, and a tank cover shielding an opening portion of the tank body 321. 322. One side of the tank cover 322 is formed with a water outlet port 324. In addition, a portion where the tank body 321 and the tank cover 322 are coupled is overlapped by a predetermined width, and the overlapping portions are coupled by a fusion process. Through the fusion process, water may be prevented from leaking through the connection portions of the tank body 321 and the tank cover 322.

In addition, the water inlet port 323 is formed on the longitudinal central axis of the tank body 321, the water outlet port 324 is formed at a point biased toward the edge from the central axis. When the water tank 32 is mounted to the tank housing 123, the water outlet port 324 is mounted to be positioned at a position higher than the water inlet port 323. Here, the forming position of the inlet port 324 and the outlet port 324 can be changed, but in any case the water tank 32 is mounted so that the outlet port 324 is located higher than the inlet port 323 It is good to be.

In addition, the water supply hose 42 is connected to the water inlet port 323, and the water outlet hose 42 is connected to the water outlet port 324. The outlet hose 42 is connected to the inlet side of the branch valve 40. The outlet side of the branch valve 40 is connected to an ice maker hose 44 connected to the ice maker and a dispenser hose 43 connected to the water dispenser. In addition, the ice maker hose 44 and the dispenser hose 43 pass through the through-hole 125 to the water dispenser and the ice maker along the space between the door liner 122 and the outer case 121, respectively. Is extended.

On the other hand, a pair of mounting ribs 325 having a predetermined elasticity is extended to the outer circumferential surface of the water tank 32. In detail, the mounting ribs 325 may extend in the same direction at mutually opposite positions. In addition, a hose supporter 326 through which the discharge hose 42 penetrates is extended to an outer circumferential surface of the water tank 32. Since the water extraction hose 42 is not oscillated by the hose supporter 326, the water extraction hose 324 may be prevented from being twisted or twisted at the connection portion of the water extraction port 324. The mounting ribs 325 and the hose supporter 326 may be formed in any of the tank body 321 or the tank cover 322 of the water tank 32, and integrally with the water tank 32. It can be injection molded. The mounting ribs 325 may extend in a direction crossing the longitudinal center line of the water tank 32.

It will be described with respect to the mounting and detachment process of the water tank 32 having the above configuration.

First, the assembler connects the end of the water supply hose 41 to the water inlet port 323, and connects one end of the water outlet hose 41 to the water outlet port 324. The other end of the outlet hose 41 is connected to the inlet of the branch valve 40, and one end of the dispenser hose 43 and the ice maker hose 44 is connected to the outlets formed in the branch valve 40. Connect each.

After this process, the assembler divides the water tank horizontally and inserts it into the tank housing 123. At this time, the end of the mounting rib 325 is inserted facing the rear wall surface of the tank housing 123. Then, one of the mounting ribs 325 will be in close contact with the upper wall of the tank housing 123, the other will be in close contact with the lower wall of the tank housing 123. The water tank 32 is mounted in a state in which the water outlet port 324 is positioned at a position higher than the water inlet port 323. If the outlet port 324 is located at a relatively higher position than the inlet port 323, a slight air layer may be formed around the outlet port. Then, the water supply to the water dispenser or the ice maker is stopped, and the water remaining in the hose is allowed to flow back to the water tank 32. The branch valve 40 is a solenoid valve and does not immediately close when a valve closing signal is input. Accordingly, even if the water supply stop signal is generated and the water supply is stopped, a time delay occurs until the outlet of the branch valve 40 is completely closed. As a result of the delay in closing the valve, at least a part of the water in the dispenser hose 43 or the ice maker hose 44 drops by its own weight and passes through the branch valve 40 to the water supply tank 32. Go back to. As a result, water freezing inside the hose at the end of the ice maker hose 44 can be alleviated. Since the ice maker hose 44 is connected to the ice making chamber, the discharge end region of the hose is likely to freeze. Therefore, as in the embodiment according to the present invention, when the water tank is formed in a tubular shape having a predetermined volume instead of a bundle of hoses rolled a plurality of times, the above additional effects can be obtained.

In this state, when the assembler pushes the water tank 32 deeper, the ends of the mounting ribs 325 are bent in a direction closer to each other. The mounting ribs 325 are bent to be in close contact with the upper wall and the lower wall of the water tank 32 by the elastic restoring force to generate frictional force. By this frictional force, the water tank 32 is stably fixed inside the tank housing 123. Here, the mounting ribs 325 are not structured to be caught on the upper wall and the lower wall of the tank housing 123 or to be fitted to a specific portion, and thus merely maintain a contact state. That is, by the elastic restoring force of the mounting ribs 325 is maintained in close contact with the tank housing 123. Therefore, the assembler only needs to pull the water tank 32 with a force greater than the friction force, and thus it is not necessary to use a separate extension for mounting and detaching the water tank 32. However, if a stable fixing of the water tank 32 is desired, the ends of the mounting ribs 325 are formed in a hook shape, and grooves corresponding to the hook-shaped ends are formed in the inner wall of the tank housing 123. Of course you can.

As such, since the water tank is formed in a tubular shape having a constant size, not only the space utilization inside the tank housing 123 is increased, but also the water tank can be easily attached and detached.

Hereinafter, a water supply passage disposed in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

5 is a view illustrating a rear surface of the out case constituting the refrigerator door according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the door 12 of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the outer case 121 forming the front appearance and the door liner coupled to the rear of the outer case 121. (122). In addition, the space between the outer case 121 and the door liner 122 is filled with a heat insulating material such as polyurethane foam.

In detail, the out case 121 is made of a metal plate, and the upper panel 126 of the plastic material is mounted on the top case. In addition, a hinge is mounted at an upper edge of the out case 121, and the inside of the hinge is formed to be empty. Then, the water supply hose 41 extends downward along the rear surface of the out case 12 through the hinge as shown. In addition, an end of the water supply hose 41 is an inlet port of the water tank 32 through the through hole 125 of the tank housing 123 formed in the door liner 122 at the lower end of the out case 121. 323 is connected. In the drawing, area A is the area where the tank housing 123 of the door liner 122 is placed. In addition, the ice maker hose 44 and the dispenser hose 43 respectively extending from the outlet of the branch valve 40 extend upward along the rear surface of the out case 121.

On the other hand, a receptacle R connected to the ice maker control substrate and a holder 50 for supporting the water supply tap 441 for discharging water to the ice maker are placed on the rear side of the outer case 121. In addition, the holder 50 is fixed to the upper panel 126, and a separate surface such as a vacuum insulation panel is formed on the rear surface of the outer case 121 in a region corresponding to the front portion of the ice making chamber 20. Thermal insulation panel 80 may be attached. The insulation panel 80 is interposed between the out case 121 and the holder 50. The dispenser housing 70 may be mounted on the rear surface of the outer case 121 to be recessed to accommodate the container when the drinking water is taken out and the ice is taken out. In addition, an ice chute 71 may be mounted at an upper end of the dispenser housing 70 to guide the ice produced in the ice making chamber 20 to be discharged to the outside of the refrigerating chamber door 12. Then, the tap for taking out drinking water is formed in front of the ice chute 71.

In the refrigerator having the structure, the dispenser hose 43 extends upward and extends toward the faucet, and the ice maker hose 44 extends upwardly than the dispenser hose 43 so that the water tap 441 is provided. Extends.

6 is a partial perspective view showing the rear of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the machine room of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7, the water supply hose 41 extends along the rear surface of the main body 11 of the refrigerator 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In detail, the water supply hose 41 extends to the rear upper edge portion of the main body 11. This is because a filter (not shown) for purifying the water to be supplied is mounted at the upper edge portion of the refrigerating chamber 111. The water supply hose 41 penetrates the rear surface of the main body 11 and is connected to the filter, and extends outward from the filter through the rear surface of the main body 11. In addition, the water supply hose 41 exposed to the outside of the main body 11 is inserted into the main body 11 again and extends forward along the heat insulation layer of the main body 11. Then, it extends through the hinge of the refrigerating compartment door 12 to the rear surface of the out case 121 of the refrigerating compartment door 12.

A hose fixing body 45 is attached to the rear surface of the main body 11, and the hose fixing body 45 is a portion of the water supply hose 41 extending upward along the rear surface of the main body 11 and flows into the filter. And wrap a portion of the hose that penetrates outward from the filter. The water supply hose 41 is maintained in close contact with the rear surface of the main body 11 by the hose fixing body 45.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, the flow rate sensor S for detecting the amount of water supplied through the water supply hose 41 may be disposed in the machine room 112 of the main body (11).

In detail, a hose extending from the water supply source is connected to the water connection 61 formed in the water supply valve assembly 60. Here, a feed pump is mounted between the feed source and the feed valve assembly 60, and the feed pump may also be placed inside the machine room 112. In addition, the water supply valve assembly 60 includes a water supply valve 62. The flow rate sensor S is mounted on the outlet side of the water supply valve 62. And, the inlet end of the water supply hose 41 is connected to the outlet side of the flow sensor (S). The flow sensor (S) may be a flowmeter (flowmeter) for measuring the flow rate by detecting the number of revolutions per minute of the impeller.

By such a configuration, when the flow rate is sensed by the flow sensor S, and the water supplied to the ice maker in the ice making chamber 20 reaches a set amount or a water supply stop signal is generated from the water dispenser The feed valve assembly 60 is operated. That is, the water supply valve 62 is closed and the operation of the water supply pump is stopped at the same time.

1 is an external perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view showing an enlarged refrigerator compartment door in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator compartment door showing a state in which the shield of the water storage unit is removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view showing a state in which the water tank constituting the water storage unit is separated.

Figure 5 is a view showing the back of the out case constituting the refrigerator door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view showing the back of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a partial perspective view of a machine room of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (13)

A main body provided with a storage compartment; A door connected to the main body to open and close the storage compartment; Is mounted on one side of the door, and includes a water tank provided at any point of the water supply passage, The water tank is made of a cylindrical shape having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the water supply passage, The water tank, An inlet port formed at one end and connected to the water supply passage; It includes a water outlet port formed at the other end, The outlet port is a refrigerator, characterized in that formed above the inlet port. The method of claim 1, A valve provided in a flow path connected to the water outlet port and having a plurality of outlets; An ice maker flow path connected to any one of the plurality of outlets and extending toward the ice maker; And a dispenser flow path connected to the other one of the plurality of outlets and extending toward the water dispenser. The method of claim 2, The rear surface of the door is formed with a tank housing which is recessed to receive the water tank, And the water tank and the valve are accommodated in the tank housing. The method of claim 3, wherein And the tank housing is formed to have a width corresponding to at least the width of the water tank. The method of claim 3, wherein A shield shielding the tank housing and protruding at least one locking protrusion on an upper end thereof; A door basket mounted to a rear surface of the door corresponding to an upper side of the tank housing, the door basket protruding at least one locking rib from a lower end thereof; And the locking rib and the locking protrusion interfere with each other while the shield and the door basket are mounted. The method of claim 1, It further comprises a flow rate sensor for intervening at any point of the water supply passage, the amount of water supplied, The flow sensor is a refrigerator comprising a flow meter. main body; A door connected to the main body to open and close the storage compartment; A water tank mounted to a rear surface of the door and provided at a point of the water supply flow path, The water tank, The tank body is empty inside and one side is opened, And a tank cover shielding an opening of the tanker body. The method of claim 7, wherein And the tank body and the tank cover are fusion-bonded. The method of claim 7, wherein The rear surface of the door is formed with a tank housing for receiving the water tank, The outer peripheral surface of any one of the tank body and the tank cover, the refrigerator characterized in that a pair of mounting ribs extending to the inner surface of the tank housing. The method of claim 9, The pair of mounting ribs, Elastic ribs extending in mutually opposite positions, And a refrigerator extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal center axis of the water tank. The method of claim 9, And when the water tank is inserted into the tank housing, the pair of mounting ribs are bent in close contact with the tank housing so that a friction force of a size corresponding to the restoring force of the mounting ribs is applied. The method of claim 9, Hooks are formed at each end of the pair of mounting ribs, Refrigerator, characterized in that the groove is fitted to the inner surface of the tank housing is fitted. The method of claim 7, wherein Refrigerator, characterized in that the hose supporter for holding the hose connected to the water tank protrudes on the outer circumferential surface of the water tank.

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