KR20130029928A

KR20130029928A - Water tube connector for refrigerator

Info

Publication number: KR20130029928A
Application number: KR1020110093343A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김성경
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2011-09-16
Filing date: 2011-09-16
Publication date: 2013-03-26

Abstract

The present embodiment relates to a hose connecting connector of the refrigerator, and forms an outer shape of which one side is opened, and a body for connecting a flow path by inserting a hose for water supply; An o-ring provided inside the body and contacting an outer surface of the hose to prevent leakage when the hose is inserted; A lock ring provided inside the body more than the O-ring and fixed to the inserted state of the hose; And a plurality of locks are formed along the circumference of the lock ring and extend inclined in the insertion direction of the hose to press and fix the outer surface of the hose by elasticity when the hose is inserted.

Description

Hose connector for refrigerator {Water tube connector for refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a hose connecting connector of a refrigerator.

Generally, a refrigerator is provided with a device for supplying a plurality of water. For example, a hose for water supply is connected to supply water to a dispenser or an ice maker. In addition, a water tank for storing water, a valve for allowing an optional water supply, a pump for water supply, and a filter for water purification are connected. Is provided so that the hose can be easily connected.

Such a connector can be implemented a system for water supply, a structure that can easily connect and disconnect the hose, and a connector of various structures to maintain a stable fixed state without leaking water has been developed.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-0526839 and Republic of Korea Utility Model No. 20-0228345, the connector is connected to the hose is disclosed, the O-ring for sealing with the hose is provided in front of the collet for fixing the hose, The collet discloses a structure provided with a pressing piece that can be inserted or pressed into the hose.

When the hose is inserted into the connector having such a structure, the outer circumferential surface of the hose is pressed and fixed by the pressing piece, and the O-ring is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the hose to prevent leakage of water.

On the other hand, the connector having such a structure may cause damage such as the outer peripheral surface of the hose is scratched by the pressing piece when the hose is coupled to the connector and then pulled out again. In addition, when the hose is connected to the connector again, there is a problem in that a leak occurs when the damaged outer circumferential surface of the hose comes into contact with the O-ring.

In addition, it is difficult to check whether the hose is completely drawn and the sealing by the O-ring is made perfectly, and even if the hose is inserted only up to the collet, the fixing can be performed, but the tube can be fixed but the sealing is not made stable. Will occur.

The object of the present embodiment is to provide a hose connection connector for a refrigerator that can be locked to the front of the O-ring lock ring for pressing the outer peripheral surface of the hose to prevent leakage.

In addition, the present embodiment is to provide a hose connection connector of the refrigerator that can minimize the damage to the hose by moving the lock ring when the hose is separated so that the hose and the lock ring can be more easily separated.

The hose connecting connector of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment may include an outer shape of which one side is opened, and a body for connecting a flow path by inserting a hose for water supply; An o-ring provided inside the body and contacting an outer surface of the hose to prevent leakage when the hose is inserted; A lock ring provided inside the body more than the O-ring and fixed to the inserted state of the hose; And a plurality of locks are formed along the circumference of the lock ring and extend inclined in the insertion direction of the hose to press and fix the outer surface of the hose by elasticity when the hose is inserted.

Inside the body, it is mounted to the outside of the lock ring, characterized in that the fixing member for fixing the lock ring in the interior of the body is provided.

The inner side of the body, it is mounted so as to be movable in the front and rear direction on the outer side of the lock ring, characterized in that the release ring is further provided by pressing the engaging piece to release the contact with the hose.

The release ring is provided between the lock ring and the O-ring, characterized in that the movable in the front and rear direction with the O-ring.

The inner side of the body, it is provided to be movable in the front and rear direction from the outside of the O-ring, characterized in that the snap ring for supporting the O-ring is provided.

The opened outer side of the body is characterized in that the plug is provided to prevent the removal of the snap ring.

The plug is spin welded on the outside of the body, characterized in that the fixed mounting.

The plug may further include an operation member penetrating from the outside of the plug and extending inwardly of the body to selectively press the snap ring to move in the front and rear directions.

The body forms a part of a pump, a valve, a filter, and a water tank provided on the water supply passage of the refrigerator.

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

In the hose connection connector of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the lock ring for fixing the hose is located inside the O-ring. Therefore, when the hose is completely inserted, the lock ring and the hose may be fixed, and in this state, the o-ring is located outside the lock ring, so that the hose passes through the o-ring to maintain a state of being completely sealed. do. Therefore, it is possible to block the leak between the hose and the O-ring.

In addition, even if the hose is inserted and removed many times, one side of the hose in contact with the lock ring is located more inside than the O-ring. Therefore, even if the outer surface of the hose is damaged by the lock ring, the damaged portion is not in contact with the O-ring, it is possible to effectively prevent leakage.

And, the outer side of the body is provided with an operation member, the release ring is moved back and forth through the operation of the operation member to push the locking piece of the lock ring so that the outer surface of the locking piece and the hose are separated from each other. Therefore, when the hose is inserted into the connector, the hose can be pulled out without being caught by the locking piece through the manipulation of the operation member, so that the hose can be removed more easily and the damage of the hose is minimized by minimizing the damage of the hose. It is possible to prevent the leakage caused by.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic view showing a water supply flow of the refrigerator.
3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a hose is inserted into the connector.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a hose is separated from the connector.

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

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator having a structure in which a freezer compartment is provided below the refrigerator compartment and a dispenser and an ice maker is provided in the refrigerator compartment door is described, for example, for convenience of description and understanding of the present invention. The present invention is not limited thereto, and it is apparent that the present invention is applicable to all refrigerators provided with a hose for water supply.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a water supply flow of the refrigerator.

1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10 having a refrigerating chamber 11 and a freezing chamber 12 formed therein, and a front edge of the main body 10. It is connected to the rotatable, and includes a refrigerator compartment door 20 for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 11, and a freezer compartment door 22 for opening and closing the freezer compartment 12.

The freezing chamber 12 may be formed below the refrigerating chamber 11 as a single space, and may be divided into a plurality of spaces by separate partition members according to products. In addition, the freezer compartment 12 is provided with a basket to be drawn in and out together with the freezer compartment door 22, and various storage spaces may be arranged.

On the other hand, the refrigerator compartment 11 may be provided with a plurality of shelves and baskets. The front opening of the refrigerating compartment 11 may be opened and closed by a pair of refrigerating compartment doors 20, as shown. The pair of refrigerating compartment doors 20 may be rotatably connected to the left and right edges of the main body 10.

In addition, the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 20 may be provided with an ice making chamber 30 that is an insulating space for manufacturing and storing ice. In addition, an ice maker 31 for making ice is provided inside the ice making chamber 30.

In addition, a dispenser 21 may be provided on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 20, in particular, on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 20 on the side where the ice making chamber 30 is formed. The dispenser 21 may be in communication with the ice making chamber 30, and the ice iced through the dispenser 21 may be taken out from the outside.

Meanwhile, the ice maker 31 and the dispenser 21 are connected to the water supply source 2 by the water supply passage 40 to receive water. In detail, the water supply passage 40 includes a water tank supply pipe 41 connecting the water supply source 2 and the water tank assembly 50, the water tank assembly 50, and the ice maker 31. Ice maker supply pipe (42) for connecting, and the dispenser supply pipe 43 for connecting the water tank assembly 50 and the dispenser 21 is configured.

In this case, the water supply source 2 has been described for example that the water pipe provided in the outside, the water supply source may be applied to the water supply tank that is detachably provided in the interior as needed.

The water tank supply pipe 41 may include a first supply pipe 411, a second supply pipe 412, a third supply pipe 413, and a fourth supply pipe 414. In detail, the first supply pipe 411 connects a water supply valve 12 provided at one side of the water supply source 2 and the main body 10, and the second supply pipe 412 is connected to the water supply valve 12. And the purified water filter 13 provided at the inner side of the container, the third supply pipe 413 connects the water filter 13 and the connector 60, and the fourth supply pipe 414 is connected to the connector ( 60) and the water tank assembly 50 is connected.

Accordingly, the water of the water supply source 2 may be supplied to the water tank assembly 50 via the water supply valve 12, the water filter 13, and the connector 60. Meanwhile, the connector 60 may be located above the main body 10 or above the refrigerating compartment door 20. Therefore, the connector 60 may be located at one side of the hinge 14 connecting the main body 10 and the refrigerating compartment door 20, and the third supply pipe 413 and the fourth supply pipe 414 may be It is connected to each other by the connector 60, it is possible to assemble the refrigerating compartment door 20 and the connection of the water supply passage (40).

In addition, the ice maker supply pipe 42 and the dispenser supply pipe 43 may be independently connected to the water tank assembly 50 inside the refrigerating compartment door 20, respectively, and the dispenser 21 may be controlled independently. And ice maker 31 may be configured to be supplied with water.

Hereinafter, the connector will be described in more detail.

In this embodiment, the third supply pipe and the fourth supply pipe are shown connected to both ends of the connector, but the connector can be connected to a variety of water supply pipe according to the position, the connector is connected to the hose below An example will be described.

3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a hose is inserted into the connector.

3 to 5, the connector 60 is for connection of the hose 44 for water supply, and is configured to have a structure capable of connecting the water supply passage 40.

The connector 60 has an outer shape formed by a body 600 which is injection molded from a plastic material. Both ends of the body 600 are formed to be open, and both ends are formed to communicate with each other to form a flow path.

In addition, the inside of the open both ends of the body 600 is formed so as to be stepped so that a plurality of configurations to be described below, or is formed in a corresponding shape. On the other hand, since the left and right both sides of the body 600 is formed in a symmetrical shape, only the structure of one side of the left and right both sides will be described.

The lock ring 61 is provided at the inner side of the body. The lock ring 61 is formed to have a circular ring shape by pressing the outer surface of the hose 44 to fix the hose 44, a plurality of engaging pieces 611 extending inclined along the inner side Is formed more. The engaging piece 611 is formed in a sawtooth shape or trapezoidal shape, it may be formed of a material or shape having elasticity. The locking piece 611 is formed to be inclined inwardly so that the outer peripheral surface of the hose 44 may be pressed when the hose 44 is inserted, and may be inserted into the surface of the hose 44. Therefore, the hose 44 can be fixed so as not to move in the reverse direction (the right direction in FIG. 5) so as not to be pulled out of the body 600 by the locking piece 611.

On the other hand, the outer circumferential surface of the lock ring 61 is fixed to the inside of the body 600 by a ring-shaped fixing member 62, the fixing member 62 is a locking projection (protruding inside the body 600) 601 may be restrained and fixedly mounted.

In addition, a release ring 63 is provided inside the lock ring 61. When the release ring 63 separates the hose 44 inserted into the body 600, the release ring 63 presses the lock ring 61 to stop the locking piece 611 of the lock ring 61 and the hose 44. By releasing the contact, the lock ring 61 may be moved from the right side (as seen in FIG. 5) to the left side of the lock ring 61. Therefore, when the release ring 63 is moved in the left direction, the release ring 63 may push the locking piece 611 of the lock ring 61 to fall off the locking piece 611 and the hose 44. The hose 44 can be easily removed from the body 600.

In addition, an O-ring 64 is provided on the right side of the release ring 63. The O-ring 64 is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the hose 44 to prevent leakage and is formed to be penetrated by the hose 44. A sealing O-ring generally used may be used. In addition, the O-ring 64 may be formed of an elastic material so as to be deformable when pressed, and may be configured to be moved by a predetermined distance by manipulation.

On the other hand, the right side of the O-ring 64 is provided with a snap ring 65 for fixing the O-ring 64 does not fall out. The snap ring 65 is movably mounted to the inside of the body 600, and is mounted such that the snap ring 65 is not detached from the inside of the body 600 by the plug 66.

In addition, the snap ring 65 is formed to have a predetermined width and is configured to be in contact with an end of the operation member 67 when the operation member 67 is mounted to penetrate the plug 66. Accordingly, when the operation member 67 is inserted, the snap ring 65 is pushed to move leftward.

A plug 66 is provided below the snap ring 65. The plug 66 is inserted from the opened outer side of the body 600 so that its end is exposed to the outside of the body 600, the end is stepped, and supports the snap ring 65 to support the snap ring 65. ) So that it does not fall out. In addition, the plug 66 is inserted into the open end of the body 600, and then fused and fixed by spin welding. In addition, the inner surface of the plug 66 is formed with a locking portion 661 is formed stepped, by the locking portion 661 so that the operation member 67 to be described below to be mounted to be moved up and down. .

The operation member 67 is inserted into the plug 66. The operation member 67 is operated to separate the hose 44 may be composed of an insertion unit 671 and the operation unit 672. The insertion portion 671 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is inserted into the plug 66, the operation portion 672 is bent outward from the end of the insertion portion 671 and to the outside of the body 600 It is formed to be exposed. In addition, an insertion hole 673 is formed in the insertion portion 671 to be penetrated by the hose 44. In addition, a hook 674 is formed at the extended end of the insertion part 671 to be locked by the locking part 661. Therefore, the operation member 67 is movable in the left and right directions while being inserted into the plug 66. In addition, the insertion portion 671 is formed to extend by a predetermined length, the end is formed so as to contact the snap ring (65). Therefore, when the operation member 67 is pressed, the snap ring 65 may be movable upward.

Meanwhile, the process of connecting and disconnecting the hose to the connector will be described.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a hose is separated from the connector.

Referring to FIG. 6, first, in order to connect the hose 44 to the body 600, the hose 44 is inserted through the insertion hole 673 of the manipulation member 67. The hose 44 penetrates through the plug 66, the snap ring 65, the O ring 64, the release ring 63, and the lock ring 61, and is inserted and fixed inside the body 600.

In the state in which the hose is fully inserted, as shown in FIG. 5, the locking piece 611 of the lock ring 61 presses and fixes the outer surface of the hose 44. In this state, when the hose 44 is pulled, the hose 44 is caught by the locking piece 611 to restrain the hose 44 from being arbitrarily separated.

On the other hand, in order to separate the hose 44 connected to the body 600, the user presses the operation member 67 to be inserted into the plug 66, the inside of the body as shown in FIG. Becomes

In detail, when the manipulation member 67 is pressed, the insertion portion 671 of the manipulation member 67 is moved to the left side, and the insertion portion 671 presses the snap ring 65. The O-ring 64 supported by the snap ring 65 is also moved or deformed to the left side by the movement of the snap ring 65, and is moved upward by pushing the release ring 63. When the release ring 63 moves upward, the protruding end of the release ring 63 presses the locking piece 611 of the lock ring 61 from the inside. Accordingly, the inclined engaging piece 611 is deformed outward and is not separated from the outer circumferential surface of the hose 44 or pressed by a strong force, so that the hose 44 is easily detached.

In this state, the user can pull the hose 44 to separate from the inside of the body 600, and can be stably separated without being damaged by the locking piece 611 at the time of separation.

On the other hand, the hose connection connector of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be possible in various embodiments in addition to the above-described embodiment. For example, the connector may be formed separately or may be integrally formed in another configuration, and may be applicable to any structure capable of connecting to a water supply passage.

40. Water supply path 44. Hose
60. Connector 61. Lock ring
62. Retaining member 63. Release ring
64.O-ring 65.Snap Ring
66. Plug 67. Adjusting member
600. Body

Claims

A body having an open side formed at one side thereof and having a hose inserted therein to connect the flow path;
An o-ring provided inside the body and contacting an outer surface of the hose to prevent leakage when the hose is inserted;
A lock ring provided inside the body more than the O-ring and fixed to the inserted state of the hose; And
A plurality of connector is formed along the circumference of the lock ring, and extending inclined in the insertion direction of the hose, the connector for connecting a hose for a refrigerator comprising a locking piece for pressing and fixing the outer surface of the hose by elasticity when the hose is inserted.

The method of claim 1,
Inside the body,
It is mounted to the outside of the lock ring, the hose connection connector for a refrigerator, characterized in that the fixing member for fixing the lock ring inside the body is provided.

The method of claim 1,
Inside the body,
The hose connection connector for a refrigerator, which is mounted to the outside of the lock ring so as to be movable in the front and rear direction, and is further provided with a release ring that releases contact with the hose by pressing the locking piece.

The method of claim 3, wherein
The release ring is provided between the lock ring and the O-ring, hose connection connector for a refrigerator, characterized in that movable in the front and rear direction with the O-ring.

The method of claim 4, wherein
Inside the body,
A hose connecting connector for a refrigerator, which is provided to be movable in the front-rear direction from the outside of the O-ring, and has a snap ring for supporting the O-ring.

The method of claim 5, wherein
Hose connecting connector for a refrigerator, characterized in that the plug is provided on the opened outer side of the body to prevent the removal of the snap ring.

The method according to claim 6,
The plug hose connection connector for a refrigerator, characterized in that the fixed fixed by spinning on the outside of the body.

The method according to claim 6,
The plug is connected to the outside of the plug, the hose connection connector for a refrigerator further comprising an operation member extending inwardly of the body to selectively press the snap ring to move in the front and rear directions.

The method of claim 1,
And the body forms a part of a pump, a valve, a filter, and a water tank provided on the water supply passage of the refrigerator.