KR20130031150A

KR20130031150A - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: KR20130031150A
Application number: KR1020110094905A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이창림
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2011-09-20
Filing date: 2011-09-20
Publication date: 2013-03-28

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator is provided to improve seal ability by not forming a possible area for a water leakage. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator comprises a main body, a door, a water supplying passage(40), a water supplying and demanding unit, and a coupling unit. The water supplying and demanding unit is supplied with water which flows through the water supplying passage. The water supplying passage comprises a first tube and a second tube(450). The first tube forms a fluid passage where water flows. The second tube is equipped in one side or both sides of the first tube and is inserted into the coupling unit.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

A refrigerator is a home appliance that allows food to be stored at a low temperature in an internal storage space shielded by a door. In detail, the refrigerator generates cold air through heat exchange with a refrigerant changed to a low temperature low pressure state by a refrigeration cycle, and keeps the food space fresh by keeping the storage space at a low temperature state by the cold air.

Such refrigerators are gradually becoming larger and more versatile in accordance with the change of dietary life and the trend of high quality, and refrigerators with various structures and convenience devices for the convenience of users have been released.

Representative of such convenience devices, the refrigerator is provided with an ice maker and a dispenser for making ice. The ice maker and the dispenser are for providing ice or drinking water to the user, and may be provided in the interior and the door.

In general, the ice maker is a method of filling water directly into the ice making tray, or put the water in a water supply container having a capacity for one time ice making, so that the water stored in the water supply container is supplied to the ice making tray Include the method.

However, in such a structure, only one serving of ice can be manufactured. If a large capacity water container is used, the water inside the water supply container freezes due to the temperature characteristics of the freezer compartment, making it impossible to continuously perform the ice making operation.

In order to solve this problem, a refrigerator has been developed to provide a water supply line directly connected to the water so that the ice maker can be continuously operated, and a water supply line can also be connected to the dispenser to draw out drinking water through the dispenser. .

In addition, a refrigerator having a structure in which a water supply container for supplying water for ice making in a refrigerator is provided and water is supplied to an ice maker and a dispenser through a pump and a water supply passage has been developed.

Water is supplied to ice makers and dispensers through a water supply channel. The water supply flow path is formed of a tube, and the tube is fastened to a fastening part formed in a dispenser, an ice maker, a pump or a water supply container.

The tube is formed of an elastic material. If the tube is formed of a material having a high elasticity, assemblability is improved and the water supply passage can maintain a constant shape. On the other hand, when fastening the tube to the fastening portion, if the shape of the tube and the shape of the fastening portion does not exactly match, leakage may occur between the tube and the fastening portion. In addition, pressure is generated in the tube fastened to the fastening portion, and there is a problem in that the tube breakage occurs during assembly or use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which no breakage occurs during assembly or use of the water supply passage and no leak occurs in the water supply passage.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a main body that forms a storage space; A door opening / closing the storage space; A water supply flow path through which water from the water supply flows; A water supply unit receiving water flowing through the water supply passage; And a fastening portion to which the water supply passage is fastened, wherein the water supply passage is provided on one side or both sides of the first tube to form a flow path through which water flows, and is inserted into the fastening portion. And a second tube.

According to the proposed embodiment, since the fastening portion and the fastening portion are large in ductility, even if the shape of the tube does not exactly match the fastening portion, the shape of the tube is deformed to match the shape of the fastening portion. Therefore, since no space for water leakage is formed, the sealing property is improved, and leakage of water in the water supply passage is prevented.

In addition, the portion that is not fastened with the fastening portion is formed of a durable material improves the reliability of the water supply passage.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of an open door of the refrigerating compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing a connection state of the water supply passage according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the inlet portion of the water tank assembly.
5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a water supply passage is connected to the water tank assembly.
6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a water supply passage is separated from the water tank assembly.
7 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply passage according to the first embodiment.
8 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply passage according to the second embodiment.
9 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply passage according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator compartment door is open according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a view schematically showing a connection state of the water supply passage according to the embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 3, the refrigerator 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may rotate around a main body 10 having a refrigerating chamber 11 and a freezing chamber formed therein, and a front edge of the main body 10. Is connected to include, the refrigerator compartment door 20 for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 11, and a freezer compartment door for opening and closing the freezer compartment.

Although not shown in detail, the freezing compartment may be formed below the refrigerating compartment 11 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.

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. One or more door baskets 34 may be mounted on an outer surface of the ice making chamber 30. In addition, a cold air inlet 32 and a cold air outlet 33 may be formed at a side portion of the ice making chamber 30, in detail, at a side portion of the side surface of the ice making chamber 30, which is in contact with the inner surface of the refrigerating chamber 11. When the refrigerating compartment door 20 is closed, the cold air supply port 111 and the cold air recovery port 112 are also provided on the side of the refrigerating chamber 11 at the point where the cold air inlet 32 and the cold air discharge port 33 are in contact with each other. Is formed. In addition, a cold air supply duct and a cold air return duct connecting the evaporation chamber (not shown) may be provided inside the side surface of the refrigerating chamber 11.

In addition, one or more door baskets 201 may be provided on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 20 corresponding to the lower side of the ice making chamber 30. In addition, a water tank assembly 50 having a predetermined size is provided at a lower rear surface area of the refrigerating compartment door 20.

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. Thus, ice and purified water iced through the dispenser 21 can 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. That is, in the present embodiment, since the ice maker 31 and the dispenser 21 receive water from the water supply passage 40, the ice maker 31 and the dispenser 21 may be referred to as water supply units.

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. At this time, the water supply source 2 may be applied to the faucet provided in addition to the outside or a water supply tank provided separately in the inside of the store.

The water tank supply pipe 41 may include a first supply pipe 411, a second supply pipe 412, and a third supply pipe 413. 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 a purified water filter 13 provided at the inner side of the refrigerator, and the third supply pipe 413 connects the purified water filter 13 with the water tank assembly 50.

Therefore, the water of the water supply source 2 can be supplied to the water tank assembly 50 via the water supply valve 12 and the water filter 13. On the other hand, the third supply pipe 413 is configured to be guided to the inside of the refrigerating compartment door 20 through the hinge 14 connecting the main body 10 and the refrigerating compartment door 20, if necessary It may consist of two or more tubes that can be connected by fittings on one side of the hinge 14 or body 10.

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.

In addition, the water supply passage 40 is provided in the water supply source 2, the water supply valve 12, the water filter 13, the water tank assembly 50, the ice maker 31 or the dispenser 21. It is connected by the fastening part.

Hereinafter, the connection to the water supply passage will be described as an example of an inlet provided in the water tank assembly as an example of the fastening part.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the inlet portion of the water tank assembly. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a water supply passage is connected to the water tank assembly. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a water supply passage is separated from the water tank assembly.

4 to 6, the water tank supply pipe 41 is fixed after being inserted into the inlet 531, and a plurality of configurations are provided in the inlet 531.

In detail, the lock ring 61 is provided inside the acquisition unit 531. The lock ring 61 is configured to press the outer surface of the water tank supply pipe 41 to fix the water tank supply pipe 41 and is formed in a circular ring shape, a plurality of restraining pieces extending inclined along the inner side 611 may be further formed. The restraining piece 611 is formed in a sawtooth shape or trapezoidal shape, it may be formed of a material or shape having elasticity. The restraining piece 611 is formed to be inclined inwardly to be able to press the outer circumferential surface of the water tank supply pipe 41 when the water tank supply pipe 41 is inserted, and to reverse the water tank supply pipe 41 so that the water tank supply pipe 41 is not pulled out. In FIG. 5, it is possible not to move to the right side, thereby fixing it.

On the other hand, the outer circumferential surface of the lock ring 61 is fixed to the inner side of the inlet 531 by a ring-shaped fixing member 62, the fixing member 62 protrudes inside the inlet 531 It can be fixed by the restraint by the group 531a.

A release ring 63 is provided below the lock ring 61 (hereinafter, left side in FIG. 5). When the release ring 63 separates the water tank supply pipe 41 inserted into the inlet 531, the lock ring 61 is pressed to restrain the piece 611 and the water tank of the lock ring 61. By releasing the contact of the supply pipe (41) is provided to be able to move up and down under the lock ring (61).

In addition, an o-ring 64 is provided below the release ring 63. The O-ring 64 is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the water tank supply pipe 41 to prevent leakage and is formed to be penetrated by the water tank supply pipe 41, and the sealing O-ring 64 is generally used. This can 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, below 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 inside the inlet 531, and the outer circumferential surface is formed to be stepped, so that the plug 66 and the stepped part, which will be described below, are mounted to prevent falling out. In addition, the snap ring 65 is formed to have a predetermined width so as to be in contact with the end of the operation member 67 when mounting the operation member 67 to be described below.

A plug 66 is provided below the snap ring 65. The plug 66 is inserted from the opened outer side of the inlet portion 531, the end of which is exposed to the outer side of the inlet portion 531, the end of which is stepped, and supports the snap ring 65 to support the snap ring. 65 is supported so that it does not fall out. 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 may be configured to be operated for separation of the water supply passage 40 and may include an insertion part 661 and an operation part 662. The insertion part 661 is formed in a cylindrical shape inserted into the plug 66, and the operation part 662 is bent outward from the end of the insertion part 661, and the outside of the inlet part 531 It is formed to be exposed to. In addition, an insertion hole 663 is formed in the insertion part 661 to be penetrated by the water supply passage 40. In addition, a hook 664 is formed at an extended end of the insertion part 661 to be locked by the locking part 661. Therefore, the operation member 67 is movable in the vertical direction in the state inserted into the plug 66. In addition, the insertion part 661 is formed to extend by a predetermined length, and the end thereof is formed to contact the snap ring 65. Therefore, when the operation member 67 is pressed, the snap ring 65 may be movable upward.

On the other hand, the process of connecting and disconnecting the water tank supply pipe 41 to the inlet 531 is as follows.

First, in order to connect the water tank supply pipe 41 to the water inlet 531, the water tank supply pipe 41 is inserted through the insertion hole 663 of the operation member 67. The water tank supply pipe 41 passes through the plug 66, the snap ring 65, the O ring 64, the release ring 63, and the lock ring 61, and is inserted into and fixed to the inlet 531. .

In the state in which the water tank supply pipe 41 is completely inserted, as shown in FIG. 5, the restraining piece 611 of the lock ring 61 presses and fixes the outer surface of the water tank supply pipe 41. In this state, when the water tank supply pipe 41 is pulled, the water tank supply pipe 41 is caught by the restraining piece 611 to restrain the water tank supply pipe 41 from being arbitrarily separated.

On the other hand, in order to separate the water tank supply pipe 41 connected to the water inlet 531, the user presses the operation member 67 to be inserted into the plug 66, the inside of the water inlet 531 is shown in FIG. The state as shown in 6 is obtained. In detail, when the operation member 67 is pressed, the insertion portion 661 of the operation member 67 is moved upward (right side in FIG. 6), and the insertion portion 661 is pressed to the snap ring 65. do. The O-ring 64 supported by the snap ring 65 is also moved or deformed upward by the movement of the snap ring 65 and is pushed by the release ring 63 to move upward. When the release ring 63 moves upward, the protruding end of the release ring 63 presses the restraining piece 611 of the lock ring 61 from the inside, and the inclined restraining piece 611 is deformed outward. The water tank supply pipe 41 is easily separated from the outer circumferential surface of the water tank supply pipe 41 or is not pressed by a strong force. In such a state, the user can pull the water tank supply pipe 41 to separate from the inside of the water inlet 531 and can be stably separated without being damaged by the restraining piece 611 during separation.

The ice maker supply pipe 42 and the dispenser supply pipe 43 are connected to the first water outlet 532a and the second water outlet 532b, respectively, and the water tank supply pipe 41 is connected to the water outlet 531. Note that it has the same structure as this connecting and disconnecting structure.

7 is a cross-sectional view of an end of the water supply passage according to the first embodiment.

The water supply passage 40 includes a first tube 440 forming a flow path through which water flows and a second tube 450 inserted into the fastening portion.

The first tube 440 forms a flow path through which water flows between one fastening portion into which water flows in and the other fastening portion from which water flows out. The first tube 440 may be provided in a tubular shape in which a hole in which water flows is formed. The first tube 440 may be elastically deformable.

The second tube 450 is formed at one or both ends of the first tube 440. The second tube 450 has an insertion part 451 inserted into the fastening part, a locking part 452 having a larger cross-sectional area than the insertion part 451, and an extension part fastened to the first tube 440. 453).

The insertion part 451 is inserted into an insertion hole 663 formed in the fastening part. The outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 451 is formed to be mirrored on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 663. Thus, leakage of water between the insertion portion 451 and the insertion port 663 is prevented.

The locking portion 452 may be formed to protrude while being inclined from the insertion portion 451. Accordingly, when the water supply passage 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 663, the insertion part 451 is inserted into the insertion hole 63, and then the catching part 452 is caught by the inlet of the insertion hole 63. As long as the length of the insertion part 451 is set, the insertion hole 63 may be inserted into the insertion hole 63. In addition, the user may visually know that the water supply passage 40 is fastened to the fastening part through the locking part 452.

When the water supply passage 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 663, a part of the portion where the inclination of the insertion portion 451 and the locking portion 452 starts may be inserted. Where the inclination of the locking portion 452 starts is in close contact with the inlet of the insertion hole 663 is prevented leakage.

The material forming the second tube 450 may be formed of a material having a greater ductility than the material forming the first tube 440. For example, the first tube 440 may be formed of a PVC material, and the second tube 450 may be formed of a silicon material.

Since the material forming the second tube 450 is softer than the material forming the first tube 440, the second tube 450 is more than the first tube 440. The deformation of the shape is likely to occur in response to the shape of.

Therefore, the outer circumferential surface of the second tube 450 and the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 663 are in close contact with each other to prevent leakage. In addition, since the first tube 440 is formed of a durable PVC material, the reliability of the water supply passage 40 is improved.

The extension portion 453 is formed to extend from the locking portion 452 toward the first tube 440. An inner circumferential surface of the extension portion 453 and an outer circumferential surface of the first tube 440 are formed to be in close contact with each other. Thus, leakage of water between the first tube 440 and the second tube 450 is prevented. In addition, the first tube 440 and the second tube 450 are prevented from being separated during use.

In addition, the inner circumferential surfaces of the first tube 440 and the second tube 450 may be identically formed. Thus, the resistance acting on the water flowing through the water supply passage 40 is reduced.

8 is a cross-sectional view of an end of the water supply passage according to the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, a first fastening groove 454 is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the extension part 453. A first fastening ring 441 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first tube 440.

When the first fastening ring 441 and the first fastening groove 454 are formed, the first tube 440 may be removed from the second tube 450 during the use of the water supply passage 40. Water leakage is prevented between the outer circumferential surface of the first tube 440 and the inner circumferential surface of the first fastening groove 454.

9 is a cross-sectional view of an end of the water supply passage according to the third embodiment.

9, a second fastening ring 455 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the extension part 453. A second fastening groove 442 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first tube 440.

When the second fastening groove 442 and the second fastening ring 455 are formed, the first tube 440 may be pulled out of the second tube 450 during the use of the water supply passage 40. Water leakage is prevented between the outer circumferential surface of the first tube 440 and the inner circumferential surface of the first fastening groove 454.

Hereinafter, a method of forming the first tube 440 and the second tube 450 will be described in detail.

First, the first tube 440 is formed. The method of forming the first tube 440 may be injection molding.

The second tube 440 is formed by in-mold injection on the first tube 440. That is, after fixing an end portion of the first tube 440 to a mold for forming the second tube 450, a material for forming the second tube 450 is injected into the mold.

In the above-described embodiment, the case in which the water supply source is outside the refrigerator has been described, but the water supply source may be included in one side of the refrigerator through a container capable of storing water. In addition, the refrigerator may include a pump for flowing water from the water supply source included in one side of the refrigerator to the water supply unit. In this case, a fastening part may be provided in the water supply source or the pump included in one side of the refrigerator.

440: first tube 441: first fastening ring
442: second fastening groove 450: second tube
451: insertion portion 452: locking portion

Claims

A body forming a storage space;
A door for opening and closing the storage space;
A water supply flow path through which water from the water supply flows;
A water supply unit receiving water flowing through the water supply passage; And
It includes a fastening portion to which the water supply passage is fastened,
The water supply passage includes a first tube forming a flow path through which water flows, and a second tube provided at one side or both sides of the first tube and inserted into the fastening unit.

The method of claim 1,
The second tube is a refrigerator, characterized in that the ductility is formed larger than the first tube.

The method of claim 1,
The second tube is,
An insertion part inserted into the fastening part;
A catching part having an outer circumferential surface larger than the inserting part;
And an extension part extending from the locking part toward the first tube.

The method of claim 3, wherein
A fastening groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the extension part,
And a fastening ring corresponding to the fastening groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first tube.

The method of claim 3, wherein
A fastening ring is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the extension part,
Refrigerator, characterized in that the fastening groove corresponding to the fastening ring is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first tube.

The method of claim 1,
And the second tube is formed by in-mold injection on the first tube.

The method of claim 1,
The fastening unit may include any one of the water supply source, a water supply valve provided at one side of the main body, a water filter for purifying water passing through the water supply valve, a water tank assembly for guiding purified water to the water supply unit, or the water supply unit. Refrigerator, characterized in that provided in.