KR20190010310A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator. According to the present invention, the refrigerator includes: an inner case forming a storage compartment; an outer case to surround the inner case; a dispenser provided in one sidewall of the inner case and having an outlet to take out water; a water feeding passage to guide water from an external water source to the dispenser; a filter to purify water to be supplied to the dispenser; a water tank provided in the storage compartment to store water obtained after passing the filter; and a control valve provided at a downstream of the water tank to control the flow of the water supplied to the dispenser. A fluid passage, which is used to guide water obtained after passing through the valve, of the water feeding passage is linked to the outlet of the dispenser and passes through a space between the inner case and the outer case.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present specification relates to a refrigerator.

A refrigerator is a household appliance that can store objects such as foods at a low temperature in a storage room provided in a cabinet. Since the storage chamber is surrounded by the heat insulating wall, the inside of the storage chamber can be maintained at a temperature lower than the external temperature.

The storage room may be divided into a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment according to a temperature zone of the storage compartment.

In recent years, a dispenser is mounted on the front surface of the refrigerator, so that the drinking water can be taken out through the dispenser without opening the refrigerator door.

In Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2011-0085099 (published on July 27, 2011), which is a prior art document, a refrigerator is started.

In the case of the refrigerator, water supplied from outside is supplied to a water tank provided in the tank after passing through a filter device, and water stored in the water tank is cooled by cold air in the tank and then supplied to the dispenser and the ice maker, Water for drinking water can be taken out or the water for ice-making can be supplied.

However, in the case of the prior art, since the dispenser is located on the door, the water stored in the water tank flows to the freezer compartment door via the bottom of the refrigerator and the hinge of the refrigerator door. Therefore, when the water discharge command is inputted to take out the drinking water, the water of the flow path located in the freezing chamber door is taken out without affecting the external temperature, but the water in the flow path of the bottom of the refrigerator receives heat of the outside room or the refrigerator machine room, And the temperature rises in the process of flowing through the refrigerator hinge, so that there is a problem that the temperature of the extracted water is high.

In addition, in the prior art, it is difficult to replace the water supply channel located in the cabinet among the water supply channels connected to the dispenser.

Also, in the case of the prior art, there is a problem that the structure for extracting water can not be applied to a built-in type refrigerator because the dispenser is located on the door.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which the temperature of the water to be taken out can be kept low.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which can easily take out water from a dispenser provided in a storage chamber without interfering with a stored article stored in the storage chamber.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which is located in a cabinet and can easily replace a water supply channel connected to a dispenser.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can take out drinking water even when used in a built-in type.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: an inner case defining a storage chamber; an outer case surrounding the inner case; and an outlet provided on a side wall of the inner case for extracting water And a dispenser.

The refrigerator includes a water supply channel for guiding water of an external water supply source to the dispenser, a filter for purifying water to be supplied to the dispenser, and a water tank provided in the storage chamber, ; And a control valve located downstream of the water tank and regulating the flow of water supplied to the dispenser.

In the present embodiment, the inner case and the outer case are provided with guide tubes connected to the dispenser, and a flow path for guiding the water discharged from the regulating valve to the dispenser among the draining holes is accommodated in the guide tube .

In the present embodiment, the inner case includes a front opening for drawing out the article to be stored, so that the user can easily access the dispenser, and the dispenser is disposed on one side wall of the inner case, And can be positioned close to the front opening.

In this embodiment, the storage room is provided with a plurality of shelves arranged in the vertical direction, and the dispenser may be positioned closer to the front opening of the inner case than the front end of each shelf.

Further, in this embodiment, the plurality of shelves include a first shelf and a second shelf positioned below the first shelf, and the dispenser is disposed at a position corresponding to an area between the first shelf and the second shelf , But may be located closer to the second shelf than the second shelf.

According to the present invention, since the dispenser is positioned on the side wall of the inner case, the influence of external heat is reduced, and the temperature of the water taken out from the dispenser can be kept low.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the dispenser is positioned in front of the shelves provided in the storage chamber, there is an advantage that water can be taken out without being interfered with the objects to be stored on the shelf.

According to the present invention, since a part of the water supply channel is located inside the guide tube connected to the dispenser, it is possible to replace part of the water supply channel connected to the air outlet or the air outlet.

Further, according to the present invention, since the dispenser is installed in the inner case, there is an advantage that it can be applied to a built-in type refrigerator.

1 is a view showing a water supply channel of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a view showing an arrangement of a water supply channel on the upper side of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a view showing a state where a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a cabinet;
Figure 4 shows a guide tube connected to a dispenser housing;
5 illustrates a dispenser housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing a state in which a blow-out port protrudes from an inner case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that, in adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference symbols as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the difference that the embodiments of the present invention are not conclusive.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or order of the constituent elements. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, Quot; may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected. &Quot;

FIG. 1 is a view showing a water supply channel of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing an arrangement of a water supply channel at an upper side of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet 11 having a storage chamber 14.

In the present embodiment, the refrigerator 10 may be a built-in refrigerator 10 installed in a furniture space. It should be noted, however, that the water supply channel described in this embodiment can be applied to a refrigerator independently installed in a kitchen or indoors in addition to the built-in refrigerator 10.

The storage chamber 14 may be opened and closed by a refrigerator door (not shown).

The storage room may be a refrigerator room that can be maintained at a high temperature, which is 0 degrees, for example.

In FIG. 1, for example, a storage compartment as a refrigerating compartment is disclosed, but it is also possible that the cabinet 11 further includes a freezing compartment compartmented with the refrigerating compartment.

The cabinet 11 may include an inner case 12 forming the storage chamber 14 and an outer case 13 forming an outer shape. Between the inner case 12 and the outer case 13, a heat insulating material for heat insulation may be provided.

The cabinet 11 may be provided with a dispenser 50 for taking out water. Therefore, when the storage chamber 14 is closed by the refrigerator door, the dispenser 50 is not exposed to the outside.

For example, the dispenser 50 may be provided on one side wall of the inner case 12 forming the storage chamber 14.

A machine room (20) may be provided below the cabinet (11).

Although not shown, the machine room 20 may include a compressor for cooling the storage chamber 14, a condenser, a condenser fan, and the like. The cabinet 11 may be provided with an evaporator for generating cold air.

In order to supply water to the dispenser 50, the refrigerator 10 may be connected to an external water source.

The refrigerator (10) may include a water supply channel for supplying water supplied from the water supply source to the dispenser (50).

The water supply channel may include a first water supply channel 31 connected to the water supply source.

The first water supply passage 31 may be connected to a water supply valve 41 provided in the machine room 20. The water supply valve (41) regulates the flow of water supplied from the water supply source.

The water supply channel may further include a second water supply channel 32 connected to an outlet of the water supply valve 41. The second water supply passage 32 may extend upward in the cabinet 11. [ For example, the second water supply passage 32 may extend upward in a space between the inner case 12 and the outer case 13.

A filter 42 for purifying water may be provided on the cabinet 11. According to the present embodiment, since the filter 42 is located outside the storage chamber 14, the volume of the storage chamber 14 can be prevented from being reduced by the filter 42.

The filter 42 may be positioned on the opposite side of the machine room 20 with respect to the cabinet 11. This is because not only the space in the machine room 20 is narrow but also the temperature of the water in the filter 42 is prevented from rising due to heat generated in the machine room 20 (heat generated in the compressor or the condenser) .

The water supply channel supplies water to a water tank 43 to be described later. The higher the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 43, the more time it takes for the water to cool in the water tank 43.

The filter 42 may be positioned above the cabinet 11 so that the volume of the storage chamber 14 is not reduced without the filter 42 being affected by the heat of the machine chamber 20 .

Alternatively, the machine room 20 may be located above the cabinet 11, in which case the filter 42 may be located below the cabinet 11.

The second water supply passage 32 may be connected to the filter 42. Therefore, the water flowing along the second water supply channel 32 can be purified through the filter 42.

The water supply channel may further include a third water supply channel 33 connected to an outlet of the filter 42.

The third water supply passage 33 may extend downward in the cabinet 11. [ For example, the third water supply passage 33 may extend downward in a space between the inner case 12 and the outer case 13. [

For example, the second water supply channel 32 and the third water supply channel 33 may be located in a space between one corner of the inner case 12 and one corner of the outer case 13.

The second water supply passage 32 and the third water supply passage 33 may be accommodated in a single flow guide 38. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the number of the flow path guides 38 can be reduced, and deterioration of the heat insulating performance by the heat insulating material positioned between the inner case 12 and the outer case 13 can be prevented have.

For example, the heat insulating material may be filled with the flow guide 38 positioned between the inner case 12 and the outer case 13. At this time, the heat insulating material is not filled between the inner case 12 and the outer case 13 by the volume of the flow guide 38. Generally, the smaller the thickness of the insulation, the lower the insulation performance.

However, according to the present embodiment, since the second water supply passage 32 and the third water supply passage 33 are accommodated in the single passage guide 38, the number of the passage guides 38 can be reduced, The material cost of the flow guide is reduced, and the deterioration of the heat insulating performance can be minimized.

The second water supply passage 32 is drawn to the upper side of the cabinet 11 after being inserted into the channel guide 38 from the lower side of the cabinet 11. [ The second water supply passage 32 drawn to the upper side of the cabinet 11 is connected to the filter 42.

The third water supply channel 33 may be drawn to the lower side of the cabinet 11 after being inserted into the channel guide 38 from above the cabinet 11 while being connected to the filter 42. [

A holder 426 to which the filter 42 is connected and a bracket 42a to support the holder may be provided on the upper side of the cabinet 11. [

The bracket 42a may be fastened to the upper surface of the cabinet 11 by a fastening member. The filter 42 may be removably connected to the holder 426.

In order to replace the filter 42, the filter 42 may be separated from the holder 426.

In some cases, the holder 426 may need to be replaced. In order to replace the holder 426, the bracket 42a must be removed from the cabinet 11, and then the bracket 42a must be moved forward of the cabinet 11. [

When the second water supply channel 32 and the third water supply channel 33 extend in a straight line and are connected to the filter 42, the bracket 42a is held in front of the cabinet 11 The second water supply flow path 32 and the third water supply flow path 33 may be separated from the filter 42 to cause leakage of water.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the portion of the second water supply channel 32 and / or the third water supply channel 33 located on the upper side of the cabinet 11 is arranged in a loop shape .

In this case, in order to replace or repair the holder 426 or the bracket 42a, the bracket 42a may be pulled forward of the cabinet 11 so that the loop-shaped second water supply channel 32 and / The third water supply flow path 33 can prevent the second water supply flow path 32 and the third water supply flow path 33 from being separated from the filter 42.

The third water supply passage 33 extended to the lower side of the cabinet 11 extends into the machine room 20 and extends upward from the machine room 20 to a water tank 43 .

The third water supply passage 33 may be connected to the inlet of the water tank 43 after passing through the bottom of the inner case 12. [

The water supply channel may further include a fourth water supply channel (34) connected to an outlet of the water tank (43).

The inlet of the water tank 43 may be located below the water tank 43, and the outlet may be located above the water tank 43, although not limited thereto.

The fourth water supply passage 34 may be connected to the inlet of the control valve 44. The control valve 44 may control the flow of water supplied to the dispenser 50. For example, when the water dispensing command is input from the dispenser 50, the control valve 44 is turned on, and water can be taken out from the dispenser 50.

The control valve 44 may be positioned above the water tank 43. The connector 45 may be directly connected to the outlet of the regulating valve 44 or the connector 45 may be indirectly connected by a separate connecting flow path. The dispenser 50 may be positioned higher than the control valve 44.

The water supply channel may further include a fifth water supply channel (35) connected to the connector (45).

The fifth water supply passage 35 can be introduced into the cabinet 11 and connected to the dispenser 50.

The reason why the connector 45 is connected to the regulating valve 44 and the fifth water supply passage 35 is connected to the connector 45 is that the fifth water supply passage 35 is formed in the storage chamber 14, So as to prevent the fifth water supply channel (35) from being excessively bent when extending into the cabinet (11).

For example, the dispenser 50 is installed on one side wall of the inner case 12, and the regulating valve 44 is located adjacent to the rear wall of the inner case 12 in the storage chamber 14. In this state, when the fifth water supply passage 35 is directly connected to the control valve 44 through the one side wall of the inner case 12 in the cabinet 11, There is a problem that a part of the fifth water supply channel 35 to be positioned is excessively bent.

If the fifth water supply passage 35 is excessively bent, water can not flow smoothly. However, according to the present embodiment, the fifth water supply passage 35 is indirectly connected to the control valve 44, the fifth water supply channel 35 can be prevented from being excessively bent in the storage chamber 14.

The length of the fifth water supply passage 35 may be increased to directly connect to the control valve 44. In this case, however, the volume of the storage chamber 14 may be increased by an increase in the length of the fifth water supply passage 35. [ Which is undesirable.

Hereinafter, the dispenser 50 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a cabinet, FIG. 4 is a view showing a guide tube connected to a dispenser housing, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a dispenser housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. And FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which the air outlet is protruded from the inner case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 6, the dispenser 50 according to the present embodiment may be installed on one side wall 121 of both side walls of the inner case 12.

In FIG. 3, for example, one side wall 121 of the inner case 12 is shown as a left side wall, but it may be a right side wall.

The inner case 12 may include a front opening 123 for drawing out the articles to be stored. That is, the inner case 12 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an open front face.

The dispenser 50 is disposed on one side wall 121 of the inner case 12 so as to be easily accessible from the dispenser 50 while the user opens the refrigerator door, May be positioned closer to the front opening (123) than the front opening (122).

In the storage room 14, a plurality of shelves 15 and 16 may be arranged in the vertical direction. Each of the plurality of shelves (15, 16) can be provided with an object to be stored.

In this embodiment, the dispenser 50 is disposed in front of each of the shelves 15, 16 so that water can be taken out from the dispenser 50 without interfering with the objects placed on the shelves 15, The front opening 123 may be located closer to the front opening 123 than the front opening 123 is.

Also, at least the end of the dispensing opening 530 in the dispenser 50 can be positioned between the two shelves 15, 16 so as not to interfere with the objects placed on the shelves 15, 16, And can be located closer to the first shelf 15 located on the upper side.

In this case, since the end of the outlet 530 is positioned lower than the object to be stored (hereinafter, referred to as "first object to be stored") placed on the upper shelf 15 positioned on the upper side, It is possible to prevent interference between the outlet 530 of the dispenser 50 and the first object to be stored in the process of placing the first object to be stored in the storage chamber 14 or withdrawing the first object from the storage chamber 14.

Since the dispenser 50 is located at a predetermined height from the second shelf 16 located below the first shelf 15, the object to be stored on the second shelf 16 (530) of the dispenser (50) and the second item to be stored in the process of putting the second item to be stored in the storage room (14) are put on the second shelf (16) Interference phenomenon can be reduced.

The dispenser 50 includes a dispenser housing 520 installed in the inner case 12 and a dispenser cover 510 coupled to the dispenser housing 520. The dispenser cover 510 An outlet 530 for discharging water, and an operation pad 540 operated by a user for discharging the water.

The dispenser housing 520 may include a depression 521 recessed to a predetermined depth. A switch 522 for detecting the operation of the operation pad 540 may be received in the depression 521.

The operation pad 540 may be movably supported by the dispenser housing 520 or the dispenser cover 510.

The dispenser cover 510 may be coupled to the dispenser housing 520 to cover the depression 521.

For example, the dispenser cover 510 and the dispenser housing 520 may be coupled to each other by hooks. To this end, one of the dispenser cover 510 and the dispenser housing 520 may include a hook, and the other may include a hook slot for coupling the hook.

The dispenser cover 510 may include a lower cover 511 surrounding the operation pad 540 and an upper cover 513 positioned on the upper side of the lower cover 511.

The upper cover 513 is further protruded into the storage compartment 14 relative to the lower cover 511. [

The lower cover 511 is formed with an opening 512 through which the operation pad 540 is positioned. The upper cover 511 is positioned above the operation pad 540.

The outlet 530 may have a tubular shape having a predetermined length.

The outlet 530 is connected to the fifth water supply passage 35 and protrudes into the storage chamber 14 through the upper cover 513 in the depression 521.

For example, the outlet 530 extends downward after passing through the bottom surface 514 of the upper cover 513. [ A portion of the air outlet 530 may be positioned in front of the operation pad 540 and an end of the air outlet 530 may be positioned lower than the upper surface of the operation pad 540. [

In this embodiment, when the depression 521 is formed deeply, the end of the air outlet 530 may be located inside the depression 521. In this case, however, the inner case 12 and the outer The thickness of the heat insulating material between the case 13 may be reduced and the heat insulating performance may be deteriorated.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the depression depth of the depressed portion 521 is minimized and the outlet 530 is protruded from the one side wall 121 of the inner case in order to minimize deterioration of the heat insulating performance.

The outlet 530 may protrude from the one side wall 121 of the inner case 12 to a predetermined length so that the container such as a cup can be positioned below the outlet 530, do.

The outlet 530 may extend downward in the upper cover 513.

A guide tube 60 for guiding the fifth water supply passage 35 may be provided in the cabinet 11.

A heat insulating material may be filled between the inner case 12 and the outer case 13 while the guide tube 60 is connected to the dispenser housing 520 in the cabinet 11.

At this time, the guide tube 60 may be connected to the side wall 523 of the dispenser housing 520 so that the thickness of the heat insulating material between the dispenser housing 520 and the outer case 13 is prevented from being reduced. For example, the guide tube 60 may be connected to the upper end of the side wall 523 of the dispenser housing 520.

The side wall 523 of the dispenser housing 520 may have a housing opening 524 through which the fifth water supply passage 35 passes.

A hole 125 through which the fifth water supply passage 35 passes may be formed on a side wall 121 of the inner case 12. [ The hole 125 may be positioned closer to the rear wall 122 than the front opening 123 at the one side wall 121 of the inner case 12.

Therefore, the guide tube 60 may communicate with the hole 125, and may extend upward in the hole 125.

In this case, the length of the guide tube 60 is minimized, and the amount of bending of the fifth water supply channel 35 can be minimized.

The fifth water supply channel 35 may be introduced into the guide tube 60 through the housing opening 524 while being connected to the air outlet 530. [ The fifth water supply passage 35 passing through the guide tube 60 may be drawn into the storage chamber 14 through the hole 125 of the inner case 12. [ In this state, the fifth water supply passage 35 may be connected to the connector 45.

The dispensing opening 530 may be provided through the upper cover 513 and the dispenser cover 510 may be inserted into the dispenser housing 510 while the dispensing opening 513 passes through the upper cover 513. [ (Not shown).

According to this structure, the outlet 530 and the fifth water supply channel 35 can be replaced.

The dispenser cover 510 is detached from the dispenser housing 520 and then the dispenser cover 510 is removed from the dispensing opening 530 to replace the dispensing opening 530 and / .

Then, the fifth water supply channel (35) is separated from the connector (45). In this state, when the outlet 530 is pulled out, the outlet 530 and the fifth water supply passage 35 can be separated from the refrigerator 10.

According to the present invention, since the dispenser is positioned on the side wall of the inner case, the influence of external heat is reduced, and the temperature of the water taken out from the dispenser can be kept low.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the dispenser is positioned in front of the shelves provided in the storage chamber, there is an advantage that water can be taken out without being interfered with the objects to be stored on the shelf.

According to the present invention, a part of the water supply channel is located inside the guide tube connected to the dispenser, and a part of the water supply channel connected to the air outlet or the air outlet can be replaced.

Further, according to the present invention, since the dispenser is installed in the inner case, there is an advantage that it can be applied to a built-in type refrigerator.

10: Refrigerator 11: Cabinet
12: inner case 13: outer case
20: machine room 31: first water supply channel
32: second water supply channel 33: third water supply channel
34: fourth water supply channel 35: fifth water supply channel
50: Dispenser
510: dispenser cover 520: dispenser housing
530: air outlet 540: operation pad
60: guide tube

Claims (13)

An inner case forming a storage chamber;
An outer case surrounding the inner case;
A dispenser provided on a side wall of the inner case, the dispenser having an outlet for taking out water;
A water supply channel for guiding the water of the external water supply source to the dispenser;
A filter for purifying water to be supplied to the dispenser;
A water tank provided in the storage chamber and storing water passing through the filter; And
And a regulating valve located downstream of the water tank and regulating the flow of water supplied to the dispenser,
A flow path for guiding the water passing through the control valve to the dispenser is connected to a dispensing opening of the dispenser, and passes through a space between the inner case and the outer case. The method according to claim 1,
A guide tube connected to the dispenser is provided in the inner case and the outer case, and a flow path for guiding the water discharged from the control valve to the dispenser is accommodated in the guide tube. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the inner case includes a front opening for drawing out the article to be stored,
Wherein the dispenser is located closer to the front opening than a rear wall of the inner case at one side wall of the inner case. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the inner case has a hole communicating with the guide tube,
Wherein the guide tube extends upwardly in an upward direction from the hole. The method according to claim 1,
The dispenser includes a dispenser housing provided on one side wall of the inner case, the dispenser housing having a depression,
And a dispenser cover coupled to the dispenser housing and covering the depression,
And the outlet is coupled to the dispenser cover. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the outlet is protruded downward from one side wall of the inner case toward the other side wall. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein a side wall of the dispenser housing is formed with a housing opening through which a flow path of the water supply flow path is connected. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control valve is located above the water tank in the storage chamber,
Wherein the dispenser is positioned higher than the control valve. The method according to claim 1,
The storage room is provided with a plurality of shelves arranged in the vertical direction,
Wherein the dispenser is positioned closer to the front opening of the inner case than the front end of each shelf. 9. The method of claim 8,
The plurality of shelves includes a first shelf and a second shelf positioned below the first shelf,
Wherein an end of the dispensing opening of the dispenser is disposed at a position corresponding to an area between the first shelf and the second shelf and is positioned closer to the second shelf than the second shelf. The method according to claim 1,
A machine room is provided on one of upper and lower sides of the outer case,
Wherein the machine room is provided with a water supply valve for controlling the flow of water supplied from the water supply source,
And the filter is positioned on the other side of the upper side and the lower side of the outer case. 12. The method of claim 11,
The water supply channel includes a first water supply channel connected to an inlet of the water supply valve,
A second water supply passage connected to the outlet of the water supply valve and connected to the inlet of the filter through the space between the inner case and the outer case,
And a third water supply channel connected at the outlet of the filter and connected to the water tank after passing between the inner case and the outer case. 13. The method of claim 12,
And a flow guide for receiving the second water supply channel and the third water supply channel is provided between the inner case and the outer case.

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