KR20220017028A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator comprises: a cabinet having a storage chamber therein; a door hinged and coupled to be rotatable to a front side of the cabinet to open and close the storage chamber; an extraction member for extracting beer, which is provided on a front side of the door; a fermenter installed on a back side of the door; a beer supply flow passage connecting the fermenter and the extraction member; and a cooling device enabling the inside of the fermenter to be maintained at proper temperature for producing the beer.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

As consumer demand for a beer brewing device capable of directly brewing beer at home increases, a home brewing device has recently emerged.

According to the prior art below, there is an advantage in that a consumer equipped with a home beer manufacturing apparatus can directly purchase beer raw materials and add various types of flavor additives to directly manufacture beer according to their preference.

However, there is a disadvantage in that a separate space is required to install the home beer manufacturing apparatus.

Korean Patent Publication No. 2017-0130258 (November 28, 2017)

The present invention is proposed to improve the above problems.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes: a cabinet having a storage compartment therein; a door hinged rotatably to the front of the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment; a take-out member provided on the front side of the door for taking out beer; a fermenter installed on the rear surface of the door; a beer supply passage connecting the fermenter and the extraction member; And it may include a cooling device so that the inside of the fermenter is maintained at a temperature suitable for beer production.

According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration, since the beer production apparatus can be installed on the refrigerator door, there is an advantage that a separate space for installing the beer production apparatus is not required.

In addition, since the beer dispensing member is provided in the dispenser for dispensing drinking water provided on the front side of the refrigerator door, convenience of use is increased.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator door equipped with a beer making device;
3 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator door;
4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the door;
5 is a rear perspective view of the door showing the internal configuration of the homebrew housing;

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

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator door provided with a beer manufacturing apparatus, FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator door, and FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the door It is a perspective view, and FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the door showing the internal configuration of the homebrew housing.

1 to 5 , a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 11 having a storage compartment defined therein, and is rotatably mounted on the front of the cabinet 11 to provide the storage compartment. It may include a door 12 to open and close, and a home brew device installed on the rear surface of the door 12 . The storage compartment may include a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment. The door 12 may be a refrigerating compartment door for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment door for opening and closing the freezing compartment.

In detail, the beer production apparatus installed on the rear surface of the door 12, the configurations of the beer production apparatus described in the prior art may be applied. However, in the beer production apparatus according to the prior art, a water tank for storing water required for beer production is provided separately, but the beer production apparatus installed in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention does not require a water tank.

More specifically, the door 12 is provided with a dispenser 14 for dispensing purified or cold water, and the water supply passage 101 connected to the dispenser 14 is directly connected to a domestic faucet.

One end of the water supply passage 101 may be connected to a domestic faucet, and may extend along the inside of the cabinet 11 or the rear surface of the cabinet 11 . In addition, the water supply passage 101 may pass through the upper surface of the cabinet 11 to be guided into the storage chamber, and the filter assembly 104 may be connected to one side of the water supply passage 101 .

A branch valve may be mounted at any point of the water supply passage extending from the outlet of the filter assembly 104 , and a plurality of branch passages may be connected to the branch valve.

The plurality of branch flow paths may include a drinking water flow path 103 through which user-drinkable water flows, and a beer manufacturing flow path 102 through which water supplied to the beer manufacturing apparatus and used for beer manufacturing flows.

The drinking water flow path may include a purified water flow path through which purified water passing through the filter assembly flows at room temperature, a cold water flow path through which cold water cooled to a temperature corresponding to the refrigerating chamber temperature flows, and a hot water flow path through which hot water flows.

A cold water tank may be provided on the cold water passage, and a heating device may be provided in the hot water passage. The cold water tank may be disposed inside the refrigerating compartment or a refrigerating compartment door that opens and closes the refrigerating compartment, so that the temperature of the cold water tank may be maintained at the refrigerating compartment temperature. The cold water tank may be formed by winding the water supply passage a plurality of times, or may be provided in the form of a separate cold water storage tank.

In addition, the heating device may include a hot water tank and a heater for heating the hot water tank.

Ends of the purified water passage, the cold water passage, and the hot water passage may be connected to one ejection nozzle, and the ejection nozzle may be connected to the drinking water ejection cock 144 provided in the dispenser 14 .

Also, the water supply passage 101 may extend from the cabinet 11 to the door 12 through the hinge of the door 12 . The branch flow path may branch at any point in the water supply flow path 101 extending into the door 12 through the hinge of the door.

As described above, since purified water that has passed through the filter assembly extends to the beer production apparatus along the beer production flow path 102, a water storage tank for storing water used for beer production is installed in the door 12 or the cabinet. There is no need to separately install in (11).

Meanwhile, the door 12 includes an outdoor door 121 that is in close contact with the front surface of the cabinet 11 to form the external shape of the refrigerator 10 , and is extended from the rear surface of the outdoor door 121 and accommodated in the storage compartment. a door liner 122 that serves as a door liner, a home brew housing 16 mounted on the rear end of the door liner 122 , and an outer door 121 corresponding to an edge of the door liner 122 . It may include a gasket 123 that is wrapped around the rear surface.

The dispenser 14 may be provided on a front surface of the outdoor door 121 , and a dispensing member 13 for dispensing beer may be installed above the dispenser 14 .

The take-out member 13 includes a lever body 131 that protrudes forward from the front of the outdoor door 121, and a take-out lever 132 that is tiltably connected to an upper end of the lever body 131; The lever body 131 may include a take-out cock 133 protruding downward from the lower end of the body 131 .

A beer extraction pipe (not shown) extending from the upper surface of the fermenter 25 constituting the beer production apparatus to be described later extends along the inside of the lever body 131 and is connected to the extraction cock 133 . Accordingly, the beer completed in the fermenter 25 may flow along the beer extraction pipe and be discharged to the outside through the extraction cock 133 . In addition, the flow path of the beer extraction pipe is selectively opened and closed by the tilting operation of the extraction lever 132 .

The dispenser 14 includes a dispenser housing 141 recessed to a predetermined depth rearward, a residual water tray 142 installed on the bottom of the dispenser housing 141 , and drinking water installed on the rear surface of the dispenser housing 141 . It may include a dispensing button 143 and a drinking water dispensing cock 144 protruding from the upper surface of the dispenser housing 141 .

The residual water tray 142 is provided to be withdrawn to the front, and can be used as a pedestal for a container for receiving beer. In addition, even when the volume of the container for receiving drinking water is large, the residual water tray 142 can be withdrawn. A plurality of slits are formed on the upper surface of the residual water tray 142 and a predetermined storage space is formed therein, so that beer or drinking water falling from the ejection cocks 133 and 144 can be collected.

In addition, a display 15 is installed at a point on the front side of the outdoor 121 spaced upward from the dispensing member 13, so that various information related to beer manufacturing and dispensing can be displayed to the user.

For example, through text, image, or video information output through the display 15 , it is possible to check the completion time of beer production or check the current beer production progress.

Meanwhile, the inside of the homebrew housing 16 may be divided into a lower machine room 161 and an upper input chamber 162 .

In detail, the homebrew housing 16 includes a side plate 169 surrounding an end of the door liner 122 , a front plate 168 connecting the front end of the side plate 169 , and the side plate 169 . It may include a base plate 167 forming the bottom of the plate 169 and the front plate 168 , and an upper plate 160 dividing the machine room 161 and the input chamber 162 . The upper plate may be defined as a partition plate that partitions the machine room 161 and the input room 162 .

An opening 163 is formed in an upper portion of the homebrew housing 160 corresponding to the front surface of the input chamber 162 , and the opening 163 can be selectively opened and closed by the input chamber cover 17 . . Also, the input chamber cover 17 may be understood as a component of the home brew housing 16 .

The input chamber cover 17 is rotatably mounted on one edge of the opening 163 to selectively open and close the input chamber 162 .

One or a plurality of storage boxes 18 may be provided on the rear surface of the input chamber cover 17 (the surface facing the input chamber), and the storage boxes 18 contain raw materials for beer production or other storage items. can be stored.

In addition, the input chamber cover 17 may be made of a transparent or translucent plastic material, so that it is possible to check the inside of the input chamber 162 even when the input chamber cover 17 is closed.

A pack storage box 19 may be installed above the input chamber 162 , and the main material storage pack 20 may be stored in the pack storage box 19 . The main material storage pack 20 may be formed in a cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter and length, as shown as an example.

The main material storage pack 20 may contain a main material essential for beer production, and the main material may include malt in a relatively large amount among the materials required for beer production.

The pack storage box 19 may be provided to be slidably drawn out in the front-rear direction. For example, sliding guides may extend a predetermined length in the front and rear directions on both sides of the pack storage box 19 , and guide grooves for accommodating the sliding guides may be formed on both sides of the input chamber 162 . Alternatively, the sliding guides may be formed on both sides of the input chamber 162 , and guide grooves may be formed on both sides of the pack storage box 19 .

In addition, a pack insertion hole (or pack insertion hole) 164 into which the main material storage pack 20 is inserted may be formed in the upper plate 160 , and a capsule mounting part 165 is provided on the side of the pack insertion hole 164 . can be formed.

A plurality of capsule mounting grooves 166 may be arranged in a line in the capsule mounting part 165 . In the capsule mounting groove 166, the auxiliary material storage capsules 24 containing raw materials for manufacturing beer may be respectively mounted.

The capsule 24 may store sub-materials for beer production, and the sub-materials may include other materials other than malt stored in the main material storage pack 20 . For example, the auxiliary material may include yeast, hops, and flavor additives.

In addition, a pack insertion hole cover 21 is rotatably mounted on an edge of the pack insertion hole 164 to open and close the pack insertion hole 164 . In addition, a capsule mounting unit cover 22 is rotatably connected to an edge of the capsule mounting unit 165 to cover the capsule mounting unit 165 .

The capsule mounting part 165 may be formed to be stepped to a depth corresponding to the thickness of the capsule mounting part cover 22 . Therefore, when the capsule mounting unit cover 22 is closed, the upper surface of the capsule mounting unit cover 22 and the upper surface of the upper plate 160 may form the same plane.

A plurality of lockers 23 are provided on the lower surface of the capsule mounting part cover 22 to cover the upper surface of the auxiliary material storage capsule 24, and when the capsule mounting part cover 22 is placed on the capsule mounting part 165, , the lockers 23 are in close contact with the upper surfaces of the sub-material storage capsules 24, respectively.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5 , when the main material storage pack 20 is inserted into the pack insertion hole 164 and the pack insertion hole cover 21 is closed, the upper surface of the pack insertion hole cover 21 is the upper surface It may form the same plane as the upper surface of the plate 160 .

In addition, the pack insertion hole cover 21 may include a cover body 211 and a handle 212 formed inside the upper surface of the cover body 211 . Also, a handle 221 may be formed on the upper surface of the capsule mounting unit cover 22 .

On the other hand, in the inside of the machine room 161, as shown in FIG. 5, various mechanical devices and electrical devices for beer production are accommodated. That is, the configurations for beer production disclosed in the prior art content above can be arranged.

Among the components necessary for beer production, only the components shown in the drawings will be described as follows.

The configuration for producing beer accommodated in the machine room 161 includes the fermenter 25 in which the main material storage pack 20 is accommodated, and the inside of the fermenter 25 to an optimum temperature for beer production. It may include a cooling module to maintain, and valves installed in a pipe connected to the fermenter (25).

The pipe connected to the fermenter 25 may include a water supply pipe defining the flow path 102 for beer production.

The beer production flow path 102 is connected to the inside of the main material storage pack 20 through the auxiliary material storage capsule 24, and the auxiliary material stored in the auxiliary material storage capsule 24 is the main material storage pack 20 together with water. ) is supplied.

In addition, the pipe connected to the fermenter 25 may further include a beer supply pipe connecting the fermenter 25 and the extraction cove 133 .

In addition, the valves installed in the pipes include a capsule valve (V1) installed in a connection pipe connecting the auxiliary material storage capsule 24 and the main material storage pack 20, and a beer extraction valve installed in the beer supply pipe. (V2) may be included.

When the water supply for beer production starts, the capsule valve (V1) is opened, so that the auxiliary materials and water are supplied to the main material storage pack (20).

In addition, when the brewing lever 132 is operated after the beer production is completed, the beer dispensing valve V2 is opened, so that the beer is taken out through the dispensing cock 133 .

In addition, although not shown, it should be noted that an on/off valve may be installed in each of a plurality of pipes including a gas discharge pipe for discharging gas inside the fermenter 25 .

In addition, the cooling device includes a compressor 30 for compressing the refrigerant, a condenser 31 connected to an outlet side of the compressor, an expansion valve connected to an outlet side of the condenser 31, and an outlet side of the expansion valve It may include an evaporator 32 connected to.

The cooling device is a separate cooling device that is distinguished from a cooling device installed in a cabinet to cool the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment of the refrigerator.

The evaporator 32 is surrounded by the outer peripheral surface of the fermenter 25 so that the inside of the fermenter 25 is maintained at a temperature suitable for fermentation. The outer peripheral surface of the fermenter 25 may be surrounded by a heater 33 so that the inside of the fermenter 25 is heated to a set temperature.

5, the main material storage pack 20 is inserted into the fermenter 25 through the pack insertion hole 164, and then the pack inlet cover 21 is closed, and the auxiliary material storage capsule 24 After the capsule mounting groove 166 is mounted and then the capsule mounting part cover 22 is closed, preparation for beer production is completed.

In this state, when a beer production command is input through the control panel provided on the door 12 of the refrigerator 10, water is supplied to the fermenter 25 through the beer production flow path. Then, the compressor and the heater 33 of the cooling device operate at a set time to perform the beer manufacturing process.

According to the above configuration, there is an advantage that the user can take out beer by manipulating the extraction lever 132 provided on the front side of the refrigerator door 12 .

In addition, the user, since it is easy to replace the main material storage pack 20 and the auxiliary material storage capsule 24, there is an advantage that can make and drink beer without any difficulty.

Above all, since a separate installation space for installing the beer manufacturing apparatus is not required, there is an advantage in that the indoor space can be efficiently utilized.

Claims (15)

a cabinet having a storage room therein;
a door hinged rotatably to the front of the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment;
a take-out member provided on the front side of the door for taking out beer;
a fermenter installed on the rear surface of the door;
a beer supply passage connecting the fermenter and the extraction member; and
A refrigerator including a cooling device for maintaining the inside of the fermenter at a temperature suitable for beer production. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a water supply passage extending from the faucet along the cabinet and extending into the door through the hinge,
Branched into a plurality of flow passages at any point of the water supply passage extending into the door,
One of the plurality of branched flow paths is a refrigerator, characterized in that connected to the fermenter. 3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a dispenser provided on the front of the door for taking out drinking water,
The dispenser is
A dispenser housing having a shape recessed to a predetermined depth;
a drinking water extraction cock protruding from the upper surface of the dispenser housing;
and a residual water tray provided at the bottom of the dispenser housing,
The plurality of branched flow paths include a drinking water flow path extending to the drinking water outlet cock. 4. The method of claim 3,
The extraction member is
a lever body extending from the front side of the door corresponding to the upper side of the dispenser;
a take-out lever that is tiltably coupled to the upper surface of the lever body; and
Including a beer extraction cock provided on the bottom surface of the lever body,
The refrigerator, characterized in that the residual water tray is slidable and withdrawable forward so as to be able to collect the beer falling from the ejection cock. 5. The method of claim 4,
The refrigerator further comprising a beer supply pipe connecting the fermenter and the beer extraction cock. The method of claim 1,
The cooling device is
a compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
a condenser condensing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant discharged from the condenser;
An evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve,
the evaporator,
Refrigerator, characterized in that the refrigerant pipe wound around the outer peripheral surface of the fermenter. 7. The method of claim 6,
The refrigerator further comprising a heater wound around the outer peripheral surface of the fermenter. The method of claim 1,
The door is
an outdoor door provided with the dispenser and the ejection member on a front surface, and having a rear edge in close contact with the front surface of the cabinet;
and a homebrew housing formed on the rear surface of the outdoor door,
The refrigerator, characterized in that the fermenter and the cooling device are accommodated in the homebrew housing. 9. The method of claim 8,
The homebrew housing,
A machine room in which the fermenter and the cooling device are accommodated;
an input chamber defined above the machine room and having an opening in the front, and
Comprising a partition plate partitioning the machine room and the input room,
A refrigerator including an input chamber cover for opening and closing the opening. 10. The method of claim 9,
The refrigerator further comprising at least one storage box provided on the input chamber cover. 10. The method of claim 9,
The refrigerator further comprising a pack storage box provided inside the input chamber, in which the main material pack in which the main beer material is stored is accommodated. 12. The method of claim 11,
The refrigerator, characterized in that the pack storage box is provided so as to be able to slide and withdraw in a horizontal direction from an upper side of the input chamber. 10. The method of claim 9,
The partition plate is formed with a pack insertion hole into which the main material storage pack is inserted, and a capsule mounting part on which the auxiliary material storage capsule is mounted,
The pack insertion hole is formed on the upper side of the fermenter, and the main material storage pack inserted into the pack insertion hole is inserted into the fermenter. 14. The method of claim 13,
a pack insertion hole cover for opening and closing the pack insertion hole;
Further comprising a capsule mounting portion cover for opening and closing the capsule mounting portion,
Refrigerator, characterized in that the pack insertion hole cover and the capsule mounting portion cover is rotatably coupled to the partition plate. 15. The method of claim 14,
In a state in which the pack insertion hole cover and the capsule loading part cover close the pack insertion hole and the capsule loading part, the top surfaces of the pack insertion hole cover and the capsule loading part cover form the same plane as the top surface of the partition plate. .

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