KR20220057168A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator. A refrigerator according to the present invention includes: a water tank (30) mounted to a refrigerator door; and a detection device (50) configured to detect the mounting of the water tank (30). The detection device (50) may be mounted to the door, rotate or linearly move by interfering with the surface of the water tank (30) in a process in which the water tank (30) is mounted and be restored to an initial position by the elastic force of the elastic member (80) if the water tank (30) is mounted. Accordingly, a user may easily perceive whether the water tank (30) is completely mounted to the refrigerator through a fastening sound or a fastening feel generated in the process in which the detection device (50) is restored after being pressed. The present invention enables the water tank to be more easily mounted.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator equipped with a water tank capable of supplying stored water.

BACKGROUND ART In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that can store food at a low temperature in an internal storage space that is shielded by a door. To this end, the refrigerator is configured to store the stored food in an optimal state by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

Recently, refrigerators are becoming more multifunctional according to changes in dietary habits and the trend of luxury products, and refrigerators equipped with various structures and convenient devices for user convenience and efficient use of internal space have been released. For example, the refrigerator door is provided with a dispenser for supplying beverages or ice, and when the user operates the dispenser, beverages stored in the water tank or ice from the ice maker can be taken out.

Such a dispenser includes a storage tank, and a user can put a drink in the storage tank and install it in the refrigerator. When all beverages are taken out, the user can separate the storage tank from the refrigerator, fill the storage tank with beverages, and install it in the refrigerator again. Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2018-0080056 and Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2018-0126835 disclose a technology related to a refrigerator having a dispenser function as described above.

However, it is difficult for the user to recognize whether the storage tank is completely inserted into the refrigerator. The discharge port of the storage tank must be completely inserted into the insertion port provided in the refrigerator, since the insertion port is hidden by the storage tank and difficult to visually confirm. If the storage tank is not fully inserted, the beverage may not be supplied smoothly or the beverage may leak to the surroundings.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication 10-2018-0080056 Republic of Korea Patent Publication 10-2018-0126835

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily know that a water tank is completely mounted in a refrigerator.

Another object of the present invention is to enable the user to visually confirm that the water tank is completely mounted in the refrigerator, and at the same time, to know through the installation sound.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the installation of the water tank by using the weight of the water tank, and also to facilitate the operation of removing the mounted water tank.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention may include a water tank mounted on a refrigerator door, and a sensing device for detecting the installation of the water tank. The sensing device is installed on the door, and rotates or moves linearly while interfering with the surface of the water tank while the water tank is mounted. When the water tank is mounted, it can be restored by the elastic force of the elastic member. As described above, the user can easily recognize that the water tank is completely installed in the refrigerator through the tightening sound or feeling generated during the process of returning the sensing device after being pressed.

And, the sensing device may hit the surface of the water tank when returning to the original state by the elastic member. Accordingly, the sensing device may generate a hitting sound to notify whether the water tank is installed.

In addition, when the sensing device returns to its original state by the elastic member, at least a portion of the surface of the sensing block constituting the sensing device may be exposed forward. When exposed to the surface of the detection block in this way, the user can observe the exposure state of the detection block to know whether the water tank is installed.

In addition, the sensing block constituting the sensing device is rotated by the elastic member, and when the sensing block returns to its original state, the sensing block may be in close contact with the surface of the water tank. Since the sensing block is provided with elastic force by the elastic member, it is possible to pressurize the surface of the water tank, thus reducing vibration noise generated in the water tank during use of the refrigerator.

In addition, the sensing device may be installed on the door, a housing part having an operating space formed therein forms a skeleton, and a sensing block may be assembled in the working space. The detection block may rotate or move linearly along a predetermined path inside the working space by interference with the water tank. An elastic member is installed in the working space, and both ends of the elastic member are connected to the housing and the detection block, respectively, to provide an elastic force to the detection block in a direction in which the detection block returns to its original state.

In addition, at least a portion of the front surface of the sensing block facing the water tank may have a shape surrounding the surface of the water tank. Accordingly, the surface of the sensing block may stably support the water tank.

In addition, an inclined guide surface may be provided on the front surface of the housing forming the working space of the sensing device along the mounting path of the water tank. Such an inclined guide surface may naturally guide the mounting direction of the water tank.

In addition, a stopping surface is provided on the rear surface of the sensing block, and when the sensing block is rotated into the working space of the housing unit, the stopping surface may be in surface contact with the inner surface of the working space. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the concentration of the load on a part of the detection block and to prevent damage to the detection block.

In addition, the sensing block may be provided with an operating surface exposed toward the opposite side of the working space and pressed by the water tank. A support surface may be connected to the operation surface, and the support surface may surround a corner of the water tank.

And, a striking surface extends in a direction opposite to the direction in which the support surface extends from the operating surface, and the striking surface may strike the surface of the housing part when the sensing block is returned to its original position.

Also, the support surface may have a structure recessed into the sensing block, and the support surface may extend along at least two of the surfaces of the water tank. Therefore, the support surface can support while surrounding the two surfaces of the water tank.

And, the working surface may be the most protruding surface to the front of the sensing block, and the working surface may have a flat shape. At this time, when the sensing block returns to its original state, the working surface may form an outer surface continuous with the surface of the tank mounting part on which the water tank is mounted. Accordingly, the user can more easily identify whether the sensing protrusion is in the original position.

In addition, a ringing space that is opened toward the working space may be formed inside the sensing block. This resonant space can amplify the tightening sound.

As discussed above, the refrigerator according to the present invention has the following effects.

While the water tank is installed in the refrigerator, the sensing device installed in the refrigerator is pressed by the water tank and then returned. The surface of the returned sensing device may protrude further than the surface of the refrigerator, and thus the user can easily recognize that the water tank is completely installed in the refrigerator by looking at the protruding state of the sensing device. Accordingly, there is an effect that the installation workability of the water tank is improved.

In particular, the user can easily recognize that the water tank is completely installed in the refrigerator even through the tightening sound and the tightening feeling generated during the process of pressing and returning the sensing block of the sensing device. In this way, the user can check whether the water tank is installed in various ways, and thus the water tank can be prevented from being incorrectly assembled.

In addition, when the water tank is installed, the water tank is filled with water and the detection block can be easily operated using the gravity of the heavy water tank. can guide you As described above, since the water tank is easily detachable, the convenience of use of the refrigerator is improved.

In addition, in the sensing block of the present invention, a sounding space, which is a kind of empty space, is opened toward the inside of the housing, so that the mounting sound generated when the sensing block hits the water tank can be amplified. Accordingly, the user can more easily recognize whether the water tank is installed.

And, the working surface of the sensing block of the present invention has an outer surface protruding from the surface of the tank mounting portion. Accordingly, the user may identify whether the water tank is completely mounted by checking the state in which the working surface of the sensing block protrudes.

In addition, when the sensing block of the present invention is rotated by being pressed by the water tank, the rear surface of the sensing block becomes a stopping surface and makes surface contact with the inside of the housing part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the load from being concentrated on a part of the detection block and to prevent the detection block from being damaged in the process of being strongly rotated by being pressed by the water tank.

In addition, since the housing part constituting the sensing device of the present invention has an inclined guide surface, it can naturally guide the mounting direction of the water tank itself. Therefore, the user can install the water tank more easily through the sensing device.

In addition, since the sensing device of the present invention occupies only a predetermined space on the door of the refrigerator and can be mounted from the front, installation convenience is high. Can be applied without change.

And, the sensing block in the sensing device of the present invention can prevent the water tank from vibrating by pressing the installed water tank. Since the sensing block is provided with elastic force by the elastic member, it is possible to pressurize the surface of the water tank, thus reducing vibration noise generated in the water tank during use of the refrigerator.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a door constituting a refrigerator according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a front view of the refrigerator door shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a water tank and a detection device constituting a refrigerator according to the present invention are separated from a door;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a water tank constituting the refrigerator according to the present invention separated from the door from a different angle from Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II' of Fig. 1;
6 and 7 are cross-sectional views each showing a state before and after the sensing block is rotated in the sensing device constituting an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a perspective view showing the structure of a housing part constituting an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a front view showing the structure of a housing part constituting an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a perspective view showing the structure of a sensing block in the sensing device constituting an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a side view showing the structure of a sensing block in a sensing device constituting an embodiment of the present invention;
12 is a rear view showing the structure of a sensing block in a sensing device constituting an embodiment of the present invention;
13 to 15 are operation state diagrams sequentially illustrating a process in which a water tank constituting an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a refrigerator door.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, or order of the elements are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component is between each component. It will be understood that may also be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which a removable water tank (30) is installed inside the refrigerator. The water tank 30 can supply water to the inside of the refrigerator. For example, it can supply drinking water to the user through the dispenser device 7 or supply water to an ice maker installed in the refrigerator to make ice. may be Of course, the user may obtain both water and ice through the dispenser device 7 . Here, the water tank 30 may be viewed as a part of the dispenser device 7 or as an independent part thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the structure of the door 1 of the refrigerator is shown. The refrigerator door 1 is coupled to a cabinet (not shown) and serves to selectively shield the storage compartment of the refrigerator. A hinge is installed in the cabinet to rotate the door 1 , and the door 1 is rotatably connected to the hinge.

The door 1 has a shape corresponding to the front surface of the cabinet, and has a substantially flat plate structure. Looking at the structure of the door 1 , the door frame 2 constitutes the outer periphery of the door 1 , and a foam filling part may be filled in the inside surrounded by the door frame 2 for thermal insulation. The door frame 2 may be composed of a plurality of parts, and the part shown in the drawings may be viewed as a cover member for enclosing the door frame provided on the inside.

1 shows the inner surface of the door 1, that is, the surface facing the storage compartment of the refrigerator. The inner surface of the door 1 has a recessed shape and becomes a storage space 3 . A basket (not shown) is mounted in the storage space 3 , so that a user can store food and the like on the inner surface of the door 1 . The storage space 3 may be surrounded by a door frame 4 constituting a side surface of the door 1 . Reference numeral G denotes a gasket, which may increase the airtightness between the door 1 and the cabinet.

A water tank 30 may be mounted on the upper portion of the door 1 , and a mounting space 11 is provided at the upper portion of the door 1 for mounting the water tank 30 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the mounting space 11 is a space occupying an upper portion of the inner surface of the door 1 . The mounting space 11 may have a certain amount of free space upward after the water tank 30 is mounted so that it can be mounted while moving the water tank 30 from top to bottom.

3 to 5 , the water tank 30 may be mounted in the mounting space 11 of the door 1 in an oblique direction from above. In the center of the mounting space 11 is a tank mounting portion (10). The tank mounting part 10 is a part where the water tank 30 is mounted, and more precisely, it may be a part into which the outlet 33 provided in the water tank 30 is fitted.

Mounting holes 12 are respectively formed on both sides of the tank mounting unit 10 , and a sensing device 50 to be described below may be installed in the mounting holes 12 . The mounting hole is a space recessed in the upper portion of the mounting space 11 of the door 1 . An inner space of the mounting hole 12 may be filled with a foam insulation material.

In this embodiment, the housing part 60 constituting the sensing device 50 is accommodated inside the mounting hole 12 , and before filling the inside of the door 1 with the foam insulation material, the housing part 60 ) may be assembled in the mounting hole 12 , or the housing unit 60 may be assembled in the mounting hole 12 after filling the foam insulation first.

A connector 20 is assembled at the center of the tank mounting part 10 . The connector 20 may be fitted in the center of the tank mounting part 10 , and the outlet 33 of the water tank 30 may be fitted to the connector 20 to overlap again. Of course, the connector 20 may be provided integrally with the mounting hole 12 . A separate connection bracket (not shown) may be coupled to the connector 20 , and the connection bracket may be omitted or configured as a filter.

The connector 20 has a hollow tube structure and may be viewed as a kind of adapter. A connection hole 21 , which is an empty space, is formed inside the connection hole 20 , and the outlet 33 of the water tank 30 is fitted inside the connection hole 21 . When the outlet 33 of the water tank 30 is inserted into the connector 20 , the valve assembly 100 mounted on the outlet 33 may be connected to the dispenser device 7 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , there is a guide groove 5 on the side of the mounting space 11 . The guide groove (5) is for assisting in the installation of the water tank (30), and the installation guide (35) provided on the side of the water tank (30) is engaged with the guide groove (5). (30) can be mounted. The guide groove 5 is provided symmetrically on both sides of the mounting space 11, and the guide groove 5 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a dispenser device 7 may be provided on the front side of the door 1 . The dispenser device 7 is for supplying the water stored in the water tank 30 to the user. When the user presses the lever 90 of the dispenser device 7, the lever 90 presses the valve assembly 100, and the water stored in the water tank 30 is discharged as the valve assembly 100 is opened. can be supplied.

First, the schematic structure of the water tank 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 , the tank body 31 of the water tank 30 has a substantially hexahedral shape, and an upwardly open water storage space is provided therein. . The water tank 30 has a long form left and right to fit the shape of the mounting space 11 , and this shape can be deformed to fit the mounting space 11 .

The water tank 30 is preferably located above the dispenser device 7 to be described below. This is because it is possible to supply water from the water tank 30 to the dispenser device 7 in a free-fall manner by gravity without using a separate pump. For reference, FIG. 4 shows the dispenser device 7 and a lever 90 for operating the dispenser device 7 .

The tank body 31 may be provided with an outlet 33 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the tank body 31 may be provided with an outlet 33 in a downwardly inclined direction. The outlet 33 may be connected to the water storage space of the water tank 30 to supply water in the water storage space to the dispenser device 100 or the ice maker. At this time, the valve assembly 100 may be assembled to the outlet 33 , and the valve assembly 100 may be opened or closed in conjunction with the lever 90 of the dispenser device 7 .

In this way, since the outlet 33 extends in an inclined direction from the water tank 30 , the outlet 33 determines the direction in which the water tank 30 is inserted into the connection hole 21 of the connector 20 . It can also serve as a guide. That is, since the discharge port 33 is provided with an inclination angle to match the extension angle of the connection hole 21 , when the discharge port 33 is inserted into the connection hole 21 , the water tank 30 is naturally mounted. The direction can be guided.

There are mounting guides 35 on both sides of the tank body 31 . The mounting guide 35 is in the form of a rib protruding to fit the shape of the guide groove 5 , and may be provided symmetrically on both sides. The mounting guide 35 may extend in a diagonal direction to be engaged with the guide groove 5 , that is, in a direction in which the water tank 30 is fitted into the mounting space 11 .

A tank cover 36 is coupled to the open upper portion of the water storage space of the water tank 30 . The tank cover 36 serves to cover the upper surface of the tank body 31 to shield the water storage space 32 . At this time, a supply hole is penetrated through the tank cover 36 , and the water storage space may be exposed to the outside through the supply hole. When the shielding cap 39 is coupled to the tank cover 36, the supply hole may be shielded. In the drawing, the supply hole is covered by the shielding cap 39 . A user can separate the shielding cap 39 and fill the water storage space with water through the supply hole.

Next, looking at the sensing device 50, the sensing device 50 operates in the process of mounting the water tank 30 to the door 1, and serves to provide a fastening sound and a fastening feeling through the operation. . Since the detection device 50 is installed with at least a part protruding from the mounting space 11 of the door, it can operate while interfering with the surface of the water tank 30 when the water tank 30 is mounted. there is.

The part that is actually operated in the sensing device 50 is the sensing block 70, and in this embodiment, the sensing block 70 may rotate. When the detection block 70 is rotated from its original state and then returned to its original state, it can be seen that the water tank 30 is fully installed. At this time, the 'original state' means that no external force is applied to the sensing block 70, so that the sensing block 70 is in its original position and in its initial state. Alternatively, the sensing block 70 may move in a straight line rather than in a rotational motion.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 , most of the sensing device 50 is inside the mounting hole 12 , and most of the exposed portion is the operating surface 77 of the sensing block 70 . there is. The working surface 77 is exposed toward the front of the mounting space 11 , and since it is in a particularly protruding position, it can be pressed against the surface of the water tank 30 . For reference, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the water tank 30 is completely mounted and is in close contact with the upper surface corner portion 36a of the water tank 30 .

The frame of the sensing device 50 may be made by the housing unit 60 . The housing part 60 may be installed in the mounting hole 12 of the door 1 . An operating space 62 is formed inside the housing unit 60 to provide a space in which the sensing block 70 can operate. The working space 62 is open to the front, so that the sensing block 70 can be assembled in the working space 62 from the front.

6 and 7 , the housing unit 60 is fixed, and only the sensing block 70 installed in the working space 62 can rotate. In this process, the elastic member 80 to be described below may be compressed, and the sensing block 70 may be restored to its original state by using the stored elastic energy.

Looking at the structure of the housing part 60 with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the housing body 61 of the housing part 60 is approximately hexahedral, and most of it can be accommodated inside the mounting hole 12 . there is. The working space 62 of the housing part 60 may be opened forward, and the working space 62 may also be opened upward.

A rotating groove 63 is provided in the working space 62 of the housing part 60 . The rotation groove 63 is made by being depressed or penetrating the inner surface of the working space 62 . The rotating protrusion 75 of the sensing block 70 to be described below is fitted into the rotating groove 63, and in this case, the sensing block 70 can be rotated using the rotating protrusion 75 as a rotating shaft. The rotation groove 63 may be formed symmetrically on both sides of the working space 62 .

In the working space 62 of the housing part 60 , there is a support means 64 . The support means 64 is for relative operation with at least one of the sensing block 70 and the elastic member 80 . In this embodiment, the detection block 70 is selectively contacted to the support means 64 , and a part of the elastic member 80 may be fixed.

The support means 64 may include a support jaw 64a. The supporting jaw 64a may be in contact with a portion of the rotated sensing block 70 , and may protrude from the working space 62 as shown in FIG. 8 , and its surface may be inclined. Accordingly, a portion of the lower portion of the rotated sensing block 70 may be in surface contact with the support jaw 64a.

A first fixing part 64b is provided at a position adjacent to the support jaw 64a. The first fixing part 64b is recessed in the bottom of the working space 62 , and the first fixing part 64b may extend in one direction. The first fixing end 83 of the elastic member 80 may be inserted and fixed to the first fixing part 64b. In the present embodiment, the first fixing part 64b has a recessed structure. Alternatively, the first fixing part 64b may have a structure protruding from the working space 62 .

Referring to FIG. 9 , a holding protrusion 65 protrudes from the inner surface of the working space 62 , and the holding protrusion 65 is for facilitating assembly or rework of the housing unit 60 . The gripping protrusion 65 may be omitted.

A flange part 66 may be provided on the front surface of the housing part 60 . The flange portion 66 is a portion having a greater width than the rest of the housing body 61 constituting the housing portion 60 , and the outer portion 66a ′ of the flange portion 66 is formed in the mounting hole 12 . ) can be caught on the edge of More precisely, the flange portion 66 is disposed outside the mounting hole 12 from the outer portion 66a ′, but the remaining portion of the housing portion 60 is located inside the mounting hole 12 . can be considered to be stored.

The flange portion 66 may have an upper portion and a lower portion extending at different angles. An inclined guide surface 66a may be formed at an upper portion of the front surface of the flange portion 66 , and a lower flat surface 66b may be provided at a lower portion thereof. The inclined guide surface 66a may extend downward in a direction to decrease the depth of the working space 62 toward the bottom, and the lower plane 66b may extend in the vertical direction.

It can be seen that the inclined guide surface 66a is formed along the mounting path of the water tank 30 . In the process of mounting the water tank 30 , the surface of the water tank 30 may be inserted obliquely downward along the inclined guide surface 66a corresponding to the edge of the housing part 60 .

In addition, since the operating surface 77 of the sensing block 70 to be described below protrudes outward than the inclined guide surface 66a, the operating surface 77 can be naturally pressed by the water tank 30. there is. The inclination angle or the total length of the inclined guide surface 66a may vary depending on the environment of the mounting space 11 of the door 1 .

A contact surface 67a may be formed at the rear of the mounting groove 67 . The contact surface 67a is the rear of the mounting groove 67 and at the same time serves as the inner surface of the upper end of the working space 62 . A striking surface 77a of the sensing block 70 to be described below may be in close contact with the contact surface 67a. In the process of returning to the original state from the rotational state of the sensing block 70, the striking surface 77a may make a locking sound while striking the contact surface 67a. Therefore, it is preferable that the contact surface 67a is flat so as to be in surface contact with the striking surface 77a.

Referring to FIG. 6 , a mounting groove 67 may be formed at the rear of the contact surface 67a. The mounting groove 67 has a structure recessed downward, and an edge portion of the mounting hole 12 may be fitted therein. The mounting groove 67 may be continuously formed along the left and right directions of the housing unit 60 .

Next, looking at the detection block 70 , when the detection block 70 is pressed by the water tank 30 and returns to its original state by the elastic member 80 , the surface of the water tank 30 . can hit In this embodiment, the sensing block 70 rotates around the rotating protrusion 75 , but may also linearly move in a manner of entering and exiting the working space 62 inside and outside the working space 62 .

10 to 12 , the exterior of the sensing block 70 may be formed by a block body 71 . The block body 71 may have a width that can be accommodated in the working space 62 and have a structure in which the upper part protrudes forward than the lower part when viewed as a whole. In addition, the rear surface of the block body 71 may extend in an inclined direction.

Looking in detail, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12 , the inside of the block body 71 may be configured as a kind of empty space. This empty space is not exposed forward but is opened toward the inner surface of the working space 62 . has been

In addition, a plurality of partition plates 73 may be provided in the empty space inside the block body 71 . The partition plates 73 may partition the empty space to create a plurality of sounding spaces 73a. The partition plates 73 are plate-shaped structures extending from the front to the rear of the block body 71 . The length of the partition plate 73 depends on the shape of the block body 71. As shown in FIG. 6, the length of the partition plate 73 toward the bottom due to the inclined shape of the block body 71. can be lengthy

The plurality of resonant spaces 73a partitioned by the partition plate 73 are empty spaces, and can amplify a locking sound generated when the sensing block 70 collides with the housing unit 60 . That is, the sensing block 70 can become an overall sounding chamber due to the sounding space 73a. Since the sounding space 73a is opened to the rear of the sensing block 70, the amplified fastening sound can be radiated to the outside.

A second fixing part 73b may be formed on the partition plate 73 . The second fixing part 73b is for fixing the second fixing end 85 of the elastic member 80 . The second fixing part 73b may have a structure that is recessed from the partition plate 73 , and the second fixing end 85 is fitted into the recessed part. The first fixing end 83 of the elastic member 80 is fixed to the first fixing part 64b of the housing part 60, and the second fixing end 85 is fixed to the second fixing part 73b. By being fixed, it is possible to maintain a stable fixed state.

The second fixing part 73b may be continuously formed on the plurality of partition plates 73 . That is, each of the plurality of partition plates 73 may have second fixing parts 73b recessed along a continuous path. As shown in FIG. 6 , the second fixing end 85 of the elastic member 80 may be fitted thereto while passing through the plurality of second fixing portions 73b.

A rotating protrusion 75 may be provided at a lower portion of the sensing block 70 . The rotating protrusion 75 may have a protruding structure to be fitted into the rotating groove 63 of the housing unit 60 . When the rotating protrusion 75 is inserted into the rotating groove 63 , the sensing block 70 may be rotated in the working space 62 .

Referring to FIG. 10 , an operating surface 77 may be formed on the front surface of the sensing block 70 . The working surface 77 is a part facing the opposite side of the working space 62 , and is a part pressed by the water tank 30 . The working surface 77 may be flat, and it is also the portion that most protrudes forward when the sensing block 70 is in its original state.

The working surface 77 is present at a position that protrudes forward than the rotation protrusion 75, and when the sensing block 70 returns to its original state, the operating surface 77 may protrude more than the periphery. Here, the periphery can be seen to mean the surface of the tank mounting part 10 on which the water tank 30 and the sensing device 50 are mounted, or more precisely, the inner surface of the mounting space 11 . Accordingly, the user may visually confirm whether the water tank 30 is properly mounted by looking at the protruding position of the operating surface 77 . Referring to FIG. 6 , it can be seen that the operating surface 77 is exposed forward through the upper portion of the mounting space 10 .

If the operating surface 77 is in a state inside, not protruding from the surface of the tank mounting part 10, it can be expected that the water tank 30 is not properly mounted. If the color of the working surface 77 is selected as a color with high discrimination power, this discrimination power can be further improved.

A striking surface 77a may be connected to the operation surface 77 . The striking surface 77a is located above the operating surface 77 , and when the sensing block 70 is in its original state, the striking surface 77a is located behind the operation surface 77 .

The striking surface 77a may contact the contact surface 67a of the housing part 60 . When the striking surface 77a comes into contact with the contact surface 67a, the detection block 70 is no longer able to rotate outside the working space 62 (counterclockwise with reference to FIG. 6), so that the The striking surface 77a may be viewed as a kind of stopper.

The striking surface 77a may be a plane corresponding to the contact surface 67a, and may have a predetermined height in the vertical direction. When the striking surface 77a comes into contact with the contact surface 67a, a striking sound is generated, and this striking sound may be a kind of fastening sound. Accordingly, a portion in which the striking surface 77a and the contact surface 67a are in contact with each other can be viewed as the striking portion K1.

A stopping surface 77a ′ may be provided on the upper rear surface of the sensing block 70 that extends from the striking surface 77a. The stopping surface 77a ′ may be configured as a flat surface on the rear surface of the detection block 70 , and the stopping surface 77a ′ is the working space 62 when the detection block 70 rotates. The part that touches the inner part of

As shown in FIG. 7 , since the stopping surface 77a ′ is in surface contact with the inner surface of the working space 62 , the sensing block 70 can be stably supported by the housing unit 60 , and the It prevents the load from being concentrated on a part of the detection block 70 . In particular, the detection block 70 may be strongly rotated due to the weight of the water tank 30. At this time, the stopping surface 77a' is in surface contact with the inner surface of the working space 62 while the detection block ( 70) or the housing unit 60 can be prevented from being damaged.

A portion corresponding to the opposite side of the striking surface (77a) has a support surface (77b) connected to the operation surface (77). The support surface 77b forms a part of the front surface of the sensing block 70 . When the water tank 30 is mounted, the support surface 77b becomes a portion surrounding the upper edge of the water tank 30 . The support surface 77b is provided on the opposite side of the striking surface 77a with respect to the operation surface 77 , that is, it may be located below the operation surface 77 .

The support surface 77b may have a structure recessed into the sensing block 70 . As shown in FIG. 10 , the portion of the sensing block 70 on which the support surface 77b is formed is recessed in the direction of the operation space 62 rearward than the operation surface 77 . In this embodiment, it can be seen that the support surface 77b extends along at least two surfaces of the water tank 30 .

In this way, the corner portion 36a of the water tank 30 may be inserted into the inner portion of the sensing block 70 recessed by the support surface 77b. Therefore, since the support surface 77b has a shape surrounding the corner portion 36a of the water tank 30, the water tank 30 can be more stably maintained in the tank mounting portion 10. there is.

Conversely, when the water tank 30 is separated, it can be induced to be easily separated along the support surface 77b. For this purpose, the support surface 77b is preferably made in a curved shape.

Meanwhile, the support surface 77b may strike the edge portion 36a of the water tank 30 when the sensing block 70 rotates to its original position. In this case, the support surface 77b may be the second striking portion K2. Of course, the support surface 77b may be spaced apart from the edge portion 36a of the water tank 30 by a predetermined distance without hitting the edge portion 36a of the water tank 30 .

Referring to FIG. 11 , an assembly groove 78 ′ may be provided on the rear surface of the sensing block 70 by being partially depressed. In addition, a fastening boss 78 may protrude from the assembly groove 78 ′, and the fastening boss 78 may protrude in the same direction as the protruding direction of the rotating protrusion 75 .

The fastening boss 78 becomes a kind of cantilever structure. The assembly step portion 78a is thinly formed at the distal end of the fastening boss 78 to facilitate assembly of the elastic member 80 . The body 81 of the elastic member 80 may be fitted into the fastening boss 78 protruding from the assembly groove 78 ′ in a direction parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the sensing block 70 .

A fixing groove 79 may be provided in the sensing block 70 . The fixing groove 79 may be fitted with the second fixing end 85 of the elastic member 80 . A start portion of the second fixing end 85 may be fitted into the fixing groove portion 79 , and a portion extending further from the second fixing end 85 may be fitted into the second fixing portion 73b. The fixing groove 79 may be formed in a portion protruding from the assembly groove 78 ′ of the sensing block 70 .

Referring to the elastic member 80 with reference to FIG. 6 , the elastic member 80 may be installed in the working space 62 , and both ends thereof are respectively attached to the housing unit 60 and the sensing block 70 . can be connected The elastic member 80 serves to provide an elastic force to the detection block 70 in a direction in which the detection block 70 returns to its original state.

In this embodiment, the elastic member 80 may be composed of a torsion spring. The body portion 81 of the torsion spring may be fitted into the fastening boss 78 of the sensing block 70 . In addition, the first fixing end 83 and the second fixing end 85 extending from the body part 81 are the first fixing part 64b of the housing part 60 and the sensing block 70 , respectively. It may be fixed to the second fixing part (73b). The second fixing end 85 may extend relatively longer than the first fixing end 83 . The second fixing end 85 may be stably fixed at various positions while passing through the plurality of second fixing portions 73b formed in the sensing block 70 , respectively.

Therefore, the second fixed end 85 provides an elastic force for rotating the sensing block 70 to the outside (counterclockwise with reference to FIG. 6 ) of the working space 62 to the sensing block 70 . can Alternatively, the elastic member 80 may be an elastic part of various types, such as a coil spring or a plate spring.

Although the housing unit 60 is separately provided in the sensing device 50 in the above-described embodiment, the housing unit 60 may be omitted. If the housing part 60 is omitted, the sensing block 70 and the elastic member 80 may be directly mounted on the mounting hole 12 . In this case, the sensing block 70 may be referred to as the sensing device 50 itself.

In addition, although the example in which the detection device 50 is mounted on the door 1 is exemplified, both the detection device 50 and the water tank 30 may be installed on the cabinet side of the refrigerator.

Next, a process in which an embodiment of the present invention operates will be described. 13 to 15 sequentially illustrate a process in which the water tank 30 is mounted to the tank mounting unit 10 .

First, in order for a user to mount the water tank 30 on the door 1, the user must first move closer to the mounting space 11. At this time, one surface of the water tank 30 is the tank of the mounting space 11. It faces the mounting portion (10).

In addition, the outlet 33 of the water tank 30 and the valve assembly 100 connected to the outlet 33 may be fitted into the inlet of the connection hole 21 of the connector 20 . Accordingly, the mounting direction of the water tank 30 may be guided in a direction in which the valve assembly 100 and the connection hole 21 are assembled with each other. Such a state is shown in FIG. 13 .

On the other hand, the sensing block 70 of the sensing device 50 is in an erected state, that is, in an original state. This is because the elastic member 80 provides an elastic force to the sensing block 70 . The operating surface 77 of the sensing block 70 constitutes a surface protruding from the inner surface of the mounting space 11 , and at the same time protrudes from the housing unit 60 and waits.

When the water tank 30 moves to the inside of the mounting space 11 , the surface of the water tank 30 comes into contact with the operating surface 77 of the sensing block 70 . At the same time, the surface of the water tank 30 also comes into contact with the inclined guide surface 66a constituting the flange portion 66 of the housing portion 60 .

In this state, when the user pushes the water tank 30 inward, the surface of the water tank 30 may naturally move in a diagonal direction (arrow 1 direction in FIG. 13 ) along the inclined guide surface 66a. . This is because the direction in which the valve assembly 100 and the connection hole 21 of the water tank 30 are assembled to each other is formed in an inclined direction.

At the same time, the water tank 30 may move along the installation path of the guide path of the inclined guide surface 66a. Therefore, since the user only needs to push the water tank 30 inward, the water tank 30 can be easily installed.

In this way, in the process of moving the water tank 30 , the surface of the water tank 30 pushes the operating surface 77 of the detection block 70 , and the detection block 70 may rotate. That is, the sensing block 70 rotates clockwise with the rotating protrusion 75 as a rotation axis, and enters the working space 62 . Then, the outlet 33 of the water tank 30 and the valve assembly 100 are inserted more deeply into the connection hole 21 . Such a state is shown in FIG. 14 .

In this process, although the elastic force of the elastic member 80 must be overcome, the water tank 30 is filled with water, so the user can easily lift the sensing block 70 by using the weight of the water tank 30 . can be rotated

On the other hand, the stopping surface 77a' of the detection block 70 comes into contact with the inner surface of the working space 62 when the detection block 70 rotates. 14 , since the stopping surface 77a ′ is in surface contact with the inner surface of the working space 62 , the sensing block 70 can be stably supported by the housing unit 60 , and the It prevents the load from being concentrated on a part of the detection block 70 .

Subsequently, when the water tank 30 is inserted further inside, the water tank 30 may come into contact with the inner surface of the mounting space 11 to complete the installation. At the same time, the corner portion 36a of the water tank 30 moves from the operation surface 77 of the detection block 70 toward the support surface 77b, and the state in which the operation surface 77 is pushed is released. .

Accordingly, by the elastic force of the elastic member 80, the sensing block 70 is returned to its standing direction, that is, to its original state. At this time, the sensing block 70 may be rotated by the elastic force of the elastic member 80 , while the striking surface 77a of the sensing block 70 may strike the contact surface 67a of the housing unit 60 . In this way, the striking surface 77a may make a fastening sound while striking the contact surface 67a.

The user can check whether the water tank 30 is installed in various ways through the detection block 70 . (i) first, a locking sound (strike sound) generated when the detecting block 70 rotating in its original state comes into contact with the housing unit 60, and (ii) vibration generated when the detecting block 70 returns to its original state while rotating (iii) the operating surface 77 of the sensing block 70 faces forward again and protrudes from the inner surface of the mounting space 11, so that the user recognizes the protruding state of the operating surface 77 by It is possible to know whether the water tank 30 is installed.

Such a state is shown in FIG. 15 . The support surface 77b of the detection block 70 surrounds the edge portion 36a of the water tank 30, and the detection block 70 surrounds both surfaces of the edge portion 36a. while maintaining the state in which the water tank 30 is stably mounted.

That is, since the detection block 70 tends to maintain its original state to some extent due to the elastic force of the elastic member 80 , the support surface 77b presses the edge portion 36a of the water tank 30 to generate water. It is possible to prevent the tank 30 from vibrating. Accordingly, vibration noise generated from the water tank 30 while the refrigerator is in use can be reduced.

In addition, since the support surface 77b has a curved shape, when the water tank 30 is separated, the water tank 30 can be easily separated along the curved surface.

In the above, even though it has been described that all components constituting the embodiment according to the present invention operate in combination or combined into one, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this embodiment. That is, within the scope of the object of the present invention, all the components may operate by selectively combining one or more. In addition, terms such as "comprises", "comprises" or "have" described above mean that the corresponding component may be inherent, unless otherwise specified, excluding other components. Rather, it should be construed as being able to further include other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. Terms commonly used, such as those defined in the dictionary, should be interpreted as being consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art, and are not interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

1: Door 2: Door frame
3: Storage space 5: Guide groove
10: tank mounting part 11: mounting space
12: mounting hole 20: connector
30: water tank 31: tank body
50: detection device 60: housing unit
62: working space 63: rotating groove
66: flange portion 66a: inclined guide surface
70: detection block 71: block body
73: partition plate 73a: echo space
75: rotation projection 77: working surface
80: elastic member 81: body portion
83: first fixed end 85: second fixed end

Claims (20)

a cabinet having a storage room formed therein;
a door for opening and closing the storage compartment;
a water tank mounted on the door; and
a sensing device installed on the door, rotating or moving linearly due to interference with the surface of the water tank while the water tank is installed, and returning to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic member when the water tank is mounted; Refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the sensing device is returned to its original position by the elastic member, at least a portion of the sensing block constituting the sensing device protrudes more forward than its surroundings.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the sensing device strikes the surface of the water tank when the sensing device returns to its original position by the elastic member.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the sensing block constituting the sensing device is rotated by the elastic member, and when the sensing block returns to its original position, at least a portion of the surface of the sensing block is in close contact with the surface of the water tank.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the sensing device is provided in pairs on both sides of the door.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the sensing device is
a housing part installed on the door and having an operating space therein;
A sensing block that rotates or moves linearly along a predetermined path inside the working space by interference with the water tank; and
The refrigerator comprising a; the elastic member installed in the working space, both ends connected to the housing unit and the sensing block, respectively, to provide an elastic force to the sensing block in a direction in which the sensing block returns to its original position.
The method according to claim 6, wherein the elastic member is a torsion spring, one end of the elastic member is fixed to the first fixing portion provided in the working space, the other end of the elastic member is fixed to the second fixing portion of the sensing block. becoming a refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of a front surface of the sensing block facing the water tank has a shape surrounding the surface of the water tank.
The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the sensing block is rotatably hinged with respect to the housing unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein an assembly groove is recessed in the rear surface of the detection block, and the elastic member is fitted into a fastening boss that protrudes from the assembly groove in a direction parallel to a direction of a rotation axis of the detection block.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an inclined guide surface is provided on a front surface of the housing unit forming an operating space of the sensing device along a mounting path of the water tank.
The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein a stopping surface is provided on the rear surface of the sensing block, and when the sensing block is rotated inside the working space of the housing unit, the stopping surface is in surface contact with the inner surface of the working space.
The method according to claim 6, wherein the detection block
an operating surface exposed toward the front and pressed by the water tank;
a support surface connected to the operating surface and surrounding the edge of the mounted water tank; and
A refrigerator comprising a; a striking surface extending from the operating surface in a direction opposite to the extending direction of the support surface and striking the surface of the housing part when the sensing block is returned to its original position.
The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the support surface forms a structure recessed into the sensing block, and the support surface extends along at least two of the surfaces of the water tank.
The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein when the sensing block is in its original position, the working surface becomes the most protruding surface in the front of the sensing block, and the working surface has a flat shape.
The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein when the water tank is mounted on the door, the operating surface is provided above an upper surface of the water tank, and the curved support surface surrounds a corner of the upper surface of the water tank.
The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein an echo space opened toward the inside of the working space is formed inside the sensing block.
The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the reverberation space is provided with a partition plate crossing the reverberation space, and the partition plate partitions the reverberation space into a plurality of spaces.
The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of partition plates has second fixing parts recessed along a continuous path, and the other end of the elastic member is inserted into the second fixing parts.
a cabinet having a storage room formed therein;
a door for opening and closing the storage compartment;
It is installed on the door and rotates or moves linearly by being pressed by the water tank in the process of mounting the water tank on the door. A refrigerator comprising a; a sensing device that protrudes more than the surface.

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