US20150135759A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Refrigerator Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150135759A1
US20150135759A1 US14/101,263 US201314101263A US2015135759A1 US 20150135759 A1 US20150135759 A1 US 20150135759A1 US 201314101263 A US201314101263 A US 201314101263A US 2015135759 A1 US2015135759 A1 US 2015135759A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
refrigerator
water
water supply
ice maker
shaft
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/101,263
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Won Gu Park
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WiniaDaewoo Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp filed Critical Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp
Assigned to DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION reassignment DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PARK, WON GU
Publication of US20150135759A1 publication Critical patent/US20150135759A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
    • F25C1/25—Filling devices for moulds
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
    • F25C1/24—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds for refrigerators, e.g. freezing trays
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25C2500/02—Geometry problems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/06—Refrigerators with a vertical mullion

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator with a water supply apparatus capable of supplying cooled water to an ice maker.
  • refrigerators According to recent demands by consumers, refrigerators have increased in size. Accordingly, in order to improve both convenience and functionality of the refrigerator, an ice maker is generally included in the refrigerator.
  • the ice maker is an apparatus that may automatically make ice without requiring the user to manually obtain ice. Water for making ice needs to be supplied to the automatic ice maker.
  • a water supply apparatus for supplying water to the ice maker includes a directly connected water supply apparatus that supplies water from an outside source (e.g., a tap) for making ice, or a water supply tank in which the user directly pours water for making ice into the water supply tank, that then supplies water to the ice maker.
  • an outside source e.g., a tap
  • a water supply tank in which the user directly pours water for making ice into the water supply tank, that then supplies water to the ice maker.
  • the directly connected water supply apparatus and the water supply tank apparatus include a separate pipe and a separate power system for supplying water to the ice maker.
  • the refrigerator includes an additional pipe and power system, causing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator.
  • the present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a refrigerator capable of supplying water for making ice to an ice maker by using a head of water (e.g., a pressurized head of water).
  • a head of water e.g., a pressurized head of water
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator with a water supply apparatus capable of supplying water for making ice to an ice maker, including an ice maker in a freezer; and a water supply apparatus at a higher position than that of the ice maker in a refrigerator chamber, configured to supply water to the ice maker.
  • the water supply apparatus includes a water tank configured to store water (e.g., for making ice supplied to the ice maker); a motor at one side of the water tank; a gear or other mechanism configured to engage with a driving shaft of the motor; and second shaft, connected to the gear and configured to open and close a water supply passage in the water tank.
  • the refrigerator may further include a stopper at one end of the shaft, configured to close the water supply passage.
  • the shaft may be angled or curved in one direction.
  • the water supply apparatus may further include a timer configured to set an operation time of the motor. When the time set by the timer elapses, a directional rotation of the motor may change to open or close the water supply hole.
  • a support guide supporting the shaft may be at an upper portion of the water tank.
  • the refrigerator may supply water to the ice maker by using a head of water (e.g., a pressure from water elevated above the ice maker), thereby effectively decreasing the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator.
  • a head of water e.g., a pressure from water elevated above the ice maker
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary refrigerator with a water supply apparatus for an ice maker according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an exemplary part of FIG. 1 .
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating an operation of the exemplary water supply apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the exemplary water supply apparatus including a support guide.
  • An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure represents an ideal exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in detail. As a result, various modifications of the drawings are expected. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment is not limited to a specific form of the illustrated region, and for example, includes a modification of the form by manufacturing.
  • FIGS. 1 to 5 an exemplary refrigerator 101 including a water supply apparatus for an ice maker according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .
  • the refrigerator 101 As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 , the refrigerator 101 according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is divided into a freezer 10 and a refrigerator chamber 20 .
  • the refrigerator 101 includes an ice maker 12 and a water supply apparatus 200 .
  • the refrigerator 101 is a side-by-side type refrigerator.
  • the side-by-side type refrigerator refers to a refrigerator 101 having doors at a left side and a right side.
  • the refrigerator 101 includes the freezer 10 at the left side, and the refrigerator chamber 20 at the right side.
  • the chamber doors may be changed according to those skilled in the art to carry out the present disclosure.
  • the present invention is also effective for bottom-freezer refrigerators (e.g., when the refrigerator chamber is on or over the freezer).
  • the ice maker 12 is in the freezer.
  • the ice maker 12 may be an automatic ice maker.
  • the ice maker 12 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure produces ice by automatically performing a series of steps or processes for making ice without a separate operation performed by the user.
  • Water for making ice is supplied to the ice maker 12 in order to produce ice.
  • the water supply apparatus 200 is inside the refrigerator chamber 20 to supply cool water for making ice to the ice maker 12 .
  • the water supply apparatus 200 is at a higher position than that of the ice maker 12 in the freezer 10 . Accordingly, a height difference exists between the water supply apparatus 200 and the ice maker 12 .
  • the water supply apparatus 200 supplies water for making ice to the ice maker using the height difference between the water supply apparatus 200 and the ice maker 12 .
  • the water supply apparatus 200 includes a water tank 210 , a motor 220 , a gear 230 , and a shaft 240 .
  • the gear 230 may not be required.
  • the water tank 210 stores water to be supplied to the ice maker 12 .
  • the water tank 210 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure has a rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto. Since the tank 200 is in the refrigerator 20 , the water can be cooled to a temperature of 0 - 5 ° C. before use in the ice maker 12 .
  • the motor 220 is at one side of the water tank 210 , and is attached or fixed to the tank 210 and/or a rear wall of the refrigerator chamber 20 by a bracket 211 connected to the water tank 210 (and/or rear walls).
  • the motor 220 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure does not require a high rotational speed (e.g., a high revolutions per minute [RPM]), so that a motor with a low rotational speed may be used, and various types of motors known to those skilled in the art.
  • a high rotational speed e.g., a high revolutions per minute [RPM]
  • the gear 230 engages a driving shaft 222 of the motor 220 .
  • An outer peripheral surface of the gear 230 includes part of a saw-toothed wheel. Accordingly, a set of gear teeth on the driving shaft 222 engages with a set of gear teeth on the gear 230 to generate rotational force.
  • the shaft 240 transfers power from the motor 220 .
  • the set of gear teeth on the gear 230 connects to one end of the shaft 240 and engages with the set of gear teeth on the driving shaft 222 .
  • the shaft 240 receives power from the motor 220 .
  • a water supply hole or passage 212 in a sidewall of the water tank 210 may be opened or closed by rotation of the shaft 240 from engagement of the gear 230 with the driving shaft 222 . If no gear is present, the shaft may be driven directly by the motor and rotate directly.
  • the shaft 240 has a shape that is angled or curved in one direction (e.g., towards the hole or passage 212 ). To close the water supply hole 212 (e.g., at a lower side or lower half of the water tank 210 ), the shaft 240 may have an angled or curved shape. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the shaft 240 may not be angled or curved, and the water supply hole or passage 212 may be opened or closed using a plurality of shafts 240 as described or necessary. Alternatively, the shaft 240 may comprise a linear shaft or plunger, opened by a motor or solenoid on an opposite side of the tank 210 from the passage or hole 212 .
  • the shaft 240 opens or closes the water supply hole 212 according to the motor 220 .
  • the shaft 240 opens the water supply passage or hole 212 .
  • part or all of the water supply hole 212 may be opened, so that water for making ice may be continuously supplied to the ice maker 12 .
  • To stabilize the shaft 240 and/or on a support guide 213 supporting the shaft 240 may be in an upper end portion of the water tank 210 .
  • the support guide 213 supports the shaft 240 to prevent the shaft 240 from separating from the tank 210 .
  • the width of and/or spacing in the support guide 213 may be slightly larger than a diameter of the shaft 240 . Since the support guide 213 supports the shaft 240 and prevents the shaft 240 from deviating from an appropriate position for opening and/or closing the water supply hole or passage 212 , the width and the shape of the support guide 213 are sufficient if the width and the shape of the support guide 213 effectively guide the shaft 240 , but the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
  • a stopper 242 for stopping or blocking the water supply passage or hole 212 is at one end of the shaft 240 .
  • the stopper 242 comprises an anticorrosive and/or rustproof material, such as rubber and/or silicone.
  • the stopper 242 is inside the water tank 210 , so the stopper 242 should comprise a material that does not contaminate the water in the tank 210 .
  • a water supply apparatus 200 may further include a timer (not illustrated in the drawing). Particularly, the timer may determine a directional rotation of the motor 220 by setting a predetermined operation time of the motor 220 .
  • the directional rotation of the motor 220 when it changes.
  • the shaft 240 rotates by operation of the motor 220 , and when it opens the water supply hole or passage 212 , water for making ice flows into the ice maker 12 .
  • the motor 220 rotates in an opposite direction, and the shaft 240 rotates in an opposite direction. Accordingly, the water supply hole 212 closes, and the supply of the water for making ice is stopped.
  • the refrigerator 101 with the water supply apparatus for the ice maker may supply water for making ice to the ice maker 12 by using a head of water (e.g., pressure from the water elevated above the ice maker), thereby effectively decreasing the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator.
  • a head of water e.g., pressure from the water elevated above the ice maker
US14/101,263 2013-11-21 2013-12-09 Refrigerator Abandoned US20150135759A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020130142053A KR101536442B1 (ko) 2013-11-21 2013-11-21 냉장고
KR10-2013-0142053 2013-11-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150135759A1 true US20150135759A1 (en) 2015-05-21

Family

ID=53171912

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/101,263 Abandoned US20150135759A1 (en) 2013-11-21 2013-12-09 Refrigerator

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20150135759A1 (ko)
KR (1) KR101536442B1 (ko)
CN (1) CN104654718B (ko)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112728845A (zh) * 2021-01-05 2021-04-30 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 冰箱

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3228651A (en) * 1962-03-27 1966-01-11 Egashira Katumi Valve
US5405052A (en) * 1993-12-09 1995-04-11 Sawyer, Iii; Miles G. Bottled-water dispenser with ice maker and cooler
JP2005106331A (ja) * 2003-09-29 2005-04-21 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 自動製氷機付き冷蔵庫
US20090301587A1 (en) * 2006-06-20 2009-12-10 Shinya Takagi Water supply apparatus for use in ice maker

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR19990049530A (ko) * 1997-12-13 1999-07-05 전주범 냉장고의 자동제빙기 정량급수장치
KR19990049531A (ko) * 1997-12-13 1999-07-05 전주범 냉장고의 자동제빙기 급수방법
JP2005030615A (ja) * 2003-07-07 2005-02-03 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 製氷装置
JP4543790B2 (ja) * 2004-07-08 2010-09-15 パナソニック株式会社 冷蔵庫の製氷装置
JP2006300437A (ja) * 2005-04-22 2006-11-02 Hitachi Home & Life Solutions Inc 冷蔵庫
US8353179B2 (en) * 2007-09-12 2013-01-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
BRPI0902419B1 (pt) * 2009-06-29 2021-02-02 Electrolux Do Brasil Sa refrigerador
KR101096994B1 (ko) * 2009-08-11 2011-12-20 엘지전자 주식회사 냉장고
KR101659021B1 (ko) * 2010-02-23 2016-09-23 엘지전자 주식회사 제빙장치 및 이를 구비한 냉장고

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3228651A (en) * 1962-03-27 1966-01-11 Egashira Katumi Valve
US5405052A (en) * 1993-12-09 1995-04-11 Sawyer, Iii; Miles G. Bottled-water dispenser with ice maker and cooler
JP2005106331A (ja) * 2003-09-29 2005-04-21 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 自動製氷機付き冷蔵庫
US20090301587A1 (en) * 2006-06-20 2009-12-10 Shinya Takagi Water supply apparatus for use in ice maker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20150058815A (ko) 2015-05-29
KR101536442B1 (ko) 2015-07-13
CN104654718A (zh) 2015-05-27
CN104654718B (zh) 2017-08-29

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, KOREA, REPU

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PARK, WON GU;REEL/FRAME:031759/0022

Effective date: 20131209

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION