WO2011000072A2

WO2011000072A2 - Water supply system in refrigerators

Info

Publication number: WO2011000072A2
Application number: PCT/BR2010/000254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adriano Davin; Alyson Soltovski
Original assignee: Electrolux Do Brasil Sa
Priority date: 2009-06-29
Filing date: 2010-06-29
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Also published as: BRPI0902419B1; WO2011000072A3; BRPI0902419A2; MX2011013552A

Abstract

Supply system that supplies by pumping the icemaker unit (4) and the water external dispenser (3). It has a sole internal reservoir (1) and control by the two-ways solenoid valve (7). The identification of the excess of ice turns off the water supply for the ice making. The passage of the supply piping occurs inside the doors (6, 8) and the flap hinges (10, 11) and follows over the cabinet (20) of the household appliance.

Description

WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN REFRIGERATORS

Field of the Invention

This invention belongs to the mechanic engineering field, specifically the electromechanical devices usually known by household appliances, refrigerators exactly, freezers and similar apparatus, particularly the water supply system.

Invention background

Currently several existing home refrigerators have outside the water dispenser place on the door of the equipment therefore user could have the cold water without opening the door. Such characteristic reduces considerably the need to active the household equipment cooling system in addition to the convenience.

Several refrigerators also have the ice production unit placed on the coolest part of the equipment, which is called freezer. Such unit usually has ways to receive the water and the cubes after freezing. Usually user, who pours the water directly into the ice cube tray filling them, makes the supply.

It should be noted in actual the state-of-arts, the refrigerators with water dispenser and ice make units usually are independent from each other and do not operate simultaneously.

Other current difficulty of the state-of-arts is the direct use of water from the supply system causing a reasonable freezing time on the ice making as the water arrives at room temperature. Additionally, the use of filters to purify the water, which is desirable in certain cases, is burdensome and difficult requiring the connection of external elements to the water supply system.

Therefore, a water supply system simply supporting both without requiring the pressure in the water container is not known thus this proposition is a considerable innovation in this specific use field.

Analysis of the technique Document US 2008156015 describes the cooling devices with the water distributor for the external dispenser in the water supply system requiring a container for water storage under pressure in the cooling device until the dispensation. The container has the inflow for the water from the supply system and the outflow to the external dispenser. The plurality of pressure- resistant walls is made between the inflow and outflow to compose the internal volume in the container inside the recipient. The recipient is built to maintain the water under hydrostatic pressure from the water supply system until dispensing by the outflow when required by the external water dispenser and/or icemaker. Still only one reservoir although this is a pressurized reservoir which command activates alternatively the icemaker or dispenser.

Document CA 2535232 provides a water delivery system to a refrigerator water dispenser or icemaker of a refrigerator, including the adapted water inflow to be connected to the fresh water source, the inlet water box connected at least to the water distributor and icemaker, and to a flow sensor in the flow communication between the water source and inlet water box to generate the flow signals used by the controller to determine the flow rate parameters and the flow volume to the system. The water delivery system likewise includes preferably the filter placed between the water inflow and flow sensor. The flow parameters are used to indicate the need to change the filter and to regulate the water flow to the dispenser and/or icemaker.

Patent JP9222275 describes the refrigerator with an icemaker and water dispenser comprising the supply water pump, icemaker tube and dispenser tube connected to the pump supply tube to the supply from to automatic icemaker and dispenser and two-ways valve supplied in tubes connection point to communicate selectively the tube with one of the bowls. Whenever the icemaker and dispenser requires the water supply, the water is supplied preferably to the dispenser by only one supply pump by means of the valve control.

Patent JP 7077371 comprises the tank for the water supply, one pump, one tray and the tuber for connection. The tank and the pump are fastened to the frame in the cold storage chamber, such tank would be removed from the frame. The tank comprises the tank body and the removable lid. The pump is a mechanism totally assembled with the frame.

Patent PI0504309-3 describes the home refrigerator with the assembled water dispenser including the inside cold water reservoir and the water supply pump to supply the cold water from the reservoir to the external side of the refrigerator. The cold-water reservoir is connected to the water supply valve, which is adapted to be connected to the external water system, therefore the water dispenser assembly could be bused by both the water supplied manually by the user to the reservoir or the water supplied automatically by external water system.

Invention PI0502220-7 refers to the water dispenser with variable flow assembled in the refrigerator door able to distribute the water at flow rates selected by user. The water distributor includes the nozzle to dispense the water from the storage in the refrigerator door and the flow control adjustable by user. The flow control adjustable by user should include the variable flow valve of water or a plurality of water valves that would have different flow rates and would be operated separately or together to provide different flow rates. The flow control adjustable by user should include alternatively the variable flow pump to control the water flow to the nozzle at the flow selected by user. The refrigerator should include the reservoir inside or outside the refrigerator. The reservoir should be connected to the water source and automatically or manually filled. The nozzle should include the flow liner or ventilator to minimize the spills.

Brief description of the invention This invention describes the sole and innovative system to supply the icemaker unit and external dispenser of water. As this has one only water reservoir the number of the refrigerator components is reduced.

Said reservoir supply the water dispenser by pumping, thus doing without the reservoir pressurization. Said pumping has the control by the two-ways solenoid valve and alternatively supplies one or other destination according to the need.

The identification that there is ice in the icemaker unit turns off the water supply.

The passage of the piping supplying the icemaker unit from the water reservoir occurs inside the refrigerator door and freezer, passing though the intermediate flap hinge and over the refrigerator lid.

Figures description

Figure 1 shows the perspective, schematic view of the complete water supply system in the refrigerator.

Figure 2 shows the front, schematic view of the complete water supply system in the refrigerator.

Figure 3 discloses the perspective view of the internal side of the refrigerator door (6) and evidences the water reservoir (1).

Figure 4 discloses the exploded view in perspective of the water reservoir

(I)-

Figure 5 shows the perspective view of the pumping set (15) and evidences the elements: pump (2), solenoid valve (7) and water transportation means

(5).

Figure 6 shows the perspective view of the icemaker unit (4).

Figure 7 shows the flowchart illustrating the basic operation of the system regarding to the water flow.

Detailed description of invention. This invention comprises the unprecedented water supply system in refrigerators both in the icemaker unit (4) usually placed in freezer, and the external water dispenser (3) placed at the door (6). The invention is characterized by the only one water reservoir (1) located inside the refrigerator, specifically in the door (6), and the pumping set (15) pumping the water to the internal devices, by the water transportation means (5). In one modality, said means (5) pass inside the doors goes through the cabinet (20) and access the icemaker unit (4). Such means (5) still access the water dispenser (3) at the refrigerator door. In alternatives performance using the same concept, the set (15) should supply other internal units.

The supply control is made by the two-ways solenoid valve (7) which could be activated by the user command or automatically.

The identification of the complete ice filling turns off the water supply avoiding the system be locked.

The water supply from the internal reservoir (1) to the refrigerator enables the optimized operation as the water arrives previously cooled to the icemaker unit (4).

The proposed system fills the water-pumping going without the reservoir pressurization (1). The pump (2) collects the water from reservoir (1) to be sent it to the final destination.

The solutions set described above eliminates the need of supplying the icemaker unit by (4) user both manually and activating a specific command.

By the external commands, the user could turn on and off the proposed supply system.

The system should be provided with one filter (9) enabling the supply of the already filtered water to the final destinations. Having the water reservoir (1), the supply from the internal elements does not depend on the external water supply such as the direct connection to the piped water system.

The proposed system also provides the means to inform if the water reservoir (1) is empty. Such means could be by sound, visual, mechanical, etc.

To better clarify the invention, the figure enables the best understanding of the proposed system and clarifies the building aspect.

It is noted the refrigerator had the pumping set (15) interconnected to the water dispenser (3) and the icemaker unit (4), by the water transportation system (5). Such means (5) are viewed inside the refrigerator door (6), at the freezer door (8) and cabinet (20) going inside the flap hinge of refrigerator (10) and inside the freezer flag hinge (11). The figure also indicates the pipe (12) of the water dispenser (3) through which the water flows from said dispenser (3).

Figure 2 shows the front view of the embodiment and provides the complementary visibility, mainly on the allocation of the water passage means (5) especially on the top portion of the equipment.

Looking at figure 3, it is seen: the water reservoir (1) arranged in the inner part of the refrigerator door (6), the connection of the suction pipe (12), where the reservoir water is drained to the pumping set (15) and the means of the water passage (5) allocated internally to the refrigerator door (6). Figure 4 shows the water reservoir and the main elements thereto namely: external reservoir (17), internal reservoir (18), filter (9), internal (21) and external (19) sealing rings, locks (22), reservoir lid (23), supply lid (24) and one of the main parts, the suction pipe (25) extracting the water from the reservoir (1) to the pumping set (15) for the subsequent drainage to the water dispenser (3) or the icemaker unit (4). Said suction pipe (25) is connected to the connection (16) integrating the pumping set (15) illustrated in figure 5. Said set (15) pumps the water to the water dispenser (3) or the icemaker unit (4) according to the selection made by the two-ways solenoid valve (7). The pump (2) role is to send the water and is directly connected to said solenoid valve (7). All the water course is performed through the water transportation means (5), as detailed by the figure. In order to better understand, each section has a classification. The set-unit-ice (5A) part is the interconnection of the pumping set (15) to the icemaker unit (4) and the dispenser set part (5B) is the interconnection of said set (15) to the water dispenser (3).

The entire set (15) is wrapped up by the lid (13) for protection and insulation.

Figure 6 illustrates the icemaker unit (4) and part of the ice-unit-set (5A).

Said icemaker unit (4) has an independent operation and has several functions such as the supply ice cube trays, removal of the ice from trays to the ice reservoir, identification of the need to supply the water reservoir (I) and the functionality of continuing such cycle. All this in joint integrated operation to the complete solution and to the refrigerator control panel. Finally, figure 7 illustrates the flowchart of the general operation of the proposed system regarding to the water cycle. When observed in the vertical direction, from top to bottom, the first diagram element is viewed, that is the reservoir (1) which stores the water in refrigerator. Then the water goes through the filter (9) by the pump action (2) which pumps the water from reservoir to the final destination selected by two-ways solenoid valve (7). Occurring the activation of the water dispenser, the valve switches to the position related to the water dispenser and occurs the water supply to such device. Occurring the activation by the icemaker unit (4), the water is sent to such unit (4). This invention is not limited to the representations herein commented or illustrated and shall be understood in its full scope. Several modifications and other innovation representations would come to mind of such skilled in the arts to which this innovation belongs, with the benefit of the teaching presented in the previous descriptions and the attached drawings. Moreover, it should be understood the innovation is not limited to the specific disclosure and the modifications and other ways are understood as included in the scope of the attached claims. However, specific words are used herein, they are used only generically and descriptively other than and limiting purposes.

Claims

CLAIMS WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN REFRIGERATORS

1. The water supply system in refrigerators characterized by providing a water reservoir (1) located internally in the refrigerator, preferably at the door (6) and the pumping set (15) comprising especially one water pump (2) and one two-ways solenoid valve (7); said pumping set (15) connected to said water reservoir (1) and also connected to the water supply systems, preferably to external dispenser (3) and the icemaker unit (4) by the water transportation means (5).

2. The water supply system, according to the claim 1, characterized by supplying the icemaker unit (4) and the external water dispenser (3) from the sole water reservoir (1).

3. The water supply system, according to the claim 1, characterized by having water transportation means (5) preferably the flexible pipes allocated internally to the refrigerator door (6), to the freezer door (8) and the cabinet (20) of the household appliance; said water transportation means (5) still have the internal passage at least to one flap hinge (10, 1 1) at least by one of said doors (6, 8).

4. Flap hinge (11) of the freezer door (8), according to the claim 3, characterized by having a cutout area to enable the internal passage of the water transportation means (5).

5. Flap hinge (10) of the refrigerator door (6), according to the claim 3, characterized by having a cutout area to enable the internal passage of the water transportation means (5).

6. Water supply system, according to claim 1 , characterized by having at least one filter (9) for water filtering which is pumped to the final destination.

7. Water supply system according to claim 1 , characterized by providing previously cold water to the icemaker unit (4).

8. Water supply system, according to claim 1, characterized by automatically ceasing the water supply to the icemaker unit (4) when it (4) is totally filled-up.

9. Water supply system, according to claim 1, characterized by having the information means to user, preferably visual and in the control panel regarding the water level in the water reservoir (1) mainly if said reservoir (1) is empty.

10. Water supply system in refrigerators, characterized by having the water reservoir (1) located internally in the refrigerator, preferably at the door (6) and the water pump (2); said pump (2) connected to said water reservoir (1) and also connected to the water supply systems, preferably to the icemaker unit (4), by the water transportation means (5); said reservoir (1) is connected to the water supply systems preferably to the external dispenser (3), preferably by the water transportation means (5).

11. Water supply system, according to claim 10, characterized by supplying the icemaker unit (4) and the external water dispenser (3) from the sole water reservoir (1); said icemaker unit (4) is supplied by the pumping and said external water dispenser 3) is supplied by gravity action.

12. Water supply system, according to claim 10, characterized by the water transportation means (5), preferably flexible pipes, allocated internally to the refrigerator door (6) to the freezer door (8) and cabinet (20) of the household appliance; said water transportation means (5) still have the internal passage by at least one flap hinge

(10,11) and at least one of said doors (6, 8).

13. Water supply system, according to claim 10, characterized by having at least one filter (9) located at the water reservoir (1).

14. Water supply system, ^'according to claim 10, characterized by supplying previously cold water to the icemaker unit (4).

15. Water supply system, according to claim 10, characterized by ceasing automatically the water supply to the icemaker unit (4) when it (4) is totally filled up.

16. Water supply system, according to claim 10, characterized by having the information means to user, preferably visual and in the control panel on the water level of the water reservoir (1), mainly if said reservoir (1) is empty.