WO2013098291A2

WO2013098291A2 - A cooling device comprising a water dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2013098291A2
Application number: PCT/EP2012/076901
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kadir Ridvan Celik; Osman Cihan DEMIREL; Harun Bingol
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2011-12-30
Filing date: 2012-12-26
Publication date: 2013-07-04
Also published as: WO2013098291A3; EP2797836A2; CN104364187A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) wherein items to be cooled are placed, a door (3) that provides access into the body (2), a storage tank (4) disposed on the inner surface of the door (3) or inside the body (2) and a water dispenser (5) that is disposed on the door (3).

Description

A COOLING DEVICE COMPRISING A WATER DISPENSER

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a water dispenser.

In cooling devices, for example in some refrigerators, water dispensers are disposed, that enable the user to receive water without opening the refrigerator door. The said water dispensers comprise a tap located on the refrigerator door, and a water storage tank, on the inner surface of the door, wherein the water is stored. In state of the art water dispensers, when receiving water from the water dispenser is desired, the user exerts pressure on a latch that extends downwards from the level of the tap and which is rotatable around the horizontal axis. Generally, the latch is pushed with the glass desired to be filled with water and water is provided to flow from the tap and fill into the glass. In these embodiments, since the latch rotates towards the inner side of the door, a recess is formed on the door deep enough to enable the latch to move therein. This results in the thickness of the insulation on the door to decrease in the respective section. Furthermore, an unhealthy situation in terms of hygiene occurs since the user rests the glass against the latch before bringing it to his/her mouth.

In order to solve these problems, in the state of the art, embodiments are provided wherein the water supply system is actuated when the glass is placed on the base without bearing against any latch. Since these embodiments comprise various electronic components, not only the cost is high but also they are serviced with difficulty in a probable malfunctioning. Furthermore, there has to be a place on the door at least as wide as the glass since the glass has to be seated on the base entirely.

In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20040085755, a cooling device is described, comprising a water dispenser having a container support member wherein the glass is placed and the distance to the tap of which can be adjusted depending on the height of the glass.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a water dispenser, of which the depth on the door is decreased and the hygienic conditions are improved.

The cooling device realized in order to attain these aims of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a water dispenser disposed on the door and which enables the user to receive water without opening the door. A storage tank is situated on the inner side of the door at a higher level than the water dispenser. A tap is disposed at the upper side of the water dispenser, from which water flows out and a platform is located under the tap whereon the glass is placed. The platform actuates a movement mechanism when pressed downwards with a glass or another object and provides water to flow from the tap. Thus, the side surface of the glass is prevented from contacting the water dispenser. Furthermore, the entire glass does not have to be placed on the platform and thereby the depth of the water container is provided to be decreased. In addition, the user can take water from the water dispenser even if one of his/her hands is occupied and this provides ease of utilization.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a support arm is disposed at the rear side of the platform, extending upwards from the platform and produced as a single piece with the platform. In this embodiment, the water dispenser furthermore comprises a transmission member that is positioned such that one end thereof is pulled downwards by the support arm when the platform is pushed downwards. When the end of the lever-shaped transmission member interacting with the support arm is pulled down, the other end rises up and provides the valve to open by contacting the valve. Thus, the valve that controls water flow from the storage tank is provided to be actuated by an entirely mechanical structure. This provides decrease in production costs.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a casing is placed into the recess formed on the door and a connector is disposed at the rear side of the casing, extending from the casing towards the body and that provides the connection of the water dispenser with the storage tank. The connector directs the water delivered from the storage tank towards the tap by changing the flow path by 90 degrees.

In a version of this embodiment, the valve and the transmission member are disposed on the connector. The valve is disposed on the surface of the connector facing the storage tank. The transmission member is positioned such that one end is functionally connected with the valve and the other end with the support arm.

In a version of this embodiment, the tap is also mounted on the connector. The tap extending from the connector to the level of the door surface passes through the transmission member that is formed by two arms parallel to one another. Consequently, the water coming from the storage tank is directly delivered to the tap without using any additional pipes.

In a version of this embodiment, the water dispenser comprises a panel that is positioned such that the platform remains at its front side and the support arm at its rear side and that covers the front surface of the casing almost entirely. By means of the panel, the components like the support arm, the transmission member, the connector are prevented from being seen by the user. The other elements can be reached by dismounting the panel when the water dispenser is desired to be cleaned.

In another version of this embodiment, the support arm is produced to be wide enough to almost entirely cover the front surface of the casing. Thus, it is not required to use any additional part for improving the appearance. Consequently, cost advantage is obtained.

In a version of this embodiment, the water dispenser comprises a covering member that is placed at the upper side of the casing such that the tap is prevented from being seen by the user. With the covering member, both the esthetic appearance of the cooling device is improved and also the possibility of water splashing is minimized.

By means of the present invention, the actuation is realized by pressing down the platform located at the base of the water dispenser. Thus, the depth of the water dispenser is decreased since a latch rotating in the horizontal axis is not required for the actuation. In addition to this, the hygienic properties of the water dispenser are improved since the side portions of the glass do not contact the water dispenser. Furthermore, the production cost is low since the actuation mechanism is composed of simple, mechanical components.

The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the perspective view of the cooling device of the present invention.

Figure 2 – is the partial perspective view of the water dispenser and the storage tank relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the sideways partial view of the water dispenser and the storage tank relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the exploded view of the water dispenser relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the exploded view of the water dispenser relating to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cooling device
Body
Door
Storage tank
Water dispenser
Tap
Valve
Platform
Support arm
Transmission member
Casing
Connector
Panel
Covering member

The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2) wherein items to be cooled are placed, a door (3) that provides access into the body (2), a storage tank (4) disposed on the inner surface of the door (3) or inside the body (2) and a water dispenser (5) that is disposed on the door (3) (Figure 1).

The water dispenser (5) comprises

a tap (6) that enables the user to take water,
a valve (7) that controls the discharge of water in the storage tank (4) and
a platform (8) disposed under the tap (6) whereon the container to be filled with water is placed (Figure 2, Figure 3).

In the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the platform (8) provides the water in the storage tank (4) to be discharged by means of the tap (6) by opening the valve (7) when a force is exerted thereon. The user places the container desired to be filled with water on the platform (8) and presses downwards slightly. The platform (8) whereon force is exerted provides the valve (7) to open by functioning as the trigger and provides the container standing thereon to be filled with water through the tap (6). Since the platform (8) only moves in the vertical direction, the depth wherein the water dispenser (5) is disposed on the door (3) is decreased. Thus, the insulation thickness of the door (3) at the area of the water dispenser (5) is prevented from decreasing and the air in the interior volume of the body (2) is provided to be insulated effectively from the outside environment. Furthermore, the hygienic conditions are improved since the upper edge of the container filled with water, contacting the mouth of the user does not contact with the water dispenser (5) (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the water dispenser (5) comprises a support arm (9) connected to the rear side of the platform (8), extending from the platform (8) towards the tap (6), moving together with the platform (8) and a lever-shaped transmission member (10) connected functionally to the support arm (9) from one end, to the valve (7) from the other end, and when the end connected to the support arm (9) is pulled down, provides the valve (7) to open with the other end. The support arm (9) that is integrated with the platform (8) moves downwards as the platform (8) is pressed in the downward direction, interacts with one end of the transmission member (10) by means of the structure located at its upper side and pulls it down. The transmission member (10) changes the direction of the force coming from the support arm (9) by means of its lever shape, transmits the force to the valve (7) located at its upper side and provides the valve (7) to be opened. The force exerted by the user is transmitted effectively by means of this structure and the valve (7) that is situated at a higher point than the platform (8) is provided to be triggered. Furthermore, cost advantage is maintained since any kind of electronic device is not used for the transmission of force and/or various detections (Figure 2, Figure 3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the water dispenser (5) comprises a casing (11) that is disposed into a recess formed on the door (3) and a connector (12) disposed at the rear side of the casing (11) so as to provide the connection between the storage tank (4) and the casing (11). One surface of the connector (12) disposed in a housing extending from the rear side of the casing (11) towards the inner side of the door (3) faces the valve (7) and the other surface faces the components of the water dispenser (5). The water coming from the valve (7) changes direction by passing through the connector (12) and is directed from the front side of the casing (11) towards the opening (Figure 4, Figure 5).

In a version of this embodiment, the valve (7) is disposed at the upper side of the connector (12). In this embodiment, the transmission member (10) is fixed on the connector (12) such that one end extends to the valve (7) and the other end to the support arm (9). Consequently, the distances from the transmission member (10) to the valve (7) and to the support arm (9) are decreased and transmission of force is provided to be made properly (Figure 2, Figure 3).

In a version of this embodiment, the tap (6) is mounted on the connector (12). The water received from the opening at the upper side of the connector (12) is delivered directly to the tap (6) by changing direction inside the connector (12) and any additional line therebetween is not used. This provides the water to be delivered to the user in a shorter period of time. In this embodiment, the tap (6) passes through the transmission member (10). Furthermore, the use of an additional sealing element is not required since the tap (6) is mounted on a pipe-shaped protrusion on the connector (12) (Figure 2, Figure 3).

In a version of this embodiment, the water dispenser (5) comprises a panel (13) that prevents the support arm (9) from being seen by the user by being placed at the front side of the casing (11). Thus, the user does not see the force transmissions that are realized by the actuation of the platform (8). Accordingly, the visual unity of the cooling device (1) is not disrupted and a plain exterior appearance is maintained (Figure 4).

In another version of this embodiment, the support arm (9) extends all along the casing (11) so as to form the front surface of the water dispenser (5). Thus, the support arm (9) not only transmits the movement of the platform (8) but also prevents the elements at the rear side from being seen by the user. Thus, a decrease in the number of parts is provided and cost advantage is maintained (Figure 5).

In a version of this embodiment, the water dispenser (5) comprises a covering member (14) that is mounted to the upper side of the casing (11) such that the tap (6) is prevented from being seen. Thus, the esthetic appearance is improved by preventing the tap (6) from being seen. The covering member (14) furthermore prevents water from reaching the user in the event of a probable water splashing.

By means of the present invention, the depth occupied by the water dispenser (5) on the door (3) is decreased and insulation effectiveness of the cooling device (1) increases. Besides, a hygienic utilization is provided for the user since the mouth portion of the container to be filled with water does not contact any place on the water dispenser (5). Furthermore, the cost of the water dispenser (5) decreases since any kind of electronic device is not used for movement transmission and/or detection and serviceability increases.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) wherein items to be cooled are placed, a door (3) that provides access into the body (2), a storage tank (4) disposed on the inner surface of the door (3) or inside the body (2) and a water dispenser (5) that is disposed on the door (3) having,

- a tap (6) that enables the user to take water,

- a valve (7) that controls the discharge of water in the storage tank (4) and

- a platform (8) disposed under the tap (6) whereon the container to be filled with water is placed,

characterized by the platform (8) that provides the water in the storage tank (4) to be discharged by means of the tap (6) by opening the valve (7) when a force is exerted thereon.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1,characterized by the water dispenser (5) comprising a support arm (9) connected to the rear side of the platform (8), extending from the platform (8) towards the tap (6), moving together with the platform (8) and a lever-shaped transmission member (10) connected functionally to the support arm (9) from one end, to the valve (7) from the other end, and when the end connected to the support arm (9) is pulled down, providing the valve (7) to open with the other end.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the water dispenser (5) comprising a casing (11) that is disposed into a recess formed on the door (3) and a connector (12) disposed at the rear side of the casing (11) so as to provide the connection between the storage tank (4) and the casing (11).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the valve (7) that is disposed at the upper side of the connector (12) and the transmission member (10) which is fixed on the connector (12) such that one end extends to the valve (7) and the other end to the support arm (9).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3 or 4, characterized by the tap (6) that is mounted on the connector (12).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 5, characterized by the water dispenser (5) comprising a panel (13) that prevents the support arm (9) from being seen by the user by being placed at the front side of the casing (11).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 5, characterized by the support arm (9) that extends all along the casing (11) so as to form the front surface of the water dispenser (5).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 7, characterized by the water dispenser (5) comprising a covering member (14) that is mounted to the upper side of the casing (11) such that the tap (6) is prevented from being seen.