WO2023249180A1

WO2023249180A1 - Filter unit and refrigerator comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2023249180A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/019729
Authority: WO
Inventors: 황필강; 주진우; 정민규; 송준섭; 정휘동
Original assignee: 주식회사 마이크로필터
Priority date: 2022-06-22
Filing date: 2022-12-06
Publication date: 2023-12-28
Also published as: KR20230175026A

Abstract

Provided are a filter unit and a refrigerator comprising same, the filter unit comprising: a filter housing in which an inlet is formed so that raw water flows in from the outside; a filter coupling structure that is coupled to the filter housing and accommodates a filter for purifying the raw water, wherein the filter coupling structure is coupled to be communicatively coupled to the inlet of the filter housing; a filter head coupled to the filter housing and having an inlet port protruding on one side for supplying raw water from the outside, and an outlet port protruding on the other side for discharging water purified by the filter housing; a filter bracket coupled to the filter housing and having an inlet port coupling part to which the inlet port is rotatably coupled, and an outlet port coupling part to which the outlet port is rotatably coupled; and a sealing cover coupled to the lower part of the filter housing.

Description

Filter unit and refrigerator containing same

The present invention relates to a filter unit and a refrigerator including the same, and more specifically, to a filter unit with a filter for purifying water installed in a case and a refrigerator including the same.

In general, a water purifier purifies tap water to provide high-quality drinking water to users, and includes at least one filter to remove microorganisms, minerals, or odors from the tap water.

The filter gradually loses its function as the tap water is purified, so it must be replaced periodically. Therefore, a structure was required to allow users to easily replace the filter.

Republic of Korea Public Utility Model Publication No. 20-2011-0001021 (published on January 31, 2011) (hereinafter referred to as 'prior art') discloses a 'water purification filter combination structure for a water purification system'. In the prior art, an inlet and an outlet are formed in the form of protrusions on a cap fastened to a filter, and the inlet and the outlet are rotatably fastened to a pair of holders, so that the user can use the inlet and outlet as the pair. The filter could be easily replaced by rotating the cap so that the holder was rotated about the rotation center.

Meanwhile, recently, refrigerators with a water purifier function have been released, and the filter for the water purifier function is also installed in these refrigerators.

Therefore, if the filter is installed in the same filter case as the case of the home appliance, such as the water purifier or the refrigerator, and the filter case is configured to be easily coupled to the case of the home appliance, the filter can be easily installed in the home appliance. There will be. However, even in this case, it is necessary to facilitate replacement of the filter.

[Prior art literature]

[Patent Document]

Republic of Korea Public Utility Model Publication No. 20-2011-0001021 (2011.01.31. Publication date)

The present invention was devised to solve the above-described technical problem, by providing an improved structure so that a filter unit coupled to a refrigerator or water purifier has a structurally stable coupling structure, so that the internal components of the filter unit are stably coupled and robust. The purpose is to provide a filter unit that can be fixed and a refrigerator including the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a filter unit that can be stably assembled by preventing reverse assembly or misassembly during the assembly process of a filter unit coupled to a refrigerator or water purifier, and a refrigerator including the same.

The object of the present invention is not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the above problem, the filter unit according to the present invention,

A filter housing in which an inlet is formed to allow raw water to flow in from the outside;

It is coupled to the filter housing, so as to be able to communicate with the inlet of the filter housing, and a filter for purifying the raw water is accommodated, and the filtration main body in which the filter is placed and the upper part of the filtration main body are sealed and positioned in the correct position. a filter coupling structure including a guide bracket;

A filter head coupled to the filter housing, having an inlet port for supplying raw water from the outside protruding on one side, and an outlet port for discharging purified purified water from the filter housing protruding on the other side;

a filter bracket coupled to the filter head and having an inlet port coupling portion to which the inlet port is rotatably coupled, and an outlet port coupling portion to which the outlet port is rotatably coupled; and

It may include a sealing cover coupled to the lower part of the filter housing.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the inlet port coupling portion and the outlet port coupling portion may be formed at least partially open.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a rotational position regulating protrusion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of one of the inlet port and the outlet port,

A stepped rib may be formed on one of the inlet port coupling portion and the outlet port coupling portion to regulate the rotation position of the rotation position regulating protrusion when the filter head is coupled to the filter bracket.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one rotational position regulating groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of one of the inlet port and the outlet port,

At least one step rib may be formed on one of the inlet port coupling portion and the outlet port coupling portion to regulate the rotational position of the rotational position regulating groove when the filter head is coupled to the filter bracket.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide bracket is,

A plate-shaped plate portion that seals one side of the filtration body;

an extension coupling portion extending upward from the plate-shaped plate and coupled to communicate with an inlet of the filter housing; and

It may include at least one fixing protrusion extending from the outer peripheral surface of the extension coupling part.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the extension coupling portion may include a structure further formed with a residual water prevention portion that suppresses movement of residual water.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the residual water prevention unit,

A rib is formed protruding along the outer peripheral surface of the extended coupling portion, and the rib may include a structure in which a plurality of flow holes are formed to induce a water film due to an increase in viscosity to suppress movement of the remaining water.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an O-ring made of rubber may be formed at an end of the extension coupling portion to provide a sealing force when communicating with the inlet portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the airtight cover may include a structure coupled to the lower end of the filter housing by welding.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the filter head and the filter housing may include a structure in which they are rotationally coupled to each other.

Meanwhile, providing a refrigerator including the filter unit of the present invention,

first compartment;

second compartment; and

It includes a filter unit located on an upper inner side of the first compartment or the second compartment,

The filter unit is,

It is coupled to the filter housing, so as to be able to communicate with the inlet of the filter housing, accommodates a filter for purifying the raw water, and seals and positions the filtration body in which the filter is placed and the top of the filtration body. A filter coupling structure including a guide bracket;

a filter housing having a filter accommodation space in which the filter is accommodated;

a filter bracket coupled to the filter housing and having an inlet port coupling portion to which the inlet port is rotatably coupled, and an outlet port coupling portion to which the outlet port is rotatably coupled; and

It may be configured to include a sealing cover coupled to the lower part of the filter housing.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The filter unit and the refrigerator including the same according to the present invention provide an improved structure so that the filter unit coupled to the refrigerator or water purifier has a structurally stable coupling structure, so that the internal components of the filter unit are stably coupled and firmly fixed. There is a possible effect.

also. The filter unit according to the present invention and the refrigerator including the same have the effect of preventing reverse assembly or misassembly during the assembly process of the filter unit coupled to the refrigerator or water purifier and enabling stable assembly.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a diagram showing a refrigerator equipped with a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view showing a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a diagram showing the assembly process of the filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams showing the combined structure of a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention,

7 to 9 are diagrams showing the filter coupling structure of the filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a view showing the coupling structure of the filtration main body and the filter coupling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that identical components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. Additionally, when describing embodiments of the present invention, if detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions are judged to impede understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term. Additionally, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unless explicitly defined in the present application. No.

1 is a diagram showing a refrigerator equipped with a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator equipped with a filter unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 7 in which a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber are formed, and

doors

8A and 8B that open and close the front opening of the main body 7. , 9) may be included.

The main body 7 may be formed in a square shape with an open front surface. The open front of the main body 7 may be the open front of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

The refrigerating compartment may be placed above the freezing compartment. However, the refrigerating compartment may be located lower than the freezing compartment.

The

doors

8A, 8B, and 9 may include a

refrigerator compartment door

8A, 8B that opens and closes the refrigerator compartment, and a freezer compartment door 9 that opens and closes the freezer compartment. The refrigerating compartment doors (8A, 8B) may be placed above the freezing compartment door (9). However, when the refrigerating compartment is located lower than the freezing compartment, the

refrigerating compartment doors

8A and 8B may be placed lower than the freezing compartment door 9.

There may be two refrigerator doors (8A, 8B). That is, the

refrigerating compartment doors

8A and 8B may include a first refrigerating compartment door 8A that opens and closes a portion of the refrigerating compartment, and a second refrigerating compartment door 8B that opens and closes the remaining portion of the refrigerating compartment. The first refrigerating compartment door 8A is rotated to the left to open and close the left side of the refrigerating compartment, and the second refrigerating compartment door 8B is rotated to the right to open and close the right side of the refrigerating compartment. When looking at the refrigerator from the front, the first refrigerating compartment door 8A may be placed on the left side of the second refrigerating compartment door 8B, and the second refrigerating compartment door 8B may be placed on the right side of the first refrigerating compartment door 8A. can be placed.

The freezer door 9 may be provided as one. The freezer door 9 can be opened and closed by sliding back and forth.

A filter unit 100 may be installed in the upper right room of the refrigerating compartment. However, the filter unit 100 may be installed at the top of the left room inside the refrigerating compartment, may be installed at the top of the right room inside the freezer, or may be installed at the top of the left room inside the freezer.

Of course, the refrigerator may be formed as a freezer without the refrigerating compartment but with only a freezing compartment, or it may be formed as a refrigerator with only the refrigerating compartment and without the freezer compartment.

Additionally, the

refrigerator compartment doors

8A and 8B may be provided as one door instead of two, and the freezer compartment door 9 may be provided as two doors instead of one door.

That is, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention has a refrigerating compartment at the top and a freezer compartment at the bottom, the refrigerator compartment is equipped with two

doors

8A and 8B that open and close by rotating on both sides, and the freezer compartment has front and rear doors. The explanation was given as an example of an FDR (French Door Refrigerator) type refrigerator equipped with a door 9 that slides and opens and closes in a drawer style, but it is not limited to the FDR type refrigerator, and an SBS (Side By Refrigerator) with two doors opening on both sides. Side) door type refrigerator may also be included.

When one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment is defined as the first compartment and the other is defined as the second compartment, the filter unit 100 is installed in the first compartment or the second compartment. It can be installed on the top of the side inside the ment. In some cases, the filter unit 100 may be formed outside the first compartment or the second compartment.

Figure 2 is a front view showing a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is an assembly process of a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. These are drawings that represent

Referring to these drawings, the filter unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be detachably mounted on a home appliance. Here, the home appliance may be a water purifier or a refrigerator that also functions as a water purifier. Alternatively, depending on the installation environment, the filter unit 100 may be placed in an independent configuration in a separate space outside. The home appliance may include any home appliance that can provide a water purification function other than the water purifier or the refrigerator.

The filter unit 100 has a filter housing 110 with an inlet formed to allow raw water to flow in from the outside, and is coupled to the filter housing 110 so as to communicate with the inlet 111 of the filter housing 110. A filter coupling structure 200 that accommodates a filter (F) through which the raw water is purified, is coupled to the filter housing 110, and an inlet port 122 for supplying the raw water from the outside is protruding on one side, and the filter A filter head 120 having an outlet port 121 for discharging purified purified water from the housing 110 protruding from the other side, coupled to the filter housing 110, and an inlet to which the inlet port 122 is rotatably coupled. A filter bracket 150 formed with a port coupling portion 152 and an outlet port coupling portion 151 to which the outlet port 121 is rotatably coupled, and a sealing cover 130 coupled to the lower portion of the filter housing 110. ) and consists of:

The filter housing 110 is hollow and cylindrical. An inlet 111 through which the raw water flows is formed in the upper part of the filter housing 110. Accordingly, raw water from the outside can easily flow into the inside of the filter housing through the inlet 111.

The filter head 120 is coupled to the inlet 111 of the filter housing 110 so as to guide the raw water into and out the inlet 111 of the filter housing 110. In the filter head 120, an inlet port 122 through which the raw water flowing in through the inlet 111 of the filter housing 110 is supplied and an outlet port 121 through which purified purified water is discharged are formed at opposing positions. It is done.

The filter head 120 may be rotationally coupled to the filter housing 110. In one example, a separate fastening groove (not shown) is formed on the lower side of the filter head 120, as shown in FIG. 2, and the inlet 111 is formed at the upper end of the filter housing 110. A fastening protrusion (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of . Accordingly, the fastening protrusion of the filter housing 110 may be rotationally coupled and fixed to the fastening groove of the filter head 120 using a hook fastening method.

The filter coupling structure 200 may be inserted into and coupled to the interior of the filter housing 110. The filter coupling structure 200 may be inserted and fixed in communication with the inlet 111 of the filter housing 110 in a state in which the filter portion F is coupled in the longitudinal direction. At this time, according to the present invention, the filter coupling structure 200 is coupled to the filter housing 110 and is characterized in that it provides a structure that is firmly fixed without flowing.

The specific coupling structure of this filter coupling structure 200 will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Meanwhile, the filter bracket 150 may be coupled to the filter head 120 to which the filter housing 110 is coupled. The filter bracket 150 is coupled to the filter head 120, and includes an inlet port coupling portion 152 to which the inlet port 122 of the filter head 120 is rotatably coupled, and an outlet port of the filter head 120 ( Outlet port coupling portions 151 to which 121 is rotatably coupled are formed, respectively. The inlet port coupling portion 152 of the filter bracket 150 and the outlet port coupling portion 151 of the filter bracket 150 are partially open. Accordingly, the inlet port 122 and the outlet port 121 of the filter head 120 are inserted into the opened portion and are connected to the inlet port coupling portion 152 and the outlet port coupling portion 151 of the filter bracket 150, respectively. It can be combined and removed by rotating in the combined state.

With the above structure, the filter unit 100 according to the present invention described above can prevent misassembly or reverse assembly during the assembly process. When the filter head 120 of the filter housing 110 is coupled to the filter bracket 150, the filter unit 100 may be incorrectly assembled due to damage to the outer surface due to excessive rotation or reverse coupling. Accordingly, according to the present invention, the filter head 120 and the filter bracket 150 are provided with a structure to prevent such misassembly phenomenon.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the outer periphery of the inlet port 122 of the filter head 120 has an angle greater than or equal to a predetermined angle while the filter head 120 is coupled to the filter bracket 150. A rotation position regulating protrusion 121-1 is formed to suppress rotation. In addition, on the outer periphery of the inlet port coupling portion 152 of the filter head 120, a device is provided to regulate the rotational position of the rotational position regulating protrusion 121-1 when the filter head 120 is coupled to the filter bracket 150. A stepped rib 151-1 is formed. Accordingly, the filter head 120 can be stably and rotationally coupled to the filter bracket 150.

If the filter head 120 is coupled to the filter bracket 150, the outlet of the filter head 120 is connected to the inlet port coupling portion 152 of the filter bracket 150, as shown in FIG. 6(b). If the port 121 is assembled in the reverse direction, rotation of the filter head 120 becomes structurally impossible. Accordingly, the operator can immediately check whether the filter head 120 has been incorrectly assembled to the filter bracket 150, thereby preventing the filter head 120 from being assembled to the filter bracket 150 in the reverse direction.

Figures 7 to 9 are diagrams showing the filter coupling structure of the filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 10 is a diagram showing the coupling structure of the filtration main body and the guide bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the filter coupling structure 200 in which the filter portion (F) is formed may be inserted and coupled into the filter housing 110 of the filter unit 100 according to the present invention described above.

The filter coupling structure 200 includes a filtration main body 210 in which the filter portion (F) is disposed, and a guide bracket 220 that seals the upper part of the filtration main body 210. Here, the guide bracket 220 is formed by extending upward from the plate-shaped plate portion 221, which seals one surface of the filtration body 210, and the plate-shaped plate 221, and is connected to the inlet portion of the filter housing 110. It is configured to include an extension coupling portion 222 coupled to enable communication with (111) and a plurality of fixing protrusions 225 extending in one direction from the outer peripheral surface of the extension coupling portion 222.

Here, the guide bracket 220 of the filter coupling structure 200 may be fastened to the upper surface of the filtering body 210 where the filter part (F) is accommodated and inserted into the filter housing body 110. At this time, the guide bracket 220 of the filter coupling structure 200 is inserted into the inlet 111 of the filter housing 110, and the plurality of fixing protrusions 225 of the guide bracket 220 are connected to the filter housing 110. By being disposed close to the inner peripheral surface of the filter coupling structure 200, after being inserted into the filter housing 110, the central portion remains fixed and can be coupled more stably without moving. That is, the plurality of fixing protrusions 225 of the guide bracket 220 fill the gap with the filter housing 110 so that the filter coupling structure 200 inserted into the filter housing 110 is twisted or tilted. It is possible to prevent the phenomenon of combining in a true state.

Meanwhile, a residual water prevention portion 227 is formed in the extension coupling portion 222 of the filter coupling structure 200. Preferably, the residual water prevention portion 227 is formed in a shape that intersects the guide bracket 220 in a perpendicular direction, as shown in FIG. 7 .

The remaining water prevention portion 227 is formed in a rib shape that protrudes outward along the outer peripheral surface of the extension coupling portion 222. In the rib-shaped remaining water prevention portion 227, a plurality of flow holes are formed at predetermined intervals to induce a water film due to an increase in viscosity to suppress the movement of the remaining water. Therefore, when the operator replaces the filter, water in the lower space of the filter combination structure 200 can be prevented from being discharged to the outside.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical idea or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: filter unit 110: filter housing

120: Filter head 121: Outlet port

122: Inlet port 130: Sealed cover

150: Filter bracket 151: Outlet port coupling part

152: Inlet port coupling portion 200: Filter coupling structure

210: Filtration body 220: Guide bracket

221: plate-shaped plate portion 222: extension coupling portion

225: fixing protrusion 227: residual water prevention unit

H: Flow hole

Claims

A filter housing in which an inlet is formed to allow raw water to flow in from the outside;

It is coupled to the filter housing, is coupled so as to be able to communicate with the inlet of the filter housing, accommodates a filter for purifying the raw water, and seals and positions the housing body in which the filter is placed and the upper part of the housing body. A filter coupling structure including a guide bracket;

A filter head coupled to the filter housing, having an inlet port for supplying raw water from the outside protruding on one side, and an outlet port for discharging purified purified water from the filter housing protruding on the other side;

a filter bracket coupled to the filter head and having an inlet port coupling portion to which the inlet port is rotatably coupled, and an outlet port coupling portion to which the outlet port is rotatably coupled; and

A filter unit comprising; an airtight cover coupled to a lower portion of the filter housing.
According to claim 1,

A filter unit wherein the inlet port coupling portion and the outlet port coupling portion are formed with at least a portion open.
According to claim 1,

A rotation position regulating protrusion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of one of the inlet port and the outlet port,

A filter unit wherein one of the inlet port coupling portion and the outlet port coupling portion is formed with a stepped rib that regulates the rotational position of the rotational position regulating protrusion when the filter head is coupled to the filter bracket.
According to claim 2,

At least one rotational position regulation groove is formed on an outer peripheral surface of one of the inlet port and the outlet port,

A filter unit, wherein at least one step rib is formed on one of the inlet port coupling portion and the outlet port coupling portion to regulate the rotational position of the rotational position regulating groove when the filter head is coupled to the filter bracket.
According to claim 1,

The guide bracket is,

A plate-shaped plate portion sealing one side of the housing body;

an extension coupling portion extending upward from the plate-shaped plate and coupled to communicate with an inlet of the filter housing; and

At least one fixing protrusion extending from the outer peripheral surface of the extension coupling portion.
According to claim 5,

A filter unit comprising a structure further formed in the extension coupling portion, a residual water prevention portion that suppresses movement of residual water.
According to claim 6,

The residual water prevention unit,

A filter unit comprising a structure in which a rib protruding along an outer peripheral surface of the extended coupling portion is formed, and a plurality of flow holes are formed in the rib to suppress movement of the residual water.
According to claim 5,

A filter unit in which an O-ring made of rubber is formed at an end of the extension coupling portion to provide sealing force when communicating with the inlet portion.
According to claim 1,

The airtight cover is a filter unit including a structure that is coupled to the lower end of the filter housing by soldering.
According to claim 1,

A filter unit including a structure in which the filter head and the filter housing are rotationally coupled to each other.
first compartment;

second compartment; and

It includes a filter unit located on an upper inner side of the first compartment or the second compartment,

The filter unit is,

A filter housing in which an inlet is formed to allow raw water to flow in from the outside;

It is coupled to the filter housing, so as to be able to communicate with the inlet of the filter housing, accommodates a filter for purifying the raw water, and seals and positions the housing body in which the filter is placed and the upper part of the housing body. A filter coupling structure including a guide bracket;

A filter head coupled to the filter housing, having an inlet port for supplying raw water from the outside protruding on one side, and an outlet port for discharging purified purified water from the filter housing protruding on the other side;

a filter housing having a filter accommodation space in which the filter is accommodated;

a filter bracket coupled to the filter housing and having an inlet port coupling portion to which the inlet port is rotatably coupled, and an outlet port coupling portion to which the outlet port is rotatably coupled; and

A refrigerator including a sealing cover coupled to the lower part of the filter housing.