CN102109267A - Refrigerator and distribution system for same - Google Patents
Refrigerator and distribution system for same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN102109267A CN102109267A CN2009102168792A CN200910216879A CN102109267A CN 102109267 A CN102109267 A CN 102109267A CN 2009102168792 A CN2009102168792 A CN 2009102168792A CN 200910216879 A CN200910216879 A CN 200910216879A CN 102109267 A CN102109267 A CN 102109267A
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- Prior art keywords
- end portion
- dispensing system
- splash guard
- channel
- refrigerator
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- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a refrigerator (1) and a distribution system (2) for the same. The distribution system (2) comprises an ice conveying path (IP) with a first end part (7) and a fluid conveying path (LP) with a second end part (21), wherein the first end part (7) is limited by an anti-splashing part (3) with an oblique wall (4); and the oblique wall (4) forms at least one boundary of the first end part (7), so that the first end part (7) is contracted from top to bottom. According to the suggestion, the second end part (21) is arranged along the oblique wall (4) and extends declivitously towards a central shaft of the first end part (7).
Description
[ technical field ]
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a dispensing system for the refrigerator, and more particularly, to a household refrigerator and a dispensing system for the refrigerator, which can dispense ice and fluid.
[ background art ]
Refrigerators with dispensing systems are known in the art. For example, U.S. patent application 2002/0083729A1 discloses a refrigerator for dispensing ice, the refrigerator including a dispensing chamber adapted to receive an external container (e.g., a glass or the like) and an ice discharge opening exposed above the dispensing chamber and defining an end portion of an ice delivery path. The ice outlet hole has a reverse tapered shape gradually narrowing from the top to the bottom, which can reduce the degree of spreading and splashing of ice (particularly crushed ice) in the dispensing chamber after being discharged from the ice outlet hole.
In the refrigerator disclosed in the US patent US4,285,212, the end of the ice conveying path is also provided in a contracted shape.
For refrigerators that can receive a fluid (e.g., water) in a dispensing chamber, accurate entry of the fluid into an external container of varying shape and size is also one of the important considerations that refrigerator designers need to consider. In the refrigerator disclosed in US 5,768,905, the end of the fluid delivery tube is exposed to the upper part of the dispensing chamber and is bent forward and downward from the rear part of the dispensing chamber so that the fluid has inertia of flowing forward after flowing out of the end of the fluid delivery tube, so that the fluid can more accurately enter the outer container located in the dispensing chamber.
For a refrigerator that can dispense ice and fluid, the prior art needs to be improved in terms of how to consider the discharge directions of ice and fluid.
[ summary of the invention ]
An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a dispensing system for the refrigerator that can compromise discharge directions of ice and fluid without significant complication of a structure.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a dispensing system for a refrigerator. The dispensing system includes an ice delivery path having a first end portion defined by a splash guard having a sloped wall that forms at least a portion of a boundary of the first end portion such that at least a segment of the first end portion is constricted from top to bottom, and a fluid delivery path having a second end portion, wherein the second end portion is disposed along the sloped wall so as to extend downwardly toward a central axis of the first end portion.
The provision of the splash guard reduces the extent to which ice can spread and splash around during dispensing, and by locating the second end portion of the fluid delivery path along the sloped wall of the splash guard, the fluid can be caused to flow towards the central axis of the first end portion, so that the fluid can more accurately enter the outer container. In addition, the second end portion is guided by the inclined wall of the splash guard, so that the dispensing direction of the ice and the fluid can be taken into account without significantly complicating the dispensing system, which is particularly advantageous for the user to receive the ice and the fluid simultaneously/successively without changing the position of the outer container.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention, individually or in combination with other features, are set forth in the following appended claims.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said second end portion is located outside said first end portion. Thereby, the dispensing of ice and fluid may be more independent, in particular the dispensing of ice does not have an influence on the first end portion.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the splash guard comprises a channel isolated from the first end portion, and the second end portion extends within the channel.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said second end portion is formed by a water duct housed inside said channel, at least a portion of said water duct being clamped inside said channel.
In an alternative embodiment, the splash guard includes a channel isolated from the first end portion, and the second end portion is formed by the channel.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the boundary of the channel is formed by the inclined wall.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the walls of the channel are integrally formed on the splash guard. This is particularly advantageous for simplifying the construction of the dispensing system and for saving costs.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the channel extends from an upper end surface of the splatter section to a lower end surface of the splatter section.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the inclined wall in the horizontal direction gradually decreases from top to bottom.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the splatter section comprises a curved surface.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the splash guard has a substantially inverted frustum shape.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a part of said second end portion extends along an outer surface of said inclined wall.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second end portion is located at the rear of the splash guard and extends forwardly and downwardly.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second end portion is located in front of the splatter shield and extends rearwardly and downwardly.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle between said second end portion and said central axis is between 15 and 45 degrees, such as 30 degrees.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a dispensing system for a refrigerator comprising an ice delivery path having a first end portion and a fluid delivery path having a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is defined by a splash guard located within a dispensing chamber adapted to receive an outer container, the splash guard having a sloped wall that forms at least a partial boundary of the first end portion such that at least a segment of the first end portion is tapered from top to bottom, characterized in that the second end portion is located within the splash guard and extends downwardly sloping toward a central axis of the first end portion.
Thus, the dispensing direction of the ice and the fluid is compromised. In addition. The second end portion is arranged in the splashproof portion in such a way that not only is damage or injury to the user to the elongate second end portion avoided, but also the aesthetic requirements are better met.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first end portion is arranged along said inclined wall.
Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a dispensing system as claimed in any one of the above.
The construction of the present invention and other objects and advantages thereof will be more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[ description of the drawings ]
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherein,
fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a dispensing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a partially schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a dispensing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a splash guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a splash guard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[ detailed description of the invention ]
Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 includes an insulated cabinet 11 having a storage chamber (not shown) and a door 12 for selectively closing or opening the storage chamber. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is a conventional side-by-side refrigerator including a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber arranged side by side.
The refrigerator 1 includes a dispensing system 2 that can dispense ice and a fluid (e.g., water). The dispensing system 2 includes a dispenser housing 19 secured to the door 12. The dispenser housing 19 forms a dispensing chamber 13 adapted to receive an outer container 22 (e.g., a glass) for receiving ice and/or fluid. In the present embodiment, the distribution chamber 13 is recessed rearward from the front surface of the door 12 by a certain depth.
The dispenser housing 19 comprises an upper wall 14 and a bottom wall 15 delimiting respectively an upper and a lower border of the dispensing chamber 13. The outer container 22 may be placed on the bottom wall 15. The upper wall 14 has through holes (not labeled) to allow ice to pass through.
Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the dispensing system 2 includes an ice delivery passage IP connected between an ice storage container (not shown) located within the refrigerator 1 and the dispensing chamber 13. The ice delivery passage IP may include a chute 18 extending through the door 12. The distributor housing 19 has an opening 20 at the corresponding chute 18. The opening 20 can be selectively opened or closed by a closing member (not shown). The ice is dispensed towards the dispensing chamber 13 through the chute 18, the opening 20 and the through holes of the upper wall 14.
The ice delivery path IP comprises a first end portion 7 located near the upper wall 14 of the dispensing chamber 13. In this embodiment, the first end portion 7 is located below the upper wall 14 and is exposed to the dispensing chamber 13 to reduce the distance between the ice outlet and the outer container 22, which is beneficial to reduce the extent of ice spreading and splashing.
In an alternative embodiment, the first end portion 7 may also be located above the upper wall 14 or partly above the upper wall 14 and partly below the upper wall 14.
The central axis a of the first end portion 7 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The central axis a of the first end portion 7 preferably substantially overlaps the central axis of the distribution chamber 13.
Referring to fig. 2 to 5, the first end portion 7 is defined by the splatter portion 3. The splash guard 3 has an inclined wall 4 forming an angle with the ice transport direction. The first end portion 7 of the inclined wall 4 is bordered by a first end portion 7 which has a shape which tapers from the top downwards. Such a shape may limit the spread and splash of the ice after the ice is discharged, so that the ice may more accurately enter the outer container 22.
The inner surface of the inclined wall 4 forms an inverted truncated cone shape such that the first end portion 7 is surrounded by the inclined wall 4. It will be appreciated that only a part of the boundary of the first end portion 7 is constituted by the inclined wall 4, while another part of the boundary constituted by a vertical wall is also possible.
The inclined wall 4 preferably has a maximum lateral thickness at its upper end face, so that the splatter shield 3 can be connected to other elements (in this embodiment, short barrels 17 extending below the upper wall 14) via the upper end face of the inclined wall 4. The splash guard 3 is preferably removably attached to the stub barrel 17.
The splatter shield 3 can be connected to the short cylinder 17 in a form-fitting manner. Preferably, the splashguard 3 has a fixed protrusion 23 extending upward from the upper end to be fittingly connected with a corresponding portion of the short cylinder 17.
The splashguard 3 may have a substantially inverted frustum shape. The thickness of the inclined wall 4 gradually decreases with decreasing height. The outer surface of the inclined wall 4 may be curved to make the splash guard 3 exposed in the dispensing chamber 13 more aesthetically desirable.
According to the invention, the splash guard 3 has a channel 8 isolated from the first end portion 7 to house a second end portion 21 of the fluid transport path LP (to be described in detail later).
The channel 8 extends from the upper end surface of the splatter shield 3 to its lower end surface. In this embodiment, the channel 8 is arranged along the inclined wall 4 and extends downwards towards the central axis of the first end portion 7 and/or towards the central axis of the distribution chamber 13. The channel 8 is thus inclined at an angle to the central axis of the first end portion 7 and/or the central axis of the distribution chamber 13.
At least a part of the boundary of the channel 8 is formed by the inclined wall 4. Preferably, the outer surface of the inclined wall 4 forms part of the boundary of the channel 8. The boundary of the channel 8 is preferably integrally formed on the splash guard 3.
The splatter shield 3 is preferably of one-piece construction. In addition, the splash guard 3 may be assembled together with elements defining the other part of the ice conveying path IP after being manufactured separately. It is obvious that the splashguard 3 may also be integrally formed with the elements defining the other parts of the ice conveying path IP, for example, the splashguard 3 is integrally formed with the short cylinder 17 and then assembled to the upper wall 14.
The dispensing system 2 includes a fluid delivery path LP connected between a fluid source (e.g., a water tank, not shown) located within the refrigerator 1 and the dispensing chamber 13. When a user activates a switch (not shown) located, for example, on the door 12, water located within the water tank may be delivered to the dispensing chamber 13 through the fluid delivery path LP.
The fluid delivery path LP may be formed by a water pipe. The fluid delivery path LP comprises a second end portion 21 extending into the distribution chamber 13.
According to the invention, the second end portion 21 extends into the channel 8 so as to be arranged along the inclined wall 4. As shown in fig. 5, the second end portion 21 extends obliquely downward and forward along the oblique wall 4 defining the first end portion 7. The second end portion 21 is inclined towards the central axis a of the first end portion 7 and may form an angle between them of between 15 and 45 degrees, for example 30 degrees.
Thereby, the fluid discharged from the second end portion 21 continues to flow towards the central axis a of the first end portion 7 due to having an inertia towards the central axis a of the first end portion 7, which is particularly advantageous for the fluid to enter the outer container 22 accurately.
In the above embodiment, the second end portion 21 and the channel 8 are arranged behind the splatter part 3, so that a protrusion (not indicated) for forming the channel 8 can be hidden. It should be understood that the invention should not be limited thereto, and that the second end portion 21 can be arranged at any location of the splatter part 3, as long as it extends obliquely at an angle towards the centre axis a of the splatter part 3. For example, in one embodiment, the channel 8 may also extend rearwardly downwardly along the front of the inclined wall 4.
When the second end portion 21 is located in the channel 8, the channel 8 preferably gives the second end portion 21 a certain clamping force to prevent the second end portion 21 from moving in the channel 8. For this purpose, some parts of the channel 8 may have a smaller inner diameter. In this embodiment, the end of the channel 8 has the smallest inner diameter. The channel 8 may have a shape that tapers from top to bottom.
In the present embodiment, the passage 8 is located outside the first end portion 7, and therefore the second end portion 21 is located outside the first end portion 7, which avoids the mutual influence of the ice transport path IP and the fluid transport path LP.
In the above embodiment, the channel 8 receives the second end portion 21 of the fluid transport path LP to guide the fluid transport path LP. However, in an alternative embodiment, it is also possible that the second end portion 21 of the fluid transport path LP is formed directly by the channel 8.
Claims (18)
1. A dispensing system (2) for a refrigerator (1), said dispensing system (2) comprising an ice delivery path (IP) having a first end portion (7) and a fluid delivery path (LP) having a second end portion (21), said first end portion (7) being defined by a splash guard (3) having a sloped wall (4), said sloped wall (4) forming at least a part of a boundary of said first end portion (7) such that at least a section of said first end portion (7) is constricted from top to bottom, characterized in that said second end portion (21) is provided along said sloped wall (4) extending obliquely downwards towards a central axis of said first end portion (7).
2. The dispensing system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the second end portion (21) is located outside the first end portion (7).
3. A dispensing system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the splash guard (3) comprises a channel (8) isolated from the first end portion (7), the second end portion (21) extending within the channel (8).
4. A dispensing system (2) according to claim 3, wherein said second end portion (21) is formed by a water duct housed in said channel (8), at least a portion of said water duct being clamped in said channel (8).
5. A dispensing system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the splash guard (3) comprises a channel (8) isolated from the first end portion (7), the second end portion (21) being formed by the channel (8).
6. A distribution system (2) according to any of the claims 3 to 5, wherein at least a part of the boundary of the channel (8) is constituted by the inclined wall (4).
7. Dispensing system (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the wall of the channel (8) is integrally formed on the splash guard (3).
8. A dispensing system (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the channel (8) extends from an upper end face of the splash guard (3) to a lower end face of the splash guard (3).
9. The dispensing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the inclined wall (4) in the horizontal direction decreases from top to bottom.
10. A dispensing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer surface of the splash guard (3) comprises a curved surface.
11. The dispensing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the splash guard (3) has a substantially inverted frustum shape.
12. The dispensing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the second end portion (21) extends along an outer surface of the inclined wall (4).
13. A dispensing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end portion (21) is located at the rear of the splash guard (3) and extends forwardly and downwardly.
14. A dispensing system (2) according to claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the second end portion (21) is located in front of the splash guard (3) and extends downwardly towards the rear.
15. A dispensing system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle between the second end portion (21) and the central axis (A) is between 15 and 45 degrees, such as 30 degrees.
16. A dispensing system (2) for a refrigerator (1), said dispensing system (2) comprising an ice delivery path (IP) having a first end portion (7) and a fluid delivery path (LP) having a second end portion (21), wherein said first end portion (7) is defined by a splash guard (3) located within a dispensing chamber (13) adapted to receive an outer container (22), said splash guard (33) having a sloped wall (4), said sloped wall (4) forming at least a part of a boundary of said first end portion (7) such that at least a section of said first end portion (7) is tapered from top to bottom, characterized in that said second end portion (21) is located within said splash guard (3) and extends obliquely downward towards a central axis of said first end portion (7).
17. The dispensing system (2) according to claim 16, wherein the first end portion (21) is provided along the inclined wall (4).
18. A refrigerator (1) comprising a dispensing system (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN200910216879.2A CN102109267B (en) | 2009-12-29 | 2009-12-29 | Refrigerator and distribution system for same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN200910216879.2A CN102109267B (en) | 2009-12-29 | 2009-12-29 | Refrigerator and distribution system for same |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN102109267A true CN102109267A (en) | 2011-06-29 |
| CN102109267B CN102109267B (en) | 2015-03-04 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN200910216879.2A Active CN102109267B (en) | 2009-12-29 | 2009-12-29 | Refrigerator and distribution system for same |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN102109267B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019242575A1 (en) | 2018-06-18 | 2019-12-26 | Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co., Ltd | Refrigerator appliance and ice dispenser defining a liquid outlet |
| CN113906263A (en) * | 2019-05-21 | 2022-01-07 | 海尔智家股份有限公司 | Refrigeration appliance with ice storage box |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4285212A (en) * | 1980-06-02 | 1981-08-25 | General Electric Company | Ice dispenser storage assembly |
| US20020083729A1 (en) * | 2001-01-03 | 2002-07-04 | Chuck Skinner | Ice cube catcher |
| CN1102233C (en) * | 1995-12-19 | 2003-02-26 | 三星电子株式会社 | Drink supply device of refrigerator |
| JP2004011952A (en) * | 2002-06-04 | 2004-01-15 | Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd | Ice dispenser |
| CN1683874A (en) * | 2004-04-12 | 2005-10-19 | 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 | Refrigerator door structure |
| US20060144075A1 (en) * | 2005-01-03 | 2006-07-06 | Maytag Corporation | Refrigerator with improved water and ice dispenser |
| EP1690481A2 (en) * | 2005-01-19 | 2006-08-16 | Sanden Corporation | Beverage preparing method for beverage dispenser and beverage dispenser |
| US20060196214A1 (en) * | 2005-03-02 | 2006-09-07 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
-
2009
- 2009-12-29 CN CN200910216879.2A patent/CN102109267B/en active Active
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4285212A (en) * | 1980-06-02 | 1981-08-25 | General Electric Company | Ice dispenser storage assembly |
| CN1102233C (en) * | 1995-12-19 | 2003-02-26 | 三星电子株式会社 | Drink supply device of refrigerator |
| US20020083729A1 (en) * | 2001-01-03 | 2002-07-04 | Chuck Skinner | Ice cube catcher |
| JP2004011952A (en) * | 2002-06-04 | 2004-01-15 | Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd | Ice dispenser |
| CN1683874A (en) * | 2004-04-12 | 2005-10-19 | 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 | Refrigerator door structure |
| US20060144075A1 (en) * | 2005-01-03 | 2006-07-06 | Maytag Corporation | Refrigerator with improved water and ice dispenser |
| EP1690481A2 (en) * | 2005-01-19 | 2006-08-16 | Sanden Corporation | Beverage preparing method for beverage dispenser and beverage dispenser |
| US20060196214A1 (en) * | 2005-03-02 | 2006-09-07 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019242575A1 (en) | 2018-06-18 | 2019-12-26 | Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co., Ltd | Refrigerator appliance and ice dispenser defining a liquid outlet |
| EP3807582A4 (en) * | 2018-06-18 | 2021-11-24 | Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co., Ltd. | REFRIGERATOR AND LIQUID OUTLET AS ICE DISPENSER |
| CN113906263A (en) * | 2019-05-21 | 2022-01-07 | 海尔智家股份有限公司 | Refrigeration appliance with ice storage box |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN102109267B (en) | 2015-03-04 |
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