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EP1190983B1 - Distributeur d'eau réfrigerée pour réfrigérateurs ménagers - Google Patents

Distributeur d'eau réfrigerée pour réfrigérateurs ménagers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1190983B1
EP1190983B1 EP20010121693 EP01121693A EP1190983B1 EP 1190983 B1 EP1190983 B1 EP 1190983B1 EP 20010121693 EP20010121693 EP 20010121693 EP 01121693 A EP01121693 A EP 01121693A EP 1190983 B1 EP1190983 B1 EP 1190983B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dispenser
water
container
door
compartment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP20010121693
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1190983A2 (fr
EP1190983A3 (fr
Inventor
Nihat Cur
Marco Maritan
Stefano Tavolazzi
Fabio Gastaldello
Armando Luisi
Cristiano Pastore
Lorenzo Bianchi
Antonio Camilloni
Carlo Bianchi
Daniele Turetta
Salvatore Sanna
Walter Arosio
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Corp
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whirlpool Corp filed Critical Whirlpool Corp
Publication of EP1190983A2 publication Critical patent/EP1190983A2/fr
Publication of EP1190983A3 publication Critical patent/EP1190983A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1190983B1 publication Critical patent/EP1190983B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • F25D23/126—Water cooler
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2323/122—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass the refrigerator is characterised by a water tank for the water/ice dispenser

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refrigerated water dispenser for refrigerator doors according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a water dispenser corresponding to this description is known from US-A-5542265.
  • This document discloses a water dispenser in which the water feed means open beyond a hollow compartment, without any protection from dust, insects etc. Moreover such document teaches to use a pump and a switch, which can have reliability problems.
  • the reference numeral 1 indicates a refrigerator door comprising an inner side 2 (cold because it faces the refrigerated compartment 2A of the refrigerator) and an outer side 3 (facing the room), between which the usual thermal insulation expanded in situ and indicated by 4 is present.
  • a structure 5 comprising a base 6 and a shell 7 is fixed, for example by the method described in the aforestated patent application.
  • the shell 7 presents a frontal opening 8 closed by a flap 9 hinged lowerly, at 10, to the shell and subjected to a spring or elastic force tending to maintain it in its closed position.
  • the structure 5 defines a compartment 11 in which the outlet 12 of a water feed conduit 13 is present.
  • a valve comprising a rotatable valving element 14 provided with a through hole and connected to an operating lever or arm 15 which interferes with the trajectory of the flap 9.
  • a spring not shown, for example a torsion spring, acts on the arm 15 to urge the valving element into the position in which it closes the conduit 13.
  • a stop member also not shown, halts the arm in this position.
  • the conduit 13 presents a flange 16 upstream of the valve, and passes through a hollow component 17, which remains embedded in the insulation 4 and is described hereinafter.
  • the conduit 13 terminates with a thread 18, this thread engaging a member 19 presenting a flange 20 and forming part of the water flow path.
  • the member 19 is of pipe shape and comprises a well 21 provided with a gasket 22 mounted on its open end.
  • the well 21 can sealingly receive the exit mouth 24 projecting from the base of a water vessel or container 25, which hence becomes removably coupled to the member 19 and supported by suitable seats (not shown) provided on the door liner.
  • the exit mouth is of frusto-conical shape in order not to allow escape of a ball 26A, which closes it and which on coupling the vessel 25 to the well 21 is moved upwards by the protuberance 23 to enable water to flow out when the valving element 14 passes to its open position.
  • the container 25 comprises a removable cover 26 bounding a chamber 27 which is upperly open at 28 and is hydraulically connected to the compartment 25A of the container 25 via a conventional replaceable filter 29 which penetrates into the compartment 25A and is supported on the base of said cover.
  • the combined vessel 25, cover 26, filter 29 and ball 26A can be extracted, i.e. removed from the well 21, cleaned, the filter replaced and then returned into position with a new filling of water.
  • the water consumed can be replenished through the aperture 28 as required.
  • the component embedded in the insulation 4 forms a passage P, which surrounds the conduit 13 and passes through the thickness of the door.
  • the component 17 comprises a part 17A presenting a conventional elastic seal flange 17B and a part 17C mounted about the former and also provided with an elastic seal flange 17D.
  • the part 17A can be closed by a plug 17E.
  • the flange 16 can be provided with radial appendices and be housed in a seat 16A present in the base 6 and correspondingly shaped.
  • a sensor 40 can be provided on the inner side of the door to measure the level of water in the container 25; the amplified signal from said sensor can be applied to a light source, which when lit indicates that the water level in the container is low and hence should be increased. If the sensor 40 is used, instead of the plug 17A a tube (not shown) can be connected to the component 17 for passage of the electric connection cable to the sensor. When the container is removed from the well 21 and refilled, the ball closes the exit mouth 24 to prevent escape of water.
  • the senor 40 can be connected to a suitable circuit which automatically refills the container 25 with mains water, if the refrigerator is provided with a connection to the water main.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Refrigerator Housings (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Distributeur d'eau réfrigérée pour des portes de réfrigérateurs, comprenant un récipient à eau (25, 26), des moyens d'amenée d'eau (13, 19) et une structure creuse (5) devant appliquée sur la face extérieure de la porte (1) et définissant un compartiment (11), lesdits moyens d'amenée d'eau (13, 19) traversant la porte (1) et se terminant par des moyens de raccordement (21), auxquels ledit récipient (25, 26) est couplé de façon amovible, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'amenée d'eau (13, 19) débouchent dans le compartiment (11) et comprennent à l'intérieur du compartiment (11), une vanne de distribution (14) actionnée au moyen d'un levier ou d'un bras (15) interférant avec la trajectoire d'un volet (9) articulé sur la structure creuse (5) et fermant une ouverture (8) fournissant l'accès au compartiment (11).
  2. Distributeur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le récipient à eau (25, 26) est couplé aux moyens de raccordement (21) par un appendice tubulaire inférieur (24), dans lequel sont disposés des moyens à action de soupape (26A).
  3. Distributeur selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'appendice (24) est tronconique et les moyens à action de soupape (26A) sont formés par une bille agencée de manière à coopérer avec une protubérance (23) présente dans les moyens de raccordement (21).
  4. Distributeur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel un filtre (29) est prévu de façon amovible dans le récipient (25, 26).
  5. Distributeur selon au moins l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens d'amenée (13, 19) traversent la porte (1) à l'intérieur d'un passage (P) délimité par un élément (17) logé dans l'isolant (4) de la porte.
  6. Distributeur selon au moins une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel un détecteur (40) du niveau de l'eau dans le récipient (25, 26) est disposé à l'extérieur de ce dernier pour contrôler le niveau.
  7. Distributeur selon les revendications 5 et 6, caractérisé en ce que le détecteur de niveau (40) est raccordé à un circuit de commande par un fil disposé à l'intérieur d'un tube raccordé à l'élément (17) logé dans l'isolant (4) de la porte.
  8. Distributeur selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le détecteur de niveau (40) est raccordé à un système automatique pour le remplissage du récipient (25) avec de l'eau du robinet.
EP20010121693 2000-09-26 2001-09-14 Distributeur d'eau réfrigerée pour réfrigérateurs ménagers Expired - Lifetime EP1190983B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI000541 2000-09-26
ITMI20000541 IT250457Y1 (it) 2000-09-26 2000-09-26 Erogatore d'acqua refrigerata per frigoriferi domestici

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1190983A2 EP1190983A2 (fr) 2002-03-27
EP1190983A3 EP1190983A3 (fr) 2002-04-24
EP1190983B1 true EP1190983B1 (fr) 2003-11-26

Family

ID=11444480

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20010121693 Expired - Lifetime EP1190983B1 (fr) 2000-09-26 2001-09-14 Distributeur d'eau réfrigerée pour réfrigérateurs ménagers

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1190983B1 (fr)
BR (1) BR0104276B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60101301T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2210077T3 (fr)
IT (1) IT250457Y1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009127025A2 (fr) * 2008-04-16 2009-10-22 Whirlpool S.A. Agencement d’ensemble filtre pour dispositif de stockage-distribution d’eau
US12104846B2 (en) 2021-09-02 2024-10-01 Midea Group Co., Ltd. Refrigerator with quick fill dispenser incorporating removable fluid storage receptacle and combined inlet/outlet

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101251654B1 (ko) * 2004-01-20 2013-04-05 쓰리엠 이노베이티브 프로퍼티즈 컴파니 물 필터를 구비한 냉장고용 물 디스펜서
EP1645825B1 (fr) * 2004-10-05 2012-11-21 Whirlpool Corporation Réfrigérateur ménager avec distributeur d'eau
EP1890097A1 (fr) * 2006-08-07 2008-02-20 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Réfrigérateur avec distributeur de liquide potable, et système pour fournir des informations concernant l'état de liquide dans le distributeur
CN104764265B (zh) * 2008-11-14 2018-04-10 博西华家用电器有限公司 冰箱及其制造方法
CN102401535B (zh) * 2010-09-15 2016-06-15 博西华家用电器有限公司 出水装置及其冰箱

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5096095A (en) * 1988-12-06 1992-03-17 Burton John E Door beverage dispenser
DE8901630U1 (de) * 1989-02-13 1989-04-06 Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 8000 München Kühlschranktüre mit einer in einer von außen zugänglichen Nische angeordneten Vorrichtung zum Zapfen von gekühlten Getränken
US5490547A (en) * 1994-08-12 1996-02-13 Abadi; Meyer System for providing a supply of chilled fluid
US5542265A (en) * 1995-06-30 1996-08-06 Rutland; Michael D. External refrigerator-mounted liquid dispenser
KR0160414B1 (ko) * 1995-12-12 1999-01-15 김광호 냉장고의 자동음료 보충장치
US6039219A (en) * 1998-01-20 2000-03-21 Bach; Lanae E. Liquid dispensing system for a refrigerator

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009127025A2 (fr) * 2008-04-16 2009-10-22 Whirlpool S.A. Agencement d’ensemble filtre pour dispositif de stockage-distribution d’eau
WO2009127025A3 (fr) * 2008-04-16 2010-03-25 Whirlpool S.A. Agencement d’ensemble filtre pour dispositif de stockage-distribution d’eau
US12104846B2 (en) 2021-09-02 2024-10-01 Midea Group Co., Ltd. Refrigerator with quick fill dispenser incorporating removable fluid storage receptacle and combined inlet/outlet

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR0104276B1 (pt) 2009-01-13
ES2210077T3 (es) 2004-07-01
BR0104276A (pt) 2002-05-07
IT250457Y1 (it) 2003-09-10
ITMI20000541U1 (it) 2002-03-26
ITMI20000541V0 (it) 2000-09-26
DE60101301T2 (de) 2004-11-25
DE60101301D1 (de) 2004-01-08
EP1190983A2 (fr) 2002-03-27
EP1190983A3 (fr) 2002-04-24

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