JP2005114288A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost water supply apparatus that is easy to perform a water supply operation, does not take up food storage space on a shelf in a cabinet, has a small number of components, and has a simple mechanism.
A door facing a water storage tank 17 in a refrigerator having a water storage tank 17 provided on an upper shelf of a door, a water supply 16 provided on a front surface of the door 12, and a water supply pipe 18 connecting between the water supply tank. By installing the water supply 16 at the height of the front surface and inclining the conduit portion 18c of the water supply pipe 18 connected to the water discharge port 17b of the water storage tank 17 above the water supply port 18b of the water supply pipe 18, the water storage tank 17 is A water supply refrigerator that can be installed on the upper shelf 14 of the door cabinet, facilitates water supply operation, does not take up food storage space, and does not use a pump, has a small number of components and a simple mechanism, and is inexpensive. Can be provided.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a water supply device on a door.

Conventionally, this kind of refrigerator is provided with a water tank arranged on the inner side of the warehouse, an outlet provided on the door outside the warehouse, through which water from the water tank flows out, and a pump for adjusting the outflow of the water. . (For example, see Patent Document 1)
FIG. 4 shows a conventional refrigerator described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerator door 1 has a foam heat insulating material 4 (not shown) in a space surrounded by the outer plate 2 and the door inner shelf 3. A storage space is constituted by a shelf frame 5 attached to the shelf 3 in the door. A storage tank 6 is stored in the storage space of the shelf frame 5, and a pump 7 is installed above the storage tank 6. A water supply 8 (not shown) is installed on the front surface of the door 1, and the water storage tank 6 and the pump 7 are connected by a water supply pipe 9. Moreover, the pump 7 and the water supply device 8 are connected by a connecting pipe 10 (not shown).

  The operation of the above configuration will be described.

When the pump 7 is operated, the water stored in the water storage tank 6 is supplied from a water supply 8 installed on the front surface portion of the door 1 through a water supply pipe 9, a pump 7 and a connection pipe 10.
JP 2002-115960 A

  However, in the above conventional configuration, a pump is provided to adjust the outflow of water, a water storage tank is installed below the position of the water supply installed on the front of the door, and a pump is installed between the water supply and the storage tank. Therefore, the water storage tank has to be installed in the middle of the door shelf, and there is a problem that it is difficult to supply water to the water storage tank.

  Moreover, since the pump is provided, an installation space is required, and there is a problem that a space for storing food is reduced.

  In addition, many pump components and control parts are required, and there is a problem that the cost related to the water supply is high.

  Also, in areas with poor power supply conditions, there was a problem that the water supply could not be used during a power failure.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a low-cost refrigerator with a water supply that facilitates water supply operation, does not take up food storage space on a shelf, has a small number of components, and has a simple mechanism. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a tank unit provided at an upper part of a shelf in a door, a water supply device provided at a front part of the door relative to the tank unit, the tank unit, and the tank unit. In a refrigerator having a water supply control unit for connecting a water supply device, a water supply pipe of the water supply control unit is installed at a height of the front face of the door facing the tank unit and connected to a drain of a water storage tank of the tank unit The pipe part is inclined upward from the water supply port of the water supply pipe.

  Thereby, a water storage tank can be arrange | positioned above a water supply device, and food storage space can be utilized effectively by installing in the upper part of a shelf in a door cabinet. Further, by installing the water storage tank on the upper shelf in the door, water can be easily supplied to the water storage tank on the upper shelf in the door. Also, no pump for water supply is required.

  The refrigerator of the present invention can supply water without using a pump, and can provide a low-cost refrigerator with a simple structure with a small number of components and a simple mechanism. In addition, the structure of the tank unit is compact and the food storage space can be increased. In addition, the operation of replenishing water to the water storage tank becomes easy and the usability can be improved. In addition, a water supply can be used even during a power outage in an area where power supply conditions are poor.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tank unit provided at an upper part of a shelf in the door, a water supply provided at a front portion of the door relative to the tank unit, and a water supply control for connecting the tank unit and the water supply. In a refrigerator comprising a unit, a water supply unit is installed at the height of the front face of the door opposite to the tank unit, and a water supply pipe conduit portion of a water supply control unit connected to a drain port of a storage tank of the tank unit is connected to the water supply pipe. The water storage tank can be installed at the top of the shelf inside the door cabinet by tilting upward from the water supply port of the door, facilitating water supply operation, taking no food storage space, and using no pump, so the number of components is reduced. It is possible to provide a low-cost refrigerator with a simple and simple mechanism and low cost.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the water inlet guide of the water pipe is inclined forward, and the tip of the water inlet guide is disposed near the lower surface of the water supply cover. The water coming out of the water can be drained forward, the shape of the water supply lever can be reduced, and the external shape of the water supply can be made compact.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the conduit portion of the water supply pipe according to the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner diameter of the conduit portion of the water supply pipe connected to the drain port of the water storage tank is made larger than the inner diameter of the water supply port. The resistance of water passing through can be reduced, and the flow rate can be made equivalent to that of a pump type.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, a soft rubber packing is provided at the tip of the water supply pipe connected to the drain port of the water storage tank. In addition, it is easy to seal the connection between the drain of the water storage tank and the water supply pipe, and the number of components can be reduced.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water supply cover attached to the front portion of the door is fixed by a nail of the water supply base. Because the water supply cover is attached with the water supply cover claws in the front-rear direction and the water supply base claw with the water supply base claws, it is attached only with the shape of the water supply base without using fixing screws. I can do it.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a water supply unit according to the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the water supply unit according to the same embodiment.

  1 to 3, the refrigerator main body 11 has a door 12 attached to the front surface, and the door 12 has a foam heat insulating material 15 in a space surrounded by an outer plate 13 and a door shelf 14.

  A water supply 16 is installed on the front surface of the outer plate 13 of the door 12, and a water storage tank 17 is installed on the upper part of the door shelf 14. A water supply 16 is installed at the height of the front surface of the door 12 facing the water storage tank 17, and the water storage tank 17 and the water supply 16 are directly connected by a water supply pipe 18.

  A water supply 16 is installed on the front surface of the outer plate 13 of the door 12, and a water storage tank 17 is installed on the upper part of the door shelf 14. A water supply 16 is installed at the height of the front surface of the door 12 facing the water storage tank 17, and the water storage tank 17 and the water supply 16 are directly connected by a water supply pipe 18.

  Inside the water supply 16 attached to the front surface of the door 12, a water supply pipe 18, a top cover 19 installed in the upper vicinity of the outlet of the water supply pipe 18, and a slide mounted through the top cover 19. A rod 20, a spring 21 mounted on the outer periphery of the sliding rod 20, a rubber lid 22 mounted on the sliding rod 20, and a water supply lever fixed to the sliding rod 20 with a pin 23 above the top cover 19. 24 and a water supply control unit.

  A water storage tank 17 is installed in the upper part of the door inner shelf 14, a tank cover 25 is installed in the upper part of the water storage tank 17, and a tank cap 26 is installed in the center of the tank cover 25. A slide lever 27 is mounted on the front surface of the tank cover 25 to fix the upper rib 17 a of the water storage tank 17.

  An assembly of the water supply pipe 18 and peripheral components is inserted into a guide 28 and a tank-side holder 29 provided between the outer plate 13 of the door 12 and the shelf 14 in the door, and formed on the left and right sides of the water supply pipe 18. The flange 18a (not shown) is fixed to the door 12 with a screw 30 (not shown).

  A packing 31 is provided at a connection portion between the water supply pipe 18 and the water storage tank 17 and is installed in the drain 17 b of the water storage tank 17. The lower projection 17 c of the water storage tank 17 is fixed by a stopper 32.

  The water supply pipe 18 connected to the drainage port 17b of the water storage tank 17 is composed of a conduit portion 18c inclined 6 ° upward from the position of the water supply port 18b, and the water supply port guide 18d is inclined forward. Further, the length of the water supply guide 18d is about 5 mm, and is arranged at the same position as the lower surface 33a of the water supply cover 33.

  Further, the inner diameter of the conduit portion 18c of the water supply pipe 18 is 10 mm, which is larger than the inner diameter 9 mm of the water supply port 18b.

  Further, a soft rubber packing 31 is provided at the connection portion between the water supply pipe 18 and the water storage tank 17, and the space between the interior and the guide 28 is sealed by a flange portion 31 a of the packing.

  The water supply cover 33 is fixed to the outer plate 13 of the door 12 by a plurality of fixing claws 33b, and is fixed in the vertical direction by a water supply base portion 28a and a claw 28c formed integrally with the guide 28.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, when the water supply lever 24 of the water supply 16 is pushed with a cup or the like, the upper end 24a of the water supply lever 24 serves as a fulcrum, and the pin 23 mounting position on the water supply lever is pushed upward. The sliding rod 20 and the rubber cover 22 held by the pin 23 are also pushed up in conjunction with each other, the spring 21 is compressed, the water supply port 18b of the water supply pipe 18 is opened, and the water in the water storage tank 17 is discharged. At this time, since the water inlet guide 18d is inclined forward, the water to be discharged is easily received by a cup or the like.

  Further, since the inner diameter of the conduit portion 18c of the water supply pipe 18 is made larger than that of the water supply port 18b, the water speed of the conduit portion is not hindered on the way. Further, since the conduit portion 18c of the water supply pipe 18 is inclined, even when the amount of water in the water storage tank decreases, the water can be drained without remaining in the conduit portion 18c until the end.

  Further, when the cup is removed, the sliding rod 20 and the rubber lid 22 are pushed down by the return force of the spring 21, and the water supply port 18b of the water supply pipe 18 is closed. Since the rubber lid 22 seals the water supply port 18 b by the return force of the spring 21, the water in the water storage tank 17 does not leak from the water supply port 18 b, and a soft rubber is connected to the connection portion of the water storage tank 17 and the water supply pipe 18. Since the packing 31 is attached, water leakage can be prevented.

  The water supply cover 33 is fixed to the outer plate 13 of the door 12 by a plurality of fixing claws 33b, and is fixed in the vertical direction by a water supply base portion 28a and a claw 28c formed integrally with the guide 28. There is no need to use fixing screws.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the refrigerator having the water storage tank 17 provided on the upper shelf in the door, the water supply 16 provided on the front surface of the door 12, and the water supply pipe 18 connecting between the water supply pipes 16. By installing the water supply 16 at the height of the front face of the door facing the water storage tank 17, and tilting the pipe portion of the water supply pipe connected to the water discharge port of the water storage tank upward from the water supply port of the water supply pipe, 17 can be installed at the top of the shelf 14 in the door cabinet, it is easy to supply water, does not take up food storage space, and uses no pump, so the number of components is small and the mechanism is simple. A refrigerator can be provided.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention can provide a low-cost refrigerator with a simple water supply operation, a small storage space, a small number of components, and a simple mechanism. It can also be applied to uses such as water heaters.

Front view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Water supply sectional view of the refrigerator in the same embodiment Enlarged view of the water supply unit in the same embodiment Front view of a refrigerator with a conventional water supply

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Refrigerator main body 12 Door 14 Door shelf 16 Water supply 17 Water storage tank 17b Drain outlet 18 Water supply pipe 18b Water supply opening 18c Pipe part 18d Water supply guide 28a Water supply base 28c Nail | claw 31 Packing 33 Water supply cover 33a Water supply cover lower surface

Claims (5)

In a refrigerator comprising: a tank unit provided on a shelf upper part in a door; a water supply provided on a front surface of the door relative to the tank unit; and a water supply control unit connecting the tank unit and the water supply. Install a water dispenser at the height of the front face of the door opposite the tank unit, and incline the pipe section of the water supply pipe of the water supply control unit connected to the drain outlet of the storage tank of the tank unit upward from the water supply opening of the water supply pipe A refrigerator characterized by. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water supply port guide of the water supply pipe is inclined forward, and the front end of the water supply port guide is disposed near the lower surface of the water supply cover. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner diameter of the conduit portion of the water supply pipe connected to the drain port of the water storage tank is larger than the inner diameter of the water supply port. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a soft rubber packing is provided at a distal end portion of a water supply pipe connected to a drain port of the water storage tank. The refrigerator as described in any one of Claims 1-4 with which the water supply cover attached to the front part of the door was fixed by the nail | claw of the water supply base.

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