KR100705196B1 - Water supply pipe of the dispenser for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water supply pipe of a dispenser for a refrigerator, wherein water from an external water supply flows into a lower end of a door of a refrigerator through an inlet pipe, and the water introduced into the inlet pipe rises in a water tank installed on an inner side of the door. Flowing water is filled in the water tank, the water filled in the water tank is primarily cooled by the cold air of the refrigerator and the ice maker and cold water installed in the upper portion of the water tank through a distribution pipe connected to the other end of the water tank A second flow which rises and flows in the direction of the air, and the water flowing into the distribution pipe falls into the ice maker through the first water discharge pipe extending from the upper end of the distribution pipe to form ice, and branches from the central portion of the distribution pipe. As the water flowing through the water discharge pipe is discharged to the outside of the refrigerator through the cold water connected to the outer dispenser of the door, the inlet pipe and the distribution pipe and The structure of the first water discharge pipe and the second water discharge pipe is not only arranged in a simple manner, but the overall length is reduced. It is to be improved further.

Refrigerator, dispenser

Description

Water supply pipe of the dispenser for refrigerators {WATER SUPPLY TUBE OF DISPENSER FOR REFRIGERATOR}

1 and 2 are a perspective view of a refrigerator according to the present invention,

3 is a cross-sectional view of main parts of the dispenser according to the present invention.

<Description of Major Symbols in Drawing>

10-refrigerator 11-door

12-Freezer 13-Refrigerator

14-Hinge 15-Hinge Shaft

20-Dispenser 21-Ice Dispenser

22-chiller 30-housing

31-Ice Maker 40-Water Tank

50-Water Supply Pipe 51-Inlet Pipe

52-Distribution pipe 53-First water discharge pipe

54-Second Water Jet

The present invention relates to a water supply pipe of a refrigerator dispenser, and more particularly, to a water supply pipe of a refrigerator dispenser installed in a freezer compartment and / or a refrigerator compartment door of a refrigerator in which a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment are arranged in a left / right direction.

In general, a refrigerator is provided with a refrigerator compartment for storing food at a low temperature and a freezer compartment for freezing food at a low temperature, and the refrigerator includes the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment arranged up / down or left / right. It is universal to be formed.

In addition, the refrigerator has a dispenser is installed on the outer surface of the door of the refrigerator to easily discharge the beverage, such as water refrigerated or frozen in the refrigerator to the outside of the refrigerator without opening the door of the refrigerator There is a case.

In addition, the dispenser is generally configured with a cold water to discharge the beverage, such as water cooled in the refrigerator from the outside of the door of the refrigerator, and in recent years to discharge ice frozen water or the like inside the refrigerator from the outside of the refrigerator door There is an increasing trend to install the ice discharger together with the cold water.

Here, the conventional dispenser equipped with the cold water and ice discharger is connected to the water supply pipe from the external water supply through the rear portion of the refrigerator, the water introduced through the water supply pipe is formed in the rear portion of the refrigerator or the lower part of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator Filled with a water tank, the water filled in the water tank supplies the water to the cold water through a water pipe connected to the water tank and the cold water, and supplies water to the ice maker through a water pipe connected to the water tank and the ice maker. It was configured to produce ice in an ice maker and to move the produced ice to the ice ejector to discharge water and ice from a dispenser outside the door.

In this case, a water supply pipe connected to the water tank at the rear of the refrigerator and the cold water machine, and a water supply pipe connected to the ice maker in the water tank, were generally composed of separate parts arranged in the lower and upper portions of the refrigerator. Installation of the array becomes difficult, and there is a problem in that the volume inside the refrigerator is reduced due to the arrangement of the refrigerator in the water supply pipe.

In addition, there has been a case in which a water tank for supplying water to the cold water is conventionally installed inside the door so as to directly connect the cold water to the cold water. However, a water pipe connected to the rear of the refrigerator is branched from the rear of the refrigerator, A water supply pipe is connected to the ice maker, and another water supply pipe is connected to a water tank installed inside the refrigerator door, and problems such as complexity of arrangement of the water supply pipe inside the refrigerator or reduction of the volume inside the refrigerator due to the water supply pipe Still remained.

Therefore, in recent years, a dispenser having a water tank for supplying water to both the ice maker and the cold water cooler has been developed in the door of the refrigerator. Development of supply lines is underway.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water supply pipe connected to each of the water tank, the ice maker, and the cold water dispenser in the dispenser in which both the water tank, the ice maker, and the cold water machine are installed in the refrigerator door as described above.

Another object of the present invention, the water supply pipe of the refrigerator dispenser to reduce the heat exchange energy required for cooling the water in the ice maker by cooling the water at room temperature introduced from the external water source in the water tank first and then to the ice maker In providing.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a water supply pipe for a refrigerator dispenser, which can simplify arrangement of a water supply pipe connected to a water tank, an ice maker, and a cold water machine, as well as reduce the connection length thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to install a dispenser consisting of a water tank, an ice maker, a cold water machine, and a water supply pipe connected thereto to simplify the configuration of the entire refrigerator, as well as to the components of the dispenser. It is to provide a water supply pipe of the refrigerator dispenser to minimize the interference between components of the refrigerator.

Another object of the present invention, the water tank, the ice maker, the cold water and the water supply pipe is installed in the door can be configured as a separate part containing a dispenser to improve the usability of the door, as well as replacement of the door It is to provide a water supply pipe for a refrigerator dispenser, which allows the dispenser to be installed in an existing refrigerator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water supply pipe of a dispenser for a refrigerator, which facilitates installation and repair of a water supply pipe connected to a water tank, an ice maker, and a cold water machine.

The present invention for achieving the above object, the water tank and the ice maker and the cold water is installed inside the door of the refrigerator, characterized in that the water tank, the ice maker and the cold water is connected through a water supply pipe.

Another feature of the present invention is characterized in that the water supply pipe comprises an inlet pipe, a distribution pipe, a first water discharge pipe, and a second water discharge pipe.

Still another feature of the present invention is characterized in that a water tank connected to an external water source and a water supply pipe is installed on an inner surface of a refrigerator door capable of cooling by refrigerator cold air.

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the water tank and the cold water is connected through the distribution pipe and the second water discharge pipe.

Another feature of the present invention is characterized in that the water tank and the ice maker are connected through a distribution pipe and a first water discharge pipe.

Another feature of the present invention is characterized in that the inlet pipe is inserted into the interior of the door through the lower end of the door, the inlet pipe inserted into the interior of the door is connected to the water tank installed on the inner surface of the door. .

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the distribution pipe is connected to reach the position of the ice maker installed in the upper portion of the door in the water tank.

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the first water discharge pipe is formed so as to extend from the upper end of the distribution pipe to the central upper portion of the ice maker.

Another feature of the present invention is characterized in that the second water discharge pipe is branched from the installation position of the cold water cooler in the center of the distribution pipe is connected to the cold water cooler.

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the inlet pipe is inserted into the interior of the door through the hinge shaft hollow portion of the hinge installed on the lower end of the door.

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the housing is further provided to cover the ice maker and the water tank installed on the inner surface of the door.

Another feature of the present invention is characterized in that the inlet pipe is arranged in the interior of the door through the lower end of the refrigerator door, protrudes from the inside of the door to the inner surface of the door is connected to the water tank.

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the distribution pipe connected to the cold water and ice maker in the water tank, and the first water discharge pipe and the second water discharge pipe is arranged inside the inner housing of the door.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates a dispenser 20 installed in a door 11 of a freezer compartment 12 of a refrigerator 10 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates a door of a freezer compartment 12 in which a dispenser 20 according to the present invention is installed. 11 shows an open state, and FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a dispenser 20 according to the present invention.

The present invention comprises a freezer compartment (12) door (11) and a dispenser (20).

The refrigerator 10 is configured as a refrigerator 10 in which the freezing compartment 12 and the refrigerating compartment 13 are arranged in left and right directions in this embodiment.

The door 11 is formed in a plate shape to cover the open surface of the freezer compartment 12 of the refrigerator 10 and to block the outside of the freezer compartment 12, and a hinge 14 at one end of the freezer compartment 12. It is rotatably combined through). In addition, the door 11 is configured as a conventional refrigerator door filled with a heat insulating material therein so as to prevent the heat and cold air inside the refrigerator 10 is heat exchanged. In addition, in this embodiment, the inner surface of the door 11 in which the dispenser 20 is installed consists of one surface of the door 11 facing the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 13 of the refrigerator 10. .

The dispenser 20 is formed to discharge ice and cold water through the ice discharger 21 and the cold water 22 exposed to the outer surface of the door 11, the water tank 40, and the ice maker. 31, an ice ejector 21, a cold water machine 22, and a water supply pipe 50 are configured.

The water tank 40 is formed in a form coupled to the two inner cylinders of the inside of the freezing chamber 12, the door 11 is hollow so as to allow mutual flow. Here, the water tank 40 is installed in a shape in which one surface is fixed to the inner surface of the door 11 so as to be inserted into the freezing chamber 12 by the closing of the door 11. .

The ice maker 31 is installed above the inner surface of the upper door 11 of the water tank 40, and the water flowing into the inner surface of the upper door 11 of the water tank 40 for a predetermined time. It is configured to receive the cold air of the freezer compartment 12 and to cool the stored water with ice, and to discharge the cooled ice to an ice reservoir installed under the ice maker 31.

The ice discharger 21 communicates with the ice reservoir to reach the outer portion of the door 11 so that the ice stored in the ice reservoir is discharged to the outside of the door 11 according to a user's selective operation. And a control device configured to control opening / closing.

The cold water machine 22 is such that the cold water cooled in the water tank 40 reaches the outside of the door 11 in the water tank 40 so as to be discharged to the outside of the door 11 according to a user's selective manipulation. And a control device such as a nozzle connected to the connected water supply pipe and an opening / closing control of the entrance of the water supply pipe.

The water supply pipe 50 includes an inlet pipe 51, a distribution pipe 52, a first water discharge pipe 53, and a second water discharge pipe 54.

One end of the inlet pipe 51 is connected to a water supply source outside the refrigerator 10, and the other end thereof is inserted into the interior of the door 11 through a lower end of the door 11 of the freezer compartment 12. It is formed as a water flow tube. In addition, the inlet pipe 51 is inserted into the inside of the door 11 through the lower hinge 14 of the door 11 of the freezing compartment 12, the inlet pipe (inserted into the interior of the door 11 ( 51 is connected to one end of the water tank 40 installed on the inner surface of the door (11).

Here, the inlet pipe 51 is inserted into the hollow portion through which the opening through the axial direction in the center of the hinge shaft 15 of the hinge 14 fastened to one side of the lower end of the refrigerator 10 is inserted into the hinge shaft 15 Is inserted into the inner door 11.

In addition, the inlet pipe 51 is installed to be introduced directly through the lower hinge 14 of the door 11 from the external water source, as well as inserted through the rear portion of the refrigerator 10 and the freezer compartment 12 Arranged through the lower portion of the freezing chamber 12 can be inserted into the interior of the door 11 through the hinge 14 connected to the freezing chamber 12 and the lower end of the door 11 of course. .

In addition, the inlet pipe inserted into the door 11 extends in the direction of the water tank 40 inside the door 11, and of the door 11 in which the water tank 40 is installed. It penetrates through the inner surface and is connected to one end of the water tank 40.

The distribution pipe 52 forms a tubular shape similar to the shape of the inlet pipe 51 on the other surface of the water tank 40 in which the inlet pipe 51 communicates with one surface thereof, and then again into the inside of the door 11. While being inserted, it is formed extending in the direction in which the ice maker 31 and the cold water machine 22 are installed. Here, since the ice maker 31 and the cold water machine 22 are installed above the water tank 40, the distribution pipe 52 moves upward from the other surface of the water tank 40 in the upward direction of the door 11. It is formed while bending.                     

The first water discharge pipe 53 extends so that the distal end of the distribution pipe 52 reaches the upper end of the ice maker 31 and the distal end of the distribution pipe 52 extends to reach the upper end of the ice maker 31. The first water discharge pipe 53 forming a tubular shape similar to the inlet pipe 51 to extend to reach the upper center of the ice maker 31 in the.

The second water discharge pipe 54 is drawn in the direction of the water cooler 22 in the distribution tank 52 located at the center of the water tank 40 and the ice maker 31 in which the water cooler 22 is installed. A tube forming a tubular shape similar to the shape of the tube 51 is formed by branching.

In addition, the water tank 40, the ice maker 31, the distribution pipe 52, the first water discharge pipe 53 and the second water discharge pipe 54 are inside and inside the door 11 of the freezer compartment 12. In addition to being fastened to the housing is preferably accommodated in the interior of the housing 30 to accommodate all of the members.

Here, the housing 30 is formed in a box shape with one surface open to cover the components of the dispenser 20 such as the ice maker 31 and the water tank 40 to improve the appearance of the inside of the door 11. do.

In addition, although the inlet pipe 51 is arranged inside the door 11, the distribution pipe 52, the first water discharge pipe 53 and the second water discharge pipe 54 of the door 11 The inner tank 30 is connected to the water tank 40, the ice maker 31, and the cold water heater 22, respectively.

Next, the operation of the water supply pipe of the refrigerator dispenser according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.

According to the operation of the refrigerator 10 and the water supply of the external water source, water from the water supply source is introduced into the interior through the lower end of the door 11 of the refrigerator compartment 12 of the refrigerator 10 through the inlet pipe 51.

Water introduced into the lower side of the door 11 through the inlet pipe 51 flows upward in the door 11 along the shape of the inlet pipe 51, and the inlet pipe 51 Since the water tank 40 installed on the inner surface of the door 11 of the freezer compartment 12 protrudes into the door 11 and is connected to the water tank 40, the water tank 40 is connected to the water tank 40. Is filled inside. Here, the water filled into the water tank 40 is located in the interior of the freezer compartment 12 in the state in which the water tank 40 is closed the door 11 is cold air of the freezer compartment 12 Cooling to a predetermined temperature in the water tank 40 while forming a heat exchange with.

The water cooled in the water tank 40 is flowed to the upper portion of the water tank 40 by the water pressure of the water supply source continuously introduced through the inlet pipe 51, the water tank 40 The water flowing upwards flows into the distribution pipe 52 connected to the upper portion of the other side of the water tank 40.

The water flowing into the distribution pipe 52 flows upward in the inner housing 30 of the door 11 along the shape of the distribution pipe 52 and flows upwardly of the door 11. The water is flowed into the first water discharge pipe 53 communicated with the distal end of the distribution pipe 52.

Water flowing into the first water discharge pipe 53 flows through the outlet of the first water discharge pipe 53 to the center of the ice maker 31 in which the outlet of the first water discharge pipe 53 is located. The water dripping through the outlet of the first water discharge pipe 53 is accommodated in the water receiving portion of the ice maker 31 to receive cold air from the freezing chamber 12 and cooled with ice.

At this time, the water flowing down to the ice maker 31 through the first water discharge pipe 53 is increased by the cold water of the first cooling state in the interior of the water tank 40 is cooled by the ice is increased.

Therefore, the ice cooled in the ice maker 31 is dropped into the ice storage container installed in the lower part of the ice maker 31 according to the control operation of the ice maker 31 or the user's selective operation, and the ice dropped into the ice storage container is According to a user's selective operation, it is discharged and used through the ice ejector 21 installed outside the door 11.

In addition, a portion of the water flowing into the distribution pipe 52 flows to the second water discharge pipe 54 branched from the center of the distribution pipe 52 to the cold water cooler 22, and the second water discharge pipe The water flowing into the 54 is discharged to the outside of the door 11 in accordance with the operation of the cold water cooler 22 provided at the tip of the second water discharge pipe 54.

At this time, the water discharged to the outside through the second water discharge pipe 54 is discharged into the cold water cooled to a predetermined temperature in the water tank 40 is used.

In addition, when repair and repair of the distribution pipe 52, the first water discharge pipe 53, and the second water discharge pipe 54 are required, the housing 30 is removed from the inner side of the door 11. A distribution pipe 52 which is connected to the water tank 40, the ice maker 31, and the cold water machine 22, and which is exposed to the outside from the inner surface of the door 11, and the first water discharge pipe 53 and the first container. 2 Repair work on the water discharge pipe (54).

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and any person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims may be various. Of course, modifications are possible, and such changes are within the scope of the claims.

As described above, according to the present invention, all the components of the dispenser including the ice maker, the cold water machine, the water tank, and the water supply pipe are installed in the refrigerator door, so that the dispenser is composed of a single assembly in which the door is a unit. And as well as easy to assemble, there is an effect that it is easy to store and manage.

Another effect of the present invention is that the components of the dispenser according to the present invention are all installed on the door to minimize interference with other parts of the refrigerator, and the use of the internal space of the refrigerator is abolished, so that the space utilization of the refrigerator is eliminated. It is effective to improve.

Yet another effect of the present invention is that the water tank is positioned inside the freezing compartment to cool the water in the water tank, so that a separate cooling device for cooling the water supplied to the cold water is abolished.

Another effect of the present invention is that as the water tank is positioned inside the freezer compartment and the water contained in the water tank is first cooled, there is an effect of reducing heat exchange energy for ice cooling in the ice maker.

Another effect of the present invention, as the distribution pipe constituting the water supply pipe and the first water discharge pipe and the second water discharge pipe is to be expressed on the inner surface of the door, there is an effect that the maintenance work of each of the water supply pipe more easily. .

Claims (3)

In the water supply pipe of the refrigerator dispenser, which is installed in the freezer door of the refrigerator in which the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment are arranged in a left / right direction, A tubular inlet pipe connected to an external water source and connected to a water tank installed at a lower side of the inner side of the door from a lower side of the freezer compartment door; A tubular distribution tube communicating from the water tank to a position of an ice maker installed at an upper portion of the door; A tubular first water discharge pipe extending from an upper end of the distribution pipe in a direction of the ice maker to communicate with the ice maker; A tubular second water discharge pipe branched from a central portion of the distribution pipe and connected to a chiller installed in the front dispenser of the door; Water supply pipe of the refrigerator dispenser, characterized in that consisting of. The method of claim 1, The inlet pipe is inserted into the interior of the door through a hollow formed in the hinge shaft of the lower hinge of the freezer compartment door, the water supply pipe of the refrigerator dispenser, characterized in that connected to the water tank. The method of claim 1, The inlet pipe is inserted into the lower end of the freezer compartment door and arranged inside the door, and protrudes into the inner surface of the door and is connected to the water tank. The distribution pipe, the first water discharge pipe and the second water discharge pipe are arranged to be connected to the water tank, the ice maker, and the water cooler in a housing that is covered with a box shape on the inner surface of the door to cover the water tank, the ice maker, and the water cooler. Water supply pipe of the refrigerator dispenser, characterized in that the.

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