EP2464923B1

EP2464923B1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: EP2464923B1
Application number: EP10808351.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sung-Kyoung Kim; Dong-Wan Kim
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2009-08-11
Filing date: 2010-08-11
Publication date: 2020-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2030-08-11
Also published as: KR101096994B1; EP2464923A2; JP2013501206A; US20120111049A1; WO2011019202A3; KR20110016092A; CN102472548B; AU2010283082A1; AU2010283082B2; WO2011019202A2; BR112012001896B8; BR112012001896B1; JP5406371B2; BR112012001896A2; CN102472548A; EP2464923A4

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

Background Art

In general, a refrigerator is an electric appliance having an internal storage space shielded by a door and food is kept cold in the storage compartment. In detail, the refrigerator generates cool air through heat exchange with a refrigerant that is changed to a low pressure state by a refrigerating cycle. The storage space is kept in a low temperature state by the cool air and thus the food is kept cold so that it stays fresh.
With the change of dietary life and consumer tastes rising, the refrigerator is getting larger and being designed to be multifunctional. In addition, refrigerators having a variety of structures and convenient devices have been launched considering user convenience.
As representative devices among the convenient devices, an ice-maker for making ice and a dispenser are provided in the refrigerator. The ice-maker and dispenser are for providing ice or drinking water for the user and may be installed in the refrigerator and door.
Generally, the ice-makers are classified into a manual type in which the user fills water in an ice-making tray and an automatic type in which a water supply container having a one-time ice-making volume is filled with water and mounted above the ice-making tray so that the water stored in the water supply container can automatically supplied to the ice-making tray.
The above-described two types have a disadvantage in that they can make ice by one time. If a water supply container having a volume larger than an amount of water for one-time ice-making volume is used, the water in the water supply container may be frozen due to the temperature characteristic of a freezing compartment and thus the ice-making may not be continuously realized.
In order to solve the above limitation, a refrigerator that is designed to have a water supply line that is directly connected to a tap water line and is further connected to the dispenser so that the ice-making device can be continuously operated and the user can get the drinking water through the dispenser has been developed.
EP 1 602 622 A1 describes a variable flow rate water dispenser mounted on a refrigerator door is provided that can dispense water at user selected flow rates. The water dispenser includes a nozzle for dispensing water from a dispenser housing on a refrigerator door and a user adjustable flow control. The user adjustable flow control can include a variable flow rate water valve or a plurality of water valves that can have different flow rates and can be operated separately or in combination to provide different flow rates. The user adjustable flow control can alternately include a variable flow pump for controlling flow of water to the nozzle at a user selected flow rate. The refrigerator can include a reservoir inside or outside the refrigerator. The reservoir can be connected to a source of water and automatically filled or can be manually filled. The nozzle can include a flow straightener or aerator to minimize splashing.
WO 2009/061118 A2 describes A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator including: a body defining a storage space; a door selectively shielding the storage space; a container connecting part disposed in the storage space or the door; a water supply container separably coupled to the container connecting part, the water supply container comprising an opening for injecting water; an ice making device making ice using the water supplied from the water supply container; a water supply passage fluidly connecting the water supply container to the ice making device, the water supply passage extending in an inside direction of the water supply container; and a pump connected to the water supply passage to supply the water within the water supply container into the ice making device. According to the refrigerator, installation costs is reduced, and quality and reliability are improved.
US 5 511 388 describes a water distillation unit for a refrigerator. A method and apparatus for distilling water in combination with a home use refrigerator includes a water source which feeds water into a preheater in which the water is passed by a portion of the condenser coil in heat exchange relationship. The water exiting the preheater moves to a solenoid valve which controls the flow of water into a boiler. Heated by a hot plate, water in the boiler generates steam which is condensed in a condenser conduit chilled by the refrigerator. The condensed purified water runs into a water collection chamber for storage until either the water dispenser or ice maker requires water, at which time the appropriate valve will open and a pump will pump the water to the appropriate device.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a refrigerator that is designed to have a water supply container in which water for ice-making is stored and to supply the water to an ice-maker and a dispenser through a pump and a water supply pipe.
Embodiments also provide a refrigerator that can effectively supply water to an ice-maker or a dispenser even when a water supply container is located at a lower place than the ice-maker or dispenser.

Solution to Problem

According to the invention, as defined in claim 1, a refrigerator comprises: a main body having a storage space; a door that is connected to the main body to selectively shield the storage space; a water supply container disposed in the storage space in a state where the door shields the storage space; an ice-maker disposed in a predetermined position of the storage space above the water supply container in a state where the door shields the storage space; a dispenser that is provided to a predetermined position of the door above the water supply container, to receive water or ice; a water supply passage extending from the water supply container to the ice-maker and the dispenser; a pump that is provided on the water supply passage to forcedly direct the water stored in the water supplying container to the ice-maker or the dispenser; and a valve that is provided on a predetermined position of the water supply passage near an outlet side of the pump to selectively supply the water to the ice-maker or the dispenser, wherein the pump is located at a height lower than the water supply container, and the valve is located at a height identical to or higher than the pump, and the pump and the valve are coupled to each other by a mounting member and the mounting member is fixedly mounted in the machine room of the refrigerator.
Advantageous features of the invention are defined in dependent claims 2-11.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The refrigerator according to the present disclosure has the following effects.
Since the pump for supplying water is located at a height lower than the water supply container and the valve is located at a height higher than or equal to the pump, the water flows back upon opening the valve against adverse water-supplying conditions.
Accordingly, even in the adverse water-supplying conditions that frequently occur when detachable water supply containers are used, the pump can effectively operate and thus the operability of the pump can be improved. In addition, the remaining water in a water supply passage can be effectively discharged.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating a door open state of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a machine room of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply pump and a valve structure according to an embodiment.
Figs. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating a water supply state of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

Mode for the Invention

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The spirit and scope of the present disclosure, however, shall not be construed as being limited to embodiments provided herein. Rather, it will be apparent that other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure may easily be derived through adding, modifying, and deleting elements herein.
Hereinafter, for the convenience of the description and understanding, a side-by-side type refrigerator having freezing and refrigerating compartments that are disposed at left and right sides will be described as an example.
Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment and Fig. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating a door open state of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment includes a cabinet 100 defining a storage space and doors 40 for opening and closing the storage space.
In detail, a front surface of the cabinet 100 is open and an inside of the cabinet 100 is divided into left and right spaces by a barrier to define freezing and refrigerating compartments 110 and 120. In addition, a plurality of shelves and drawers for receiving food are provided in the freezing and refrigerating compartments 110 and 120.
The doors 40 include freezing and refrigerating compartment doors 220 and 210 for closing and opening freezing and refrigerating compartments 120 and 110, respectively. In addition, the doors 40 are pivotally coupled to the cabinet 100 by hinges 130. Therefore, the freezing and refrigerating compartments 120 and 110 can be selectively opened or closed by the pivotal motions of the freezing and refrigerating compartment doors 220 and 210.
Door handles 230 may be provided on the freezing and refrigerating compartment doors 220 and 210, respectively. In addition, a home bar 240 may be provided in the refrigerating compartment door 220 and a water using device 250 may be provided in the freezing compartment door 210. Like a dispenser 212 and an ice-making assembly 300 that will be described later, the water using device 250 may be defined as a device that performs a specific purpose and function using the water supplied from an external side.
The dispenser for dispensing drinking water or ice is provided on a front surface of the freezing compartment door 210. The ice-making assembly 300 may be provided on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door 210.
The ice-making assembly 300 is a device for making ice using water supplied from a water supply container 400 that will be described later. The ice-making assembly 300 may be provided above the dispenser 212. Needless to say, if necessary, the ice-making assembly 300 may be provided in the freezing compartment 110. Hereinafter, a case where the ice-making assembly 300 is provided in the freezing compartment door 210 will be described as an example.
The ice-making assembly 300 includes an ice-maker 310 for making ice using the water supplied and an ice-bank 320 that is provided below the ice-maker 310 to store the ice.
In detail, the water for ice-making is automatically supplied to the ice-maker 310 and the water supplied is phase-changed to the ice by cold air in the freezing compartment 110. In addition, the ice made by the ice-maker 310 automatically falls down to the ice-bank 320 and stored therein.
The ice made by the ice-maker 310 and stored in the ice-bank 320 may be dispensed to the user through an ice chute 330 connecting the ice-bank to the dispenser 212. That is, the ice can be discharged to a container disposed on the dispenser 212 through the ice chute 330.
Meanwhile, a water supply container 400 may be provided on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220.
In detail, the water supply container 400 is a storage container for storing ice-making water and/or drinking water supplied to the ice-maker 310 and/or the dispenser 212. The user separates the water supply container 400 from the refrigerating compartment door 220 and fills the water in the water supply container 400.
The water supply container 400 is located at a height lower than the water using device, i.e., the ice-maker 310 and the dispenser 212. The water filled in the water supply container 400 is supplied to the water suing device 250 by a pump 600 that will be described later.
If necessary, the water supply container 400 may be provided in the refrigerating compartment 120. In this case, the water supply container is also located at a height lower than the water using device 250.
The water supply container 400 is detachably provided on the refrigerating compartment door 220 and is designed and sized to be mounted on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220. In addition, a mineral water bottle that is being sold in the market may be used as the water supply container 400. Alternatively, a specific container may be separately provided.
A plurality of baskets 224 are provided on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220. The baskets 224 are designed such that their mounting heights can be adjusted by being detached or moved. In addition, one of the baskets 224 may be designed to support the water supply container 400.
A container connecting portion 222 coupled to the water supply container 400 may be provided on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220. The container connecting portion 222 is designed to be selectively coupled to an opening of the water supply container 400. The container connecting portion 222 may be integrally formed on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220. Alternatively, the container connecting portion 222 may be detachably mounted on the refrigerating compartment door 220 by a separate member.
In detail, when the container connecting portion 222 is integrally fixed to the refrigerating compartment door 220, the water supply container 400 may be mounted on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220 by being coupled to the container connecting portion 222. In addition, when the container connecting portion 222 is provided as a separate member and coupled to the refrigerating compartment door 220, the water supply container 400 is first coupled to the container connecting portion 222 and then this assembly is mounted on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220.
Meanwhile, the water supply container 400, ice-maker 310, and dispenser 212 are fluidly connected to each other by a water supply passage 500 so that the water stored in the water supply container 400 can be supplied to the ice-maker 310 and the dispenser 212.
The pump 600 and valve 700 may be provided on certain locations of the water supply passage 500. The water in the water supply container 400 is forcedly supplied to the ice-maker and dispenser 212 by the pump 600. In addition, the water may be selectively supplied to the ice-maker or the dispenser 212 in accordance with a position of the valve 700.
The pump 600 may be disposed at an external side of the refrigerator, i.e., at a machine room 140 (see Fig. 3). If necessary, the pump 600 may be provided on a bottom surface of the cabinet 100 or on the refrigerating compartment door 220 or in the refrigerating compartment 120.
The water supply passage 500 includes a suction passage 510 disposed inside the water supply container 400, an inlet passage connected to an inlet 610 (see Fig. 4) of the pump 600, and an outlet passage 530 connected to the valve 700 at an outlet side 620 (see Fig. 4) of the pump 600, an ice-maker passage 540 extending from the valve 700 to the ice-maker 310, and a dispenser passage 550 extending from the valve 700 to a water dispensing opening of the dispenser 212.
In detail, the suction passage 510 is for sucking the water stored in the water supply container 400. A lower end of the suction passage 510 may extends to an inner-lower portion of the water supply container 400 when the water supply container 400 is mounted on the container connecting portion 222. In addition, an upper end of the suction passage 510 is provided inside the container connecting portion 222. The upper end of the suction passage 510 is detached and mounted together with the container connecting portion 222 as a single body and is selectively connected to an end of the water supply passage 500 provided in the refrigerating compartment door 220. In more detail, the suction passage 510 may be exposed to the rear surface of the container connecting portion 222 through the container connecting portion 222. In addition, an end of the suction passage 510, which is exposed to the rear surface of the container connecting portion 222, is selectively connected to an end of the water supply passage 500, which is exposed to the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220.
Meanwhile, the inlet passage 520 is connected to the suction passage 510 at the refrigerating compartment door 40 and extends to the inlet side 610 of the pump 600. At this point, when the pump 600 is provided on a side of the cabinet 100, the inlet passage 520 may be guided from the refrigerating compartment door 220 toward the cabinet 100 through the hinge 130.
In addition, the outlet passage 530 connects the pump 600 to the valve 700. That is, the outlet passage 530 connects the outlet side 620 of the pump 600 to the inlet side 710 of the valve 700 so that the water discharged from the pump 600 can flow toward the valve 700.
The ice-maker passage 540 and the dispenser passage 550 are independent passages that are connected to the valve 700. The ice-maker passage 540 and the dispenser passage 550 are passages branched off from the valve 700 and extend toward the ice-maker 310 and the dispenser 212, respectively.
The ice-maker passage 540 an the dispenser passage 550 may guided through the hinge 130 of the freezing compartment door 210. Further, the ice-maker passage 540 and the dispenser passage 550 are received in a separate pipe until they pass through the hinge 130 and branched off at an outlet end of the pipe.
Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a machine room of a refrigerator according to an embodiment and Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply pump and a valve structure according to an embodiment.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the machine room 140 is formed at a lower portion of the cabinet 100. The machine room 140 provides a space in which a variety of components such as a compressor 141, a condenser 142, a capillary tube, a fan motor assembly 143, and a drain pan 144 are disposed.
The machine room 140 is separately provided at a lower-rear surface of the cabinet 100 from a storage space of the refrigerator. In addition, an opened rear surface of the machine room 140 may be closed by a machine room cover 145.
In addition, the pump 600 and the valve 700 are provided in the machine room 140. The pump 600 and the valve 700 are integrally coupled to each other by a mounting member 800 and fixedly mounted in the machine room 140 by the mounting member 800.
In more detail, the valve 700 is mounted on a left side (in Fig. 4) of the mounting member 800 and the pump 600 is mounted on a right side of the mounting member 800. Therefore, the mounting member 800, the pump 600, and the valve 700 may be assembled as a single body.
The mounting member 800 is provided with a mounting portion 810 so that the mounting member 800 can be fixedly mounted in the machine room 140 by a coupling member such as a screw. The location and shape of the mounting portion 810 may be variably formed in accordance with a mounting location in the machine room 140.
The mounting member 800 is formed such that the valve 700 and the pump 600 can be mounted in parallel at an identical height. If necessary, the valve 700 may be located at a height higher than the pump 600.
The valve 700 and the pump 600 are closely mounted on the mounting member 800 and thus the water discharged from the pump 600 can be supplied to the valve 700 through the outlet passage 530 that will be described later.
A connection state between the water supply passage 500, the pump 600, and the valve 700 will described hereinafter in more detail.
First, the water supply passage 500 is connected between the pump 600 and the valve 700 so that the water in the water supply container 400 can be supplied to the ice-maker 310 and the dispenser 212.
In detail, the inlet passage 520 is connected to the inlet side 610 of the pump, through which the water is introduced from the water supply container 400. The inlet passage 520 includes an inlet side extending pipe 522 and an inlet side connecting pipe 524.
The inlet side extending pipe 522 may be formed of flexible polyethylene and have an inner diameter of about 1/16 inch. The inlet side extending pipe 522 extends from the suction passage 510 to a portion adjacent to the pump 600 and is connected to the inlet side 610 of the pump 600 by the inlet side connecting pipe 524.
The inlet side connecting pipe 524 is for connecting the inlet side 610 of the pump 600 to the inlet side extending pipe 522. The inlet side connecting pipe 524 may be formed of flexible silicon. By aligning the end of the inlet side extending pipe 522 and the inlet side 610 of the pump in a line by the inlet side connecting pipe 524, the blocking of the passage by the bending of the inlet side connecting pipe 524 can be prevented.
The inlet side 610 of the pump 600 connected to the inlet side connecting pipe 524 may have an inner diameter of about 1/4 inch. In addition, since the inlet side connecting pipe 524 is formed of flexible material, the inlet side extending pipe 522 can be easily connected to the inlet side 610 of the pump 600 even when the diameters thereof are different from each other.
Alternatively, opposite ends of the inlet side connecting pipe 524 may be designed to have different inner diameters from each other so that the inlet side 610 of the pump 600 and the inlet side extending pipe 522, which have different inner diameters from each other, can be connected to the respective opposite ends of the inlet side connecting pipe 524. In detail, the inner diameter of the inlet side connecting pipe 524 may be gradually reduced from a first end to a second end by stepping and enlarging the cross-section.
Meanwhile, the outlet passage 530 connects the outlet side 620 of the pump 600 to the inlet side 710 of the valve 700 and includes an outlet side extending pipe 532 and an outlet side connecting pipe 534. The outlet side extending pipe 532 may be formed of flexible polyethylene. The outlet side extending pipe 532 extends from the valve inlet side 710 to the pump 600 and is connected to the outlet side 620 of the pump 600 by the outlet side connecting pipe 534.
The outlet side connecting pipe 534 may be formed of a same material as the inlet side connecting pipe 522 and fluidly connects the outlet side 620 of the pump 600 to an end of the outlet side connecting pipe 534. In addition, the outlet side connecting pipe 534 is formed only at a straight line section so that the blocking of the inner passage by the bending or curve can be prevented.
Meanwhile, all of the outlet side 620 of the pump, the outlet side connecting pipe 534, and the outlet side extending pipe 532 may have an inner diameter of 1/4 inch. That is, the inner diameter of the inlet passage 520 may be larger than that of the outlet passage 530. Accordingly, the pulsatile flow, which may occur when an amount of water introduced to the pump 600 is less than an amount of the water discharged from the pump 600, can be minimized.
In addition, since the inlet side connecting pipe 524 and the outlet side connecting pipe 534 may be elastically deformed in a moment the water is introduced or discharged through the pump 600, the noise occurring when the passage is contracted or expanded can be minimized.
Meanwhile, the ice-maker passage 540 connected to the ice-maker 310 at a first outlet side 720 of the valve 700 may be formed of polyethylene and have an inner diameter of about 1/4 inch. In addition, the dispenser side passage 550 connected to the dispenser 212 at a second outlet side 730 of the valve 700 may be formed of polyethylene and have a diameter of 5/16 inch.
Accordingly, since an amount of ice-making water supplied to the ice-maker310 is greater than an amount of drinking water discharged through the dispenser 212 when the dispenser 212 is manipulated, the user can more quickly take the drinking water.
The following will describe operation of the refrigerator having the above-described structure.
First, in order to use the ice-making water and the drinking water, the water supply container 400 is filled with water and the container connecting portion 222 is connected to the water supply container 400. Next, the water supply container 400 is mounted on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 222. The water supply container 400 may be a mineral water bottle. In this case, the mineral water sold in the market is opened and directly connected to the container connecting portion 222 without a process for supplying the water to the water supply container 400.
By the coupling of the water supply container 400 and the container connecting portion 222, the suction passage 510 is located in the water supply container 400 to suck the water from the water supply container 400. When the container connecting portion 222 is mounted, the suction passage 510 is connected to the inlet passage 520 and thus the water supply to the ice-maker 310 and the dispenser 212 becomes possible.
In this state, when a signal for supplying water to the ice-maker 310 is transferred to a control unit or a signal for dispensing drinking water is transferred to the control unit through an input button provided on the dispenser 212, the pump starts operating.
By the operation of the pump 600, the water is introduced from the water supply container 400 to the suction passage 510 and is further directed to the pump 600 through the inlet passage 520. That is, the water introduced into the suction passage 510 is supplied to the pump 600 after consequently passing through the inlet side extending pipe 522, the inlet side connecting pipe 524, and the inlet side 610 of the pump 600.
At this point, the inlet side connecting pipe 524 may be expanded or contracted in a radial direction by the pulsatile flow that may occur when the pump is driven. The contraction and expansion attenuate the impact applied to the pipe passage and thus the pipe noise can be reduced. In addition, since the water can be sufficiently supplied to the inside of the pump 600, the pulsation can be reduced.
Further, the water discharged from the pump 600 through the outlet passage 530 is directed to the valve 700. At this point, the water discharged from the pump 600 is supplied to the valve 700 after consequently passing through the outlet side 620 of the pump 600, the outlet side connecting pipe 534, and the outlet side extending pipe 532. In addition, the pulsatile flow phenomenon caused by the water discharged from the pump 600 can reduce the noise of the pipe passage by the flexibility of the outlet side connecting pipe 534.
When the ice-making water supply signal is transferred to the first outlet side 720 of the valve 700 is opened so that the water supplied to the valve 700 can be supplied to the ice-maker 310 through the ice-maker passage 540.
When the drinking water dispensing signal is transferred, the second outlet side 620 is opened so that the drinking water can be supplied to the dispenser 212 through the dispenser passage 550.
Meanwhile, when the water in the water supply container 400 is exhausted during the operation of the refrigerator 1 and thus the water supply container 400 is empty, the air and water in the water supply passage 500 may be mixed with each other during the operation of the pump 600 as shown in Fig. 5.
Figs. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating a water supply state of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
In Fig. 5, for convenience of the description, a structure for supplying the water to the ice-maker will be described as an example.
Referring to Fig. 5, prior to the water in the water supply container 400 is fully exhausted, the water filled in the water supply passage 500 is supplied to the ice-maker 310 by pressure difference between the inlet side 610 and the outlet side 620 of the pump 600 driven.
Meanwhile, when the pump 600 is driven by the operational signal of the ice-maker after the water in the water supply container 400 is fully exhausted, the water and air co-exists in the water supply passage 500 and thus the air may be introduced into the inlet side 610 of the pump 600.
In detail, when the pump is driven in a state where no water is filled in the water supply container 400, the air in the water supply container 400 may be introduced into the pump 600 through the inlet passage 520. In addition, the air introduced into the pump 600 may be directed toward the outlet passage 530. In addition, the air discharged to the outlet passage 530 is introduced into the valve 700 through the outlet passage 530 and is then supplied to the ice-maker passage 540.
Accordingly, the air is filled in some of the suction passage 510, inlet passage 520, outlet passage 530, and ice-maker passage 540.
In this state, even when the water supply container 400 is mounted again after being filled with the water, the pump 600 cannot generate pressure that can discharge the water remaining in the ice-maker passage 540. That is, it becomes an adverse water-supplying condition where the air-co-exists in both of the inlet side 610 and the outlet side 620 and thus the pump 600 cannot generate pressure for effectively supplying the water to the pump 600.
In order to eliminate the adverse water supply condition, when the operational signal of the ice-maker is input, the pump 600 is designed to start operating at the same time the valve 700 is opened.
Meanwhile, the valve 700 and the pump 600 are located at a height lower than not only the water using device 250 but also the water supply container 400. In addition, the valve 700 and the pump 600 are disposed adjacent to each other and maintain the interconnection state.
Further, the valve 700 is located at a height identical to or greater than the pump 600. As shown in Fig. 6, the water remaining in the ice-maker passage 540 is introduced into the outlet side of the pump 600 through the valve upon opening the valve 700.
That is, by the locations of the valve 700 and the pump 600 and the structure of the water supply passage 500, the water is introduced into the pump 600 when the valve 700 is opened. Accordingly, the inside of the pump 600 and the inlet and outlet sides 610 and 620 of the pump 600 can be quickly filled with the water.
As described above, by the mounting locations of the water using device 250, water supply container 400, and pump 600, i.e., by the height difference of the water using device 250, water supply container 400, and pump 600, the water can be supplied to the pump 600 when the valve 700 is opened, the adverse water supply condition in the water supply passage can be quickly eliminated. Therefore, the pump 600 can generate normal discharge pressure and thus the remaining water in the ice-maker passage 540 can be discharged. In addition, the water can be effectively supplied from the water supply container 400.
Meanwhile, this principle can be identically applied to not only the ice-maker passage 540 but also the dispenser passage 550.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by claim 1.

Claims

A refrigerator comprising:
a main body having a storage space;

a door (40) that is connected to the main body to selectively shield the storage space;

a water supply container (400) disposed in the storage space in a state where the door (40) shields the storage space;

an ice-maker (310) disposed in a predetermined position of the storage space above the water supply container (400) in a state where the door (40) shields the storage space;

a dispenser (212) that is provided to a predetermined position of the door (40) above the water supply container (400), to receive water or ice;

a water supply passage (500) extending from the water supply container (400) to the ice-maker (310) and the dispenser (212);

a pump that is provided on the water supply passage (500) to forcedly direct the water stored in the water supplying container (400) to the ice-maker (310) or the dispenser (212); and

a valve (700) that is provided on a predetermined position of the water supply passage (500) near an outlet side of the pump (600) to selectively supply the water to the ice-maker (310) or the dispenser (212),

wherein the pump (600) is located at a height lower than the water supply container (400), and the valve (700) is located at a height identical to or higher than the pump (600), and

the pump (600) and the valve (700) are coupled to each other by a mounting member (800) and the mounting member (800) is fixedly mounted in the machine room (140) of the refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the storage space comprises at least one of or both a freezing compartment (110) and a refrigerating compartment (120); and
the door (40) comprises at least one of or both a freezing compartment door (210) and a refrigerating compartment door (210) that closes and opens the freezing and refrigerating compartments, respectively.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the water supply container (400) is provided on a side of one of the freezing and refrigerating compartment doors (210, 220).
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the ice-maker (310) is provided on a side of one of the freezing and refrigerating compartment doors (210, 220).
The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising the machine room (140) provided on a lower portion of the main body.
The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the water supply container (400) is configured to be removable from the freezing or refrigerating compartment door (210, 220).
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water supply passage (500) extends to the ice-maker (310) and the dispenser (212) through a hinge (130) connecting the door (40) to the main body.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water supply passage (500) comprises:
a suction passage (510) disposed within the water supply container (400);

an inlet passage (520) having a first end connected to the suction passage (510) and a second end connected to an inlet side of the pump (600);

an outlet passage (530) connected to the valve (700) at an outlet side of the pump (600);

an ice-maker passage (540) extending from the valve (700) to the ice-maker(310); and

a dispenser passage (550) extending from the valve (700) to an water outlet of the dispenser (212).
The refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising a container connecting portion (222) that is detachably connected to a rear surface of the door (40), wherein the water supply container (400) is selectively coupled to the container connecting portion (222).
The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the suction passage (510) passes through and integrally formed with the container connecting portion (222).
The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the suction passage (510) is selectively connected to the inlet passage (520) by detachably mounting the container connecting portion (222) on the door (40).