KR101997259B1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet forming a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; A refrigerator compartment door for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment; A freezer compartment door to open and close the freezer compartment; A dispenser formed on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door; An ice maker provided in the freezer door; A water tank detachably provided at the door above the dispenser and supplied by self-weight when mounted; And a tank connecting member provided in the refrigerating compartment door and connected to the water tank when the water tank is mounted, and forming a flow path branched to the dispenser and the ice maker.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

This embodiment relates to a refrigerator.

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that allows food to be stored at a low temperature in an interior storage space shielded by a door, and is stored by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle. It is configured to keep foods in optimal condition.

In addition, the refrigerator has become larger and more versatile in accordance with the change in the diet and the preference of the user, and various configurations are added for the convenience of the user.

For example, recently, a refrigerator having a dispenser for extracting water in a refrigerating compartment door, or a refrigerator equipped with an ice maker for making ice in a freezer compartment or a freezer compartment door has been developed. In addition, a water tank storing water supplied to the dispenser may be detachably provided on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door.

On the other hand, the water tank for supplying water to the dispenser in the refrigerator there is a problem that the water supply to the ice maker is impossible.
Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0059988 discloses a refrigerator provided with a water tank in a refrigerating compartment door and capable of supplying both a dispenser and an ice maker.

An object of the present embodiment is to provide a refrigerator that can supply water to a dispenser and an ice maker by a removable water tank provided in the door.

An object of the present embodiment is to provide a refrigerator that can supply water to the dispenser by its own weight when the water tank is mounted, and at the same time can be supplied to the ice maker.

An object of the present embodiment is to provide a refrigerator provided with a removable water tank having a simple structure that can be dispensed with a dispenser and ice maker.

An object of the present embodiment is to provide a refrigerator which is provided on the tank connection member connected when the water tank is attached to the water supply by the weight of the dispenser, the water supply by the pump to the eye maker.

A refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a cabinet forming a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; A refrigerator compartment door for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment; A freezer compartment door to open and close the freezer compartment; A dispenser formed on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door; An ice maker provided in the freezer door; A water tank detachably provided on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door and positioned above the dispenser; A tank outlet portion protruding downward from the water tank and having a valve built therein; A tank connection member provided on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door and allowing the water tank and the dispenser to communicate with each other, wherein the tank connection member is opened toward the rear side of the refrigerating compartment door and has an upper portion of the case into which the tank outlet part is inserted. Wow; A lower part of the case communicating with an upper part of the upper part of the case and opening toward the dispenser, and a lower part of the case is provided with a connector having an upper surface opened to insert a lower end of the tank connecting member. The lower end is formed in a tubular shape extending forward, the dispenser side connection portion connected to the pipe to the dispenser, and the ice maker side connection portion formed in the tubular shape extending to the rear, and connected to the pipe to the ice maker Characterized in that each is formed.
The freezing compartment can be located above the refrigerating compartment.
The cabinet has a center hinge for rotatably supporting the refrigerating compartment door and the freezing compartment door between the refrigerating compartment door and the freezer compartment door, and the center hinge is hollow to supply water from the tank connection member to the ice maker. It is possible for the pipe to pass through.
The dispenser side connection portion and the ice maker side connection portion are disposed to face each other, and may be formed to extend to have a downward slope, respectively.
The lower part of the case is located above the discharge line of the dispenser so that water in the water tank can be discharged to the dispenser by its own weight.
The rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door is formed with a tank mounting portion for supporting the lower surface and both sides of the water tank, the lower surface of the tank mounting portion may be exposed from the connector inlet opening at one side of the connector and connected to the water tank. .
The water tank includes a tank body in which water is stored; It includes a tank cover for opening and closing the tank body, the tank outlet portion may be formed to extend from the lower surface of the tank body.
The open upper end of the connector is formed of a rubber or silicon material, it is possible to be provided with a sealing member that extends by a predetermined height along the upper end of the connector to be in close contact with the circumference of the tank outlet when the tank outlet is inserted.
The lower end of the connector extends in both sides intersecting the dispenser side connection portion and the ice maker side connection portion between the dispenser side connection portion and the ice maker side connection portion, and side fixing parts rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the lower case. It is possible to be.
The lower end of the connector extends downward along the side fixing portion, it is possible to further form a lower fixing portion fixed to the lower case by a screw.
The refrigerating compartment door may be provided with a pump connected to a pipe connected to the ice maker side connection part and supplying a water ball to the ice maker.
The back of the refrigerating chamber door is provided with a pump case to which the pump is mounted, and the pump case may be provided below the water tank.
An opening protrusion protruding upward is formed inside the connector, and the opening protrusion can be opened by pressing a valve of the tank outlet when the water tank is mounted.
An inner side of the sealing member may be provided with a sealing rib protruding inward and in close contact with an outer surface of the tank outlet portion.
The dispensing nozzle of the dispenser is located further below the end of the dispenser side connection portion, and the pump for supplying water to the icemaker side may be located further below the end of the icemaker side connection portion.

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

In the refrigerator according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be expected.

The water tank mounted on the inner side can supply water to the dispenser, and at the same time, water can be supplied to the ice maker, thereby improving convenience of use.

The water supplied from the detachable water tank can be supplied to the dispenser and the pump by its own weight, and the upper ice maker can supply the water by driving the pump. Being able to supply water has the advantage of reducing manufacturing costs and improving productivity.

In addition, when the water tank is mounted, the connector and the water tank are automatically communicated with each other, and the water supply to the dispenser and the ice maker is possible without further manipulation, thereby improving convenience of use.

In addition, even in a structure in which the dispenser and the ice maker are disposed on the doors which are separated from each other, the dispenser and the ice maker may have a structure capable of simultaneously supplying water through a single water tank, and in particular, an automatic method of deicing is enabled through a simple structure of automatic water supply. Convenience and cost savings can be expected at the same time.

In addition, there is an advantage that the compact structure is possible by providing a structure capable of supplying both the dispenser and the ice maker only by a simple structure of the connector and the pump.

In addition, the water tank detachable to the door of the refrigerating chamber enables automatic water supply of the ice maker inside the freezer door, thereby improving water supply convenience, and enabling automatic water supply and ice making without a separate water connection. The effect of improving the ease of supply of ice can be expected.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view of the door of the refrigerator is opened.
3 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure of a water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing the arrangement and the water supply structure of the ice maker assembly and the water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 'of FIG. 1.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling structure of the dispenser and the tank connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exploded perspective view of the tank connecting member.
8 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view showing a water flow state in the tank connecting member.
10 is a view schematically showing the overall water flow path of the refrigerator.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and other embodiments included within the scope of other inventive inventions or the scope of the present invention can be easily made by adding, changing, or deleting other elements. I can suggest.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a view in which the door of the refrigerator is opened.

As shown in the figure, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an external appearance by a cabinet 10 forming a storage space and a door 20 opening and closing the opened front surface of the cabinet 10. Is formed.

In the cabinet 10, a refrigerating chamber 12 and a freezing chamber 11 partitioned vertically may be formed. The refrigerating compartment 12 may be formed under the cabinet 10, and the freezing compartment 11 may be provided above the cabinet 10. Although not shown, the cabinet 10 may include components such as a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expansion device, which constitute a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage space.

The door 20 may include a refrigerator compartment door 22 that opens and closes the refrigerator compartment 12, and a freezer compartment door 21 that opens and closes the freezer compartment 11, respectively. Meanwhile, since the refrigerating compartment door 22 is located below, the lower door and the freezing compartment door 21 are located above, and thus may be referred to as upper doors.

In addition, the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 may be rotatably mounted to the cabinet 10. In this case, a center hinge 13 may be provided between the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 to pivotally support the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21.

An upper end of the refrigerating compartment door 22 and a lower end of the freezing compartment door 21 may be axially coupled by the center hinge 13. The hinge axis of the center hinge 13 may be formed to be hollow as shown in FIG. 4, and a pipe through which water flows between the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 may pass through the hollow.

 In addition, an upper end of the refrigerating compartment door 22 and a lower end of the freezing compartment door 21 may be axially coupled by a hinge (not shown) to support the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 in a rotatable manner. have.

The freezer door 21 may be provided with an ice maker assembly 30. The ice maker assembly 30 includes a case 31 mounted on a rear surface of the freezer compartment door 21, an ice maker 33 provided inside the case 31 to make ice, and the ice maker 33. Ice drawer 32 may be provided to store the ice made in the).

The ice maker 33 may be configured as an auto ice maker in which ice is automatically iced upon completion of ice making after the water for ice making is automatically supplied. The structure of the auto ice maker is a general technique, and an auto ice maker of various structures may be applied to the present invention.

The ice drawer 32 may be provided below the ice maker 33, and may be mounted to be pulled out of the case 31. The user may take out the ice frozen through the ice drawer 32.

On the other hand, the front of the refrigerator compartment door 22 may be provided with a dispenser 70 for taking out water from the outside of the refrigerator compartment door 22. The dispenser 70 may include a dispenser case 71 that provides a recessed space in front of the refrigerating compartment door 22. Of course, at least a part of the recessed space of the dispenser 70 may be formed by recessing the out case 31 forming the outer surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22.

A cover plate 73 may be provided at an upper end of the dispenser 70 to shield the extraction nozzle 75 through which water is drawn out. In addition, a tray 74 may be provided at the lower end of the dispenser 70 to collect residual water generated when water is taken out. In addition, a depression lever 72 may be provided at the recessed inner side of the dispenser 70 for manipulating the extraction of water through the extraction nozzle 75. Water may be extracted through the extraction nozzle 75 by the operation of the extraction lever 72.

The rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22 may be provided with a water tank 40. The water tank 40 may be provided at an upper end of the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22. That is, the water tank 40 may be located at a higher position than the dispenser 70. Accordingly, the water discharged from the water tank 40 may be supplied to the dispenser 70 by its own weight, and may be taken out through the extraction nozzle 75 when the extraction lever 72 is operated.

Hereinafter, the water tank 40 will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure of a water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the water tank 40 may include a tank body 41 that forms a space in which water is accommodated, and a cover 42 that opens and closes the tank body 41. The tank body 41 may be formed of at least a portion of a transparent material so as to check the level of water stored therein.

A tank outlet portion 43 may be formed at one side of the circumferential surface including the bottom surface or the bottom surface of the tank body 41. The tank outlet portion 43 is formed in a tubular shape extending downward, and is configured to be in communication with the tank connecting member 50 formed on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22. Therefore, in the state in which the water tank 40 is mounted, water in the water tank 40 may be supplied to the tank connecting member 50.

The tank outlet portion 43 may extend in a vertically downward or inclined direction, and may be formed in a tubular shape insertable into the tank connecting member 50. In addition, a check valve may be provided inside the tank outlet 43. Therefore, when the water tank 40 is separated from the refrigerating compartment door 22, the check valve is closed so that the water in the water tank 40 is not discharged, and the water tank 40 is the refrigerating compartment. When the door 22 is mounted, the check valve may be opened so that water inside the water tank 40 may be supplied through the tank connecting member 50.

To this end, the tank connection member 50 may be mounted to the door liner 222, and the connection member case may be exposed through the tank mounting part 224. In addition, the tank connecting member 50 may have an upper recess 511 recessed to accommodate the tank outlet 43. In addition, the connector inlet 621 of the connector 60 into which the tank outlet 43 is inserted may be exposed into the upper recess 511. The configuration of the tank connecting member 50 will be described in more detail below.

The tank cover 42 may open and close the opened surface of the tank body 41, and may fill the inside of the tank body 41 through the opening of the tank cover 42. That is, the user checks the water level of the water stored in the water tank 40 through the tank body 41, and when it is determined that water replenishment is necessary, the user opens the tank cover 42 to open the inside of the tank body 41. Filled with water. On the other hand, the water tank 40 may be replenished with water in a state mounted on the refrigerating compartment door 22, may be mounted on the refrigerating compartment door 22 after the water tank 40 is removed to fill the water. There will be.

The water tank 40 is mounted on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22, and is positioned in an inner region of the refrigerating compartment 12 when the refrigerating compartment door 22 is closed. Therefore, the water contained in the water tank 40 by the cold air of the refrigerating chamber 12 can be cooled at a low temperature. Thus, water cooled through the dispenser 70 can be provided.

The refrigerating compartment door 22 may include an out plate 221 forming a front exterior and a door liner 222 forming a rear exterior. A plurality of door baskets 223 may be detachably provided to the door liner 222. In addition, a tank mounting portion 224 recessed inward may be formed at an upper end of the door liner 222 forming the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22.

The tank mounting part 224 is formed to support at least the bottom and left and right sides of the water tank 40. In addition, the tank mounting part 224 may be provided with a coupling structure with the water tank 40, and the water tank 40 may not be arbitrarily separated even when the refrigerating chamber door 22 is rotated. In addition, the tank connecting member 50 is provided inside the tank mounting part 224 to communicate with the tank outlet part 43 when the water tank 40 is completely mounted to the tank mounting part 224. have.

4 is a view showing the arrangement and the water supply structure of the ice maker assembly and the water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the ice maker assembly 30 may be mounted on the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 21. In this case, the case 31 may be combined with a mounting bracket 34 provided on the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 21. At least a portion of the mounting bracket 34 may be exposed through a door liner forming a rear surface of the freezer compartment door 21. In addition, the mounting bracket 34 may be provided with the connector portion 341 and the water supply pipe connecting portion 342.

The connector 341 is configured to be coupled to one side of the ice maker 33 in a male and female connector manner, and an electric wire for communication and power supply may be connected to the ice maker 33. In addition, the water supply pipe connecting portion 342 may be configured to be connected to the ice maker side pipe 23 for supplying the water of the water tank 40 to the ice maker 33 side.

In addition, an ice maker 33 is provided at an upper portion of the case 31, and a plurality of cold air holes 311 may be formed at an upper surface of the case 31 to supply cold air to the ice maker 33. have. Below the ice maker 33 may be provided with an ice drawer 32 that can be pulled out from the case 31. In addition, a drawer for food storage may be further provided below the ice drawer 32.

The refrigerator compartment door 22 may be provided with the water tank 40. In addition, the water tank 40 may be in communication with the tank connecting member 50 while the water tank 40 is mounted. And, one side of the tank connecting member 50 may be provided with a pump case 25.

The pump case 25 may be provided with a pump 24 for supplying water supplied from the water tank 40 to the upper ice maker 33. The pump 24 may be accommodated in the pump mounting part 251 formed inside the pump case 25. In addition, the tank connecting member 50 and the pump 24 may be connected by a connecting pipe 231. Meanwhile, the pump 24 may be connected to one end of the ice maker side pipe 23.

Therefore, when the pump 24 is driven, water supplied from the water tank 40 flows to the pump 24 through the connection pipe 231, and the ice maker side pipe through the pump 24. Flowing upward along 23 may be supplied to the ice maker 33.

At this time, the ice maker side pipe 23 passes through the hinge axis of the center hinge 13 in the process of passing through the refrigerating chamber door 22 to the freezing chamber door 21. Therefore, the ice maker side pipe 23 is not exposed to the outside, and does not interfere even when the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 21 are rotated.

The ice maker side pipe 23 may be configured in plural and may have a structure connected to each other. For example, the ice maker side pipe 23 may include a first pipe 232 extending from the inside of the refrigerating chamber 12 to the center hinge 13, and the ice maker at the center hinge 13. It may be composed of a second pipe 233 extending to 33). In this case, the first pipe 232 and the second pipe 233 may be connected to each other at the center hinge 13.

Hereinafter, the dispenser 70 and the tank connecting member 50 will be described in more detail.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 'of FIG. 1. And, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling structure of the dispenser and the tank connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the dispenser 70 may be provided on the front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22. The dispenser 70 may form a recessed space by the dispenser case 71. In addition, the dispenser case 71 may be configured to support the front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22.

In detail, the dispenser case 71 includes an upper case 711 forming an upper portion of the dispenser 70, a lower case 712 forming an lower portion of the dispenser case 71, and an upper case 711. It may be composed of a case connecting portion 713 connecting the lower case 712.

An upper accommodating part 711a may be recessed in the upper case 711. The upper accommodating part 711a may be opened forward, and the ejection nozzle 75 and the ejection lever 72 may be provided therein. In addition, at least a portion of the upper accommodating part 711a on which the ejection nozzle 75 is disposed may be shielded by the upper cover 42. To this end, a cover coupling part 711b coupled to the upper cover 42 may be formed inside the upper accommodating part 711a.

In addition, a pipe connection part 751 connected to the dispenser side pipe 76 is formed at an upper end of the discharge nozzle 75. The dispenser side pipe 76 is provided inside the refrigerating compartment door 22, and one end thereof is connected to the extraction nozzle 75 through the upper receiving portion 711a, and the other end thereof is the tank connection member 50. ) May be connected to the dispenser side connection portion 63 of the connector 60. Accordingly, water of the water tank 40 flows into the dispenser side pipe 76 through the dispenser side connection portion 63 of the connector 60, and the discharge nozzle 75 through the dispenser side pipe 76. Can be taken out.

At this time, one side of the ejection nozzle 75 or the upper receiving portion 711a may be further provided with a ejection valve 752 for opening and closing the flow path connected to the ejection nozzle 75 or the ejection nozzle 75. The draw valve 752 can be opened and closed by the operation of the draw lever 72.

The lower accommodating part 712a is formed at the lower end of the dispenser 70, that is, the lower case 712, and forms a space in which the dispenser tray 74 is detachably mounted. In addition, a tray coupling part 712b for coupling with the dispenser tray 74 may be further formed on the bottom surface of the lower receiving part 712a.

The case connection part 713 may be configured as a pair, and may extend from both sides of the upper end of the lower accommodating part 712a to the lower end of the upper accommodating part 711a. The upper accommodating part 711a and the lower accommodating part 712a may be spaced apart by the case connecting part 713.

7 is an exploded perspective view of the tank connecting member. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the tank connection member 50 may include the connection member case and the connector 60 mounted to the connection member case.

In detail, the connection member case may be injection-molded with a plastic material, and the connector 60 is fixedly mounted to allow the dispenser side pipe 76 and the connection pipe 231 to be connected. In addition, the connection member case may have a structure in which the tank outlet portion 43 of the water tank 40 may be inserted.

The connection member case may include a case upper part 51 and a case lower part 52. The upper case 51 may be a portion exposed to the outside of the door liner 222, and the lower case 52 may be located inside the door liner 222. In addition, the upper case 51 may be connected to the water tank 40, and the lower case 52 may be provided with the connector 60.

The case upper part 51 forms an upper part of the connection member case, and an upper recess 511 formed in the center is formed, and an upper edge 512 is formed around the upper recess 511. Can be. Therefore, when the tank connecting member 50 is mounted on the refrigerating compartment door 22, the upper recess 511 may be exposed through the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22.

The upper edge 512 may be adhesively fixed to the door liner 222. In addition, the upper edge 512 may correspond to the shape of the upper recess 511, the horizontal portion in contact with the back surface of the tank mounting portion 224 and the lower surface of the tank mounting portion 224. It may be composed of a portion 512b.

In addition, the opened upper surface of the connector 60 may be exposed on the inner surface of the upper recess 511. Thus, when looking at the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 22, the upper recess 511 may be exposed inside the tank mounting portion 224, and the connector 60 may be inside the upper recess 511. The connector inlet 621 of the upper surface may be exposed to have a structure in communication with the water tank 40.

The case lower portion 52 forms a lower portion of the connection member case. The case lower portion 52 extends from the lower end of the case upper portion 51, and may include a lower recess 521 opening forward and a lower edge 524 around the lower recess 521.

An upper end of the lower recess 521 may be in contact with the horizontal portion 512b, and communicates with the lower recess 521 on a lower surface of the horizontal portion 512b, that is, on an upper surface of the lower recess 521. The communicating portion 522 may be formed. The communicating portion 522 may extend into the lower recessed portion 521 and may be connected to the opened upper surface of the connector 60.

In addition, a pipe hole 523 may be formed at one side of the inner surface of the lower recess 521 to be opened toward the rear side. The pipe hole 523 may be opened at a position corresponding to the ice maker side connecting portion 64 of the connector, and the connection pipe connected to the ice maker side connecting portion 64 or the ice maker side connecting portion 64 ( 231 is formed to pass through.

The lower depression 521 may be located at a rear side corresponding to the dispenser 70, and the dispenser side connection portion 63 of the connector 60 accommodated inside the lower depression 521 may be disposed in the dispenser ( 70).

Meanwhile, the connector 60 may be accommodated inside the lower recess 521. The connector 60 may be coupled to the communication unit 522 inside the lower recess 521 to communicate with the upper recess 511. In addition, the dispenser side connecting portion 63 of the connector 60 may be disposed to face the dispenser 70 and may be connected to the dispenser side pipe 76. In addition, the ice maker side connecting portion 64 of the connector 60 may extend to a position adjacent to the pump 24 and may be connected to a connecting pipe 231 connected to the pump 24.

The structure of the connector 60 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8. The connector 60 includes a connector body 61 forming a flow path as a whole, the connector body 61 and the water tank 40. It may be configured to include a sealing member 62 for sealing between.

In detail, the connector body 61 may be injection-molded from a plastic material, and may be formed to have an upper end open, and a lower end may be branched in the front-rear direction to respectively connect the dispenser side connection part 63 and the ice maker side connection part 64. Can be formed.

An upper surface of the connector body 61 may be formed in a cylindrical shape that is open and extends upward. In detail, an upper end of the connector body 61 may have a sealing member coupling part 611 to which the sealing member 62 is coupled. The lower end of the sealing member coupling part 611 may have a stepped structure inward, and may be configured to support the lower end of the sealing member 62.

In addition, an outlet connection part 612 may be formed below the sealing member coupling part 611. The outlet connection part 612 may be formed to correspond to the outer diameter of the tank outlet part 43, and the lower end of the tank outlet part 43 may be supported when the water tank 40 is mounted. .

An opening protrusion 613 extending upward may be formed on the bottom surface of the outlet connecting portion 612. The opening protrusion 613 is spaced apart from the circumferential surface of the tank outlet portion 43 to form a space. The opening protrusion 613 is configured to press the check valve 431 inside the tank outlet 43 to open when the tank outlet 43 is inserted into the outlet connecting part 612. Can be. In this case, an end portion of the tank outlet portion 43 may be inserted into a space 614 between the circumferential surface of the outlet connection portion 612 and the opening protrusion 613. A plurality of opening protrusions 613 may be formed along the bottom surface of the outlet connecting portion 612, and the entire check valve 431 may be uniformly pushed upward.

The water outlet 615 may be formed below the outlet connection part 612. The water outlet 615 may be recessed downward but branched to both sides to form the dispenser side connection portion 63 and the ice maker side connection portion 64. Accordingly, the water discharged from the water tank 40 may be branched from the water outlet 615 and supplied to the dispenser side connection portion 63 and the ice maker side connection portion 64.

The dispenser side connection portion 63 and the ice maker side connection portion 64 are formed to have a downward slope, so that the water branched from the water outlet 615 is connected to the dispenser side connection portion 63 and the ice maker side connection portion. It can flow by its own weight along the slope of 64. The ejection nozzle 75 and the pump 24 communicating with the dispenser side connecting portion 63 and the ice maker side connecting portion 64 are better than the dispenser side connecting portion 63 and the ice maker side connecting portion 64. It is located below, allowing water to be supplied by its own weight.

On the other hand, the lower side of the connector body 61 may be formed in the horizontal direction, that is, the side fixing portion 65 extending in the direction crossing the direction of extension of the dispenser side connection portion 63 and the ice maker side connection portion 64 may be formed. have. The side fixing part 65 may extend in both the left and right directions between the dispenser side connection part 63 and the ice maker side connection part 64. The side fixing part 65 may be fixed to both side surfaces of the lower recess 521, and a screw penetrating through the lower recess 521 may be fastened to be fixed inside the lower recess 521. have.

In addition, the side fixing part 65 may be formed in a shaft shape and axially coupled inside the lower recessed part 521. In this case, the connector 60 may be formed such that the connector 60 may move somewhat around the side fixing part 65, and thus, the connector 60 may be connected to the water tank 40 or the dispenser side pipe 76. ), It may be to facilitate the connection of the connection pipe 231.

A lower fixing part 66 may be formed at the lower end of the connector body 61. The lower fixing part may extend downward between the dispenser side connection part 63 and the ice maker side connection part 64. In addition, the lower fixing part 66 may extend along the side fixing part 65.

A screw hole 661 may be formed at the center of the lower fixing part 66, and the connector 60 is fixed inside the lower recess 521 by a screw fastened to the screw hole 661. You can. In this case, three points of the connector 60 may be fixed by the side fixing part 65 and the lower fixing part 66, and a stable coupling structure may be provided inside the lower recess 521. .

In addition, when the connector 60 is fixed, the side fixing part 65 is first fixed, and the connector 60 is fixed to the lower fixing part 66 in a rotatable state, and then the dispenser side pipe 76 and After connecting the connection pipe 231, the lower fixing part 66 is fixed to facilitate the connection work of the pipes 76 and 231 and to stably fix the connector 60.

The sealing member 62 may be fixedly mounted to the sealing member coupling part 611 of the upper end of the connector body 61. The sealing member 62 may be formed of a rubber or silicone material, and may be positioned inside the communication part 522 of the upper recess 511 while being fixed to the sealing member coupling part 611. . Accordingly, when the water tank 40 is mounted, the tank outlet 43 of the water tank 40 may be inserted into the connector inlet 621 of the upper end of the sealing member 62.

In detail, an upper surface of the sealing member 62 is opened to form the connector inlet 621, and may be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer diameter of the tank outlet 43. In addition, a plurality of sealing ribs 623 protruding toward the center may be formed on the inner surface of the sealing member 62. The sealing rib 623 may be formed along the inner surface of the sealing member 62, and may have a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the tank outlet 43. Accordingly, when the tank outlet 43 is inserted, the sealing rib 623 is in close contact with the circumference of the tank outlet 43 to seal between the tank outlet 43 and the connector 60. Can be. The sealing rib 623 may be provided with a plurality, it is spaced apart from each other up and down to maintain a more effective airtight performance.

An inner extension part 622 and an outer extension part 625 may be formed below the sealing member 62, and the inner extension part 622 and the outer extension part 625 are spaced apart from each other so that the inner extension part is disposed. A space through which the upper end of the sealing member coupling part 611 may be inserted may be formed between the 622 and the outer extension part 625.

Therefore, when the sealing member 62 is mounted, an upper end of the sealing member coupling part 611 is coupled between the inner extension part 622 and the outer extension part 625 so that the sealing member 62 is fixedly mounted. can do. In this case, the inner extension part 622 may be formed with a restraining protrusion 624 extending in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the sealing member coupling portion 611. A plurality of restraining protrusions 624 may be formed, and the sealing members 62 and the connector body 61 may be firmly coupled by pressing the outer side of the sealing member coupling part 611. Therefore, the sealing member 62 may be maintained in a coupled state without being separated from the connector body 61 even after repeatedly removing the water tank 40.

Hereinafter, a process of supplying water from the water tank 40 to the dispenser 70 and the ice maker 33 in the refrigerator 1 having the structure as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. do.

9 is a view showing a water flow state in the tank connecting member. 10 is a view schematically showing the overall water flow path of the refrigerator.

As shown in the figure, the user fills the water tank 40 with the water tank 40 mounted or detached from the tank mounting part 224. In the state where the water tank 40 is mounted to the tank mounting portion 224, the tank outlet portion 43 is inserted into the connector 60, and the opening protrusion 613 is used to The check valve 431 inside the tank outlet portion 43 is opened to a state in which water can be supplied.

Some of the water introduced into the connector 60 may be discharged to the dispenser side pipe 76 through the dispenser side connection portion 63 branched from the tank outlet 43 inside the connector 60. It may be supplied to the dispenser 70. In such a state, when the user prepares the water extraction through the dispenser 70, when the user operates the ejection lever 72, water may be ejected through the ejection nozzle 75.

Meanwhile, some of the water introduced into the connector 60 is discharged to the connecting pipe 231 through the ice maker side connecting portion 64 branched from the tank outlet portion 43 inside the connector 60. May be supplied to the pump 24. In this state, when a signal for supplying water to the ice maker 33 is generated, driving of the pump 24 is started, and the water is supplied through the ice maker side pipe 23 by driving of the pump 24. Water in the tank 40 may be supplied.

At this time, the water supplied by the driving of the pump 24 flows along the first pipe 232 and the second pipe 233 constituting the ice maker side pipe 23, the center hinge 13 It is possible to supply from the refrigerating compartment door 22 to the freezing compartment door 21 above.

In this way, the water supply to the ice maker 33 can be made automatically, and after the water of the flow rate set to the ice maker 33 is supplied, the driving of the pump 24 is stopped and the ice maker 33 The water supply to the furnace is terminated.

Claims (17)

A cabinet forming a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment;
A refrigerator compartment door for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment;
A freezer compartment door to open and close the freezer compartment;
A dispenser formed on the front side of the refrigerating compartment door;
An ice maker provided in the freezer door;
A water tank detachably provided on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door and positioned above the dispenser;
A tank outlet portion protruding downward from the water tank and having a valve built therein;
And a tank connecting member provided at a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door and allowing the water tank and the dispenser to communicate with each other.
The tank connecting member,
An upper part of the case which is opened toward the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door and into which the tank outlet part is inserted;
A lower portion of the case communicating with an upper portion of the upper portion of the case and opening toward the dispenser;
The lower part of the case is provided with a connector having an upper surface opened so that the lower end of the tank connection member is inserted,
At the bottom of the connector,
A dispenser side connection portion formed in a tubular shape extending forward and connected to a pipe to the dispenser;
It is formed in a tubular shape extending to the rear, the refrigerator characterized in that each of the ice maker side connection portion connected to the pipe to the ice maker is formed.
The method of claim 1,
The freezer compartment is located above the refrigerating compartment.
The method of claim 2,
The cabinet is provided with a center hinge for rotatably supporting the refrigerator compartment door and the freezer compartment door between the refrigerator compartment door and the freezer compartment door.
And the center hinge is hollow so that a pipe for supplying water from the tank connection member to the ice maker is passed.
The method of claim 1,
The dispenser side connection portion and the ice maker side connection portion are disposed to face each other,
Refrigerators, each of which extends to have a downward slope.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The lower portion of the case is located above the discharge line of the dispenser, characterized in that the water in the water tank is discharged to the dispenser by its own weight.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door is formed with a tank mounting portion for supporting the lower surface and both sides of the water tank,
The lower surface of the tank mounting portion is a refrigerator, characterized in that the opening of the connector in one side of the connector is connected to the water tank is exposed.
The method of claim 1,
The water tank,
A tank body in which water is stored;
It includes a tank cover for opening and closing the tank body,
And the tank outlet portion extends from the bottom surface of the tank body.
The method of claim 7, wherein
The open upper end of the connector is formed of a rubber or silicone material, and extends by a predetermined height along the upper end of the connector, characterized in that the sealing member which is in close contact with the circumference of the tank outlet when the tank outlet is inserted Refrigerator.
delete The method of claim 1,
The lower end of the connector extends in both sides intersecting the dispenser side connection portion and the ice maker side connection portion between the dispenser side connection portion and the ice maker side connection portion,
Refrigerator, characterized in that the side fixing parts rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the lower case.
delete The method of claim 10,
The lower end of the connector extends downward along the side fixing portion, characterized in that the refrigerator further comprises a lower fixing portion fixed to the lower case by a screw.
The method of claim 1,
The refrigerator compartment door, the refrigerator is connected to the pipe connected to the ice maker side connection portion, characterized in that the refrigerator is provided with a pump for supplying water to the ice maker.
The method of claim 13,
And a pump case to which the pump is mounted on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door, and a refrigerator provided below the water tank under the pump case.
The method of claim 1,
The inside of the connector is formed with an open protrusion projecting upwards,
And the opening protrusion opens the valve by pressing the valve of the tank outlet when the water tank is mounted.
The method of claim 8,
A refrigerator, characterized in that the inner side of the sealing member is provided with a sealing rib protruding inward and in close contact with the outer surface of the tank outlet portion.
The method of claim 8,
The ejection nozzle of the dispenser is located further below the end of the dispenser side connection portion,
The pump for supplying water to the ice maker is characterized in that the refrigerator is located further below the end of the ice maker side connection.

Images