KR20220076745A - Filter assembly and refrigerator including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The water purification filter assembly according to the present invention includes a filter body having an inlet port to which raw water supplied from the outside is supplied and an outlet port for discharging the purified raw water, and the purified raw water from the filter body. and a purified water tank in which is stored, a case in which at least one of the filter body and the purified water tank is disposed to have a predetermined inclination, and at least one support part for supporting at least one side of the filter body or the purified water tank.

Description

Water filter assembly and refrigerator including same

The present invention relates to a water purification filter assembly and a refrigerator including the same, and more particularly, to a water purification tank for storing and purifying water, a water purification filter assembly having a filter installed in a case, and a refrigerator including the same.

In general, a water purifier provides high-quality drinking water to users by purifying tap water, and includes at least one filter for removing microorganisms, minerals, or odors from the tap water.

The filter gradually loses its function as the tap water is purified, so it should be replaced periodically. Therefore, a structure for allowing a user to easily replace the filter has been required.

Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-2011-0001021 (published on Jan. 31, 2011) (hereinafter referred to as 'prior art') discloses a 'combination structure of a water purification filter for a water purification system'.

In the prior art, an inlet and an outlet are formed in a protrusion shape on a cap fastened to a filter, and the inlet and the outlet are rotatably fastened to a pair of holders, so that the user can determine that the inlet and outlet are the pair of holders. By rotating the cap to rotate the holder of the rotation center, the filter could be easily replaced.

Meanwhile, recently, a refrigerator having a water purifier function has also been released, and the filter for the water purifier function is installed in the refrigerator as well.

Therefore, it is necessary to secure space by effectively disposing other components such as a filter within a limited space of the home appliance such as the water purifier or the refrigerator.

Republic of Korea Public Utility Model Publication No. 20-2011-0001021 (published on January 31, 2011)

The present invention has been devised to solve the above technical problem, and by improving a water purification filter assembly including a water purification tank and a filter for purified water in a limited space of a water purifier or a refrigerator into a specific structure that can be mounted, the limited space is efficiently used An object of the present invention is to provide a water-purifying filter assembly capable of doing so, and a refrigerator including the same.

In addition, the present invention provides a water-purifying filter assembly including a configuration capable of stably supporting a water-purifying tank or filter according to a specific arrangement structure of the water-purifying filter assembly including the water-purifying tank and the filter as described above, and a refrigerator including the same. will be.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the water filter assembly according to the present invention,

a filter body having an inlet port through which raw water is supplied from the outside and an outlet port through which the purified raw water is discharged;

a water purification tank in which the raw water purified from the filter body is stored;

a case in which at least one of the filter body and the purified water tank is disposed with a predetermined inclination; and

It may include; at least one support for supporting at least one side of the filter body or the purified water tank.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the support portion,

an extended contact unit supporting at least a portion of the water tank or filter body; and

It may include; may include;

In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the support part, the restraining part, and the fastening means is not particularly limited as long as the case, the filter body, and the water tank can be mutually fastened, for example, to a predetermined length. It may be formed in the shape of an extended bar, a protruding protrusion or a rib (lib) shape.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a fastening part for mutual coupling may be formed in the support part and the fastening means, respectively. The fastening part may be, for example, a fastening hole for screw coupling or a pressurized fastening method, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the restraining portion may be formed in a shape to support at least a portion of the fastening means.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the restraining portion may be formed in a shape in which at least a portion of the cross-section is curved or bent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the restraint portion may be formed in a direction opposite to the direction of the center of gravity due to a load when the water tank or filter body is coupled to the case with a predetermined inclination with respect to the ground. can

In one embodiment of the present invention, the purified water tank,

a purified water inlet through which purified water discharged from an outlet port of the filter body is introduced; and

It may include a; purified water outlet from which the purified water is discharged to the outside.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the case,

a first case in which the purified water tank is accommodated; and

and a second case formed with a predetermined angle from one end of the first case and storing the filter body.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second case from one side of the first case may include a structure coupled in a vertical direction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the purified water tank is stored in the first case, at least one side with respect to the ground may be disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a valve may be disposed in the case, and the valve may be, for example, a DC valve or an AC valve.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve may be formed in a connection portion where purified water purified from the filter body is connected to the purified water tank and a portion where the purified water is discharged from the purified water tank to the outside.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the purified water purified from the filter body may be directly supplied to an ice maker for ice removal through the valve.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a drain unit for storing dripping water may be formed on a lower side of the filter body.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The water purification filter assembly and the refrigerator including the same according to the present invention improve the water purification filter assembly including the water purification tank and filter in a limited space of the water purifier or refrigerator into a specific structure that can be installed, thereby efficiently using the limited space. There is an effect that can be done.

In addition, the water purification filter assembly and the refrigerator including the same according to the present invention have the effect of stably supporting the water purification tank or filter according to a specific arrangement structure of the water filter assembly including the water tank and the filter.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a view showing a refrigerator in which a water filter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed;
2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a filter body according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 to 4 are views showing the inside of a water filter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention,
5 is a view showing a state in which the purified water tank according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the case,
6 to 8 are partial enlarged views of the support according to the embodiment of the present invention,
9 to 10 are partial enlarged views showing a state in which the water purification tank according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the support,
11 is a view showing a cross-sectional view of a filter body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, or order of the elements are not limited by the terms. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the present application. does not

1 is a view showing a refrigerator in which a filter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a refrigerator in which a water filter assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed includes a main body 7 having a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment formed therein, and a door 8A for opening and closing the opened front of the main body 7 ; 8B, 9).

The body 7 may be formed in a rectangular shape with an open front surface. The opened front surface of the main body 7 may be the opened front surface of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

The refrigerating compartment may be disposed above the freezing compartment. However, the refrigerating compartment may be disposed below the freezing compartment.

The doors 8A, 8B, and 9 may include refrigerating compartment doors 8A and 8B for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment, and a freezing compartment door 9 for opening and closing the freezing compartment. The refrigerating compartment doors 8A and 8B may be disposed above the freezing compartment door 9 . However, when the refrigerating compartment is disposed below the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment doors 8A and 8B may be disposed below the freezing compartment door 9 .

Two refrigerator compartment doors 8A and 8B may be provided. That is, the refrigerating compartment doors 8A and 8B may include a first refrigerating compartment door 8A for opening and closing a portion of the refrigerating compartment and a second refrigerating compartment door 8B for opening and closing the remaining portion of the refrigerating compartment. The first refrigerating compartment door 8A may rotate around the left side to open and close the left side of the refrigerating compartment, and the second refrigerating compartment door 8B may rotate about the right side to open and close the right side of the refrigerating compartment. When the refrigerator is viewed from the front, the first refrigerating compartment door 8A may be disposed on the left side of the second refrigerating compartment door 8B, and the second refrigerating compartment door 8B may be disposed on the right side of the first refrigerating compartment door 8A. can be placed.

The freezer compartment door 9 may be provided as one. The freezing compartment door 9 may be opened and closed by sliding back and forth.

A water filter assembly 10 may be installed in the upper right side of the refrigerating compartment. However, the water filter assembly 10 may be installed in the upper left room inside the refrigerating compartment, may be installed in the upper right room inside the freezing compartment, or may be installed in the upper left room inside the freezing compartment.

Of course, the refrigerator may be formed as a freezer having only a freezing compartment without the refrigerating compartment, or may be formed as a refrigerator having only the refrigerating compartment without the freezing compartment.

In addition, the refrigerator compartment doors 8A and 8B may be provided as one door instead of two, and the freezing compartment door 9 may be provided as two doors instead of one.

That is, in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerating compartment is provided at the upper portion, a freezing chamber is provided at the lower portion, and two doors (8A, 8B) that are rotated to open and close on both sides are provided in the refrigerating chamber, and the freezer compartment is provided in front and back. Although an FDR (French Door Refrigerator) type refrigerator equipped with a sliding door 9 that opens and closes in a drawer type has been described as an example, it is not limited to the FDR type refrigerator, and SBS (Side By) with two doors open on both sides. Side) It may also include a door-type refrigerator.

When any one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment is defined as the first compartment and the other is defined as the second compartment, the water filter assembly 10 may It can be installed on the upper side of the inside of the part.

2 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the water purification filter assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 4 are views showing the inside of the water purification filter assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 4 , in the water filter assembly 10 according to the present invention, the filter body 500 in which the raw water flowing in from the outside is purified, is connected to one side of the filter body 500, and the purified raw water is stored. It may be configured to include a purified water tank 300 to be used, a second case 12 in which the filter body 500 is stored, and a first case 11 in which the purified water tank 300 is stored.

The first case 11 in which the purified water tank 300 is stored may be disposed in a vertical direction to the second case 12 in which the filter body 500 is stored. In some cases, the first case 11 and the second case 12 may be formed in a structure coupled to be adjustable at a preset angle. This makes it possible to use the limited internal space of the refrigerator or freezer compartment more efficiently by having a connection structure bent at various angles according to an external structure when disposed in the refrigerator or freezer compartment. Such a structure can provide a form capable of overcoming the structural limitations of conventionally storing a filter and a water tank in one space in one space.

A filter body 500 may be disposed in the second case 12 . The filter body 500 is a space where raw water is supplied and purified from the outside, and the specific structure of the filter body 500 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The second case 12 may have a rectangular shape having a predetermined space, and the filter body 500 may be disposed in a horizontal direction. The filter body 500 may be connected to the purified water tank 300 while being disposed in the second case 12 . That is, the raw water purified from the filter body 500 may be introduced into the purified water tank 300 and stored.

An inlet port 210 through which raw water is introduced from the outside and an outlet port 220 through which the raw water is discharged may be formed in the filter body 500 . The third connection pipe H ₃ may be connected to the inlet port 210 of the filter body 500 and the first connection pipe H ₁ may be connected to the outlet port 220 through the auxiliary pipe H ₀ . The AC valve 13 may be formed at the connection portion of the first connection pipe H ₁ connected to the outlet port 220 of the filter body 500 through the auxiliary pipe H ₀ . The filter body 500 may be coupled and fixed to the second case 12 through the fastening member 12-1.

A purified water inlet 310 through which the raw water purified from the filter body 500 flows in and a purified water outlet 320 through which the raw water is discharged may be formed in the purified water tank 300 . A fourth connection pipe (H ₄ ) is connected to the purified water inlet 310 of the purified water tank 300 so that the raw water purified from the filter body 500 flows into the purified water tank 300 via the AC valve 13 . can

Specifically, in the water purification filter assembly 10 according to the present invention, the purified raw water supplied from the second case 12 and the filter body 500 is stored in the filter body 500 in which the raw water flowing in from the outside is purified. It may include a first case 11 in which the stored purified water tank 300 is stored. The filter body 500 may be fastened to the lower inner surface of the second case 120 through a plurality of fastening members 12-2 in a screw fastening manner. According to the present invention, since the first case 11 and the second case 12 may be arranged to be connected to each other in a vertical direction, the filter body 500 and the purified water tank 300 may also be arranged in a vertical direction.

The above-described inlet port 210 is formed in the filter body 500 , and raw water may be supplied from the outside through the third connection pipe H ₃ connected to the inlet port 210 . This raw water is introduced through the inlet port 210 of the filter body 500 and purified, and then moved to the first connection pipe H ₁ connected to the outlet port 220 through the auxiliary pipe H ₀ . . At this time, the AC valve 13 may be formed on the first connection pipe (H ₁ ), and the raw water purified through this AC valve 13 is connected to one end of the first connection pipe (H ₁ ), The supply may be directly connected to an external device, for example, an ice maker (not shown).

Here, the fourth connection pipe (H ₄ ) is a pipe branched from the AC valve 13 formed on the first connection pipe (H ₁ ) and connected to the purified water tank 300 , and extends from the AC valve 13 , It may be connected to the purified water tank 300 through the purified water inlet 310 of the purified water tank 300 . The AC valve 13 is automatically or manually opened and closed according to a signal, and may perform a function of adjusting a flow rate and the like.

The raw water purified in the filter body 500 flowing in through the purified water inlet 310 of the purified water tank 300 is exposed to the outside of the refrigerator through the purified water outlet 320 of the purified water tank 300, etc. is supplied and the user can drink it.

The water filter assembly 10 according to the present invention has a structure in which the second case 12 in which the filter body 500 is stored and the first case 11 in which the purified water tank 300 is stored are vertically connected, and further It is characterized in that spatial efficiency can be greatly improved by the purified water tank 300 slantedly disposed on the first case 11 . That is, the purified water tank 300 may be disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane relative to the ground on the first case 11 , and the internal configuration in addition to the installation space formed by this inclined arrangement structure By allowing it to be arranged, it is characterized in that spatial efficiency can be greatly improved.

As described above, in the water purification filter assembly 10 according to the present invention, the second case 12 in which the filter body 500 is stored and the first case 11 in which the purified water tank 300 is stored are vertically connected. In addition to the structure in which one side of the purified water tank 300 is disposed in the first case 11 , it may be disposed to have a predetermined inclination with respect to the other side opposite to the first case 11 . Due to the inclined arrangement structure of the purified water tank 300, as shown in FIG. 7, separate installation spaces can be secured at the upper left and lower right sides, and in this installation space, the AC valve ( 14), there is a feature of the present invention in that other pipes including can be additionally installed.

The purified water tank 300 may have a rounded shape at one end, and may be disposed in the first case 11 so that the one side is inclined upward or downward. Various valves and pipes may be stored in an installation space provided through the inclined portion.

Furthermore, in order to provide an efficient inclined arrangement structure of the purified water tank 300 , a plurality of support parts 700 may be formed in the purified water tank 300 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the plurality of support parts 700 coupled to the purified water tank 300 which are disposed at an angle will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

5 is a view showing a state in which the purified water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a case, FIGS. 6 to 8 are partially enlarged views of a support according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 9 to 10 are this view It is a partial enlarged view showing a state in which the water tank according to an embodiment of the invention is coupled to the support.

Referring to these drawings, the purified water filter assembly 10 according to the present invention includes a filter body 500 in which raw water flowing in from the outside is purified, and a purified water tank connected to one side of the filter body 500 and storing the purified raw water. 300 , the second case 12 in which the filter body 500 is stored, and the first case 11 in which the purified water tank 300 is stored may be included. Here, as described above, the purified water tank 300 according to the present invention may be disposed on the first case 11 to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane with respect to the ground.

Since one side of the purified water tank 300 is formed to be inclined upward in the longitudinal direction of the first case 11, the purified water tank 300 may be eccentric to a certain portion with respect to the center of gravity due to its own load and thus the center of gravity may be applied. Accordingly, in the water purification filter assembly 10 according to the present invention, at least one support part 700 capable of supporting the center of gravity is formed in the upper part of the purified water tank 300 at both ends of the lower part, so that the center of gravity is unbalanced. can be effectively supported.

Specifically, the purified water tank 300 of the purified water filter assembly 10 according to the present invention may be coupled and fixed to the support part 700 formed in the first case 11 . The support part 500 may be formed at upper and lower edges of the water tank 300 which is inclinedly disposed among the inner surface of the first case 11 . The support part 700 may be injection-molded integrally with the first case 11 . A fastening hole 311 into which the bolt 30 can be inserted is formed in the purified water tank 300 , and a fastening hole 722 may be formed in the support part 700 of a corresponding portion, respectively.

First, fastening means 330 extending to one side and protruding from both ends of the upper and lower ends of the purified water tank 300 may be formed. A fastening hole 311 into which the bolt 30 is inserted may be formed in the central portion of the fastening means 330 of the purified water tank 300 in consideration of fastening with the support 700 .

On the other hand, the support part 500 is the purified water tank 300 or It may be configured to include a restraining part 720 formed in a shape to support the fastening means 330 of the filter body 500 . Similarly, a fastening hole 722 into which the bolt 30 screwed through the fastening hole 311 of the purified water tank 300 is inserted may be formed in the central portion of the restraining unit 720 . Here, the shape of the curved surface 711 of the extended contact portion 710 supporting one side of the filter body 500 may be provided in various shapes according to the shape of the contact portion of the filter body 500 .

In addition, a stopper 721 may be formed in the restraint portion 720 in a shape extending upward to a predetermined length and protruding. The stopper 721 of the restraining unit 720 may be formed to protrude upward in a shape of enclosing to support a part of the fastening means 330 of the purified water tank 300 .

Here, as described above, the purified water tank 300 according to the present invention is inclinedly disposed on the first case 11 , and the stopper 721 formed on the restraining unit 720 is disposed on the upper side of the purified water tank 300 or It may be formed in a shape surrounding the fastening means 330 to support the fastening means 330 in different shapes depending on the position and shape of the fastening means 330 formed at the lower end. In one example, when one side of the purified water tank 300 has a structure in which one side sails downward and the other side faces upward, one of the stoppers 721 of the restraint unit 720 according to the present invention is on the upper side of the purified water tank 300 . As shown in FIG. 6 , the formed stopper 721 may be formed in a shape surrounding the upper surface of the fastening means 330 formed at the upper end of the purified water tank 300 . In comparison, the stopper 721 formed on the lower side has a shape to support the lower surface of the fastening means 330 formed at the lower end of the purified water tank 300 which is inclined as shown in FIG. 7 . can be formed. Accordingly, the purified water tank 300 may be supported without stably flowing on the support part 700 formed in the first case 110 .

That is, the stopper 721 of the support part 700 according to the present invention stably supports the center of gravity changed by being eccentric according to the inclination inclined with respect to the center of gravity of the purified water tank 300. The shape of the stopper 721 of the support part 700 which is respectively formed in the upper part and the lower part may be formed differently.

11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a filter body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the head part 200 is provided on the upper side of the filter case 100 . The head part 200 may be formed to protrude upward from the upper side of the filter case 100 .

An inlet port 210 and an outlet port 220 may be formed in the head part 200 . The inlet port 210 and the outlet port 220 may be formed to protrude from the circumference of the head part 200 in a radial direction. The inlet port 210 and the outlet port 220 may be formed to protrude in opposite directions to each other. The inlet port 210 may be formed to protrude in a radial direction from one side of the circumference of the head unit 200 , and the outlet port 220 may be formed to project from the other side of the circumference of the head unit 200 in a radial direction.

The inlet port 210 and the outlet port 220 may be formed in a tubular shape. Raw water may be introduced into the inlet port 210 . In the outlet port 220 , purified water from the filter body 1 may flow out. Raw water introduced into the filter case 100 through the inlet port 210 may be purified in the filter case 100 and then discharged to the outside of the filter body 1 through the outlet port 220 .

Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: water filter assembly
11: first case 12: second case
13: AC valve 14: DC valve
15: cover 30: bolt
100: filter assembly 200: head portion
210: inlet port 220: outlet port
300: purified water tank 310: purified water inlet
320: purified water outlet 330: fastening means
311: fastening hole 500: filter body
700: support 710: extended contact portion
711: curved surface 720: constraint
721: stopper 722: fastening hole
Space: Valve installation space H ₁ : 1st connection hose
H ₂ : 2nd connection hose H ₃ : 3rd connection hose
H ₄ : 4th connecting hose

Claims (15)

a filter body having an inlet port through which raw water is supplied from the outside and an outlet port through which the purified raw water is discharged;
a water purification tank in which the raw water purified from the filter body is stored;
a case in which at least one of the filter body and the purified water tank is disposed with a predetermined inclination; and
Comprising at least one support part for supporting at least one side of the filter body or the purified water tank,
The support portion includes an extended contact portion supporting at least a portion of the purified water tank or filter body; and a restraining portion formed in a shape to support at least a portion of the fastening means of the purified water tank or filter body from the extended contact portion. water filter assembly.
The method of claim 1,
At least one of the support part, the restraining part, and the fastening means has a bar shape or a rib shape extending to a predetermined length.
The method of claim 1,
A water filter assembly in which fastening parts for mutual coupling are formed in the support part and the fastening means, respectively.
The method of claim 1,
The water filter assembly is formed in a shape to support at least a portion of the fastening means.
The method of claim 1,
The water filter assembly in which at least a portion of the restraining portion is formed in a curved or bent shape.
The method of claim 1,
The constraint is
The water purification filter assembly is formed in a direction opposite to the direction of the center of gravity due to a load when the water tank or filter body is coupled to the case with a predetermined inclination with respect to the ground.
The method of claim 1,
The water tank is
a purified water inlet through which purified water discharged from an outlet port of the filter body is introduced; and
A purified water filter assembly comprising a; purified water outlet through which the purified water is discharged to the outside.
The method of claim 1,
The case is
a first case in which the purified water tank is accommodated; and
and a second case formed at a predetermined angle from one end of the first case and in which the filter body is stored.
9. The method of claim 8,
and a structure in which the second case is vertically coupled from one side of the first case.
9. The method of claim 8,
The water purification tank is stored in the first case, and at least one side of the water filter assembly is disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the ground.
The method of claim 1,
A water filter assembly in which a valve is disposed in the case.
12. The method of claim 11,
wherein the valve is a DC valve or an AC valve.
12. The method of claim 11,
The valve is a water filter assembly formed in a connection portion through which purified water purified from the filter body is discharged to the purified water tank and at a portion at which the purified water is discharged from the purified water tank to the outside.
14. The method of claim 13,
The purified water from the filter body is directly supplied to an ice maker for ice removal through the valve.
The method of claim 1,
A water filter assembly in which a drain unit for storing dripping water is formed on a lower side of the filter body.

Images