U.S. patent application number 13/384494 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-10 for refrigerator.
Invention is credited to Dong-Wan Kim, Sung-Kyoung Kim.
Application Number | 20120111049 13/384494 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43586643 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120111049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Sung-Kyoung ; et
al. |
May 10, 2012 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes 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.
Inventors: |
Kim; Sung-Kyoung; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kim; Dong-Wan; (Seoul, KR) |
Family ID: |
43586643 |
Appl. No.: |
13/384494 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
August 11, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2010/005265 |
371 Date: |
January 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/344 ; 62/340;
62/447 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2400/06 20130101;
F25D 23/126 20130101; F25D 2323/122 20130101; F25C 2400/10
20130101; F25D 2500/02 20130101; F25C 2400/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/344 ; 62/340;
62/447 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/24 20060101
F25C001/24; F25D 11/02 20060101 F25D011/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 11, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0073617 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: 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.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the storage space
comprises at least one of or both a freezing compartment and a
refrigerating compartment; and the door comprises at least one of
ro both a freezing compartment door and a refrigerating compartment
door that closes and opens the freezing and refrigerating
compartments, respectively.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the water supply
container is provided on a side of one of the freezing and
refrigerating compartment doors.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the ice-maker is
provided on a side of one of the freezing and refrigerating
compartment doors.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the pump and the
valve are coupled to each other by a mounting member and the
mounting member is fixedly mounted on an outer side of the
refrigerator.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, further comprising a
machine room provided on a lower portion of the main body, wherein
the mounting member is mounted in the machine room.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the pump and the
valve are provided at a lower side of an inside of the
refrigerating compartment.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the water supply
container is configured to be removable from the refrigerating
compartment or the refrigerating compartment door.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water supply
passage extends to the ice-maker and the dispenser through a hinge
connecting the door to the main body.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water supply
passage comprises: a suction passage disposed within the water
supply container; an inlet passage having a first end connected to
the suction passage and a second end connected to an inlet side of
the pump; an outlet passage connected to the valve at an outlet
side of the pump; an ice-maker passage extending from the valve to
the ice-maker; and a dispenser passage extending from the valve to
an water outlet of the dispenser.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, further comprising a
container connecting portion that is detachably connected to a rear
surface of the door, wherein the water supply container is
selectively coupled to the container connecting portion.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the suction
passage passes through and integrally formed with the container
connecting portion.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the suction
passage is selectively connected to the inlet passage by detachably
mounting the container connecting portion on the door.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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
[0010] In one embodiment, 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.
[0011] 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
[0012] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure has the
following effects.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating a door open
state of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a machine
room of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply
pump and a valve structure according to an embodiment.
[0019] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating a water
supply state of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] Meanwhile, a water supply container 400 may be provided on
the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment door 220.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] In addition, the pump 600 and the valve 700 are provided in
the machine room 140. The pump 600 and the valve 700 may be
integrally coupled to each other by a mounting member 800 and
fixedly mounted in the machine room 140 by the mounting member
800.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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.
[0057] A connection state between the water supply passage 500, the
pump 600, and the valve 700 will described hereinafter in more
detail.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] Accordingly, since an amount of ice-making water supplied to
the ice-maker 310 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.
[0070] The following will describe operation of the refrigerator
having the above-described structure.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] 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.
[0074] 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.
[0075] 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.
[0076] 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.
[0077] 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.
[0078] 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.
[0079] 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.
[0080] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating a water
supply state of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
[0081] In FIG. 5, for convenience of the description, a structure
for supplying the water to the ice-maker will be described as an
example.
[0082] 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.
[0083] 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.
[0084] 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.
[0085] Accordingly, the air is filled in some of the suction
passage 510, inlet passage 520, outlet passage 530, and ice-maker
passage 540.
[0086] 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.
[0087] 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.
[0088] 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.
[0089] 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.
[0090] 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.
[0091] 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.
[0092] Meanwhile, this principle can be identically applied to not
only the ice-maker passage 540 but also the dispenser passage
550.
[0093] 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 spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *