Water dispenser abstract
A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator includes
a connecting part connected to a reservoir which stores water, a
valve spool for opening/closing the connecting part, a biasing spring
placed between the connecting part and valve spool, for exerting
a biasing force to the valve spool, and an open/close part for raising
the valve spool by overcoming the biasing force of the biasing spring.
The horizontal motion of a slide member sliding along a base plate
swings the cams, and the swing motion of the cams raises the valve
spool. Once valve spool ascends, the connecting part is opened and
the water within the reservoir is poured into a cup. The valve assembly
is easy and convenient to use, is simple in structure, and maximizes
the space efficiency of a refrigerating compartment door.
Water dispenser claims
What is claimed is:
1. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator comprising:
connecting means having a cap installed to an inner side of a refrigerating
compartment door for being screw-coupled to a reservoir in which
water is stored, an outlet conduit longitudinally formed by piercing
through the center of said cap, for allowing said water within said
reservoir to flow, and a guide member formed to the inner side of
the upper portion of said outlet conduit and having a guide hole
in a center thereof;
valve means joined to said outlet conduit of said connecting means,
said valve means having a packing member for opening/closing said
outlet conduit;
a biasing member placed between said connecting means and said
valve means, for exerting a biasing force upon said valve means;
and
open/close means having a base plate fixed to said refrigerating
compartment door, a slide member slidably mounted to said base plate,
and a pair of cams swinging by means of said slide member, said
cams being for moving said valve means up and down.
2. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 1 wherein said connecting means further comprises
a guide conduit longitudinally formed to the lower surface of said
cap, formed to the outer side of said outlet conduit, and forming
a concentric circle together with said outlet conduit; and
a screw thread is provided at the inner periphery of said cap,
a guide hole is formed in the inner center of said outlet conduit,
and said cap, outlet conduit, guide conduit and guide member are
integrally formed.
3. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means further comprises:
a valve rod for moving said packing member up and down, said packing
member being attached to an upper end of said valve rod; and
a valve cock for fixing a lower end of said valve rod to said outlet
conduit, said outlet conduit being inserted into said valve cock.
4. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 3 wherein said valve cock further comprises:
a first cylinder, into which said outlet conduit is inserted;
a second cylinder having a diameter larger than that of said first
cylinder;
a shoulder for connecting one side of said first cylinder to one
side of said second cylinder; and
a fixing rib formed in a radial direction within said first cylinder,
said valve rod being fixed to a center of said fixing rib.
5. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 1 wherein said open/close means comprises:
a pair of ribs having hinges which are installed to both ends of
one side of said base plate and are formed toward the inner side,
and being pivotally mounted to said cams, having stop projections
projecting from one sides for confining the swinging motion of said
cams, and having a pair of coil springs, into which said hinges
are inserted for returning said cams to original positions thereof;
a push plate for sliding said slide member by applying a pressure;
and an operation rod projecting from the front surface of said slide
member, for transmitting said pressure of said push plate to said
slide member,
whereby a pair of rails on which said slide member are slidably
mounted is formed to the inner side of said base plate, and said
slide member is formed with an orifice for permitting said water
issued via said outlet conduit to pass therethrough when said outlet
conduit is opened.
6. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 5 wherein said open/close means comprises:
a return spring, into which said operation rod is inserted, for
returning said push plate to an original position thereof; and
a pair of stop rings fixed to the outer periphery of said operation
rod, for confining both ends of said return spring to prevent said
return spring from being separated from said operation rod.
7. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator comprising:
connecting means having a cap installed to the inner side of a
refrigerating compartment door for being screw-coupled to a reservoir
which stores water, an outlet conduit longitudinally formed by piercing,
through the center of said cap, for allowing said water within said
reservoir to flow, a guide member formed to the inner side of the
upper portion of said outlet conduit and having a guide hole in
the center thereof, and a guide conduit longitudinally formed to
the lower surface of said cap, formed to the outer side of said
outlet conduit, and forming a concentric circle together with said
outlet conduit;
valve means joined to said outlet conduit of said connecting means
and having a packing member for opening/closing said outlet conduit,
said valve means having a valve rod for moving said packing member
up and down wherein said packing member is attached to an upper
end of said valve rod, and a valve cock for fixing a lower end of
said valve rod to said outlet conduit, said outlet conduit being
inserted into said valve cock;
a biasing member placed in a space defined by said cap, said outlet
conduit, and said valve cock, for exerting a biasing force to said
valve means; and
open/close means having a base plate fixed to said refrigerating
compartment door, a slide member slidably mounted to said base plate,
a pair of cams swinging by means of said slide member, for moving
said valve means up and down, a pair of ribs installed to both ends
of one side of said base plate, for being slidably mounted with
said cams, a push plate, for sliding said slide member by applying
a pressure, an operation rod projecting from the front surface of
said slide member, for transmitting said pressure of said push plate
to said slide member, and a return spring, into which said operation
rod is inserted, for returning said push plate to an original position
thereof.
8. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 7 wherein said cap, outlet conduit, guide conduit
and guide member are integrally formed.
9. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 7 wherein a pair of rails on which said slide
member are slidably mounted is formed to the inner side of said
base plate, and said slide member is formed with an orifice for
permitting said water issued via said outlet conduit to pass therethrough
when said outlet conduit is opened.
10. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 7 wherein said valve means further comprises:
a first cylinder, into which said outlet conduit is inserted;
a second cylinder having a diameter larger than that of said first
cylinder;
a shoulder for connecting one side of said first cylinder to one
side of said second cylinder; and
a fixing rib formed in a radial direction within said first cylinder,
said valve rod being fixed to a center of said fixing rib.
11. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator as
claimed in claim 7 wherein said open/close means further comprises
a pair of stop rings fixed to the outer periphery of said operation
rod, for confining both ends of said return spring to prevent said
return spring from being separated from said operation rod.
12. A valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator comprising:
connecting means having a cap installed to an inner side of a refrigerating
compartment door for being screw-coupled to a reservoir which stores
water, an outlet conduit longitudinally formed by piercing through
a center of said cap, for allowing said water within said reservoir
to flow, a guide member being formed to the inner side of the upper
portion of said outlet conduit and having a guide hole in the center
thereof, and a guide conduit being longitudinally formed to the
lower surface of said cap, being formed to the outer side of said
outlet conduit, and forming a concentric circle together with said
outlet conduit, wherein said cap, outlet conduit, guide conduit
and guide member are integrally formed;
valve means joined to said outlet conduit of said connecting means
and having a packing member for opening/closing said outlet conduit,
said valve means having a valve rod for moving said packing member
up and down wherein said packing member is attached to an upper
end of said valve rod, and a valve cock for fixing a lower end of
said valve rod to said outlet conduit, said outlet conduit being
inserted into said valve cock, said valve cock having a first cylinder,
into which said outlet conduit is inserted, a second cylinder having
a diameter larger than that of said first cylinder, a shoulder for
connecting one side of said first cylinder to one side of said second
cylinder, and a fixing rib formed in a radial direction within said
first cylinder, said valve rod being fixed to a center of said fixing
rib;
a biasing spring placed in a space defined by said cap, said outlet
conduit, and said valve cock, for exerting a biasing force to said
valve means; and open/close means having a base plate fixed to said
refrigerating compartment door, a slide member slidably mounted
to said base plate, a pair of cams swinging by means of said slide
member, for moving said valve means up and down, a pair of ribs
installed to both ends of one side of said base plate, for being
slidably mounted with said cams, a push plate, for sliding said
slide member by applying a pressure, an operation rod projecting
from the front surface of said slide member, for transmitting said
pressure of said push plate to said slide member, a return spring,
into which said operation rod is inserted, for returning said push
plate to an original position thereof, and a pair of stop rings
fixed to the outer periphery of said operation rod, for confining
both ends of said return spring to prevent said return spring from
being separated form said operation rod.
Water dispenser description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water dispenser of a refrigerator,
and more particularly to a valve assembly of a water dispenser.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A water dispenser or beverage dispenser is an implement for automatically
dispensing drinking water or beverages, which is installed in a
house, on office or a public lot for domestic or commercial use.
A valve assembly of the water dispenser of a commercially available
beverage dispenser employs an actuator which is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5303849 issued to Cradle, Jr. on Apr. 19 1994.
Also, the water dispenser is utilized as a household or office
product. In recent years, a beverage dispenser installed in a refrigerator
has been suggested. The refrigerator is an appliance for storing
a variety of foodstuffs under freezing or refrigerating temperatures
in order to main freshness of the foodstuffs for a long time period.
The refrigerator is provided with a compartment for storing foodstuffs
which is partitioned into a freezer compartment for storing foodstuffs
under a freezing temperature and a refrigerating compartment for
storing foodstuffs under a refrigerating temperature. The freezer
compartment and refrigerating compartment are respectively supplied
with cool air generated from an evaporator.
The cool air is directly supplied to the interior of the freezer
compartment from the evaporator by means of a fan. Some of the cool
air is supplied to the interior of the refrigerating compartment
and has its temperature raised while flowing through a duct internally
formed in the refrigerator. The freezer compartment and refrigerating
compartment are installed with doors at the frontal sides to allow
for the act of putting in/taking out the foodstuffs.
In addition, in the refrigerating compartment drinking water is
stored. The drinking water is stored within the refrigerating compartment
after a container is filled with the drinking water. In order to
drink the water stored within the refrigerating compartment, the
door is opened to take out the container filled with the drink water.
However, the refrigerating efficiency of the refrigerator is lowered
by frequently opening he door of the refrigerator.
Recently, in order to solve die above disadvantage, an apparatus
for dispensing water of a refrigerator has been proposed, in which
the drinking water within the refrigerating compartment can be taken
out without opening the door of the refrigerating compartment. FIG.
1 is a section view showing a valve assembly 100 of the water dispenser
for the refrigerator, wherein the valve assembly 100 is installed
to the front plane of a refrigerating compartment door 10. Here,
valve assembly 100 furnished to refrigerating compartment door 10
is formed by a valve body 110 which has an inlet 112 connected to
a reservoir (not shown) installed to the inner side of door 10 and
has an outlet 114 penetrating through the lower surface thereof.
In addition, a valve spool 120 for opening/closing outlet 114 a
valve cap 130 for closing the upper portion of valve body 110 and
a lever 140 which pivots in order to transfer valve spool 120 up
and down, are furnished thereto.
Valve spool 120 includes a rod 124 which is connected to lever
140 by means of a hinge 122 and is moving up and down by the pivoting
motion of lever 140 a packing member 126 attached to the lower
end of rod 124 for closing outlet 114 and a spring 128 installed
between the lower surface of valve cap 130 and packing member 126
for exerting a biasing force upon rod 124. Inlet 112 of valve body
110 is in communicating relation with the inner side of door 10
and is connected to the reservoir placed to the inner side of door
10. The water within the reservoir flows into valve body 110 via
inlet 112. Inlet 112 is maintained as being filled with water.
Once the user grips a cup and pushes lever 140 by the cup, lever
140 pivots to raise rod 124 by overcoming the biasing force of spring
128 thereby opening outlet 114. At this time, the water within
the reservoir is dispensed and fills up cup 20 under outlet 114.
For sanitary reasons, disposable articles such as a paper cup 20
or a paper-envelope cup, which is used once is generally utilized
instead of a plastic cup. Since paper cup 20 has an soft structure,
it becomes deformed when lever 140 is pushed by means of paper cup
20. Accordingly, the user must push lever 140 by using the hand
gripping paper cup 20. However, in the conventional water dispenser,
the water coring out of outlet 114 of valve assembly 100 sometimes
lands on the hand of a user, thereby irritating the user. Moreover,
in order to connect valve assembly 100 to the reservoir, a wide
space of refrigerating compartment door 10 is needed, so the space
efficiency of door 10 is lowered. Additionally, after proper time
passing, a deposit stacks in inlet 112 of valve body 110 then the
deposit causes dirtiness of the water dispenser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a valve assembly of a water dispenser for a refrigerator capable
of being clear, conveniently used and of increasing the space efficient
of a refrigerating compartment door of a refrigerator.
To achieve the above object of the present invention, a valve assembly
of a water dispenser for a refrigerator includes a connecting part
having a cap for being screw-coupled to a reservoir which is installed
to the inner side of a refrigerating compartment door and stores
water, an outlet conduit longitudinally formed by piercing through
the center of the cap for allowing the water within the reservoir
to flow, and a guide member formed to the inner side of the upper
portion of the outlet conduit and having a guide hole in the center
thereof. In addition, a valve spool joined to the outlet conduit
of the connecting part has a packing member for opening/closing
the outlet conduit, and a biasing member is placed between the connecting
part and valve spool, for exerting a biasing force to the valve
part. Also, an open/close part has a base plate fixed to the refrigerating
compartment door, a slide member slidably mounted to the base plate,
and a pair of cams pivoting by means of the slide member for moving
the valve spool up and down.
Preferably, the connecting part has a guide conduit which is longitudinally
formed is to the lower surface of the cap, is formed to the outer
side of the outlet conduit and forms a concentric circle together
with the outlet conduit. A screw thread is provided to the inner
periphery of the cap, and a guide hole is formed in the inner center
of the outlet conduit. Here, the cap, the outlet conduit, the guide
conduit and the guide member are integrally formed.
It is preferable that the valve spool further includes a valve
rod attached to the packing member at the upper end thereof for
moving the packing member up and down, and a valve cock which the
outlet conduit is inserted into and to which the lower end of the
valve rod is fixed.
More preferably, the valve cock has a first cylinder which the
outlet conduit is inserted, a second cylinder having a diameter
larger da that of the first cylinder, a shoulder for connecting
one side of the first cylinder to one side of the second cylinder,
and a fixing rib formed within the first cylinder in the radial
direction which the valve rod is fixed to the center of the fixing
rib.
Furthermore, the open/close part includes a pair of ribs having
hinges to which the pair of cams is pivotally mounted, stop projections
projecting from one sides the ribs for obstructing the pivoting
motion of the cams, ad a pair of coil springs for returning the
pair of cams to the original position wherein the pair of hinges
is inserted into the springs. In addition to these, a push plate
for sliding the slide member by applying a pressure, an operation
rod projected from the front surface of the slide member for transmitting
die pressure of the push plate to the slide member, and a return
spring for returning the push plate to the original position, which
the operation rod is inserted into the return spring are provided
in Me open/close part. Preferably, a pair of rails to which the
slide number is slidably mounted is formed to the inner side of
the base plate, and the slide member is formed with an longitudinal
hole for permitting the water issued via the outlet conduit to pass
therethrough when the outlet conduit is opened.
When a user applies the pressure to the push plate, the slide member
slides. By the sliding motion of the slide member, the pair of cams
pivots and raises the valve spool. At this time, the packing member
opens the upper end of the outlet conduit by means of the valve
rod of the valve spool, so the water within the reservoir is issued.
The valve assembly of the water dispenser for the refrigerator
according to the present invention is simple in structure, is able
to maintain cleanliness, is convenient to use, and increases the
space efficiency of the refrigerating compartment door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects and other advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments
thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a valve assembly of a water
dispenser for a conventional refrigerator;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a valve assembly
of a water dispenser for a refrigerator according to the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view for illustrating an operation of the
valve assembly shown in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment of a valve assembly of a water dispenser
for a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described
in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the valve assembly
of the water dispenser for the refrigerator according to the present
invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG.
2. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 the valve assembly of the water dispenser
for the refrigerator according to the present invention includes
a connecting part 200 installed to the inner side of a refrigerating
chamber door and being connected to a reservoir 30 for storing water,
and to a valve spool 300 for opening/closing connecting pan 200.
Also, a biasing spring 400 which is disposed between connecting
part 200 and valve spool 300 exerts a biasing force upon valve spool
300 and an open/close part 500 operates valve spool 300.
Connecting part 200 is formed by a cap 210 screw-coupled to the
entrance of reservoir 30 an outlet conduit 220 longitudinally formed
at the center of cap 210 and a guide conduit 230 which is formed
to the outer side of outlet conduit 220 and is concentric with outlet
conduit 220. Additionally, a guide member 240 is formed with a guide
hole 242 at the inner center of the upper portion of outlet conduit
220.
A screw thread is provided to an inner periphery 212 of cap 210
so cap 210 is coupled to reservoir 30 by the screw thread. Outlet
conduit 220 is formed to be concentric with cap 210 for piercing
through cap 210. Guide conduit 230 extends from the lower surface
of cap 210 has a diameter greater than outlet conduit 220 and
is longer than outlet conduit 220. Guide member 240 is wheel shaped,
is formed at the inner upper side of outlet conduit 220 and is
formed with guide hole 242 therein. Cap 210 outlet conduit 220
guide conduit 230 and guide member 240 are integrally formed as
one body.
Valve spool 300 for opening/closing connecting part 200 is furnished
to the interior of connecting part 200. Valve spool 300 has a packing
member 310 for opening/closing one side of outlet conduit 220 a
valve rod 320 to which packing member 310 is attached at the upper
end of valve rod 320 for moving packing member 310 up and down,
and a valve cock 330 interposed between guide conduit 230 and outlet
conduit 220 which the lower end of valve rod 320 is fixed to.
Packing member 310 is conically-shaped and is fabricated by a substance
such as silicon or rubber. A coupling hole 312 is formed in the
center of packing member 310. The upper end of valve rod 320 is
inserted into coupling hole 312 of packing member 310 and combines
with packing member 310. Packing member 310 opens/closes outlet
conduit 220 by the up and down movement of valve rod 320 under the
state of being coupled with valve rod 320. Valve rod 320 is fixed
to valve cock 330. Here, valve cock 330 is provided with a first
cylinder 332 and a second cylinder 334 in which one side of first
cylinder 332 and one side of second cylinder 334 are connected to
each other by a shoulder 336. A fixing rib 338 for fixing valve
rod 320 is formed in the interior of first cylinder 332 in the
radial direction, and the center thereof is fixed with the lower
end of valve rod 320. First and second cylinders 332 and 334 are
interposed between outlet conduit 220 and guide conduit 230.
Biasing spring 400 is installed in a space defined by cap 210
outlet conduit 220 guide conduit 230 and valve cock 330 and exerts
a downward force (biasing force) on valve cock 330.
Open/close part 500 for operating valve spool 300 includes a
base plate 510 and a pair of cams 520 which are mounted to both
ends of one side of base plate 510 in such a way that they are able
to pivot. Additionally, a slide member 530 is slidably mounted to
the inner side of base plate 510 in order to pivot pair of cams
520 and an operation rod 540 is projected from the front surface
of slide member 530. A push plate 550 is coupled to operation rod
540 and applies a pressure to slide member 530 to slide member 530
and a return spring 560 which operation rod 540 is inserted into
returns push plate 550 to its original position.
Base plate 510 is provided with a pair of rails 512 which are inwardly
extended and slide member 520 are slidably mounted on a fixing plate
514 formed to the front surface of base plate 510 for fixing base
plate 510 to refrigerating compartment door 10 and a pair or ribs
516 installed to both ends of one side of base plate 510 and formed
with a hinges 517 and detent projections 518 at its inner sides.
Screw holes 513 are formed in both sides of fixing plate 514 which
are fitted with screws.
Pair of cams 520 are pivotally mounted to pair of ribs 516 by pair
of hinges 517 of pair of ribs 516. Pair of hinges 517 is inserted
into pair of coil springs 522. Pair of coil springs 522 exerts an
elastic force to impel pair of cams 520 to its original position.
When slide member 530 slides, pair of cams 520 pivots and one side
thereof are confined by detent projections 528. At this time, valve
spool 300 does not ascend further. Pair of cams 530 pivots by slide
member 530 to a predetermined angle and returned to its original
positions by pair of coil springs 522. Slide member 530 is formed
with an longitudinal hole 532 for permitting water which has flowed
through outlet conduit 220 to pass therethrough.
Meantime, operation rod 540 projects from the front surface of
slide member 530. One end of operation rod 540 is fixed to slide
member 530 by a connection rib 542 and projects by piercing through
fixing plate 514. Also, a connection lug 544 connected to push plate
550 is formed at the other end of operation rod 540. Return spring
560 receives operation rod 540 and a pair of detent rings 546 is
fixed to both sides of operation rod 540. Return spring 560 does
not deviate from operation rod 540 because of pair of detent rings
546.
Push plate 550 is provided with a push plane 552 pushed by a user,
and with a connecting member 554 extending from push plane 552 and
being coupled with operation rod 540. Operation rod 540 is joined
to connecting member 554 by inserting connection lug 544 into a
connection hole 556 formed in the interior of connecting member
554. Push plane 552 and connecting member 554 are integrally formed
with each other.
Hereinbelow, an operation of the valve assembly of the water dispenser
for the refrigerator according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention will be described.
First, referring to FIG. 4 under the state where connecting part
200 valve spool 300 and biasing spring 400 are coupled with one
another, and cap 210 of connecting part 200 is coupled to reservoir
30 which stores the water therein, reservoir 30 is turned upside
down. At this time, shoulder 332 of valve cock 330 of open/close
part 500 comes in contact with pair of cams 520.
In order to drink the cool water stored within the refrigerator,
the user pushes push plate 550. At this time, push plate 550 slides
slide member 530 and pivots pair of cams 520 to the predetermined
angle by overcoming the biasing force of return spring 560. At this
time, valve cock 330 which is in contact with pair of cams 520
ascends by overcoming the biasing force of biasing spring 400. Consequently,
outlet conduit 220 fixed to valve rod 320 opened, and the water
within reservoir 30 drops into cup 20 underneath base plate 510
via outlet conduit 220 and longitudinal hole 532.
When the user stops pushing push plate 550 push plate 550 is returned
to the original position by return spring 560 and pair of cams
520 pivots due to the biasing force of biasing spring 400 and pair
of coil springs 522 and return to its original position. At this
time, slide member 530 slides along pair of rails 512 and return
to its original position, and outlet conduit 220 is closed by packing
member 310.
As described above, the valve assembly of the water dispenser for
the refrigerator according to the present invention is effective
in that it is easy and convenient to maintain cleanliness and use.
Also, the valve assembly is simple in structure, and the user is
capable of maximizing the space efficiency of the refrigerator door.
Furthermore, the cup is not deformed even though it is produced
from an soft material, and the user does not wet his hand with water.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described
with reference to particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail
may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims. |