Water dispenser abstract
A water dispenser of a refrigerator which comprises a reservoir
for storing water, and is positioned in a pocket, a holding member
for supporting the pocket, a valve assembly for supporting the holding
member, and an opening/closing section for operating the valve assembly.
The holding member is inserted into the holding member upside down.
The valve assembly includes an outlet conduit screw-coupled to the
reservoir, through which the water contained in the reservoir is
exhausted. The outlet conduit is opened and closed by a packing
member, and the packing member is moved upward and downward by the
valve rod. The valve rod is moved upward and downward by an opening/closing
section having a pair of cams. The water dispenser is simple in
structure, increases efficient space use of the refrigerating compartment
door, is convenient to use, and can be cleanly maintained.
Water dispenser claims
What is claimed is:
1. A water dispenser of a refrigerator comprising:
a reservoir installed in a pocket formed at an inner side of a
refrigerator door, for storing water therein;
a holding member for supporting the pocket;
a dispensing panel having a support conduit formed at an inner
surface thereof with a latching boss for stably receiving the reservoir,
a subpanel connected to a lower portion of the support conduit,
and a guide plate formed at a front side thereof with a guide recess,
the guide plate being connected to the lower portion of the support
conduit and being opposite to the subpanel;
a valve assembly inserted into and mounted to the holding member,
the valve assembly having a connecting section connected to the
reservoir, a valve cock for selectively closing and opening the
connecting section at first and second positions respectively, and
a bias spring for exerting a first biasing force on the valve cock
so that the valve cock is positioned at the first position; and
an opening/closing means pivotally mounted into the guide recess
of the guide plate, for moving the valve cock so that the valve
cock is positioned either at the first position or at the second
position.
2. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 1 wherein
the connecting section comprises:
a cap screw-coupled to the reservoir;
an outlet conduit formed along the length of the cap and penetrating
the centerline of the cap, for exhausting the water contained in
the reservoir;
a guide member formed at an inner side of the outlet conduit, the
guide member having a first guide hole formed at a center portion
thereof and a plurality of first exhausting hole formed adjacent
to the first guide hole; and
a guide conduit formed on the bottom surface of the cap along the
length of the cap, the guide conduit being concentric to the outlet
conduit, having a diameter larger than that of the outlet conduit,
and having a mounting groove formed on an outer peripheral surface
thereof.
3. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 2 wherein
the cap, the outlet conduit, the guide member, and the guide conduit
are integrally formed.
4. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 2 further
comprising:
a mounting member having a bell-shaped cross section, the mounting
member having a first mounting boss which is formed on an inner
peripheral surface thereof and is inserted into the mounting groove
of the guide conduit, and having a second mounting boss which is
formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and is in cooperation
with the latching boss of the support conduit.
5. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 2 wherein
the valve cock further comprises:
a first cylinder in which an inner peripheral surface thereof slides
into an outer peripheral surface of the outlet conduit;
a second cylinder in which an outer peripheral surface thereof
slides over an inner peripheral surface of the outlet conduit;
a shoulder connecting one end of the first cylinder to one end
of the second cylinder;
a packing member for closing the outlet conduit at the first position
and opening the outlet conduit at the second position;
a valve rod slidably inserted into the guide hole, for moving the
packing member to the first or second position, the packing member
being inserted into and fixed to an upper end thereof; and
a fixing rib formed in the interior of the first cylinder and fixed
to a lower end of the valve rod, and in which a plurality of second
exhausting holes are formed.
6. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 5 wherein
the packing member has a conical shape and is comprised of silicon.
7. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 5 wherein
the packing has a conical shape and is comprised of a rubber.
8. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 5 wherein
the first and second cylinders, the shoulder, and the valve rod
are integrally formed.
9. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 5 wherein
the bias spring is installed in a space formed by the outlet conduit,
the guide conduit, the first cylinder, and the second cylinder.
10. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 5 wherein
the subpanel comprises:
an upper plate connected to a lower end of the support conduit,
in which a first hinge recess is formed on the bottom surface thereof;
and
a lower plate engaging with the upper surface, in which a second
hinge recess is formed on the upper surface thereof, the subpanel
having a first through-hole on the front surface thereof and a second
through-hole on the rear surface thereof formed by engaging the
upper and lower plates so that an angle of the opening/closing means
is confined by the first and second through-holes.
11. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 10
wherein the opening/closing means comprises:
a return spring mounted to the subpanel, for generating a second
biasing force;
a lever for overcoming the second biasing force of the return spring
so as to pivot while guided by the guide recess, in which a first
hinge is formed on an upper surface thereof and a second hinge is
formed on the bottom surface thereof, the first and second hinges
being inserted into the first and second hinge recesses, respectively;
a guide frame connected to one side of the lever, in which a pair
of cams for moving the shoulder to the second position while the
lever is overcoming the second biasing force to pivot are formed
on an upper surface thereof, and in which a dispensing hole for
exhausting the water contained in the reservoir is formed between
the cams; and
a knob connected to one side of the lever, in which a pivot angle
is confined by the first and second through-holes, and in which
the lever, the guide frame, and the knob are integrally formed.
12. A water dispenser of a refrigerator comprising:
a reservoir installed in a pocket formed at an inner side of a
refrigerator door, for storing water therein;
a holding member for supporting the pocket, the holding member
having a bell-shaped cross section;
a dispensing panel having a support conduit being formed at an
inner wall thereof with a latching boss for stably receiving the
reservoir, a subpanel connected to a lower portion of the support
conduit, and a guide plate being formed at a front side thereof
with a guide recess, the guide plate being connected to the lower
portion of the support conduit and being opposite to the subpanel;
a valve assembly inserted into and mounted to the holding member,
the valve assembly having a connecting section connected to the
reservoir, a valve cock selectively closing and opening the connecting
section at first and second positions respectively, and a bias spring
for exerting a first biasing force on the valve cock so that the
valve cock is positioned at the first position; and
an opening/closing means pivotally mounted into the guide recess
of the guide plate, for moving the valve cock so that the valve
cock is positioned either at the first position or at the second
position.
13. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 12
wherein the connecting section comprises:
a cap screw-coupled to the reservoir; an outlet conduit formed
along the length of the cap and penetrating the centerline of the
cap, for exhausting the water contained in the reservoir;
a guide member formed at an inner side of the outlet conduit, the
guide member having a first guide hole formed at a center portion
thereof, and having a plurality of first exhausting hole formed
adjacent to the first guide hole; and
a guide conduit formed on the bottom surface of the cap along the
length of the cap, the guide conduit being concentric to the outlet
conduit, having a diameter larger than that of the outlet conduit,
and having a mounting groove formed on the outer peripheral surface
thereof, and the cap, the guide member, and the guide conduit being
integrally formed.
14. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 13
further comprising:
a mounting member having a bell-shaped cross section, the mounting
member having a first mounting boss formed on an inner peripheral
surface thereof and inserted into the mounting recess of the guide
conduit, and having a second mounting boss which is formed on an
outer peripheral surface thereof and cooperates with the latching
boss of the support conduit.
15. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 13
wherein the valve cock further comprises:
a first cylinder in which an inner peripheral surface thereof slides
on an outer peripheral surface of the outlet conduit;
a second cylinder in which an outer peripheral surface thereof
slides on an inner peripheral surface of the outlet conduit;
a shoulder connecting one end of the first cylinder to one end
of the second cylinder;
a packing member for closing the outlet conduit at the first position
and opening the outlet conduit at the second position, the packing
member having a conical shape and being comprised of a rubber;
a valve rod slidably inserted into the guide hole, for moving the
packing member to the first or second position, the packing member
being inserted into and fixed to an upper end thereof; and
a fixing rib formed in the interior of the first cylinder and fixed
to a lower end of the valve rod, a plurality of second exhausting
holes being formed in the fixing rib, the first and second cylinders,
the shoulder, and the valve rod being integrally formed in the fixing
rib, and the bias spring being installed in a space formed by the
outlet conduit, the guide conduit, the first cylinder, and the second
cylinder.
16. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 15
wherein the subpanel comprises:
an upper plate connected to a lower end of the support conduit,
in which a first hinge recess is formed on the bottom surface thereof;
and
a lower plate engaging with the upper surface, in which a second
hinge recess is formed on the upper surface thereof, the subpanel
having a first through-hole on the front surface thereof and a second
through-hole on the rear surface thereof formed by engaging the
upper and lower plates so that an angle of the opening/closing means
is confined by the first and second through-holes.
17. A water dispenser of a refrigerator according to claim 16
wherein the opening/closing means comprises:
a return spring mounted to the subpanel, for generating a second
biasing force;
a lever for overcoming the second biasing force of the return spring
so as to pivot while guided by the guide recess, in which a first
hinge is formed on an upper surface thereof and a second hinge is
formed on the bottom surface thereof, the first and second hinges
being inserted into the first and second hinge recesses respectively;
a guide frame connected to one side of the lever, in which a pair
of cams for moving the shoulder to the second position while the
lever is overcoming the second biasing force to pivot are formed
on an upper surface thereof, and in which a dispensing hole for
exhausting the water contained in the reservoir is formed between
the cams; and
a knob connected to one side of the lever, in which a pivot angle
is confined by the first and second through-holes, and in which
the lever, the guide frame, and the knob are integrally formed.
18. A water dispenser of a refrigerator comprising:
a reservoir installed in a pocket formed at an inner side of a
refrigerator door for storing water therein;
a holding member for supporting the pocket, the holding member
having a bell-shaped cross section;
a dispensing panel having a support conduit being formed at an
inside wall thereof with a latching boss, an upper plate connected
to a lower end of the support conduit being formed at an underside
thereof with a first hinge recess, and a lower plate engaging with
the upper surface and being formed at an upper surface thereof with
a second hinge recess, and a guide plate being formed at a front
side thereof with a guide recess, the upper plate being at a front
side thereof with a first through-hole and at a rear side thereof
with a second through-hole, the guide plate being connected to a
lower portion of the support conduit and being opposite to the subpanel;
a valve assembly for opening/closing the reservoir, the valve assembly
having a cap screw-coupled to the reservoir, an outlet conduit formed
along the length of the cap and penetrating a center portion of
the cap, for exhausting the water contained in the reservoir, a
guide member which is formed at an inner side of the outlet conduit,
is formed at a center portion thereof with a first guide hole and
is formed with a plurality of first exhausting holes adjacent to
the first guide hole, a guide conduit which is formed on the bottom
surface of the cap along the length of the cap, is concentric with
the outlet conduit, has a diameter larger than that of the outlet
conduit and is formed at an outer surface thereof with a mounting
groove, a first cylinder an inner surface of which slides along
an outer surface of the outlet conduit, a second cylinder an outer
surface of which slides along an inner surface of the outlet conduit,
a shoulder connecting one end of the first cylinder to one end of
the second cylinder, a packing member which closes the outlet conduit
at a first position, opens the outlet conduit at a second position,
has a conical shape and is made of rubber, a valve rod which is
slidably inserted into the guide hole for moving the packing member
to the first or second position and is inserted at an upper end
thereof into the packing member, and a fixing rib which is formed
in the interior of the first cylinder, is fixed to a lower end of
the valve rod, and is formed with a plurality of second exhausting
holes;
a mounting member for mounting the valve assembly to the holding
member, the mounting member having a bell-shaped cross section,
having a first mounting boss which is formed on an inner peripheral
surface thereof, is inserted into the mounting groove of the guide
conduit, and having a second mounting boss which is formed on an
outer peripheral surface thereof cooperates with the latching boss
of the support conduit; and
an opening/closing section for opening/closing the valve assembly,
the opening/closing section having a return spring mounted to the
subpanel for generating a second biasing force, a lever for overcoming
the second biasing force of the return spring so as to pivot while
guided by the guide recess which is formed at upper and lower surfaces
thereof with first and second hinges respectively which are inserted
into the first and second hinge recesses, a guide frame which is
connected to a first side of the lever, is formed at an upper surface
thereof with a couple of cams for moving the shoulder to the second
position when the lever pivots and is formed at a portion thereof
between the cams with a dispensing hole for exhausting the water
contained in the reservoir, and a knob connected to a second side
of the lever.
Water dispenser description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to 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, an office, or a public lot for domestic or commercial use.
Valve assemblies of beverage dispensers which are available for
commercial business usually employ actuators, and one of such actuators
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5303849 issued to Credle, Jr. on
Apr. 19 1994.
A water dispenser is also utilized in a house or an office. Recently,
it has been suggested that various kinds of beverage dispensers
be installed in refrigerators. A refrigerator is an appliance for
storing a variety of foodstuffs in freezing and/or refrigerating
temperatures in order to maintain freshness of the foodstuffs for
a long period of time. The refrigerator is generally provided with
compartments for storing foodstuffs, i.e., freezer and refrigerating
compartments for storing foodstuffs in freezing and refrigerating
temperatures respectively. The freezer and refrigerating compartments
are supplied with cooling air, which are cooled by an evaporator
of the refrigerator.
The cooling air is directly supplied by a fan to the interior of
the freezer compartment from the evaporator. Some of the cooling
air is supplied to the interior of the refrigerating compartment,
and some to the interior of the refrigerating compartment. The temperature
of the cooling air is a little raised so that it is a refrigerating
air, as it flows through a duct internally formed to the refrigerator
and is supplied to the refrigerating compartment. The freezer and
refrigerating compartments are respectively installed with doors
at their front sides to allow foodstuffs to be put in and taken
out.
In addition, an amount of drinking water is stored in the interior
of the refrigerating compartment. The water is filled up in a reservoir
provided in the refrigerating compartment. In order for a user to
drink the water stored within the refrigerating compartment, the
door should be opened to take out the container filled with the
drinking water. However, the refrigerating efficiency of the refrigerator
is lowered by frequently opening the door of the refrigerating compartment.
Recently, in order to overcome the above-mentioned efficiency problem,
water dispensers have been suggested in which drinking water can
be taken out from refrigerating compartments even without opening
the door of the refrigerating compartments. FIG. 1 is a sectional
view showing a conventional water dispenser 100 of a refrigerator
which is installed to the front side of a refrigerating compartment
door 10. As shown in FIG. 1 the valve assembly 110 comprises a
valve body 120 having an inlet 122 connected to a reservoir (not
shown) installed to the inner side of the compartment door 10 and
an outlet 124 penetrating through the lower surface thereof, a valve
spool 130 for opening and closing the outlet 124 a valve cap 140
for closing an upper portion of the valve body 120 and a lever
150 for moving the valve spool 130 upward and downward by pivoting
motions thereof.
The valve spool 130 comprises a valve rod 134 which is connected
to the lever 150 by a hinge 132 so as to move upward and downward
by the pivoting motions of the lever 150 a packing member 136 which
is attached to the lower end of the rod 134 to close the outlet
124 of the valve body 120 when the lever 150 is released, and a
spring 138 which is installed between the lower surface of the valve
cap 140 and the packing member 136 to exert a biasing force upon
the rod 134. The inlet 122 of the valve body 120 communicates with
the inner side of the door 10 and is connected to the reservoir
attached to the inner side of the door 10. The water contained in
the reservoir is introduced into the interior of the valve body
110 through the inlet 122 and the inlet 122 is always filled with
the water.
When a user grips a cup 20 and pushes the lever 150 by the cup
20 in order to drink the water contained in the reservoir, the lever
150 is pivoted to move the rod 134 upward by overcoming the biasing
force of the spring 138 thereby opening the outlet 124. Then, the
water contained in the reservoir flows through the outlet 124 and
fills the cup 20 positioned below the outlet 124.
For sanitary reasons, a disposable cup such as a paper cup or a
paper-envelope cup is generally used as a cup for the water dispenser.
However, since the paper cup 20 is made of a soft material, it is
apt to be deformed when the lever 150 is pushed by means of the
paper cup 20. Therefore, the user usually pushes the lever 150 by
the hand which grips the paper cup 20. In that case, however, it
has a disadvantage that the hand is also apt to be wet by the water
dropping from the outlet 124 of the valve assembly 110. Further,
the large space occupied by the valve assembly 110 to be connected
to the reservoir of the refrigerating compartment impair the space
efficiency of the refrigerating compartment. In addition, deposits
which adulterate the water contained in the reservoir can be formed
in the inner surface of the inlet 122 of the valve body 120 over
time.
A water dispenser which is directed to overcome the above-mentioned
disadvantages is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Laid Open No.
95-33940. As shown in FIG. 2 the water dispenser 200 comprises
a reservoir 210 for storing water, a dispensing panel 220 in which
the reservoir 210 is positioned upside down, a dispensing port 230
and a lever 250 for operating the dispensing port 230.
A spout 212 for pouring water therethrough is formed in the reservoir
210 and is engaged with a cap 214. A valve 216 is mounted in the
cap 214 such that when the valve 216 is opened, the water contained
in the reservoir 210 is exhausted through the spout 212. The spout
212 of the reservoir 210 is inserted into the connecting hole 222
of the dispensing panel 220. The interior of the connecting hole
222 is maintained filled with the water.
Fixed to the lower end of the connecting hole 222 is a fixing plate
232 in which a plurality of first dispensing holes 234 is formed,
and positioned below the fixing plate 232 is an moving plate 236
in which a plurality of second dispensing holes 238 are formed.
The first dispensing holes 234 communicate with the second dispensing
holes 238 by the movement of the moving plate 236 and the water
contained in the reservoir 210 is exhausted outside the reservoir
210.
A bias spring 240 is installed at one side of the moving plate
236 and exerts a biasing force on the moving plate 236. The moving
plate 236 is moved by the biasing force so that the first and second
dispensing holes 234 and 238 are closed and the outflow of the water
is stopped. The moving plate 236 is moved by a lever 250 installed
at one side thereof. The lever 250 is pivotally mounted to the inner
side of the dispensing panel 220 by means of a hinge 252. By the
pivotal movement of the lever 250 the moving plate 236 is moved
so as to connect the first and second holes 234 and 238 thus overcoming
the biasing force of the bias spring 240. Provided at the inner
side of the moving plate 236 is a dispensing nozzle 242 which provides
a water flowing path in the interior of the reservoir 210.
When the lever 250 is pushed by a cup or by a hand, the lever 250
is pivoted. Then, the moving plate 236 is moved and the biasing
force of the bias spring 240 is overcomed. As a result, the first
and second holes 234 and 238 communicate with each other so that
the water contained in the reservoir 210 drops.
However, in the water dispenser 200 the fixing plate 232 and the
moving plate 236 must be sealed when the first and second holes
234 and 238 are closed. In case the fixing plate 232 and the moving
plate 236 are not sealed, the water contained in the reservoir 210
leaks between the fixing plate 232 and the moving plate 236. Therefore,
a considerable amount of frictional force is generated between the
fixing plate 232 and the moving plate 236 and a large force is
needed to pivot the lever 250. Further, the dispenser 200 is apt
to be filthy due to deposits formed in the connecting holes 222.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a water dispenser of a refrigerator which is easy to use and increases
the efficient use of a door, and in which a valve of the dispenser
can be easily opened and closed.
To achieve the above object of the present invention, a water dispenser
according to the present invention comprises a reservoir installed
in a pocket of the inner side of the refrigerator door, for storing
water therein;
a holding member for supporting the pocket;
a dispensing panel having a support conduit in which a latching
boss is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, a subpanel
connected to a lower portion of the support conduit, and a guide
plate in which a guide recess is formed at a front side thereof,
the guide plate being connected to the lower portion of the support
conduit and being opposite to the subpanel;
a valve assembly inserted into and mounted to the holding member,
the valve assembly having a connecting section connected to the
reservoir, a valve cock selectively closing and opening the connecting
section at first and second positions respectively, and a bias spring
for exerting a first biasing force on the valve cock so that the
valve cock is positioned at the first position; and
an opening/closing means pivotally mounted into the subpanel, for
moving the valve cock so that the valve cock is positioned either
at the first position or at the second position.
The connecting section may include a cap screw-coupled to the reservoir;
an outlet conduit for exhausting the water contained in the reservoir;
and a guide conduit having a mounting groove formed on the outer
peripheral surface thereof. The valve cock comprises a first cylinder
in which an inner peripheral surface thereof slides on an outer
peripheral surface of the outlet conduit; a second cylinder in which
an outer peripheral surface thereof slides on an inner peripheral
surface of the outlet conduit; a shoulder connecting the first cylinder
to the second cylinder; a packing member for opening and closing
the outlet conduit; and a valve rod for moving the packing member
upward and downward.
According to the present invention, by the holding member, the
valve assembly is inserted into and mounted to a mounting member
having a first mounting boss formed on the inner peripheral surface
thereof and a second mounting boss formed on the outer peripheral
surface thereof.
The subpanel includes an upper plate connected to a lower end of
the support conduit, and a lower plate engaged with the upper plate.
First and second through-holes are formed in the front and rear
side of the subpanel.
The opening/closing means is pivotally mounted in the subpanel,
and includes a return spring for generating a second biasing force,
a lever which can overcome the second biasing force so as to pivot,
and a guide frame which moves the valve assembly while the lever
is pivoting.
When a user pivots the lever horizontally, the packing member is
moved upward by the guide frame. As a result, the outlet conduit
of the valve assembly is opened, so the water contained in the reservoir
is exhausted outside through the outlet conduit.
The water dispenser of a refrigerator according to the present
invention is simple in structure, increases efficient space use
of the refrigerating compartment door, is convenient to use, and
can be cleanly maintained.
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 conventional water dispenser
of a refrigerator;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another conventional water dispenser
of a refrigerator;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a water dispenser of a refrigerator
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a valve assembly of the water
dispenser shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an open state of the water dispenser
shown in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view for illustrating an operation of the
valve assembly shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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 the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 3 shows a water dispenser 300 of a refrigerator according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 3 the water dispenser 300 comprises a reservoir 306 for storing
water, and which is located in a pocket 304 inside a refrigerator
door 302 a holding member 308 which supports the pocket 304 a
dispensing panel 320 which supports the holding member 308 a valve
assembly 360 which is engaged with the reservoir 306 and which opens/closes
the reservoir 306 and an opening/closing section 410 which operates
the valve assembly 360. The reservoir 306 stores water and is inserted
into and mounted to the holding member 308 upside down, after the
valve assembly 360 is assembled.
The holding member 308 as shown in FIG. 3 has a bell-shaped cross
section and has upper and lower inner surface. A mounting member
310 is inserted into the holding member 308. The mounting member
310 has also a bell-shaped cross section, and first and second mounting
bosses 312 and 314 are respectively formed on the inner and outer
peripheral surfaces thereof. The valve assembly 360 is inserted
into the mounting member 310.
As shown in FIG. 5 the valve assembly 360 comprises a connecting
section 370 which is connected to the reservoir 306 a valve cock
390 which closes and opens the connecting section 370 at first and
second positions respectively, and a bias spring 406 which exerts
a first biasing force on the valve cock 390 so that the valve cock
390 is positioned at the first position.
The connecting section 370 includes a cap 372 screw-coupled to
the reservoir 306 an outlet conduit 376 which penetrates the center
of the cap 372 and is formed along the length of the cap 372 and
through which the water contained in the reservoir 306 flows, a
guide conduit 384 which is formed on the bottom surface of the cap
372 along the length of the cap 372 the guide conduit 384 being
concentric to an outlet conduit 376 and having a diameter larger
than that of the outlet conduit 376 and a guide conduit 384 having
a mounting groove 386 which is formed on the outer peripheral surface
thereof, and into which the first mounting boss 312 of the mounting
member 310 is inserted.
The inner peripheral surface of the cap 372 is threaded so as to
be engaged with the reservoir 306. At the inner side of the outlet
conduit 376 is formed a guide member 378. A guide hole 380 is formed
at the center of the guide member 378 and a plurality of first
exhausting holes 382 are formed adjacent to the guide hole 380.
The water from the reservoir 306 flows to the lower portion of the
outlet conduit 376 through the first exhausting hole 382. Integrally
formed are the cap 372 the outlet conduit 376 the guide conduit
384 and the guide member 378.
The valve cock 390 comprises a first cylinder 392 in which the
inner surface thereof slides on the outer surface of the outlet
conduit 376 a second cylinder 394 in which the outer surface thereof
slides on the inner surface of the guide conduit 384 a shoulder
396 which connects the first cylinder 392 to the second cylinder
394 a packing member 398 which closes the outlet conduit 376 at
the first position and opens the outlet conduit 376 at the second
position, a valve rod 400 in which the packing member 398 is inserted
into and fixed to the upper end thereof, and which is inserted into
the guide hole 380 and moves the packing member 398 from the first
position to the second position, and a fixing rib 402 which is formed
in the interior of the first cylinder 392 so as to fix the valve
rod 400 and in which a second exhausting hole 404 is formed.
The packing member 398 has a conical shape and is made of silicon,
a rubber or the like. An engaging hole 399 is formed at the center
of the packing member 398. The valve rod 400 is engaged with the
packing member 398 by inserting the upper end thereof into the engaging
hole 399 of the packing member 398. The packing member 398 is moved
by the valve rod 400 to the first or second position, and closes
or opens the outlet conduit 376.
Integrally formed are the first cylinder 392 the second cylinder
394 the valve rod 400 the shoulder 396 and the fixing rib 402.
The bias spring 406 is installed in a space formed by the cap 372
the outlet conduit 376 the guide conduit 384 and the first and
second cylinders 392 and 394. The biasing force of the bias spring
406 forces the valve cock 390 to move to the first position.
The holding member 308 is supported by the dispensing panel 320.
The dispensing panel 320 comprises a support conduit 322 which is
inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the holding member
308 and supports the holding member 308. On the inner surface of
the support conduit 322 is formed a latching boss 324 which cooperates
with a second mounting boss 314 of the mounting member 310.
When the mounting member 310 is inserted into the interior of the
holding member 308 the second mounting boss 314 makes contact with
the latching boss 324. The support conduit 322 and the mounting
member 310 are then deformed in the radial direction by the latching
boss 324 and the second mounting boss 314. Once the second mounting
boss 314 passes over the latching boss 324 the mounting member
310 does not deviate from the support conduit 322 since the latching
boss 324 blocks the second mounting boss 314.
After the mounting member 310 is inserted into the holding member
308 the valve assembly 360 is inserted into the mounting member
310. The valve assembly 360 is inserted into and fixed to the mounting
member 310 in the same manner that the first mounting boss 312 is
inserted into the mounting groove 386 of the guide conduit 384.
The support conduit 322 is supported by a subpanel 330 and a guide
plate 340. The subpanel 330 includes an upper plate 332 connected
to the support conduit 322 and a lower plate 336 engaged with the
upper plate 332. A first hinge recess 334 is formed on the bottom
surface of the upper plate 332 and a second hinge recess 338 is
formed on the upper surface of the lower plate 336. The first and
second plates 332 and 336 are engaged with each other so as to form
first and second through-holes 337 and 339 on the front and rear
surfaces of the engaged body respectively.
The guide plate 340 is connected to the support conduit 322 and
a guide recess 342 is formed on the front side of the guide plate
340. The guide plate 340 the subpanel 330 and the support conduit
322 are integrally formed, and the guide plate 340 and the subpanel
330 face each other.
An opening/closing section 410 for opening/closing the valve assembly
360 is mounted in the subpanel 330. Opening/closing section 410
comprises a return spring 440 which is mounted in the interior of
the subpanel 330 and generates a second biasing force, a lever 420
which overcomes the second biasing force of the return spring 440
so as to pivot, and a guide frame 430 which moves the valve cock
390 to the second position while the lever 420 is pivoting.
First and second hinges 424 and 426 are respectively formed in
the upper and lower surfaces of the lever 420. The first and second
hinges 424 and 426 are respectively inserted into the first and
second hinge recesses 334 and 338. The return spring 440 is connected
to the lever 420 and exerts the second biasing force on the lever
420. One side of the lever 420 is inserted into the first through-hole
337 and the other end of the lever 420 is inserted into the second
through-hole 339. The first and second through-holes 337 and 339
confine the pivot angle of the lever 420 when the lever 420 is overcoming
the second biasing force of the return spring 440 so as to pivot,
and when the lever 420 is returning to the original position by
the second biasing force.
The guide frame 430 is connected to one side of the lever 420.
At the center portion of the guide frame 430 is formed a dispensing
hole 432 through which the water exhausted through the valve assembly
360 flows. On the upper surface of the guide frame 430 are formed
a pair of cams 436 which move the shoulder 396 of the valve cock
390 to the second position. On one side of the guide frame 430 is
formed a guide boss 434 which is slidably inserted into the guide
recess 342 and guides the guide frame 430. When the guide frame
430 is pivoted by the lever 420 the guide boss 434 is guided by
the guide recess 342 and is pivoted horizontally. As a result, the
water contained in the reservoir 306 drops as the valve cock 390
is elevated by the horizontal and pivotal movement of the lever
420 and the guide frame 430 thereby opening the reservoir 306.
A knob 422 is formed at one side of the lever 420 so as to pivot
the lever 420. A user can be supplied with the water contained in
the reservoir 306 by pivoting the lever 420 with a hand. Integrally
formed are the knob 422 the lever 420 and the guide frame 430.
A cup is positioned below the opening/closing section 410 to receive
the water contained in the reservoir 306.
Hereinafter, the operation of the water dispenser 300 of a refrigerator
according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained.
Firstly, the valve assembly is engaged with the reservoir 306 filled
with water, and then the mounting member 310 is inserted into the
holding member 308. The valve assembly 360 is inserted into the
mounting member 310 while the reservoir 306 is upside down.
When a user pivots the lever 420 with a hand, the cams 436 of the
guide frame 430 make contact with the shoulder 396 of the valve
cock 390. Then, the shoulder 396 overcomes the biasing force of
the bias spring 406 and moves upward from the first position to
the second position, and the packing member opens the outlet conduit
376. While the outlet conduit 376 is open, the water contained in
the interior of the reservoir 306 drops into the cup positioned
below the opening/closing section 410 through the first and second
exhausting holes 382 and 404 and the dispensing hole 432.
If the knob 422 is released, the lever 420 is pivoted to its original
position by the second biasing force of the return spring 440 and
valve rod 400 at the second position is moved downward to the first
position by the cams 436. As a result, the packing member 398 closes
the outlet conduit 376 to prevent the exhaustion of the water contained
in the reservoir 306.
The water dispenser according to the present is simple in structure,
increases efficient space use of the refrigerating compartment door
and is convenient to use, and can be clearly maintained.
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. |