JP3521877B2 - Water supply, refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply device for ice making and a refrigerator with a water supply device for ice making.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional ice-making water supply device for a refrigerator will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator to which a conventional water supply device for ice making is applied, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the water supply device for ice making. In the figure, 101 is a refrigerator main body, which is provided with a refrigerating room 102 on the upper stage and a freezing room 103 on the lower stage. Reference numeral 104 denotes a partition wall that divides the refrigerating compartment 102 and the freezing compartment 103. By bending the partition wall 104, a recess 104a is formed on the floor surface of the refrigerating compartment 102, and a water supply tank corner 105 is provided. In addition, the recess 104
As a is formed, the convex portion 10 is also formed on the freezer compartment 103 side.
4b is formed, and an ice making corner 106 is provided behind it.

FIG. 7 shows details of the water supply tank corner 105. In the figure, the water supply tank corner 105 is provided with a water supply tank 9 provided with a water supply pump 7 and a discharge pipe 8 connected to the water supply pump 7. The discharge port 8a of the discharge pipe 8 is inserted into the water tray 110 provided integrally with the water tank corner 105. Water saucer 1
A pipe portion 110a is formed at the end of 10 and a water supply pipe 112 is connected via a packing 111. This packing 111 is made of silicone rubber,
The pipe portion 110a of the water tray 110 and the water supply pipe 112
By interposing between them, the water leakage from the connecting portion is prevented and the water tray 110 and the water supply pipe 112 are also fitted.

The water supply pipe 112 is connected to the refrigerating chamber 102.
Since it is formed so as to penetrate the freezing chamber 103, the cord heater 113 bonded with aluminum tape is wound around the outer circumference of the water supply pipe 112 to prevent the pipe clogging due to freezing of water droplets remaining in the water supply pipe 112. ing. The water supply pipe 112 uses an aluminum material in order to improve heat conduction from the cord heater 113.

Since the tip of the water supply pipe 112 is disposed at a place where it may come into contact with human hands, according to the "Ministerial Ordinance for Defining Technical Standards for Electrical Appliances under the Electrical Appliance and Material Control Law",
It was necessary to have a double insulation structure between the charging part of the cord heater 113 and the water supply pipe 112. Therefore, as the additional insulation, the tube 115 is wound around the water supply pipe 112 to secure the insulation. However, if a heat shrinkable tube or the like is used for the tube 115, the thickness as the additional insulation may not be sufficiently secured. The tape 114 is wrapped under the tube 115 to supplement the insulation thickness.

Reference numeral 16 is a motor fixed to the corner 105 of the water supply tank, and a magnet 16a is attached to the tip thereof. The water supply pump 7 also has a built-in magnet impeller 7a. When the motor 16 rotates, the impeller 7a in the water supply pump 7 also rotates due to the magnetic force of the magnet, and the water in the water supply tank 9 is sucked into the discharge pipe 8. Water is supplied to the ice tray 17 via the water receiving tray 110 and the water supply pipe 112.

[0007]

Since the conventional ice-making water supply device for a refrigerator is constructed as described above, the tape heater 114 and the tube 115 are wound around the water supply pipe 112 as an insulating structure of the cord heater 113. However, since the manufacturing process is complicated and unstable, the process time is long and the specifications are very expensive. Further, the water supply tank corner 105 having a water supply path needs to use a material containing an antibacterial agent in order to suppress the growth of mold and bacteria, so that there is a problem that the material cost is high and the moldability is poor.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a refrigerator and a water supply device which can keep the water supply device hygienic. It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a water supply device which have a highly reliable and simple structure of the insulating portion of the code heater and can be manufactured at a low cost by shortening the manufacturing time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a water supply device which can reduce the amount of the material containing the antibacterial agent and improve the cleaning performance by removing the material.

[0009]

A water supply device according to the present invention is a water supply device for ice making provided in a refrigerator having a refrigerating compartment in an upper part and a freezing compartment in a lower part, and a partition wall forming a floor surface of the refrigerating compartment. A water tank installed in the water tank, a water pan for receiving water from the water tank, and a water supply pipe that constitutes the entire water supply path from the water pan to the ice tray placed in the freezer compartment. The water supply pipe is a separate component that can be removed from the refrigerator for cleaning.

Further, the partition wall on the floor of the refrigerating compartment is provided with a recess, and the water supply tank is provided in the recess.

The water supply pipe is made of metal.

Further, a water supply pipe cover having an insulating function is provided around the water supply pipe, and a heater is installed on the water supply pipe cover at a position facing the water supply pipe.

Further, the water supply pipe and the water tray are separable from the water supply pipe cover.

Further, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a refrigerating room arranged in an upper part, a freezing room arranged in a lower part, a water supply tank installed on a partition wall forming a floor surface of the refrigerating room, and a water supply tank. Water pan that receives water from the water, an ice tray that is placed in the freezer and that is supplied with water from the water tray to generate ice, a water supply pipe that constitutes the entire water supply path from the water tray to the ice tray, and a partition wall And a water supply pipe cover for positioning at least one of the water saucer and the water supply pipe, and the water saucer and the water supply pipe are configured as separate parts from the water supply pipe cover and can be removed from the water supply pipe cover. It is a thing.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a refrigerator to which the ice making water supply device of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the ice making water supply device in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator main body, which has a storage room (for example, a refrigerating room) 2 in an upper stage, a freezing room 3 in a lower stage thereof, and a storage chamber 30 in a lowermost stage, which is used as a vegetable room or the like. Reference numeral 4 is a partition wall that divides the refrigerating compartment 2 and the freezing compartment 3. By bending the partition wall 4, a concave portion 4a is formed on the floor surface of the refrigerating compartment 2 and a water supply tank corner 5 is provided and a water supply tank 9 is installed. Has been done.

Further, since the concave portion 4a is formed on the floor surface of the refrigerating compartment 2, a convex portion 4b is formed on the freezing compartment 3 side, and an ice making corner 6 is arranged behind the convex portion 4b, and the ice making tray 17 is provided.
Is installed. Here, in the recess, the water tank corner 5
By disposing the ice tray 17 and arranging the ice tray 17 behind the recess, the space of the refrigerating compartment 2 can be widened and the space of the freezing compartment 3 can be effectively used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the vicinity of the ice making water supply device of the present invention. In the figure, 5a is a water pan installation portion, and 5b is a water supply pipe cover, which is provided integrally with the water supply tank corner 5. The water tray 10 which is a separate component is installed in the water tray setting portion 5a, and the pipe portion 10 at the tip thereof is installed.
a is a water supply pipe cover 5b with a packing 11 interposed therebetween.
A water supply pipe 12, which is a component separate from, is connected. This water supply pipe 12 is attached to the water receiving tray 10 and installed in the water supply tank corner 5,
The water supply pipe 12 is positioned at the end of the water supply pipe cover 5b on the water tank corner 5 side so that the end on the opposite side is the same as the water supply pipe cover 5b or projects a predetermined amount from the water supply pipe cover 5b. Is designed.

Therefore, the water supply pipe 12 is inserted into the water supply pipe cover 5b of the water supply tank corner 5, but the water receiving tray 10 projects more than the water supply pipe cover 5b on the water supply tank corner 5 side, and the water supply tank corner 5 On the opposite side of the water supply pipe cover 5b from the water supply pipe 1
Since the end portion of 2 projects, the water from the water supply tank 9 is directly supplied to the ice tray 17 through the water pan 10 and the water supply pipe 12, and the water pan 10 and the water supply pipe 1
2 constitutes the entire water supply route.

Therefore, water does not adhere to the inside of the water supply pipe cover 5b, mold does not occur inside the water supply pipe cover 5b, the water supply pipe cover 5b can be kept hygienic, and the refrigerator can be sanitized. Can be kept in place. Here, since the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 can be detached from the refrigerator by forming them as separate parts from the water supply pipe cover 5b, they can be washed with water or the like, and the water supply pipe, the water tray and the refrigerator can be sanitized. Can be kept at

Here, a cord heater 13 is wound around the outer circumference of the water supply pipe cover 5b to prevent icing. However, since the tip of the water supply pipe 12 corresponds to a portion that may be touched by human hands, According to the “Ministerial Ordinance that defines the technical standards for electrical appliances under the Electrical Appliance and Material Control Law”, the cord heater 13
It is necessary to have a double insulation structure between the charging part of the above and the water supply pipe 12. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the water supply pipe cover 5b that is integral with the water supply tank corner 5 is made of a plastic material, and the wall thickness of the water supply pipe cover 5b is set to a thickness that can ensure the function of additional insulation.

Since the water supply pipe cover 5b is made of a plastic material having a thickness capable of ensuring the function as such additional insulation, the water supply pipe 12 and the cord heater 1 are provided.
Water supply tank corner 5
The cord heater 13 is attached to the water supply pipe cover 5b which is integral with
Since it suffices to wrap it around, there is no need for an insulating tube or tape to supplement the insulating thickness that was required in the past. Further, it is possible to reduce the time required for processing a tube requiring insulation and winding a tape to supplement the insulation thickness, which has been conventionally required. Further, since the water tank corner 5 is also formed by molding plastic, the thickness can be stably ensured and the reliability is high.

A water tank 9 having a water pump 7 and a discharge pipe 8 connected to the water pump 7 is installed at the water tank corner 5, and a water tray 10 integrally provided at the water tank corner 5 is provided. Discharge port 8 of discharge pipe 8
a is inserted. A pipe portion 10a is formed at an end of the water tray 10 and a water supply pipe 12 is connected with a packing 11 in between.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a motor fixed to the corner 5 of the water supply tank, and a magnet 16a is attached to the tip of the motor. The water supply pump 7 also has a built-in impeller 7a with a magnet. When the motor 16 rotates, the impeller 7a in the water supply pump 7 also rotates due to the magnetic force of the magnet, and the water in the water supply tank 9 is sucked into the discharge pipe. Water is supplied to the ice tray 17 via the water receiving tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12.

As described above, the refrigerator according to this embodiment has the partition wall 4 for partitioning the upper storage room (refrigerating room, switching room, etc.) 2 from the lower freezing room 3, and the partition wall 4
A water tray 10 for receiving water from a water tank 9 installed on the floor of the tank, an ice tray 17 for producing ice when water is supplied through the water tray 10, and a tray 10 for changing water from the water tray 10 to the ice tray 17. The water supply pipe 12 that constitutes the entire water supply path up to the point of the water supply and the water supply pipe cover 5b having an insulating function provided around the water supply pipe 12 are provided, and the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 are separated from the water supply pipe cover 5b. Since it is made up of parts and can be removed from the refrigerator body 1, the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 can be easily washed to every corner, and germs do not propagate, and the water supply path is hygienic. Can be kept at

Further, since the heater 13 is installed on the water supply pipe cover 5b having an insulating function at a position facing the water supply pipe 12, an insulating tube and a tape for supplementing the insulation thickness are not required, and the insulation specification is simple. It is possible to improve the insulation reliability, improve the insulation reliability, simplify the manufacturing process, and reduce the cost.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the water supply device for ice making showing the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 are removed from the water tank corner 5. . FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the structure of the water tray and the water supply pipe.
0 and the water supply pipe 12 are disassembled.
Since the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 are separate parts from the water supply pipe cover 5b of the water supply tank corner 5, FIG.
It can be removed and washed by pulling it out in the direction of the arrow as shown in. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the water receiving tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 are fitted with each other by a packing 11 made of silicon rubber or the like, and the water supply pipe 12 can be removed simultaneously when the water receiving tray 10 is pulled out. ..

For this reason, the user can remove the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 for cleaning. Since the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 thus removed are only connected via the packing 11, hold the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 with each hand and pull the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12. Can be easily disassembled.

Therefore, the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 1
2 can be easily washed to every corner, bacteria will not propagate, and the water supply route can be kept hygienic. Also, the water tank corner 5 and the water tray 1
Since 0 is a separate part, there is no water supply path that cannot be washed in the water supply tank corner 5, there is no need to use an antibacterial material for the water supply tank corner, and it can be manufactured at low cost.

Here, a method of cleaning the water supply pipe portion will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of cleaning the water supply pipe section. In the figure, ST1 is a step for removing the water supply tank 9 from the water supply tank corner 5, ST2 is a step for removing the water supply pipe part (water receiving tray 10, packing 11, water supply pipe 12) from the water supplying tank corner 5, and ST3 is the water receiving tray 10 and the water supply. Pipe 1
2 is the step of removing.

ST4 is a step of washing and drying the water pan 10, packing 11, and water supply pipe 12, ST5 is a step of attaching the water supply pipe 12 to the water pan, and ST6.
Is a step of inserting the water supply pipe section (water tray 10, packing 11, water supply pipe 12) into the water supply tank corner 5 and mounting it, and ST7 is a step of mounting the water supply tank 9 in the water supply tank corner.

First, in ST1, the water supply tank 9 is removed from the water supply tank corner 5, and in ST2, the water supply pipe section (water tray 10, packing 11, water supply pipe 12) is pulled from the water supply pipe cover 5b of the water supply tank corner 5. While removing. In ST3, the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 are held and pulled by their respective hands to disassemble the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 with the packing 11 attached. Water tray 10 and packing 1 at ST4
1. The water supply pipe 12 is washed with water or the like and then dried.

After the packing 11 is attached to the water receiving tray 10 in ST5, the water supply pipe 12 is pushed into the water receiving tray 10 while being rotated, and the water supply pipe portion (the water receiving tray 10, the packing 1
1. Assemble the water supply pipe 12). At ST6, the water supply pipe section (water tray 10, packing 11, water supply pipe 1
2) can be installed by inserting it in the water tank corner 5, and finally in ST7, the water tank 9 can be installed in the water tank corner 5.

As described above, the water supply pipe portion (water receiving pan 10, packing 11, water supply pipe 12) forming the entire water supply path from the water pan 10 for receiving water from the water tank 9 to the ice tray 17 for producing ice is completely formed. In addition, anyone can easily remove it from the inside of the refrigerator and wash it, and germs will not propagate, and the water supply route can be kept hygienic.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the concave portion is provided on the floor surface of the refrigerating compartment 2 and the water supply tank corner 5 is provided on the concave portion. However, even when there is no concave portion on the floor surface of the refrigerating compartment,
Further, the arrangement of rooms (storage rooms) may be changed or a refrigerator having a different number of rooms may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, an example of a three-room refrigerator in which the refrigerating room is provided in the upper stage and the freezing room 3 is provided in the middle stage is shown, but the refrigerating room 2 is located above and the freezing room 3 is located below The refrigerator compartment 2 may be located at the upper stage and the freezer compartment 3 may be located at the lowest stage.

Even if the number of rooms is different, as long as the refrigerating room 2 is on the upper side and the freezing room 3 is arranged on the lower side of the refrigerating room 2, regardless of the number of stages in the refrigerator body 1. Good.
However, if another room is arranged between the refrigerating room 2 and the freezing room 3, the length of the water tray 10 and the water supply pipe 12 becomes longer, but there is no problem even if they become longer, and they can be removed from the refrigerator and cleaned. Therefore, the water tray 10, the water supply pipe 12, and the refrigerator can be kept hygienic.

Further, in this embodiment, the water supply pipe 12 uses a metal member, for example, an aluminum material. The heat conduction from the code heater 13 is improved by using a metal member having good heat conduction such as an aluminum material. Further, since the water supply pipe 12 and the water tray are separable from the water supply pipe cover 5b, the metal water supply pipe can be taken out, and can be separately collected at the time of recycling and the recyclability is improved.

[0037]

The water supply device according to the present invention is a water supply device for ice making provided in a refrigerator having a refrigerating room at the upper part and a freezing room at the lower part, and is installed on a partition wall forming the floor surface of the refrigerating room. A water supply tank, a water receiving tray for receiving water from the water supplying tank, and a water supply pipe forming an entire water supply path from the water receiving tray to the ice trays arranged in the freezer compartment,
Since the water tray and the water supply pipe are configured as separate parts and can be removed from the refrigerator for cleaning, the water supply pipe can be cleaned more easily and the cost can be reduced by reducing the amount of the material containing the antibacterial agent.

Since the partition wall on the floor surface of the refrigerating room is provided with the recess and the water supply tank is provided in the recess, the storage space of the refrigerating room and the freezing room can be effectively used.

Further, since the water supply pipe is made of metal, heat conduction from the cord heater is improved.

Since a water supply pipe cover having an additional insulating function is provided around the water supply pipe and a heater is installed on the water supply pipe cover at a position facing the water supply pipe, in order to supplement the insulating tube and the insulation thickness. No tape is required, and it is possible to simplify the insulation specifications, improve the insulation reliability, and simplify the manufacturing process.

Further, since the water supply pipe and the water pan can be separated from the water supply pipe cover, the recyclability is good.

Further, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a refrigerating room arranged at an upper part, a freezing room arranged at a lower part, a water supply tank installed on a partition wall forming a floor surface of the refrigerating room, and a water supply tank. Water pan that receives water from the water, an ice tray that is placed in the freezer and that is supplied with water from the water tray to generate ice, a water supply pipe that constitutes the entire water supply path from the water tray to the ice tray, and a partition wall And a water supply pipe cover for positioning at least one of the water saucer and the water supply pipe, and the water saucer and the water supply pipe are configured as separate parts from the water supply pipe cover and can be removed from the water supply pipe cover. Therefore, the cleanability of the water tray and the water supply pipe is improved, and the refrigerator can be kept hygienic.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a refrigerator to which an ice making water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the ice making water supply device of the refrigerator to which the ice making water supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the water supply device for ice making showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structures of the water tray and the water supply pipe that represent the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of cleaning a water supply pipe section according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator to which a conventional water supply device for ice making is applied.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a conventional ice-making water supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 refrigerator main body, 2 refrigerating room, 3 freezing room, 4 partition walls, 4a concave portion, 4b convex portion, 5 water tank corner,
5a Water pan setting part, 5b Water supply pipe cover, 6
Ice making corner, 7 water supply pump, 7a impeller, 8
Discharge pipe, 8a Discharge port, 9 Water tank, 10 Water tray, 10a Pipe part, 11 Packing, 12 Water supply pipe, 13 Code heater, 16 Motor, 16a
Magnet, 17 ice tray, 30 storage room, 101
Refrigerator body, 102 Refrigerator, 103 Freezer, 104
Partition wall, 104a concave portion, 104b convex portion, 105
Water tank corner, 106 ice making corner, 110
Water pan, 110a pipe part, 111 packing, 1
12 Water supply pipe, 113 code heater, 114 tape, 115 tube.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-4-20772 (JP, A) JP-A-8-296934 (JP, A) JP-A-11-118308 (JP, A) JP-A-6- 26745 (JP, A) JP 10-259975 (JP, A) JP 2000-88416 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25C 1/24 309 F25C 1 / 22 302

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water supply device for ice making provided in a refrigerator having a refrigerating room at the upper part and a freezing room at the lower part, and a water supply tank installed on a partition wall forming a floor surface of the refrigerating room,
A water tray for receiving water from the water supply tank, and the water supply
Water supply at the water tank corner where the tank is installed
A water supply pipe which is positioned by a water pipe cover and constitutes a whole water supply path from the water receiving tray to the ice tray arranged in the freezer compartment, and the water receiving tray and the water supplying pipe can be detached from the refrigerator. The water supply device characterized in that 2. The water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a recess is provided in a partition wall on the floor of the refrigerating compartment, and the water supply tank is provided in the recess. 3. The water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply pipe is made of metal. 4. The water supply pipe cover having an insulating function is provided around the water supply pipe, and a heater is installed on the water supply pipe cover at a position facing the water supply pipe. The water supply device according to any of the above. 5. The water supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the water supply pipe and the water tray are separable from the water supply pipe cover. 6. A refrigerating room arranged at an upper part, a freezing room arranged at a lower part, a water supply tank installed on a partition wall forming a floor surface of the refrigerating room, and water from the water supply tank. A water pan, an ice tray arranged in the freezer compartment and supplied with water from the water pan to generate ice, a water supply pipe forming a total water supply path from the water pan to the ice tray, and the partition wall And a water supply pipe cover for positioning at least one of the water receiving tray and the water supply pipe, and the water receiving pipe and the water supply pipe are formed as separate parts from the water supply pipe cover. A refrigerator characterized by being removable from the cover. 7. A refrigerating room is arranged in the upper part, and a freezing room is arranged in the lower part.
In a water supply device for ice making provided in a refrigerator,
A water tank installed on the partition wall that forms the floor of the room,
A water pan for receiving water from the water tank, and the water pan.
From the tray to the ice tray placed in the freezer
The water supply pipe that constitutes the water supply route and the water supply tank are installed.
The water supply pie is installed in the corner of the water supply tank.
Water supply pipe cover for positioning the
Installed on the cover cover at a position facing the water supply pipe.
A heater, and the water tray and the water supply pipe are
The water supply pipe cover and a separate part
A water supply device characterized by being removable. 8. The water supply pipe and the water tray
Remove it from the water tank corner so that it can be washed,
Do not use antibacterial materials for the water tank corners.
According to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that
Water supply device.