Patent ID: 8763422
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: E05D,E05Y,F24H,F25D

Abstract:
1. A refrigerator including a main body defining a storage space therein and a door for opening and closing the storage space, the refrigerator comprising: a water conduit for directing water supplied from an external water source to the main body of the refrigerator; an inlet valve for distributing the water supplied from the water conduit into a hot water conduit and a separate cold water conduit; a cold water tank mounted to the main body for cooling the water supplied through the cold water conduit and then storing the cooled water therein; a hot water tube mounted to one of the main body and the door for receiving the water supplied through the hot water conduit, the hot water tube including a heater operably installed within the hot water tube and in direct contact with the water therein, the heater generating heat through the application of electric power thereto to heat the water within the hot water tube to a predetermined temperature, the hot water tube heating water on demand so that no separate hot water tank for storing hot water therein is required; at least one support positioned within the hot water tube and configured to support the heater and divide an interior of the hot water tube into separate water chambers, the at least one support includes an outer periphery in continuous contact with an inner surface of the hot water tube and at least three openings being substantially equally spaced apart and the at least three opening lie upon a line in direction parallel to a diameter of the at least one support, and dimensioned to control a flow of water through the hot water tube; and a dispenser installed on the door for dispensing the hot and cold water supplied from the hot water tube and cold water tank to the outside of the refrigerator.