Water purifying filter

A water purifying filter has a cylindrical inner housing to receive a filter therein, and an outer housing to receive the inner housing. The inner housing and the outer housing are spaced apart from each other to form an insulation space configured to suppress heat transfer and to reduce the filter freezing inside the inner housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0088669 filed on Jul. 13, 2016, and of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0069225, filed on Jun. 2, 2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a water purifying filter for filtering foreign materials included in water.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, among refrigerators, there are refrigerators including a dispenser configured to supply water or an ice maker configured to automatically make ice.

Among refrigerators, there are refrigerators including a dispenser configured to supply water or an ice maker configured to automatically make ice, and such refrigerators include a water supply apparatus configured to receive water from an external water supply source and supply the water to the dispenser or the ice maker.

The refrigerator including the water supply apparatus includes a water purifying filter for filtering foreign materials included in water and supplies the water to the dispenser or the ice maker after filtering the foreign materials included in the water supplied from an external water supply source.

The water purifying filter includes a filter therein, such as a carbon block, capable of adsorbing foreign materials, and the materials filtered from the water are gradually accumulated in the filter while the filter is used. Accordingly, performance of the water purifying filter is gradually declined, and thus the water purifying filter has to be replaced after a predetermined period has elapsed.

Accordingly, the water purifying filter is detachably installed in the refrigerator and is separated from the refrigerator after being used for a predetermined period, and a new water purifying filter is installed and used in the refrigerator.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a water purifying filter capable of reducing freezing that may occur when being used in a refrigerator.

In addition, it is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a water purifying filter capable of reducing damage due to an external impact and water leaking caused thereby.

In addition, it is still another aspect of the disclosure to provide a refrigerator in which a water purifying filter may be more stably connected to a connection valve.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a water purifying filter may include a filter, an inner housing formed in a circular tube shape, configured to accommodate the filter, and configured to guide water to the filter, and an outer housing configured to accommodate the inner housing, wherein, while the inner housing is accommodated in the outer housing, the inner housing and the outer housing are spaced apart from each other to form an insulation space configured to suppress heat transfer therebetween.

The inner housing and the outer housing may include ends spaced apart from each other by a first gap and ends spaced apart from each other by a second gap which is greater than the first gap, and the insulation space is filled with air to form an air layer.

The outer housing may be formed in a rectangular tube shape, and one side of the outer housing is open to accommodate the inner housing.

One side of the inner housing may be open and one side of the outer housing, corresponding to the one side of the inner housing, may be open. The water purifying filter may further include a connecting cap configured to cover the open sides of the inner housing and the outer housing.

The connecting cap may include a cap configured to cover the open one sides of the inner housing and the outer housing, an inner fixer configured to extend from the cap toward the inner housing in a circular tube shape, wherein the open one side of the inner housing is fixed by the inner fixer, and an outer fixer configured to extend from the cap toward the outer housing in a rectangular tube shape, wherein the open one side of the outer housing may be fixed by the outer fixer.

The open inner housing and the inner fixer may be spin-welded.

The water purifying filter may further include a support rib configured to provide support between the outer housing and the inner housing spaced apart from each other.

One side of the inner housing may be open and one side of the outer housing, corresponding to the one side of the inner housing may be open. The support rib protrudes from one of an inner surface of the other side of the outer housing opposite the one side of the outer housing and an outer surface of the other side of the inner housing opposite the one side of the inner housing and is supported by the other one.

The support rib may protrude from one of an outer circumferential surface of the inner housing and an inner surface of the outer housing and may be supported by the other one.

The outer housing may further include a stopper formed in a shape corresponding to an installation hole, wherein the water purifying filter may be installed at the other side of the installation hole.

The outer housing may further include a body configured to accommodate the inner housing and a rotary guide provided between the stopper and the body in a cylindrical shape and configured to guide rotation of the water purifying filter, and the water purifying filter may be rotated and coupled to a connection valve included in the installation hole when the rotary guide is positioned in the installation hole.

Corners formed between surfaces of the outer housing may be formed as rounding portions having curved surfaces, and the water purifying filter may rotate while the rounding portions are supported by a guide member in the installation hole.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a water purifying filter may include a filter, an inner housing formed in a circular tube shape, configured to accommodate the filter, and configured to guide water to the filter, and an outer housing formed in a rectangular tube shape and configured to accommodate the inner housing, wherein, while the inner housing is accommodated in the outer housing, the inner housing and the outer housing are spaced apart from each other to form an insulation space configured to suppress heat transfer therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator to which a water purifying filter20according to an embodiment of the disclosure is applied may include a main body10provided with a storage compartment10aand a door11configured to open or close the storage compartment10a. A dispenser (not shown) configured to supply water or ice maker (not shown) is disposed in the door11.

The water purifying filter20is installed in the storage compartment10aof the main body10and filters water, which will be supplied to the dispenser (not shown) or the ice maker (not shown), to remove foreign materials included in the water.

In the embodiment, the water purifying filter20is separably installed in a partition10bwhich partitions a space in the storage compartment10a. The partition10bpartitions the space in which drawer type storage containers15are installed.

Accordingly, when the performance of the water purifying filter20is degraded while the water purifying filter20is used, the water purifying filter20is separated from the main body10, and a new water purifying filter20may be installed and used therein.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the main body10may include an installation hole10b-1which is provided in the partition10band in which the water purifying filter20is installed and a connection valve12provided in the installation hole10b-1and connected to the water purifying filter20that has entered the installation hole10b-1. In the embodiment, the water purifying filter20is rotated to be coupled to the connection valve12while inserted into the installation hole10b-1.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the water purifying filter20may include a filter21configured to filter foreign materials included in water, an inner housing22configured to accommodate the filter21, an outer housing23configured to accommodate the inner housing22, and a connecting cap24configured to cover one sides of the inner housing22and the outer housing23and connected to the connection valve12in the installation hole10b-1while the water purifying filter20is installed in the installation hole10b-1.

The filter21may include an adsorber21aconfigured to adsorb foreign materials included in water, a filter housing21bconfigured to cover an outer circumferential surface of the adsorber21a, a first filter cap21cconfigured to cover one end of the adsorber21a, and a second filter cap21dconfigured to cover the other end of the adsorber21a.

The adsorber21amay be formed as a carbon block to adsorb foreign materials. The adsorber21amay be formed in a cylindrical shape and may include a discharging guide hole21a-1configured to guide discharge of purified water. The discharging guide hole21a-1extends to pass through the adsorber21ain an axial direction.

The filter housing21bmay be formed in a hollow tube shape and is configured to accommodate the adsorber21atherein. Here, the filter housing21bis shorter than the adsorber21a, and thus both ends of the adsorber21aare exposed to an outside of the filter housing21b.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the first filter cap21cmay include a first cover21c-1configured to cover one end of the adsorber21a, a first support21c-2supported by an inner surface of the discharging guide hole21a-1, a discharging guide21c-4configured to guide discharge of water purified by the adsorber21a, and an inlet guide21c-3configured to guide water supplied from the outside to the adsorber21a. The first support21c-2and the discharging guide21c-4extend from a center of the first cover21c-1in both side directions and are formed to be connected to each other in a tube shape.

The discharging guide21c-4is coupled to the connection valve12and guides purified water to the connection valve12, and a sealing member25formed as an O-ring is installed on an outer circumferential surface of the discharging guide21c-4.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, the second filter cap21dmay include a second cover21d-1configured to cover the other end of the adsorber21a, a second support21d-3supported by the inner surface of the discharging guide hole21a-1, and a third support21d-2supported by the inner housing22. The second support21d-3and the third support21d-2extend from a center of the second cover21d-1in both side directions. The second support21d-3and the third support21d-2are each formed in a hollow tube shape.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 to 10, one end of the filter housing21bis spaced apart from the first cover21c-1, and the other end of the filter housing21bis spaced apart from the second cover21d-1. Accordingly, two portions of the adsorber21aare exposed to the outside through a space between one end of the filter housing21band the first cover21c-1and a space between the other end of the filter housing21band the second cover21d-1.

The inner housing22is formed in a circular tube shape having a predetermined length, one side thereof is open so that water can flow, the other side is closed so that water does not leak, and thus the inner housing22guides the water to the filter21. Accordingly, the inner housing22is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape and configured to accommodate the filter21therein. Since the inner housing22is formed in a circular tube shape, the inner housing22has a circular inner circumferential surface. Accordingly, even when water pressure is transmitted by water introduced into an inside of the inner housing22, the water pressure is not focused on a specific portion of the inner housing22, but is uniformly dispersed and acts on the entire inner circumferential surface of the inner housing22. Accordingly, the inner housing22formed in a circular tube shape has excellent pressure resistance.

The inner housing22may include a seating rib22awhich protrudes from an inner surface of the other end of the closed inner housing22in a circular tube shape and in which the third support21d-2is seated.

The outer housing23forms an exterior of the water purifying filter20. The outer housing is formed in a rectangular tube shape having a predetermined length, one side thereof corresponding to the open inner housing22is open so that the outer housing23may accommodate the inner housing22, and the other side is closed for forming a sealed insulation space. Accordingly, the outer housing23is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape in which one side is open, and the inner housing22is installed through the open one side of the outer housing23.

Here, the inner housing22and the outer housing23are spaced apart from each other for forming the insulation space. In the embodiment, the insulation space is filled with air to form an air layer, and the air layer configured to fill the insulation space between the inner housing22and the outer housing23serves to suppress movement of heat.

As described above, since the inner housing22is formed in a substantially circular tube shape, and the outer housing23is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, as illustrated inFIG. 8, centers of four surfaces forming the outer housing23are each spaced apart from the inner housing22by a first gap G1, corners of the outer housing23are each spaced apart from the inner housing22by a second gap G2, which is greater than the first gap G1.

Accordingly, since cold air transmitted to the filter21in the water purifying filter20is reduced by the insulation space formed between the inner housing22and the outer housing23, occurrence of freezing the filter21due to the cold air can be reduced.

In addition, even when any one of the inner housing22and the outer housing23is damaged due to an external impact and the like, water leaking from the water purifying filter20to the outside can be prevented.

In particular, when the outer housing23is formed in a rectangular tube shape as described above, and the water purifying filter20falls down and collides with the ground surface due to a user's mistake, there is a high possibility of the corners of the outer housing23colliding with the ground surface. Since the corners of the outer housing23are each spaced a part from the inner housing22by the relatively big second gap G2, impact transmitted to the inner housing22and damage of the inner housing22caused thereby can be reduced due to the shape of the outer housing23. In addition, as described above, since the water purifying filter20is formed as a dual structure including the inner housing22and the outer housing23, the water purifying filter20may have excellent pressure resistance due to the inner housing22, and the outer housing23may also be formed in any shape. That is, the outer housing23may be formed in a polygonal tube shape other than the above described rectangular tube shape and may also be formed in an oval tube shape or a combinational tube shape of flat and curved surfaces.

The outer housing23may include a body23aconfigured to accommodate the inner housing22, a stopper23bprovided at one side of the body23aand configured to cover the installation hole10b-1, and a handle23cprovided on the stopper23bso that a user may grip the water purifying filter20and apply a force thereto. In the embodiment, the body23aand the stopper23bare each formed in a substantially rectangular shape to correspond to the installation hole10b-1. The body23a, the stopper23b, and the handle23cwhich form the outer housing23are integrally formed when the outer housing23is injection molded.

In addition, the water purifying filter20may include a support rib23econfigured to provide support between the spaced inner housing22and the outer housing23to maintain a state in which the outer housing23is spaced apart from the inner housing22.

In the embodiment, the support rib23eprotrudes from an inner surface of the outer housing23and is supported by an outer surface of the inner housing22.

The support rib23eprotrudes from an inner surface of the other side of the outer housing23, which is a side opposite the open one side of the outer housing23, and is supported by an outer surface of the other side of the inner housing22which is a side opposite the open one side of the inner housing22. As described above, since the handle23cis provided at the other side of the outer housing23, the support rib23eprotrudes from a rear surface of the handle23cand supports the outer surface of the other side of the inner housing22.

The support rib23eprotrudes from the inner surface of the other side of the outer housing23and supports the inner surface of the other side of the inner housing22, but is not limited thereto. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the support rib23emay also protrude from the outer surface of the other side of the inner housing and be supported by the inner surface of the other side of the outer housing.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 17, a support rib23fmay also protrude from the inner surface of the outer housing23and support an outer circumferential surface of the inner housing22, and although not illustrated in the drawings, the support rib may also protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the inner housing and be supported by the inner surface of the outer housing.

However, the support ribs23eand23fare not essential, and the support rib23emay also be omitted.

The handle23cis integrally formed with the body23a, but is shown as an example, and the handle23cis not limited thereto. That is, the handle and the outer housing may be individually manufactured, then the handle may be fixed to the outer housing, and thus the handle may also be formed on the outer housing.

Since the installation hole10b-1is formed in a rectangular shape and the body23aand the stopper23bare each formed in a rectangular shape as described above, a user cannot rotate the water purifying filter20while the body23aof the outer housing23passes through the installation hole10b-1.

However, as described above, since the water purifying filter20is rotated to be coupled to the connection valve12, a rotary guide23dis provided in a cylindrical shape between the body23aand the stopper23bso that the water purifying filter20may be rotated.

Accordingly, when the water purifying filter20is inserted into the installation hole10b-1, and the rotary guide23dof the outer housing23is located in the installation hole10b-1, a user may rotate the water purifying filter20by applying a force thereto using the handle23c.

The connecting cap24is connected to the connection valve12to guide water introduced through the connection valve12to the filter21. The connecting cap24may include a cap24aconfigured to cover open one sides of the inner housing22and the outer housing23, an inner fixer24bconfigured to extend from the cap24atoward the open one side of the inner housing22and configured to fix the open one side of the inner housing22, and an outer fixer24cconfigured to extend from the cap24atoward the open one side of the outer housing23and configured to fix the open one side of the outer housing23. The inner fixer24bis spaced inwardly apart from the outer fixer24c, the inner fixer24bhas a circular tube shape to correspond to the inner housing22, and the outer fixer24chas a rectangular tube shape to correspond to the outer housing23.

Since the inner housing22and the inner fixer24bare each formed in a circular tube shape, the inner housing22and the inner fixer24bare fixed to each other using spin fusion which is performed by frictional heat generated by rotating any one of the inner housing22and the connecting cap24in a state in which the open one side of the inner housing22is in contact with the inner fixer24b. In addition, the outer housing23in a rectangular tube shape is fixed by the outer fixer24cconfigured to extend in a rectangular tube using one of various welding methods such as a spot welding.

However, the above-described method of fixing the inner housing22and the outer housing23to the connecting cap24is shown as one example, and is not limited thereto.

The water purifying filter20is coupled to the connection valve12by the connecting cap24. The connecting cap24may include a connector24dconfigured to extend from a center of the cap24a, is coupled to the connection valve12, and receives water from the connection valve12, and a coupling hook24econfigured to integrally protrude from a portion adjacent to the connector24dso that the water purifying filter20may be coupled to the connection valve12, for connecting with the connection valve12. In the embodiment, two coupling hooks24eare disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction.

Sealing members26in an O-ring shape is installed on an outer side of the connector24dfor preventing water leak in a state in which the connector24dis coupled to the connection valve12.

Meanwhile, the connection valve12is formed in a cylindrical shape having open one side so that the connector24dmay be accommodated in the connection valve12, and may include a coupling jaw12awhich is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the connector24dand in which the above-described coupling hooks24erotate to be coupled thereto. In the embodiment, the connection valve12may include two coupling jaws12adisposed to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction to correspond to the two coupling hooks24eprovided in the water purifying filter20.

In the embodiment, the coupling jaw12ais formed to extend a predetermined distance in a circumferential direction and obliquely extends in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, when the water purifying filter20is rotated, the coupling hook24emoves along the coupling jaw12aand the water purifying filter20moves in an entrance direction of entering thereof. The connection valve12is connected to a water supply pipe13configured to supply water to be purified to the connection valve12, and a water drain pipe14configured to send water purified by passing through the filter21of the water purifying filter20to the dispenser (not shown) or the ice maker (not shown).

As described above, in a state in which the connecting cap24and the connection valve12are coupled, water flows into the water purifying filter20through a space between an outer surface of the discharging guide21c-4and an inner surface of the connector24d. The water continuously passes through the inlet guide21c-3and flows into a space between the inner housing22and the filter21. The water flows to the adsorber21athrough a space between one end of the filter housing21band the first cover21c-1, and a space between the other end of the filter housing21band the second cover21d-1, and passes through the adsorber21aby water pressure. Since foreign materials included in the water are adsorbed onto the adsorber21awhile passing through the adsorber21a, the water is purified. The water, of which the foreign materials are completely adsorbed onto the adsorber21a, sequentially passes through the discharging guide hole21a-1, the first support21c-2, and the discharging guide21c-4, and is sent to the connection valve12.

In addition, the main body10may include an installation guide device30provided in the installation hole10b-1and configured to guide the water purifying filter20inserted through the installation hole10b-1to be stably coupled to the connection valve12.

The installation guide device30serves to accurately connect the water purifying filter20to the connection valve12. In addition, the installation guide device30serves to couple a standard water purifying filter20to the connection valve12and also servers not to couple a non-standard water purifying filter to the connection valve12.

The installation guide device30may include a pressure lever31configured to press downward the water purifying filter20inserted through the installation hole10b-1and a guide member32configured to support the water purifying filter20. The pressure lever31is disposed above the water purifying filter20that has entered the installation hole10b-1and presses downward the water purifying filter20so that the water purifying filter20may move while supported by the guide member32.

In the embodiment, one end of the pressure lever31is fixedly installed in the main body10, and the other end is formed as a leaf spring installed to protrude toward an entering path of the water purifying filter20. To this end, the pressure lever31may include a fixer31afixed in the main body10, a pressure part31bconfigured to protrude toward the entering path of the water purifying filter20that has entered the installation hole10b-1and configured to apply a downward force to the water purifying filter20, and an elastic part31cprovided between the fixer31aand the pressure part31band configured to exert an elastic force.

The pressure part31bis obliquely disposed on the entering path of the water purifying filter20, is gradually moved upward by moving of the water purifying filter20, and is formed in a substantially U shape to correspond to an upper portion of the water purifying filter20.

The elastic part31cis formed as the leaf spring which is bent to exert the elastic force.

The guide member32may include a guide surface32aconfigured to support an outer side of the water purifying filter20that has entered the installation hole10b-1, that is a lower side of the outer housing23. The guide surface32ais formed in an arc shape to guide rotation of the water purifying filter20, and since the outer housing23is formed in the rectangular shape as described above, the guide surface32ahas a radius of curvature corresponding to a half of a diagonal length of the outer housing23. Accordingly, the water purifying filter20may enter the installation hole10b-1and rotate in a state in which the corners of the outer housing23are supported by the guide surface32a.

Meanwhile, four corners formed between four surfaces of the outer housing23are each formed as a rounding portion23a-1having a curved surface as illustrated inFIG. 8. Accordingly, when the water purifying filter20is rotated, since the water purifying filter20is rotated using the rounding portion23a-1having the curved surface while supported by the guide surface32ahaving a curved surface, the water purifying filter20may be rotated easily.

In addition, in the embodiment, two guide members32are provided, and two guide members32are laterally spaced apart from each other. This is for allowing a front end of a non-standard water purifying filter to fall downward through a space between the two guide members32when the non-standard water purifying filter, which is smaller than a standard size, is installed through the installation hole10b-1. That is, in a case of a water purifying filter which is smaller than a standard size, since the water purifying filter cannot be supported by the guide surface32a, a front end of the non-standard water purifying filter is pushed downward by the pressure lever31and falls downward through the space between the two guide members32.

In addition, a locking member33configured to prevent a non-standard water purifying filter20from moving toward the connection valve12is provided between the two guide members32. In the embodiment, the locking member33may include a locking jaw33aconfigured to protrude from an upper surface of the locking member33, and the front end of a non-standard water purifying filter that has entered the installation hole10b-1and moved downward by the pressure lever31is locked by the locking jaw33a.

In the embodiment, the installation guide device30may include the pressure lever31, the guide member32, and the locking member33, but this is shown as one example, and the installation guide device30is not limited thereto. That is, even when the installation guide device30may include only the guide member32, since a non-standard water purifying filter falls downward due to the weight thereof, and may not be coupled to the connection valve12, the pressure lever31and the locking member33may be omitted.

Hereinafter, an operation of installing the above-described water purifying filter20in the installation hole10b-1of the main body10will be described in more detail.

First, when the water purifying filter20is inserted into the installation hole10b-1as illustrated inFIG. 12, since the outer housing23of the water purifying filter20is formed in a rectangular box shape, the water purifying filter20enters the installation hole10b-1along the installation hole10b-1formed in the rectangular shape. Here, since the corners of the outer housing23that has entered the installation hole10b-1are supported by the guide surface32a, the water purifying filter20moves straight toward and enters the connection valve12.

When the water purifying filter20moves a predetermined distance or more into the installation hole10b-1, the front end of the water purifying filter20comes into contact with the pressure part31bof the pressure lever31configured to protrude toward the entering path of the water purifying filter20. When the water purifying filter20continuously moves toward the connection valve12, the pressure part31bmoves upward while the elastic part31cis elastically changed, and a downward force is applied to the water purifying filter20by an elastic restoring force of the elastic part31c.

However, as described above, since the corners of the outer housing23in the water purifying filter20are supported by the guide surface32a, a force transmitted through the pressure part31bof the pressure lever31serves to maintain a state in which the corners of the outer housing23(that is, the rounding portions23a-1) are supported by the guide surface32a. Accordingly, the front end of the water purifying filter20does not move downward but directly moves straight toward the connection valve12.

When the front end of the water purifying filter20, that is the connector24d, arrives at the connection valve12as illustrated inFIG. 13, the rotary guide23dof the outer housing23is positioned at a position corresponding to the installation hole10b-1. In such a state, since the water purifying filter20is rotatable, when a user rotates the water purifying filter20using the handle23c, the water purifying filter20is rotated as illustrated inFIG. 14, and the coupling hook24eof the connecting cap24is coupled to the coupling jaw12aof the connection valve12, and thus the water purifying filter20is coupled to the connection valve12. In addition, the water purifying filter20simultaneously moves toward an inside of the installation hole10b-1and the stopper23bof the outer housing23closes the installation hole10b-1, and thus the water purifying filter20is completely installed.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 15, before the water purifying filter20rotates, the stopper23bprotrudes forward from the installation hole10b-1, or a position of the stopper23bis misaligned with the installation hole10b-1in a circumferential direction.

On the other hand, when the water purifying filter20is rotated and the connecting cap24is coupled to the connection valve12, as illustrated inFIG. 16, not only the stopper23bcloses the installation hole10b-1, but also positions of the installation hole10b-1and the stopper23bare the same.

Accordingly, a user may determine whether the connecting cap24of the water purifying filter20is coupled to connection valve12using the position of the stopper23b.

Next, although not illustrated in the drawings, a case in which a non-standard water purifying filter is installed in a refrigerator will be described.

When a water purifying filter which is bigger than a standard size is inserted into the installation hole10b-1, the water purifying filter which is bigger than the standard size cannot pass through the installation hole10b-1formed in a rectangular shape.

In addition, a water purifying filter having a size which is smaller than that of the installation hole10b-1may pass through the installation hole10b-1but moves toward the connection valve12while not supported by the guide surface32a.

When the water purifying filter which is smaller than the standard size moves a predetermined distance or more into the installation hole10b-1, a downward force is applied to a front end of the water purifying filter which is smaller than the standard size by the pressure part31bof the pressure lever31configured to protrude toward the entering path thereof. As described above, in the case of the water purifying filter which is smaller than the installation hole10b-1, since the water purifying filter is not supported by the guide surface32aunlike the standard water purifying filter20, the front end of the water purifying filter which is smaller than the standard size does not overcome an elastic restoring force of the elastic part31cand is obliquely moved downward by the pressure lever31. As described above, since the locking member33is disposed between two guide members32, the front end of the non-standard water purifying filter is locked by the locking jaw33aof the locking member33.

Accordingly, since a water purifying filter which is bigger than a standard size cannot pass through the installation hole11aformed in a rectangular shape, and a front end of a water purifying filter which is small enough to pass through the installation hole11ais locked by the locking jaw33aof the locking member33, a non-standard water purifying filter does not arrive at the connection valve12, and thus coupling with the connection valve12is prevented.

In the embodiment, although the outer housing23is formed in a rectangular tube shape, this is for preventing a non-standard water purifying filter from being coupled to the connection valve12by the installation guide device30, but the outer housing23may also be formed in a circular tube shape like the inner housing22to increase insulation performance of the water purifying filter20. In this case, a radius of curvature of an outer circumferential surface of the outer housing23may be the same as that of the guide surface32aof the guide member32so that the water purifying filter20may move straight along a surface of the guide member32and be coupled to the connection valve12.

In the embodiment, the pressure lever31is formed to include the elastic part31cformed as a leaf spring, but is not limited thereto, and one end of the pressure lever may be rotatably installed in the refrigerator, and the pressure lever may be elastically supported by a separate elastic member such a torsion spring.

The water purifying filter20is installed in the installation hole10b-1provided in the partition10b. A water tank40configured to store purified water is disposed in the partition10btogether with the water purifying filter20and the installation guide device30.

In the embodiment, the water purifying filter20, the installation guide device30, and the water tank40are installed in the partition, but this is shown as one example, and the water purifying filter20, the installation guide device30, and the water tank40may be installed at various locations in the storage compartment10asuch as a sidewall of the main body10and the partition which divides a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment.

In addition, the water purifying filter20, the installation guide device30, and the water tank40may be installed at various locations, such as the door11as well as a rear surface or lower portion of the main body10in addition to the storage compartment10a, according to design.

In addition, in the embodiment, all of the water purifying filter20, the installation guide device30, and the water tank40are installed together in the partition11b, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Although both of the water purifying filter20and the installation guide device30have to be installed together, the water tank40may be installed at a separate location. That is, even though the water purifying filter20and the installation guide device30are installed in the partition, an installation location of the water tank40may be variously changed, for example, the water tank40is installed in the door11in which the dispenser or the ice maker is positioned.

In the embodiment, the insulation space formed between the inner housing22and the outer housing23is filled with air, but is not limited thereto, and a vacuum state of the insulation space may be maintained so that heat transfer due to thermal conduction may not occur to improve insulation performance, or the insulation space may be filled with an insulation member, such as a foam resin having excellent insulation performance, to improve the insulation performance of the insulation space.

In the embodiment, the guide member32may include a pair of guide members32spaced apart from each other, and this is for serving all functions of the guide members32configured to guide the water purifying filter20to the connection valve12and to prevent a water purifying filter which is smaller than a standard size from being connected to the connection valve12.

Accordingly, only one guide member32may also be disposed in the installation hole10b-1so that the guide member32may serve to only guide the water purifying filter20to the connection valve12.

As is apparent from the above description, in a water purifying filter according to the disclosure, since an insulation space is formed between an inner housing and an outer housing, freezing of a filter can be reduced.

In addition, in a water purifying filter according to the disclosure, since water leaking does not occur even when one of an inner housing and an outer housing is broken by an external impact, the water leaking from the water purifying filter can be reduced.

In addition, since a water purifying filter according to the disclosure may include an inner housing and an outer housing, the water purifying filter can have high pressure resistance using the inner housing and can also be formed in any shape such as a rectangular tube shape using the outer housing.

In addition, in a refrigerator to which a water purifying filter according to the disclosure is applied, a standard water purifying filter can be guided and coupled to a connection valve by an installation guide apparatus, but a non-standard water purifying filter cannot be coupled to the connection valve.

While one or more embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and may be variously changed or modified without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, modified or changed embodiments are included in the range of the claims of the disclosure.