Refrigerator

A refrigerator having a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator including an icemaker provided at the freezer compartment door configured to open/close the freezer compartment, a dispenser provided at a refrigerator compartment door configured to open/close the refrigerator compartment, and a water tank provided at the refrigerator compartment door, the water tank having an inlet through which water is introduced into the water tank, a first outlet for supplying water to the dispenser, and a second outlet for supplying water to a pump, wherein the pump is configured to pump water from the water tank to the icemaker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2018-0089933 filed on Aug. 1, 2018, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having a dispenser and an icemaker.

A refrigerator may be equipped with a food storage space capable of blocking external heat with a cabinet and door filled with heat insulator. The refrigerator may be equipped with a freezer consisting of an evaporator absorbing heat in the food storage space and a radiator discharging collected heat from the food storage space. Therefore, the refrigerator may control the food storage space to be maintained as a low-temperature area in which microorganisms have difficulties in survival and proliferation, thereby keeping the stored food away from spoiling for a long time.

A refrigerator may have a refrigerator compartment for storing food in a temperature area above zero and a freezer compartment for storing food in a temperature area below zero. According to the disposition of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, refrigerators may be classified into a top freezer refrigerator having a top freezer compartment and a bottom refrigerator compartment, a bottom freezer refrigerator having a top refrigerator compartment and a bottom freezer compartment, a side-by-side refrigerator having a left freezer compartment and a right refrigerator compartment, etc.

In order for a user to place or get the food stored in the food storage space conveniently, the refrigerator may be equipped with a multitude of racks, drawers and the like provided in the food storage space. The refrigerator door may be equipped with shelves, baskets and the like to store food, drinking water, etc.

The refrigerator may also be equipped with various convenience features. For example, the refrigerator may be equipped with a dispenser, an icemaker and the like. The dispenser may be a device for a user to get water (e.g., drinking water) without opening the refrigerator door. The icemaker may be a device for making and keeping ice by being located in the freezer compartment in general. In this case, water needs to be supplied to the dispenser and the icemaker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An overall configuration of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIG. 1. In the following description, a top-freezer refrigerator having a freezer compartment located provided to a top and a refrigerator compartment provided to a bottom is taken as an example.

For clarity of the following description, a refrigerator door direction shall be represented as a front and a freezer/refrigerator compartment direction shall be represented as a rear. Moreover, left and right directions are described with reference to viewing a refrigerator in a door direction.

A freezer compartment46may be provided to a top side of a cabinet2configuring an exterior of a refrigerator1, and a refrigerator compartment48may be provided to a bottom side of the cabinet2. A freezer compartment door3configured to open/close the freezer compartment46may be rotatable coupled to the freezer compartment46. A refrigerator compartment door4configured to open/close the refrigerator compartment48may be rotatably coupled to the refrigerator compartment48.

An icemaker7may be installed at the freezer compartment door3and a dispenser9(seeFIG. 2) may be installed at the refrigerator compartment door4. Although the icemaker7can be installed within the freezer compartment46or at the freezer compartment door3, the following description is made by taking an example of installing the icemaker7at the freezer compartment door3.

A water tank5configured to receive water therein may be removably provided to the refrigerator compartment door4. A pump housing8may be provided under the water tank5, and a pump may be installed within the pump housing8.

The water of the water tank5may be provided to the dispenser and/or the icemaker7selectively or simultaneously. Namely, a passage for supplying the water of the water tank5to the dispenser may be provided between the water tank5and the dispenser and a passage for supplying the water of the water tank5to the icemaker7may be provided between the water tank5and the icemaker7.

The water tank5may be preferably located over the dispenser. Therefore, the water supply from the water tank5to the dispenser may be achieved by gravity, i.e., free fall without using a separate pump. On the other hand, since the icemaker7may be provided to the freezer compartment door3, the water of the water tank5may be sent to the icemaker7using a pump. An automatic icemaker may be used as the icemaker7, by which the present invention is non-limited.

The water tank5, the pump housing8and the dispenser9are described with reference toFIG. 2as follows. First of all, the water of the water tank5may be supplied to each of the dispenser9and a pump6within the pump housing8.

A first outlet58and a second outlet57may be provided to the water tank5. The water may be supplied to the dispenser9and the pump6through the first outlet58and the second outlet57, respectively.

While the water tank5may be separate from the refrigerator compartment door4, since the first outlet58and the second outlet57are blocked or closed, the water of the water tank5may not be discharged externally. If a user couples the water tank5to the refrigerator compartment door4, the first outlet58of the water tank5may be connected to the passage to the dispenser9and the second outlet57may be connected to the passage to the pump6.

Water may be received in the water tank5. The water of the water tank5may be supplied to the dispenser9and the icemaker7. To this end, an inlet for putting external water into the water tank5may be provided to the water tank5. A cap56for selectively opening/closing the inlet may be provided. The first outlet58for supplying water to the dispenser9may be provided to the water tank5. The second outlet57for supplying water to the icemaker7may be provided to the water tank5.

Although the water tank5may be formed integrally, it may be configured in a manner of including a container52and a cover54. For clarity of the following description, the water tank5is described in a manner of being divided into the container52and the cover54.

For example, the water tank5may include the container52having a prescribed space configured to receive water therein. The cover54may be removably coupled to a top side of the container52. In order for a user to put water into the container52, a cap56may be removably provided to the cover54.

A shape of the container52is non-limited but may have an approximately hexahedral shape of which inside is empty. A width (i.e., right-to-left length) of the container52may be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than a width of the refrigerator compartment door. A depth (i.e., front-to-rear length) and thickness (i.e., top-to-bottom length) of the container52may be selected appropriately.

The first outlet58and the second outlet57may be provided to the container52. Each of the first and second outlets58and57may be projected downward from a bottom of a front portion of the container52. Water may be supplied to the dispenser9through the first outlet58. Water may be supplied to the pump6within the pump housing8through the second outlet57.

The first outlet58may be provided to the center of the container52approximately. Namely, as water is supplied to the dispenser9through the first outlet58, the dispenser9may be located at the center of the refrigerator compartment door4. Hence, if the first outlet58is disposed at the center of the container52, it a length of a passage may be decreased.

The second outlet57may be provided in a manner of inclining to one side from the center of the container52, and alternatively, a portion at which the hinge shaft of the refrigerator compartment door4is installed. Namely, the pump6may send water of the water tank5to the icemaker7provided to the freezer compartment door3. The length of the passage connected to the icemaker7from the pump6may be decreased. To this end, the pump6may be provided to one side of the refrigerator compartment door4, or to a place adjacent to a portion at which the hinge shaft is installed. Therefore, the second outlet57connected to the pump housing8having the pump6received therein may also be provided in a manner of inclining in a direction of the hinge shaft.

The first outlet58may be provided in a manner of inclining downward in a front direction (e.g., an outdoor direction) of the refrigerator compartment door4. This is because the dispenser9connected to the first outlet58may be provided in front of the refrigerator compartment door4. The second outlet57may be provided in a manner of having the substantially same inclination of the first outlet58. Namely, if the first outlet58and the second outlet57differ from each other in inclination, it may not be easy to couple the water tank5to the refrigerator compartment door4.

The inclinations of the first and second outlets58and57are described as follows. Although each of the first and second outlets58and57may have an inclination between horizontality (0°) and verticality (90°), it may have an inclination between 45°˜90° preferably. This is because, if the first and second outlets58and57are formed horizontally, it may be possible to install the water tank5in a horizontal direction without interfering with other structures such as a rack, a basket and the like within the refrigerator compartment door4. Yet, in this case, as the first and second outlets58and57are projected horizontally, it may be necessary to increase the thickness of the refrigerator compartment door4.

Moreover, if the first and second outlets58and57are formed in a direction closer to a vertical direction, when the water tank5is installed at the refrigerator compartment door4, interference with other structures of the refrigerator compartment door4may be generated. Although the height of the water tank5may be reduced to avoid such interference, the capacity or volume of the water tank5may be disadvantageously reduced.

Yet, if each of the first and second outlets58and57has an inclination between 45° and 90°, such requirements may be met as far as possible. Namely, it may be able to install the water tank5at the refrigerator compartment door4by minimizing the interference with other structures within the refrigerator compartment door4without reducing the capacity of the water tank5as well as increasing the thickness of the refrigerator compartment door4.

The first outlet58and the second outlet57may be co-located on the front side of the water tank5. Namely, when the first outlet58and the second outlet57are viewed in a lateral direction of the water tank5, they may be located on the same line. This is because, if the first outlet58and the second outlet57are located on the front side and the rear side of the water tank5, respectively, it may not be easy to couple the water tank5to the refrigerator compartment door4.

Namely, when the water tank5is coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4, the water tank5may interfere with racks of the refrigerator compartment door, which may be present above or below of the water tank, whereby the coupling is not facilitated. Moreover, if the first outlet58and the second outlet57are not located on the front side of the water tank5, the passage from the water tank5to the refrigerator compartment door4may increase.

The coupling between the first outlet58and the dispenser9is described as follows. A valve59may be coupled to the first outlet58of the water tank5, and the valve59may be coupled to the dispenser9through a dispenser connector92. If a user pushes a lever94, the valve59may open so that the water of the water tank5may be externally discharged through the first outlet58and the valve59. As the structure of the dispenser9is popularly known and used, its details shall be omitted. For convenience and facilitation of assembly, an inclination angle of the first outlet58of the water tank5may be equal to that of the dispenser connector92.

Structures of the second outlet57of the water tank5and the pump housing8are described as follows. First of all, the pump housing8is described. The pump housing8may be coupled to an inside of the refrigerator compartment door4. The pump6may be provided within the pump housing8. The pump housing8may include a front housing8aand a rear housing8bprovided in rear of the front housing8a. The front housing8amay have an approximately hexahedral shape. The rear housing8bmay have a top-bottom height and a right-left width slightly greater than those of the front housing8b. The rear housing8bmay play a role in supporting a portion of the water tank5installed over the rear housing8b[SeeFIG. 3].

A passage connecting an entrance of the pump6and the second outlet57may be protected. To this end, a connecting member80may be provided between the pump housing8and the refrigerator compartment door4.

A passage, e.g., a tube62may be received in the connecting member80. The tube62may connect the entrance of the pump6and a connector86provided to the inner door of the refrigerator compartment door4[SeeFIG. 4].

The connecting member80of the pump housing8is described as follows. A tube joint87may be coupled to an outside of the front housing8a, a tube guide88may be coupled to the tube joint87, and the connector86may be coupled to the tube guide88.

A gasket ring cover82may be coupled to an inside of the connector86, and a gasket ring84may be received in an inner surface of the gasket ring cover82. An annular ring572, a spring574and a shaft576may be provided within the second outlet57.

With reference toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, a structure that the water tank5is coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4is described as follows. The refrigerator compartment door4is described. The refrigerator compartment door4may include an outer door22and an inner door (e.g., a door liner)24coupled to the outer door22.

A top cap deco28may be coupled to the top sides of the outer and inner doors22and24, and a bottom cap deco may be coupled to the bottoms sides thereof. A space formed by the outer door22, the inner door24, the top cap deco26and the bottom cap deco may be filled with an insulator26.

A seat portion42projected in an approximately horizontal direction may be provided to the inner door24. The water tank5may be put on a top surface of the seat portion42. The pump housing8may be coupled to a bottom side of the seat portion42. The rear housing8bof the pump housing8may be projected from the seat portion42in a rear direction, thereby playing a role in supporting the water tank5.

A dispenser connector92may be coupled to an approximate center of the seat portion42of the inner door24. The valve59coupled to the first outlet58of the water tank5may be inserted in the dispenser connector92.

A gasket ring cover82may be provided next to the dispenser connector92. The second outlet57of the water tank5may be inserted in the gasket ring cover82. The connecting member80may be connected between the gasket ring cover82and the front housing8a.

In order to facilitate the water tank4to be seated on the refrigerator compartment door4, an inclination angle of the first outlet58in the front direction may be equal to that of the second outlet57in the front direction. An inclination angle of the dispenser connector92coupled to the first outlet58may be equal to that of the gasket ring cover82coupled to the second outlet57.

In order to facilitate the water tank5to be attached to or detached from the refrigerator compartment door4, an additional structure may be provided. Such a structure is described as follows.

A pair of support members500may be provided to an inside of the refrigerator compartment door4, and a guide member400attached to or detached from the support member500may be provided to each of both lateral sides of the water tank5. The support member500may be provided to an inside of each of both ends of the inner door24with a prescribed thickness. A door dike for seating a rack, a basket or the like may be provided to each of both sides of the inner door24, and the support member500may be provided to the door dike.

The support member500may include a top surface portion502formed to have a prescribed inclination, a rear surface portion506descending at a prescribed angle from a rear of the top surface portion502, and a front surface portion504descending at a prescribed angle from a front of the top surface portion502. An inclination angle A of the top surface portion502may be smaller than an inclination angle of the second outlet57of the water tank5. For example, the inclination angle A of the top surface portion502may be about 35° with a horizontal plane. The front surface portion504may be approximately vertical.

The guide member400provided to the water tank5may have a shape corresponding to that of the support member500. The guide member may include a center portion402, a rear portion406and a front portion404. A projected portion408further extending in front direction may be provided in front of the front portion404of the guide member400.

The inclination angles of the center portion402, the rear portion406and the front portion406of the guide member400may correspond to the top surface portion502, the rear surface portion506and the front surface portion506of the support member500, respectively. Hence, if the water tank5is installed at the refrigerator compartment door4, the center portion402, the rear portion406and the front portion406of the guide member400may be supported by the top surface portion502, the rear surface portion506and the front surface portion506of the support member500, respectively.

In a general use state of the refrigerator, the water tank5may be coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4. In this state, if the water tank5is empty, a user may open the cap56of the water tank56and then put water into the water tank5. In case that a user cleans the water tank5, the water tank5may be separated from the refrigerator compartment door4.

When the water tank5is separated from the refrigerator compartment door4, the first and second outlets58and57of the water tank5may be blocked so that the water of the water tank5is not discharged externally. When the water tank5is coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4, the first and second outlets58and57of the water tank5may be open so that water may be supplied to the dispenser9and the pump6.

The valve59may be installed at the first outlet58of the water tank5. The valve59may normally be in a closed state. If a user pushes a lever94of the dispenser9, the valve59may be open. Namely, as the valve59is coupled to the first outlet58, a separate passage open/close structure may not be necessary. The valve59may be used for the dispenser9and its details shall be omitted.

On the other hand, when the water tank5is separated from the refrigerator compartment door4, the second outlet57of the water tank5may have a closed passage. When the water tank5is coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4, the second outlet57of the water tank5may have an open passage. When the water tank5is coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4, the passage to the entrance of the pump6from the water tank5may be in an open state. By the operation of the pump, the water on the entrance side of the pump may be supplied to the icemaker7.

With reference toFIG. 2andFIG. 4, the open/closed structure of the passage of the second outlet57of the water tank5is described as follows. The structure of the second outlet57of the water tank5is described in detail. A switch578capable of selectively opening/closing the second outlet57may be provided to the second outlet57. When the water tank5is separated from the refrigerator compartment door4, the switch578may close the second outlet57. When the water tank is coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4, the switch578may open the second outlet57.

One embodiment of the switch578is described as follows. The second outlet57of the switch578is described. A small-diameter portion57bhaving a small diameter may be provided to a tip of the second outlet57of the water tank5. A protruding portion57cprotruding inward may be provided to a portion from which the small-diameter portion57bbegins. A spring574may be installed within the small-diameter portion57b, and the protruding portion57cmay play a role in supporting a top portion of the spring574.

A shaft576may be installed in the small-diameter portion57b. The shaft576may include a head portion576ahaving a big diameter and a body portion576bextending downward from the head portion576a. An annular ring572may be put on the head portion576a, whereby water leakage may be prevented.

The body portion576bmay be configured in a manner that 4 thin panel-type members alternate one another in a radial direction at the center of the shaft576and has a cross-shaped cross-section. Space among the 4 panel-type members may become a passage through which water passes. A catch portion576cextending in a radial direction may be provided to a bottom end of the body portion576b, and a bottom end of the spring574may be supported by the catch portion576c.

Next, the structure of the coupling part of the pump housing8is described. The connector86may be provided to the inner door24of the refrigerator compartment door4. The second outlet57may be selectively connected to the connector86. When the second outlet57is coupled to the connector86, water leakage may be prevented preferably. Hence, the gasket ring84may be provided to an inside of the connector86. The gasket ring84may be supported by the gasket ring cover82.

One end of the tube guide88may be connected to the connector86, and the other end of the tub guide88may be connected to the tube joint87coupled to the pump housing8. A passage (e.g., a tube) connected to the entrance of the pump6may be connected to the connector86.

This is described in detail as follows. The tube joint87may be coupled to an outside of the pump housing8, and the tube guide88may be coupled to the other side of the tube joint87. The connector86may be coupled to the other end of the tube guide88.

The connector86may include a small-diameter portion86ainserted and coupled to an inside of the tube guide88, and a projected portion (or projection)86cprojected upward may be provided to a top surface of the small-diameter portion86a. A large-diameter portion86bhaving a diameter greater than that of the small-diameter portion86amay be formed on the small-diameter portion86a. A tube-expanding portion86dextending in a radial direction by inclining upward may be formed on the large-diameter portion86b.

The gasket ring cover82may be coupled to the inner surfaces of the large-diameter portion86band the tube-expanding portion86dof the connector86. Hence, the gasket ring cover82may approximately have the shape corresponding to the large-diameter portion86band the tube-expanding portion86dof the connector86.

The gasket ring cover82may include a portion82acorresponding to the large-diameter portion86bof the connector86and a portion82bcorresponding to the tube-expanding portion86b. The gasket ring84may be received in an inner bottom of the gasket ring cover82. A protruding portion82cprotruding inward may be formed at a prescribed position of the gasket ring cover82so as to prevent the gasket ring84from being pulled out.

The tip82bof the gasket ring cover82may be coupled to a front side of the inner door24and the tip86dof the connector86of the connecting member80may be coupled to a rear side of the inner door24.

The first outlet may be inclined in a front direction. Accordingly, the gasket ring cover82and the connector86may be installed to have the same inclination angle.

The attaching/detaching process for the second outlet57of the water tank5and the connecting member80of the pump housing8is described as follows. With reference toFIG. 4 (a), a state that the water tank5is separated from the refrigerator compartment door4is described. In this state, the spring574installed within the second outlet57may pull the shaft576downward. Hence, the annular ring (or O-ring)572provided to the head portion576aof the shaft576may contact the protruding portion57cof the second outlet57, whereby water is not discharged out of the second outlet57.

Next, with reference toFIG. 4 (b), a state that the water tank5is coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4is described. If the water tank5is coupled to the refrigerator compartment door4, the second outlet57of the water tank5may be inserted in the gasket ring cover82.

Once the insertion is complete, the projected portion86cof the connector86may push the shaft576upward. Once the shaft576is moved upward, the head portion576aof the shaft576may be spaced apart from the protruding portion57cof the second outlet57.

Therefore, there may be a gap between the head portion576aof the shaft576and the protruding portion57c, whereby water of the water tank5may be discharged in the direction of the tube62through the gap. In doing so, as the small-diameter portion57aof the second outlet57of the water tank5is already inserted in the gasket ring84, the water leakage may be prevented by the gasket ring84.

With reference toFIG. 3andFIG. 5, the passages from the water tank5to the dispenser9and the icemaker7are described as follows. The passage from the water tank5to the dispenser9is described.

The water tank5may be located above the dispenser9. The valve59connected to the first outlet58of the water tank5may be coupled to a dispenser connector92. The passage between the water tank5and the dispenser9may be relatively short.

As the water tank5is located above the dispenser9, a separate pump may be unnecessary. If a user pushes the lever94, the valve59may be opened and the water of the water tank5may be discharged to the dispenser9by gravity.

Next, the passage from the water tank5to the icemaker7is described with reference toFIG. 5. The water tank5may be provided to the refrigerator compartment door4. Yet, since the icemaker7may be provided to the freezer compartment door3located above the water tank5, the pump6may be required in order to send the water of the water tank5to the icemaker7. The supply of water to the icemaker7may be performed selectively. Namely, water may be supplied to the icemaker7when an ice tray is empty. Hence, although the icemaker7may be located below the water tank5, the pump6may be used.

The passage from the water tank5to the icemaker7may include a passage from the water tank5to the entrance6aof the pump6and a passage from the exit6bof the pump6to the icemaker7. A substantial passage from the water tank5to the entrance6aof the pump6may be the tube62starting from the second outlet57of the water tank5up to the entrance6aof the pump6via the connector36.

Next, the passage connecting the exit6bof the pump6to the icemaker7is described. The pump6may be installed at the refrigerator compartment door4, and the icemaker7may be installed at the freezer compartment door3. Hence, the passage from the pump6to the icemaker7may connect the refrigerator compartment to the freezer compartment.

The connection of the passage from the refrigerator compartment to the freezer compartment may use a hinge shaft210of a hinge member200. For example, the passage from the refrigerator compartment to the freezer compartment may be connected in a manner of using a hollow shaft as the hinge shaft210and also using a hollow portion212of the hinge shaft210.

The passage from the exit6bof the pump6to the icemaker7may use the tube64having flexibility. To protect the tube, the tube64may be received in a tube guide100. The tube guide100may include a hollow pipe capable of receiving the tube therein and may use a material having relative durability.

The tube guide100may be connected between the pump housing8and the hinge shat210. Another tube guide110may be connected between the hinge shaft210and the icemaker7. The tube guide100may directly pass through the hollow portion212of the hinge shaft210. Or, since the hinge shaft210may be generally formed of metallic material, the tube64may directly pass through the hollow portion212of the hinge shaft210without using the tube guide100for the hollow portion212of the hinge shaft210.

The tube guide100from the pump housing8to the hinge shaft210may be buried in the insulator of the refrigerator compartment door. The tube guide110from the hinge shaft210to the icemaker7may be buried in the insulator of the freezer compartment door.

With reference toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, an operation of the water tank5of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is described as follows. The water tank5may be removable from the refrigerator compartment door4. For example, when the water tank5is cleaned, a user may separate the water tank5from the refrigerator compartment door4. While the water tank5is separated, water may not be discharged through the first and second outlets58and57of the water tank5.

This is because the first outlet58may be in a state that the passage is blocked by the valve59coupled to the first outlet58. The second outlet57may have the passage blocked by the annular ring572, the spring574and the shaft576installed within the second outlet57.

Once the user finishes the cleaning of the water tank5, the user may install the water tank5at the refrigerator compartment door4again. In doing so, the user may easily seat the water tank5on the refrigerator compartment door4without interference with other components such as a rack, a basket and the like. This is because the first and second outlets58and57of the water tank5may be projected downward at the same inclination angle in a front direction. When the first outlet58and the second outlet57are viewed in a lateral direction of the water tank5, they may be located on the same line. Hence, the water tank5may be seated more conveniently and easily.

Once the water tank5is seated on the refrigerator compartment door4, the water of the water tank5may be supplied to the dispenser9and/or the icemaker7. As the passage of the valve59coupled to the first outlet58may be blocked even in the state that the water tank5is seated on the refrigerator compartment door4, water may not be discharged through the first outlet58. Yet, if a user pushes the lever94of the dispenser9, an open signal may be sent to the valve59so as to open the valve59. As the valve59is open, water may be discharged to the dispenser9.

While the water tank5is seated on the refrigerator compartment door4, water of the water tank5may be supplied to the entrance of the pump6through the second outlet57. Yet, if the pump6does not operate, the water may reach the pump entrance side only. In this state, if a drive signal of the pump is sent to the pump6from the icemaker7, the pump6may operate to supply water to the icemaker7.

If the water of the water tank5is used all in the state that while the water tank5is seated on the refrigerator compartment door4, a user may open the cap56of the water tank5and put water into the water tank5through the cap56. As described above, according to the present disclosure, water may be advantageously supplied to the dispenser9and the icemaker7using the single water tank5, whereby convenience in using the refrigerator is enhanced.

And, owing to the structures of the first and second outlets58and57of the water tank5, a user may conveniently install/separate the water tank at/from the refrigerator compartment door4. Moreover, the passage from the water tank5to the dispenser9and the icemaker7may be minimized advantageously.

The matter of the above-described embodiment is identically applicable to other undescribed parts. Moreover, the technical matter described in one embodiment is identically applicable to another embodiment if it is not contrary mutually, unless otherwise specifically stated.

The top-freezer refrigerator is exemplarily described in the above embodiment, by which the present embodiment is non-limited. For example, the principle of the present disclosure is applicable to a bottom-freezer refrigerator. In this case, a water tank and a dispenser may be installed at a refrigerator compartment door and an icemaker may be installed in a freezer compartment. Although the water tank is located above the icemaker installed in the freezer compartment, water may be selectively supplied to the icemaker. Hence, a pump may be used. Particularly, an auto-icemaker may use a pump.

The principle of the present disclosure is applicable to a side-by-side refrigerator. In this case, a water tank and a dispenser may be installed at a refrigerator compartment door and an icemaker may be installed in a freezer compartment. The icemaker installed in the freezer compartment may be installed higher or lower than the water tank. Since water may be selectively supplied to the icemaker irrespective of the water tank installation height, a pump may be used as well.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the embodiments. As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a refrigerator that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator capable of supplying water to a dispenser and an icemaker efficiently using a single water tank. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator, by which a water supply passage can be simplified while supplying water to a dispenser and an icemaker efficiently using a single water tank.

A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator having a dispenser and an icemaker, by which user's convenience is improved. Additional advantages, objects, and features of the disclosure will be set forth in the disclosure herein as well as the accompanying drawings. Such aspects may also be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure herein.

The present disclosure may supply water to a dispenser and an icemaker from a single water tank. The present disclosure may be applicable to a refrigerator having a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. The present disclosure may be applicable to a refrigerator having a freezer compartment located at the top and a refrigerator compartment located at the bottom.

The dispenser may be provided to a refrigerator compartment door and the icemaker may be provided to the freezer compartment or a freezer compartment door. The water tank may be provided to the refrigerator compartment door, and a water supply passage may be connected to each of the dispenser and the icemaker from the water tank.

The water tank may be disposed over the dispenser so that water in the water tank can be supplied to the dispenser by gravity. A pump for sending water of the water tank to the icemaker may be usable. And, the pump may be disposed under the eater tank.

The water tank may have a first outlet for discharging water to the dispenser and a second outlet for discharging water to the icemaker. Each of the first and second outlets may be projected from a lower part of the water tank toward a front side and configured in a manner of inclining at a prescribed angle. In a lateral view of the water tank, the first outlet and the second outlet may be disposed on the same line.

A passage to an entrance of the pump from the second outlet of the water tank may use an inside of the refrigerator compartment door, i.e., a space between an outer door and an inner door. A connector selectively removable from the second outlet may be provided to the inner door.

A passage to the icemaker from an exit of the pump may use the inside of the refrigerator compartment door, i.e., the space between in the outer door and the inner door. A passage between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may use a hinge shaft of a refrigerator door. For example, a hollow shaft may be used as the hinge shaft, whereby the passage between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may be connected through a hollow portion of the hollow shaft.

A refrigerator having a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an icemaker provided to the freezer compartment or a freezer compartment door configured to open/close the freezer compartment, a dispenser provided to a refrigerator compartment door configured to open/close the refrigerator compartment, a pump configured to send the water supplied from the water tank to the icemaker, and a water tank provided to the refrigerator compartment door, the water tank having an inlet for putting in water, a first outlet for supplying water to the dispenser, and a second outlet for supplying water to the pump.

The refrigerator may further include a cap configured to selectively open/close the inlet. The first outlet and the second outlet may be provided to a bottom side of the water tank. The first outlet and the second outlet may be provided in a manner of inclining downward at the same angle with the water tank in a front direction.

The first outlet and the second outlet may be located on the same line when viewed in a lateral direction of the water tank. A valve configured to selectively open/close the first outlet may be provided to the first outlet.

A switch configured to selectively open/close the second outlet may be provided to the second outlet. If the water tank is separated from the refrigerator compartment door, the switch may close the second outlet. If the water tank is installed at the refrigerator compartment door, the switch may open the second outlet.

A support member may be provided to an inside of the refrigerator compartment door and a guide member detachable from the support member may be provided to a lateral side of the water tank. The support member may include a top surface portion having a prescribed inclination, a rear surface portion descending at a prescribed angle from a rear of the top surface portion and a front surface portion descending at a prescribed angle from a front of the top surface portion and the guide member may include a center portion, a rear portion and a front portion corresponding to the top surface portion, the rear surface portion and the front surface portion, respectively.

An inclination angle of the support member may be smaller than an inclination angle of the second outlet of the water tank. The refrigerator may further include a pump housing configured to receive the pump therein and a connecting member may be provided between the second outlet and the pump housing.

A connector may be provided to the refrigerator compartment door and the second outlet of the water tank may be selectively connected to the connector. The connector may include a small-diameter portion, a large-diameter portion on the small-diameter portion and a tube-expanding portion on the large-diameter portion.

The switch may be movable in an axial direction, a protruding portion may be provided to a top side of the small-diameter portion of the connector, and wherein the switch may be moved upward by the protruding portion. A gasket ring cover may be provided to an inside of the connector and a gasket ring may be provided to an inside of the gasket ring cover.

The gasket ring cover and the connector may be disposed to have the same inclination of the second outlet. An inner door of the refrigerator compartment door may be inserted between a tip of the gasket ring cover and a tip of the connector.

The refrigerator may further include a tube connecting the pump and the icemaker and the tube may pass through a hollow portion of a hinge shaft of the refrigerator compartment door. The refrigerator may further include a tube guide configured to receive the tube therein.

The respective features of the above-described embodiments can be configured in a manner of being combined with other embodiments unless contradictory or exclusive to other embodiments. Accordingly, a refrigerator according to the present disclosure may provide the following effects or advantages.

First of all, water may be supplied to a dispenser and an icemaker efficiently using a single water tank. Secondly, a passage to a dispenser and an icemaker may be simplified despite using a single water tank.

Thirdly, user's convenience may be improved by supplying water to a dispenser and an icemaker using a single water tank. Effects obtainable from the present disclosure may be non-limited by the above mentioned effect. And, other unmentioned effects can be clearly understood from the following description by those having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains.