Patent Publication Number: US-2023144077-A1

Title: Water purifying apparatus and refrigerator having the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0154735, filed on Nov. 11, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a water purifying apparatus and a refrigerator having the same. 
     In general, a water purifying apparatus is configured to purify supplied water using a filter or a filter medium and includes a device that purifies water in a water tube or a tank into a drinkable state. 
     Such a water purifying apparatus that supplies drinkable water is representative of a water purifier. Recently, the whole or a portion of the water purifying apparatus may be provided in a refrigerator to receive purified water through the refrigerator or make ice using the purified water. 
     In a refrigerator provided with a water purifying apparatus, it is necessary to replace or inspect a filter constituting the water purifying apparatus as necessary, and for this purpose, the filter is configured to be detachable. In addition, the water purifying apparatus may have a bypass structure capable of supplying water even in a state in which the filter is separated, thereby supplying water during the replacement or inspection of the filter. 
     A head for a water purifying filter having such a bypass structure is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0135021. 
     However, in the case of the water purifying apparatus having the bypass structure according to the related art, water may be discharged from the water purifying apparatus even when the filter is not installed. There is a limitation in that a user may drink unfiltered water by mistakenly thinking that the filter is in a state in which the filter is installed even through the filter is not installed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments provide a water purifying apparatus in which water passing through a filter is discharged only when the filter is installed, but is not discharged when the filter is not mounted, and a refrigerator including the same. 
     Embodiments also provide a water purifying apparatus in which a passage between a water inlet, which communicates with a filter so that water is introduced, and a water outlet, which communicates with the filter so that water is discharged, increases in area to increase in filtering flow rate and a refrigerator including the same. 
     In one embodiment, a water purifying apparatus includes: a filter configured to discharge introduced water after purifying the introduced water; a head to which the filter is detachably coupled and which includes a water inlet and a water outlet; and a shaft provided inside the head, rotatably mounted between the water inlet and the water outlet, and having a filtering passage configured to connect the water inlet to the water outlet so that water introduced into the water inlet is discharged to the water outlet via the filter, wherein the shaft includes: a shaft inlet and a shaft outlet, which are opened to respectively communicate with the water inlet and the water outlet so as to define the filtering passage; and a water inlet blocking portion and a water outlet blocking portion, which are provided between the shaft inlet and the shaft outlet to shield opened surfaces of the water inlet and the water outlet. 
     In the state in which the filter is mounted on the head, the shaft inlet and the shaft outlet may be respectively aligned with the water inlet and the water outlet so that the water introduced into the water inlet is introduced to the filter, and, in the state in which the filter is separated from the head, the water inlet blocking portion and the water outlet blocking portion may be respectively aligned with the water inlet and the water outlet so that the introduction of the water, which is introduced into the water inlet, into the shaft is blocked. 
     The water inlet blocking portion may include a recess portion defined to be recessed inward from a circumferential surface of the shaft. 
     The shaft may include a sealing pad configured to shield the recess portion at a position corresponding to the water inlet blocking portion. 
     The water inlet blocking portion may include a protrusion configured to protrude in a direction of the sealing pad, and the sealing pad may include a coupling groove recessed from an inner surface that is in contact with the recess portion so that the protrusion is inserted to be coupled. 
     The sealing pad may include: an outer surface configured to face the inner surface; and a sealing portion configured to protrude along a circumference of the outer surface. 
     The inner surface may have a flat shape, and the outer surface may have a curved surface to be away from the shaft toward a center thereof. 
     The sealing portion may be provided between the water inlet and the water inlet blocking portion. 
     The water outlet blocking portion may include a recess portion recessed inward from a circumferential surface of the shaft. 
     The shaft may include a sealing pad configured to shield the recess portion at a position corresponding to the water outlet blocking portion, and the sealing pad may include: an inner surface that is in contact with the recess portion; and an outer surface configured to face the inner surface; and a sealing portion configured to protrude along a circumference of the outer surface. 
     The shaft may include: an upper part in which the shaft inlet, the shaft outlet, the water inlet blocking portion, and the water outlet blocking portion are provided; and a lower part extending downward from a lower end of the upper part, wherein the lower part may include: a stepped portion extending to be stepped downward from the lower end of the upper part; and an inner pipe extending downward from a lower end of the stepped portion. 
     A body seating portion on which the stepped portion is seated may be disposed inside the head, and a stepped portion O-ring may be provided between an outer surface of the stepped portion and an inner surface of the head. 
     The head may include: an upper body; a lower body of which a bottom surface is opened to accommodate the filter; and an inner body which is disposed inside the head and of which at least a portion is in contact with the shaft. 
     The inner body may be spaced a set distance from the inner pipe, and a lower end of the inner body may extend further downward than a lower end of the inner pipe. 
     Each of the shaft inlet and the shaft outlet may have a circular shape. 
     The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view illustrating a state in which a door of the refrigerator is opened. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic view illustrating an arranged structure of a water supply passage of the refrigerator. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the water purifying apparatus. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the water purifying apparatus according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which a filter and a head of the water purifying apparatus are separated from each other. 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded view illustrating a structure of the filter. 
         FIG.  8    is a partial cutaway perspective view illustrating an upper supporter of the filter. 
         FIG.  9    is a side view of the head. 
         FIG.  10    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of the head when viewed from one side. 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of a shaft. 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional view illustrating structures of the head and the shaft when the filter is mounted on the head. 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view illustrating structures of the head and the shaft when the filter is separated from the head. 
         FIG.  14    is a view illustrating a passage in the state in which the filter is separated from the head. 
         FIG.  15    is a view illustrating a position of the shaft in the state in which the filter and the head are separated from each other. 
         FIG.  16    is a view illustrating a passage in the state in which the filter is mounted on the head. 
         FIG.  17    is a view illustrating a position of the shaft in the state in which the filter and the head are coupled to each other. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, detailed embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is limited to the embodiments in which the spirit of the present invention is proposed, and other degenerate idea or other embodiments included in the scope of the present invention may be easily proposed by addition, changes, deletions, etc. of other elements. 
       FIG.  1    is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Also,  FIG.  2    is a front view illustrating a state in which a door of the refrigerator is opened. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a refrigerator  1  including a water purifying apparatus according to an embodiment may include a cabinet  10  defining a storage space and a door opening and closing the storage space of the cabinet  10 . An outer appearance of the refrigerator  1  may be defined by the cabinet  10  and the door  20 . 
     The cabinet  10  may include an outer case  11  defining an outer surface thereof and made of a metal material and an inner case  12  coupled to the outer case  11  to define the storage space in the refrigerator  1  and made of a resin material. Also, an insulating material  103  may be filled between the outer case  11  and the inner case  12  to insulate an inner space of the refrigerator  1  from the outside. 
     The storage space is divided vertically based on a barrier  13  and may be constituted by an upper refrigerating compartment  14  and a lower freezing compartment  15 . Also, the freezing compartment  15  may be further divided horizontally. Alternatively, the storage space may be partitioned into left and right side with respect to the barrier  13 . 
     The door  20  may include a refrigerating compartment door  21  and a freezing compartment door  22 , which respectively independently open and close the refrigerating compartment  14  and the freezing compartment  15 . 
     Both the refrigerating compartment door  21  and the freezing compartment door  22  may have a structure capable of opening and closing the refrigerating compartment  14  and the freezing compartment  15  by rotation. For this, all of the refrigerating compartment door  21  and the freezing compartment door  22  may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet  10  by a hinge device  23 . In addition, the refrigerating compartment door  21  may be a French-type door in which a pair of doors disposed at both left and right sides independently rotates. 
     A dispenser  23  and an ice maker  24  may be provided in one of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors  21 . 
     The dispenser  23  may be disposed on a front surface of the refrigerating compartment door  21 , and a user may manipulates the dispenser  23  from the outside to dispense water or ice. In addition, an ice making chamber  25  is provided above the dispenser  23 . The ice making chamber  25  is an insulating space in which ice is made and stored, and the ice maker  24  may be accommodated in the ice making chamber and be opened and closed by a separate door. Also, although not shown, the ice making chamber  25  may communicate with the freezing compartment  15  by a cooling air duct to receive cool air that is required for making ice cubes from a freezing compartment evaporator (not shown) in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door  21  is closed. 
     A plurality of shelves and drawers configured to store food may be provided in the refrigerating compartment  14 . Particularly, a drawer assembly  16  including a drawer  161  provided so as to be able to be drawn in and out and a table  162  that shields a top surface of the drawer  161  may be provided on a bottom surface of the refrigerating compartment  14 . 
     The drawer assembly  16  may be configured so that the inside thereof is visible, and a main water tank  34  provided at a rear side of the refrigerating compartment  14  is shielded by the drawer  161 . In addition, a water purifying apparatus  17  may be provided at one side of the drawer assembly  16  to purify water to be supplied to the dispenser  23  and supply the purified water the ice maker  24 . The water purifying apparatus  17  may be disposed between an accommodation space and a wall surface of the drawer  161  and be shielded by a front surface of the drawer  161 . Thus, when the drawer  161  is closed, the water purifying apparatus  17  may not be exposed to the outside, and when the drawer  161  is drawn out, the water purifying apparatus  17  may be exposed to the outside so as to be accessible to the water purifying apparatus  17 . Of course, the mounted position of the water purifying apparatus  17  is not limited to one side of the drawer  161 . For example, the water purifying apparatus  17  may be provided in the refrigerating compartment  14  or a region of the refrigerating compartment  14  including the refrigerating compartment door  21 . 
     A plurality of shelves, each of which has a cantilever structure, may be detachably provided above the drawer assembly  16  in a height-adjustable form. In addition, a main duct  18  may be provided on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment  14 , and cold air generated by an evaporator may be supplied into the refrigerating compartment  14  through a plurality of outlets provided in the main duct  18 . 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic view illustrating an arranged structure of a water supply passage of the refrigerator. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the refrigerator  1  may include a water supply passage  30  through which water supplied from an external water source is dispensed to the dispenser  23  after being purified or cooled, or the purified water is supplied to the dispenser  23  or the ice maker  24 . 
     The water supply passage  30  may be directly connected to the water supply source  2  such as a water tube outside of the refrigerator and be inserted into a space inside the refrigerator through a tube guide  19  mounted inside the cabinet  10  and then connected to an inlet inside the refrigerator. 
     In addition, the water supply passage  30  may include a water supply valve  31  and a flow sensor  32 . If necessary, the flow sensor  32  may be integrated with the water supply valve  31 . 
     The water supply passage  30  may connect the water purifying apparatus  17  to a first branch tube  33 , and the water supply passage  30  branched from the first branch tube  33  may be connected to each of the main water tank  34  and the first branch valve  35 . 
     The water supply passage  30  connected to an outlet of the first branch valve  35  may extend along a sidewall inside the cabinet  10  or a rear wall outside the cabinet through the tube guide  19  and then extend along a top surface. Then, the water supply passage  30  may be inserted into the refrigerating compartment door  21  via a door hinge  26 . 
     Also, the water supply passage of the refrigerating compartment door  21  may be branched by a second branch tube  36  and connected to an inlet of a sub water tank  37  and a second branch valve  38 . The sub water tank  37  is connected to the dispenser  23  so that cooled water is dispensed through the dispenser  23 . 
     In addition, the outlet of the second branch valve  38  may be connected to the dispenser  23  and the ice maker  24  by the water supply passage  30  to supply purified water to the dispenser  23  and the ice maker  24 . 
     As described above, the water purified through the water purifying apparatus  17  may be cooled and supplied to the dispenser  23  or may be supplied to the dispenser  23 , or the purified water without being cooled may be supplied to the ice maker  24 . 
     Also, the water purifying apparatus  17  may include a plurality of filters  40  configured to purify water supplied as a whole and a head unit  50  to which each of the plurality of filters  40  are coupled and which is connected to a passage through which water flows. In addition, the water purifying apparatus  17  may further include a case  171  in which the filters  40  and the head unit  50  are accommodated. 
       FIG.  4    is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the water purifying apparatus. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the water purifying apparatus  17  may include the filter  40  and the head unit  50 . 
     The number of filters  40  is not limited. For example, a single filter  40  may be provided, and a plurality of filters  40  may be provided. 
     For example, the filter  40  may include a first filter  401  connected to a water inlet-side of the head unit  50 , a third filter connected to a water outlet-side of the head unit  50 , a second filter  402  disposed between the first filter  401  and the third filter  403  to purify the water through a combination of the filters. 
     The first filter  401  may be a free carbon filter, the second filter  402  may be a membrane filter, and the third filter  403  may be a post carbon filter. Of course, in this specification, the number and type of filters  40  are not limited, but different types of functional filters may be applied for the number of filters  40 , which are capable of being accommodated in the water purifying apparatus  17 , and efficient water purification. 
     The head unit  50  may include a plurality of heads  60  to which the respective filters  40  are coupled, and a mounting member  70  on which the heads  60  are rotatably seated. 
     A water inlet tube  301  through which raw water is introduced may be connected to one end of the mounting member  70 , and a water outlet tube  302  through which purified water is discharged may be connected to the other end of the mounting member  70 . 
     In the state in which the plurality of heads  60  are mounted on the mounting member  70 , the plurality of heads  60  may independently rotate. The plurality of heads  60  may be configured so that passages thereof are connected by a connection tube  71 , and the raw water introduced through the water inlet tube  301  may be purified after passing through each filter and then be discharged to the water outlet tube  302 . 
     In addition, the connection tube  71  may be mounted on the mounting member  70  and be provided between two adjacent heads  60  to enable a flow of water between the heads  60 . In addition, a cover  72  may be mounted on one side of the mounting member  70  corresponding to the connection tube  71  to shield the connection tube  71 . 
     The head  60  includes a head body  61 , into which the upper end of the filter  40  is inserted and fixed, and a shaft  90  that defines a passage through which water flows by being connected to an upper end of the filter  40  inside the head body  61 . The head  50  may further include a head cap  62  that shields a top surface of the head body  61  into which the shaft  90  is inserted. 
     The filter  40  may be fixedly mounted to the head  60  in a rotational manner, and in the process of mounting the filter  40 , the shaft  90  may be connected to the filter  40  to define the passage, and when the filter  40  rotates, the shaft  90  may rotate together. 
     That is, in the state in which the filter  40  is mounted by the shaft  90 , the passage may be converted toward the filter  40  so that the water is purified by passing through the filter  40 . In addition, in the state in which the filter  40  is separated, the water supplied to the water inlet  611  may be blocked by the shaft  90  so as not to pass into the filter  40 . 
     The case  171  may be provided in various structures capable of accommodating the filter  40  and the head unit  50 . The case  171  may completely accommodate the filter  40  and the head unit  50 . Alternatively, the case  171  may accommodate at least a portion of the filter  40  and the head unit  50 . 
     In addition, the case  171  may have a structure capable of being fixedly mounted at one side of the inside of the refrigerating compartment  14 . Alternatively, if necessary, the case  171  may not be provided, and the mounting member  70  may be directly mounted at one side of the inside of the refrigerating compartment  14 . 
     Only one filter  40  may be provided according to a function of the water purifying apparatus  17 , and when only one filter  40  is provided, the head unit  50  may be also constituted by one head  60  and one mounting member  70 . The heads  60  may have the same structure regardless of the number of heads  60 . Hereinafter, a water purifying apparatus including a singular filter  40  and a singular head  60  will be described. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the water purifying apparatus according to another embodiment.  FIG.  6    is an exploded perspective view illustrating the state in which the filter and the head of the water purifying apparatus are separated from each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , a water purifying apparatus  17  according to another embodiment may include a filter  40  and a head  60 . The water purifying apparatus  17  may further include a mounting member  70  on which the head  60  is mounted. 
     The filter  40  may have a cylindrical shape and be defined in outer appearance by a housing  41 . The housing  41  may include a housing body  42  accommodating a filtering member  44  therein and a housing cap  43  coupled to an upper end of the housing body  42  to define an upper portion of the housing  41 . 
     The housing body  42  may be manufactured in a cylindrical shape so that a first accommodation space for accommodating the filtering member  44  is defined. The housing body  42  may have an upper opening. 
     The housing cap  43  may be coupled to the upper opening of the housing body  42 . The housing cap  43  may define a second accommodation space that accommodates a portion of the filtering member  44 . For this, a portion of the housing cap  42  may have a cylindrical shape. Also, the housing cap  43  has an upper opening. A portion of a shaft  90  to be described later may be inserted through an upper opening of the housing cap  43 . 
     The housing cap  43  may be inserted into an opened bottom surface of the head  60 . In addition, a pair of O-rings  432  may be provided on an upper end of the housing cap  43 , and the O-rings  432  may be sealed together with an inner surface of the head  60  to prevent water from leaking. 
     In addition, a coupling protrusion  433  may be further provided on an outer circumferential surface of an upper portion of the housing cap  43 . The coupling protrusion  433  may move along a coupling groove  631  defined in the inner surface of the head  60  when the upper portion of the filter  40  is inserted into the head  60 . 
     Here, the coupling protrusion  433  and the coupling groove  631  may be provided in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the filter  40 . Therefore, the filter  40  may rotate in the state of being inserted into the head  60 , and the coupling protrusion  433  and the coupling groove  631  may be coupled to each other by the rotation of the filter  40 . In addition, in a state in which the filter  40  and the head  60  are completely coupled to each other, passages of the filter  40  and the head  60  may be connected to each other so that the supplied water is introduced into the filter  40 . 
     The mounting member  70  may include a base mounted on a wall surface of one side of the case  171  or the refrigerator and a rotation support portion  74  protruding from both sides of the base  73  to rotatably support both sides of the head  60 . 
     Ends of the water inlet tube  301  and the water outlet tube  302  may be disposed on the rotation support portion  74 , and the water inlet tube  301  and the water outlet tube  302  in the rotation support portion  74  may be connected to a water inlet  611  and a water outlet  612  of the head  60 , respectively. 
     The head  60  may be rotatably mounted on the mounting member  70  by the rotation support portion  74 . Thus, when the filter  40  is detached, the head  60  may rotate or be tilted to secure a space for the detachment of the filter  40 , thereby more easily detach the filter  40 . 
     The head  60  may have a cylindrical shape with an open bottom surface and may include a head body into which the filter  40  is inserted to be fixed, a shaft  90  accommodated inside the head body  61 . In addition, the head  60  may further include a head cap  62  that shields an opened top surface of the head body  61 . 
     An insertion indicator  613  indicating an insertion position of the coupling protrusion  433  may be disposed on an outer surface of the head body  61 . The insertion indicator  613  may be provided by printing, molding or processing, and the user may recognize the position of the coupling groove  631  by the insertion indicator  613 . As a result, the coupling groove  631  may be easily aligned with the coupling protrusion  433 . 
     Also, a rotation indicator  614  indicating a rotation direction of the filter  40  may be disposed on an outer surface of the head body  61 . The rotation indicator  614  may also be provided by printing, molding or processing, and the user manipulate the filter  40  to rotate in a correct direction by the rotation indicator  614 , and thus, the coupling protrusion  433  may move along the inside of the coupling groove  631  so as to be coupled to the coupling groove  631 . 
     An opening  632  through which a hooked state of the coupling protrusion  433  is confirmed may be further defined in the outer surface of the head body  61 . The opening  632  may be defined at a position corresponding to the position of the coupling groove  631  or may include at least a portion of the coupling groove  631 . 
       FIG.  7    is an exploded view illustrating a structure of the filter.  FIG.  8    is a partial cutaway perspective view illustrating an upper supporter of the filter. 
     Looking at the structure of the filter  40  in more detail with reference to the drawings, the filter  40  may include a filter housing  41  defining an outer appearance thereof, a filtering member  44  provided in the filter housing  41 , and an upper supporter  80  that supports the filtering member  44 . 
     The filter housing  41  may have a cylindrical shape, and the housing body  42  and the housing cap  43  may be coupled to each other. In addition, a filter insertion portion  431  may be provided in an upper end of the housing cap  43 , and a plurality of O-rings  432  may be vertically and continuously disposed in the filter insertion portion  431 . 
     In addition, the coupling protrusion  433  may be disposed below the O-ring  432  at the outside of the filter insertion portion  431 . A pair of the coupling protrusions  433  may be disposed at positions opposite to each other, and each of the coupling protrusions  433  may have a size that is sufficient to be inserted into the coupling groove  631 . 
     A protrusion guide portion  433   a  may be disposed on each of the coupling protrusions  433 . The protrusion guide portion  433   a  may be disposed on a top surface of the coupling protrusion  433  to have an inclination or a predetermined curvature. In addition, the coupling protrusion  433  may be in contact with the groove guide portion 633 that guides the coupling protrusion  433  to an inlet of the coupling groove  631  to guide rotational movement of the coupling protrusion  433  in one direction. 
     A coupling protrusion  433   b  protruding downward may be further disposed at one side of a bottom surface of the coupling protrusion  433 , and the coupling protrusion  433   b  may be hooked to restricted at the inside of the coupling groove  631 . Thus, the filter  40  may be fixed to the inside of the head  60  in a state in which the coupling protrusion  433  is completely inserted into the coupling groove  631 . 
     The upper supporter  80  may be accommodated in a second accommodation space defined by the housing cap  43 . The upper supporter  80  may be coupled to each of a top surface of the filtering member  44  and an inner surface of the housing cap  43 . 
     In addition, a supporter coupling portion  81  may be disposed on the upper supporter  80 . For example, the supporter coupling portion  81  may be formed in the second extension portion  87 . A hook portion  811  may be disposed on one end of the supporter coupling portion  81 . 
     In a state in which the upper supporter  80  completely rotates in the state in which the upper end of the upper supporter  80  is inserted into the filter insertion portion  431 , the hook portion  811  of the supporter coupling portion  81  may be hooked and restricted at an end of the housing coupling portion so that the upper supporter  80  is coupled to the housing cap  43 . 
     Also, if the filter  40  rotates when the filter  40  is mounted, the upper supporter  80  may also rotate. 
     The filtering member  44  may be accommodated in the filter housing  41 . The filtering member  44  may allow the introduced water to be purified while pass therethrough. For example, the filtering member  44  may be a commonly used carbon filter or membrane filter, and in addition, various types of filters may be used according to required purification performance. 
     The filtering member  44  may have a cylindrical shape in which a hollow  441  is defined in a vertical direction at a center thereof, and an upper supporter  80  and a lower supporter may be respectively coupled to upper and lower ends of the filtering member  44  so that the filtering member  44  is fixedly mounted inside the filter housing  41 . 
     In addition, an outer diameter of the filtering member  44  may be less than an inner diameter of the filter housing  41 , and a space through which water flows may be defined between the filter housing  41  and the outer surface of the filtering member  44 . 
     The upper supporter  80  may be provided on the upper end of the filtering member  44  and extend upward to define a passage connecting an inlet of the filter insertion portion  431  to the hollow  441 . Thus, water supplied from the head  60  through the filter insertion portion  431  may be introduced into the filtering member  44 , and the water purified by the filtering member  44  may be discharged to the head  60 . 
     The upper supporter  80  may include a supporter accommodation portion  82  that accommodates the upper end of the filtering member  44 . 
     The upper supporter  80  may further include a supporter insertion portion  83  extending downward from a center of the supporter accommodation portion  82  and inserted into a hollow  441   of the filtering member  44 . 
     The upper supporter  80  may further include a supporter stepped portion  84  protruding to be stepped upward from a top surface of the supporter insertion portion  83 . 
     The upper supporter  80  may further include a supporter extension portion  85  extending from a center of a top surface of the supporter stepped portion  84  toward the inside of the filter insertion portion  431 . 
     When the upper supporter  80  and the filtering member  44  are coupled, the supporter accommodation portion  82  may surround a top surface and a circumference of the filtering member  44 . In addition, the supporter insertion portion  83  may be inserted into the hollow  441  so that the upper supporter  80  is fixedly mounted on the top surface of the filtering member  44  that is in contact with the inner surface of the filtering member  44 . 
     The supporter insertion portion  83  may be provided to have a hollow therein and may communicate with a filter output passage  861  provided in the supporter extension portion  85 . Therefore, the purified water flowing into the hollow  441  of the filtering member  44  may sequentially pass through the supporter insertion portion  83 , the filter output passage  861 , and a filter outlet  862  disposed at an end of the filter output passage  861  and then may be discharged through an opening of the filter insertion portion  431 . 
     The supporter stepped portion  84  may protrude from the top surface of the supporter accommodation portion  82  and may have a diameter less than that of the supporter accommodation portion  82 . In addition, when the housing cap  43  and the upper supporter  80  are coupled to each other, the supporter accommodation portion  84  and a circumference of the supporter stepped portion  84  may be spaced apart from an inner surface of the housing cap  43 . 
     The supporter extension portion  85  may extend upward from a center of the supporter stepped portion  84 . The supporter extension portion  85  may be disposed inside the filter insertion portion  431  when the housing cap  43  and the upper supporter  80  are coupled to each other. In addition, the filter input passage  871  and the filter output passage  861  may be disposed inside the supporter extension portion  85 . Thus, supplying of water into the filter  40  and discharging of purified water from the filter  40  may be performed through the supporter extension portion  85 . 
     In detail, a first filter input passage  872  extending downward may be provided in an opened top surface of the supporter extension portion  85 . In addition, a second filter input passage  873  passing across the supporter stepped portion  84  may be provided in the supporter stepped portion  84 . 
     The second filter input passage  873  may have an opening defined in a circumferential surface of the supporter stepped portion  84  and may extend toward a center of the supporter stepped portion  84 . The first filter input passage  872  and the second filter input passage  873  may be connected to each other at a lower end of the supporter extension portion  85 , that is, inside the supporter stepped portion  84 . 
     Thus, after the water introduced through the filter insertion portion  431  is introduced through the first filter input passage  872  of the supporter extension portion  85  to move to the outside along the second filter input passage  873  branched from the lower end of the first filter input passage  872  to both sides and then be discharged through the opening of the circumference of the supporter stepped portion  84 . 
     The water discharged through the filter input passage  871  may flow along a space between the filter housing  41  and the filtering member  44 . In addition, the water introduced to the outside of the filtering member  44  may be purified while passing through the filtering member  44  so as to be introduced into the hollow  441 . 
     The supporter extension portion  85  may include a first extension portion  86  extending from the top surface of the supporter stepped portion  84  and a second extension portion  87  extending upward from the first extension portion  86 . The first extension portion  86  may have an outer diameter greater than that of the second extension portion  87 , and a filter outlet  862  may be provided above the first extension portion  86 . 
     In this case, the filter output passage  861  may be defined in a space between the inner surface of the first extension  86  and the outer surface of the second extension  87 . In addition, the first filter input passage  872  may extend from the opened top surface to the lower end of the second extension portion  87 . 
     An outer diameter of the first extension portion  86  may be slightly less than an inner diameter of the filter insertion portion  431 , and the purified water discharged through the filter outlet  862  may be discharged through a space between the first extension portion  86  and the filter insertion portion  431 . 
     In addition, an outlet groove  875  may be defined in the filter outlet  862 . The outlet groove  875  may be defined by being recessed along a circumference of the second extension portion  87 . Thus, the water discharged from the filter outlet  862  disposed at each of both sides may flow along the outlet groove  875  and then be discharged along a water outlet guide portion  965   b  provided on the outer surface of the shaft  90 . 
     An outer diameter of the second extension portion  87  may correspond to an inner diameter of the shaft  90  disposed inside the filter insertion portion  431 . Thus, when the second extension portion  87  and the shaft  90  are coupled to communicate with each other, water supplied through the inside of the shaft  90  may be introduced into the second extension portion  87 . 
     A first extension portion O-ring  863  may be provided outside the first extension portion  86 , and a second extension portion O-ring  876  may be provided outside the second extension portion  87 . 
     Thus, the water for purification, which is introduced into the supporter extension portion  85 , and the purified water discharged to the outside of the supporter extension portion  85  may flow through an independent passage without leaking or mixed with each other. 
     A first connection portion  851  may be disposed on an upper end of the supporter extension portion  85 . The first connection portion  851  may be provided to be recessed inward from the upper end of the supporter extension portion  85  and may be symmetrical to both left and right sides. The first connection portion  851  may be provided in a corresponding shape so that when the second connection portion  972  of the shaft  90  to be described below is inserted, the first connection portion  851  may be engaged with and coupled to the second connection portion  972 . In addition, in the state in which the first connection portion  851  and the second connection portion  972  are coupled to each other, the shaft  90  and the filter  40  may rotate together. 
     The first connection portion  851  may be recessed to a predetermined depth and may be disposed to be symmetrical with respect to the protrusion  852  protruding from an opposite position of the inner surface of the supporter extension portion  85 . In addition, a first inclined surface  853  may be disposed on each of both ends of the first connection portion  851 , that is, on each of both sides of the protrusion  852 . The first inclined surface  853  may have a shape in which a width of the first connection portion  851  becomes wider, and a width of the protrusion  852  becomes narrower from a lower side toward an upper side. That is, the first connection portion  851  may be provided so that the width of the first connection portion  851  becomes narrower in a recessed depth direction. 
     Due to such a structure, the first connection portion  851  and the second connection portion  972  may be easily fitted with each other. In addition, when torsional moment is applied in a state in which the first connection portion  851  and the second connection portion  972  are in contact with each other, the first connection portion  851  and the second connection portion  972  may be slid, and thus, the filter  40  may be easily separated from the shaft  90 . 
       FIG.  9    is a side view of the head.  FIG.  10    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of the head when viewed from one side. 
     In the head  60 , the shaft  90  may be inserted through the opened top surface of the head body  61 , and the head cap  62  may shield the opened top surface of the head body  61 . 
     The head body  61  may include a lower body  63  and an upper body  64 . 
     The lower body  63  may be a portion into which the filter insertion portion  431  is inserted and coupled, and a bottom surface of the lower body  63  may be opened to accommodate the filter  40 . In addition, the coupling groove  631  into which the coupling protrusion  433  is inserted may be defined in the lower body  63 . 
     An opening  632  for defining the coupling groove  631  may be defined in the lower body  63 , and the inserted state of the coupling protrusion  433  may be confirmed through the opening  632 . A plurality of supporting ribs  634  that support the outside of the filter insertion portion  431  to prevent the filter  40  from sagging in the state in which the filter insertion portion  431  is inserted may be disposed on a circumference of an inner surface of the lower body  63 . 
     The upper body  64  may be disposed on the upper end of the lower body  63  and may have a diameter less than that of the lower body  63 . The shaft  90  may be mounted inside the upper body  64 , and the shaft  90  may be inserted through an opened top surface of the upper body  64  and be mounted inside the upper body  64 . 
     In addition, all the upper end of the filter insertion portion  431 , the upper end of the supporter extension portion  85 , and the lower end of the shaft  90  may be disposed inside the upper body  64 , and thus, a passage through which the water purified while passing through the filter  40  flows may be provided by the coupling of the configurations. 
     In the upper body  64 , the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  may be disposed to protrude to the outside. In addition, the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  may communicate with the water inlet tube  301  and the water outlet tube  302 , respectively. Here, the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  may selectively communicate with the passage provided in the shaft  90 . The water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  may be arranged in a straight line to face each other in the head. 
     The head cap  62  may shield the top surface of the upper body  64 . The head cap  62  may press a top surface of the shaft  90  so that the shaft  90  is fixedly mounted on the inside of the upper body  64 . For this, a cap support portion  621  extending to the top surface of the shaft  90  may be further disposed on a bottom surface of the head cap  62 . 
     The shaft  90  may be rotatably seated on the upper body  64 . A body seating portion  65  may be disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the upper body  64 . When the shaft  90  is mounted inside the head  60 , a bottom surface of the stepped portion  99  of the shaft  90  to be described later may be mounted on the body seating portion  65 . 
     An inner body  615  that is in contact with at least a portion of the shaft  90  may be disposed inside the head  60 . The inner body  615  may extend downward from the body seating portion  65 . 
     In addition, the inner body  615  may be disposed to be spaced inward from the upper body  64 , that is, in a direction closer to the shaft  90 . In addition, the inner body  615  may be disposed to be spaced a set distance from the inner pipe  97 . The inner body  615  may extend further downward than the inner pipe  97  so that a lower end of the inner pipe  97  is disposed further below a lower end of the inner pipe  97 . 
     The inner body  615  may more firmly support the shaft  90  from the inside. In addition, in the process of mounting or removing the filter  40 , a movement range of the filter  40  is limited, thereby preventing the shaft  90  and the head  60  from being damaged or deformed. 
     The shaft  90  may have a filtering passage  96  provided therein to guide a passage of water introduced into the water inlet  611  to the inside of the filter  40 . In addition, the shaft  90  may selectively connect the passage of the water introduced inside the head  60  by rotation to the inside of the filter  40  or block the flow inside the head  60 . 
     Hereinafter, the structure of the shaft  90  will be described in detail. 
       FIG.  11    is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of the shaft.  FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional view illustrating structures of the head and the shaft when the filter is mounted on the head.  FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view illustrating structures of the head and the shaft when the filter is separated from the head. 
     The shaft  90  may include an upper part  91  and a lower part  92 . In addition, the upper part  91  may have a diameter greater than that of the lower part  92  and also may have an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of the upper body  64 . 
     In addition, a coupling part for coupling with the head cap  62  may be further provided on an upper portion of the upper part  91 . The coupling part may include a first coupling part  911  extending upward from an upper end of the upper part  91  and a second coupling part  912  extending upward from an upper end of the first coupling part  911 . 
     An outer diameter of the first coupling part  911  may be less than an outer diameter of the upper part  91 . In addition, an outer diameter of the second coupling part  912  may be less than an outer diameter of the first coupling part  911 . 
     At least a portion of the second coupling part  912  may be cut. In addition, the coupling part may be fixed by being partially inserted into the cap support part  621 . Due to the coupling part, the shaft  90  may be fixed to the head cap  62 . 
     A shaft inlet  961  and a shaft outlet  962 , which communicate with the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  and guide the water to the inside of the filter  40 , may be disposed around the upper part  91 . In addition, a water inlet blocking portion  95   a  that block the introduction of the water through the water inlet  611  may be disposed on a circumference of the upper part  91 . In addition, a water outlet blocking portion  95   b  that block the discharging of the water outlet  612  may be disposed on a circumference of the upper part  91 . 
     According to the rotation of the shaft  90 , the shaft inlet  961  may be disposed at a position corresponding to the water inlet  611 , or the water inlet blocking portion  95   a  may be disposed at a position corresponding to the water inlet  611 . In addition, the shaft outlet  962  may be disposed at a position corresponding to the water outlet  612 , or the water outlet blocking portion  95   b  may be disposed at a position corresponding to the water outlet  612 . 
     When the shaft inlet  961  is disposed at the position corresponding to the water inlet  611 , the water in the water inlet  611  may be introduced into the shaft  90  and also may be introduced into the filter  40  according to the guidance of the filtering passage  96  provided in the shaft  90 . 
     In addition, when the water inlet blocking portion  95   a   is disposed at the position corresponding to the water inlet  611 , the water of the water inlet  611  may not be introduced into the shaft  90 , and also, the discharging of the water to the water outlet  612  may be blocked. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , each of the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  are disposed on the circumference of the upper part  91 . The shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  may be formed at positions facing each other. In addition, the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  may be disposed at positions corresponding to the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612 , respectively. In addition, the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  may be opened to pass through the circumferential surface of the upper part  91 . 
     Thus, as the shaft  90  rotates, the water inlet  611  and the shaft inlet  961  may communicate with each other, and the water outlet  612  and the shaft outlet  962  may communicate with each other. 
     Here, the water passing through the water inlet  611  may be introduced into the shaft inlet  961 , and the water passing through the shaft outlet  962  may be discharged through the water outlet  612 . 
     In addition, each of the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  may be provided in a circular shape. A diameter of each of the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  may correspond to or greater than that of each of the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612 . As each of the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  are provided in the circular shape, an area of the passage may be maximized to increase in flow rate of water introduced into and discharged from the head. 
     In addition, head O-rings  94  may be provided between the water inlet  611  and the shaft inlet  961  and between the water outlet  612  and the shaft outlet  962 , respectively. The head O-ring  94  may seal a gap between the inner surfaces of the upper part  91  and the inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  to prevent water from being introduced into or discharged from the head  60 . 
     The shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  may be referred to as a shaft entrance. 
     A shaft O-ring  93  may be provided at each of an upper end and a lower end of the upper part  91 . The shaft O-ring  93  may seal a gap between the shaft  90  and the inner surface of the upper body  64  to prevent water from leaking through the head  60 . 
     The water inlet blocking portion  95   a  and the water outlet blocking portion  95   b  may be disposed on the circumference of the upper part  91 . The water inlet blocking portion  95   a  may be disposed between the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962 . The water outlet blocking portion  95   b  may also be disposed between the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962 . The water inlet blocking portion  95   a  and the water outlet blocking portion  95   b  may be disposed at positions facing each other. In addition, each of the water inlet blocking portion  95   a  and the water outlet blocking portion  95   b  may be recessed inward from the circumferential surface of the upper part  91 . 
     Thus, the water inlet blocking portion  95   a  and the water outlet blocking portion  95   b  may block the water introduced into the water inlet  611  or block the water discharged from the water outlet  612  according to the positions at which the water inlet blocking portion  95   a  and the water outlet blocking portion  95   b  are disposed on the circumference of the upper part  91 . 
     The water inlet blocking portion  95   a  and the water outlet blocking portion  95   b  may have the same shape and may be referred to as a blocking portion  95 . 
     The blocking portion  95  may have an area larger than the total area of the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962 . 
     The blocking portion  95  may include a recess portion  951  that is recessed inward from the circumferential surface of the upper part  91 , that is, in a direction closer to a central axis of the shaft  90 . 
     The recess portion  951  may be provided in a rectangular shape. The recess portion  951  may be disposed to be spaced by a set distance between the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962 . Each of edges of the recess portion  951  may be provided in a rounded shape. An upper end of the recess portion  951  may be disposed higher than the upper end of the shaft inlet  961  or the shaft outlet  962 . In addition, a lower end of the recess portion  951  may be disposed further lower than the lower end of the shaft inlet  961  or the shaft outlet  962 . 
     The blocking portion  95  includes a protrusion  952  protruding outward from the recess portion  951 , that is, in a direction away from the central axis of the shaft  90 . The protrusion  952  may protrude with a predetermined area from a center of the recess portion  951 . In addition, the protrusion  952  may be provided in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. 
     The protrusion  952  may be provided in a shape corresponding to the coupling groove  984  defined in the sealing pad  98  to be described below. In the protrusion  952 , the sealing pad  98  may be mounted to the blocking portion  95 . 
     The protrusion  952  may have a length protruding outward from the recess portion  951  to correspond to a depth at which the recess portion  951  is recessed inward or have a length less than the depth of the recess portion  951 . That is, an end of the protrusion  952  may be disposed on the same plane as the outermost circumferential surface of the upper part  91  or may be disposed inside the outermost circumferential surface of the upper part  91 . 
     In addition, a sealing pad  98  that shields the blocking portion  95  may be provided on the shaft  90 . The sealing pad  98  may be mounted on the circumferential surface of the upper part  91  while being coupled to the blocking portion  95 . 
     In detail, the sealing pad  98  may have a size corresponding to that of the blocking portion  95 . That is, the sealing pad  98  may be provided in a shape corresponding to the recess portion  951  and may be inserted into the recess portion  951 . 
     The sealing pad  98  may include an inner surface  982  that faces the recess portion  951  and is in contact with the recess portion  951 , an outer surface  981  that faces the water inlet  611  or the water outlet  612  and defines a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft  90 , and a circumferential surface  983  that connects the inner surface  982  to the outer surface  981 . 
     The inner surface  982  may be provided as a flat surface as a whole. In addition, a coupling groove  984  into which the protrusion  952  is inserted may be defined in the inner surface  982 . The coupling groove  984  may be recessed from the inner surface of the sealing pad  98  to have a shape corresponding to the protrusion  952 . In addition, the inner surface of the sealing pad  98  may be provided in a shape with rounded edges. 
     The outer surface  981  may define a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. And, the outer surface  981  may be provided at a position facing the water inlet  611  or the water outlet  612  by the rotation of the shaft  90 . The outer surface  981  may be provided as a curved surface that protrudes outward toward a center of the outer surface  981  as a whole. Due to this curved surface, the shaft  90  may rotate smoothly without interference from the sealing pad  98 . 
     The circumferential surface  983  may have a thickness so that the sealing pad  98  does not interfere when the shaft  90  rotates. Although not limited, the circumferential surface  983  may have a thickness corresponding to a depth at which the recess portion  951  is recessed in the upper part  91 . 
     A sealing portion  984  may be disposed on a circumference of the sealing pad  98 . In detail, the sealing portion  984  may protrude toward the water inlet  611  or the water outlet  612  along the circumference of the outer surface  981 . The sealing portion  984  may be disposed along the circumferential surface  983  of the sealing pad  98 . 
     The sealing portion  984  may be provided in a convexly rounded shape to the outside and may be in contact with an outer portion of the water inlet  611  or the water outlet  612 . The sealing portion  984  may protrude by a set distance from an outer circumferential surface of the shaft  90 . Thus, a predetermined distance may be defined between the inner surface of the head  60  and the circumferential surface of the shaft  90 , and the shaft  90   may smoothly rotate inside the head  60  by the sealing portion  984 . 
     In addition, when the blocking portion  95  is disposed to correspond to the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  by the rotation of the shaft  90 , the sealing portion  984  may prevent the water introduced into the water inlet  611  from leaking between the inner surface of the head  60  and the outer surface of the shaft  90 . 
     The lower part  92  is provided below the upper part  91 . The lower part  92  includes a stepped portion  99  that is stepped downward from the upper part  91 . In addition, the lower part  92  includes an inner pipe  97  that extends downward from the upper part  91  and is connected to one end of the filter. 
     In detail, an outer diameter of the stepped portion  99  may be less than an outer diameter of the upper part  91 . Also, an outer diameter of the inner pipe  97  may be less than an outer diameter of the stepped portion  99 . 
     A bottom surface of the stepped portion  99  may be seated on a body seating portion  65  disposed inside the head  60 . In addition, a stepped portion O-ring  991  may be provided between the outer surface of the stepped portion  99  and the inner surface of the head  60 . The stepped portion O-ring  991  may prevent water from leaking into the outer surface of the shaft  90  and the inside of the head  60 . Specifically, the stepped portion O-ring  991  may prevent water flowing inside the head from leaking between the inner surface of the head  60  and the outer side of the shaft  90  and being introduced into the filter  40 . 
     A length in which the stepped portion  99  extends from a bottom surface of the upper part  91  may be sufficient to define a space in which the stepped portion O-ring  991  is accommodated. The stepped portion  99  may be disposed to be spaced by a set distance between the bottom surface of the upper part  91  and the stepped portion O-ring  991 . In this case, the shaft  90  may rotate more smoothly. 
     In addition, the stepped portion  99  may define a vertical portion  964   b  of the filtering passage  95 . 
     In a state in which the stepped portion  99  is seated on the body seating portion  65 , the stepped portion O-ring  991  may be provided on the outside. Due to this structure, a separate structure for fixing the stepped portion O-ring  991  is not required. Thus, when the shaft  90  is injection-molded, a parting line may be prevented from occurring. 
     An inner pipe  97  may be disposed on a lower end of the shaft  90 . The inner pipe  97  may be provided to extend downward from the bottom surface of the stepped portion  99 . The inner pipe  97  may be connected to the supporter extension portion  85 . Thus, the water introduced through the shaft  90  may be supplied into the filter  40  through the upper supporter  80 . The inner pipe  97  may define a vertical portion  964   b  of the filtering passage  96 . 
     A second connection portion  972  to which the first connection portion  851  disposed on the upper end of the supporter extension portion  85  is coupled may be disposed on a lower end of the inner pipe  97 . A pair of second connection portions  972  may be provided in the same shape at positions facing each other. 
     The second connection portion  972  may also rotate with the shaft  90  by the rotation of the filter  40  in a state in which the second connection portion  972  and the first connection portion  851  are coupled to each other. 
     A pair of pipe cutoff portions  973  may be provided between the pair of second connection portions  972 . When the shaft  90  and the supporter extension portion  85  are completely fitted with each other, the pipe cutoff portion  973  may be fitted with the protrusion  852 . 
       FIG.  14    is a view illustrating a passage in the state in which the filter is separated from the head.  FIG.  15    is a view illustrating a position of the shaft in the state in which the filter and the head are separated from each other. 
     As illustrated in the drawings, in a state in which the filter  40  is not coupled to the head  60 , the water introduced into the water inlet  611  may be blocked by the blocking portion  95 . 
     Such a state may correspond to a state in which the filter  40  is separated for replacement of the filter  40  or a case for cleaning or service related to maintenance. In addition, the user may be in a state in which the filter  40  is separated to move the water purifying apparatus to a moving place. Since the water is not discharged to the water outlet  612  in the state in which the filter  40  is separated, the user may receive the water only when the filter  40  is mounted on the head  60 . 
     When the shaft  90  rotates in the process of rotating to separate the filter from the head, the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  may be aligned at positions corresponding to the water inlet blocking portion  95   a  and the water outlet blocking portion  95   b , respectively. 
     In addition, the water introduced into the water inlet  611  may be blocked by the water inlet blocking portion  95   a  and thus may not be introduced into the shaft  90 . Thus, the water may not flow into the shaft  90 , and thus, the water may not be discharged to the water outlet  612 . 
     Thus, when the filter  40  is separated from the head  60 , the water may not be discharged. The user may recognize that the filter  40  is not mounted on the head  60  as the water is not discharged. In addition, when the shaft  90  rotates while the user mounts the filter  40  on the head  60 , the inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  may be connected to the filtering passage  96  so that the purified water is discharged via the filter  40 . 
     In addition, the sealing pad  98  may prevent the water of the water inlet  611  from being introduced into or leaking into the shaft  90 . Particularly, the sealing portion  984  disposed on the sealing pad  98  may be disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the water inlet portion  611  or the water outlet  612 . In addition, the sealing portion  984  may be disposed to protrude toward the water inlet  611  or the water outlet  612 . Thus, even if the water is introduced into the water inlet  611  due to the non-mounting of the filter  40 , the introduced water may be prevented from leaking to the inside of each of the outer surface of the shaft  90  and the head  60 . 
     Looking at the arrangement of the shaft  90  in a state in which the filter  40  is not mounted, the first rotating protrusion  921   a  among the pair of rotating protrusions  921  may be in contact with a stopper  652  disposed at one side of a rotation guide  651 . In addition, in such a state, the water outlet guide portion  965   b  and the passage cutoff portion 653 may be maintained in a displaced state at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. 
       FIG.  16    is a view illustrating a passage in the state in which the filter is mounted on the head.  FIG.  17    is a view illustrating a position of the shaft in the state in which the filter and the head are coupled to each other. 
     When the filter  40  further rotates at an angle of 90 degrees to rotate so that the coupling protrusion  433  and the coupling groove  631  are completely coupled to each other, the shaft  90  may also rotate together and be in a state as illustrated in  FIG.  17   . 
     In detail, when the filter  40  rotates in the state in which the second connection portion  972  is inserted into the first connection portion  851  so as to be completely coupled to each other, the shaft  90  may rotate together with the filter  40 . 
     The shaft  90  may further rotate by approximately 90 degrees until the second rotating protrusion  921   b  reaches a position of the stopper  652 . When the shaft  90  completely rotate, the filtering passage  96  may be in a state in which the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  are connected to each other. Of course, the inner pipe  97  and the supporter extension portion  85  may be maintained in a state of being connected to each other so that raw water and purified water are introduced and discharged between the head  60  and the filter  40 . In addition, in the state in which the coupling protrusion  433  is completely inserted into the coupling groove  631  so as to be coupled to each other, the user may manipulate the filter  40  to rotate in an opposite direction to the coupling direction, thereby maintaining the coupled state until the filter  40  is separated from the head  60 . 
     The filtering passage  96  may be provided in the shaft  90 . The filtering passage  96  may be selectively connected to the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  by the rotation of the shaft  90 . 
     In detail, an upper end of the filtering passage  96  may be disposed inside the upper part  91 . In addition, when the shaft  90  rotates in the process of mounting the filter  40 , the shaft inlet  961  and the shaft outlet  962  may be aligned at positions correspond to the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612 , respectively. The water supplied to the water inlet  611  may pass through the filtering passage  96  to pass through the filter  40 , and then, the purified water may be discharged to the water outlet  612 . 
     The filtering passage  96  may include a shaft water inlet passage  964  and a shaft water outlet passage  965 . 
     The shaft water inlet passage  964  may include a horizontal portion  964   a  extending from the shaft inlet  961  to a center of the shaft  90  and a vertical portion  964   b  extending downward from an end of the vertical portion  964   a . The vertical portion  964   b  may be provided by the inner pipe  97 . 
     The inner pipe  97  and the supporter extension portion  85   may be coupled to each other so that the shaft water inlet passage  964  communicates with the filter input passage  871 , and water to be purified may be supplied to the filtering member  44 . 
     The shaft water outlet passage  965  may include a water outlet guide portion  965   b  disposed on the outer surface of the lower part  92  and a water outlet connection portion  965   a  disposed on the upper part  91 . 
     An upper end of the water outlet guide portion  965   b  may pass through the bottom surface of the upper part  91  to communicate with the water outlet connection portion  965   a . In addition, the water outlet connection portion  965   a  may connect the water outlet guide portion  965   b  to the shaft outlet  962  inside the upper part  91 . 
     Thus, the purified water discharged from the filter outlet  862  may move upward along the water outlet guide portion  965   b  and then may be discharged to the shaft outlet  962  through the water outlet connection portion  965   a . The purified water discharged to the shaft outlet  962  may be discharged through the water outlet  612 . 
     In addition, the water outlet tube  302  of the water outlet  612  may define a portion of the water supply passage  30  to supply the purified water to a dispenser  23  and an ice maker  24 . 
     Due to this structure, only when the filter  40  is mounted on the head  60 , the water inlet  611  and the water outlet  612  may be connected to the filtering passage  96  to supply the water passing through the filter to the user. In addition, in the state in which the filter  40  is not mounted on the head  60 , the water supplied from the water inlet  611  may be blocked by the blocking portion  95  so that the water is not discharged to the water outlet  612 . That is, the water may be discharged to the water outlet  612  only when the filter  40  is mounted on the head  60 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from using raw water that does not pass through the filter  40  by mistakenly thinking that the filter  40  is mounted even though the filter  40  is not mounted. 
     The water purifying apparatus and the refrigerator including the water purifying apparatus according to the proposed embodiment may have the following effects. 
     In the embodiment, when the filter is separated from the head by the rotation operation, the filtering passage may be blocked by the rotation of the shaft. Thus, in the state in which the filter is not mounted on the head, the water introduced into the water inlet may be not discharged to the nozzle of the water purifying apparatus. Thus, the user may recognize the state, in which the filter is separated, to mount the filter. 
     In addition, the shaft may include the water inlet blocking portion that shields the opened water inlet. When the filter is separated from the head, the shaft may rotate to be aligned with the water inlet and the water inlet blocking portion, thereby preventing the water introduced into the water inlet from being introduced into the shaft. Thus, in the state in which the filter is separated from the head, the water may not be discharged from the water outlet. 
     The sealing pad may be mounted on the outer surface of the water inlet blocking portion. The sealing pad may be provided between the water inlet and the water inlet blocking portion to prevent the water from leaking between the inner surface of the head and the outer surface of the shaft. 
     The shaft inlet and the shaft outlet, which define the filtering passage, may have the circular shape. Each of the shaft inlet and outlet and the circumferential surface of the shaft may be provided in the circular shape to maximize the water inflow or outflow area. Therefore, the flow rate of the water introduced or discharged through the water inlet or the water outlet may increase. 
     Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.