Patent Abstract:
A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute, an ice dispensing housing positioned within a refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes, a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/000,322, filed Dec. 11, 2007, now allowed, and claims the benefit of a foreign priority application filed in Korea as Serial No. PCT/KR2006/005389 on Dec. 11, 2006, both of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a refrigerator including a dispenser. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a refrigerator including a dispenser. In this example, the refrigerator  100  includes a dispenser  120  positioned on a freezing chamber door  110 . The dispenser  120  has an outlet region  130  that includes operation levers  140  and a support  150 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a refrigerator including a dispenser. In this example, the refrigerator  200  includes a dispenser  220  positioned on a refrigerating chamber door  210 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another example of a refrigerator including a dispenser. In this example, the refrigerator  300  includes a freezing chamber  310  and a refrigerating chamber  320 . An ice maker  330  is installed in the freezing chamber  310  and a dispenser  350  is installed on a freezing chamber door  340 . A flow path  360  is connected to an external water supply source (not shown) and configured to supply water to the ice maker  330  and the dispenser  350 . A first valve  370 , a filter  380 , and a second valve  390  may be provided at various points along the flow path  360 . The first valve  370  may be configured to control water supply from the external water supply source to the refrigerator  300 , the filter  380  may be configured to filter water, and the second valve  390  may be configured to control water supply to the ice maker  330  and the dispenser  350 . The first valve  370  and the second valve  390  may be controlled by a control unit (not shown) of the refrigerator  300 . The flow path  360  includes a flow path  361  configured to supply water to the dispenser  350 . Water flowing through the flow path  361  may be cooled by heat exchange with the freezing chamber  310  and discharged through an outlet  362  of the flow path  361  to an outlet region  351  of the dispenser  350 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another example of a refrigerator including a dispenser. In this example, the refrigerator  400  includes an operation panel  410  and an ice maker  420 . The operation panel  410  includes a display  411  and at least one button  412 . The ice maker  420  may be connected to an outlet region  451  through a passage  421 . When a user selects cold water by activating the button  412  and pressing an operation lever  452 , water is discharged through an outlet  462 . When the user selects cubed ice or crushed ice by activating the button  412  and pressing the operation lever  452 , cubed ice or crushed ice is discharged through an outlet  422 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a refrigerator including a dispenser. The refrigerator  500  includes a pad type button  510  instead of an operation lever. The user selects cold water or ice by using the operation panel  520 , and presses the button  510  with a cup (not shown) to obtain cold water or ice. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate an example of a dispenser structure for a refrigerator. The dispenser structure includes an ice bank  610  connected to the dispenser structure configured to store ice. The ice bank  610  includes transfer screws  611  and  612  configured to transfer ice, and cutters  613  and  614  positioned at a front portion of the transfer screws  611  and  612  and configured to cut ice into different sizes. The cut ice may be discharged to an outlet region  630  through a passage  620 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate an example of a dispenser for a refrigerator. The dispenser includes an outlet region  830  and a cold water supply unit  820  that has a cold water outlet  810 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the cold water outlet  810  of the cold water supply unit  820  is positioned in the outlet region  830  in the dispenser  800 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the cold water outlet  810  of the cold water supply unit  820  has been slidably extended such that the outlet of the cold water outlet  810  is positioned outside of the outlet region  830  in the dispenser  800 . In this example, even if a container  840  configured to contain cold water is too big to enter the outlet region  830 , cold water may be supplied to the container  840 . 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a refrigerator dispenser includes a refrigerator dispensing assembly arranged integral to a refrigerator door and defining a refrigerator door cavity within a front surface of the refrigerator door. The refrigerator dispenser also includes an ice dispensing actuator positioned within the refrigerator door cavity defined by the refrigerator dispensing assembly, an ice dispensing chute positioned within the refrigerator door cavity defined by the refrigerator dispensing assembly, and an ice dispensing housing positioned within the refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes. The refrigerator dispenser further includes a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute. The liquid dispensing actuator is positioned such that a container whose deepest surface actuates the liquid dispensing actuator is not positioned below the ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes and thus not exposed to ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the ice dispensing chute, the ice dispensing housing, and the liquid dispensing chute may be arranged in the following serial order, along a plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door within which the refrigerator door cavity is defined, from a relatively deep position within the refrigerator door cavity to a relatively shallow position within the refrigerator door cavity or to the front of the cavity: the ice dispensing chute, the ice dispensing housing that defines the ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes and accommodates the liquid dispensing actuator, and the liquid dispensing chute. The plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door may be a vertical plane. 
     An outlet of the ice dispensing chute may be positioned within the ice dispensing cavity defined by the ice dispensing housing. The ice dispensing chute may be positioned closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, and the ice dispensing actuator may be positioned on a back surface of the refrigerator dispensing assembly that defines the refrigerator door cavity. The back surface of the refrigerator dispensing assembly may be the surface of the refrigerator dispensing assembly positioned furthest from the front surface of the refrigerator door. The liquid dispensing chute may be positioned outside of the refrigerator door cavity. 
     In some implementations, the liquid dispensing chute may be positioned within the refrigerator door cavity. In these implementations, the refrigerator dispenser may include a liquid dispensing assembly to which the liquid dispensing chute is attached. The liquid dispensing assembly may be configured to extend along a plane perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door from a withdrawn position to an extended position to move the liquid dispensing chute outside of the refrigerator door cavity. 
     In some examples, the liquid dispensing actuator positioned in the ice dispensing cavity may be a first liquid dispensing actuator, and the refrigerator dispenser may include a second liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the liquid dispensing assembly. The second liquid dispensing actuator may be configured to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute when the liquid dispensing assembly is in the extended position. In these examples, the second liquid dispensing actuator may be configured to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute only when the liquid dispensing assembly is in the extended position and the first liquid dispensing actuator is configured to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute only when the liquid dispensing assembly is in the withdrawn position. The second liquid dispensing actuator may be positioned on a top surface of the liquid dispensing assembly and hidden when the liquid dispensing assembly is in the withdrawn position. 
     The ice dispensing housing may be separate from the liquid dispensing assembly and may be configured to remain stationary when the liquid dispensing assembly extends to the extended position. The ice dispensing housing may be configured to move toward the front surface of the refrigerator door when the liquid dispensing assembly extends to the extended position, and the liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing may be configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute when the liquid dispensing assembly is in the extended position. The ice dispensing housing may be part of the liquid dispensing assembly and may be configured to maintain a relative position to the liquid dispensing chute when the liquid dispensing assembly is in the extended position. 
     The refrigerator door may be a door of a refrigerating compartment of a refrigerator or may be a door of a freezing compartment of a refrigerator. The ice dispensing housing may be configured to guide ice dispensed through the ice dispensing chute. At least a portion of the ice dispensing chute may be positioned within the ice dispensing cavity defined by the ice dispensing housing, and the liquid dispensing actuator may be an integrally formed portion of the ice dispensing housing. 
     In another aspect, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator door, and a refrigerator dispenser arranged integral to the refrigerator door. The refrigerator dispenser includes a dispenser housing defining a dispensing cavity within a front surface of the refrigerator door, an ice dispensing actuator positioned within the dispensing cavity defined by the dispenser housing, and an ice dispensing chute positioned within the dispensing cavity defined by the dispenser housing. The refrigerator dispenser also includes an ice dispensing housing positioned within the dispensing cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes. A liquid dispensing chute is positioned closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator is positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute. The liquid dispensing actuator is positioned such that a container whose deepest surface actuates the liquid dispensing actuator is not positioned below the ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes and thus not exposed to ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute. 
     In yet another aspect, ice and liquid are dispensed using a dispenser. Actuation of an ice dispensing actuator positioned on a back surface of a dispenser housing that defines a dispensing cavity is received. The ice dispensing actuator is actuated by a deepest surface of a container such that, upon actuation, the container is positioned under an opening of an ice dispensing cavity defined by an ice dispensing housing. Ice is dispensed through an ice dispensing chute in response to receiving actuation of the ice dispensing actuator. The dispensed ice is guided, by the ice dispensing housing, through the ice dispensing cavity and into the container. Actuation of a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing is received. The liquid dispensing actuator is actuated by the deepest surface of the container such that, upon actuation, the container is positioned under an outlet of a liquid dispensing chute and not positioned under the opening of the ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes. Liquid is dispensed into the container through the liquid dispensing chute in response to receiving actuation of the liquid dispensing actuator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-5  illustrate examples of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are views illustrating an example of a dispenser structure for a refrigerator. 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views illustrating an example of a dispenser for a refrigerator. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser. 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are perspective views illustrating a refrigerator that includes a dispenser. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control arrangement configured to operate a refrigerator. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser with a housing including a water supply outlet in an extended position. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view illustrating an example of a dispenser with a housing including a water supply outlet in an extended position. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser with a container support in an extended position. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser with a housing including a water supply outlet and a container support. 
         FIGS. 18-20  are front views illustrating examples of refrigerators that include dispensers. 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are side views illustrating examples of a dispenser structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 10  is a front view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser. The refrigerator  10  includes a freezing chamber  20 , a freezing chamber door  21  configured to open and close the freezing chamber  20 , a refrigerating chamber  30 , and a refrigerating chamber door  31  configured to open and close the refrigerating chamber  30 . An ice maker  40  is installed in the freezing chamber  20  and configured to make ice. A dispenser  50  is installed on the freezing chamber door  21  and an operation panel  60  configured to control operation of the refrigerator  10  is installed on the freezing chamber door  21  at one side of the dispenser  50 . 
     The refrigerator  10  includes a flow path  70  configured to supply water from an external water supply source (not shown) to the refrigerator  10 . A first valve  71 , a filter  72 , a second valve  73 , and a heat exchange unit  74  are provided along on the flow path  70 . The first valve  71  is configured to control water supply to the refrigerator  10 , the filter  72  filters water, and the second valve  73  controls water supply to the ice maker  40  and the heat exchange unit  74 . The heat exchange unit  74  is configured to cool water and is positioned at the side of the refrigerator corresponding to the refrigerating chamber  30 . Ice made by the ice maker  40  and water cooled by the heat exchange unit  74  may be discharged through the dispenser  50 . Although described above as being positioned at the side of the refrigerator corresponding to the refrigerating chamber  30 , the heat exchange unit  74  may be positioned in any part of the refrigerator  10 . In some implementations, the ice maker  40  may include only an ice tray  41 . In other implementations, the ice maker  40  may include an ice bank (e.g., an ice storage bin) (not shown), an ice transfer unit (not shown) configured to automatically transfer ice from the bank to the dispenser  50 , and a breaking mechanism (e.g., a cutter) (not shown) configured to break, cut, or crush ice produced by the ice maker  40 . In implementations in which the ice maker  40  includes only the ice tray  41 , the user may have to supply ice to an ice bank (not shown) connected to the dispenser  50  to facilitate dispensing of the ice. In implementations that include a breaking mechanism, crushed ice or cubed ice may be provided to the dispenser  50 . 
     The dispenser  50  includes a dispenser cavity  51  which is a concave space formed in a housing of the dispenser  50 . The structure defining the dispenser cavity  51  may extend into (or through) the door of the freezing chamber  21 . An outlet  52  configured to discharge liquid water is positioned at a top surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51 , an outlet  53  configured to discharge ice is positioned behind the outlet  52 , and a housing  54  surrounding the outlet  53  extends into the dispenser cavity  51  from the top surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity. A button type switch  55  is provided on a surface of the housing  54  and is configured to control dispensing of water through the outlet  52 . The button type switch  55  may be attached to the housing  54  using a mechanical fastener or may be an integrally formed portion of the housing  54 . A pad type switch  56  for discharging ice is provided on a rear surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51 . A support  57  is provided at a bottom surface of the structure defining of the dispenser cavity  51 . Valves  58  and  59  are provided on flow paths leading to the outlets  52  and  53 , respectively, and are configured to control discharge of water and ice from the outlets  52  and  53 . In some implementations, in the length (height) direction of the refrigerator  10 , the outlet  52 , the switch  55 , the outlet  53  and the switch  56  are positioned in descending order with respect to the ice maker  40 . In other words, the switch  56  is positioned lower (e.g., a greater distance from the ice maker) than the outlet  53 , the switch  55 , and the outlet  52 , the outlet  53  is positioned lower than (e.g., a greater distance from the ice maker) the switch  55  and the outlet  52 , and the switch  55  is positioned lower (e.g., a greater distance from the ice maker) than the outlet  52 . By positioning the outlet  53  configured to discharge ice lower than the switch  55  configured to control dispensing of water through the outlet  52 , a container may be prevented from receiving ice from the outlet  53  when a deepest surface of the container is being used to actuate the switch  55  to control dispensing of water into the container. 
     In some implementations, in the depth direction of the refrigerator  10 , the outlet  52 , the switch  55 , the outlet  53  and the switch  56  are positioned in serial order in a direction extending from the front surface of the refrigerator to the back surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51 . In other words, the outlet  52  is positioned further from the back surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51  than the switch  55 , the outlet  53 , and the switch  56 , the switch  55  is positioned further from the back surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51  than the outlet  53  and the switch  56 , and the outlet  53  is positioned further from the back surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51  than the switch  56 . The switch  56  may be positioned on the back surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51 . Each of the outlet  52 , the switch  55 , the outlet  53  and the switch  56  may or may not be positioned within the dispenser cavity  51 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are perspective views illustrating a refrigerator that includes a dispenser. The refrigerator dispenser in the example shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  includes a configuration in which the outlet  52 , the switch  55 , the outlet  53  and the switch  56  are positioned in serial order in a direction extending from the front surface of the refrigerator to the back surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , a user is able to receive water through the outlet  52  by pressing the switch  55  with a cup  80  (instead of actuating an input control provided on the operation panel  60  and bringing the cup  80  to the switch  56 ). Accordingly, a user may be able to receive water in a container by inserting the container a relatively shallow distance into the dispenser cavity  51 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the user may be able to receive ice through the outlet  53  by pressing the switch  56  with the cup  80 . Accordingly, a user may be able to receive ice in a container by inserting the container a relatively deep distance into the dispenser cavity  51 . In some examples, a container may be sized such that the container may be able to penetrate the dispenser cavity  51  far enough to actuate the switch  55  to receive water into the container, but unable to penetrate the dispenser cavity  51  far enough to actuate the switch  56  to receive ice into the container. The user may be able to receive water by using the switch  55 , and then receive ice by using the switch  56 . In some implementations, the user is able to receive water, ice, or water and ice without actuating an input control on the operation panel  60 . In some examples, the structure prevents a user from receiving ice into a container when the user presses the deepest surface of the container in the cavity against the switch  55  because, in this position, the container is positioned entirely in front of the outlet  53 . 
     In some implementations, the outlet  52  may extend into the dispenser cavity  51  instead of being positioned at (or above) the top surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51 . In some examples, the outlet  53  may be configured to discharge water in addition to ice. Each of the switches  55  and  56  may receive contact from a user by the cup  80  in a mechanical manner, convert the mechanical contact into an electrical signal, and transmit the electrical signal to a control unit (not shown) of the refrigerator  10 . The switches  55  and  56  may be any type of switch configured to be actuated by a press or presence of a user or an object. For example, the switches  55  and  56  may be mechanical switches, buttons, or levers. In addition, a connection structure of the ice maker  40 , the heat exchange unit  74 , and the dispenser  50  may be modified and/or changed such that ice and/or water may be discharged through the outlet  53  and crushed ice may be discharged through the outlet  52 . 
     As shown in the example illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the operation panel  60  includes a display  61  configured to render a user interface to display the state or status of the refrigerator  10  and various buttons  62  configured to receive user input to control operation of the refrigerator  10 . For example, the buttons of the operation panel  60  may include a button  63  configured to enable selection of cubed ice or crushed ice, a button  64  configured to control the dispenser  50  to discharge water through the outlet  52 , a button  65  configured to discharge ice through the outlet  53 , and a button  66  configured to enable selection of one of water, cubed ice, or crushed ice to be discharged through the outlet  53 . One button may be configured to perform the above functions. For example, a single button may be configured to perform a function related to controlling operation of the refrigerator  10  based on information rendered on the display  61 . The operation panel  60  may extend along a horizontal dimension of the dispenser  50  and may be positioned above or below the dispenser  50  or the dispenser cavity  51 . The operation panel  60  may extend along an entire horizontal dimension of the front surface of the dispenser  50  and only partially along a vertical dimension of the front surface of the dispenser  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , the operation panel  60  extends along a vertical dimension of the dispenser  50  and may be positioned at one side of the dispenser  50  adjacent to the dispenser cavity  51 . The operational panel  60  may extend along an entire vertical dimension of the front surface of the dispenser  50  and only partially along a horizontal dimension of the front surface of the dispenser  50 . 
     In some implementations, the dispenser  50  may be accommodated in the freezing chamber door  21  by a hole formed in the surface of the freezing chamber door  21 . A sizing ratio of the hole formed in the surface of the freezing chamber door  21  may be defined as a height of the hole divided by a width of the hole and a sizing ratio of the dispenser cavity  51  may be defined as a height of an opening of the dispenser cavity  51  divided by a width of the opening of the dispenser cavity  51 . In some implementations, the sizing ratio of the hole in the surface of the freezing chamber door  21  may be different than the sizing ratio of the dispenser cavity  51 . For example, in implementations in which the operation panel  60  extends along a horizontal dimension of the dispenser  50 , the sizing ratio of the door surface hole may be greater than the sizing ratio of the dispenser cavity  51 . In these implementations, a ratio defined by dividing the height of the dispenser cavity  51  with the height of the door surface hole is less than a ratio defined by dividing the width of the dispenser cavity  51  with the width of the door surface hole. In implementations in which the operation panel  60  extends along a vertical dimension of the dispenser  50 , the sizing ratio of the door surface hole may be less than the sizing ratio of the dispenser cavity  51 . In these implementations, a ratio defined by dividing the height of the dispenser cavity  51  with the height of the door surface hole is greater than a ratio defined by dividing the width of the dispenser cavity  51  with the width of the door surface hole. 
     In some implementations, the configuration in which a sizing ratio of the door surface hole is different than a sizing ratio of the dispenser cavity  51  may result in improved features. For example, this configuration may be able to cope with a spatial limit of the freezing chamber door  21  caused by the existence of the ice maker  40 , the existence of the two outlets  52  and  53  formed in the length direction, the need for the height expansion of the dispenser cavity  51 , the existence of a storing chamber formed at the lower portion of the freezing chamber  20  (e.g., a French door refrigerator including a bottom mount freezer compartment), the expansion necessity of the dispenser cavity  51  by the housing  54  and the switch  55 , and/or other arrangements. By providing the operation panel  60  above or adjacent to the dispenser cavity  51 , contact of the operational panel  60  by spilled water or ice may be limited. 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control arrangement configured to operate a refrigerator. A control unit  90  is configured to receive inputs from the buttons  62  to  66 , control a refrigerating cycle  91 , and control the display  61  to render a display of the operation state of the refrigerator  10 . The control unit  90  is configured to control a temperature of water cooled by the heat exchange unit  74  and production of ice by the ice maker  40  by controlling a first valve  71  and a second valve  72 . In response to receiving an input from the switch  55 , the control unit  90  may be configured to inspire opening of the valve  58  associated with the outlet  52  to supply (e.g., dispense) water through the outlet  52 . In response to receiving an input from the switch  56 , the control unit  90  may be configured to initiate opening of the valve  59  associated with the outlet  53  to supply (e.g., dispense) ice through the outlet  53 . 
     The control unit  90  may be configured to handle concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56 . In some implementations, the control unit  90  may be configured to inspire simultaneous dispensing of water and ice in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  (e.g., inspire opening of both the valve  58  and the valve  59 ). In other implementations, the control unit  90  may be configured to prevent dispensing both water and ice in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56 . For example, the control unit  90  may be configured to prevent dispensing of water and prevent dispensing of ice in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  (e.g., prevent opening of both the valve  58  and the valve  59 ). In another example, the control unit  90  may be configured to prevent dispensing of water and allow dispensing of ice in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  (e.g., prevent opening of the valve  58  and inspire opening of the valve  59 ). In a further example, the control unit  90  may be configured to allow dispensing of water and prevent dispensing of ice in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  (e.g., inspire opening of the valve  58  and prevent opening of the valve  59 ). 
     In some implementations, the control unit  90  may be configured to temporarily prevent dispensing both water and ice in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  and allow dispensing in response to a condition being met. For example, the control unit  90  may be configured to prevent dispensing of water and prevent dispensing of ice in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  for a threshold period of time (e.g., prevent opening of both the valve  58  and the valve  59  for the threshold period of time) and to allow simultaneous dispensing of water and ice in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  being maintained for more than the threshold period of time (e.g., inspire opening of both the valve  58  and the valve  59  in response to a user pressing (e.g., pressing and holding) both the switch  55  and the switch  56  for more than the threshold period of time). In another example, the control unit  90  may be configured to allow dispensing of ice and prevent dispensing of water for a threshold period of time in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  (e.g., prevent opening of the valve  58  and inspire opening of the valve  59  for the threshold period of time) and to allow dispensing of water in response to actuation of the switch  55  being maintained for more than the threshold period of time (e.g., inspire opening of the valve  58  in response to a user pressing (e.g., pressing and holding) the switch  55  for more than the threshold period of time). In a further example, the control unit  90  may be configured to allow dispensing of water and prevent dispensing of ice for a threshold period of time in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  (e.g., inspire opening of the valve  58  and prevent opening of the valve  59  for the threshold period of time) and to allow dispensing of ice in response to actuation of the switch  56  being maintained for more than the threshold period of time (e.g., inspire opening of the valve  59  in response to a user pressing (e.g., pressing and holding) the switch  56  for more than the threshold period of time). The control unit  90  may be configured to always prevent dispensing of water for a threshold period of time in response to actuation of the switch  55  regardless of the actuation of the switch  56  (e.g., prevent opening of the valve  58  for the threshold period of time) and to allow dispensing of water in response to actuation of the switch  55  being maintained for more than the threshold period of time (e.g., inspire opening of the valve  58  in response to a user pressing (e.g., pressing and holding) the switch  55  for more than the threshold period of time). 
     In some implementations, the control unit  90  may be configured to determine which of the switch  55  and the switch  56  was first actuated in response to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56 . In these implementations, the control unit  90  may be configured to control dispensing of water and ice based on the determination. For example, the control unit  90  may be configured to prevent dispensing of ice and allow dispensing of water responsive to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  conditioned on determining that the switch  55  was first actuated. In another example, the control unit  90  may be configured to allow dispensing of ice and prevent dispensing of water responsive to concurrent actuation of the switch  55  and the switch  56  conditioned on determining that the switch  56  was first actuated. 
     In implementations in which the control unit  90  prevents or temporarily prevents simultaneous dispensing of ice and water, problems related to spilling and inadvertent actuation of a dispensing control may be improved.  FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser with a housing including a water supply outlet in an extended position. A housing  91  for the outlet  52  may be slidably formed and configured to extend out from the front of the freezing chamber door  21  from a withdrawn position to an extended position. The outlet may be attached to (e.g., integrally formed with, attached via mechanical fastening or otherwise attached) the housing  91  such that as the housing  91  moves, the outlet  52  also moves to the front of (or outside of) the freezing chamber door  21 . 
       FIG. 15  is a top view illustrating an example of a dispenser with a housing including a water supply outlet in an extended position (e.g., the dispenser shown included in the refrigerator shown in  FIG. 14 ). In implementations in which the outlet  52  is configured to extend to the front of (or outside of) the freezing chamber door  21 , water may be supplied to a container having a larger width than the dispenser cavity  51 . In these implementations, in order to supply water from the flow path  70  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) to the outlet  52 , a channel  92  may be formed at the rear side of the outlet  52  to include the original position A of the outlet  52 . When the outlet  52  moves to the front, water may be supplied from the flow path  70  to the channel  92  and the channel  92  guides the water to the outlet  52 . In one example, the flow path  70  and the outlet  52  may be connected by a pleated hose. The housing  91  may be configured to automatically or manually move. For example, the housing  91  may be configured to, responsive to user input, be automatically moved by a motor, a spring, or another type of mechanical drive mechanism. In some implementations, the housing  91  is configured to move the outlet  52  and the housing  54 , the switch  55 , the outlet  53 , and the switch  56  remain stationary in response to movement of the housing  91 . In other implementations, the housing  91  and the housing  54  may be attached (e.g., integrally formed with, attached via mechanical fastening or otherwise attached) with each other, so that the outlet  52 , the housing  54 , the switch  55 , and the outlet  53  are configured to move together. In further implementations, the outlet  53  and the housing  54  may be disconnected, so that the outlet  52 , the housing  54 , and the switch  55  are configured to move together and the outlet  53  remains stationary. The housing  54  may be part of the housing  91  such that the switch  55  positioned on the housing  54  maintains its relative position to the outlet  52  when the housing  91  moves from the withdrawn position to the extended position. A button  93  may be provided on the upper surface of the housing  91 . The button  93  may be configured to inspire dispensing of water through the outlet  52  responsive to actuation of the button  93 . The button  93  may be configured such that it inspires dispensing of water through the outlet  52  responsive to actuation of the button  93  only when the housing  91  is in the extended position. For example, the button  93  may be configured such that the button  93  is hidden when the housing  91  is in the withdrawn or the control unit  91  may be configured to prevent dispensing of water through the outlet  52  in response to actuation of the button  93  when the housing  91  is in the extended position. 
     In some implementations, the switch  55  and the button  93  may be configured to inspire dispensing of water through the outlet  52  responsive to actuation of either the switch  55  or the button  93 . In other implementations, only the button  93  is configured to inspire dispensing of water through the outlet  52  responsive to actuation of the button  93  when the housing  91  is in the extended position and only the switch  55  is configured to inspire dispensing of water through the outlet  52  responsive to actuation of the switch  55  when the housing  91  is in the withdrawn position. The switch  55  may be configured to inspire dispensing of water through the outlet  52  responsive to actuation of the switch  55  when the housing  91  is in the extended position only when the housing  54  and the switch  55  connected to the housing  91  and configured to move when the housing  91  moves from the withdrawn position to the extended position. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser with a container support in an extended position. In some implementations, the container support  57  may be slidably formed and configured to extend out to the front of (or outside of) the front of the freezing chamber door  21  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). In these implementations, the space of the dispenser cavity  51  may be expanded and a larger container may be stably supported. In some examples, the outlet  52  may be positioned at the front portion of the dispenser cavity  51 . In these examples, the outlet  52  may be configured to dispense water into a container that is too large to completely enter the dispenser cavity  51  and supported by the container support  57  in the extended position. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser with a housing including a water supply outlet and a container support. 
     The housing  91  for the outlet  52  and the support  57  may be slidably formed and configured to extend out to the front of (or outside of) the freezing chamber door  21  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). In this example, the space of the dispenser cavity  51  may be expanded and a container may be placed on the support  57  and supplied with water by pressing the button  93  (refer to  FIG. 14 ). In some implementations, the outlet  53  is movable. In these implementations, the button  93  and the button  66  may be connected in a manner such that pressing the button  93  may cause dispensing of ice through the outlet  53  when the outlet  53  is in an extended position. 
       FIG. 18  is a front view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser. In some implementations, the support  57  may be configured to open and close the dispenser cavity  51 . In these implementations, the depth of the dispenser cavity  51  may be reduced, the space of the dispenser cavity  51  may be expanded, the external appearance of the freezing chamber door may be improved, and children may be prevented from unnecessarily using the dispenser  50 . 
       FIG. 19  is a front view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser. A water discharge direction of the outlet  52  may be controlled by a handle  52   a.  When a container, which is too large to completely enter the dispenser cavity  51 , is supported by a user&#39;s hand or placed on the container support  57  in the extended position, the container may be filled with water by using the handle  52   a  to turn the outlet  52  in a direction pointing out from the freezing chamber door  21 . 
       FIG. 20  is a front view illustrating an example of a refrigerator that includes a dispenser. A switch  56   a  may be provided at the side of the dispenser cavity  51 . In implementations in which water and ice may be supplied through the outlet  53 , the user may dispense ice by pressing the switch  56  with a cup using one hand and may dispense water by pressing the switch  56   a  using the other hand. It is also possible to omit the switch  56  and configured the switch  56   a  to control discharge ice. If the user presses the switch  56  by the user&#39;s hand or if the user places a cup on the support  57  and presses the switch  56 , the ice discharged through the outlet  53  may touch the user hand. In implementations in which the switch  56  is omitted and the switch  56   a  is provided, the user may press switch  56   a  without the ice discharged through the outlet  53  touching the user&#39;s hand. 
       FIG. 21  is a side view illustrating an example of a dispenser structure. In this example, the switch  55  is formed between the outlet  52  and the outlet  53  at a structure defining the upper surface of the dispenser cavity  51 . The switch  56  is positioned on a back surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51 . 
       FIG. 22  is a side view illustrating an example of a dispenser structure. In this example, the switch  55  is a lever type switch and is provided between the outlet  52  and the outlet  53  on a front surface of the housing  54 . The housing  54  may be configured to guide ice discharged through the outlet  53  and support the switch  55  used to control dispensing of liquid through the outlet  52 . The switch  56  is positioned on a back surface of the structure defining the dispenser cavity  51 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 5