Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a water purifying apparatus and a refrigerator including the same.

In general, a water purifying apparatus is used to purify supplied water using a filter or filtering material, and includes an apparatus that purifies water from a water pipe or tank to be fit to drink.

A representative example of the water purifying apparatus that supplies drinkable water is a water purifier. Recently, the entire or a portion of such a water purifying apparatus has been provided even in a refrigerator to be supplied with purified water through the refrigerator or make ice using the purified water.

In a refrigerator including the water purifying apparatus, a filter constituting the water purifying apparatus is required to be replaced or inspected as necessary. Accordingly, the filter is detachably installed for this purpose. The water purifying apparatus is configured to have a bypass flow path which is capable of supplying water even in a state where the filter is separated and then a user can take out water even during replacement or inspection of the filter.

<CIT> discloses a head for a water purifying filter having a bypass structure. <CIT> shows a filter structure with a housing body formed in a cylindrical shape to have a first accommodating space and having an upper opening portion; a housing cap coupled to the upper opening portion of the housing body by a portion thereof being formed in a cylindrical shape to have a second accommodating space, wherein a coupling projection and an upper opening portion are formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a housing fastening portion is formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof; a filtering member having a cylindrical shape accommodated in the first accommodating space; and an upper supporter coupled to an upper portion of the filtering member and an inner surface of the housing cap respectively, and accommodated in the second accommodating space. <CIT> shows a water filter system with a removable filter unit having a body portion including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adapted to be inserted into a filter head assembly. A laterally extending key member is disposed on the body portion and adapted to engage a key slot in the filter head assembly. An engagement protrusion extends from the proximal end. The engagement protrusion includes a first portion that has a first radius of curvature and a second portion opposing the first portion that includes a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature.

However, the head of the related art has a complicated structure so that the flow path is capable of being opened and closed by a flow path switching plunger which is supported by an elastic member at the time of attachment and detachment of the filter. Therefore, there is a problem of poor productivity and assembling workability.

In addition, external force is applied in the process of detaching the filter from the head or switching to the bypass flow path or the flow path flowing to the water purifying filter. There is a problem that an insertion part of the filter and the flow path switching plunger are damaged or deformed by the action of such an external force, thus deteriorating the flow performance of water.

Embodiments provide a water purifying apparatus capable of switching to a filtering flow path or a bypass flow path according to attachment or detachment of a filter, and a refrigerator including the water purifying apparatus.

Embodiments provide a water purifying apparatus capable of preventing damage or deformation of a shaft in a process of attaching or detaching a filter by reinforcing the strength of the shaft that rotates together with the filter to convert a flow path, and a refrigerator including the water purifying apparatus.

Embodiments provide a water purifying apparatus capable of causing water to smoothly flow when the filtering flow path is switched by mounting the filter, and a refrigerator including the same.

The object is solved by the features of the indepdent claims.

A water purifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a filter configured to purify incoming water and discharge the purified water, a head in which filter is detachably coupled and a water inlet portion and a water outlet portion are formed, and a shaft provided inside the head and rotatably mounted between the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion, the shaft being provided with a bypass flow path directly connecting the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion and a filtering flow path connected so that water flowing in through the water inlet portion is discharged to the water outlet portion via the filter.

The shaft is provided with an inner pipe communicating with the filter to form a portion of the filtering flow path and coupled to one end portion of the filter.

The shaft includes a reinforcing portion projecting from an inner surface of the inner pipe and extending upward from a lower end of the inner pipe.

The reinforcing portion may extend to an upper end of the inner pipe.

A first connecting portion may be formed at one end of the filter.

A second connecting portion, which is coupled to the first connecting portion when the filter is mounted, may be formed at the lower end of the inner pipe.

The reinforcing portion may extend upward from a lower end of the second connecting portion.

A pair of second connecting portions may be formed at the lower end of the inner pipe.

A pair of reinforcing portions may be formed at a position corresponding to the second connecting portion.

A pipe cutout portion may be positioned between the pair of second connecting portions.

A lower end of the reinforcing portion may be positioned below an upper end of the pipe cutout portion.

A length from the inner surface of the inner pipe to a projecting end portion of the reinforcing part may be formed to be smaller than a length from an outer surface to the inner surface of the inner pipe.

A pair of reinforcing portions may be formed to be symmetrical on the inner surface of the inner pipe.

A distance between the pair of reinforcing portions facing each other may be formed to be longer than a distance from the inner surface of the inner pipe to a protruding end portion of the reinforcing portion.

The filtering flow path may include a horizontal portion extending from a shaft entrance formed around the shaft toward a center of the shaft and a vertical portion connected to an end portion of the horizontal portion and formed inside the inner pipe.

In one or more embodiments, the reinforcing portion may extend to an upper end of the vertical portion.

A pair of first connecting portions may be formed at one end of the filter.

A pair of second connecting portions, which are coupled to the pair of first connecting portions when the filter is mounted, may be formed at the lower end of the inner pipe.

A pair of pipe cutout portions may be formed between the pair of second connecting portions to rotate the shaft by being coupled to the pair of first connecting portions when the filter is rotated.

The reinforcing portion may be provided between the pair of pipe cutout portions.

An upper end of the reinforcing portion may extend to the same height as the upper end of the pipe cutout portion.

A pair of first connecting portions may be formed at one end of the filter.

A plurality of reinforcing portions may be formed in each of the second connecting portions.

A plurality of reinforcing portions may be formed at positions symmetrical with respect to a central line of the inner pipe.

The inner pipe may further include an inclined portion which is inclined to connect one end of the reinforcing portion on the inner surface.

A round portion may be included at a corner of the reinforcing portion.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet having a storage chamber formed therein, a door configured to open or close the cabinet, a water purifying apparatus provided in the refrigerator to purify supplied water, and a dispenser provided on the door and configured to take out water purified by the water purifying apparatus.

The water purifying apparatus includes a filter configured to purify incoming water and discharges the purified water, a head in which the filter is detachably coupled and a water inlet portion and a water outlet portion are formed, a shaft provided inside the head and rotatably mounted between the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion, the shaft being provided with a bypass flow path directly connecting the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion and a filtering flow path connected so that water flowing in through the water inlet portion is discharged to the water outlet portion via the filter.

The shaft may be provided with an inner pipe communicating with the filter to form a portion of the filtering flow path and coupled to one end portion of the filter, and the shaft may include a reinforcing portion projecting from an inner surface of the inner pipe and extending upward from a lower end of the inner pipe.

The refrigerator may be embodiments with one or more details of the water purifying apparatus as mentioned above.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment in which the concept of the present invention is presented and other embodiments which are included in the scope of another degenerate invention or the present invention is capable of being easily suggested by another component being added, changed, deleted, or the like.

<FIG> is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a front view illustrating a state where a door of the refrigerator is opened.

With reference to <FIG>, an outer appearance of a refrigerator <NUM> which includes a water purifying apparatus according to an embodiment may be formed by a cabinet <NUM> that forms a storage space, and a door <NUM> that opens and closes the storage space of the cabinet <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may include an outer case <NUM> made of a metal material forming the outer surface and an inner case <NUM> made of a resin material which is coupled with the outer case <NUM> and forming a storage space in an inside portion of the refrigerator <NUM>. Insulation material is filled between the outer case <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> to insulate the space in the inside of the refrigerator <NUM>.

The storage space is divided in a vertical direction based on a barrier <NUM>, and may be configured by an upper refrigerating compartment <NUM> and a lower freezing compartment <NUM>. The freezing compartment <NUM> may be further divided in a lateral direction. It will be apparent that the storage space may be divided into left and right compartments based on the barrier <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may include a refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and a freezing compartment door <NUM>, which independently open and close the refrigerating compartment <NUM> and the freezing compartment <NUM>, respectively.

Both the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM> may open and close the refrigerating compartment <NUM> and the freezing compartment <NUM> by rotation thereof. For this, both the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM> may be rotatably connected to the cabinet <NUM> by a hinge device <NUM>. In addition, the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> may be configured as a French type door configured such that a pair of doors independently rotate at both left and right sides.

A dispenser <NUM> and an ice maker <NUM> may be provided at one of the pair of refrigerating compartment doors <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> is provided at a front surface of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>, and enables a user to take out water or ice by manipulating the dispenser <NUM> from the outside. An ice making compartment <NUM> is provided above the dispenser <NUM>. The ice making compartment <NUM> is a heat insulating space in which ice is made and stored, and the ice maker <NUM> is accommodated in an inside portion of the ice making compartment and is capable of being opened and closed by a separate door. Although not shown in the drawings, the ice making compartment <NUM> may communicate with the freezing compartment <NUM> by a cool air duct in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> is closed, and may receive cool air necessary for the ice making from a freezing compartment evaporator (not shown).

Meanwhile, a plurality of shelves and drawers for storing foods may be provided in the refrigerating compartment <NUM>. Particularly, a drawer assembly <NUM> may be provided on a bottom surface of the refrigerating compartment <NUM>. The drawer assembly <NUM> may include a drawer <NUM> provided to be slidable and a table <NUM> that shields a top surface of the drawer <NUM>.

The drawer assembly <NUM> may be configured such that the inside thereof can be seen therethrough, and a main water tank <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided at a rear side of the refrigerating compartment <NUM> may be shielded by the drawer <NUM>. A water purifying apparatus <NUM> may be provided at the side of the drawer assembly <NUM> for purifying water to be supplied and then supplying the purified water to the dispenser <NUM> and the ice maker <NUM>. The water purifying apparatus <NUM> may be disposed between the accommodating space and the wall surface of the drawer <NUM> and may be shielded by a front surface of the drawer <NUM>. Therefore, in a state where the drawer <NUM> is closed, the water purifying apparatus <NUM> is not exposed to the outside, and in a state where the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn, the water purifying apparatus is exposed to the outside and thus access to the water purifying apparatus <NUM> is capable of being performed. Of course, the mounting position of the water purifying apparatus <NUM> is not limited to one side of the drawer <NUM> and may be provided in the region of the refrigerating compartment <NUM> including the refrigerating compartment <NUM> or the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>.

A plurality of shelves having a cantilever structure may be detachably provided above the drawer assembly <NUM> such that their heights are adjustable. A main duct <NUM> is provided on a rear surface of the refrigerating compartment <NUM> and cool air generated from an evaporator (not shown) may be supplied to the inside portion of the refrigerating compartment <NUM> through a plurality of discharging ports which are formed in a main duct <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a disposition structure of a water supplying flow path of the refrigerator.

With reference to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> may include a water supplying flow path <NUM> that purifies or cools water supplied from an external water supply source and then takes out water from the dispenser <NUM>, or supplies the purified water to the dispenser <NUM> or the ice maker <NUM>.

The water supplying flow path <NUM> may be directly connected to a water supply source <NUM> such as a water supply pipe at the outside of the refrigerator, and be introduced into a space of the refrigerator through a tube guide <NUM> mounted in the cabinet <NUM> to be connected to an inlet portion of the water purifying apparatus in the refrigerator.

The water supplying flow path <NUM> may include a water supply valve <NUM> and a flow rate sensor <NUM>. The flow rate sensor <NUM> may be integrally formed with the water supply valve <NUM>, if necessary.

The water supplying flow path <NUM> may connect the water purifying apparatus <NUM> and a first branch pipe <NUM> with each other and the water supplying flow path <NUM> branched from the first branch pipe <NUM> may be connected to the main water tank <NUM> and a first branch valve <NUM>, respectively.

The water supplying flow path <NUM> which is connected to an outlet portion of the first branch valve <NUM> extends along an upper surface after extending along a side wall of the inside of the cabinet <NUM> or a rear wall surface of the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the tube guide <NUM> and may be introduced into the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> via the hinge device <NUM>.

The water supplying flow path of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> may be branched by a second branch pipe <NUM> and connected to an inlet portion of a sub water tank <NUM> and a second branch valve <NUM>. The sub water tank <NUM> is connected to the dispenser <NUM> so that cooled water is capable of being taken out through the dispenser <NUM>.

An outlet portion of the second branch valve <NUM> is respectively connected to the dispenser <NUM> and the ice maker <NUM> by the water supplying flow path <NUM> to be capable of supplying purified water to the dispenser <NUM> and the ice maker <NUM>.

The water purified through the water purifying apparatus <NUM> may be cooled and then supplied to the dispenser <NUM> or may be supplied to the dispenser <NUM> or the ice maker <NUM> in a state of being purified without being cooled.

The water purifying apparatus <NUM> may include a plurality of filters <NUM> for purifying supplied water and a head unit <NUM> to which the plurality of filters <NUM> are coupled and which is connected a flow path through which water flows. The water purifying apparatus <NUM> may further include a case <NUM> in which the filters <NUM> and the head unit <NUM> are accommodated.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the water purifying apparatus.

With reference to <FIG>, the water purifying apparatus <NUM> may include the plurality of filters <NUM> and the head unit <NUM>.

The plurality of filters <NUM> may include a first filter <NUM> which is connected to a water inlet side of the head unit <NUM>, a third filter <NUM> which is connected to a water outlet side of the head unit <NUM>, and a second filter <NUM> disposed between the first filter <NUM> and the third filter <NUM> and thus is capable of purifying water. However, it is not limited to this.

The first filter <NUM> may be a pre-carbon filter, the second filter <NUM> may be a membrane filter, and the third filter <NUM> may be a post-carbon filter. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the number and types of the filters <NUM>, and the number which is capable of being accommodated in the inside of the water purifying apparatus <NUM> and different types of functional filters from each other for effectively purifying water may be applied.

The head unit <NUM> may include a plurality of heads <NUM> to which each filters <NUM> is coupled and a mounting member <NUM> on which the head <NUM> is rotatably seated.

A water inlet pipe <NUM> for introducing original water is capable of being connected to one end of the mounting member <NUM>, and a water outlet pipe <NUM> for discharging purified water is capable of being connected to the other end thereof.

The plurality of heads <NUM> may be independently rotated in a state where the plurality of heads <NUM> are mounted on the mounting member <NUM>. The flow paths of the plurality of heads <NUM> are capable of being connected to each other by connecting pipes <NUM> and the original water which flows in through the water inlet pipe <NUM> is purified after passing through each of the filters <NUM> and then may be flows out from the water outlet pipe <NUM>.

Each of the connecting pipes <NUM> is mounted on the mounting member <NUM> and is provided between adjacent two heads <NUM> to each other to allow water to flow between the heads <NUM>. A cover <NUM> may be mounted on one side of the mounting member <NUM> which corresponds to the connecting pipe <NUM> to shield the connecting pipe <NUM>.

The head <NUM> may include a head body <NUM> to which an upper end of the filter <NUM> is inserted and then fixed, and a shaft (<NUM> in <FIG>) connected to the upper end of the filter <NUM> in the inside portion of the head body <NUM> and thus forms a flow path through which water flows. The head <NUM> may further include a head cap <NUM> for shielding an upper surface of the head body <NUM> into which the shaft <NUM> is inserted.

The filter <NUM> may be fixedly mounted to the head <NUM> in a rotating manner and the shaft <NUM> may be connected to the filter <NUM> to form a flow path in a process of the filter <NUM> being mounted and when the filter <NUM> is rotated, the shaft <NUM> is rotated along with the filter <NUM> so that the flow path of the shaft <NUM> is capable of being switched.

In other words, in a case where the filter <NUM> is mounted, the flow path is switched to the filter <NUM> side by the shaft <NUM> so that the water is capable of being purified through the filter <NUM>. In a case where the filter <NUM> is separated, the supplying water is capable of being bypassed without passing through the filter <NUM>, and thus the flow path is capable of being switched so that water passes through the head <NUM>. The switching and detailed structure of the flow path will be described in more detail in the following other embodiments.

The case <NUM> may have various structures which can accommodate the filter <NUM> and the head unit <NUM>. The case <NUM> is capable of fully accommodating the filter <NUM> and the head unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the case <NUM> may accommodate at least a portion of the filter <NUM> and the head unit <NUM>.

The case <NUM> may have a structure which is capable of being fixedly mounted on one side of the inside portion of the refrigerating compartment <NUM>. Of course, the case <NUM> may not be provided if necessary, and the mounting member <NUM> may be directly mounted on a side of the inner portion of the refrigerating compartment <NUM>.

On the other hand, only one filter <NUM> may be provided according to the function of the water purifying apparatus <NUM>, and in a case where only one filter <NUM> is provided, one head unit <NUM> and one mounting member <NUM> may be also provided. The structure of the head <NUM> may have the same structure irrespective of one head <NUM> or the plurality of the heads <NUM>. Hereinafter, a water purifying apparatus having one filter <NUM> and one head <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a water purifying apparatus according to another embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state where a filter and a head of the water purifying apparatus are separated.

With reference to <FIG>, a water purifying apparatus <NUM> according to another embodiment may include a filter <NUM> and a head <NUM>. The water purifying apparatus <NUM> may further include a mounting member <NUM> on which the head <NUM> is mounted.

The filter <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, and the outer shape thereof is capable of being formed by the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include a housing body <NUM> which accommodates a filtering member (<NUM> in <FIG>) in an inside portion thereof, and a housing cap <NUM> which is coupled to an upper end of the housing body <NUM> to form an upper portion of the housing <NUM>.

The housing body <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape to define a first accommodating space for accommodating the filtering member <NUM>. The housing body <NUM> may have an upper opening portion.

The housing cap <NUM> may be coupled to the upper opening portion of the housing body <NUM>. The housing cap <NUM> may define a second accommodating space for accommodating a portion of the filtering member <NUM>. For this, a portion of the housing cap <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. The housing cap <NUM> has an upper opening portion. A portion of the shaft <NUM> to be described below is capable of being inserted through the upper opening portion of the housing cap <NUM>.

The housing cap <NUM> may be inserted into an opened lower surface of the head <NUM>. A pair of O-rings <NUM> may be provided at an upper end of the housing cap <NUM>. The O-rings <NUM> may be hermetically sealed with the inner surface of the head <NUM> to prevent leakage.

A coupling projection <NUM> may be further provided on an outer circumferential surface of the upper portion of the housing cap <NUM>. The coupling projection <NUM> is capable of being moved along a coupling groove <NUM> which is formed on an inner surface of the head <NUM> when the upper portion of the filter <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the head <NUM>.

At this time, the coupling projection <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM> may be formed in a direction intersecting a direction into which the filter <NUM> is inserted. Accordingly, the filter <NUM> is rotated in a state of being inserted into the inside of the head <NUM> and may have a structure in which the coupling projection <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM> are coupled to each other by rotation of the filter <NUM>. In a state where the filter <NUM> and the head <NUM> are fully coupled to each other, the supplying water is capable of flowing into the inside portion of the filter <NUM> by the filter <NUM> and the flow path of the head <NUM> being connected to each other in the inside portion thereof.

The mounting member <NUM> may include a base <NUM> which is mounted on one side wall surface of the refrigerator <NUM> or the case <NUM> and rotating support portions <NUM> which project from both sides of the base <NUM> and rotatably support both sides of the head <NUM>.

End portions of the water inlet pipe <NUM> and the water outlet pipe <NUM> are disposed on the rotating support portion <NUM> and the water inlet pipe <NUM> and the water outlet pipe <NUM> may be connected to a water inlet portion <NUM> and a water outlet portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> at the rotating support portion <NUM>.

The head <NUM> may be rotatably mounted on the mounting member <NUM> by the rotating support portion <NUM>. Therefore, a space for attachment and detachment of the filter <NUM> can be secured by operating rotation or tilting of the head <NUM> at the time of attachment and detachment of the filter <NUM> and thus the operation for the attachment and detachment of the filter <NUM> is capable of being easily performed.

The head <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape having an opened lower surface. The head <NUM> may include a head body <NUM> to which the filter <NUM> is inserted and fixed and a shaft <NUM> which is accommodated in the inside of the head body <NUM>. In addition, the head <NUM> may further include a head cap <NUM> which shields an opened upper surface of the head body <NUM>.

An insertion indicating portion <NUM> for indicating an insertion position of the coupling projection <NUM> may be formed on the outer surface of the head body <NUM>. The insertion indicating portion <NUM> may be formed by printing, molding or machining. The user can recognize the position of the coupling groove <NUM> by the insertion indicating portion <NUM>, and may easily perform alignment between the coupling projection <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM>.

In addition, a rotation indicating portion <NUM> for indicating the rotational direction of the filter <NUM> may be formed on the outer surface of the head body <NUM>. The rotation indicating portion <NUM> may also be formed by printing, molding or machining. The engagement projection <NUM> may be moved along and coupled to the inside of the coupling groove <NUM> by the user operating rotation of the filter <NUM> in a correct direction by the rotation indicating portion <NUM>.

An opening portion <NUM> for checking the engaging restraint state of the coupling projection <NUM> may be further formed on the outer surface of the head body <NUM>. The opening portion <NUM> may be formed at a position which corresponds to the position of the coupling groove <NUM> or may include at least a portion of the coupling groove <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view illustrating the structure of the filter. <FIG> is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating an upper supporter of the filter.

With reference to the drawings, in a case where the structure of the filter <NUM> describes in more detail, the filter <NUM> may include a filter housing <NUM> which forms an outer shape, a filtering member <NUM> provided in the filter housing <NUM>, and an upper supporter <NUM> for supporting the filtering member <NUM>.

The filter housing <NUM> is formed in a cylindrical shape, and may be formed by the housing body <NUM> and the housing cap <NUM> being coupled to each other. A filter inserting portion <NUM> is formed on the upper end of the housing cap <NUM>. A plurality of O-rings <NUM> may be vertically arranged in the filter inserting portion <NUM>.

The coupling projection <NUM> may be formed on a lower side of the plurality of O-rings <NUM> on the outside of the filter inserting portion <NUM>. A pair of coupling projections <NUM> may be formed at positions which are opposite to each other, and may be formed to have a size that is capable of being inserted into the coupling groove <NUM>.

The coupling projection <NUM> may include a projection guide portion 433a. The projection guide portion 433a may be formed to have a slope or a predetermined curvature on the upper surface of the coupling projection <NUM>. The coupling projection <NUM> is in contact with a groove guide portion <NUM> for guiding the coupling projection <NUM> to the entrance of the coupling groove <NUM> so as to guide rotation of the coupling projection <NUM> in one direction.

A restraining projection 433b which projects to a lower side may be further formed on one side of the lower surface of the coupling projection <NUM>. The restraining projection 433b may be engaged with the inside of the coupling groove <NUM> to be restrained. Accordingly, the filter <NUM> is capable of being fixed to the inside of the head <NUM> in a state where the coupling projection <NUM> is fully inserted into the inside of the coupling groove <NUM>.

On the other hand, the upper supporter <NUM> is capable of being accommodated in the second accommodating space in which the housing cap <NUM> is defined. The upper supporter <NUM> may be coupled to the upper portion of the filtering member <NUM> and the inner surface of the housing cap <NUM>, respectively.

A supporter fastening portion <NUM> may be formed on the upper supporter <NUM>. As an example, the supporter fastening portion <NUM> may be formed on the second extending portion <NUM>. A hook portion <NUM> is formed at one end of the supporter fastening portion <NUM>.

In a case where the upper end of the upper supporter <NUM> is fully rotated in a state of being inserted into the filter inserting portion <NUM>, the hook portion <NUM> of the supporter fastening portion <NUM> is engaged to the end portion of the housing fastening portion <NUM> and thus the upper supporter <NUM> is capable of being coupled to the housing cap <NUM>.

When the filter <NUM> is rotated at the time of the filter <NUM> being mounted, the upper supporter <NUM> may be also rotated along with the filter <NUM>.

On the other hand, the filtering member <NUM> may be accommodated in the inside of the filter housing <NUM>. The filtering member <NUM> allows the incoming water to pass through and thus be purified. For example, the filtering member <NUM> may be a commonly used carbon filter or a membrane filter, and various types of filters may be used depending on the required purifying performance in addition to this.

The filtering member <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape having a hollow <NUM> formed at the center thereof in the vertical direction and the upper supporter <NUM> and the lower supporter <NUM> are coupled to the upper end and the lower end of the filtering member <NUM> so that the filtering member <NUM> is capable of being fixedly mounted on the inside of the filter housing <NUM>.

An outer diameter of the filtering member <NUM> is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the filter housing <NUM> and a space for flowing water between the filter housing <NUM> and the outer surface of the filtering member <NUM> may be formed.

The upper supporter <NUM> is disposed at the upper end of the filtering member <NUM> and may extend in the upper direction to form a passage connecting the inlet portion of the filter inserting portion <NUM> and the hollow <NUM> to each other. Accordingly, water supplied from the head <NUM> is capable of flowing into the filtering member <NUM> through the filter inserting portion <NUM> and water purified in the filtering member <NUM> flows out to the head <NUM>.

The upper supporter <NUM> may include a supporter accommodating portion <NUM> for accommodating the upper end of the filtering member <NUM>.

The upper supporter <NUM> may further include a supporter inserting portion <NUM> which extends from a central portion of the supporter accommodating portion <NUM> in the lower direction and is inserted into the hollow <NUM> of the filtering member <NUM>.

The upper supporter <NUM> may further include a supporter stepped portion <NUM> which projects from the upper surface of the supporter inserting portion <NUM> in the upper direction.

The upper supporter <NUM> may further include a supporter extending portion <NUM> extending from the center of the upper surface of the supporter stepped portion <NUM> toward the inside of the filter inserting portion <NUM>.

When the upper supporter <NUM> and the filtering member <NUM> are coupled to each other, the supporter accommodating portion <NUM> may surround the upper surface and a circumference of the filtering member <NUM>. The supporter inserting portion <NUM> is inserted into the hollow <NUM> and is in contact with an inner surface of the filtering member <NUM> so that the upper supporter <NUM> is capable of being fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the filtering member <NUM>.

The inside portion of the supporter inserting portion <NUM> is formed to be hollow and is capable of communicating with a filter outlet flow path <NUM> formed on the supporter extending portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the purified water flowing into the hollow <NUM> of the filtering member <NUM> may pass through the supporter inserting portion <NUM>, the filter outlet flow path <NUM> and a filter outlet port <NUM> of the end portion of the filter outlet flow path <NUM> in this order and may be discharged through the opening of the filter inserting portion <NUM>.

The supporter stepped portion <NUM> projects from the upper surface of the supporter accommodating portion <NUM> and may be formed to have a smaller diameter than the supporter accommodating portion <NUM>. The circumference of the supporter stepped portion <NUM> and the supporter accommodating portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the housing cap <NUM> when the housing cap <NUM> and the upper supporter <NUM> are coupled to each other.

The supporter extending portion <NUM> may extend from the center of the supporter stepped portion <NUM> in the upper direction. The supporter extending portion <NUM> is located in the filter inserting portion <NUM> when the housing cap <NUM> and the upper supporter <NUM> are coupled to each other. A filter inlet flow path <NUM> and a filter outlet flow path <NUM> may be formed in the inside of the supporter extending portion <NUM>. Therefore, water supply into the inside portion of the filter <NUM> and discharge of the purified water from the filter <NUM> is capable of being performed through the supporter extending portion <NUM>.

Specifically, a first filter inlet flow path <NUM> extending in a lower direction is formed on the opened upper surface of the supporter extending portion <NUM>. The supporter stepped portion <NUM> may include a second filter inlet flow path <NUM> passing across the supporter stepped portion <NUM>.

The second filter inlet flow path <NUM> may have an opening formed in a circumferential surface of the supporter stepped portion <NUM> and extend toward the center of the supporter stepped portion <NUM>. The first filter inlet flow path <NUM> and the second filter inlet flow path <NUM> may be connected to each other at a lower end of the supporter extending portion <NUM>, that is, at the inside of the supporter stepped portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, the water which flows into through the filter inserting portion <NUM> flows into through the first filter inlet flow path <NUM> of the supporter extending portion <NUM> and then be moved along the second filter inlet flow path <NUM> which is branched into both sides at the lower end of the first filter inlet flow path <NUM> to the outside and thus is capable of being discharged through an opening of the circumference of the supporter stepped portion <NUM>.

The water which is discharged through the filter inlet flow path <NUM> flows along the space between the filter housing <NUM> and the filtering member <NUM>. The water which flows into the outside of the filtering member <NUM> may be purified in the process of coming in the hollow <NUM> through the filtering member <NUM>.

On the other hand, the supporter extending portion <NUM> may include a first extending portion <NUM> which extends from the upper surface of the supporter stepped portion <NUM> and a second extending portion <NUM> which extends from the first extending portion <NUM> in the upper direction. The first extending portion <NUM> may be formed to have an outer diameter which is larger than that of the second extending portion <NUM> and the filter outlet port <NUM> may be formed on the upper side portion of the first extending portion <NUM>.

At this time, the filter outlet flow path <NUM> may be defined in a space between an inner surface of the first extending portion <NUM> and an outer surface of the second extending portion <NUM>. The first filter inlet flow path <NUM> may extend from the opened upper surface of the second extending portion <NUM> to the lower end thereof.

On the other hand, the outer diameter of the first extending portion <NUM> is formed to be somewhat smaller than the inner diameter of the filter inserting portion <NUM> and the purified water which is discharged through the filter outlet port <NUM> is capable of being discharged through a space between the first extending portion <NUM> and the filter inserting portion <NUM>.

An outlet port groove <NUM> may be formed in the filter outlet port <NUM>. The outlet port groove <NUM> may be formed to be recessed along the circumference of the second extending portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the water which is discharged from the filter outlet ports <NUM> which are disposed on both sides is capable of flowing along the outlet port groove <NUM> and is capable of being discharged along the water outlet guide portion 965b formed on the outer surface of the shaft <NUM>.

The outer diameter of the second extending portion <NUM> may be formed to correspond to the inner diameter of the shaft <NUM> which is located in the inside of the filter inserting portion <NUM>. Therefore, in a case where the second extending portion <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> are coupled to communicate with each other, water supplied through the inside of the shaft <NUM> is capable of coming in the inside of the second extending portion <NUM>.

A first extending portion O-ring <NUM> may be provided on the outside of the first extended portion <NUM> and a second extending portion O-ring <NUM> may be provided on the outside of the second extending portion <NUM>.

Therefore, the purifying water which flows into the inside of the supporter extending portion <NUM> and the purified water which is discharged to the outside of the supporter extending portion <NUM> may flow through independent flow paths respectively without leakage or mixing with each other.

On the other hand, a first connecting portion <NUM> may be formed on the upper end of the supporter extending portion <NUM>. The first connecting portion <NUM> is formed to be recessed toward the inside from the upper end of the supporter extending portion <NUM> and may be formed to be symmetrical to both the left side and the right side thereof. The first connecting portion <NUM> may be formed in a corresponding shape to that of the second connecting portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> to be described below so as to be engaged each other in a case where the second connecting portion <NUM> is inserted into the first connecting portion <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> and the filter <NUM> may be rotated together in a state where the first connecting portion <NUM> and the second connecting portions <NUM> are coupled to each other.

The first connecting portion <NUM> may be formed to be symmetrical with respect to a projecting portion <NUM> projecting from a position which is opposite to the inner surface of the supporter extending portion <NUM> while being recessed in a predetermined depth. A first inclined surface <NUM> may be formed on both side ends of the first connecting portion <NUM>, that is, on both side surfaces of the projecting portion <NUM>. The first inclined surface <NUM> may be formed in a shape that the width of the first connecting portion <NUM> gradually increases and the width of the projecting portion <NUM> gradually decreases from the lower side to the upper side of the first inclined surface. In other words, the first connecting portion <NUM> may be formed so that the width thereof is gradually narrowed toward the depth direction to be recessed.

Due to such a structure, the first connecting portion <NUM> and the second connecting portion <NUM> are capable of being easily assembled. In addition, in a case where the torsion moment is applied in a state where the first connecting portion <NUM> and the second connecting portion <NUM> are in contact with each other, the first connecting portion <NUM> and the second connecting portion <NUM> are slid so that the filter <NUM> is capable of being easily separated from the shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating the head. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of the head viewed from one side. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the coupling structure of the head viewed from the other side.

With reference to the drawings, when the structure of the head <NUM> will be described in more detail, the shaft <NUM> is inserted through the opened upper surface of the head body <NUM> and the head cap <NUM> is capable of shielding the opened upper surface of the head body <NUM>.

The head body <NUM> may include a lower body <NUM> and an upper body <NUM>.

The lower body <NUM> is a portion into which the filter inserting portion <NUM> is inserted and to which the filter inserting portion <NUM> is coupled and the lower surface of the lower body <NUM> is opened so that the filter <NUM> is capable of being accommodated. The coupling groove <NUM> for inserting the coupling projection <NUM> may be formed on the lower body <NUM>.

An opening portion <NUM> for forming the coupling groove <NUM> may be formed on the lower body <NUM> and the insertion state of the coupling projection <NUM> may be confirmed through the opening portion <NUM>. A plurality of supporting ribs <NUM> for supporting the outer side of the filter inserting portion <NUM> may be formed on the circumference of the inner surface of the lower body <NUM> in order to prevent the filter <NUM> from sagging in a state where the filter inserting portion <NUM> is inserted into the lower body <NUM>.

The upper body <NUM> may be formed at an upper end of the lower body <NUM> and may be formed to have a smaller diameter than that of the lower body <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may be mounted on the inside of the upper body <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> is inserted through the opened upper surface of the upper body <NUM> and thus may be mounted on the inside of the upper body <NUM>.

The upper end of the filter inserting portion <NUM>, the upper end of the supporter extending portion <NUM> and the lower end of the shaft <NUM> may be disposed on the inside of the upper body <NUM> and a flow path through which purified water through the filter <NUM> is capable of flowing is formed by coupling portions which is configured as described above with each other.

A water inlet portion <NUM> and a water outlet portion <NUM> are formed to project to the outside in the upper body <NUM>. The water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> may communicate with a water inlet pipe <NUM> and a water outlet pipe <NUM>, respectively. At this time, the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> are capable of selectively communicating with the flow path formed in the shaft <NUM>. The water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> may be disposed on in a straight line so as to face each other in the head.

The head cap <NUM> may shield the upper surface of the upper body <NUM>. The head cap <NUM> presses the upper surface of the shaft <NUM> so that the shaft <NUM> is capable of maintaining a state of being fixedly mounted on the inside of the upper body <NUM>. To this end, a cap support portion <NUM> extending to the upper surface of the shaft <NUM> may be further formed on a lower surface of the head cap <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> is capable of selectively switching the flow path of water flowing in the inside of the head <NUM> and is capable of being rotatably seated on the upper body <NUM>. A filtering flow path <NUM> and a bypass flow path <NUM> are formed in the shaft <NUM>. The flow paths may be selectively connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> by the rotation of the shaft <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> may include an upper part <NUM> and a lower part <NUM>. The upper part <NUM> may be formed to have a larger diameter than that of the lower part <NUM> and have an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the upper body <NUM>.

A shaft O-ring <NUM> may be provided at the upper end and the lower end of the upper part <NUM>, respectively. The shaft O-ring <NUM> hermetically seals between the shaft <NUM> and the inner surface of the upper body <NUM> to prevent leakage of water flowing through the head <NUM>.

A shaft inlet port <NUM> and a shaft outlet port <NUM> are formed on the circumference of the upper part <NUM> between the plurality of shaft O-rings <NUM>, respectively. The shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM> may be formed at positions facing each other and at positions corresponding to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>. Therefore, water which passes through the water inlet portion <NUM> is capable of coming in the shaft inlet port <NUM>, and water which passes through the shaft outlet port <NUM> is capable of being discharged through the water outlet portion <NUM>.

On the other hand, the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular shape; however it is not limited to this. A sealing member mounting portion <NUM> on which a sealing member <NUM> is mounted may be formed on the circumference of the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM>. The sealing member mounting portion <NUM> and the sealing member <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM>.

At this time, the sealing member <NUM> may include a pressing portion <NUM> which is pressed into and mounted on the inside of the sealing member mounting portion <NUM> and a sealing portion <NUM> which projects along the circumference of the pressing portion <NUM>. The sealing portion <NUM> is in contact with the inner surface of the upper body <NUM> when the shaft <NUM> is mounted. Accordingly, when the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM> are connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> by the rotation of the shaft <NUM>, the water which flows into and flows out is prevented from leaking between the shaft <NUM> and the head <NUM>. In particular, the shape of the sealing member <NUM> may be formed to be lengthened in a direction in which the shaft <NUM> is rotated so that the removal of the sealing member <NUM> from the shaft <NUM> or interference of the sealing member <NUM> with the shaft <NUM> is minimized during the rotation of the shaft <NUM>.

A sealing rib <NUM> may be formed in a water inlet port 611a and a water outlet port 612a which are formed in the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>, respectively. The sealing ribs <NUM> prevent the sealing member <NUM> from being separated or damaged and may be formed to cross the water inlet port 611a and the water outlet port 612a of the inner surface of the upper body <NUM>. The sealing ribs <NUM> may extend laterally and a plurality of sealing ribs <NUM> may be disposed in a direction intersecting each other, if necessary.

Therefore, the sealing member <NUM> which is passed by the water inlet port 611a and the water outlet port 612a which are formed in the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> is hooked into the water inlet port 611a and the water outlet port 612a in a process of the rotation of the shaft <NUM> and thus the sealing member <NUM> is capable of being prevented from being separated from the sealing member mounting portion <NUM>. In other words, since a state where the sealing ribs <NUM> press the outer surface of the sealing member <NUM> in the process of the rotation of the shaft <NUM> is maintained, the sealing member <NUM> is capable of being prevented from being separated from the sealing member mounting portion <NUM>.

A bypass inlet port <NUM> and a bypass outlet port <NUM> may be formed between the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM> of the outer surface of the upper part <NUM>, respectively. The bypass inlet port <NUM> and the bypass outlet port <NUM> may also be disposed at positions facing each other. Accordingly, in a case where the bypass inlet port <NUM> and the bypass outlet port <NUM> are aligned with the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> by the rotation of the shaft <NUM>, the water supplied to the water inlet portion <NUM> is capable of being discharged directly to the water outlet portion <NUM> through the bypass flow path <NUM>.

The bypass inlet port <NUM> and the bypass outlet port <NUM> may be formed at positions which are the same height as the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM>, respectively and which are rotated by <NUM> degrees to each other. Therefore, in order to connect the filtering flow path <NUM> or the bypass flow path <NUM> to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>, the shaft <NUM> should be rotated by <NUM> degrees.

A portion which forms the upper end of the filtering flow path <NUM> is capable of projecting from the bypass flow path <NUM> in the inside of the upper part <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to realize the filtering flow path <NUM> and the bypass flow path <NUM> at the same time in a state where the height of the shaft <NUM> is minimized. Through this, the head <NUM> and the water purifying apparatus <NUM> is capable of being configured more compactly.

A rotating projection <NUM> may be provided on the lower surface of the upper part <NUM>. A pair of rotating projections may be formed and one rotating projection may be formed at a position corresponding to the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM>, respectively. In other words, the pair of rotating projections <NUM> may be formed at positions which are rotated by <NUM> degrees with respect to each other.

On the other hand, the lower part <NUM> extends from the center of the upper part <NUM> in the lower direction. The lower part <NUM> may be formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the seating portion <NUM> and extend through the seating portion <NUM> in the lower direction. The lower part <NUM> may extend to a length such that the shaft <NUM> and the upper supporter <NUM> are capable of being engaged with each other when the filter <NUM> is coupled to the head <NUM>.

A water outlet guide portion 965b may be formed on one side surface of the lower part <NUM>. The water outlet guide portion 965b may extend vertically from the lower side of the shaft outlet port <NUM>. The water outlet guide portion 965b may be formed by cutting a portion of the outer surface of the lower part <NUM> having a cylindrical shape into a planar shape, for example.

Therefore, in a state where the shaft <NUM> is mounted on the head <NUM>, the water outlet guide portion 965b of the shaft <NUM> is spaced apart from the inner surface of the head <NUM> and thus the shaft water outflow path <NUM> which is a flow path of water is formed. Since the lower end of the water outlet guide portion 965b is located on the upper side of the filter outlet port <NUM>, the water discharged from the filter outlet port <NUM> is moved along the water outlet guide portion 965b in the upper direction, and then passes by the shaft outlet port <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> in this order and flows to the water outlet pipe <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the shaft viewed from one side. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the shaft viewed from the other side. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shaft viewed from the lower side.

The structure of the shaft <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The shaft <NUM> may be inserted through the opened upper surface of the head body <NUM> and thus may be disposed in the inside of the head <NUM>.

A filtering flow path <NUM> and a bypass flow path <NUM> are formed in the shaft <NUM>. The filtering flow path <NUM> or the bypass flow path <NUM> may be selectively connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> by the rotation of the shaft <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> may include an upper part <NUM> and a lower part <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may be made of a plastic material.

Inside the upper part <NUM>, the upper end of the filtering flow path <NUM> and the bypass flow path <NUM> may be formed. In detail, a shaft inlet port <NUM> through which water is introduced into the inner space of the shaft <NUM> is formed around the upper part <NUM> at a position corresponding to the water inlet portion <NUM>.

A shaft outlet port <NUM> through which water in the inner space of the shaft <NUM> is discharged may be formed at a position corresponding to the water outlet portion <NUM>. A bypass inlet port <NUM> and a bypass outlet port <NUM> may be formed between the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM> of the outer surface of the upper part <NUM>, respectively.

Accordingly, the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM> may be aligned with the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> by the rotation of the shaft <NUM>, respectively. Water supplied to the water inlet portion <NUM> may pass through the filtering flow path <NUM> and pass through the filter <NUM>, and then purified water may be discharged to the water outlet portion <NUM>.

The bypass inlet port <NUM> and the bypass outlet port <NUM> may be aligned with the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> by the rotation of the shaft <NUM>, respectively. Water supplied to the water inlet portion <NUM> may pass through the bypass flow path <NUM> and may be directly discharged to the water outlet portion <NUM>.

On the other hand, the lower part <NUM> may be formed to extend downward from the center of the upper part <NUM>. An inner pipe <NUM> is formed inside the lower part <NUM>.

The inner pipe <NUM> may be connected to one end of the filter. More specifically, the inner pipe <NUM> may be connected to the supporter extending portion <NUM>. Accordingly, water which flows in through the shaft <NUM> may be supplied to the filter <NUM> through the upper supporter <NUM>. The inner pipe <NUM> may form a vertical portion 964b of the filtering flow path <NUM>.

The outer surface of the inner pipe <NUM> may be disposed to be separated from the inner surface of the lower part <NUM> to form a space <NUM>. Accordingly, when the filter <NUM> is mounted, the upper end of the supporter extending portion <NUM> may be inserted into the space <NUM>.

The second connecting portion <NUM> to which the first connecting portion <NUM> formed at the upper end of the supporter extending portion <NUM> is coupled may be formed at the lower end of the inner pipe <NUM>. A pair of second connecting portions <NUM> may be formed in the same shape at positions facing each other.

In a state where the second connecting portion <NUM> is coupled to the first connecting portion <NUM>, the shaft <NUM> may also rotate by the rotation of the filter <NUM>.

The filtering flow path <NUM> or the bypass flow path <NUM> may be selectively switched.

A pair of pipe cutout portions <NUM> may be included between the pair of second connecting portions <NUM>. When the shaft <NUM> and the supporter extending portion <NUM> are completely assembled with each other, the pipe cutout portion <NUM> may be assembled with the projecting portion <NUM>.

Second inclined surfaces <NUM> are formed on both side ends of the pair of second connecting portions <NUM>. When the filter <NUM> is further rotated in a state where the rotation of the shaft <NUM> is restricted by the stopper <NUM>, a force in the rotating direction is applied to the second inclined surface <NUM>. Therefore, the filter <NUM> may be easily separated.

A reinforcing portion <NUM> projecting from the inner surface and extending upward from the lower end of the inner pipe <NUM> may be included on the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>, that is, the filtering flow path.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed to extend in a vertical direction from the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>. For example, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed to extend from the upper end to the lower end of the inner pipe <NUM>. The reinforcing portion <NUM> may reinforce the strength of the inner pipe <NUM> more firmly.

The lower end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be located in the area of the second connecting portion <NUM>. In other words, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM> on the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>. A pair of reinforcing portions <NUM> may be formed between the pipe cutout portions <NUM>.

In detail, the lower end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the lower end of the second connecting portion <NUM>. The lower end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be located below the lower end of the pipe cutout portion <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed to project inward from the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>. That is, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed on the vertical portion 964b of the filtering flow path <NUM>.

With this structure, it is possible to prevent the inner pipe <NUM> from being damaged or deformed while the shaft <NUM> and the supporter extending portion <NUM> are separated or mounted by rotation.

In detail, the shaft <NUM> is separated from or assembled with the supporter extending portion <NUM> by the force rotated in the process of inserting the filter <NUM> into the head <NUM>. At this time, the end of the inner pipe <NUM> may be damaged and deformed due to friction and rotational force in the process of assembling or separating the projecting portion <NUM> of the supporter extending portion <NUM> and the first connecting portion <NUM>.

In particular, a user who is inexperienced in replacing or removing the filter <NUM> may not recognize whether the rotation of the shaft <NUM> is restricted by the stopper <NUM>. In this case, the process of mounting the filter <NUM> on the head <NUM> may be repeated by rotating the filter <NUM> in a direction opposite to the rotating direction for separating the filter <NUM> from the head <NUM>.

In addition, since the user is mistaken by the stopper <NUM> and does not recognize that the filter <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> are fully assembled, and the user may apply a greater force to rotate the filter <NUM>.

In this case, a torsional moment is repeatedly applied to the first inclined surface <NUM> and the second inclined surface <NUM>, or a greater force is applied than necessary. Thus, the end of the inner pipe <NUM> may be damaged or deformed by the flow of the projecting portion <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may reinforce the strength of the inner pipe <NUM> to prevent the inner pipe <NUM> from being damaged or deformed in the process of replacing the filter <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed to project inward from the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> at a position corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM>. The second connecting portion <NUM> projects most downward from the inner pipe <NUM> and is likely to be damaged or deformed by an external force. By arranging the lower end portion of the reinforcing portion <NUM> at a position corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM>, the strength of the second connecting portion <NUM> may be made more robust.

In addition, when the filter <NUM> is inserted into the head <NUM> by a predetermined depth, the second connecting portion <NUM> is inserted into the first connecting portion <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be rotated and inserted into the head <NUM> to be completely mounted. In this case, the second connecting portion <NUM> is maintained in a state of being inserted into the first connecting portion <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may prevent the second connecting portion <NUM> from being deformed by the pressure of the first connecting portion <NUM>.

With this structure, it is possible to prevent the lower end of the inner pipe <NUM> from being deformed by repetitive replacement of the filter <NUM>. Therefore, due to the reinforcing portion, the shaft <NUM> can be used for a long time.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may extend downward from the upper end of the inner pipe <NUM> in a vertical direction. That is, the upper end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the upper end of the inner pipe <NUM>.

The upper end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> is located at the upper end of the inner pipe <NUM>. The water flowing through the filtering flow path <NUM> may be guided to the inside of the filter <NUM> and the flow rate may be increased.

A shaft water inlet flow path <NUM> forming the filtering flow path <NUM> has a horizontal portion 964a extending from the shaft inlet port <NUM> to the center of the shaft <NUM>. The shaft water inlet flow path <NUM> has a vertical portion 964b extending downward from the end portion of the horizontal portion 964a.

That is, the water flowing into the horizontal portion 964a through the shaft inlet port <NUM> changes the flow path while flowing into the vertical portion 964b. Water flowing into the vertical portion 964b has a rotational force due to the change in the flow path. Water flowing into the vertical portion 964b rotates and flows along the inner circumferential surface of the vertical portion 964b, so that the rate of flowing into the filter inlet flow path <NUM> may be slowed down.

That is, the upper end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the upper end of the inner pipe <NUM>. In the process of changing the flow path from the horizontal portion 964a to the vertical portion 964b, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may guide the flow along one side of the inner pipe <NUM>. That is, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may guide water to flow along the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> in a direction close to the shaft inlet port <NUM>.

Accordingly, water flowing into the inner pipe <NUM> may smoothly and quickly flow into the filter <NUM>. Accordingly, there is an advantage of preventing the water flowing from the shaft inlet port <NUM> to the horizontal portion 964a from flowing back into the vertical portion 964b.

The lower end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be located below the lower end of the pipe cutout portion <NUM>. In detail, the lower end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may extend to the lower end of the second connecting portion <NUM>.

The lower end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be located below the upper end of the pipe cutout portion <NUM>. With this structure, the strength of the second connecting portion <NUM> is made more robust and water flowing from the horizontal portion 964a to the vertical portion 964b may be guided to the lower end of the vertical portion 964b.

On the other hand, the inner pipe <NUM> may further include an inclined portion <NUM> inclined to connect from the inner surface to both side ends of the reinforcing portion <NUM>.

The inclined portion <NUM> has a structure inclined in a direction closer to the center of the inner pipe <NUM> as it extends from the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> to one end of the reinforcing portion <NUM>.

The inclined portion <NUM> strengthens the strength of the inner pipe <NUM> together with the reinforcing portion <NUM> and allows water flowing into the vertical portion 964b to flow smoothly.

A round portion 98a in which a round is formed may be further provided at a corner of the reinforcing portion <NUM>. The round portion 98a may be formed on both side ends of the reinforcing portion <NUM>. As such, when the round portion 98a is provided, even if the first connecting portion <NUM> contacts the second connecting portion <NUM>, an instantaneous impact caused by the contact may be buffered. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the first connecting portion <NUM> or the second connecting portion <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> is formed by projecting from the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> in the direction of the center of rotation of the inner pipe <NUM>. The length of the reinforcing portion <NUM> projecting from the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> may be shorter than the thickness of the inner pipe <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> is integrally formed with the inner pipe <NUM>, so that the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be simply formed during injection molding of the shaft <NUM>.

In detail, the length L1 in the horizontal direction in which the reinforcing portion <NUM> projects from the inner pipe <NUM> in the direction of the center of rotation may be shorter than the length L2 of the cross-section of the inner pipe <NUM> in the horizontal direction.

In other words, the length L1 from the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> to the projecting end portion of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be less than the length L2 from the outer surface to the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>.

The thickness of the reinforcing portion <NUM> is less than the thickness of the cross-section of the inner pipe <NUM>. It is possible to facilitate the flow of water flowing into the inner pipe <NUM> and to facilitate separation and coupling between the inner pipe <NUM> and the supporter extending portion <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may be provided with a pair of reinforcing portions <NUM> symmetrically with respect to the center of rotation of the inner pipe <NUM> on the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>.

In this case, the distance L3 between the pair of reinforcing portions <NUM> may be longer than the length L1 of the reinforcing portion <NUM> in the horizontal direction projecting from the inner pipe <NUM>.

The distance L3 between the pair of reinforcing portions <NUM> may be longer than the length L2 of the cross-section of the inner pipe <NUM> in the horizontal direction.

In other words, in the reinforcing portion <NUM>, the distance L3 between the pair of reinforcing portions <NUM> formed symmetrically on the inner surface of the inner pipe and facing each other may be longer than the distance L2 from the inner surface of the inner pipe to the projecting end portion of the reinforcing portion.

With this structure, there is an advantage of allowing water to smoothly flow into the inner pipe <NUM>.

In addition, the distance L3 between the pair of reinforcing portions <NUM> spaced apart from each other may be equal to or greater than the sum of the length L1 of the reinforcing portion <NUM> projecting from the inner pipe <NUM> and the length of the cross-section of the inner pipe <NUM> in the horizontal direction L2. With this structure, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the inner pipe <NUM> from being damaged or deformed due to the contact of the supporter extending portion <NUM> during the rotation for separation and coupling of the supporter extending portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cutaway exploded perspective view illustrating an internal structure of the head viewed from one side. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the coupling structure of the head viewed from the other side.

<FIG> illustrates a longitudinal section in a state where the bypass flow path <NUM> is switched to be connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>. As illustrated in the drawing, a bypass flow path <NUM> passing through the center of the upper part <NUM> is formed on the upper part <NUM> and the bypass inlet port <NUM> and the bypass outlet port <NUM> are formed on both sides of the circumference of the upper part <NUM>, respectively.

The bypass inlet port <NUM> and the bypass outlet port <NUM> may be formed to be larger than the sizes of the water inlet port 611a and the water outlet port 612a and may be positioned between a pair of shaft O-rings which are vertically disposed. Therefore, the water passing through the bypass flow path <NUM> in a state where the bypass flow path <NUM> is aligned with the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> does not leak to the outside and is passed across the head <NUM>.

In other words, water introducing into the head <NUM> passes through the head <NUM> without passing through the filter <NUM>, and even in a state where the filter <NUM> is separated, water does not leak from a side on which the filter <NUM> is mounted and is capable of being continuously supplied to the water supplying flow path <NUM>.

On the other hand, a flow path projecting portion <NUM> which projects for forming the filtering flow path <NUM> to be described below is formed on the inner surface of the bypass flow path <NUM>. The flow path projecting portion <NUM> may be formed at the center of the inside portion of the shaft <NUM> and project from the bottom of the bypass flow path <NUM> but may be formed not to shield the bypass flow path <NUM>.

Both ends of the flow path projecting portion <NUM> are formed to be inclined or rounded so that decrease in the flow velocity caused by the flow path projecting portion <NUM> is capable of being minimized when water flows through the bypass flow path <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a longitudinal section in a state where the filtering flow path is shifted to be connected with the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion.

As illustrated in the drawings, the filtering flow path <NUM> may be connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> according to the rotation of the shaft <NUM>.

At this time, the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM> are in contact with the water inlet port 611a and the water outlet port 612a, respectively and the outsides of the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM> and the outsides of the water inlet port 611a and the water outlet port 612a are capable of being fully sealed by the sealing member <NUM>. An inner pipe <NUM> is formed on the inside of the lower part <NUM> and the inner pipe <NUM> is capable of being connected to the supporter extending portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, the water which flows into through the shaft <NUM> is capable of being supplied to the inside portion of the filter <NUM> through the upper supporter <NUM> and discharged to the shaft <NUM> through the upper supporter <NUM> after the water is purified by the filtering member <NUM>. In other words, the water which flows into the head <NUM> is capable of being purified through the filter <NUM> and then discharged through the head <NUM>.

On the other hand, the filtering flow path <NUM> may include a shaft water inlet flow path <NUM> and a shaft water outlet flow path <NUM>.

The shaft water inlet flow path <NUM> includes a horizontal portion 964a which extends from the shaft inlet port <NUM> to the center of the shaft <NUM> and a vertical portion 964b which extends from an end portion of the vertical portion 964a in the lower direction. The vertical portion 964b may be formed by the inner pipe <NUM>.

The outer surface of the inner pipe <NUM> is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the lower part <NUM> to form a spacing space <NUM>. The distance of the spacing space <NUM> may be formed to correspond to the thickness of the supporter extending portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the filter <NUM> is mounted, the upper end of the supporter extending portion <NUM> is capable of being inserted into an inside of the spacing space <NUM>.

The length of the inner pipe <NUM> in the vertical direction is formed to be shorter than that of the outer surface of the lower part <NUM> in the vertical direction. The inner pipe <NUM> and the supporter extending portion <NUM> may be connected to each other on the inner surface of the lower part <NUM>. To this end, a second connecting portion <NUM> may be formed on the lower end of the inner pipe <NUM>.

The second connecting portion <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the first connecting portion <NUM>. The second connecting portion <NUM> is inserted into the first connecting portion <NUM> so that the shaft <NUM> and the upper supporter <NUM> are capable of being rotated together.

The shaft water inlet flow path <NUM> is capable of communicating with the filter inlet flow path <NUM> and the water for purification is capable of being supplied to the filtering member <NUM> by the coupling between the inner pipe <NUM> and the supporter extending portion <NUM> with each other.

The shaft water outlet flow path <NUM> may include an water outlet guide portion 965b which is formed on an outer surface of the lower part <NUM> and an water outlet connecting portion 965a which is formed on the upper part <NUM>.

The upper end of the water outlet guide portion 965b passes through the lower surface of the upper part <NUM> and then communicates with the water outlet connecting portion 965a. The water outlet connecting portion 965a connects the water outlet guide portion 965b and the shaft outlet port <NUM> at the inside of the upper part <NUM>.

Accordingly, the purified water which is discharged from the filter outlet port <NUM> is capable of being moved along the water guide portion 965b in the upper direction and discharged to the shaft outlet port <NUM> through the water outlet connecting portion 965a. The purified water which is discharged to the shaft outlet port <NUM> may be discharged through the water outlet portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a state where the filtering flow path <NUM> is connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>, the water which flows into the head <NUM> through the water inlet pipe <NUM> is supplied into the inside portion of the filter <NUM> and then is capable of being purified, and may flows again from the filter <NUM> to the head <NUM> and may be discharged to the water outlet pipe <NUM>.

On the other hand, the body seating portion <NUM> may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper body <NUM>. The lower surface of the upper part <NUM> is seated on the body seating portion <NUM> when the shaft <NUM> is mounted.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the head viewed from the lower side. <FIG> is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating the head.

With reference to <FIG>, a rotating guide <NUM> is formed on the body seating portion <NUM> by being cut. At this time, the rotating projection <NUM> is positioned on an inside of the rotating guide <NUM>. The rotating guide <NUM> may be cut by an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the center of the head body <NUM>. However, it is limited thereto.

Since a pair of rotating projections <NUM> are disposed at an angle of <NUM> degrees, in a case where the shaft <NUM> may be rotated by the angle of <NUM> degrees, the rotating projections <NUM> is capable of being stopped by stoppers <NUM> which are formed on both ends of the rotating guide <NUM>.

The water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> may be selectively connected to the filtering flow path <NUM> or the bypass flow path <NUM> at a position which is stopped by the stopper <NUM>. Therefore, when the user rotates the filter <NUM> to a point where the filter <NUM> is no longer rotated in one direction even without rotating the filter <NUM> while measuring an accurate angle, the flow path is capable of being selected and accurately connected.

A flow path cutout portion <NUM> may be formed on one side of the body seating portion <NUM>. The flow path cutout portion <NUM> may be formed on the seating portion <NUM> in a position facing the rotating guide <NUM> and may be formed on the lower side of the water outlet port 612a in the vertical direction.

Therefore, the flow path cutout portion <NUM> is positioned on a position which is the same as that of the water outlet guide portion 965b in a state where the shaft <NUM> is rotated so that the filtering flow path <NUM> is connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>. The flow path cutout portion <NUM> may be formed to have the same width as the water outlet guide portion 965b. Therefore, the water outlet guide portion 965b and the flow path cutout portion <NUM> are capable of being in contact with each other to form a flow path through which the purified water is capable of flowing in the upper direction.

On the other hand, a pair of the coupling grooves <NUM> and a plurality of the supporting ribs <NUM> may be formed on the inner surface of the lower body <NUM>. When the filter <NUM> is mounted on the head <NUM> and then rotated so that the filtering flow path <NUM> is connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>, the coupling projection <NUM> is capable of being inserted into the coupling groove <NUM>.

The coupling groove <NUM> may be exposed to the outside portion through the opening portion <NUM> and the coupling state of the restraining projection 433b and the restraining groove 631a is capable of being checked through the opening portion <NUM>. The position of the restraining groove 631a may be formed at a position in which the restraining projection 433b and the restraining groove 631a may be engaged to be restrained with each other in a state where the coupling projection <NUM> is fully rotated. Therefore, in a state where the filter <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the head <NUM> and then fully rotated, the coupling projection <NUM> is capable of being restrained in the inside of the coupling groove <NUM> and thus random separation of the filter is capable of being prevented.

On the other hand, the coupling groove <NUM> may be formed by a first guide projecting portion <NUM> which projects from the inner surface of the lower body <NUM>. The restraining groove 631a may be formed on the upper surface of the first guide projecting portion <NUM>. The first guide projecting portion <NUM> may be formed from the opened end of the lower body <NUM> to the coupling groove <NUM> and provides a surface on which the coupling projection <NUM> is capable of being seated.

Therefore, when the filter <NUM> is inserted into the head <NUM>, the coupling projection <NUM> is not capable of being inserted into some sections of the opening of the lower surface of the head <NUM> due to the interference of the first guide projecting portion <NUM>. The coupling projection <NUM> is capable of being inserted through the section which is not interfered with the first guide projecting portion <NUM>, so that the filter <NUM> is capable of being prevented from being erroneously mounted.

A first groove guide portion 633a for guiding the coupling projection <NUM> to the entrance of the adjacent coupling groove <NUM> may be formed on one side surface of the first guide projecting portion <NUM>. The first groove guide portion 633a may be formed to have a predetermined inclination and is in contact with the projection guide portion 433a of the coupling projection <NUM> and thus guides the rotational movement of the coupling projection <NUM> in one direction when the coupling projection <NUM> is inserted.

A second guide projecting portion <NUM> may be formed on one side which is spaced apart from the end portion of the first groove guide portion 633a along the inner surface of the lower body <NUM> by a predetermined distance. A second groove guide portion 633b is formed to be inclined on the second guide projecting portion <NUM> so that the coupling projection <NUM> which passes by the first groove guide portion 633a rotates moves along the second groove guide portion 633b so as to be guided and to be moved the entrance of the coupling groove <NUM>. The second groove guide portion 633b may extend from one side away from the first groove guide portion 633a to the entrance of the coupling groove <NUM>.

Therefore, when the filter <NUM> is inserted into the opened lower surface of the lower body <NUM> after the coupling projection <NUM> is positioned at a position corresponding to the inserting display portion <NUM> when the filter <NUM> is mounted, the projection guide portion 433a slides along the first groove guide portion 633a and then is slid along the second groove guide portion 633b and inserted into the inside of the coupling groove <NUM>.

In a case where the user inserts the coupling projection <NUM> of the filter <NUM> by aligning the coupling projection <NUM> in a process of the filter <NUM> being inserted into the inside of the head <NUM>, the filter <NUM> is capable of being coupled while being smoothly rotated by the first groove guide portion 633a and the second groove guide portion 633b.

The shaft <NUM> and the upper supporter <NUM> are integrally coupled with each other in a state where the filter <NUM> is fully inserted and then the coupling projection <NUM> is positioned at the entrance of the coupling groove <NUM>. Wren the filter <NUM> is further rotated so that the coupling projection <NUM> is fully inserted into the inside of the coupling groove <NUM>, the shaft <NUM> is rotated together with the filter <NUM> and the filtering flow path <NUM> is rotated to be connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>.

To this end, a second connecting portion <NUM> may be formed at the lower end of the shaft <NUM>, that is, at the lower end of the inner pipe <NUM>. A pair of second connecting portions <NUM> may be formed in the same shape at a position which faces each other, and both sides of the lower end of the inner pipe <NUM> are formed by being cut. However, it is not limited to thereto.

Specifically, the lower end of the inner pipe <NUM> may include the pair of second connecting portions <NUM> and a pair of pipe cutout portions <NUM> formed between the second connecting portions <NUM>. The pair of second connecting portions <NUM> may have a width which is gradually narrowed in the lower direction.

A second inclined surface <NUM> may be formed at both side ends of the pair of second connecting portions <NUM> and the second inclined surface <NUM> may be formed to have an inclination corresponding to the first inclined surface <NUM>.

The second inclined surface <NUM> is inserted along the first inclined surface <NUM> in a process of the filter <NUM> being rotatably inserted into the head <NUM>. When the filter <NUM> is fully inserted into the head <NUM>, the second connecting portion <NUM> is matched with the first connecting portion <NUM> and the projecting portion <NUM> is matched with the pipe cutoff portion <NUM>. Therefore, the first inclined surface <NUM> and the second inclined surface <NUM> are capable of being in close fully contact with each other.

In addition, the second inclined surface <NUM> may be also formed to be inclined in the direction of rotation of the filter <NUM> as the first inclined surface <NUM>. Therefore, when the filter <NUM> is further rotated in a state where the rotation of the shaft <NUM> is restricted by the stopper <NUM>, the force in the rotating direction is acted to the second inclined surface <NUM> and the first inclined surface <NUM> and the first inclined surface <NUM> moves along the second inclined surface <NUM> so that the filter <NUM> is capable of being easily separated.

On the other hand, a plurality of the supporting ribs <NUM> are formed on the inner surface of the lower body <NUM> and the outer surface of the filter inserting portion <NUM> is capable of being supported by the supporting ribs <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the operation of the water purifying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention having the structure described above will be described.

<FIG> is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a state where of the filter and the head are separated from each other, <FIG> is an enlarged view of portion A of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a shaft position in a state where the filter and the head are separated from each other.

As illustrated in the drawings, the bypass flow path <NUM> is connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> in a state where the filter <NUM> is not coupled to the head <NUM>.

Therefore, the water which flows into through the water inlet portion <NUM> flows into the bypass inlet port <NUM> through the water inlet port 611a and flows along the bypass flow path <NUM>. The water is discharged to the water outlet portion <NUM> through the bypass outlet port <NUM> and the water outlet port 612a. In other words, the water which flows into the water inlet portion <NUM> passes through the head <NUM> without being subjected to a purification process, and is supplied directly to the ice maker <NUM> or the dispenser <NUM> through the water supplying flow path <NUM>.

Such a state may correspond to a state where the filter <NUM> is separated for replacement of the filter <NUM>, or may correspond to a case where the service which is related to the cleaning of a pipeline or other maintenance is performed. In addition, even in a case where at least a portion of the plurality of filters <NUM> are not used, or even in a case where purification of water is not required, it is capable of corresponding to such a state. Even in a case where the filter <NUM> is separated, no problem occurs in use of the refrigerator <NUM>.

On the other hand, with reference to <FIG>, when the disposition of the shaft <NUM> is described in a state where the filter <NUM> is not mounted, the first rotating projection 921a of the pair of rotating projections <NUM> is in a state of being in contact with the stopper <NUM> of one side of the rotating guide <NUM>. In this state, the water outlet guide portion 965b and the flow path cutout portion <NUM> are maintained a state of being shifted by an angle of about <NUM> degrees with each other.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state where the filter is rotated for coupling in a state where the filter is fully inserted into the inside of the head. <FIG> is an enlarged view of portion B in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view illustrating a shaft position in a state where the filter is coupled to the head.

When the filter <NUM> is further rotated by an angle of <NUM> degrees so that the coupling projection <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM> are rotated to be fully coupled with each other, the shaft <NUM> is also rotated along with the rotation of the filter and thus is in a state of being illustrated in <FIG>.

Specifically, when the filter <NUM> is rotated in a state where the second connecting portion <NUM> is inserted into the first connecting portion <NUM> and thus fully coupled with each other, the shaft <NUM> rotates along with the filter <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> may be further rotated by an angle of about <NUM> degrees until the second rotating projection 921b reaches the position of the stopper <NUM>. When the shaft <NUM> is fully rotated, the filtering flow path <NUM> is connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> with each other. Of course, the inner pipe <NUM> and the supporter extending portion <NUM> maintains a connected state with each other and thus the original water and the purified water is capable of flowing in and out between the head <NUM> and the filter <NUM>. In addition, the coupling projection <NUM> is in a state of being fully inserted into and thus is coupled with the coupling groove <NUM> and the filter <NUM> is operated to be rotated in a direction which is opposite to the coupling direction by the user and thus the filter <NUM> is maintained in a state of coupling with the head <NUM> until the filter <NUM> is separated from the head <NUM>.

In a state of being illustrated in <FIG>, the water flowing in through the water inlet portion <NUM> flows along the shaft water inlet flow path <NUM> through the water inlet port 611a and the shaft inlet port <NUM>. In other words, water flowing along the horizontal portion 964a and the vertical portion 964b passes by the inner pipe <NUM>, flows into the inside of the supporter extending portion <NUM> and flows along the first filter inlet flow path <NUM> in the lower direction. Then, water is branched by the second filter inlet flow path <NUM> and flows into the space between the inner surface of the housing <NUM> and the filtering member <NUM>.

The water flowing into the hollow <NUM> of the inside of the filtering member <NUM> from the outside of the filtering member <NUM> may be purified in the process of passing through the filtering member <NUM>. The purified water of the inside of the filtering member <NUM> flows along the inside of the first extending portion <NUM> in the upper direction and is discharged from the filter outlet port <NUM> which is disposed on both sides of the upper end of the first extending portion <NUM> in the upper direction.

At this time, a space in which water purified by the outer surface of the first extending portion <NUM> and the lower part <NUM> inserted into the inside of the filter inserting portion <NUM> flows to the head <NUM> side is formed in the inside of the filter inserting portion <NUM>. On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a state where the filtering flow path <NUM> is connected to the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM>, the water outlet guide portion 965b and the flow path cutout portion <NUM> are positioned at the same position with each other and thus the purified water is capable of flowing to the upper part <NUM> side.

Accordingly, the purified water flows along the water outlet guide portion 965b formed in the lower part <NUM> in the upper direction and flows into the inside of the upper part <NUM> and thus passes through the shaft outlet port <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> in this order, and then is discharged to the water outlet portion <NUM>. The water outlet pipe <NUM> of the water outlet portion <NUM> forms a portion of the water supplying flow path <NUM> to supply the purified water to the dispenser <NUM> and the ice maker <NUM>.

In a state of being illustrated in <FIG>, in a state where the filter <NUM> should be removed because of reach of period of replacement of the filter <NUM> or other maintenance, the filter <NUM> is first rotated in a direction which is opposite to the coupling direction.

The coupling projection <NUM> is moved in a direction away from the coupling groove <NUM> according to the rotation of the filter <NUM> and the supporter extending portion <NUM> rotates the shaft <NUM>. When the filtering flow path <NUM> is closed by the shaft <NUM> being rotated by <NUM> degrees and then the bypass flow path <NUM> is connected, the rotating projection <NUM> is in contact with the stopper <NUM> and thus is restricted the rotation of the shaft <NUM>.

In this state, when a force is applied to further rotate the filter <NUM>, the shaft <NUM> is not capable of being further rotated by the stopper <NUM>. Accordingly, a torsion moment is applied to the first inclined surface <NUM> and the second inclined surface <NUM> so that the second inclined surface <NUM> is smoothly separated along the first inclined surface <NUM> while being slid. Further, the coupling projection <NUM> which is escaped from the coupling groove <NUM> passes by the second groove guide portion 633b and the first groove guide portion 633a in this order to allow the filter <NUM> to be separated from the head <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention, as an example, the water purifying apparatus <NUM> is mounted on the refrigerator <NUM> in order to facilitate the understanding and the explanation. However, the water purifying apparatus <NUM> is capable of being applied to the water purifier which is generally used and the entire device which is capable of purifying water by a filter exchanging manner.

<FIG> is a graph showing a deformation according to a change in torque load. <FIG> is a graph showing a strain according to a change in torque load.

On the other hand, as shown in <FIG>, structural analysis was performed using a CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) program on the deformation and the strain of the inner pipe <NUM> according to a change in torque load.

As an example, the structural analysis was performed on the deformation and the strain using the CAE program while varying the torque load for the shaft <NUM> provided with the above-described reinforcing portion <NUM> on the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>.

As a comparative example, the structural analysis was performed on the deformation and the strain using the CAE program while varying the torque load for the shaft <NUM> not provided with the reinforcing portion <NUM> on the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the torque load was in the range of <NUM> kgf·cm to <NUM> kgf-cm, the deformation of the example and the comparative example increased to about <NUM> together. After the torque load exceeded <NUM> kgf-cm, it was confirmed that the deformation of the comparative example in which the reinforcing portion <NUM> was not provided was deformed to a maximum of <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the case of the example in which the reinforcing portion <NUM> was provided on the inner side of the inner pipe <NUM>, when the maximum torque load was <NUM> kgf-cm, the maximum deformation was <NUM>. It was confirmed that the maximum deformation was reduced to about half or less than that of the comparative example.

As shown in <FIG>, even if the torque load was applied up to <NUM> kgf-cm, the shaft <NUM> in the example was deformed by about <NUM>%. In the case of the comparative example, it was confirmed that about <NUM>% of the strain occurred.

As such, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be prevented from being damaged or deformed by twisting due to the rotational operation of the shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a shaft according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the structure of the shaft <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

The shaft <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be he same as the structure of the shaft <NUM> described above, except that a reinforcing portion <NUM> projecting from the inner pipe <NUM> is formed at a lower end of an inner pipe <NUM>.

In detail, the shaft <NUM> may include an upper part <NUM> and a lower part <NUM>. A shaft inlet port <NUM> and a shaft outlet port <NUM> are formed on the outer surface of the upper part <NUM>. A bypass inlet port <NUM> and a bypass outlet port <NUM> may be formed between the shaft inlet port <NUM> and the shaft outlet port <NUM>.

The bypass flow path <NUM> and the filtering flow path <NUM> are formed inside the shaft <NUM>. As the shaft <NUM> rotates, the water inlet portion <NUM> and the water outlet portion <NUM> may be selectively connected to the bypass flow path <NUM> and the filtering flow path <NUM>.

An inner pipe <NUM> connected to a supporter extending portion <NUM> is formed inside the shaft <NUM>. A reinforcing portion <NUM> projecting from the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> may be formed.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM>. The second connecting portion <NUM> may be assembled with the first connecting portion <NUM> of the supporter extending portion <NUM> so that water passing through the filtering flow path <NUM> is guided into the filter <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may extend in a vertical direction along the inner surface of the second connecting portion <NUM>. The upper end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may extend to a position on the same line in the horizontal direction with respect to the upper end of the pipe cutout portion <NUM>. The lower end of the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be positioned on the same line in the horizontal direction with respect to the lower end of the pipe cutout portion <NUM>.

That is, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be formed at the lower end portion of the inner pipe <NUM> at a position corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM>. With this structure, the strength of the second connecting portion <NUM> may be made more robust.

Inclined portions <NUM> may be formed on both sides of the reinforcing portion <NUM> to connect both side ends of the reinforcing portion <NUM> at the inner side of the inner pipe <NUM>. As the inclined portion <NUM> extends in a direction adjacent to the reinforcing portion <NUM>, the inclined portion <NUM> may be inclined in a direction closer to the center of the inner pipe <NUM>.

A round portion 98a may be included at the corner of the reinforcing portion <NUM>. The round portion 98a may prevent the inner pipe <NUM> from being damaged or deformed due to contact during the process of connecting or separating the end portion of the inner pipe <NUM> and the supporter extending portion <NUM>. In addition, there is an advantage in that it is possible to prevent the end of the supporter extending portion <NUM> from being damaged by the end of the inner pipe <NUM>.

A pair of reinforcing portions <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a shaft according to further another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the structure of the shaft <NUM> according to further another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

The shaft <NUM> according to further another embodiment of the present disclosure may be he same as the structure of the shaft <NUM> described above, except that a plurality of reinforcing portions <NUM> projecting from the inner pipe <NUM> are formed at a pair of second connecting portions <NUM>.

The filtering flow path <NUM> may include a shaft water inlet flow path <NUM> and a shaft water outlet flow path <NUM>. The shaft water inlet flow path <NUM> includes a horizontal portion 964a which extends to the center of the shaft <NUM> and a vertical portion 964b which extends from an end portion of the vertical portion 964a in the lower direction.

The vertical portion 964b may be formed by the inner pipe <NUM>. A reinforcing portion <NUM> projecting inward is formed on the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> may extend from the upper end to the lower end on the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM>. The reinforcing portion <NUM> may be provided at a position corresponding to a position where the second connecting portion <NUM> is formed.

A plurality of reinforcing portions <NUM> may be formed to be spaced apart from each other on the inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> on which the second connecting portion <NUM> is formed.

Specifically, a pair of second connecting portions <NUM> are provided inside the inner pipe <NUM>. A plurality of reinforcing portions <NUM> may be formed on an inner surface of the inner pipe <NUM> on which one of the pair of second connecting portions <NUM> is formed. A plurality of reinforcing portions <NUM> may be formed on the inner side of the inner pipe <NUM> on which the other second connection portion <NUM> is formed among the pair of second connecting portions.

With this structure, the strength of the inner pipe <NUM> may be more firmly maintained. The reinforcing portion <NUM> has an advantage of preventing water flowing into the vertical portion 964b from flowing back and moving to the horizontal portion 964a.

In the water purifying apparatus and the refrigerator including the same according to the proposed embodiments, the following effects can be expected.

According to the embodiments, in a case where the filter is separated from the head for replacement or maintenance of the filter, the bypass flow path connects to the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion so that the flow path is capable of being connected without generating leakage.

In addition, the filtering flow path is connected to the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion during the rotation operation for mounting the filter, so that purified water is capable of being supplied. Therefore, it is possible to switch the flow path without additional operation by the rotation operation of mounting and separating the filter, and thus the convenience of use is capable of being further improved.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcing part projecting inward is included on the inner surface of the inner pipe defining a portion of the filtering flow path. The reinforcement part has the advantage of preventing damage or deformation of the shaft by a force pressed from the outside during rotation operation for mounting or separating the filter. In particular, there is an effect of preventing the end portion of the inner pipe of the shaft from being damaged or deformed due to misassembly by a user who is inexperienced in replacing and mounting the filter.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing the reinforcing part on the inner surface of the inner pipe, there is an advantage that water can flow smoothly from the horizontal portion defining the filtering flow path to the vertical portion defined by the inner pipe.

Claim 1:
A water purifying apparatus, comprising:
a filter (<NUM>) configured to purify incoming water and to discharge the purified water;
a head (<NUM>) having a water inlet portion (<NUM>) and a water outlet portion (<NUM>), wherein the filter (<NUM>) is configured to removably coupled to the head (<NUM>); and
a shaft (<NUM>) provided at the head (<NUM>) and rotatably mounted between the water inlet portion (<NUM>) and the water outlet portion (<NUM>), the shaft (<NUM>) defining
(i) a bypass flow path (<NUM>) that directly connects the water inlet portion (<NUM>) to the water outlet portion (<NUM>) and
(ii) a filtering flow path (<NUM>) that provides a connection between the water inlet portion (<NUM>) and the water outlet portion (<NUM>) such that water passes through the filter (<NUM>),
wherein the shaft (<NUM>) comprises an inner pipe (<NUM>) for communicating with the filter (<NUM>), the inner pipe (<NUM>) forms a portion of the filtering flow path (<NUM>), the inner pipe (<NUM>) is provided for being coupled to one end portion of the filter (<NUM>), and
characterized in that the shaft (<NUM>) further comprises:
a reinforcing portion (<NUM>) projecting from an inner surface of the inner pipe (<NUM>) and extending upward from a lower end of the inner pipe (<NUM>).