Abstract: A filter housing assembly for refrigerators is disclosed. The assembly comprises an upper filter housing, a lower filter housing, a valve, and a passage control lever. The upper filter housing has an inlet, an outlet, an inflow passage and an outflow passage. The lower filter passage is detachably combined with the upper filter housing and holds a filter element for purifying water supplied through the inflow passage of the upper filter housing. The valve has a first passage hole, a second passage hole and a third passage hole so as to selectively connect the inlet to the outlet, and the inlet and the outlet respectively to the first inflow passage and the first outflow passage. The passage control lever is fixedly connected at its one end to the valve so as to rotate the valve for the selective connection of the valve.

Abstract: A method for controlling the purified water passage of a refrigerator with a water purifying filter is disclosed. The refrigerator has a first valve for controlling water supply to the water purifying filter and a second valve for controlling water supply to a dispenser and an ice-making unit. The method comprises the following steps. A first step is determining whether the dispenser and the ice-making unit are operated. A second step is opening the first and second valves if the dispenser and the ice-making unit are operated. A third step is determining whether a refrigerator compartment door and a freezer compartment door are closed if one of the dispenser and the ice-making unit is operated. A fourth step is closing the first and second valves if at least one of the refrigerator compartment door and the freezer compartment door is opened. A fifth step is closing the first and second valves if the dispenser and the ice-making unit are not operated.