REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, which comprises: a main body having a storage compartment therein; and a door connected to the main body and opening/closing the storage compartment, wherein the door includes: an outer case defining an external appearance of the door; a door liner combined with the outer case; an insulation material filled between the outer case and the door liner; and a holder supporting both a receptacle connected with a cable for controlling an ice maker and a water supply cock for making ice, the holder disposed between the outer case and the door liner, wherein the holder is fixed to the outer case.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0129259 (Dec. 22, 2009), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment relates to a refrigerator.

Generally, a refrigerator is home appliances that stores food in a low temperature state by a low-temperature air.

Currently, there has been increasing a demand for a bottom freezer type refrigerator whose refrigerating compartment is provided at an upper side and freezing compartment is provided at a lower side. In the case of the bottom freezer type refrigerator, an ice making device that makes ice and a water dispenser that can take out drinking water may be provided at a door. When the door of a refrigerator is equipped with the ice making device and the water dispenser, water supply hoses connected to the ice making device and the water dispenser expand inside the door.

In detail, in the structure with the ice making device in the door, in addition to the water supply hose, the door is equipped with built-in control unit and a driving motor for controlling the operation of the ice maker and cables for, and cables for transmitting electric current and operational signals to the control unit and the driving motor. In this configuration, a holder is required to support the connecting terminal, such as a receptacle, formed at the end of the cable connected to the ice maker, and keep their positions while filling the door with an insulator.

In the related art, the holder was simply attached to the rear side of the outer case forming the front external appearance of the door, by a bonding member. Therefore, there was a problem that the position of the holder changed on the outer case in manufacturing the door, particularly filling the insulator.

Further, it has been tried to, not filling polyurethane foam, but installing a specific insulator, such as vacuum insulation panel, in the door, in order to achieve a slim door that is equipped with an ice making compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the above technical requirements and it is an object to provide a refrigerator that has a slim door equipped with an ice making compartment and a holder stably fixed to the inside of the door.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, a refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a main body having a storage compartment therein; and a door connected to the main body and opening/closing the storage compartment, wherein the door includes: an outer case defining an external appearance of the door; a door liner combined with the outer case; an insulation material filled between the outer case and the door liner; and a holder supporting both a receptacle connected with a cable for controlling an ice maker and a water supply cock for making ice, the holder disposed between the outer case and the door liner, wherein the holder is fixed to the outer case.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator comprises: a main body; a door including an outer case and a door liner combined with the outer case, the door rotatably connected to the main body; an ice making compartment provided to the door liner and accommodating an ice maker; a water supply cock supplying water to the ice maker; a receptacle connected to an end of a cable for transmitting electric current and/or operational signal to the ice maker; a holder supporting both the water supply cock and the receptacle between the door liner and the outer case; and a insulation plate interposed between the outer case and the holder.

According to a refrigerator having the above configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible not to fill polyurethane foam, but to mount a specific insulation panel inside a door.

Further, it is possible to stably fix a holder supporting the end of a water supply hose and the end of a cable for operating and controlling an ice maker, in side the door, even if a specific insulation panel is mounted.

Further, it is possible to improve productivity by simplifying the assembly process, as compared with the related art in which a receptacle connected to the end of the cable should be fixed to the holder by a specific bracket and the holder should be bonded to the rear of the door of the refrigerator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the door of the refrigerating compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front of a holder according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the bottom of an upper panel attached to the upper side of the door of a refrigerating compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between the holder and the upper panel, taken along the line I-I of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between a holder and an upper panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the structure of a refrigerator according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 11 that includes a refrigerating compartment 111 and a freezing compartment therein, a refrigerating compartment door 12 opening/closing the refrigerating compartment 111 and a freezing compartment door 13 opening/closing the freezing compartment, which are rotatably connected to the front edge of the main body 11.

In detail, the freezing compartment may be formed as a single space under the refrigerating compartment 111 and may be divided into a plurality of spaces by specific partitions for products.

Though not shown, a storage box capable of being drawn forward may be provided in the freezing compartment. A drawer is further provided in the freezing compartment and includes a door selectively blocking the front opening of the freezing compartment, a door frame extending backward from the rear of the door, and a rail connected to the storage box seated on the door frame and the door frame for the door to slide forward/backward.

Further, the freezing compartment may be divided into a plurality of spaces in the up-down direction or the left-right direction by specific partitions. The figures show when the freezing compartment is divided in the up-down direction and each space is blocked by the door 13. Further, any one of the spaces divided by the partitions in the freezing compartment may be used as a convertible compartment. Accordingly, the door 13 opening/closing the freezing compartment 13 may have a convertible compartment door and a freezing compartment door.

A plurality of shelves and baskets may be provided in the refrigerating compartment. The front opening of the refrigerating compartment 111, as shown in the figure, can be opened/closed by a pair of refrigerating doors 12. The pair of refrigerating doors 12 can be rotatably connected to the left and right edges of the main body 11.

Further, an ice making compartment 20 for making ice may be provided on the rear of the refrigerating compartment door 12 and one or more door baskets 15 may be attached to the outer surface of the ice making compartment 20. A cooling air inlet 123 and a cooling air outlet 124 may be formed in the side of the ice making compartment 20, that is, the side contacting with the inside of the refrigerating compartment 111. Further, a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet are at the side of the refrigerating compartment 111 where the cooling air inlet 123 and the cooling air outlet 124 are in contact when the refrigerating compartment door 12 is closed. Furthermore, a cooling air supply duct and a cooling air return duct which are connected with an evaporation compartment (not shown) may be formed in the side of the refrigerating compartment 111.

Further, one or more door baskets 16 may be provided to the rear of the refrigerating door 12, corresponding to the bottom of the ice making compartment 20. A water storage unit 30 having a predetermined size may be provided on the rear of the lower end portion of the refrigerating compartment door 12.

Meanwhile, a dispenser (not shown) may be formed on the front of the refrigerating compartment door 12, in particular, the front of the refrigerating compartment door 12 where the ice making compartment 20 is formed, in order to take out drinking water and ice. Further, a water supply hose (41 in FIG. 2) extends from the rear of the main body 11 into the refrigerating compartment door 12 through a hinge connecting the refrigerating compartment door 12 with the main body 11. Furthermore, the water supply hose 41 extending into the refrigerating compartment door 12 branches off to an ice maker (not shown) provided in the ice making compartment 20 and a water-taking opening of the dispenser, across the water storage unit 30.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigerating compartment door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the refrigerating compartment door 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outer case formed of a metal plate to form the front external appearance, a door liner 122 attached to the rear of the outer case 121, and a polyurethane foam insulator (not shown) filled between the outer case 121 and the door liner 122.

In detail, a filler 16 may be attached to the side of the door liner 122, in detail, the side corresponding to the surfaces facing each other when the pair of refrigerating compartment doors are closed. The filler 16 is in closed contact with a side of the door liner 122 when the refrigerating compartment door 12 is open, as shown in the figures. On the contrary, when the refrigerating compartment door 12 is closed, the filler rotates at 90° to block the interface with the refrigerating compartment door such that the cooling air is prevented from leaking through the interface between the refrigerating compartment doors.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, the water storage unit 30 is positioned under the door liner 122, and a tank housing 123 accommodating a water tank (not shown) and a valve (not shown) is formed under the door liner 122.

In detail, the outer case 121 is formed of a metal plate and has a plastic upper panel 126 on the upper end. A hinge is fastened to the upper edge of the outer case 121 and the inside of the hinge is empty. The water supply hose 41 extends along the rear of the outer case 12 through the hinge, as shown in the figure. The end of the water supply hose 41 is connected to the water tank (not shown) in the tank housing, through the tank housing 123 of the door liner 122, at the lower end of the outer case 121. In the figure, the region A is where the tank housing 123 of the door liner 122 is disposed. An ice maker hose 44 and a dispenser hose 43 that extend from the outlet of a diverging valve (not shown) disposed in the tank housing 123 extend upward along the rear of the outer case 121. The end of the hose connected to the water outlet of the water tank is connected to the inlet of the diverging valve.

Meanwhile, a holder 50 supporting a receptacle R connected to a substrate for controlling the ice maker and a water supply cock 441 through which water is supplied to the ice maker are disposed at the upper portion of the rear of the outer case 121. Further, the holder 50 is fixed to the upper panel 126 a specific insulation panel 80, such as a vacuum insulation panel, may be attached to the rear of the outer case 121 corresponding to the front of the ice making compartment 20. In detail, the vacuum insulation panel is formed by combining a plurality of thin metal plate with a vacuum space therein. The vacuum space is maintained in a substantially vacuum state, under 0.0001 atmospheric pressure. An absorbent, such as silica gel, may be provided in the vacuum space to remove moisture that may be created in the vacuum space by changes in temperature etc. Unlikely, the vacuum insulation panel may include a core formed by pressing glass fiber and a seal cover covering the core. Structures known in the art can be used for the vacuum insulation panel and the detailed description is not provided. The vacuum insulation panel has a larger insulation performance per unit thickness than the insulation foam. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the same insulation performance as the insulation foam, even if using a vacuum insulation panel thinner than the insulation foam. Since a vacuum insulation panel 80 is provided for the refrigerating compartment door of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the refrigerating compartment door 12 can be reduced.

Further, the insulation panel 80 is interposed between the outer case 121 and the holder 50. A dispenser housing 70 depressed to accommodate a vessel for taking out drinking water and ice may be attached to the rear of the outer case 121. An ice suit 71 that guides ice made in the ice making compartment 20 to be discharged outside the refrigerating compartment door 12 may be mounted on the upper end of the dispenser housing 70. A water cock for taking out water is formed at the front of the ice suit 71.

In the refrigerator having the above structure, the dispenser hose 43 extends upward to the water cock and the ice maker hose 44 extends further upward than the dispenser hose 43 to the water supply cock 441.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front of the holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the holder 50 may be formed by injection-molding plastic and has a PCB seat 511 where a control substrate controlling the operation of the ice maker, a holder body 51 provided with a water supply cock guide covering the upper surface of the water supply cock 441 to protect it, and a fastening arm 52 extending from the upper surface of the holder body 51.

In detail, a receptacle hole 512 is formed at the upper portion of the PCB seat 511 and a receptacle (not shown) connected to the end of a group of a plurality of cables extending from a main control unit of the main body 11 of the refrigerator is inserted in the receptacle hole 512. The receptacle is connected with a connector extending from the substrate seated on the PCB seat 511. The water supply cock 441 that is made of metal and rounded is connected to the end of the ice maker hose 44, protruding forward from the backward of the holder 50. The water supply cock guide 513 is rounded, taking the shape of the water supply cock 441. A heater is attached to the outer circumference of the water supply cock 491 to prevent freezing inside the water supply cock 441.

On the other hand, a fastening hole 521 is formed through the upper surface of the fastening arm 52 and at least one temporary connecting protrusion 522 may be formed around the fastening hole 521. A fastening member that passes through the outer case 121 of the refrigerating compartment door 12 is inserted in the fastening hole 521. A preliminary fastening protrusion of the outer case 121 is inserted in the preliminary fastening hole 522 and this is described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the bottom of an upper panel attached to the upper side of the door of a refrigerating compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The upper panel 126, as described above, is mounted on the upper end of the outer case 121. In detail, fastening holes 126a corresponding to the number of fastening arms 52 may be formed in the upper panel 126. Further, at least one or more preliminary fastening protrusions 126b protrude from the bottom of the upper panel 126 spaced from the fastening holes 126a.

By inserting the preliminary fastening protrusions 126b in the preliminary fastening holes 522, it is easy to arrange the fastening holes 521 and 126a in assembling the holder 50.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between the holder and the upper panel, taken along the line I-I of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fastening arm 52 of the holder 50 is in close contact to the bottom of the upper panel 126. Accordingly, the fastening holes 521 of the fastening arm 52 meet the fastening holes 126a of the upper panel 126. Fastening members, such as screws, are sequentially inserted into the fastening holes 126a and 152. The holder 50 is firmly fixed to the upper panel 126 of the outer case 121 by the above assemblage. The holder 50 is fixed apart from the outer case 121. The insulation panel 80 is disposed in the space between the holder and the outer case. The insulation panel 80 can be firmly fixed to the rear of the outer case 121 by a bonding member. Further, as described above, the insulation panel 80 may be formed to have a size corresponding to that f the ice making compartment 20. By interposing the insulation panel 80, heat exchange between the ice making compartment 20 and the air outside the refrigerator is prevented, such that it is possible to prevent the internal temperature of the ice making compartment 20 from increasing. Further, since a vacuum insulation panel 80 is used as the insulation panel 80, it is possible to achieve heat insulation effect at least the same as or more than when insulation foam is filled in the related art. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to fill the portion where the insulation panel 80 is attached with specific insulation foam, the distance from the front of the refrigerating compartment door 12 to the rear of the ice making compartment, that the thickness of the refrigerating compartment door 12 around the ice making compartment is reduced.

After the insulation panel 80 is attached to the rear of the outer case 121 and the holder 50 is fixed to the upper panel 126 from the backward of the insulation panel 80, as described above, the door liner 122 is combined. Further, insulation foam is filled in the space between the door liner 122 and the outer case 121. Since the holder 50 is fixed to the upper panel 126, it is possible to prevent the holder 50 from being moved by injection speed of the insulation panel in filling the insulation foam.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between a holder and an upper panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, specific fasteners, such as screws, are not necessary to fix the holder 50 to the upper panel 126.

In detail, fastening hooks 523, instead of the fastening holes, may protrude from the upper surface of the fastening arm 52 of the holder 50. Further, the fastening hooks 523 may be injection-molded integrally with the holder 50 to have a predetermined elastic force.

According to this configuration, the fastening hooks 523 pass through the fastening holes 126a of the upper panel 126 by closely contacting the fastening arm 52 of the holder 50 to the bottom of the upper panel 126. Further, since the fastening hooks 523 have elasticity, they contacts while passing through the fastening holes 126a and then return to the initial shape after completely passing through the fastening holes 126a. Therefore, it is possible to firmly fix the holder 50 to the bottom of the upper panel 126.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a main body having a storage compartment therein; and

a door connected to the main body and opening/closing the storage compartment,

wherein the door includes:

an outer case defining an external appearance of the door;

a door liner combined with the outer case;

an insulation material filled between the outer case and the door liner; and

a holder supporting both a receptacle connected with a cable for controlling an ice maker and a water supply cock for making ice, the holder disposed between the outer case and the door liner,

wherein the holder is fixed to the outer case.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an upper panel mounted on an upper end portion of the outer case,

wherein the holder is fixed to the upper panel.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an ice making compartment defined in the door liner,

wherein the water supply cock is exposed in the ice making compartment through the holder and the door liner.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the holder includes:

a holder body comprising: a hole where the receptacle is inserted; and a guide covering the water supply cock; and

a fastening arm extending from the holder body,

wherein the fastening arm is fixed to the upper panel.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the holder is fixed to the upper panel by inserting a fastening member into the fastening arm through the upper panel.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the holder is fixed to the upper panel by inserting a fastening hook protruding from an upper end of the fastening arm into the fastening hole of the upper panel.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein at least one preliminary fastening protrusion protrudes from any one of the upper surface of the fastening arm and the upper panel, and a preliminary fastening hole where the preliminary fastening protrusion is inserted is formed in the other one of the upper surface of the fastening arm and the upper panel.

8. A refrigerator comprising:

a main body;

a door including an outer case and a door liner combined with the outer case., the door rotatably connected to the main body;

an ice making compartment provided to the door liner and accommodating an ice maker;

a water supply cock supplying water to the ice maker;

a receptacle connected to an end of a cable for transmitting electric current and/or operational signal to the ice maker;

a holder supporting both the water supply cock and the receptacle between the door liner and the outer case; and

a insulation plate interposed between the outer case and the holder.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the insulation panel includes a vacuum insulation panel.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the insulation panel is disposed to a position corresponding to the ice making compartment and has a size corresponding to the ice making compartment.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the holder is fixed to the outer case at a predetermined distance from the insulation panel.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising a heater disposed around an outer circumference of the water supply cock.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising an insulation foam filled between the outer case and the door liner.