Refrigerator equipped with a carbonated water fabricating unit

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator equipped with a carbonated water fabricating unit; and, more particularly, to a refrigerator having a carbonated water fabricating unit capable of fabricating a carbonated water in a variety of vessels, e.g., a glass cup or a polyethylene terephthalate, as well as a vessel for exclusive use in fabricating the carbonated water.

[0002] In general, a carbonated water fabricating unit for use in a refrigerator includes a vessel for exclusive use in fabrication the carbonated water(hereinafter, simply referred to as an exclusive vessel or an exclusive cup) and a gas injection nozzle provided with a sealing member for sealing an entrance side of the vessel. In the refrigerator having such a carbonated water fabricating unit, a carbonated water is fabricated by sealing the vessel accommodating therein water via the sealing member and injecting the carbon dioxide into the water of the vessel at a predetermined pressure level ranging from 1 to 10 atmosphere through the gas injection nozzle to be dissolved therein.

[0003] However, in the conventional refrigerator having the carbonated water fabricating unit described above, the exclusive vessel is only used to fabricate the carbonated water. For this reason, an area for receiving the exclusive vessel formed at the refrigerator has a specific vertical position.

[0004] Therefore, the conventional refrigerator has drawbacks in that other vessels, e.g., a general cup or a polyethylene terephthalate, having a height more than that of the exclusive vessel cannot be used.

[0005] The WO 03/098136 A discloses a refrigerator showing the features of the preambles of independent claims 1 and 5. In particular, the refrigerator comprises a water tank containing water to be dispensed into a water vessel disposed in the dispenser unit. The water inside the water tank is carbonated via a connection to a cylinder which contains the carbonating gas. Thus, carbonated water might readily be dispensed from the water tank into the water vessel.

[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator equipped with a carbonated water fabricating unit capable of allowing a user to readily fabricate a carbonated water by an exclusive vessel as well as a general cup, a polyethylene terephthalate or the like.

[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator according to claim 1.

[0008] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator according to claim 5.

[0009] The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration of a refrigerator having a carbonated water fabricating unit in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 sets forth a partial configuration of a height adjusting mechanism of the carbonated water fabricating unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a partial cross sectional view of a structure of the support plate portion of the carbonated water fabricating unit shown in Fig. 1 whose height can be adjusted;

Fig. 4 provides an enlarged cross sectional view of a assembling structure of a guide member for preventing a rotation of a tubular member of the carbonated water fabricating unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a partial cross sectional view describing a case where a carbonated water is fabricated in a vessel having a height more than that of an exclusive vessel; and

Fig. 6 offers a schematic cross sectional view of a carbonated water fabricating unit in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 provides a partial cross sectional view (taken along the line A-A in Fig. 6) of the carbonated water fabricating unit shown in Fig. 6.

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, parts identical to those described in the prior art will be assigned like reference characters, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows a refrigerator having a dispenser unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A dispenser unit 1 is provided with a water supplying nozzle 3 through which water supplied from a water tank 2 and a carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 connected to a pressurized carbon dioxide container 4. A pair of valves 7 are respectively provided at a pair of pipes which connect the water tank 2 to the water supplying nozzle 3 and the pressurized carbon dioxide container 4 and the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5, respectively.

[0012] The carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 serves to supply a carbon dioxide from the pressurized carbon dioxide container 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 is provided with a nozzle 15 and a cover 6 disposed at an upper side of the nozzle 15, the cover 6 having an arc cross section. A tubular member 8 for transferring the carbon dioxide has one end connected to an upper portion of the nozzle 15 and is extended into a door disposed at an upper side of the dispenser unit 1.

[0013] A holder 9 is fixed at the tubular member 8 and screw-coupled to a screw 10 driven by a motor 16 capable of rotating forwardly and backwardly. Accordingly, if the screw 10 is rotated in a screwing direction by a rotation of the motor 16, the holder 9, the tubular member 8 and the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 are moved downwardly. On the other hand, if the screw 10 is rotated in an unscrewing direction, the holder 9, the tubular member 8 and the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 are moved upwardly.

[0014] Reference numeral 11 designates a guide member. The carbon dioxide is supplied from the pressurized carbon dioxide container 4 to an upper portion of the tubular member 8 via a flexible hose although it is not shown in the drawing.

[0015] The cover 6 has at an upper part a curved metal plate and at a lower part a resilient sealing material attached to the metal plate, e.g., a rubber, a silicon, a urethane foam or the like. When the tubular member 8 is moved downwardly, the cover 6 can airtightly seal an entrance side of a vessel 14, e.g., a cup, shown in Fig. 2.

[0016] Further, a pressure valve 20 is provided at the cover 6 and the carbon dioxide is injected into a cup or a vessel at an atmospheric' pressure ranging from 1 to 10. Since, however, a breakdown of the cup or the vessel may be generated at an atmospheric pressure ranging from about 7 to 10, it is preferred to reduce the pressure inside the vessel 14 by opening the pressure valve 20.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, a prop 21 on which the vessel 14 is put is installed at a bottom of the dispenser unit 1 under the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5, the prop 21 being rotatably installed at a hinge 22. A blind opening 24 (second area) is formed under the prop 21, and a support plate 26 for supporting a vessel, e.g., polyethylene terephtalate, having a larger height than that of the common cup is provided at the blind opening 24, the support plate 26 being capable of elastically moving downward by a resilient member, e.g., a spring, 25. A pair of grooves 12 are vertically formed on both sides of the blind opening 24 and a pair of protrusions 13 are respectively formed on an outer side of the support plate 26. The protrusions 13 are inserted into the grooves 12, thereby allowing the support plate 26 not to rotate but to move only vertically.

[0018] Conventionally, a vertical space (first area) from the bottom of the dispenser unit to the nozzle is just enough to accommodate a cup but a vessel having a height more than the height from the bottom of the dispenser unit to the nozzle cannot be used. Meanwhile, since the support plate 26 in accordance with the present invention is provided under the prop 21 in such a manner as to move downward, a gas injecting process can be performed via the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 while a lower portion of the vessel is inserted into the blind opening 24 under the bottom of the dispenser unit 1.

[0019] In the refrigerator in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user can directly fabricate a carbonated water by injecting the carbon dioxide into the water in the vessel on the dispenser unit 1.

[0020] Accordingly, in case of using the exclusive cup or the vessel of the size equal thereto, a user fills the cup with water via the water supplying nozzle 3 and put it on the prop 21 under the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5. Thereafter, the screw 10 is driven by the rotation of the motor 16 to allow the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 to move downwardly as shown in Fig. 2 while a general switch or lever provided at the dispenser unit 1 is operated. At this time, the carbon dioxide of an atmospheric pressure ranging from 1 to 10 is injected into the water of the cup via one end of the nozzle 15 immerged in the water of the cup and dissolved therein while the entrance side of the cup is airtightly sealed by the lower side of the sealing material of the cover 6, thereby fabricating a carbonated water.

[0021] Further, in case of using a large vessel, e.g., the polyethylene terephtalate having a 1.5 litter volume, a specific amount of water is filled into the vessel via the water supplying nozzle 3 and the vessel is put on the support plate 26 after pivotally rotating the prop 21 under the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5. The switch is turned on to allow the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 to move downwardly as described above while the lower portion of the vessel is inserted into the blind opening 24 by slightly pushing the vessel put on the support plate 26. Then, as shown in Fig. 5, the pressurized carbon dioxide is injected into the water via one end of the nozzle 15 immerged in the water of the cup to be dissolved therein, thereby fabricating a carbonated water.

[0022] Fig. 6 shows a structure of a height adjusting mechanism of the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tubular member 8 is connected to a horizontal support member 31 and supported thereon. Both ends of the horizontal support member 31 are vertically, movably supported at guide grooves 33 of vertical support members 32 provided at both sides of the dispenser unit 1. A screw 35 is extended parallel to the vertical support member 32 and is screw-coupled thereto through one end portion of the horizontal support member 31, wherein the screw 35 is rotated by a motor 34 capable of rotating forwardly and backwardly, the motor 34 being installed on one of the vertical support members 32. If the screw 35 is rotated in a screwing direction by the rotation of the motor 34, the horizontal support member 31, the tubular member 8 and the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 are moved upwardly. On the other hand, if the screw 35 is rotated in an unscrewing direction, the horizontal support member 31, the tubular member 8 and the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 are moved downwardly. Due to such operation, the height of the nozzle 15 can be adjusted.

[0023] The motor 34 is driven while a user is pushing the switch (not shown), but a pressure, at which the cover 6 seals an entrance side of a vessel, needs to be checked with a pressure sensor provided at the cover 6, thereby preventing damages on the vessel. Further, when the pressurized carbon dioxide is injected at an atmospheric pressure ranging from 1 to 10, the airtightly sealed state needs to be maintained in order that the carbon dioxide is not leaked. For the reason, the height of the carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion 5 is controlled by a micro processor for controlling other units of a refrigerator in response to a signal of the pressure sensor.

[0024] As described above, since a user can fabricate a carbonated water in a vessel having a height more than that of an exclusive cup as well as the exclusive cup at the dispenser unit of the refrigerator, cost caused by providing the conventional complex carbonated water fabricating unit is considerably reduced, thereby readily and inexpensively applying the present invention to the refrigerator. Further, since a restriction of the available vessel size is relieved, user facilitation and product value of the refrigerator can be increased.

[0025] While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator equipped with a carbonated water fabricating unit capable of allowing a user to readily fabricate a carbonated water, comprising:

a mounting area 9 water with a support plate (26) for supporting vessel (14); and

a dispenser unit (1) for carbonizing water
characterized in that

the dispenser unit (1) is adapted to carbonize the water in the water vessel (14); and

the mounting area has a changeable vertical distance, whereby the support plate (26) can move downward to accommodate water vessels of different heights.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the mounting area has a vertical space (first area) with a specific height and a blind opening (second area) (24) of a predetermined height formed under the vertical space (first area), the blind opening (second area) (24) being selectively opened to communicate with the vertical space (first area).

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, further comprising a prop (21), provided between the vertical space (first area) and the blind opening (second area) (24), for mounting thereon the water vessel (14), wherein when another water vessel having a height more than that of the vertical space (first area) is loaded into the mounting area, the prop (21) is pivotally rotated to communicate the vertical space (first area) with the blind opening (second area) (24).

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising a resilient member (25), accommodated in the blind opening (second area) (24), for resiliently supporting said another water vessel.

5. A refrigerator equipped with a carbonated water fabricating unit capable of allowing a user to readily fabricate a carbonated water, comprising:

a dispenser unit (1); and

a carbon dioxide supplying nozzle portion (5), provided at the dispenser unit (1), for supplying a pressurized carbon dioxide;
characterized by further comprising

a driving unit (16) capable of adjusting a height of the nozzle portion (5);

wherein the nozzle portion (5) has a nozzle (15) for injecting the carbon dioxide into the water in a water vessel (14) and a cover (6) for airtightly sealing an entrance side of the water vessel (14) while the carbon dioxide is injected into the water.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein an upper side of the cover (6) includes a curved metal plate and a resilient sealing material.

7. The refrigerator of claim 5 or 6, further comprising a height adjusting mechanism (9, 10) for controlling a height of the nozzle portion (5), wherein the height adjusting mechanism (9, 10) includes a supporting member, connected to an upper portion (8) of the nozzle portion (5), for supporting the nozzle portion (5), a holder (9) for holding the supporting member and a screw (10) rotated forwardly and backwardly by the driving unit (16), the screw (10) is screw-coupled to the holder (9).

8. The refrigerator of claim 5 or 6, further comprising:

a blind opening second area (24) provided under the bottom of the second area dispenser unit (1);

a prop (21), provided on the bottom of the dispenser unit (1), for supporting the water vessel;

a support plate (26) for supporting another vessel having a height more than that of the vessel (14) while the prop (21) is selectively opened; and

a resilient member (25) provided at the bottom of the blind opening second area (24);

wherein the prop (21) is rotatably installed at a hinge (22) and the support plate (26) resiliently supports said another vessel by the resilient member (25).

9. The refrigerator of claim 5 or 6, further comprising:

a supporting member for supporting the nozzle portion (5) ;

a horizontal support member (31) connected to the supporting member;

vertical support members (32) provided at both sides of the dispenser unit (1);

guide grooves (33) provided at one of the vertical support members (32); and

a screw (35) rotated forwardly and backwardly,

wherein both ends of the horizontal support member (31) are vertically, movably supported at the guide grooves (33); the screw (35) is extended parallel to the vertical support members (32) and is screw-coupled to the horizontal support member (31) through one end portion of the horizontal support member.

Ansprüche

1. Kühlschrank, der mit einer Herstellungseinheit für kohlensäurehaltiges Wasser ausgestattet ist, die es einem Benutzer ermöglicht, kohlensäurehaltiges Wasser leicht herzustellen, mit:

einem Halterungsbereich mit einer Trägerplatte (26) zum Tragen eines Wassergefäßes (14); und

einer Spendereinheit (1) für kohlensäurehaltiges Wasser,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

die Spendereinheit (1) ausgestaltet ist, das Wasser im Wassergefäß (14) mit Kohlensäure zu versehen; und

der Halterungsbereich eine änderbare vertikale Distanz hat, wobei die Trägerplatte (26) sich nach unten bewegen kann, um Wassergefäße unterschiedlicher Höhen aufzunehmen.

2. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der Halterungsbereich einen vertikalen Freiraum (erster Bereich) mit einer speziellen Höhe und eine Blindöffnung (zweiter Bereich) (24) einer vorbestimmten Höhe umfasst, die unter dem vertikalen Freiraum (erster Bereich) ausgebildet ist, wobei die Blindöffnung (zweiter Bereich) (24) selektiv geöffnet wird, um mit dem vertikalen Freiraum (erster Bereich) zu kommunizieren.

3. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 2, der ferner eine Stütze (21) umfasst, die zwischen dem vertikalen Freiraum (erster Bereich) und der Blindöffnung (zweiter Bereich) (24) vorgesehen ist, zum dortigen Anordnen des Wassergefäßes (14), wobei, falls ein anderes Wassergefäß mit einer Höhe, die größer als die des vertikalen Freiraums (erster Bereich) ist, in den Halterungsbereich geladen wird, die Stütze (21) geschwenkt wird, damit der vertikale Freiraum (erster Bereich) mit der Blindöffnung (zweiter Bereich) (24) kommuniziert.

4. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 3, der ein nachgiebiges-Element (25) umfasst, das in dem vertikalen Freiraum (zweiter Bereich) (24) aufgenommen ist, zum nachgiebigen Tragen dieses anderen Wassergefäßes.

5. Kühlschrank, der mit einer Herstellungseinheit für kohlensäurehaltiges Wasser ausgestattet ist, die es einem Benutzer ermöglicht, kohlensäurehaltiges Wasser leicht herzustellen, mit:

einer Spendereinheit (1); und

einem Kohlendioxidzufuhrdüsenabschnitt (5), der an der Spendereinheit (1) vorgesehen ist, zum Zuführen von unter Druck stehendem Kohlendioxid,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er ferner folgendes umfasst:

eine Antriebseinheit (16), die eine Höhe des Düsenabschnitts (5) einstellen kann,

wobei der Düsenabschnitt (5) eine Düse (15) zum Einspritzen des Kohlendioxids in das Wasser in einem Wassergefäß (14) und eine Abdeckung (6) zum luftdichten Verschließen einer Eingangsseite des Wassergefäßes (14) umfasst, während das Kohlendioxid in das Wasser eingespritzt wird.

6. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 5, bei dem eine Oberseite der Abdeckung (6) eine gebogene Metallplatte und ein nachgiebiges Dichtmaterial umfasst.

7. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, der ferner einen Höhenstellmechanismus (9, 10) zum Steuern einer Höhe des Düsenabschnitts (15) umfasst, wobei der Höhenstellmechanismus (9, 10) ein Tragelement, das mit einem oberen Abschnitt (8) des Düsenabschnitts (5) verbunden ist, zum Tragen des Düsenabschnitts (5), eine Halterung (9) zum Halten des Trägerelements und eine Schraube (10) umfasst, die durch die Antriebseinheit vorwärts und rückwärts gedreht wird, wobei die Schraube (10) mit der Halterung (9) schraubgekoppelt ist.

8. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, der ferner folgendes umfasst:

eine Blindöffnung (zweiter Bereich) (24), die unter dem Boden der Spendereinheit (1) vorgesehen ist;

eine Stütze (21), die auf dem Boden der Spendereinheit (1) vorgesehen ist, zum Tragen des Wassergefäßes;

eine Trägerplatte (26) zum Tragen eines weiteren Gefäßes, mit einer Höhe, die größer ist als die des Gefäßes (14), während die Stütze (21) selektiv geöffnet ist;

ein nachgiebiges Element (25), das am Boden der Blindöffnung (zweiter Bereich) (24) vorgesehen ist;

wobei die Stütze (21) drehbar an einem Gelenk (22) angebracht ist, und die Trägerplatte (26) dieses andere Gefäß durch das nachgiebige Element (25) nachgiebig trägt.

9. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, der ferner folgendes umfasst:

ein Trägerelement zum Tragen des Düsenabschnitts (5);

ein horizontales Trägerelement (31), das mit dem Trägerelement verbunden ist;

vertikale Trägerelemente (32), die an beiden Seiten der Spendereinheit (1) vorgesehen sind;

Führungsrillen (32), die an einem der Trägerelemente (32) vorgesehen sind; und

eine Schraube (35), die vorwärts und rückwärts gedreht wird,

wobei beide Enden des horizontalen Trägerelements (31) vertikal bewegbar an den Führungsrillen (33) getragen sind; die Schraube (35) parallel zu den vertikalen Trägerelementen (32) verlängert und mit dem horizontalen Trägerelement (31) durch einen Endabschnitt des horizontalen Trägerelements schraubgekoppelt ist.

Revendications

1. Réfrigérateur équipé d'une unité de fabrication d'eau gazeuse capable de permettre à un utilisateur de fabriquer facilement une eau gazeuse, comprenant :

◆ une zone de montage dotée d'une plaque de support (26) destinée à supporter un récipient d'eau (14) ; et

◆ une unité distributrice (1) pour l'eau gazeuse

caractérisé en ce que

◆ l'unité distributrice (1) est adaptée pour gazéifier l'eau dans le récipient d'eau (14) ; et

◆ la zone de montage présente une distance verticale variable, la plaque de support (26) pouvant se déplacer vers le bas pour loger des récipients d'eau présentant différentes hauteurs.

2. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la zone de montage présente un espace vertical doté d'une hauteur spécifique et une ouverture borgne (24) à une hauteur prédéterminée formée sous l'espace vertical, l'ouverture borgne (24) étant ouverte de manière sélective pour communiquer avec l'espace vertical.

3. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre un étai (21), prévu entre l'espace vertical et l'ouverture borgne (24), destinée à monter dessus le récipient d'eau (14), dans lequel lorsqu'un autre récipient d'eau présentant une hauteur supérieure-à celle de l'espace vertical est chargé à l'intérieur de la zone de montage, l'étai (21) est amené en rotation de manière pivotante pour faire communiquer l'espace vertical avec l'ouverture borgne (24).

4. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 3, comprenant en outre un élément élastique (25), logé dans l'ouverture borgne (24), destiné à supporter de manière élastique ledit autre récipient d'eau.

5. Réfrigérateur équipé d'une unité de fabrication d'eau gazeuse capable de permettre à un utilisateur de fabriquer facilement une eau gazeuse, comprenant :

◆ une unité distributrice (1) ; et

◆ une partie de buse d'alimentation en dioxyde de carbone (5), prévue au niveau de l'unité distributrice (1), destinée à amener du dioxyde de carbone sous pression;

caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre

◆ une unité d'entraînement (16) capable de régler une hauteur de la partie de buse (5) ;

dans lequel la partie de buse (5) présente une buse (15) destinée à injecter le dioxyde de carbone à l'intérieur de l'eau dans un récipient d'eau (14) et un couvercle (6) destiné à sceller de manière étanche à l'air un côté d'entrée du récipient d'eau (14) tandis que le dioxyde de carbone est injecté à l'intérieur de l'eau.

6. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 5, dans lequel un côté supérieur du couvercle (6) comporte une plaque métallique incurvée et un matériau d'étanchéité élastique.

7. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 5 ou 6, comprenant en outre un mécanisme de réglage de la hauteur (9, 10) destiné à commander une hauteur de la partie de buse (5), dans lequel- le mécanisme de réglage de la hauteur (9, 10) comporte un élément de support, raccordé à une partie supérieure (8) de la partie de buse (5), destiné à supporter la partie de buse (5), un support (9) destiné à maintenir l'élément de support et une vis (10) amenée en rotation vers l'avant et vers l'arrière par l'unité d'entraînement (16), la vis (10) est couplée par vis au support (9).

8. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 5 ou 6, comprenant en outre :

◆ une ouverture borgne (seconde zone) (24) prévue sous le fond de l'unité distributrice (1) ;

◆ un étai (21) prévu sur le fond de l'unité distributrice (1), destiné à supporter le récipient d'eau ;

◆ une plaque de support (26) destinée à supporter un autre récipient présentant une hauteur supérieure à celle du récipient (14) tandis que l'étai (21) est ouvert de manière sélective ; et

◆ un élément élastique (25) prévu au fond de l'ouverture borgne (seconde zone) (24) ; et

dans lequel l'étai (21) est installé de manière rotative au niveau d'une articulation (22) et la plaque de support (26) supporte de manière élastique ledit autre récipient grâce à l'élément élastique (25).

9. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 5 ou 6, comprenant en outre :

◆ un élément de support destiné à supporter la partie de buse (5) ;

◆ un élément de support horizontal (31) raccordé à l'élément de support ;

◆ des éléments de support verticaux (32) prévus au niveau des deux côtés de l'unité distributrice (1) ;

◆ des rainures de guidage (33) prévues au niveau d'un des éléments de support verticaux (32) ; et

◆ une vis (35) amenée en rotation vers l'avant et vers l'arrière,

dans lequel les deux extrémités de l'élément de support horizontal (31) sont supportées de manière verticale et mobile au niveau des rainures de guidage (33) ; la vis (35) est étendue parallèlement aux éléments de support verticaux (32) et est couplée par vis à l'élément de support horizontal (31) à travers une partie d'extrémité de l'élément de support horizontal.

Drawing