Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and its manufacturing method, in
particular relates to a domestic or commercial refrigerator provided with fluid delivery
pipes and its manufacturing method.
Background Art
[0002] It's known that the refrigerator is provided with a distributor on the door so that
the user can obtain the water and ice (usually stored in the storage space of the
refrigerator) through the distributor, without opening the door. Ice can be provided
by the ice-making machine inside the storage space (such as freezing compartment),
and water can be obtained from the water tank which is located inside the refrigerating
compartment and stores filtered water.
[0003] As to a typical refrigerator that can distribute ice and water automatically, the
refrigerator is often provided inside with a water system for receiving water from
outer water source (such as main-water tap) and treating water. Such water system
can include a water filter and a switch valve connecting with the outlet end of the
water filter. One of the outlets of the switch valve is connected with the water tank
used to store the filtered water, and water in the water tank flows to the distributor
(often provided on the door) via the outlet of the water tank by at least one water
delivery pipes. Another outlet of the switch valve is used to supply water to the
ice-making machine. At least one water delivery pipe is provided between the water
filter and the switch valve, between the switch valve and the water tank, between
the water tank and the distributor, and between the switch valve and the ice-making
machine, so as to define the flow passage of water.
[0004] Someone proposed to install the water delivery pipes inside the heat-insulating layer
of the refrigerator so as to hide the water delivery pipes and improve the outer appearance
of the refrigerator. However, the water delivery pipes in the prior arts are bonded
with the heat-insulating layer tightly by the foaming process. Because of the tight
connecting relationship between the water delivery pipes and the heat-insulating layer,
the serviceman cannot check/exchange the water delivery pipes without damaging the
heat-insulating layer. When the water delivery pipes fail, the door and/or the case
provided with the water delivery pipes have to be rejected entirely, which increases
the maintenance cost and shortens the service life of the refrigerator.
Disclosure of invention
[0005] One object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above technical
problems, so as to provide a refrigerator that can reduce the maintenance cost of
the fluid delivery pipe greatly.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method of refrigerator,
so as to obtain a refrigerator that can reduce the maintenance cost of the fluid delivery
pipe greatly.
[0007] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator, comprising:
housing defining at least one storage space, said housing including a heat-insulating
layer for surrounding said storage space; and at least one fluid delivery pipe, wherein,
said fluid delivery pipe is at least partly received within said heat-insulating layer,
and at least sometimes extends along said storage space, characterized in that, said
fluid delivery pipe is removably received within said heat-insulating layer.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator, including: storage
space; door for closing or opening at least a portion of said storage space selectively,
said door including heat-insulating layer; and at least one fluid delivery pipe, which
is at least partly received within said heat-insulating layer, characterized in that,
said fluid delivery pipe is removably received within said heat-insulating layer.
[0009] Since the fluid delivery pipe is removable, people (in particular the serviceman)
can examine and repair the fluid delivery pipe without damaging the heat-insulating
layer of the refrigerator. Under the condition that the fluid delivery pipes are damaged,
only the fluid delivery pipes need to be replaced, and the housing of the refrigerator
(such as the entire case and /or the door) do not need to be replaced. Therefore,
the service life of the refrigerator is prolonged greatly.
[0010] Those technical features that are regarded as the characteristic of the present invention
singly or in combination with other features are described in the following claims.
[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, it comprises a separating member for separating
said fluid delivery pipe and said heat-insulating layer. The separating member not
only prevents the contact between the fluid delivery pipe and the heat-insulating
layer, but also protects the fluid delivery pipe better.
[0012] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, said separating member defines
a passage, said fluid delivery pipe extends through the passage and a gap is formed
between said fluid delivery pipe and said passage. This facilitates the installation
and the detachment of the fluid delivery pipe.
[0013] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, said separating member is embedded
within said heat-insulating layer and bonds tightly together with the heat-insulating
layer. Therefore, the position of the fluid delivery pipes can be determined.
[0014] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, said separating member is pipe-shaped,
so that the separating member can be obtained easily and economically.
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, said passage is separated from the heat-insulating
layer in order to protect the material of the heat-insulating layer entering the passage.
It is particularly preferred that both ends of the separating member extend outside
of the heat-insulating layer.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, said housing comprises inner wall and outer
wall that are closely attached to the inner side and the outer side of the heat-insulating
layer respectively, at least a portion of said fluid delivery pipe is provided adjacent
the inner surface of said second wall so as to reduce the influence exerted by the
cooling air (in the storage space) on the fluid delivery pipe, and to reduce or even
eliminate the probability that ice is formed in the fluid delivery pipe. It is particularly
preferred that at least a portion of said fluid delivery pipe contacts said outer
wall.
[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the end of said fluid delivery pipe is located
within a distributor.
[0018] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator, comprising: a
heat-insulating layer for insulating heat; distributor; water filter for filtering
water; and water tank for storing water; wherein, at least one water delivery pipe
is connected between the distributor and the water tank, and at least one water delivery
pipe is connected between the water filter and the water tank, wherein, at least one
of said water delivery pipes are removably installed in said heat-insulating layer.
[0019] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator, comprising: case
defining at least one storage space; door for closing or opening at least a portion
of said storage space selectively; said case body and said door comprising heat-insulating
layer; ice-making machine; and water delivery path for supplying water to said ice-making
machine, wherein, said water delivery path comprising pipe connector for connecting
to water source and several water delivery pipes connected between said pipe connector
and said ice-making machine, characterized in that, at least one of said fluid delivery
pipes is removably arranged within said heat-insulating layer and extends therethrough.
[0020] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a refrigerator,
characterized in that, comprising: a) providing a foaming pre-assembling unit, said
foaming pre-assembling unit including a space adapted to receive heat-insulating foaming
agent, said pre-assembling unit including a separating member at least partly located
within said space, said separating member defining a passage that is separated from
said space; b)filling the heat-insulating foaming agent into said space to form a
heat-insulating layer, said separating member bonding with the heat-insulating layer;
and c) extending the fluid delivery pipe through said passage so as to be received
inside said heat-insulating layer.
[0021] Although the step c) can be carried out before the step b), according to a preferred
embodiment, the step c) is performed after the step b) is finished.
[0022] Preferably, said step a) comprises: fixing said separating member on a wall defining
said space.
[0023] The structure of the present invention and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be easily understood by the description in connection with the attached
drawings.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0024] The attached drawings are a part of the description and facilitate to understand
the present invention. The drawings illustrate the embodiments of the present invention,
and explain the principle of the present invention together with the description.
The drawings include:
Fig.1 is a schematic perspective view of the refrigerator according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.2 is a schematic view of the water system of the refrigerator according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the door of the refrigerator
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.4 is another schematic partial cross-sectional view of the door of the refrigerator
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Embodiments
[0025] In the following description of the preferred embodiments, the same or similar features
have the same reference numerals.
[0026] Refer to the drawings, in particular Fig.1 and Fig.2. Refrigerator 1 includes case
5, which in the present embodiment defines a freezing compartment 3 and a refrigerating
compartment 4 arranged side by side. The refrigerator 1 also includes a freezing compartment
door 6 and a refrigerating compartment door 7 corresponding to the freezing compartment
3 and a refrigerating compartment 4 respectively. The doors 6 and 7 are connected
at sides of the case 5 by hinges 8 respectively, and can rotate around the rotating
axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.
[0027] Under normal condition, the doors 6 and 7 are closed to prevent cold air leaving
the freezing compartment 3 and the refrigerating compartment 4. Here, the inner sides
of the freezing compartment door 6 and the refrigerating compartment door 7 define
the front boundaries of the freezing compartment 3 and the refrigerating compartment
4 respectively. User can open the respective doors 6 and 7 when necessary so as to
perform the operation such as accessing the food in the freezing compartment 3 or
the refrigerating compartment 4. The user can open or close the doors 6 and 7 by the
handles 9.
[0028] The peripheral walls of the case 5 and the walls for partitioning various storage
spaces are provided inside with heat-insulating layers 25. Similarly, the doors 6
and 7 are also provided thereon with heat-insulating layers 25. The heat-insulating
layers 25 are heat-insulating foam layers, preferably are formed of the heat-insulating
foaming agent by foaming. When the doors 6 and 7 are closed, the freezing compartment
3 and the refrigerating compartment 4 are surrounded by the heat-insulating layers
25 around.
[0029] In the present embodiment, the freezing compartment 3 and the refrigerating compartment
4 are arranged side by side, and can be opened or closed by the corresponding doors
6 or 7. However, it is appreciated that the present invention is not limited thereto,
and other embodiments are also possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment,
the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are up-down arranged. In
another embodiment, one storage compartment (such as refrigerating compartment) is
provided with two doors side by side to be opened or closed. In this embodiment, one
door opens or closes only a portion of the storage compartment.
[0030] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the freezing compartment 3 is provided inside with an
ice-making machine 10 and an ice-storing unit 11. The ice-making machine 10 includes
a lattice-like slot for containing water, and water in the slot is formed as ice and
has the shape corresponding to the slot. The ice-storing unit 11 includes an ice-storing
container 12 for receiving and storing the ice prepared by the ice-making machine
10. The ice-storing unit 11 is provided at its front end with a discharge outlet (not
labeled) for discharging ice. The ice-storing unit 11 includes an ice-discharging
means 13 for pushing the ice toward said discharge outlet. In the present embodiment,
the ice-discharging means 13 includes an auger in the ice-storing container 12 and
a motor (not shown) for driving the auger.
[0031] The freezing compartment door 6 is provided thereon with a distributor 19 for automatically
distributing the ice stored in the ice-storing unit 11, so that user can obtain the
ice stored in the ice-storing container 12 without opening the door. It should be
understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment,
the distributor 19 can be installed on the refrigerating compartment door 7 by suitable
arrangement.
[0032] The distributor 19 includes a distributor housing 33 fixed on the freezing compartment
door 6. The distributor housing 33 defines a distributing cavity 24 exposed at the
front surface of the freezing compartment door 6. The distributing cavity 24 is arranged
to adapt to receive at least a portion of the outer container 23 such as a cup.
[0033] The distributor 19 includes an ice-discharging passage 21 penetrating the freezing
compartment door 6. The inlet of the ice-discharging passage 21 is arranged to adapt
to receive the ice discharged from the ice-storing unit 11. The outlet of the ice-discharging
passage 21 is arranged to adapt to discharge ice to the outer container 23. The ice-discharging
passage 21 is typically closed by a cover 22 so as to prevent outer air from entering
the refrigerator 1. When the ice is discharged, the cover 2 opens the ice-discharging
passage 21.
[0034] The refrigerator 1 includes an ice-making water delivery path for supplying water
to the ice-making machine 10. The ice-making water delivery path includes a pipe connector
2 for connecting with outer water source. The pipe connector 2 is preferably located
at the back side of the case 5. In the present embodiment, the water source is the
main-water tap, to which the pipe connector 2 is connected via a pipe (as shown by
dash line in Fig.2) arranged outside.
[0035] The ice-making water delivery path includes water filter 14 to filter the water from
the water source, so as to obtain drinking water. The water filter 14 is located inside
the refrigerating compartment 4. The inlet of the filter 14 is connected with the
pipe connector 2 by a first water delivery pipe 15a. The pipe connector 2 can be formed
by a pipe joint located at the end of the first water delivery pipe 15a. In the present
embodiment, the majority of the first water delivery pipe 15a except its two ends
extends in the back wall of the case 5. The water filter 14 can adopt the known structure,
and its detailed description is omitted here.
[0036] The outlet of the water filter 14 is connected to the switch valve 16 by a second
water delivery pipe 15b. The switch valve 16 is a three-position two-way valve in
the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the second water delivery pipe
15b extends in the back wall of the case 5. The second water delivery pipe 15b extends
generally along the diagonal line of the back wall of the case 5, from the right upper
corner to the left bottom corner of the back wall of the case 5.
[0037] One outlet of the switch valve 16 supplies water to the ice-making machine 10 through
a third water delivery pipe 15c. As a part of the ice-making water delivery path,
the third water delivery pipe 15c also extends longitudinally in the back wall of
the case 5. The third water delivery pipe 15c has a portion that is generally parallel
with the outer surface of the back wall. The end of the third water delivery pipe
15c that is located at the left upper corner of the back wall of the case 5 is connected
with the water inlet 17 by the pipe joint 35, so that the filtered water finally is
supplied to the ice-making machine 10 via the water inlet 17. The water inlet 17 passes
through a hole (not shown) penetrating the back wall of the case 5, and extends into
the freezing compartment 3.
[0038] The refrigerator 1 also includes a water-distributing path for supplying the drinking
water to the distributor 19. The water-distributing path includes a fourth water delivery
pipe 15d connected to another outlet of the switch valve 16. The fourth water delivery
pipe 15d in the present embodiment extends in the bottom walls of the freezing compartment
3 and the refrigerating compartment 4, and has a portion that is generally parallel
to the horizontal surface.
[0039] The water-distributing path also includes a water tank 18 connected to another end
of the fourth water delivery pipe 15d. The water tank 18 is disposed inside the refrigerating
compartment 4 and is used to store the filtered water that can be drunk.
[0040] The water-distributing path also includes a fifth water delivery pipe 15e connected
to the outlet of the water tank 18. The fifth water delivery pipe 15e in the present
embodiment extends in the bottom walls of the freezing compartment 3 and the refrigerating
compartment 4. The end of the fifth water delivery pipe 15e extends to the left bottom
corner of the case 5.
[0041] The fifth water delivery pipe 15e is connected with a sixth water delivery pipe 15f
(situated within the freezing compartment 3) by the connector 34. The sixth water
delivery pipe 15f extends from the bottom of the freezing compartment door 6 upward
to the inside of the distributor housing 33. The inlet end of the sixth water delivery
pipe 15f preferably protrudes from the bottom wall of the freezing compartment door
6 so as to facilitate the connection with the fifth water delivery pipe 15e. The end
of the sixth water delivery pipe 15f extends into the distributer 19. Preferably,
a water outlet 20 is connected to the end of the sixth water delivery pipe 15f. The
end of the water outlet 20 is arranged to face the distributing cavity 24, and is
configured to be adapted to distribute water to the outer container 23.
[0042] Fig.3 schematically shows a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the freezing
compartment door 6 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig.4
schematically shows a lateral partial cross-sectional view of the freezing compartment
door 6 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] In the present embodiment, the first-sixth water delivery pipes 15a-15f all extend
through and are disposed within the heat-insulating layers 25. The first-sixth water
delivery pipes 15a-15f are removably received within the heat-insulating layers 25.
In the present embodiment, the first-sixth water delivery pipes 15a-15f are installed
in similar manners. Therefore, the following description only takes the sixth water
delivery pipe 15f as an example to explain the installing manner of the water delivery
pipes 15a-15f.
[0044] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the sixth water delivery pipe 15f extends through the
heat-insulating layer 25 and is received in the heat-insulating layer 25, but does
not contact the heat-insulating layer 25. Between the sixth water delivery pipe 15f
and the heat-insulating layer 25 is provided a separating member 26 for separating
the sixth water delivery pipe 15f and the heat-insulating layer 25, so that the sixth
water delivery pipe 15f is removably received within the heat-insulating layer 25.
That is to say, the sixth water delivery pipe 15f can be removed from the freezing
compartment door 6 without damaging the heat-insulating layer 25.
[0045] In the present embodiment, the separating member 26 includes an outer pipe 29 enclosing
the sixth water delivery pipe 15f. The outer pipe 29 bonds with the heat-insulating
layer 25 tightly. Preferably, the outer pipe 29 is embedded within the heat-insulating
layer 25 by foaming process. Therefore, it's better for the outer pipe 29 to have
the structure and material that will not deform easily in the foaming process.
[0046] The outer pipe 29 defines a passage 27, through which the sixth water delivery pipe
15f can extend. The length of the passage 27 in the heat-insulating layer 25 is substantially
identical with the length of the portion of the sixth water delivery pipe 15f in the
heat-insulating layer 15, so that all the portions of the sixth water delivery pipe
15f in the heat-insulating layer 25 are surrounded by the outer pipe 29 and are separated.
[0047] A gap exists between the inner surface of the outer pipe 29 and the outer surface
of the sixth water delivery pipe 15f, so that the sixth water delivery pipe 15f is
movable in the passage 27. In the present embodiment, the passage 27 has a circle
cross section, and its inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the sixth
water delivery pipe 15f. Preferably, the inner diameter of the passage 27 is 1.2-2.5
times the outer diameter of the sixth water delivery pipe 15f.
[0048] The passage 27 is arranged to be separated from the space receiving the heat-insulating
layer 25, so that during the foaming process, foaming agent cannot enter the passage
27. In the present embodiment, the separating member 26 includes a hollow cylinder
28 connected with the end of the outer pipe 29. The cylinder 28 extends upward from
the bottom wall 30 of the freezing compartment door 6. The cylinder 28 can be formed
integrately with the edge cover forming the bottom wall 30 of the door. As shown in
Fig. 3, one end of the cylinder 28 is inserted into the passage 27, and another end
extends outside of the heat-insulating layer 25. In another embodiment, it is also
possible for the outer pipe 29 to directly project outside of the heat-insulating
layer 25.
[0049] The freezing compartment door 6 includes inner wall 31 and outer wall 32 that are
closely attached to the inner and outer sides of the heat-insulating layer 25 respectively.
When the freezing compartment door 6 is closed, the inner wall 31 faces the freezing
compartment 3. Because of the heat insulating effect of the layer 25, the outer wall
32 is influenced by the freezing compartment 3 to a less extent than the inner wall
3. In the present embodiment, the outer wall 32 forms the front surface of the freezing
compartment door 6.
[0050] In order to further reduce the influence exerted by the freezing compartment 3 on
the sixth water delivery pipe 15f, at least a portion of the sixth water delivery
pipe 15f is provided adjacent the outer wall 32. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 4, the
sixth water delivery pipe 15f contacts the outer wall 32.
[0051] As described above, the first - the sixth water delivery pipes 15a-15f are installed
in similar manners, that is, extend in the heat-insulating layer 25 while being separated
from the heat-insulating layers 25 by the separating members. Detailed description
is omitted.
[0052] Now the method for manufacturing the refrigerator 1 according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention will be described.
[0053] Manufacturing the doors 6 and 7 and the case 5 of the refrigerator 1 includes a foaming
process for forming hard heat-insulating foam. It will be described as follows with
respect to the manufacturing method of the freezing compartment door 6.
[0054] When manufacturing the freezing compartment door 6, firstly, the foaming pre-assembling
unit of the door is provided. The foaming pre-assembling unit has a foaming space
adapted to receive the heat-insulating foaming agent. With respect to the freezing
compartment door 6,
the foaming space is defined by a door pan, which includes outer wall 32, the longitudinal
side walls and lateral side walls of the freezing compartment door 6 and has a monodirectional
opening (the underlined sentence is amended after we discussed with Ms. Cai).
[0055] The pre-assembling unit includes the outer pipe 29 received inside of the foaming
space. The outer pipe 29 defines a passage 27 that is separated from the foaming space.
In the present embodiment, one end of the outer pipe 29 is fixedly connected with
the cylinder 28 that extends upward from the inner side of the bottom wall 30, the
other end of the outer pipe 29 is fixed on the distributor housing 33 and extends
into the recessed cavity defined by the distributor housing 33. Additionally, the
portion of the outer pipe 29 between the two ends is fixed to the inner side of the
outer wall 32 by the fixing means such as adhesive tape.
[0056] Then, the prepared heat-insulating foaming agent is filled into the foaming space.
During this process, the heat-insulating foaming agent floods the portion of the outer
pipe 29 locating within the foaming space. After finishing the foaming process, the
outer surface of the outer pipe 29 and the heat-insulating layer 25 bond together
tightly. Therefore, the outer pipe 29 cannot move within the heat-insulating layer
25, and cannot be removed from the heat-insulating layer 25 without damaging the heat-insulating
layer 25.
[0057] After finishing the foaming process, the sixth water delivery pipe 15f extends through
the passage 27 defined by the outer pipe 29 and is mounted inside the freezing compartment
door 6. One end of the sixth water delivery pipe 15f is connected with the water outlet
20 disposed within the distributor 19, and another end is exposed within the cylinder
28 (original Chinese description recites "pipe joint 28" here, and we amended it as
"the cylinder 28" after discussing with Ms. Cai).
[0058] The manufacturing steps of the case 5 are substantially identical with those of the
freezing compartment door 6, including: the step of providing the foaming pre-assembling
unit of the case, foaming process, and the step of mounting the first - fifth water
delivery pipes 15f on the case 5. Similar to the manufacturing method of the freezing
compartment door 6, the foaming pre-assembling unit of the case is also provided inside
with separating members so as to define a passage so that the water delivery pipes
can extend therethrough.
[0059] After the freezing compartment door 6 is mounted on the case 5, the following operations
are performed: a) connecting the first water delivery pipe 15a with the inlet end
of the water filter 14; b) connecting one end of the second water delivery pipe 15b
with the outlet end of the water filter 14, connecting the other end to the inlet
end of the switch valve 16; c) connecting one end of the third water delivery pipe
15c to one of the outlets of the switch valve 16, connecting the other end with the
water inlet 17 extending into the freezing compartment 3; d) connecting one end of
the fourth water delivery pipe 15d with another outlet of the switch valve 16, connecting
the other end to the inlet end of the water tank 18; e) connecting one end of the
fifth water delivery pipe 15e to the outlet of the water tank 18, connecting and extending
the other end to the left bottom corner of the case 5 (preferably, adjacent the connecting
part between the case 5 and the freezing compartment door 6) so as to connect with
the sixth water delivery pipe 15f.
[0060] Except that the connection between the fifth water delivery pipe 15e and the sixth
water delivery pipe 15f should be performed when the freezing compartment door 6 and
the case 5 are connected together, the installation of other water delivery pipes
and their connection with the corresponding members are not restricted by this.
[0061] In the above embodiments, the first-sixth water delivery pipes 15a-15f extend through
the outer pipe 29 after finishing the foaming process. However, in another alternative
embodiment, it is also possible that: during the step of providing the foaming pre-assembling
unit, the outer pipe 29 (wherein the water delivery pipe is enclosed within the outer
pipe 29 in advance) is connected in the foaming pre-assembling unit and then the foaming
process is carried out.
[0062] In the above embodiments, the first-sixth water delivery pipes 15a-15f are all removably
mounted within the heat-insulating layers 25. However, in an alternative embodiment,
it is also possible that only one of or some of the water delivery pipes are removably
mounted within the heat-insulating layer 25.
[0063] In the above embodiments, the pipes are all related to the distribution of water
or ice. However, it should be explained that the present invention can also be applied
to the fluid delivery pipe of the refrigerator for other purpose, such as the pipe
for leading out the frost-eliminating water. Obviously, the present invention can
also be applied as the delivery pipes for the liquid other than water in the refrigerator.
1. A refrigerator (1), including heat-insulating layer (25) and at least one fluid delivery
pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f), wherein, said fluid delivery pipe (15a, 15b,
15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is at least partly received within said heat-insulating layer
(25), characterized in that, said fluid delivery pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is removably received within
said heat-insulating layer (25).
2. A refrigerator (1), including:
storage space (3);
door (6) for closing or opening at least a portion of said storage space (3) selectively,
said door (6) including a heat-insulating layer (25); and
at least one fluid delivery pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f), which is at least
partly received within said heat-insulating layer (25),
characterized in that, said fluid delivery pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is removably received within
said heat-insulating layer (25).
3. A refrigerator (1) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, comprising a separating member (26) for separating said fluid delivery pipe (15a,
15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) and said heat-insulating layer (25).
4. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, said separating member (26) defines a passage (27), said fluid delivery pipe (15a,
15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) extends through the passage (27), and a gap is formed between
said fluid delivery pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) and said passage (27).
5. A refrigerator (1) according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that, said separating member (26) is embedded within said heat-insulating layer (25) and
bonds tightly with the heat-insulating layer (25).
6. A refrigerator (1) according to claims 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that, said separating member (26) is pipe-shaped.
7. A refrigerator (1) according to claims 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that, said passage (27) is separated from the heat-insulating layer (25).
8. A refrigerator (1) according to any one of claims 3-7, characterized in that, both ends of the separating member (26) extend outside of the heat-insulating layer
(25) respectively.
9. A refrigerator (1) according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, said housing (2) comprises inner wall (31) and outer wall (32) that are closely
attached to the inner side and the outer side of the heat-insulating layer (25) respectively,
at least a portion of said fluid delivery pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is provided
adjacent the inner surface of said second wall (32).
10. A refrigerator (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, at least a portion of said fluid delivery pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) contacts
said outer wall (32).
11. A refrigerator (1) according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, the end of said fluid delivery pipe (15) is located within a distributor (19).
12. A refrigerator (1), comprising:
A heat-insulating layer (25) for insulating heat;
Distributor (19);
Water filter (14) for filtering water; and
Water tank (18) for storing water;
Wherein, at least one water delivery pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is connected
between the distributor (19) and the water tank (14), and at least one water delivery
pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is connected between the water filter (14) and
the water tank (18), characterized in that, at least one of said water delivery pipes (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) is removably
mounted in said heat-insulating layer (25).
13. A refrigerator (1), comprising:
Case (5) defining at least one storage space (3, 4);
Door (6) for closing or opening at least a portion of said storage space (3, 4) selectively;
Said case (5) and said door (6) comprising heat-insulating layers (25);
Ice-making machine (10); and
Water delivery path for supplying water to said ice-making machine (10), wherein,
said water delivery path comprising: pipe connector (2) for connecting to water source,
and several water delivery pipes (15a, 15b, 15c) connected between said pipe connector
(2) and said ice-making machine (10),
Characterized in that, at least one of said fluid delivery pipes (15a, 15b, 15c) is removably arranged
within said heat-insulating layer (25) and extends therethrough.
14. A method for manufacturing a refrigerator (1),
characterized in that, comprising:
a) providing a foaming pre-assembling unit, said foaming pre-assembling unit including
a space adapted to receive heat-insulating foaming agent, said pre-assembling unit
including a separating member (26) at least partly located within said space, said
separating member (26) defining a passage (27), said passage (27) is separated from
said space;
b) filling the heat-insulating foaming agent into said space to form a heat-insulating
layer (25), said separating member (26) bonding with the heat-insulating layer (25)
together; and
c) extending the fluid delivery pipe (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f) through said passage
(26) so that the fluid delivery pipe is received within said heat-insulating layer
(25).
15. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that, the step c) is performed after the step b) is finished.
16. A method according to claims 14 or 15, characterized in that, said step a) comprises: fixing said separating member (27) on a wall (32) defining
said space.