WO2018162027A1

WO2018162027A1 - Improved valve assembly for use in a water dispenser of a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2018162027A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/055158
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet YASAR; Tayfun ERSOZ; Tanju Bayramli; Ibrahim Yilmaz Evren; Tayfun Inal
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-03-06
Filing date: 2017-03-06
Publication date: 2018-09-13
Also published as: TR201801351A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve assembly (1) for use in a water dispenser (2) of a refrigerator (3).

Description

IMPROVED VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A WATER DISPENSER OF A REFRIGERATOR

The present invention relates to a water dispenser, in particular to a water dispenser of a refrigerator. The present invention more particularly relates to the valve assembly of the water dispenser.

Refrigerators having door-mounted water dispensers for supplying the user with cold drinking water are commonly known in the art. The valve assembly of the water dispenser generally comprises: a passage for conveying the water; at least a first sealing which comprises a flexible material; a sealing surface for leak-tightly contacting the first sealing, wherein the first sealing and the sealing surface are arranged relatively moveably so as to allow opening/closing of the passage; and a resilient member for moving the first sealing relatively towards the sealing surface.

WO2015144244A1 discloses a refrigerator which comprises a water dispenser with a valve assembly.

A problem with the prior art refrigerator is that the valve assembly of the water dispenser is vulnerable to leakage. The water that leaks through the valve assembly is collected in the tray of the door. Moreover, the deposits of dust that are formed in the tray give rise to a bad appearance, and thus the user must frequently empty and clean the tray. In such instances, the user satisfaction decreases.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly for use in a water dispenser of a refrigerator which solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which is easy to install and has an improved safety against leakage.

This objective have been achieved by the valve assembly as defined in claim 1, and the refrigerator as defined in claim 12. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The valve assembly of the present invention further comprises a fin-like protrusion which encircles the passage, wherein the fin-like protrusion is formed onto a section of the sealing surface such that it protrudes from the sealing surface towards the first sealing in the opening/closing direction, and is further adapted to compress the opposed section of the first sealing in the closed state.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the first sealing can be firmly squeezed in the vicinity of the fin-like protrusion in the closed state. Thereby, the risk of leakage can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible, and thus the sealing performance of the valve-assembly can be improved. Thereby, the user satisfaction can be increased.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the valve assembly of the present invention and the refrigerator of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator which has a water dispenser with a valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is another schematic perspective view of the refrigerator of Fig. 1, wherein the fresh food door and the freezer door have been opened;

Figure 3 – is another schematic view of the refrigerator of Fig. 1, wherein the fresh food door and the freezer door have been opened;

Figure 4 – is a schematic schematic exploded view of the fresh food door of the refrigerator of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 – is another schematic exploded view of the fresh food door of the refrigerator of Fig. 1;

Figure 6 – is a schematic view of the water dispenser of the refrigerator of Fig. 1;

Figure 7 – is a schematic exploded view of the water dispenser of Fig. 6;

Figure 8 – is a schematic exploded view of the valve assembly of Fig. 7;

Figure 9 – is a schematic sectional view of the water dispenser of Fig. 6;

Figure 10 – is a schematic sectional view of the valve assembly of Fig. 7;

Figure 11 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail A of Fig. 10, wherein the valve assembly is in the open state, wherein the arrow shows the opening closing direction;

Figure 12 – is another schematic enlarged view of the detail A of Fig. 10, wherein the valve assembly is in the closed state;

Figure 13 – is a schematic sectional view of the refrigerator of Fig. 1, wherein the valve assembly is in the closed state;

Figure 14 – is a schematic sectional view of the refrigerator of Fig. 1, wherein the valve assembly is in the open state, and the water flows into the cup.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Valve assembly
Water dispenser
Refrigerator
Passage
Water
1^st sealing
Sealing surface
Resilient member
Fin-like protrusion
Aperture
Valve body
Valve
1^st valve member
2^nd valve member
1^st connection means
Snap-fit connection
1^st groove
2^nd sealing
2^nd groove
Water tank
Outlet
2^nd connection means
Screw connection
3^rd sealing
Fresh food compartment
Fresh food door
Recess
Actuating means
3^rd connection means
Cushion
Cover
Inlet
Lever
Cup

The valve assembly (1) is suitable for use in a water dispenser (2) of a refrigerator (3) (Fig. 1 and Fig. 4).

The refrigerator (3) comprises: a fresh food compartment (25); a fresh food door (26) for opening/closing the fresh food compartment (25); a water dispenser (2) for dispensing the water (5), wherein the water dispenser (2) is installed into a recess (27) in the fresh food door (26), and comprises a water tank (20) in heat-exchange with the fresh food compartment (25) (Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 13, Fig. 14).

The valve assembly (1) comprises: a passage (4) for conveying the water (5); a first sealing (6) which comprises a flexible material; a sealing surface (7) for leak-tightly contacting the first sealing (6), wherein the first sealing (6) and the sealing surface (7) are arranged relatively moveably so as to allow opening/closing of the passage (4); and a resilient member (8) for moving the first sealing (6) relatively towards the sealing surface (7) (Fig. 10, Fig. 13 and Fig. 14).

The valve assembly (1) of the present invention further comprises: a fin-like protrusion (9) which encircles the passage (4), wherein the fin-like protrusion (9) is formed onto a section of the sealing surface (7) such that it protrudes from the sealing surface (7) towards the first sealing (6) in the opening/closing direction, and is further adapted to compress the opposed section of the first sealing (6) in the closed state (Fig. 11 and Fig. 12).

The refrigerator (3) of the present invention further comprises: the valve assembly (1), wherein the valve assembly (1) is fluidly connected to the water tank (20) and opens through the recess (27) to the front side of the fresh food door (26); and an actuating means (28) for actuating the valve assembly (1) so as to dispense the water (5), wherein the actuating means (28) is installed into the recess (27) and is accessible from the front side of the fresh-food door (26) (Fig. 13 and Fig. 14).

In an embodiment, the first sealing (6) and the sealing surface (7) have truncated conical shapes which fit together in the closed state (Fig. 11 and Fig. 12). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the valve assembly (1) smoothly compresses the first sealing (6) when it returns to its closed state by means of the resilient member (8). Thereby, the sealing performance of the valve assembly (1) can be further improved.

In another embodiment, the sealing surface (7) comprises an aperture (10) that surrounds the passage (4), and wherein the fin-like protrusion (9) is formed onto the edge of the aperture (10) (Fig. 11 and Fig. 12). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the contact between the first sealing (6) and the sealing surface (7) can be further improved, and thus the water (5) can be more effectively prevented from passing between them in the closed state.

In another embodiment, the cross section of the fin-like protrusion (9) is triangular shaped (Fig. 11 and Fig. 12). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first sealing (6) can be firmly squeezed in the vicinity of the fin-like protrusion (9). Thereby, the sealing performance can be further improved.

In another embodiment, the valve assembly (1) further comprises: a valve body (11) which is stationary, wherein the the passage (4) and the sealing surface (7) are formed into the valve body (11); and a valve (12) which is movable, wherein the valve (12) is at least partly disposed into the passage (4), and wherein the first sealing (6) is fixed to the valve (12) (Fig. 10 to Fig. 12). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the valve assembly (1) can be smoothly operated.

In another embodiment, the valve (12) comprises: a first valve member (13) which is movably linked to the valve body (11) via the resilient member (8) and partly encloses the valve body (11); and a second valve member (14) which is detachably attached to the first valve member (13) through a first connection means (15) and partly projects into the passage (4) of the valve body (11) (Fig. 8 and Fig. 10). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the valve assembly (1) can be easily manufactured and assembled. Thereby, the production costs can be reduced both in terms of labor and material.

In another embodiment, the first connection means (15) comprises a snap-fit connection (16) (Fig. 10). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first valve member (13) and the second valve member (14) can be quickly and reliably assembled with the valve body (11).

In another embodiment, the second valve member (14) comprises a first groove (17) for fixing the first sealing (6) (Fig. 8 and Fig. 10). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first sealing (6) can be securely fixed to the second valve member (14).

In another embodiment, the valve assembly (1) further comprises a second sealing (18) which comprises a flexible material, wherein the second valve member (14) comprises a second groove (19) for fixing the second sealing (18), and wherein the second sealing (18) is arranged to allow opening/closing of the passage (4) (Fig. 8 and Fig. 10). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the second sealing (18) can be securely fixed to the second valve member (14). Thereby, the sealing performance of the valve assembly (1) can be further improved.

In another embodiment, the second sealing (18) is an O-ring (Fig. 1). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the O-ring can be easily assembled with the second valve member (14).

In another embodiment, the water tank (20) has an outlet (21) for communicating with the passage (4) of the valve assembly (1) (Fig. 7). In this embodiment, the valve assembly (1) further comprises: a second connection means (22) for connecting the valve body (11) to the outlet (21) of the water tank (20) (Fig. 9 and Fig 10). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the valve assembly (1) can be easily assembled with or disassembled from the water tank (20).

In another embodiment, second connection means (22) comprises a screw connection (23) and a third sealing (24) for sealing the interface between the water tank (20) and the valve body (11) (Fig. 7 and Fig 10). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the valve assembly (1) can be securely fixed to the water tank (20).

In another embodiment, the refrigerator (3) further comprises a third connection means (29) for detachably connecting the water tank (20) to the inner side of the fresh food door (26) (Fig. 5). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the water dispenser (2) can be easily detached by the user for cleaning the same.

In another embodiment, the water dispenser (2) comprises a cushion (30) for supporting the water tank (20) on the inner side of the fresh food door (26) (Fig. 13 and Fig. 14). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the water dispenser (2) can be smoothly mounted and securely retained in the recess (27) of the fresh food door (26).

In another embodiment, the cushion (30) comprises silicone material. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the water dispenser (2) can be softly held in place.

In another embodiment, the water dispenser (2) comprises: a cover (31) for opening/closing the water tank (20); and an inlet (32) on the cover (31) for refilling the water tank (20) (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can easily access the interior of the water tank (20) for cleaning the same. This embodiment is also particularly advantageous as the user can easily refill the water tank (20) without removing the cover (31).

In another embodiment, the resilient member (8) is a compression coil spring (Fig. 8). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the valve assembly (1) can be reliably opened and closed.

In another embodiment, the actuating means (28) comprises a lever (33) which is adapted to move the valve (12) (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). The user can push the lever (33) by means of a cup (34) that can be inserted into the recess (27) (Fig. 13 and Fig. 14). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the water dispenser (2) can be easily operated.

In another embodiment, the flexible material of the first sealing (6), the second sealing (18), and third sealing (24) comprises silicone material. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the silicone material is resistant to chemical attacks and temperature changes.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the first sealing (6) can be firmly squeezed in the vicinity of the fin-like protrusion (9) in the closed state (Fig. 11 and Fig. 12). Thereby, the risk of leakage can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible, and thus the sealing performance of the valve-assembly (1) can be improved. Thereby, the user satisfaction can be increased. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above-described embodiments.

Claims

A valve assembly (1) for use in a water dispenser (2) of a refrigerator (3), the valve assembly (1) comprising: a passage (4) for conveying the water (5); a first sealing (6) which comprises a flexible material; a sealing surface (7) for leak-tightly contacting the first sealing (6), wherein the first sealing (6) and the sealing surface (7) are arranged relatively moveably so as to allow opening/closing of the passage (4); and a resilient member (8) for moving the first sealing (6) relatively towards the sealing surface (7), the valve assembly (1) being characterized by further comprising: a fin-like protrusion (9) which encircles the passage (4), wherein the fin-like protrusion (9) is formed onto a section of the sealing surface (7) such that it protrudes from the sealing surface (7) towards the first sealing (6) in the opening/closing direction, and is further adapted to compress the opposed section of the first sealing (6) in the closed state.
The valve assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sealing (6) and the sealing surface (7) have truncated conical shapes which fit together in the closed state.
The valve assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sealing surface (7) comprises an aperture (10) that surrounds the passage (4), and wherein the fin-like protrusion (9) is formed onto the edge of the aperture (10).
The valve assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cross section of the fin-like protrusion (9) is triangular shaped.
The valve assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by further comprising: a valve body (11) which is stationary, wherein the the passage (4) and the sealing surface (7) are formed into the valve body (11); and a valve (12) which is movable, wherein the valve (12) is at least partly disposed into the passage (4), and wherein the first sealing (6) is fixed to the valve (12).
The valve assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the valve (12) comprises: a first valve member (13) which is movably linked to the valve body (11) via the resilient member (8) and partly encloses the valve body (11); and a second valve member (14) which is detachably attached to the first valve member (13) through a first connection means (15) and partly projects into the passage (4) of the valve body (11).
The valve assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first connection means (15) comprises a snap-fit connection (16).
The valve assembly (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second valve member (14) comprises a first groove (17) for fixing the first sealing (6).
The valve assembly (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by further comprising a second sealing (18) which comprises a flexible material, wherein the second valve member (14) comprises a second groove (19) for fixing the second sealing (18), and wherein the second sealing (18) is arranged to allow opening/closing of the passage (4).
The valve assembly (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the water dispenser (2) comprises a water tank (20) with an outlet (21) for communicating with the passage (4) of the valve assembly (1), the valve assembly (1) being characterized by further comprising: a second connection means (22) for connecting the valve body (11) to the outlet (21) of the water tank (20).
The valve assembly (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that second connection means (22) comprises a screw connection (23) and a third sealing (24) for sealing the interface between the water tank (20) and the valve body (11).
A refrigerator (3) comprising: a fresh food compartment (25); a fresh food door (26) for opening/closing the fresh food compartment (25); a water dispenser (2) for dispensing the water (5), wherein the water dispenser (2) is installed into a recess (27) in the fresh food door (26), and comprises a water tank (20) in heat-exchange with the fresh food compartment (25), characterized by further comprising: the valve assembly (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the valve assembly (1) is fluidly connected to the water tank (20) and opens through the recess (27) to the front side of the fresh food door (26); and an actuating means (28) for actuating the valve assembly (1) so as to dispense the water (5), wherein the actuating means (28) is installed into the recess (27) and is accessible from the front side of the fresh-food door (26).
The refrigerator (3) according to claim 12, characterized by further comprising a third connection means (29) for detachably connecting the water tank (20) to the inner side of the fresh food door (26).
The refrigerator (3) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the water dispenser (2) comprises a cushion (30) for supporting the water tank (20) on the inner side of the fresh food door (26).
The refrigerator (3) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the water dispenser (2) comprises: a cover (31) for opening/closing the water tank (20); and an inlet (32) on the cover (31) for refilling the water tank (20).