Refrigerator

Abstract

The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment, a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open or close the storage compartment, and a water supply device disposed in a rear surface of the door to be exposed to the storage compartment when the door is closed. The water supply device includes: a water supply housing having a tub mounting space; a water level sensor provided to detect a water level of the tub mounted in the tub mounting space; a first water supply port provided to supply water to the tub based on the water level of the tub detected by the water level sensor; a lever provided in the water supply housing and provided to be manually operable; and a second water supply port provided to supply water based on an operation of the lever by a user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having a water supply device. Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator is a home appliance that keeps food fresh by including a main body having a storage chamber and a cold air supply system for supplying cold air to the storage chamber.

[0003] The refrigerator may include a water supply device for supplying water to a user. The water supply device includes a dispenser for supplying water according to a manual operation of the user.

[0004] The dispenser supplies water when the user presses the lever. Therefore, the user can conveniently receive a small amount of water through the dispenser. However, there are cases where a large amount of water is needed. In these cases, the user needs to continue pressing the lever until a sufficient amount of water is collected in the container, which brings inconvenience to the user. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a water supply device capable of supplying water when a user manually operates a lever and automatically supplies water to a water tub based on a water level of the water tub detected by a water level sensor.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a refrigerator including a water supply device that has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, and is convenient to use.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a refrigerator having a large storage space.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a refrigerator in which a gap between a water supply housing and a rod controllably provided in the water supply housing is not exposed.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a refrigerator to which a water stopper having an improved coupling force is easily attached / detached.

[0011] Technical aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above contents, and other technical aspects not mentioned can be clearly understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present disclosure belongs from the following description.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may be provided. The refrigerator may include: a main body including a storage chamber; a door rotatably coupled to the main body and configured to open or close the storage chamber; and a water supply device on a rear surface of the door. The water supply device may include: a water supply housing including a barrel installation space; a water level sensor configured to detect a water level of a water barrel in the barrel installation space; a first water supply port configured to supply water to the water barrel based on the water level of the water barrel detected by the water level sensor; a rod in the water supply housing and configured to be manually operable; and a second water supply port configured to supply water based on a user's operation of the rod.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a distance between the second water supply port and the rotation axis of the door may be greater than a distance between the first water supply port and the rotation axis.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the door may include a pair of vertical baffles protruding in the rear direction of the refrigerator and spaced apart from each other, the pair of vertical baffles may include a first vertical baffle on a first side of the door and a second vertical baffle on a second side of the door, the first side is toward the rotation axis of the door, the second vertical baffle is opposite to the first vertical baffle, and the water supply shell may be coupled to the second vertical baffle and spaced apart from the first vertical baffle.

[0016] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second vertical baffle may include a baffle flange protruding from an inner side surface of the second vertical baffle, and the water supply housing may further include a housing flange groove into which the baffle flange is inserted.

[0017] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the water supply housing may further include a coupling member configured to couple the water supply housing to the rear surface of the door.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the door may include: a door outer panel; a door inner panel forming a rear surface of the door and coupled to the door outer panel, the door inner panel including an inner panel hole; a thermal insulation member disposed between the door outer panel and the door inner panel; and a grommet configured to prevent the thermal insulation member from entering the interior of the storage chamber, the grommet being coupled to the inner panel hole, wherein the water supply shell may further include a coupling hole, and the coupling member may be coupled to the grommet by penetrating the coupling hole.

[0019] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may further include a door basket in a space between the water supply case and the first vertical baffle, the door basket including an item space in which items are configured to be accommodated.

[0020] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the door basket may further include: a first basket flange groove at one surface of the door basket and configured to couple the door basket to the first vertical baffle; and a second basket flange groove formed at another surface of the door basket opposite to the one surface of the door basket and configured to couple the door basket to the water supply housing.

[0021] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first basket flange groove may be spaced apart from the second basket flange groove in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the refrigerator.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the water supply shell may also include a rod accommodating groove recessed from the front surface of the water supply shell, the rod may be in the rod accommodating groove, and the rod accommodating groove may include a first rod accommodating groove and a second rod accommodating groove, the second rod accommodating groove being formed in the first rod accommodating groove in a manner of forming a step with the first rod accommodating groove.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the rod may include a rod frame coupled to the water supply housing and accommodated in the second rod accommodating groove, and a rod body rotatably coupled to the rod frame and configured to be accommodated in the first rod accommodating groove.

[0024] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the water supply shell may further include a rod accommodating groove recessed from the front surface of the water supply shell, the rod may be in the rod accommodating groove, and the refrigerator may further include a cover rib protruding from the front surface of the water supply shell along the boundary of the rod accommodating groove.

[0025] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the water supply device may further include a connecting pipe, the connecting pipe including an inlet and an outlet, the connecting pipe being coupled to the water supply shell, the refrigerator may further include a water supply hose configured to supply water to the connecting pipe, the water supply hose being connected to the inlet of the connecting pipe, and the second water supply port may include a water plug detachably coupled to the outlet of the connecting pipe.

[0026] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the connection pipe may further include a connection pipe body and a plurality of plug fixing rings coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe body and configured to fix the water plug.

[0027] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the water stopper may include a water stopper body and a protrusion ring protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the water stopper body, and the protrusion ring may be configured to be coupled between a plurality of stopper fixing rings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 An appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 2 The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown when a door of the refrigerator is opened.

[0030] Figure 3 A state of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, in which the water tub is separated from the water supply device.

[0031] Figure 4 Main components of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are schematically illustrated.

[0032] Figure 5 A disassembled state of a door and a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 6 A side view of a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 7 A coupling structure of a door and a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 8 A disassembled state of the water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Fig. 9 A door basket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0037] Fig.10 A cross section of a coupling structure of a door basket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] Fig.11 A cross section of a mounting structure of a water bucket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0039] Fig.12 A state in which the rod is separated from the water supply housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0040] Fig.13 A pole frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0041] Fig.14 A rod body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] Fig.15 A mounting structure of a rod according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0043] Fig.16 A pressed state of a lever according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0044] Fig.17 A state in which the rod is separated from the water supply housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0045] Fig.18A cross section of a coupling structure of a water plug according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0046] Fig.19 A coupling structure of a water plug according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] Fig. 20 A water supply having a tank tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0048] Fig.21 The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown when a door of the refrigerator is opened.

[0049] Fig. 22 A water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0050] Fig.23 A coupling structure of a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0051] Fig.24 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

[0053] In conjunction with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0054] Unless otherwise clearly indicated in the relevant context, a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more items.

[0055] In the present disclosure, phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrases in the phrases.

[0056] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0057] Terms such as “first” or “second” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components without limiting the components in other aspects (eg, importance or order).

[0058] A certain (e.g., first) component is said to be "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., second) component, whether or not accompanied by the term "functionally" or "communicatively." When mentioned, this means that any of the above components can be connected to the other components directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or via a third component.

[0059] It should be understood that when used in this specification, the terms "include", "comprising", "including" and / or "comprising" specify the existence of the stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members or a combination thereof, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members or a combination thereof.

[0060] It should be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected to,” “coupled to,” “supported by,” or “in contact with” another component, the component may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, the component may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component through a third component.

[0061] It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” or “over” another component, it can be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

[0062] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body.

[0063] The “body” may include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0064] The "inner shell" may include a shell, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming the storage chamber. The inner shell may be formed as one body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The "outer shell" may form the appearance of the body and be coupled to the outside of the inner shell so that the thermal insulation is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell.

[0065] The "insulating member" may insulate the interior of the storage room from the exterior of the storage room so that the interior temperature of the storage room is maintained at an appropriate temperature without being affected by the external environment of the storage room. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulating member may include a foamed insulating member. The foamed insulating member may be molded by fixing an inner shell and an outer shell with a clamp or the like, and then injecting polyurethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner shell and the outer shell and foaming the same.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in addition to the foam insulation, the insulation may also include a vacuum insulation, or may be configured with only a vacuum insulation instead of forming the insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material, the cladding material accommodates the core material, and seals the interior with a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. The vacuum insulation may also include an adsorbent for adsorbing gas and water to stably maintain a vacuum state.

[0067] However, the thermal insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foam thermal insulation or vacuum thermal insulation, and may include various materials that can be used for thermal insulation.

[0068] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a storage chamber provided inside a main body to store food.

[0069] The "storage room" may include a space defined by an inner shell. The storage room may also include an inner shell defining a space. One side of the storage room may be opened to enable a user to put in or take out food. The storage room may store "food" therein. Food may include food for human consumption and drinking, and specifically, food may include meat, fish, seafood, fruit, vegetables, water, ice, beverages, pickles, alcoholic beverages such as wine, and the like. However, medicines or cosmetics as well as food may be stored in the storage room, and the items that may be stored in the storage room are not limited.

[0070] The refrigerator may include one or more storage chambers. In the case where two or more storage chambers are formed in the refrigerator, each storage chamber may have different purposes of use and may be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the storage chamber may be separated by a partition wall including a heat insulating member. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the baffle may be a part of the main body. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the baffle may be provided independently of the main body and then assembled into the main body.

[0071] The storage chamber can be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to the purpose of use, and includes a "refrigerator", a "freezer" and a "temperature conversion chamber" according to the purpose of use and / or the temperature range. The refrigerator can be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep the food refrigerated, and the freezer can be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep the food frozen. "Refrigeration" can be to keep the food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerator can be maintained in the range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" can freeze food or keep food frozen, and for example, the freezer can be maintained in the range of -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degrees Celsius. Depending on the user's choice or regardless of the user's choice, the temperature conversion chamber can be used as any one of the refrigerator or the freezer. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an area of ​​the storage chamber can be used as a refrigerator, and the remaining area of ​​the storage chamber can be used as a freezer.

[0072] In addition to "refrigerator", "freezer" and "temperature conversion chamber", the storage chamber may also be referred to by various other terms (for example, "vegetable chamber", "fresh-keeping chamber", "cooling chamber" and "ice-making chamber"), and the terms used below (for example, "refrigerator", "freezer", "temperature conversion chamber", etc.) need to be understood as referring to storage chambers with corresponding usage purposes and corresponding temperature ranges.

[0073] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a door configured to open or close an opening side of a storage chamber.

[0074] The "door" can seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door can include an insulating member (such as a body) to insulate the storage compartment in a closed state.

[0075] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cool air supply device for supplying cool air to the storage chamber.

[0076] The "cold air supply device" may include a machine, a device, an electronic device and / or a combined system thereof that is capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage room.

[0077] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a cooling cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the cooling cycle. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage chamber by heating and cooling actions by means of the Peltier effect.

[0078] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to a cold air supply device are installed.

[0079] The "machine room" can be separated from the storage room and insulated to prevent the heat generated by the components installed in the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. In order to dissipate heat from the components installed inside the machine room, the machine room can be communicated with the outside of the main body.

[0080] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0081] The "controller" may include a memory for storing and / or memorizing data and / or a program for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting a control signal for controlling a cold air supply device, etc. according to the program and / or data stored in the memory.

[0082] The memory may store a program and / or data for controlling components included in the refrigerator, and store temporary data generated when a control signal for controlling components included in the refrigerator is generated.

[0083] The processor may process user input received through the user interface according to the program and / or data stored / memorized in the memory, and generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the user interface and / or the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage room from the temperature sensor, and generate a cooling control signal for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage room. The processor may receive user input from the user interface, and transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0084] In addition to or as an alternative to the processor and memory for controlling all components included in the refrigerator, the controller may also include multiple processors and multiple memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the controller may include a processor and memory for controlling the operation of a cold air supply device according to an output from a temperature sensor, and a processor and memory for controlling the operation of a user interface according to user input. The processor and memory may be provided integrally or separately. The processor may include multiple processors, and the memory may include multiple memories.

[0085] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0086] Figure 1 An appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown when a door of the refrigerator is opened. Figure 3 A state of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, in which the water tub is separated from the water supply device. Figure 4 Main components of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are schematically illustrated.

[0087] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 10, storage chambers 21, 22 and 23 formed in the main body 10, doors 31, 32, 33 and 34 for opening or closing the storage chambers 21, 22 and 23, and a cold air supply device (not shown) for supplying cold air to the storage chambers 21, 22 and 23.

[0088] The main body 10 may include an inner shell 11 forming storage chambers 21, 22 and 23, an outer shell 12 coupled to the outside of the inner shell 11 and forming an appearance, and an insulating member (not shown) arranged between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 to insulate the storage chambers 21, 22 and 23.

[0089] The storage rooms 21, 22 and 23 can be divided into a plurality of storage rooms by horizontal partition walls 15 and vertical partition walls 16. The storage rooms 21, 22 and 23 can be divided into an upper storage room 21 and lower storage rooms 22 and 23 by horizontal partition walls 15, and the lower storage rooms 22 and 23 can be divided into a lower left storage room 22 and a lower right storage room 23 by vertical partition walls 16.

[0090] The upper storage chamber 21 can be used as a refrigerating chamber, and the lower storage chambers 22 and 23 can be used as freezing chambers. An ice maker 6 for making ice can be provided at any one of the lower storage chambers 22 and 23. However, the above-mentioned partitions and usage purposes of the storage chambers 21, 22, and 23 are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may be a side-by-side (SBS) type in which the storage chamber is partitioned into a left storage chamber and a right storage chamber by a vertical partition wall, a French door refrigerator (FDR) type in which the storage chamber is partitioned into an upper refrigerating chamber and a lower freezing chamber by a horizontal partition wall, or a single-door type having one storage chamber and one door.

[0092] In the storage chambers 21, 22, and 23, at least one shelf 24 on which food is placed and at least one storage container 25 for storing food may be provided.

[0093] The cool air supply device may generate cool air by using a cooling cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant, and supply the generated cool air to the storage chamber.

[0094] The upper storage chamber 21 can be opened or closed by a pair of doors 31 and 32. The doors 31 and 32 can be rotatably coupled to the main body 10 by an upper hinge 36 and a middle hinge 37. At any one of the pair of doors, a filler can be provided to prevent the cold air of the storage chamber 21 from leaking from between the pair of doors 31 and 32 when the pair of doors 31 and 32 are closed.

[0095] The left lower storage chamber 22 may be opened or closed by a door 33, and the right lower storage chamber 23 may be opened or closed by a door 34. The doors 33 and 34 may be rotatably coupled to the body 10 by a middle hinge 37 and a lower hinge 38.

[0096] The doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 may include a front surface 31a and a rear surface 31b. The front surface 31a of the doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be a surface exposed to the outside of the refrigerator 1 in a closed state of the doors 31, 32, 33, and 34. The rear surface 31b of the doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be a surface exposed to the storage chambers 21, 22, and 23 in a closed state of the doors 31, 32, 33, and 34. The rear surface 31b of the doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 may form the front side of the storage chambers 21, 22, and 23.

[0097] On each rear surface 31 b of the doors 31 , 32 , 33 , and 34 , a gasket 43 may be provided, which is tightly pressed to the front surface of the body 10 to seal the storage chambers 21 , 22 , and 23 .

[0098] The doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 may include door baskets 27 and 28 having article spaces for storing articles therein. The door baskets 27 and 28 may be provided on rear surfaces 31b of the doors 31, 32, 33, and 34. When the doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 are in a closed state, the articles stored in the article spaces of the door baskets 27 and 28 may be cooled by cool air of the storage chambers 21, 22, and 23.

[0099] On the rear surface 31b of the door 31, a water supply device 50 may be provided. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply device 50 may be provided at the upper left door 31, but is not limited thereto. However, for example, the water supply device 50 may be provided in the upper right door 32.

[0100] The water supply device 50 may supply water to the user. The water supply device 50 may include a controllable lever 110. When the user operates the lever 110, the water supply device 50 may supply water. More specifically, when the user presses the lever 110, the water supply device 50 may supply water. When the user stops pressing the lever 110, the water supply device 50 may stop supplying water.

[0101] The water supply device 50 may include a water bucket 51, which is detachably mounted on the water supply housing 60 (see Figure 5 ) in the tub installation space 72. The water supply device 50 may include a water level sensor 96 (see Figure 5 ). The water supply device 50 may supply water to the water bucket 51 based on the water level of the water bucket 51 detected by the water level sensor 96. For example, the water supply device 50 may supply water to the water bucket 51 until the water level of the water bucket 51 reaches a preset water level. Upon recognizing that the water level of the water bucket 51 has reached the preset water level, the water supply device 50 may stop supplying water to the water bucket 51.

[0102] That is, according to the current embodiment, the water supply device 50 can supply water according to the operation of the manual operation lever 110 by the user, or can supply water based on the water level of the water tub 51 detected by the water level sensor 96, but is not limited thereto. According to embodiments, the water supply device 50 can have any of the above functions.

[0103] According to the current embodiment, since the water supply device 50 is provided on the rear surface 31b of the door 31, the water supply device 50 may be covered by the door 31 and not exposed to the outside when the door 31 is in a closed state. Therefore, when the door 31 is in a closed state, access to the water supply device 50 may not be allowed.

[0104] When the door 31 is in a closed state, the water supply device 50 may face the storage chamber 21. When the door 31 is in a closed state, the water supply device 50 may be positioned inside the storage chamber 21. When the door 31 is in a closed state, the water supply device 50 may be cooled by the cool air of the storage chamber 21. That is, the water filled in the water tub 51 may be cooled by the cool air of the storage chamber 21.

[0105] After the door 31 is opened, the user can access the water supply device 50. That is, after the door 31 is opened, the user can install the water tub 51 in the tub installation space 72 or remove the water tub 51 from the tub installation space 72. After the door 31 is opened, the user can operate the rod 110 to receive water.

[0106] The barrel installation space 72 and the rod 110 can be positioned in the left and right directions. Figure 2 As shown, the rod 110 may be positioned farther from the rotation axis R of the door 31 than the tub installation space 72 and the tub 51 installed in the tub installation space 72 .

[0107] When the bucket 51 is installed in the bucket mounting space 72, the bucket 51 can protrude further than the rod 110, and because the rod 110 is positioned farther away from the rotation axis R of the door 31 than the bucket 51 installed in the bucket mounting space 72, the user can conveniently operate the rod 110 without being interfered by the bucket 51.

[0108] The refrigerator may include a first water supply port 151 for supplying water to the water tub 51 based on the water level of the water tub 51 (see Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig.11 ). The refrigerator 1 may include a second water supply port 152 for supplying water based on the operation of the rod 110 (see Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig.18 ).

[0109] The first water supply port 151 may be positioned above the water tub 51 installed in the tub installation space 72 to supply water to the water tub 51 installed in the tub installation space 72 .

[0110] The user may hold a container (eg, a cup, a bowl, or a bottle) with his / her hand and press the rod 110 with the container, and the second water supply port 152 may be positioned above the rod 110 to supply water to the container pressing the rod 110 .

[0111] Since the tub installation space 72 and the rod 110 are positioned relative to each other in the left-right direction, the first water supply port 151 and the second water supply port 152 can also be positioned relative to each other in the left-right direction. More specifically, the second water supply port 152 can be positioned farther from the rotation axis R of the door 31 than the first water supply port 151.

[0112] Therefore, as described above, the user may conveniently operate the rod 110 without interference from the water tub 51 to receive water from the second water supply port 152 .

[0113] However, the position of the rod 110 may be interchanged with the position of the tub installation space 72 , and the position of the first water supply port 151 may be interchanged with the position of the second water supply port 152 .

[0114] like Figure 4 As shown, the refrigerator 1 may include a water supply flow path 7 for supplying water to the first water supply port 151 and the second water supply port 152 .

[0115] The refrigerator 1 may include a switching valve 120 for selectively supplying water to any one of the first water supply port 151 or the second water supply port 152 .

[0116] The water supply flow path 7 may connect the water supply source 2 to the switching valve 120 to supply water from the water supply source 2 to the switching valve 120. The water supply source 2 may include an external water supply source (e.g., a faucet). The water supply flow path 7 may extend from the body 10 to the door 31. The water supply flow path 7 may be formed by connecting at least one water supply hose.

[0117] A filter 3 for purifying water from the water supply source 2 may be provided on the water supply flow path 7. In addition, a water cooling tank 5 for storing water purified by the filter 3 may be provided on the water supply flow path 7. The water cooling tank 5 may be provided in the storage chamber 21 to be cooled by cold air of the storage chamber 21.

[0118] The refrigerator 1 may include an ice maker 6 for making ice. The refrigerator 1 may include an ice maker flow path 8 for supplying water to the ice maker 6. The ice maker flow path 8 may be branched from a specific position of the water supply flow path 7. At a position where the ice maker flow path 8 is branched from the water supply flow path 7, a water supply valve 4 may be provided. The water supply valve 4 may selectively supply water supplied from the water supply source 2 to the switching valve 120 through the water supply flow path 7, or selectively supply water supplied from the water supply source 2 to the ice maker 6 through the ice maker flow path 8. In addition, the water supply valve 4 may close the water supply flow path 7 and the ice maker flow path 8 to prevent water from the water supply source 2 from being supplied to the switching valve 120 and the ice maker 6.

[0119] Therefore, water of the water supply source 2 may be supplied to the switch valve 120 according to the water pressure of the water supply source 2 when the water supply flow path 7 is opened by the water supply valve 4 .

[0120] The switching valve 120 may selectively supply water supplied through the water supply flow path 7 to the first water supply port 151 or the second water supply port 152. The water supply hose 9 may be provided between the switching valve 120 and the second water supply port 152 (see Figure 7 )between.

[0121] Figure 5 A disassembled state of a door and a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6 A side view of a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7 A coupling structure of a door and a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 8 A disassembled state of the water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig. 9 A door basket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.10 A cross section of a coupling structure of a door basket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0122] Hereinafter, the structure of the door 31 will be described, and the structure of the door 31 will be applied to the other doors 32 , 33 , and 34 in the same manner.

[0123] refer to Figures 5 to 10 The door 31 may include a door outer panel 40 and a door inner panel 41 coupled to the rear side of the door outer panel 40. The heat insulating member 40a (see Fig.10 ) can be set between the door outer panel 40 and the door inner panel 41.

[0124] The door outer panel 40 may form a front surface 31a of the door 31. The door inner panel 41 may form a rear surface 31b of the door 31. An upper cover 48 may be coupled to upper ends of the door outer panel 40 and the door inner panel 41, and a lower cover 49 may be coupled to lower ends of the door outer panel 40 and the door inner panel 41. The door 31 may rotate around a rotation axis R.

[0125] The door 31 may include a pair of vertical baffles 44 and 45 protruding in the rear direction. The pair of vertical baffles 44 and 45 may be spaced apart from each other. The pair of vertical baffles 44 and 45 may protrude in the rear direction of the door 31 so that the door baskets 27 and 28 and the water supply device 50 are installed in the door 31. Each of the vertical baffles 44 and 45 may extend in the up-down direction.

[0126] The pair of vertical baffles 44 and 45 may include a first vertical baffle 44 formed on one side of the door 31, the side being close to the rotation axis R of the door 31, and a second vertical baffle 45 opposite to the first vertical baffle 44. That is, the first vertical baffle 44 may be closer to the rotation axis R of the door 31 than the second vertical baffle 45, and in other words, the second vertical baffle 45 may be farther from the rotation axis R of the door 31 than the first vertical baffle 44.

[0127] The first vertical baffle 44 may include a baffle bead 44b protruding from an inner side surface 44a of the first vertical baffle 44. The second vertical baffle 45 may include a baffle bead 45b protruding from an inner side surface 45a of the second vertical baffle 45. One or more baffle bead 44b may be provided, and one or more baffle bead 45b may be provided.

[0128] The water supply device 50 may be provided on the rear surface 31b of the left upper door 31. The water supply device 50 may be positioned in a space between the first vertical baffle 44 and the second vertical baffle 45.

[0129] More specifically, the water supply device 50 may be coupled to the second vertical baffle 45 relatively far from the rotation axis R of the door 31. The water supply device 50 may be spaced apart from the first vertical baffle 44 relatively close to the rotation axis R of the door 31. Therefore, a space may be formed between the water supply device 50 and the first vertical baffle 44. Therefore, since the water supply device 50 is far from the rotation axis R of the door 31, the user may more conveniently operate the lever 110 of the water supply device 50 at a position far from the main body 10.

[0130] However, unlike the current embodiment, the water supply device 50 may be coupled to the first vertical baffle 44 and spaced apart from the second vertical baffle 45. Alternatively, the water supply device 50 may be coupled to both the first vertical baffle 44 and the second vertical baffle 45.

[0131] One or more of the door baskets 28 may be positioned in a space formed between the water supply 50 and the first vertical baffle 44. One or more of the door baskets 28 may include an item space 29 (see FIG. Fig. 9 ). Therefore, the entire storage space of the refrigerator 1 can be increased.

[0132] The water supply device 50 may include a water supply housing 60. A tub installation space 72 in which the water tub 51 may be installed may be formed in the water supply housing 60. Various types of sensors 95, 96, and 97 may be installed in the water supply housing 60. A first water supply port 151 and a second water supply port 152 may be provided in the water supply housing 60. The rod 110 may be provided in the water supply housing 60. Therefore, the water supply device 50 may be integrated into one body through the water supply housing 60.

[0133] The water supply housing 60 may be detachably installed in the door 31. The water supply housing 60 may be coupled to the second vertical baffle 45. In one surface of the water supply housing 60, a housing flange groove 81 coupled to the baffle flange 45b of the second vertical baffle 45 may be formed (see Figure 6 ). The baffle flange 45b of the second vertical baffle 45 may be inserted into the housing flange groove 81 of the water supply housing 60 from bottom to top. That is, the water supply housing 60 may be coupled to the second vertical baffle 45 from top to bottom. By inserting the baffle flange 45b into the housing flange groove 81, the water supply housing 60 may be temporarily fixed to the door 31.

[0134] The water supply housing 60 may be coupled to the rear surface 31b of the door 31 by the coupling member S1 and the coupling member S2 (also referred to as a coupling member). That is, in a state where the baffle flange 45b is inserted into the housing flange groove 81 and the water supply housing 60 is temporarily fixed to the door 31, the coupling member S1 and the coupling member S2 may firmly fix the water supply housing 60 to the rear surface 31b of the door 31.

[0135] To this end, coupling holes 83 and 84 to which the coupling member S1 and the coupling member S2 are coupled may be formed in the water supply housing 60. One or more of the coupling holes 83 and one or more of the coupling holes 84 may be provided. For example, two of the coupling holes 83 may be formed in the upper portion of the water supply housing 60, and one of the coupling holes 84 may be formed in the lower portion of the water supply housing 60. However, the number and position of the coupling holes 83 and the coupling holes 84 are not limited. The water supply housing 60 may include a coupling protrusion 85 in which the coupling hole 84 is formed.

[0136] In the door inner panel 41, an inner panel hole 41a penetrating the door inner panel 41 may be formed. Fig.10 ) may be coupled to the inner plate hole 41a. A grommet 42 may be coupled to the inner plate hole 41a to prevent the heat insulator 40a positioned between the door outer panel 40 and the door inner panel 41 from leaking to the outside of the left upper door 31 through the inner plate hole 41a. The grommet 42 inserted into the inner plate hole 41a may be supported by the heat insulator 40a.

[0137] The grommet 42 may include a coupling hole into which the coupling member S1 and the coupling member S2 are inserted and coupled. The coupling member S1 and the coupling member S2 may be coupled to the grommet 42 by penetrating the coupling hole 83 and the coupling hole 84 of the water supply housing 60. Through this structure, the coupling member S1 and the coupling member S2 may securely couple the water supply housing 60 to the rear surface 31b of the upper left door 31.

[0138] The water supply housing 60 may include a housing flange 82 formed at one surface of the water supply housing 60 , and the door basket 28 is coupled to the housing flange 82 .

[0139] The door basket 28 may include a first basket flange groove 28a formed at one surface of the door basket 28 and coupled to the baffle flange 44b of the first vertical baffle 44, and a second basket flange groove 28b formed at an opposite surface of the door basket 28 and coupled to the housing flange 82 of the water supply housing 60 (see Fig.10 ).

[0140] The baffle flange 44b of the first vertical baffle 44 can be inserted from bottom to top into the first basket flange groove 28a of the door basket 28. The housing flange 82 of the water supply housing 60 can be inserted from bottom to top into the second basket flange groove 28b of the door basket 28. With this structure, the door basket 28 can be easily installed or removed between the water supply housing 60 and the first vertical baffle 44.

[0141] The first basket flange groove 28a and the second basket flange groove 28b may protrude toward the article space 29. The first basket flange groove 28a may not be aligned with the second basket flange groove 28b. That is, the first basket flange groove 28a may be spaced apart from the second basket flange groove 28b in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Due to this structure, articles having a larger size may be stored in the article space 29.

[0142] When the door basket 28 is installed between the water supply housing 60 and the first vertical baffle 44, the door basket 28 may cover the coupling member S2. That is, the door basket 28 may prevent the coupling member S2 from being exposed.

[0143] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the water supply shell 60 may include a shell body 70, a shell bracket 80 for coupling the shell body 70 to the door 31, a shell cover 90 coupled to the shell body 70 and covering the upper part of the shell body 70, and a tray 91 coupled to the lower part of the shell body 70 to collect water discharged from the water bucket 51.

[0144] However, according to an embodiment, at least one of the case body 70, the case bracket 80, the case cover 90 and the tray 91 may be omitted. In addition, according to an embodiment, two or more of the case body 70, the case bracket 80, the case cover 90 and the tray 91 may be integrated into one body.

[0145] On one side of the front surface 71 of the housing body 70, a barrel installation space 72 may be formed by recessing. On the other side of the front surface 71 of the housing body 70, the rod 110 may be installed. On the other side of the front surface 71 of the housing body 70, a rod receiving groove 73 in which at least a portion of the rod 110 is received may be formed.

[0146] At least a portion of the water tub 51 may be accommodated in the tub installation space 72. The housing body 70 may include a tub support portion 77 disposed at a lower region of the tub installation space 72 and supporting a lower end of the water tub 51. At the tub support portion 77, an overflow hole 77a for guiding water overflowing from the water tub 51 to the tray 91 may be formed.

[0147] The water level sensor 96 may be installed in the housing body 70. The water level sensor 96 may be a capacitive sensor capable of detecting the water level of the water tub 51 by detecting capacitance that changes according to the water level of the liquid stored in the water tub 51. Therefore, the water level sensor 96 may detect the water level of the water tub 51 without directly contacting the liquid stored in the water tub 51. The water level sensor 96 is not limited to a capacitive sensor, and may include various water level sensors capable of detecting the water level of the water tub 51.

[0148] The housing body 70 may include a water level sensor installation opening 77b, and the water level sensor 96 may be installed at the water level sensor installation opening 77b. The water level sensor 96 may be installed on the rear surface of the housing body 70 by penetrating the water level sensor installation opening 77b to contact the water tub 51. However, the position of the water level sensor 96 is not limited to the rear surface of the housing body 70, and the water level sensor 96 may be installed at other positions where the water level sensor 96 may contact the water tub 51.

[0149] The tub installation sensor 95 may be installed in the housing body 70. The tub installation sensor 95 may detect the installation of the water tub 51 in the tub installation space 72. The tub installation sensor 95 may be a hall sensor. The tub installation sensor 95 may detect the magnet 56 (see FIG. 1 ) included in the water tub 51. Fig.11 ). The barrel mounting sensor 95 may be coupled to the upper surface 79 of the housing body 70 .

[0150] However, the bucket installation sensor 95 is not limited to the Hall sensor, and may be a mechanical sensor that detects the installation of the water bucket 51 by contacting the water bucket 51. In addition, the position of the bucket installation sensor 95 is not limited to the upper surface 79 of the shell body 70, and the bucket installation sensor 95 may be disposed at the lower surface or side surface of the shell body 70.

[0151] The switching valve 120 may be installed at the housing body 70. The switching valve 120 may be coupled to the upper surface 79 of the housing body 70. As described above, the switching valve 120 may selectively supply water supplied through the water supply flow path 7 to any one of the first water supply port 151 or the second water supply port 152.

[0152] The switching valve 120 may be a three-way valve. The switching valve 120 may include a valve body 121 in which a flow path is formed, an inlet port 122 through which water enters the valve body 121, and a plurality of outlet ports 123 and 124 through which water is discharged from the valve body 121. The inlet port 122 may be connected to the water supply flow path 7 to receive water. The first outlet port 123 may supply water to the water tub 51.

[0153] The first water supply port 151 of the water supply device 50 may include a first outlet port 123. That is, the first outlet port 123 of the switching valve 120 may not be connected to a hose, a nozzle, etc., and the first outlet port 123 itself may be the first water supply port 151. The first outlet port 123 may protrude downward from the valve body 121. However, unlike the current embodiment, the first water supply port 151 may be configured as a separate nozzle instead of the first outlet port 123, and the separate nozzle may be connected to the first outlet port 123 of the switching valve 120 through a water supply hose, etc.

[0154] In the upper surface 79 of the case body 70, a first through hole 79a penetrated by the first outlet port 123 may be formed. Water discharged through the first outlet port 123 may fall to the inlet 55 of the water tub 51.

[0155] The water supply hose 9 may be connected to the second outlet port 124 of the switching valve 120 . One end of the water supply hose 9 may be connected to the second outlet port 124 , and the other end of the water supply hose 9 may be connected to the connection pipe 130 .

[0156] The water stopper 140 may be detachably coupled to the connection pipe 130. The second water supply port 152 may include the water stopper 140. Thus, since the water stopper 140 is detachably coupled to the connection pipe 130, the water stopper 140 may be detached from the connection pipe 130 and cleaned when the water stopper 140 is contaminated.

[0157] When water is filled in the container by manual operation of the rod 110, the water plug 140 may be contaminated by water splashed by the shaking of the container. In this case, the water plug 140 may be detached from the connecting pipe 130, the water plug 140 may be cleaned, and then the water plug 140 may be installed in the connecting pipe 130. The connecting pipe 130 may be coupled to the upper surface 79 of the housing body 70. In the upper surface 79 of the housing body 70, a first through hole 79b (see FIG. 1 ) penetrated by the water plug 140 may be formed. Fig.18 ).

[0158] The rod 110 may be mounted on the front surface 71 of the housing body 70. A rod receiving groove 73 may be recessed in the front surface 71 of the housing body 70 to mount the rod 110 thereon. In the rod receiving groove 73, a switch 76 that is pressed by the rod 110 to generate an electrical signal may be provided.

[0159] The lever 110 may include a lever frame 111 coupled to the lever receiving groove 73, and a lever body 116 rotatably coupled to the lever frame 111 to press the switch 76. The user may press the lever body 116 with his / her hand or a container (e.g., a cup, a bowl, a bottle, etc.). The lever 110 may include an elastic member 119a elastically supporting the lever body 116.

[0160] The rod accommodating groove 73 may include a first rod accommodating groove 74 and a second rod accommodating groove 75 formed in the first rod accommodating groove 74 in a stepped manner relative to the first rod accommodating groove 74. Detailed structures of the rod 110 and the rod accommodating groove 73 will be described below.

[0161] The water supply housing 60 may include a housing bracket 80 for coupling the housing body 70 to the door 31. The housing bracket 80 may be coupled to the rear side of the housing body 70. The housing bracket 80 may be coupled to the door 31 in a state of being coupled to the housing body 70.

[0162] In one surface of the housing bracket 80, a housing flange groove 81 may be formed to be coupled to the second vertical baffle 45. In the opposite surface of the housing bracket 80, a housing flange 82 may be formed to be coupled to the door basket 28. In the upper portion of the housing bracket 80, a coupling hole 83 to which the coupling member S1 is coupled may be formed. In the lower portion of the housing bracket 80, a coupling hole 84 to which the coupling member S2 is coupled may be formed. A coupling protrusion 85 having the coupling hole 84 may protrude from the lower portion of the housing bracket 80 in a lateral direction.

[0163] The water level sensor 96 may be positioned between the housing body 70 and the housing bracket 80 .

[0164] The housing cover 90 may be coupled to the upper surface 79 of the housing body 70. The housing cover 90 may cover various components mounted on the upper surface 79 of the housing body 70 to prevent the components from being exposed to the outside. That is, the housing cover 90 may cover the barrel installation sensor 95, the switching valve 120, the connecting pipe 130, etc. mounted on the upper surface of the housing body 70 to prevent the barrel installation sensor 95, the switching valve 120, the connecting pipe 130, etc. from being exposed. In addition, the housing cover 90 may cover the coupling hole 83 formed in the upper portion of the housing bracket 80 to prevent the coupling hole 83 from being exposed to the outside.

[0165] The tray 91 may be coupled to the lower portion of the housing body 70. Water overflowing from the water tub 51 may be collected in the tray 91 through the overflow hole 77a. In the tray 91, a drain pipe 92 for draining the water collected in the tray 91 may be provided. A stopper (not shown) may be coupled to the drain pipe 92, and by separating the stopper from the drain pipe 92, the water collected in the tray 91 may be drained. An overflow sensor 97 for detecting the water collected in the tray 91 may be provided in the tray 91.

[0166] Fig.11 A cross section of a mounting structure of a water bucket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0167] refer to Fig.11 , the water bucket 51 may include a bucket body 52 in which water is contained. A handle 53 may be formed in the bucket body 52. ​​An inlet 55 may be formed in an upper portion of the bucket body 52, and water falling from the first water supply port 151 enters the interior of the bucket body 52 through the inlet 55. The water bucket 51 may include a magnet 56 that may be detected by the bucket mounting sensor 95. In the water bucket 51, a brewer 54 in which a tea bag or the like may be placed may be provided.

[0168] When the water tub 51 is installed in the tub installation space 72, the lower end of the water tub 51 may be supported by the tub support portion 77. When the water tub 51 is installed in the tub installation space 72, the water tub 51 may contact the water level sensor 96. The water level sensor 96 may include a sensor bracket 96a fixed to the housing body 70 of the water supply housing 60, a sensor portion 96b for detecting the water level of the water tub 51, and an elastic member 96c for pressing the sensor portion 96b toward the water tub 51 so that the sensor portion 96b is in close contact with the water tub 51.

[0169] Fig.12 A state in which the rod is separated from the water supply housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Fig.13 A pole frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.14 A rod body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.15 A mounting structure of a rod according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.16 A pressed state of a lever according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0170] refer to Figures 12 to 16 A rod receiving groove 73 recessed to mount the rod 110 thereon may be formed in the front surface 71 of the housing body 70 of the water supply housing 60. The switch 76 may be positioned in the rod receiving groove 73.

[0171] The rod receiving groove 73 may include a first rod receiving groove 74 and a second rod receiving groove 75, and the second rod receiving groove 75 is formed in the first rod receiving groove 74 in a stepped manner relative to the first rod receiving groove 74. The depth d2 of the second rod receiving groove 75 from the front surface 71 of the housing body 70 may be greater than the depth d1 of the first rod receiving groove 74 from the front surface 71 of the housing body 70 (see Fig.15 ).

[0172] The rod 110 may include a rod frame 111 coupled to the rod receiving groove 73 of the water supply housing 60. The rod frame 111 may be in the shape of a frame having a frame opening 112 in a central portion. A pusher 117 of a rod body 116 may press the switch 76 through the frame opening 112. The rod frame 111 may include a rotation shaft coupling portion 114 that rotatably supports a rod rotation shaft 119 of the rod body 116.

[0173] The rod frame 111 may include at least one coupling protrusion 113, and the at least one coupling protrusion 113 may be coupled to at least one hook protrusion 75a formed in the rod receiving groove 73. When the rod frame 111 is installed in the rod receiving groove 73, the outer side surface of the rod frame 111 may be supported by the inner side surface of the rod receiving groove 73. The upper outer side surface, the lower outer side surface, the left outer side surface, and the right outer side surface of the rod frame 111 may be supported by the upper inner side surface, the lower inner side surface, the left inner side surface, and the right inner side surface of the rod receiving groove 73.

[0174] In this way, because at least one coupling protrusion 113 of the rod frame 111 is coupled to at least one hook protrusion 75a of the rod accommodating groove 73, and the outer surface of the rod frame 111 is supported by the inner surface of the rod accommodating groove 73, the rod frame 111 can be stably coupled to the rod accommodating groove 73.

[0175] The rod frame 111 may be received in the second rod receiving groove 75 of the rod receiving groove 73 .

[0176] The rod body 116 may be rotatably coupled to the rod frame 111. The rod body 116 may include a rod rotating shaft 119 rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft coupling portion 114 of the rod frame 111. The elastic member 119a (see Figure 8) can be coupled to the rod rotation shaft 119 of the rod body 116, and the elastic member 119a can elastically support the rod body 116.

[0177] For example, the elastic member 119a may elastically bias the rod body 116 so that the rod body 116 rotates in a direction in which the upper end of the rod body 116 is disengaged from the rod receiving groove 73. The rod body 116 may include a stopper 118 for limiting the rotation range of the rod body 116. The stopper 118 of the rod body 116 may be supported by a trapping portion 115 of the rod frame 111 to limit the rotation range of the rod body 116.

[0178] On a rear surface 116 a of the lever main body 116 , a pusher 117 for pressing the switch 76 may protrude.

[0179] At least a portion of the rod body 116 may be received in the first rod receiving groove 74 .

[0180] like Fig.15 As shown, when the user does not press the rod body 116, the rear surface 116a of the rod body 116 can be almost parallel to the front surface 71 of the housing body 70 and spaced apart from the bottom 74a of the first rod receiving groove 74. Therefore, the gap between the rod body 116 and the first rod receiving groove 74 can be substantially covered by the rod body 116 so as not to be exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to improve the aesthetics, and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the rod receiving groove 73, thereby improving the durability of the rod 110.

[0181] like Fig.16 As shown, when the user presses the lever body 116 , the upper end of the lever body 116 may move toward the bottom 74 a of the first lever accommodating groove 74 , and a portion of the lever body 116 may be accommodated in the first lever accommodating groove 74 .

[0182] Fig.17 A state in which the rod is separated from the water supply housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0183] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the front surface 71 of the case body 70 of the water supply case 60 , a rod accommodating groove 273 may be formed to mount the rod 110 thereon.

[0184] The cover rib 274 may protrude along a boundary of the rod accommodation groove 273 of the front surface 71 of the case body 70 .

[0185] With this structure, the gap between the rod body 116 and the rod receiving groove 273 can be substantially covered by the cover rib 274 (eg, not exposed to the outside). Therefore, the aesthetics can be improved, and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the rod receiving groove 273, thereby improving the durability of the rod 110.

[0186] Fig.18 A cross section of a coupling structure of a water plug according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.19 A coupling structure of a water plug according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0187] like Fig.18 and Fig.19 As shown, the water supply device 50 may include a connection pipe 130 for detachably coupling the water plug 140 thereto. The connection pipe 130 may include an inlet 132 (see Figure 8 ) and an outlet 133, and the inlet 132 of the connecting pipe 130 can be connected to the water supply hose 9 (see Figure 7 The water plug 140 may be detachably coupled to the outlet 133 of the connection pipe 130 .

[0188] The connecting pipe 130 may include a connecting pipe body 131 having a pipe inner space 134. The connecting pipe 130 may include a plurality of plug fixing rings 136 and 137 coupled to an inner peripheral surface 135 of the connecting pipe body 131 toward an outlet 133. Each of the plurality of plug fixing rings 136 and 137 may be an O-ring having elasticity. The plurality of plug fixing rings 136 and 137 may have the same shape and size. The plurality of plug fixing rings 136 and 137 may be adjacent to each other in the up-down direction.

[0189] The water stopper 140 may include a water stopper body 141 having an inner flow path 143, and a portion of the water stopper body 141 may be inserted into the connection pipe 130. The water stopper 140 may include a protrusion ring 142 formed on an outer peripheral surface of the water stopper body 141 to be sandwiched between a plurality of stopper fixing rings.

[0190] During the process of inserting the water plug 140 into the connection pipe 130, the lower plug fixing ring 137 may be elastically deformed, and thus, the protruding ring 142 may be installed between the plurality of plug fixing rings 136 and 137. After the protruding ring 142 is installed between the plurality of plug fixing rings 136 and 137, the plug fixing ring 137 may return to the original state and support the protruding ring 142 to prevent the water plug 140 from being separated from the connection pipe 130.

[0191] Through this structure, the water stopper 140 can be easily coupled to the connection pipe 130. In addition, the coupling force between the water stopper 140 and the connection pipe 130 can be strengthened, and the water stopper 140 can be prevented from being unintentionally detached from the connection pipe 130.

[0192] Fig. 20 A water supply having a tank tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0193] refer to Fig. 20According to an embodiment, instead of the above-mentioned door basket 28, the tank tray 30 may be installed between the water supply device 50 and the vertical baffle 44. The tank tray 30 may be installed between the water supply device 50 and the vertical baffle 44 by a method of coupling a flange to a flange groove, such as the method used for the door basket 28.

[0194] The tank tray 30 may include at least one tank accommodation space 30a, and tanks C, bottles, etc. may be accommodated in the tank accommodation space 30a. At least one tank accommodation space 30a may be arranged in the up-down direction, and tanks C or bottles may be accommodated in the tank accommodation space 30a at an angle. Therefore, a large number of tanks C or bottles may be accommodated in the space between the water supply device 50 and the vertical baffle 44, thereby achieving effective use of the space.

[0195] Fig.21 The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown when a door of the refrigerator is opened. Fig. 22 A water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.23 A coupling structure of a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0196] Reference Figure 21 to Figure 23 A refrigerator 201 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described. The same components as those described in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0197] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 201 may include an SBS type refrigerator in which a refrigerating chamber 222 and a freezing chamber 221 are arranged in a left-right direction. The refrigerator 201 may include a freezing chamber door 231 for opening or closing the freezing chamber 221 and a refrigerating chamber door 232 for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber 222.

[0198] The water supply device 250 may be provided on the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 232. As in the above-described embodiment, the water supply device 250 may be positioned such that the rod 110 is farther from the rotation axis R of the refrigerating chamber door 232 than the water tub 51.

[0199] In addition, the water supply device 250 may be spaced apart from the first vertical baffle 44 near the rotation axis R of the refrigerating chamber door 232 and coupled to the second vertical baffle 45 opposite to the first vertical baffle 44. The door basket 28 may be disposed between the first vertical baffle 44 and the water supply device 250.

[0200] The case flange groove 81 may be provided in one surface of the water supply device 250 , and the case flange groove 81 may be coupled to the baffle flange 45 b formed in the second vertical baffle 45 .

[0201] Fig.24 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0202] like Fig.24 As shown, the refrigerator 1 (or refrigerator 201) may include a barrel installation sensor 95 for detecting the installation of the water barrel 51 in the barrel installation space 72, a water level sensor 96 for detecting the water level of the water barrel 51 installed in the barrel installation space 72, an overflow sensor 97 for detecting water leakage of the water barrel 51, a switch 76 operated by a rod 110 pressed by a user, and an opening and closing detection sensor 98 for detecting the opening and closing of the doors 31 and 232.

[0203] The refrigerator 1 (or refrigerator 201) may include a controller 100 for controlling the water supply valve 4 and the switching valve 120 based on whether the water bucket 51 has been installed detected by the barrel installation sensor 95, information related to the water level of the water bucket 51 detected by the water level sensor 96, information related to the overflow of the water bucket 51 detected by the overflow sensor 97, and information related to the opening or closing of the door 31 detected by the opening and closing detection sensor 98.

[0204] The controller 100 may control the water supply valve 4 and the switching valve 120 to supply water to the water tub 51 according to recognizing that the water tub 51 has been installed, recognizing that the water tub 51 has not been filled with a preset amount of water, and recognizing that water has not leaked from the water tub 51. The controller 100 may operate the water supply valve 4 to open the water supply flow path 7 to supply water to the water tub 51, and operate the switching valve 120 to open the first outlet port 123. When the water supply flow path 7 is opened and the first outlet port 123 is opened, water from the water supply source 2 may be supplied to the water tub 51 through the first water supply port 151.

[0205] Based on the state of the switch 76 being turned on by the pressed rod 110, the controller 100 can operate the water supply valve 4 to open the water supply flow path 7 to supply water to the second water supply port 152, and operate the switching valve 120 to open the second outlet port 124. When the water supply flow path 7 is opened and the second outlet port 124 is opened, water from the water supply source 2 can be supplied through the second water supply port 152.

[0206] When the doors 31 and 232 are opened, the water tub 51 installed in the tub installation space 72 may shake, and thus, water supplied through the first water supply port 151 may not be accurately supplied to the water tub 51. Therefore, the controller 100 may operate the switching valve 120 to close the first outlet port 123 to prevent water from being supplied through the first water supply port 151 when the doors 31 and 232 are opened.

[0207] When the doors 31 and 232 are closed, the rod 110 may be pressed by some objects and thus erroneously operated. Therefore, when the doors 31 and 232 are closed, the controller 100 may operate the switching valve 120 to close the second outlet port 124 to prevent water from being supplied through the second water supply port 152.

[0208] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, refrigerators 1 and 201 may include a main body 10 having storage chambers 21 and 222, doors 31 and 232 rotatably coupled to the main body 10 to open or close the storage chambers 21 and 222, and water supply devices 50 and 250 arranged on rear surfaces of the doors 31 and 232 to be exposed to the storage chambers 21 and 222 when the doors 31 and 232 are closed.

[0209] The water supply devices 50 and 250 may include a water supply shell 60 having a barrel mounting space 72, a water level sensor 96 for detecting the water level of a water barrel 51 mounted in the barrel mounting space 72, a first water supply port 151 for supplying water to the water barrel 51 based on the water level of the water barrel 51 detected by the water level sensor 96, a rod 110 arranged in the water supply shell 60 to be manually operable, and a second water supply port 152 for supplying water based on operation of the user's operating rod 110.

[0210] The second water supply port 152 may be positioned farther from the rotation axis R of the doors 31 and 232 than the first water supply port 151 . Therefore, when a user receives water through the second water supply port 152 , the user may conveniently receive water without being disturbed by the water tub 51 .

[0211] The doors 31 and 232 may include a pair of vertical baffles protruding in the rearward direction and spaced apart from each other.

[0212] The pair of vertical baffles 44 and 45 may include a first vertical baffle 44 formed in one side of the doors 31 and 232 adjacent to the rotation axis R of the doors 31 and 232 , and a second vertical baffle 45 opposite to the first vertical baffle 44 .

[0213] The water supply housing 60 may be coupled to the second vertical baffle 45 and spaced apart from the first vertical baffle 44 .

[0214] Through this structure, the water supply case 60 may be positioned as far away from the rotation axis R of the doors 31 and 232 as possible, and thus, water may be received more easily through the operation rod 110 .

[0215] The second vertical baffle 45 may include a baffle flange 45 b protruding from an inner side surface 45 a of the second vertical baffle 45 .

[0216] The water supply housing 60 may include a housing flange groove 81 into which the baffle flange 45 b is inserted.

[0217] Through this structure, the water supply housing 60 can be temporarily fixed to the doors 31 and 232 .

[0218] The refrigerators 1 and 201 may further include a coupling member S1 and a coupling member S2 for coupling the water supply case 60 to the rear surface 31 b of the door 31 .

[0219] The water supply housing 60 may be securely coupled to the door 31 by a simple method by temporarily fixing the water supply housing 60 to the second vertical baffle 45 via a flange structure and then coupling the water supply housing 60 to the rear surface 31 b of the doors 31 and 232 by coupling members S1 and S2 .

[0220] The doors 31 and 232 may include a door outer panel 40 , a door inner panel 41 forming rear surfaces 31 b of the doors 31 and 232 and coupled to the door outer panel 40 , and a heat insulator 40 a disposed between the door outer panel 40 and the door inner panel 41 .

[0221] The door inner panel 41 may include an inner panel hole 41 a .

[0222] The grommet 42 may be coupled to the inner plate hole 41 a to prevent the heat insulating member 40 a from entering the interior of the storage chambers 21 and 222 .

[0223] The water supply housing 60 may include coupling holes 83 and 84 .

[0224] The coupling member S1 and the coupling member S2 may be coupled to the grommet 42 by penetrating the coupling holes 83 and 84 .

[0225] In this way, the grommet 42 may stably couple the water supply housing 60 to the doors 31 and 232 while preventing the heat insulator 40 a of the doors 31 and 232 from leaking to the outside of the doors 31 and 232 .

[0226] The refrigerator 1 (or the refrigerator 201 ) may further include a door basket 28 installed in a space between the water supply case 60 and the first vertical baffle 44 and having an item space 29 accommodating items therein.

[0227] Through this structure, since items are additionally stored in the item space 29 of the door basket 28 , the storage space of the refrigerator 1 (or the refrigerator 201 ) may be increased.

[0228] The door basket 28 may include a first basket flange groove 28 a formed at one surface of the door basket 28 and coupled to the first vertical baffle 44 , and a second basket flange groove 28 b formed at an opposite surface of the door basket 28 and coupled to the water supply housing 60 .

[0229] Through this structure, the door basket 28 can be easily coupled.

[0230] The first basket flange groove 28a may be spaced apart from the second basket flange groove 28b in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0231] Since the first basket flange groove 28 a is spaced apart from the second basket flange groove 28 b in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, articles having a large size may be easily stored in the article space 29 of the door basket 28 .

[0232] The water supply case 60 may include a rod receiving groove 73 recessed in a front surface 71 of the water supply case 60 to mount the rod 110 thereon.

[0233] The rod accommodating groove 73 may include a first rod accommodating groove 74 and a second rod accommodating groove 75 formed in the first rod accommodating groove 74 in a stepped manner with respect to the first rod accommodating groove 74 .

[0234] The rod 110 may include a rod frame 111 coupled to the water supply housing 60 and received in the second rod receiving groove 75 , and a rod body 116 rotatably coupled to the rod frame 111 and capable of being received in the first rod receiving groove 74 .

[0235] Through this structure, the gap between the rod 110 and the rod receiving groove 73 can be covered. Therefore, it is possible to improve the aesthetics, and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the rod receiving groove 73, thereby improving the durability of the rod 110.

[0236] The water supply case 60 may include a rod receiving groove 273 recessed in the front surface 71 of the water supply case 60 to mount the rod 110 thereon, and a cover rib 274 formed along a boundary of the rod receiving groove 273 and protruding from the front surface 71 of the water supply case 60 .

[0237] Through this structure, the gap between the rod 110 and the rod receiving groove 73 can be covered. Therefore, it is possible to improve the aesthetics, and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the rod receiving groove 73, thereby improving the durability of the rod 110.

[0238] The water supply device 50 may include an inlet 132 and an outlet 133 , and include a connection pipe 130 coupled to the water supply housing 60 .

[0239] A water supply hose 9 for supplying water to the connection pipe 130 may be connected to an inlet 132 of the connection pipe 130 .

[0240] The second water supply port 152 may include a water stopper 140 detachably coupled to the outlet 133 of the connection pipe 130 .

[0241] In the process of receiving water using the rod 110, the water plug 140 may be contaminated due to water splashing to the water plug 140. In this case, the water plug 140 may be detached from the connection pipe 130 and the water plug 140 may be cleaned.

[0242] The connection pipe 130 may include a connection pipe body 131 , and a plurality of plug fixing rings 136 and 137 coupled to an inner circumferential surface 135 of the connection pipe body 131 to fix the water plug 140 .

[0243] The water stopper 140 may include a water stopper body 141 and a protrusion ring 142 protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the water stopper body 141 to be coupled between the plurality of stopper fixing rings 136 and 137 .

[0244] Since the protrusion ring 142 of the water stopper 140 is inserted between the plurality of stopper fixing rings 136 and 137 and fixed, the water stopper 140 may be easily installed, and the installed water stopper 140 may not be easily separated.

[0245] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerator 1 (or refrigerator 201) may include a main body 10 having storage chambers 21 and 222, doors 31 and 232 rotatably coupled to the main body 10 to open or close the storage chambers 21 and 222, and water supply devices 50 and 250 set in the doors 31 and 232.

[0246] The water supply device 50 (or the water supply device 250) may include a water supply housing 60 having a rod accommodating groove 73 recessed from a front surface 71, a switch 76 disposed in the rod accommodating groove 73, a rod frame 111 coupled to the water supply housing 60, a rod 110 including a rod body 116 rotatably coupled to the rod frame 111 to press the switch 76, and a water supply port 152 for supplying water when the rod 110 presses the switch 76.

[0247] The rod accommodating groove 73 may include a first rod accommodating groove 74 and a second rod accommodating groove 75, the rod body 116 is accommodated in the first rod accommodating groove 74, and the second rod accommodating groove 75 is formed in the first rod accommodating groove 74 in a stepped manner relative to the first rod accommodating groove 74, so that the rod frame 111 is accommodated in the second rod accommodating groove 75.

[0248] The depth of the second rod accommodating groove 75 from the front surface 71 of the housing body 70 may be greater than the depth of the first rod accommodating groove 74 from the front surface 71 of the housing body 70 .

[0249] The water supply device 50 may have an inlet 132 and an outlet 133 , and include a connection pipe 130 connected to the water supply housing 60 .

[0250] A water supply hose 9 for supplying water to the connection pipe 130 may be connected to an inlet 132 of the connection pipe 130 .

[0251] The second water supply port 152 may include a water stopper 140 detachably coupled to the outlet 133 of the connection pipe 130 .

[0252] The connection pipe 130 may include a connection pipe body 131 , and a plurality of plug fixing rings 136 and 137 coupled to an inner circumferential surface 135 of the connection pipe body 131 to fix the water plug 140 .

[0253] The water stopper 140 may include a water stopper body 141 and a protruding ring 142 protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the water stopper body 141 and coupled between a plurality of stopper fixing rings.

[0254] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the refrigerator can supply water according to the operation of the manual operating lever by the user, or can automatically supply water to the water bucket based on the water level of the water bucket, which is detected by the water level sensor. Therefore, the user can receive a small amount of water or a large amount of water at a time as needed.

[0255] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the water supply device may have a simple structure and may be easily assembled with a door.

[0256] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, since the rod of the water supply device is positioned farther from the rotation axis of the door than the water tub, the user may easily operate the rod without being interfered by the water tub.

[0257] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, since a door basket having an article space is positioned in a space between a water supply device and a baffle of a door, a storage space of a refrigerator may be increased.

[0258] Furthermore, since basket flange grooves formed at both side surfaces of the door basket to fix the door basket are not aligned with each other, an article space of the door basket may be increased.

[0259] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, since the gap between the water supply housing and the rod controllably disposed on the water supply housing is not exposed, the aesthetics can be improved. In addition, since foreign matter is prevented from entering the gap between the water supply housing and the rod, the durability of the rod can be increased.

[0260] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the water stopper can be easily detached or attached, and the coupling force of the attached water stopper can be improved, which improves the convenience of use.

[0261] However, aspects that can be implemented according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned aspects, and a person skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs will clearly understand other aspects that are not mentioned based on the description of the present disclosure.

[0262] Although various aspects of the present disclosure have been described based on specific exemplary embodiments, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. It should be explained that various embodiments modified or changed by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure also belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, include: the main body, including the storeroom; a door rotatably coupled to the body and configured to open or close the storage chamber; as well as a water supply device, on the rear surface of the door, Wherein, the water supply device comprises: a water supply housing including a space for mounting a barrel; a water level sensor configured to detect a water level of the water bucket in the bucket installation space; a first water supply port configured to supply water to the water tub based on the water level of the water tub detected by the water level sensor; a lever in the water supply housing and configured to be manually operable; and The second water supply port is configured to supply water based on a user's operation of the lever.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in, A distance between the second water supply port and a rotation axis of the door is greater than a distance between the first water supply port and the rotation axis.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The door includes a pair of vertical baffles protruding in a rearward direction of the refrigerator and spaced apart from each other, The pair of vertical baffles includes a first vertical baffle on a first side of the door and a second vertical baffle on a second side of the door, the first side facing the rotation axis of the door, the second vertical baffle being opposite to the first vertical baffle, and The water supply housing is coupled to the second vertical baffle and is spaced apart from the first vertical baffle.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, in, The second vertical baffle includes a baffle flange protruding from an inner side surface of the second vertical baffle, and The water supply housing further comprises a housing flange groove, and the baffle flange is inserted into the housing flange groove.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in, The water supply housing further includes a coupling member configured to couple the water supply housing to the rear surface of the door.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, in, The door comprises: Door outer panels; a door inner panel forming the rear surface of the door and coupled to the door outer panel, the door inner panel including an inner panel hole; a heat insulating member disposed between the door outer panel and the door inner panel; and a grommet configured to prevent the insulation from entering the interior of the storage compartment, the grommet being coupled to the inner panel hole, Wherein, the water supply housing further includes a coupling hole, and Wherein, the coupling member is coupled to the grommet by penetrating the coupling hole. 7 . The refrigerator according to claim 3 , further comprising a door basket in a space between the water supply case and the first vertical baffle, the door basket including an item space in which items are configured to be accommodated.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, in, The door basket also includes: a first basket flange groove at one surface of the door basket and configured to couple the door basket to the first vertical baffle; and A second basket flange groove is formed at another surface of the door basket opposite to the one surface of the door basket and is configured to couple the door basket to the water supply housing.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, in, The first basket flange groove is spaced apart from the second basket flange groove in a front-rear direction and a left-right direction of the refrigerator.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The water supply housing further includes a rod receiving groove recessed from a front surface of the water supply housing, The rod is in the rod receiving recess, and The rod accommodating groove includes a first rod accommodating groove and a second rod accommodating groove, and the second rod accommodating groove is formed in the first rod accommodating groove in a manner of forming a step with the first rod accommodating groove.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, in, The rod includes a rod frame coupled to the water supply housing and accommodated in the second rod accommodating groove, and a rod body rotatably coupled to the rod frame and configured to be accommodated in the first rod accommodating groove.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The water supply housing further includes a rod receiving groove recessed from a front surface of the water supply housing, The rod is in the rod receiving recess, and The refrigerator further includes a cover rib protruding from the front surface of the water supply case along a boundary of the rod receiving groove.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The water supply device further comprises a connecting pipe, wherein the connecting pipe comprises an inlet and an outlet, and the connecting pipe is coupled to the water supply housing. The refrigerator further includes a water supply hose configured to supply water to the connection pipe, the water supply hose being connected to the inlet of the connection pipe, and The second water supply port includes a water plug detachably coupled to the outlet of the connecting pipe.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, in, The connection pipe further includes a connection pipe body and a plurality of plug fixing rings coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe body and configured to fix the water plug.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, in, The water stopper includes a water stopper body and a protrusion ring protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the water stopper body, and the protrusion ring is configured to be coupled between the plurality of stopper fixing rings.

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