Refrigerator with a selective icemaker/dispenser water distrubution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators often require complex water supply systems to efficiently provide water to both the dispenser and icemaker, which can complicate maintenance and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A single water tank is used to supply water to both the dispenser and icemaker through a simplified passage system, utilizing gravity for the dispenser and a pump for the icemaker, with a slide cap and pump housing configuration that allows selective coupling and easy access for filling and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single water tank is used to supply water to both dispenser and icemaker, then device complexity is reduced, but water supply reliability may deteriorate due to potential conflicts in water distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank is divided into two separate water supply passages: a first water supply passage for the dispenser and a second water supply passage for the icemaker. This segmentation allows independent water flow control to each component, ensuring reliable water supply while maintaining a relatively simple single-tank structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A control valve is introduced as an intermediary component to regulate and direct water flow between the two passages. The control valve receives control signals to selectively open or close water supply to either the dispenser or icemaker, ensuring reliable water distribution without requiring complex multi-tank systems.
2Reliability
If separate water tanks are used for dispenser and icemaker, then water supply reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water storage function into a single tank while separating the water distribution paths into two independent passages. This combining approach maintains reliability through separate controlled flow paths while simplifying the overall structure compared to using two separate tanks, reducing both device complexity and maintenance burden.
3Reliability
If complex passage system is used to supply water to both dispenser and icemaker, then water supply reliability is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A control unit receives control signals and automatically operates the control valve to manage water supply to either the dispenser or icemaker. This automated feedback control ensures reliable water distribution while eliminating the need for manual intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite the presence of a dual-passage system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows efficient water supply to both components using a single tank, simplifying the passage system and improving user convenience by reducing complexity and facilitating maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The water tank is disposed over the dispenser so that water in the water tank can be supplied to the dispenser by gravity.
Implementation Method 2
A pump for sending water of the water tank to the icemaker is usable. And, the pump may be disposed under the water tank.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The present invention provides a refrigerator having a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator including an icemaker provided to the freezer compartment or a freezer compartment door configured to open/close the freezer compartment, a dispenser provided to a refrigerator compartment door configured to open/close the refrigerator compartment, a water tank provided to the refrigerator compartment door, the water tank having an inlet for putting in water and an outlet for supplying water to the dispenser, a pump configured to send the water supplied from the water tank to the icemaker, and a slide cap movably provided to the water tank so as to be selectively coupled to a passage connected to the pump.