Dispenser assembly for refrigerator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10112817-B2
Application number	US-201715471819-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 28, 2017
Priority date	Apr 26, 2016
Publication date	Oct 30, 2018
Grant date	Oct 30, 2018

Abstract

A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator includes a dispenser body, a water supply flow path and a removable discharge nozzle removably placed in a storage part formed in the dispenser body. The removable discharging unit is coupled to an extension hose and can be pulled out of the dispenser body by a user for dispensing water.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator, the dispenser assembly comprising:
a dispenser body defining an outer body of the dispenser assembly, wherein the dispenser body comprises a storage part;
a removable discharge nozzle configured to be placed in the storage part and configured to selectively discharge water supplied from a water supply flow path responsive to user interactions;
an extension hose configured to interconnect the water supply flow path and the removable discharge nozzle and to allow the removable discharge nozzle to be removed from the storage part to a location out of the dispenser body;
a water discharge lever configured to selectively open and close the water supply flow path responsive to user interactions;
a sensing unit configured to sense if the removable discharge nozzle is removed from the storage part; and
a control unit coupled to the sensing unit and configured to supply a control signal for opening the water supply flow path to the water discharge lever when the sensing unit senses that the removable discharge nozzle is removed from the storage part.

2. The dispenser assembly of claim 1 , wherein the removable discharge nozzle comprises:
a discharge body comprising a discharge flow path for water;
a rotary shaft disposed in the discharge flow path;
an opening/closing member fixed to the rotary shaft and operable to selectively open the discharge flow path; and
a discharge button configured to interact with the opening/closing member to open the discharge flow path.

3. The dispenser assembly of claim 2 , wherein the removable discharge nozzle further comprises:
an elastic member configured to maintain the opening/closing member in a closed state with respect to the discharge flow path;
an opening/closing bar protruding from the opening/closing member, wherein the discharge flow path is opened when the opening/closing bar is pushed by the discharge button; and
a sealing member disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the opening/closing member.

4. The dispenser assembly of claim 1 , wherein the storage part comprises an engagement portion configured to push the discharge button to open the discharge flow path when the removable discharge nozzle is placed in the storage part.

5. A refrigerator comprising:
a door; and
a dispenser assembly coupled to the door, wherein the dispenser assembly comprises:
a dispenser body defining an outer body of the dispenser assembly, wherein the dispensing body comprises a storage part;
a removable discharge nozzle removably supported by the storage part and configured to selectively discharge water supplied from a water supply flow path responsive to user interactions;
an extension hose configured to interconnect the water supply flow path and the removable discharge nozzle and to allow the removable discharge nozzle to be pulled out from the storage part;
a water discharge lever configured to selectively open and close the water supply flow path responsive to user interactions;
a sensing unit configured to sense if the removable discharge nozzle is removed from the storage part; and
a control unit coupled to the sensing unit and configured to supply a control signal for opening the water supply flow path to the water discharge lever when the sensing unit senses that the removable discharge nozzle is removed from the storage part.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5 , wherein the removable discharge nozzle comprises:
a discharge body comprising a discharge flow path for water;
a rotary shaft installed in the discharge flow path;
an opening/closing member fixed to the rotary shaft and operable to selectively open the discharge flow path; and
a discharge button configured to rotate the opening/closing member to open the discharge flow path.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein the removable discharge nozzle further comprises:
an elastic member configured to maintain the opening/closing member in a closed state with respect to the discharge flow path;
an opening/closing bar protruding from the opening/closing member, wherein the discharge flow path is opened when the opening/closing bar is pushed by the discharge button; and
a sealing member disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the opening/closing member.

8. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein the storage part comprises an engagement portion configured to push the discharge button to open the discharge flow path when the removable discharge nozzle is placed in the storage part.

Assignees

• Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp

Inventors

• Kim Dong Sun

Classifications

• B67D2210/00036

  for use with or in refrigerators · CPC title

• F25D23/126 Primary

  Water cooler · CPC title

• B67D1/0009 Primary

  the beverage being stored in an intermediate container connected to a supply · CPC title

• B67D2001/0087

  being mounted on the dispenser housing · CPC title

• F25D23/028

  Details · CPC title