Cooling device, water purifier having cooling device and manufacturing method therefor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025109006-A1
Application number	US-202418980095-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 13, 2024
Priority date	Jul 28, 2022
Publication date	Apr 3, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A cooling device including a water tank case, an evaporator at least a portion of which is accommodated in the water tank case to exchange heat with cooling water stored inside the water tank case, a water tank case insulating portion foam-molded to surround an outer surface of the water tank case, a water tank cover having at least one component disposed thereon and disposed on the upper side of the water tank case, a water tank cover insulating portion foam-molded to form a water tank insulating portion seamlessly integrated with the water tank case insulating portion and surrounding an outer surface of the water tank cover, and a sealing member around the at least one component disposed on the water tank cover to prevent a gap leading to the water tank case from being formed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A cooling device for a water purifier, comprising:
a water tank case to accommodate cooling water therein; an evaporator at least partially accommodated in the water tank case to exchange heat with the cooling water accommodated in the water tank case; a water tank cover having at least one component disposed thereon and disposed above the water tank case; a water tank cover insulator and a water tank case insulator that are both made of a foamed material and together form an integral insulator without a seam between the water tank cover insulator and the water tank case insulator, wherein the water tank case insulator surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the water tank case, and the water tank cover insulator surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the water tank cover; and a sealing member disposed to prevent a gap leading to the water tank case from being formed, around the at least one component disposed on the water tank cover.

2 . The cooling device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cold water pipe at least partially accommodated in the water tank case, and having an inside where water for heat exchange with the cooling water accommodated in the water tank case flows, wherein the at least one component disposed on the water tank cover includes a portion of the cold water pipe passing through the water tank cover and communicating with an outside of the cooling device, and wherein the sealing member includes a cold water pipe sealing member disposed not to form the gap leading to the water tank case around the portion of the cold water pipe.

3 . The cooling device of claim 2 , wherein:
the water tank cover includes a pair of communication pipes having a hollow shape extending upward from an upper surface of the water tank cover, the cold water pipe passes through each of the pair of communication pipes, and the cold water pipe sealing member seals a space between each communication pipe and a cold water pipe passing through a corresponding communication pipe.

4 . The cooling device of claim 1 , wherein
the at least one component disposed on the water tank cover includes a stirring motor to stir the cooling water accommodated in the water tank case, and the sealing member includes a motor sealing member disposed not to form a gap leading to the water tank case around the stirring motor.

5 . The cooling device of claim 4 , wherein
the water tank cover includes a motor recess recessed downward from an upper surface of the water tank cover, and the motor sealing member is disposed in the motor recess.

6 . The cooling device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a heater disposed on a surface of the water tank cover insulator or the water tank case insulator to prevent dew formation on a surface of the cooling device, wherein the water tank cover insulator or the water tank case insulator includes a heater guide in which at least a portion of a surface thereof is recessed to allow the heat to be seated therein.

7 . The cooling device of claim 1 , wherein
the at least one component disposed on the water tank cover includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature inside the water tank case, and the cooling device further comprises a fastening plate and a screw fastening structure for sealing the temperature sensor and which are disposed above the temperature sensor.

8 . A method comprising:
foaming a water tank case insulator surrounding an outer circumferential surface of a water tank case configured to accommodate cooling water; disposing one or more structure for supplying cold water into the water tank case; disposing a sealing member at at least one position on a water tank cover configured to cover an upper portion of the water tank case; disposing a component corresponding to the at least one position of the water tank cover; disposing the water tank cover to cover an upper side of the water tank case; and integrally foaming an insulator to surround the water tank case and the water tank cover disposed on the upper side of the water tank case.

9 . The method of claim 8 ,
wherein the one or more structures for supplying the cold water, disposed in the water tank case includes an evaporator and a cold water pipe where water cooled by heat exchange with the evaporator flows, wherein disposing the component corresponding to the at least one position of the water tank cover includes disposing to allow a portion of the cold water pipe to pass through the water tank cover and communicate with an outside of the water tank case, and wherein disposing the sealing member includes disposing a cold water pipe sealing member around the portion of the cold water pipe.

10 . The method of claim 9 ,
wherein the water tank cover includes a pair of communication pipes having a hollow shape extending upward from an upper surface of the water tank cover, wherein disposing to allow the portion of the cold water pipe to pass through the water tank cover and communicate with the outside of the water tank case includes disposing the cold water pipe to pass through each of the pair of communication pipes, and wherein disposing the cold water pipe sealing member includes disposing the cold water pipe sealing member to seal a space between each communication pipe and a cold water pipe passing through a cooling device communication pipe.

11 . The method of claim 8 ,
wherein disposing the component corresponding to the at least one position of the water tank cover includes disposing a stirring motor stirring the cooling water accommodated in the water tank case, and wherein disposing the sealing member includes disposing a motor sealing member around the stirring motor.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein
the water tank cover includes a motor recess recessed downward from an upper surface, and the motor sealing member is disposed in the motor recess.

13 . The method of claim 8 ,
wherein disposing the component corresponding to the at least one position of the water tank cover includes disposing a temperature sensor, and wherein disposing the sealing member includes disposing a fastening plate and a screw fastening structure for sealing the temperature sensor, above the temperature sensor.

14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein integrally foaming the insulator to surround the water tank case and the water tank cover includes foaming the insulator to form a recess for disposing a heating cable in an outer circumferential surface of the insulator.

15 . A water purifier, comprising:
a filter unit to generate purified water by filtering raw water; and a cooling device to generate cold water by cooling the purified water generated by the filter unit, wherein the cooling device includes:
a water tank case to accommodate cooling water therein,
an evaporator at least partially accommodated in the water tank case to exchange heat with the cooling water accommodated in the water tank case,
a water tank cover having at least one component disposed thereon and disposed above the water tank case,
a water tank cover insulator and a water tank case insulator that are both made of a foamed material and together form an integral insulator without a seam between the water tank cover and the water tank case insulator, wherein the water tank case insulator surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the water tank case, and the water tank cover insulator surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the water tank cover, and
a sealing member disposed to prevent a gap leading to the water tank case from being formed, around

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Jang Doyun
• Kim Seokuk
• Lee Seonjeong
• Lee Junggeun

Classifications

• B67D1/0884

  Means for controlling the parameters of the state of the liquid to be dispensed, e.g. temperature, pressure · CPC title

• B67D2210/00026

  Heaters · CPC title

• B67D2210/00044

  Insulation · CPC title

• B67D1/0859 Primary

  the evaporator being in direct heat contact with the beverage, e.g. placed inside a beverage container · CPC title

• B67D2210/00163

  Agitators · CPC title