Water supply device of refrigerator

Abstract

Provided is a water supply device of a refrigerator. The water supply device includes a dispenser housing, a removable water tank, a dispensing lever, and a valve unit. The dispenser housing is disposed at an opening of a refrigerator door. The removable water tank is disposed on a side of the dispenser housing. The dispensing lever is rotatably coupled to the refrigerator door and manipulated to supply water from the water tank. The valve unit communicates with outside air and is coupled to a side of the dispenser housing to receive the water tank and is adapted such that supply of the water is controlled by operation of the dispensing lever.

1 . A water supply device of a refrigerator, comprising:
 a dispenser housing at an opening of a refrigerator door;   a removable water tank on a side of the dispenser housing;   a dispensing lever rotatably coupled to the refrigerator door and manipulated to supply water from the water tank; and   a valve unit communicating with outside air and coupled to a side of the dispenser housing to receive the water tank and adapted such that supply of the water is controlled by operation of the dispensing lever.   
     
     
         2 . The water supply device according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve unit is fixed to an upper side of the dispenser housing, and the water tank is placed on or coupled to the valve unit. 
     
     
         3 . The water supply device according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve unit comprises:
 an outer case provided with a water storage;   a movable power transmission part in the outer case, the power transmission part contacting the dispensing lever; and   a compression part on at least one side of the power transmission part, the compression part selectively contacting the outer case.   
     
     
         4 . The water supply device according to  claim 3 , wherein the valve unit comprises an elastic member adapted such that the power transmission part elastically moves. 
     
     
         5 . The water supply device according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer case is provided with a stair part to which the placed water tank is supported or coupled. 
     
     
         6 . The water supply device according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer case is provided with an air hole through which an inner portion of the valve unit communicates with outside air. 
     
     
         7 . The water supply device according to  claim 3 , wherein the power transmission part is integrally provided with the compression part. 
     
     
         8 . The water supply device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water tank comprises a replaceable water container. 
     
     
         9 . The water supply device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water tank is provided with an outlet for discharging water, and the water tank is placed in a manner where the outlet is disposed downward. 
     
     
         10 . A water supply device of a refrigerator, comprising:
 a dispenser housing at an opening of a refrigerator door;   a water tank on an upper side of the dispenser housing;   a valve unit between the dispenser housing and the water tank, the valve unit storing water discharged from the water tank; and   a dispensing lever rotatably coupled to the refrigerator door and manipulated to operate the valve unit,   wherein the valve unit comprises:   an outer case provided with an air hole; and   a power transmission part in the outer case, the power transmission part engaging with the dispensing lever.   
     
     
         11 . The water supply device according to  claim 10 , wherein the valve unit further comprises a valve housing provided with a discharge part configured to discharge water. 
     
     
         12 . The water supply device according to  claim 11 , wherein the power transmission part comprises a compression part configured to selectively close the discharge part. 
     
     
         13 . The water supply device according to  claim 12 , wherein the power transmission part is disposed in the valve housing, and the compression part extends through the discharge part to an outside. 
     
     
         14 . The water supply device according to  claim 10 , wherein the valve housing is provided with a spring adapted such that the power transmission part elastically moves. 
     
     
         15 . The water supply device according to  claim 10 , wherein the power transmission part contacts an upper surface of the dispensing lever. 
     
     
         16 . A water supply device of a refrigerator, comprising:
 a dispenser housing at an opening of a refrigerator door;   a water tank on an upper side of the dispenser housing;   a valve unit between the dispenser housing and the water tank;   a stair part in an upper portion of the valve unit, the stair part being configured to support the water tank;   an air hole in the stair part, an inner portion of the valve unit communicating with outside air through the air hole;   a valve housing in a lower portion of the valve unit, the valve housing being provided with a spring; and   a power transmission part coupled to the spring and configured to selectively open the valve unit.   
     
     
         17 . The water supply device according to  claim 16 , wherein the valve unit is provided with a water storage configured to store water introduced from the water tank. 
     
     
         18 . The water supply device according to  claim 16 , wherein the valve unit comprises the valve housing coupled to the lower portion of the valve unit and extending into the valve unit. 
     
     
         19 . The water supply device according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a press part manipulated to discharge water; and   a rotatable dispensing lever extending from the press part.   
     
     
         20 . The water supply device according to  claim 19 , wherein the power transmission part moves vertically while the dispensing lever rotates.