Apparatus For Producing Carbonated Water, And Refrigerator Including The Same And Method For Controlling The Same
First Claim
1. An apparatus for producing carbonated water, the apparatus comprising:
- a gas cylinder configured to store carbon dioxide gas;
a cold water storage unit configured to store cold water;
a producing tank defining a closed space where the carbonated water is produced;
a water supply passage configured to connect the cold water storage unit to the producing tank, the water supply passage comprising a water supply valve that controls supply of the cold water;
a gas supply passage connecting the gas cylinder to the producing tank, the gas supply passage comprising a gas valve that controls supply of the carbon dioxide;
a first relief valve provided along the gas supply passage, the first relief valve configured to control the discharge of the carbon dioxide gas;
a dispensing passage connecting the producing tank to a dispensing member;
the dispensing member configured to dispense the carbonated water from a front surface of a refrigerator, the dispensing passage comprising a dispensing valve that controls flow of the carbonated water;
a second relief valve in communication with an upper portion of the producing tank, the second relief valve configured to control discharge of air within the producing tank; and
a controller configured to control operation of the first relief valve and the second relief valve, wherein the controller is configured to control the gas valve to remain in an opened position until the carbonated water in the producing tank meets a preset concentration,wherein the second relief valve is configured to have a preset pressure that is greater than the atmospheric pressure and less than the pressure of the first relief valve, and wherein the carbon dioxide gas is continuously injected into the producing tank based on the second relief valve being oriented in an opened position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for producing carbonated water includes a gas cylinder configured to store carbon dioxide gas, a cold water storage unit configured to store cold water, a producing tank defining a closed space where the carbonated water is produced, a water supply passage configured to connect the cold water storage unit to the producing tank, the water supply passage including a water supply valve that controls supply of the cold water, a gas supply passage connecting the gas cylinder to the producing tank, the gas supply passage including a gas valve that controls supply of the carbon dioxide, a first relief valve provided along the gas supply passage, the first relief valve configured to control the discharge of the carbon dioxide gas, a dispensing passage connecting the producing tank to a dispensing member, and the dispensing member configured to dispense the carbonated water from a front surface of a refrigerator.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An apparatus for producing carbonated water, the apparatus comprising:
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a gas cylinder configured to store carbon dioxide gas; a cold water storage unit configured to store cold water; a producing tank defining a closed space where the carbonated water is produced; a water supply passage configured to connect the cold water storage unit to the producing tank, the water supply passage comprising a water supply valve that controls supply of the cold water; a gas supply passage connecting the gas cylinder to the producing tank, the gas supply passage comprising a gas valve that controls supply of the carbon dioxide; a first relief valve provided along the gas supply passage, the first relief valve configured to control the discharge of the carbon dioxide gas; a dispensing passage connecting the producing tank to a dispensing member; the dispensing member configured to dispense the carbonated water from a front surface of a refrigerator, the dispensing passage comprising a dispensing valve that controls flow of the carbonated water; a second relief valve in communication with an upper portion of the producing tank, the second relief valve configured to control discharge of air within the producing tank; and a controller configured to control operation of the first relief valve and the second relief valve, wherein the controller is configured to control the gas valve to remain in an opened position until the carbonated water in the producing tank meets a preset concentration, wherein the second relief valve is configured to have a preset pressure that is greater than the atmospheric pressure and less than the pressure of the first relief valve, and wherein the carbon dioxide gas is continuously injected into the producing tank based on the second relief valve being oriented in an opened position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A refrigerator comprising an apparatus for producing carbonated water, the refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet that defines a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; a door that is configured to open and close at least a portion of the cabinet; a dispenser mounted to a front surface of the door; a cold water storage unit provided in the door, the cold water storage unit configured to be cooled by cool air of the refrigerating compartment; and an apparatus for producing the carbonated water, the apparatus mounted to the door, the apparatus configured to mix cold water from the cold water storage unit with a carbon dioxide gas and supply the mixture to the dispenser, wherein the apparatus for producing the carbonated water comprises; a gas cylinder detachably mounted to the door and configured to store carbon dioxide gas; a producing tank connected to the gas cylinder, the cold water storage unit, and the dispenser by one or more connection passages, the producing tank defining a closed space where the carbonated water is produced; a plurality of valves provided in the one or more connection passages, and configured to open and close the one or more connection passages; a first relief valve provided along the passage configured to supply the carbon dioxide gas into the producing tank, the first relief valve configured to control discharge of the carbon dioxide gas when the supplied carbon dioxide gas has a pressure greater than a preset pressure; a second relief valve in communication with an upper portion of the producing tank, the second relief valve configured to have a preset pressure that is greater than the atmospheric pressure and less than that of the first relief valve; and a controller configured to control the first relief valve and the second relief valve so that the carbon dioxide gas is continuously supplied until the carbonated water within the producing tank meets a preset concentration. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for producing carbonated water, the apparatus comprising:
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a water tank configured to store water for producing the carbonated water; a water supply passage connected to a cold water storage unit to supply the water; a gas cylinder configured to store a carbon dioxide gas; a gas supply passage connected to the gas cylinder to supply the carbon dioxide gas; a mixing unit connected to the water supply passage and the gas supply passage, and the mixing unit is configured to mix received water and carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide gas is introduced by a low pressure generated by a flow velocity of the water received ; a dispensing passage connected to the mixing unit configured to discharge the produced carbonated water; and a pressing passage branched from the gas supply passage and connected to the water supply passage, the pressing passage configured to supply and press a portion of the gas within the gas supply passage so that the water supplied into the mixing unit is supplied at a predetermined pressure. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A refrigerator comprising an apparatus for producing carbonated water, the refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; a door configured to open and close each of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment; an ice making chamber mounted to the door, and in which an ice maker is accommodated; a dispenser for dispensing ice within the ice making chamber; and the apparatus for producing the carbonated water, is accommodated in a space of a back surface of the door, the apparatus connected to the dispenser to produce and dispense the carbonated water, wherein the apparatus for producing the carbonated water comprises; a gas cylinder configured to store a carbon dioxide gas; a mixing unit connected to the a water tank for the carbonated water and the gas cylinder, and wherein the carbon dioxide gas is introduced by a low pressure generated by flow velocity of introduced water to produce the carbonated water; a water supply passage configured to connect the water tank for the carbonated water to the mixing unit; a gas supply passage configured to connect the gas cylinder to the mixing unit; a dispensing passage configured to connect the mixing unit to the dispenser; and a pressing passage branched from the gas supply passage and connected to the water supply passage, the pressing passage configured to supply and press a portion of the gas within the gas supply passage so that the water supplied into the mixing unit is supplied at a predetermined pressure. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification