Apparatus For Producing Carbonated Water, And Refrigerator Including The Same And Method For Controlling The Same

• US 20160003523A1
• Filed: 07/01/2015
• Published: 01/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: KIM, Yonghyun, YOU, Jimin, AN, Siyeon, KIM, Sungkyoung
• Granted Patent: US 9,702,616 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/54 Mixing with gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/231 by bubbling mixers with gas or liquid agitation, e.g. with air supply tubes B01F33/40
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23123 consisting of rigid porous or perforated material
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/231265 being tubes, tubular elements, cylindrical elements or set of tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/236 specially adapted for aerating or carbonating beverages
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/2362 for aerating or carbonating within receptacles or tanks, e.g. distribution machines B01F23/2361 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/2363 Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams; Arrangements, e.g. comprising controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/2364 using security elements, e.g. valves, for relieving overpressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2112 Level of material in a container or the position or shape of the upper surface of the material
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/22162 Time of feeding of at least one of the components to be mixed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0014 the beverage being supplied from water mains
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0071 Carbonating by injecting CO2 in the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler

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.

Claims

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.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second relief valve is provided in the producing tank.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust passage connected to an upper portion of the producing tank and comprising an exhaust valve that controls exhaust of air within the producing tank,

wherein the second relief valve is provided in the exhaust passage.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one or more regulator configured to maintain pressure of the supplied carbon dioxide and the dispensed carbonated water, at least one of the one or more regulators being provided in each of the gas supply passage and the dispensing passage.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an injection nozzle that is configured to inject the carbon dioxide gas and that is provided on a first end of the gas supply passage,

wherein the injection nozzle is positioned to be immersed in the cold water based on the cold water of the producing tank being at a full level state.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection passage that is in communication with the producing tank and that is provided in a lower portion of the producing tank,

wherein the connection passage, the water supply passage, and the dispensing passage are connected to a switching valve configured to selectively connect the passages to each other.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the producing tank is injection-molded using a plastic material to define a space therein.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a water level detection device provided on an outer surface of the producing tank,

wherein the water level detection device is configured to detect a variation in capacitance to detect a water level within the producing tank.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection passage that is in communication with the producing tank and that is provided in a lower portion of the producing tank,

wherein the connection passage, the water supply passage, and the dispensing passage are connected to a switching valve configured to selectively connect the passages to each other, and

wherein the gas supply passage is connected to the connection passage between the switching valve and the producing tank.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a check valve, which is configured to prevent the carbonated water from flowing in a reverse direction, into the gas supply passage.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a pressing passage that connects the gas supply passage to an upper portion of the producing tank,

wherein the pressing passage is opened to allow the carbon dioxide gas to be injected into the producing tank based on the carbonated water being dispensed.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an exhaust passage connected to an upper portion of the producing tank and comprising an exhaust valve, wherein the exhaust valve is configured to control the exhaust of air within the producing tank, and

wherein the pressing passage is connected to the exhaust passage.

13. A refrigerator comprising an apparatus for producing carbonated water, the refrigerator comprising:

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.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, further comprising an ice making chamber that is configured to make ice, that is disposed in an upper portion of the door, and that communicates with the dispenser, and

wherein the apparatus for producing the carbonated water is disposed under the ice making chamber.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the cold water storage unit and the apparatus for producing the carbonated water are accommodated into a recessed space of a door liner defining a back surface of the door.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the recessed space is in communication with the refrigerating compartment to allow cool air to be introduced into the recessed space.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the recessed space is covered by a detachable cover.

18. The refrigerator according to claim 17, further comprising an ice making chamber door configured to open and close the ice making chamber, and

a basket disposed on the ice making chamber door and configured to define an accommodation space.

19. The refrigerator according to claim 17, further comprising an opening on which the gas cylinder is detached is defined in the cover at a position corresponding to the gas cylinder, and

the refrigerator further comprises a cylinder cover configured to open and close the opening.

20. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the cold water storage unit has a plate shape by winding a storage tube connected to a water supply source, and

wherein the cold water storage unit is disposed at a rear side of the apparatus for producing the carbonated water.

21. The refrigerator according to claim 13, further comprising a connection passage disposed in a lower portion of the producing tank, and

wherein the connection passage is branched into a water supply passage connected to the cold water storage unit and a dispensing passage connected to the dispenser by a switching valve to allow the dispenser to selectively dispense the cold water and the carbonated water through the dispensing passage.

22. An apparatus for producing carbonated water, the apparatus comprising:

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.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a gas regulator for supplying the carbon dioxide gas into the mixing unit is disposed in the gas passage, and

a pressing regulator for supplying the carbon dioxide into the water supply passage is disposed in the pressing passage,

wherein the pressing regulator is set to a pressure greater than that of the gas regulator.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a dispensing regulator configured to dispense the carbonated water produced in the mixing passage is disposed in the dispensing passage, and

herein the dispensing regulator is set to a pressure between the pressure of the pressing regulator and the pressure of the gas regulator.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the gas cylinder is detachably connected to a head unit in which a gas valve is configured to connect the pressing passage to the gas supply passage is disposed.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the gas regulator and the pressing regulator are provided in the form of an assembly together with the head unit to connect the gas supply passage to the pressing passage.

27. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the gas supply passage is branched into a pair, and the pair of gas supply passages are connected to both sides of the mixing unit, respectively.

28. A refrigerator comprising an apparatus for producing carbonated water, the refrigerator comprising:

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.

29. The refrigerator according to claim 28, wherein a gas regulator configured to supply the carbon dioxide gas at a predetermined pressure into the mixing unit is disposed in the gas passage, and

a pressing regulator configured to supply the carbon dioxide gas at a predetermined pressure into the water supply passage is disposed in the pressing passage,

wherein the pressing regulator is set to a pressure greater than that of the gas regulator.

30. The refrigerator according to claim 28, wherein a dispensing regulator configured to dispense the carbonated water produced in the mixing passage at a predetermined pressure is disposed in the dispensing passage, and

the dispensing regulator is set to a pressure between the pressure of the pressing regulator and the pressure of the gas regulator.

31. The refrigerator according to claim 28, wherein a water tank configured to supply cold water into the ice maker, the dispenser, and the water tank for the carbonated water are disposed in the door.

32. The refrigerator according to claim 28, wherein an exhaust valve is disposed in the water tank for the carbonated water and wherein the exhaust valve opens and closes to communicate with external air, and is opened when the water is supplied, or the carbonated water is dispensed.

33. The refrigerator according to claim 28, wherein the apparatus for producing the carbonated water is accommodated in a recessed space of a door liner defining an inner surface of the door and disposed under the ice making chamber.

34. The refrigerator according to claim 33, wherein the space communicates with the refrigerating compartment.

35. The refrigerator according to claim 30, wherein one nozzle is connected to the dispenser to selectively dispense the cold water and the carbonated water.

36. The refrigerator according to claim 30, wherein nozzles for respectively dispensing the cold water and the carbonated water are disposed in the dispenser.