Water tank for dispenser and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

A water tank for a dispenser which has a sufficient capacity and allows a user to easily dispense water, and a refrigerator having the same. The water tank includes a water storage container to store water, a filter unit to purify water stored in the water storage container, and a subsidiary container including a filter mounting part, on which the filter unit is mounted, and mounted within the water storage container to divide the inner space of the water storage container, and the water storage container includes a protrusion protruded from the lower surface of the water storage container so as to secure a capacity of the subsidiary container.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a freezing chamber;   a refrigerating chamber disposed at a position lower than the freezing chamber;   a water tank provided on a refrigerating chamber door opening and closing the refrigerating chamber; and   a dispenser unit to discharge water in the water tank to the outside,   wherein the water tank includes a water storage container to store water, a filter unit to purify water stored in the water storage container, and a subsidiary container including a filter mounting part, on which the filter unit is mounted, and mounted within the water storage container to divide the inner space of the water storage container, and   the water storage container includes a protrusion protruded outwardly corresponding to the shape of the filter mounting part to increase a capacity of the subsidiary container.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter mounting part is protruded downwardly from the lower surface of the subsidiary container, and
 the protrusion is protruded downwardly from the lower surface of the water storage container corresponding to a space in which the filter unit and the filter mounting part invade the water storage container.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser unit is disposed at an upper portion of the refrigerating chamber door such that a user may dispense water without bending over. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the protrusion guides water purified by the filter unit to the inner space of the water storage container. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the protrusion filters out foreign substances from water purified by the filter unit. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the capacity of the subsidiary container is in the range of 1.5˜2.5 liters. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator according to  claim 3 , wherein a mounting height of the dispenser unit is in the range of 0.8˜1 m from the mounting surface of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the filter mounting part is disposed at a central portion of the subsidiary container, and the protrusion is disposed at a central portion of the water storage container. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the water tank further includes a valve member to intermittently discharge water. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the water tank further includes a cover member to open and close the upper portion of the water storage container. 
     
     
         11 . A water tank for a dispenser comprising:
 a water storage container to store water;   a filter unit to purify water stored in the water storage container; and   a subsidiary container including a filter mounting part, on which the filter unit is mounted, and mounted within the water storage container to divide the inner space of the water storage container,   wherein the water storage container includes a capacity securing part protruded from the lower surface of the water storage container so as to secure a capacity of the subsidiary container.   
     
     
         12 . The water tank according to  claim 11 , wherein the filter mounting part is protruded downwardly from the central portion of the subsidiary container, and the capacity securing part accommodates the lower portion of the filter mounting part. 
     
     
         13 . The water tank according to  claim 12 , wherein the capacity securing part guides water purified by the filter unit to the inner space of the water storage container. 
     
     
         14 . The water tank according to  claim 12 , wherein the capacity securing part filters out foreign substances from water purified by the filter unit. 
     
     
         15 . The water tank according to  claim 12 , wherein the capacity of the subsidiary container is in the range of 1.5˜2.5 liters. 
     
     
         16 . The water tank according to  claim 12 , wherein a capacity of the water storage container is in the range of 3˜4 liters.