Water filter device and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a cabinet to define an outer appearance of the refrigerator and having a storage chamber therein; and a water filter device installed in the storage chamber, to purify water supplied from an external water supply source. The water filter device includes a filter unit to purify the water supplied from the water supply source, a storage tank unit to store the water purified through the filter unit, a case to accommodate the filter unit and the storage tank unit, a filter head assembly, and a water filter assembly separably coupled to the filter head assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a cabinet to define an outer appearance of the refrigerator and having a storage chamber therein; and   a water filter device installed in the storage chamber, to purify water supplied from an external water supply source,   wherein the water filter device comprises
 a filter unit to purify the water supplied from the water supply source, 
 a storage tank unit to store the water purified through the filter unit, 
 a case to accommodate the filter unit and the storage tank unit, 
 a filter head assembly, and 
 a water filter assembly separably coupled to the filter head assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter head assembly comprises:
 an inlet to allow the water from the water supply source to be introduced into the water filter assembly; and   an outlet to allow the water purified through the water filter assembly to be discharged to the storage tank unit.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 a supply tube connected to the water supply source is connected to the inlet; and   a connecting tube connected to the storage tank unit is connected to the outlet.   
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an ice maker to make ice installed in the storage chamber; and   a dispenser to supply the water purified through the water filter device to an outside of the refrigerator.   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 4 , wherein a discharge tube is connected to the storage tank unit, to discharge the water from the storage tank unit to the ice maker and the dispenser. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 5 , wherein the case is formed with a through hole to guide the supply tube and the discharge tube. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter head assembly comprises a first inlet and a first inlet passage, to guide the water from the water supply source to be introduced into the water filter assembly, and a first outlet and a first outlet passage, to guide the water purified through the water filter assembly to be discharged to the storage tank unit. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 a supply tube connected to the water supply source is connected to the first inlet; and   a second inlet passage formed at the storage tank unit is connected to the first outlet.   
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage tank unit comprises a storage tank, and an inlet pipe inserted into the storage tank, to guide the water purified through the filter unit to be stored in the storage tank. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the storage tank unit comprises a storage tank, and an inlet pipe inserted into the storage tank, to guide the water purified through the filter unit to be stored in the storage tank; and   the storage tank comprises a second inlet passage connected to the first outlet of the filter head assembly and the inlet pipe at opposite ends of the second inlet passage, respectively, and a second outlet to discharge the water stored in the storage tank.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an ice maker to make ice installed in the storage chamber; and   a dispenser to supply the water purified through the water filter device to an outside of the water filter device,   wherein a discharge tube is connected to the second outlet of the storage tank, to discharge the water from the storage tank to the ice maker and the dispenser.   
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the storage tank is divided into an insertion space, into which the inlet pipe is inserted, and a storage space, in which water introduced through the inlet pipe is stored; and   the storage space communicates with the insertion space at a side opposite to the second outlet.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator according to  claim 12 , wherein the storage tank has an inner surface rounded at one side thereof to disperse a pressure of the water introduced into the storage space through the inlet pipe. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the filter assembly comprises a first body, and a second body received in the first body such that the second body is movable within the first body by a pressure of water introduced through the inlet passage or when the water filter assembly is coupled or separated; and   an elastic member is arranged between the first body and the second body, to move the second body within the first body when the pressure of the water introduced through the inlet passage is low.   
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a water basin received in the case, to receive water leaking from the filter unit.   
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator according to  claim 15 , wherein the water basin is arranged to be extendable from or retractable into the case. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a water basin received in the case, to receive water leaking from the filter unit.   
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator according to  claim 17 , wherein the water basin is arranged to be extendable from or retractable into the case. 
     
     
         19 . A water filter device comprising:
 a filter unit to receive water from an external water supply source and to purify the received water;   a storage tank unit to store the water purified through the filter unit; and   a case to accommodate the filter unit and the storage tank unit,   wherein the filter unit comprises
 a filter head assembly; and 
 a water filter assembly separably coupled to the filter head assembly. 
   
     
     
         20 . The water filter device according to  claim 19 , wherein a connecting tube is connected between the filter head assembly and the storage tank unit, to introduce the water purified through the water filter unit to the storage tank unit.