FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
“REFRIGERATOR WITH A WATER DISPENSER SYSTEM”
WHIRLPOOL OF INDIA LTD. of Plot No A4 MIDC Nagar Road, Ranjangaon , Pune -419204, India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to refrigerator and more particularly, to a refrigerator with a storage tank which takes optimum time to cool water stored therein, thereby enhancing the cooling water performance.
BACKGROUND
With the advancement in technology, refrigerator has changed its technical profile like frost/No frost, refrigerator with ice-maker/water dispenser. In general, there are refrigerators with ice dispenser or water dispenser to provide ice/water to a user without requiring a need to open the refrigerator. In the refrigerators with the water dispenser, a water tank is locatable on RC door storing water therein.
However, there are certain problems associated with the conventional water tanks provided in the refrigerators with water dispenser. Conventional water tanks provided in the refrigerators have a flat shape as shown in figs. 1(a)-(c), which restricts return air path of the refrigerator. Due to such shape, the water stored therein takes maximum time to lower down the temperature from 30 degree Celsius to 13 deg Celsius i.e. 8 hrs approximately. Hence, the total time required to cool down the temperature of water stored in the water tank is very high.
Thus, there is a need to provide a refrigerator with a storage tank which takes optimum time to cool water and provides cold water to a customer as soon as possible at a given refrigerator operating conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A refrigerator having a water dispenser system has been disclosed. The refrigerator comprising a storage tank placed inside the refrigerator, wherein the storage tank comprises a modular

structure to store water at an optimum temperature; a dispensing system placed outside the refrigerator, wherein the dispensing system is in connection with the storage tank.
In one embodiment, the modular structure can be multiple finger tank with scooped structure and aerodynamics shape, multiple finger tank, tank with a rear slot and the like. The storage tank with modular structure provides better cooling, maximum surface area, high air flow from rear etc.
In another embodiment, the storage tank has a specially designed lid on its top which helps user to pour water directly to the storage tank.
In yet an another embodiment, a float valve detects water level inside the storage tank, and the float valve intercepts water inflow towards the storage tank to stop water outflow.
In still an another embodiment, the dispensing system has a dispensing outlet and the dispensing system protrudes inward towards surface of refrigerator door by a predetermined distance.
Further, in an embodiment, the dispensing system comprising a faucet movably attached to the dispensing outlet of the dispenser and in operation, the faucet is moveable towards the surface of refrigerator door and away from the surface of refrigerator door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals have been used to refer to identical or similar functionally similar elements. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention wherein:
Figures 1 (a)-(c) illustrate conventional storage tank provided in the refrigerators.
Figure 2 is a front view illustrating schematic appearance of an open refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a storage tank according to an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates surface design of the storage tank which to be mounted on the refrigerator door.
Figures 5(a)-(c) illustrate temperature profiles of the storage tank in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates air flow circulation/velocity profile/temperature profile in CFD simulation storage tank in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention refrigerator with an isolated water supply and water filtering unit. It should be understood that the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms; specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It will be appreciated as the description proceeds that the invention may be used in other types of electronic appliances and may be realized in different embodiments.
Before describing in detail embodiments it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present invention reside in the construction of the refrigerator, accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus. The following paragraphs explain various aspect of the present invention with reference to figures.
A refrigerator having a water dispenser system has been disclosed. The refrigerator comprising a storage tank placed inside the refrigerator, wherein the storage tank comprises a modular structure to store water at an optimum temperature; a dispensing system placed outside the refrigerator, wherein the dispensing system is in connection with the storage tank.
In one embodiment, the modular structure can be multiple finger tank with scooped structure and aerodynamics shape, multiple finger tank, tank with a rear slot and the like. The storage tank with modular structure provides better cooling, maximum surface area, high air flow from rear etc.
In another embodiment, the storage tank has a specially designed lid on its top which helps user to pour water directly to the storage tank.
In yet an another embodiment, a float valve detects water level inside the storage tank, and the float valve intercepts water inflow towards the storage tank to stop water outflow.
In still an another embodiment, the dispensing system has a dispensing outlet and the dispensing system protrudes inward towards surface of refrigerator door by a predetermined distance.
Further, in an embodiment, the dispensing system comprising a faucet movably attached to the dispensing outlet of the dispenser and in operation, the faucet is moveable towards the surface of refrigerator door and away from the surface of refrigerator door.
Referring to fig. 2, which illustrates a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator (1) comprising a freezing compartment (FC) (2) and refrigerating compartment (RC) (3) is shown. Particularly, the refrigerator (1) includes a top panel (4), a

bottom panel (5), lateral panels (6) and, and a rear panel (7). In the refrigerator (1), there are two opening/closing doors which are hinged to lateral part of the refrigerator. The first opening/closing door (8) is positioned at the top panel, and the second opening/closing door i.e. RC door (9) is positioned at the bottom panel (5). The RC door (9) is provided with a water dispenser (10) which is located on a front surface of the RC door (9). The water dispenser (10) allows a user to retrieve water without opening the same. The dispenser (10) includes a faucet
(11) which can be used by the user to retrieve the cold filtered water. The
dispenser (10) protrudes inward towards the rear surface of the RC door (9) by a predetermined
distance. Further, a storage tank (12) is located on the rear surface of the RC door (9) and is used
to store the water.
As illustrated in fig. 3, the storage tank is locatable on the foamed RC door. A float valve (14) is provided inside the storage tank (12) which automatically controls the level of water in the storage tank (12). When water exceeds a certain limit, the float valve (14) intercepts the water inflow, thereby preventing water leakage in the refrigerator (1). Water can be filled in the storage tank in two ways. In one way, the user can manually pour water in the storage tank (12), by opening a tank lid (13) provided above the storage tank (12). Alternatively, user can place an external water supply unit in proximity to the refrigerator (1). Installation of external RO water supply unit enables to get purified/filtered water solution. To support the provision of external water supply unit, the storage tank is provided with an inlet tube to allow passage of water.
Fig. 4 shows various views of storage tank (12) with different surface designs. The storage tank
(12) has different surface designs to enhance water cooling time and in turn to provide water to
user. Factors which are responsible for storage tank(12)’s performance are as follows:
• Restriction of minimum air path (i.e., better return air flow over surface of storage tank)
• More surface area, more will be the heat transfer rate as Q = h A dT;
• More the surface heat transfer co-efficient, better the heat transfer rate Q = h A dT;
• Storage tank material, considering Thermal conductivity of PP Polypropylene PP : 0.1 -0.22 W/mK, ABS, HIPS and LDPE;
• Surface finish, considering Matt i.e., rough finish structure and frosting on glass/plastic

and • Surface texture - Pyramid Shape, Golf Ball Shape or Cyclone Shape for creation of turbulence over surface
The storage tank (12) is designed in such a way that it takes optimum time to cool water and gives water to user as soon as possible at a standard refrigerator operating setting condition.
With the help of above basic physics, theoretical calculation, CFD simulation and real-time laboratory testing, the present invention provides a solution with which best results are achieved. In comparison to flat storage tank used in the conventional refrigerators, the present invention provides following three best profiles of storage tank:
Tank 1: Multiple finger tank with scooped structure and aerodynamics shape; Tank 2: Multiple finger tank; and Tank 3: Tank with a rear slot

The results in respect of said 3 profiles of storage tank are tabulated herein below:

Figs. 5(a)-(c) show various temperature profiles in CFD simulation of conventional storage tank with respect to the storage tank (12) disclosed in the present invention. Volume Flow Rate and Average Temperature profiles in CFD simulation of conventional storage tank with respect to the storage tank (12) disclosed in the present invention are tabulated herein below:


CFD simulation results and real-time laboratory testing results of the storage tank (12) of the present invention with respect to the conventional storage tank have been tabulated below:


Fig. 6 shows schematic view of air flow circulation inside refrigerator (1) over the storage tank (12).
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention has following advantages:
1. The present invention enhances water cooling performance.
2. The present invention has 20-25% faster water cooling as compared to conventional storage tank.
3. The present invention prevents a need to store extra water bottles in the refrigerator.
While the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. It is therefore contemplates that the present invention cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed above and claimed herein.

We Claim:
1. A refrigerator having a water dispenser system, the refrigerator comprising:
a storage tank placed inside the refrigerator, wherein the storage tank comprises a modular structure to store water at an optimum temperature;
a dispensing system placed outside the refrigerator, wherein the dispensing system is in connection with the storage tank.
2. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular structure can be multiple finger tank with scooped structure and aerodynamics shape, multiple finger tank, tank with a rear slot and the like.
3. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage tank with modular structure provides better cooling, maximum surface area, high air flow from rear etc.
4. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage tank has a specially designed lid on its top which helps user to pour water directly to the storage tank.
5. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a float valve detects water level inside the storage tank, and the float valve intercepts water inflow towards the storage tank to stop water outflow.
6. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing system has a dispensing outlet and the dispensing system protrudes inward towards surface of refrigerator door by a predetermined distance.
7. The refrigerator, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing system comprising a faucet movably attached to the dispensing outlet of the dispenser and in operation, the faucet is moveable towards the surface of refrigerator door and away from the surface of refrigerator door.