U.S. patent application number 11/294533 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Eui-Young Chang, Sung-Cheol Kang, Jae-Sek Oh.
Application Number | 20060130513 11/294533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36594000 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060130513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Eui-Young ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Refrigerator
Abstract
A refrigerator including a main body cabinet including a storage
compartment and a convertible compartment divided from the storage
compartment; and a cool air providing part including a storage
compartment evaporator to cool the storage compartment, a
convertible compartment evaporator connected to the storage
compartment evaporator in series to cool the convertible
compartment, and a cooling fan providing cool air generated in the
convertible compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment
so as to function as one of freezing or refrigerating. Thus, the
refrigerator includes a convertible compartment divided from a
freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment to store food
by being provided with cool air separately. Further, the
refrigerator prevents cool air in a freezing compartment or a
refrigerating compartment from flowing out when a convertible
compartment is open.
Inventors: |
Chang; Eui-Young; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Oh; Jae-Sek; (Gwangju-city, KR) ; Kang;
Sung-Cheol; (Gwangju-city, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
36594000 |
Appl. No.: |
11/294533 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/441 ; 62/498;
62/525; 62/526 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 17/065 20130101;
F25D 11/022 20130101; F25D 23/069 20130101; F25B 2600/2511
20130101; F25D 2400/06 20130101; F25D 2400/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/441 ;
062/525; 062/526; 062/498 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02; F25B 1/00 20060101 F25B001/00; F25B 39/02 20060101
F25B039/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2004 |
KR |
2004-0110333 |
Aug 8, 2005 |
KR |
2005-0078962 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body cabinet comprising a
storage compartment and a convertible compartment divided from the
storage compartment; and a cool air providing part comprising a
storage compartment evaporator to cool the storage compartment, a
convertible compartment evaporator connected to the storage
compartment evaporator in series to cool the convertible
compartment, and a cooling fan providing cool air generated in the
convertible compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment
so as to function as one of freezing or refrigerating.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the storage
compartment comprises a freezing compartment and a refrigerating
compartment; the storage compartment evaporator includes a freezing
compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and a
refrigerating compartment evaporator to cool the refrigerating
compartment; and the convertible compartment evaporator is
connected to either the freezing compartment evaporator or the
refrigerating compartment evaporator in series.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising a
freezing compartment door, a refrigerating compartment door, and a
convertible compartment door mounted in the main body cabinet to
open and close the freezing compartment, the refrigerating
compartment, and the convertible compartment, respectively.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, further comprising a
sub-wall dividing the convertible compartment from either the
freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment up and
down.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the freezing
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
are connected to each other in series.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the freezing
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
are connected to each other in parallel.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a
refrigerant pipe connecting the storage compartment evaporator and
the convertible compartment evaporator so that the storage
compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator
which are separated from each other are formed with one evaporating
pipe.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the refrigerant
pipe comprises a first refrigerant pipe disposed between the
storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment
evaporator to transfer a refrigerant passing through a part of the
storage compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment
evaporator and a second refrigerant pipe disposed between the
storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment
evaporator to transfer the refrigerant transferred from the first
refrigerant pipe and passing through the convertible compartment
evaporator to the other part of the storage compartment.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the convertible
compartment is set in a range of -25.degree. C. to 5.degree. C. to
function as a subsidiary freezing compartment.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the convertible
compartment is set in a range of -18.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. to
function as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment.
11. A refrigerator comprising: a main body cabinet comprising a
freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment which are
divided from each other, and a freezing convertible compartment and
a refrigerating convertible compartment which are divided from the
freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment to function
as either refrigerating or freezing; and a cool air providing part
comprising a freezing compartment evaporator and a refrigerating
compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and the
refrigerating compartment, a freezing convertible compartment
evaporator and a refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator
respectively connected to the freezing compartment evaporator and
the refrigerating compartment evaporator in series to cool the
freezing convertible compartment and the refrigerating convertible
compartment, and a plurality of cooing fans respectively providing
cool air generated in the freezing convertible compartment
evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator
to the freezing convertible compartment and the refrigerating
convertible compartment.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, comprising a freezing
compartment door, a refrigerating compartment door, a freezing
convertible compartment door, and a refrigerating convertible
compartment door which are mounted in the main body cabinet to open
and close the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment,
the freezing convertible compartment, and the refrigerating
convertible compartment, respectively.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the freezing
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
are connected to each other in series.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the freezing
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
are connected to each other in parallel.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 11, further comprising
refrigerant pipes connecting the freezing compartment evaporator
and the freezing convertible compartment evaporator, and connecting
the refrigerating compartment evaporator and the refrigerating
convertible compartment evaporator so that the freezing compartment
evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are formed
with one evaporating pipe along with the freezing convertible
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible
compartment evaporator, respectively.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the freezing
convertible compartment is set in a range of -25.degree. C. to
5.degree. C. and the refrigerating convertible compartment is set
in a range of -18.degree. C. to 10.degree. C.
17. The refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprising a
cutoff plate disposed between the convertible compartment
evaporator and the storage compartment evaporator to form paths of
cool air in the storage compartment and the convertible compartment
separately.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 15, further comprising a
cutoff plate disposed between the freezing convertible compartment
evaporator and the freezing compartment evaporator to form paths of
cool air in the freezing compartment and the freezing convertible
compartment separately.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 15, further comprising a
cutoff plate disposed between the refrigerating convertible
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
to form paths of cool air in the refrigerating compartment and the
refrigerating convertible compartment separately.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application Nos. 2004-0110333, filed on Dec. 22, 2004, and
2005-0078962, filed on Aug. 26, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all
purposes as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and, more
particularly, to a refrigerator including a convertible compartment
divided from a freezing compartment or a refrigerating
compartment.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Korean Patent No. 2002-0077423 discloses a side-by-side
refrigerator including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating
compartment which are divided from each other by a vertically
formed wall.
[0006] The conventional refrigerator is formed of an insulating
material and has a tube shape of which the front is open. The
refrigerator includes a casing having a cool air opening connected
to the freezing compartment to one side and a temperature
convertible compartment disposed in the refrigerating compartment
to be provided with cool air from the cool air opening; and a
drawer disposed in the casing to be drawn out.
[0007] Accordingly, the refrigerator can store food in the
temperature convertible compartment at adequate temperature by
adjusting the temperature.
[0008] However, in the conventional refrigerator, since the
temperature convertible compartment is provided with the cool air
from the freezing compartment, there may be a problem that a smell
generated in the freezing compartment flows into the temperature
convertible compartment.
[0009] Further, a user may open a refrigerating compartment door to
take out the food stored in the temperature convertible
compartment, and therefore the cool air may flow out
excessively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a refrigerator including a convertible compartment divided
from a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment to store
food by being provided with cool air separately.
[0011] Further, the present invention provides a refrigerator which
prevents cool air in a freezing compartment or a refrigerating
compartment from flowing out when a convertible compartment is
open.
[0012] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the invention.
[0013] The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are
achieved by providing a refrigerator including: a main body cabinet
including a storage compartment and a convertible compartment
divided from the storage compartment; and a cool air providing part
including a storage compartment evaporator to cool the storage
compartment, a convertible compartment evaporator connected to the
storage compartment evaporator in series to cool the convertible
compartment, and a cooling fan providing cool air generated in the
convertible compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment
so as to function as one of freezing or refrigerating.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention, the storage
compartment includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating
compartment; the storage compartment evaporator includes a freezing
compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and a
refrigerating compartment evaporator to cool the refrigerating
compartment; and the convertible compartment evaporator is
connected to either the freezing compartment evaporator or the
refrigerating compartment evaporator in series.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, the
refrigerator further includes a freezing compartment door, a
refrigerating compartment door, and a convertible compartment door
mounted in the main body cabinet to open and close the freezing
compartment, the refrigerating compartment, and the convertible
compartment, respectively.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, the
refrigerator further includes a sub-wall dividing the convertible
compartment from either the freezing compartment or the
refrigerating compartment up and down.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
are connected to each other in series.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
are connected to each other in parallel.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, the
refrigerator further includes a refrigerant pipe connecting the
storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment
evaporator so that the storage compartment evaporator and the
convertible compartment evaporator which are separated from each
other are formed in an evaporating pipe.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, the refrigerant
pipe includes a first refrigerant pipe disposed between the storage
compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator
to transfer a refrigerant passing through a part of the storage
compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment evaporator
and a second refrigerant pipe disposed between the storage
compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator
to transfer the refrigerant transferred from the first refrigerant
pipe and passing through the convertible compartment evaporator to
the other part of the storage compartment.
[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention, the convertible
compartment is set in a range of -25.degree. C. to 5.degree. C. to
function as a subsidiary freezing compartment.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, the convertible
compartment is set in a range of -18.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. to
function as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment.
[0023] The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are
also achieved by providing a refrigerator including: a main body
cabinet including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating
compartment which are divided from each other, and a freezing
convertible compartment and a refrigerating convertible compartment
which are divided from the freezing compartment and the
refrigerating compartment to function as either refrigerating or
freezing; and a cool air providing part including a freezing
compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartment evaporator
to cool the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment,
a freezing convertible compartment evaporator and a refrigerating
convertible compartment evaporator respectively connected to the
freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment
evaporator in series to cool the freezing convertible compartment
and the refrigerating convertible compartment, and a plurality of
cooing fans respectively providing cool air generated in the
freezing convertible compartment evaporator and the refrigerating
convertible compartment evaporator to the freezing convertible
compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment.
[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, the
refrigerator includes a freezing compartment door, a refrigerating
compartment door, a freezing convertible compartment door, and a
refrigerating convertible compartment door which are mounted in the
main body cabinet to open and close the freezing compartment, the
refrigerating compartment, the freezing convertible compartment,
and the refrigerating convertible compartment, respectively.
[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
are connected to each other in series.
[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator
are connected to each other in parallel.
[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention, the
refrigerator further includes refrigerant pipes connecting the
freezing compartment evaporator and the freezing convertible
compartment evaporator, and connecting the refrigerating
compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible
compartment evaporator so that the freezing compartment evaporator
and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are formed in an
evaporating pipe along with the freezing convertible compartment
evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment
evaporator, respectively.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing
convertible compartment is set in a range of -25.degree. C. to
5.degree. C. and the refrigerating convertible compartment is set
in a range of -18.degree. C. to 10.degree. C.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and/or other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from
the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings of which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit
of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit
of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 2C is a perspective view illustrating a freezing
compartment evaporator and a convertible compartment evaporator of
the refrigerator in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 4A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit
of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 3;
[0036] FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit
of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 3;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit
of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 5; and
[0039] FIG. 6B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit
of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below so as
to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention includes a main body cabinet 10
including the storage compartments 11,12 and a convertible
compartment 13 divided from the storage compartments 11,12, and a
plurality of doors 40,42,44 mounted in the main body cabinet 10 to
open and close the storage compartments 11,12 and the convertible
compartment 13, respectively.
[0042] The storage compartments 11,12 include a freezing
compartment 11 and a refrigerating compartment 12 divided from each
other by a wall 50 in the main body cabinet 10.
[0043] The convertible compartment 13 is divided from the storage
compartments 11,12 to form a storage space functioning as a
subsidiary storage compartment. The convertible compartment 13 is
divided from the freezing compartment 11 up and down by a sub-wall
60 in the main body cabinet 10.
[0044] In a lower rear of the main body cabinet 10 is provided a
component chamber (not shown) in which a compressor 2 compressing a
refrigerant and a condenser 3 condensing the refrigerant are
installed. Accordingly, the refrigerant passing through the
compressor 2 and the condenser 3 is provided to storage compartment
evaporators 20,21 and a convertible compartment evaporator 22,
referring to FIG. 2A. The storage compartment evaporators 20,21
include a freezing compartment evaporator 20 and a refrigerating
compartment evaporator 21, referring to FIG. 2A.
[0045] The freezing compartment 11 is disposed to the left side of
the wall 50. Inside the freezing compartment 11 are provided an ice
making device 15 to the upper part to make ice and shelves 14 up
and down to keep food.
[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the rear space of the
freezing compartment 11 is provided a cool air providing part
including the freezing compartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient
heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 25 forcibly
ventilating the cool air generated in the freezing compartment
evaporator 20 into the freezing compartment 11. In the front of the
freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the cooling fan 25 is
mounted a freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool
air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20. The
freezing compartment duct 26 may be extended to the convertible
compartment 13 to cover the convertible compartment evaporator
22.
[0047] The refrigerating compartment 12 is disposed to the right
side of the wall 50 and includes shelves 16 up and down to keep
food.
[0048] A cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of
the refrigerating compartment 12 and includes the refrigerating
compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and generating
cool air and a cooling fan 27 forcibly ventilating the cool air
generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 into the
refrigerating compartment 12 in order to provide the cool air to
the refrigerating compartment 12. In the front of the refrigerating
compartment evaporator 21 and the cooling fan 27 is mounted a
refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air
generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21.
[0049] The convertible compartment 13 is disposed to the left side
of the wall 50 and is divided from the freezing compartment 11 up
and down by the sub-wall 60. The convertible compartment 13 may be
set up in a range of -25.degree. C. to 5.degree. C. to be used as a
subsidiary freezing compartment. Therefore, fish, meat, and the
like which need a large amount of time to defrost may be stored in
the convertible compartment 13 when stored for a short time. Also,
the fish, meat, and the like are stored in the convertible
compartment 13, thereby preventing food stored in the freezing
compartment 11 from being permeated with the smell of food in the
convertible compartment 13. Here, the convertible compartment 13
may be used for various purposes, and is not limited to the
purposes described in the exemplary embodiment.
[0050] The cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of
the convertible compartment 13 and includes the convertible
compartment evaporator 22 absorbing ambient heat and generating
cool air and a cooling fan 29 forcibly ventilating the cool air
generated in the convertible compartment evaporator 22 into the
convertible compartment 13 in order to provide the cool air to the
convertible compartment 13. In the front of the convertible
compartment evaporator 22 and the cooling fan 29 is mounted a
freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air
generated in the convertible compartment evaporator 22.
[0051] The convertible compartment evaporator 22 is directly
connected to the freezing compartment evaporator 20. The
convertible compartment evaporator 22 may be combined with the
freezing compartment evaporator 20 in a single body like in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2C. As shown in FIG. 2C, the convertible
compartment evaporator 22 is spaced from the freezing compartment
evaporator 20. Between the convertible compartment evaporator 22
and the freezing compartment evaporator 20 are provided refrigerant
pipes 22a,22b to form the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and
the freezing compartment evaporator 20 in a single body.
[0052] The refrigerant pipes 22a,22b include a first refrigerant
pipe 22a disposed between the freezing compartment evaporator 20
and the convertible compartment evaporator 22 to transfer the
refrigerant passing through a part of the freezing compartment
evaporator 20 to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and a
second refrigerant pipe 22b disposed between the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 and the convertible compartment
evaporator 22 to transfer the refrigerant transferred from the
first refrigerant pipe 22a and passing through the convertible
compartment evaporator 22 to the other part of the freezing
compartment evaporator 20.
[0053] The refrigerant passes through the compressor 2 and the
condenser 3, flows into an inlet 20b of the freezing compartment
evaporator 20, and then circulates through the freezing compartment
evaporator 20. Thereafter, the refrigerant is provided to the
convertible compartment evaporator 22 through the first refrigerant
pipe 22a. Then, the refrigerant circulates through the convertible
compartment evaporator 22, re-transfers to freezing compartment
evaporator 20 through the second refrigerant pipe 22b, and then
transfers to the compressor 2 through an outlet 20c of the freezing
compartment evaporator 20. In this case, a manufacturer does not
need to install the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and the
freezing compartment evaporator 20 in the convertible compartment
13 and the freezing compartment 11, respectively, thereby improving
efficiency in the manufacturing process. Between the convertible
compartment evaporator 22 and the freezing compartment evaporator
20 is provided a cutoff plate 20a to form paths of cool air in the
freezing compartment 11 and the convertible compartment 13
separately. Accordingly, the cutoff plate 20a prevents the cool air
circulating through the freezing compartment 11 and the convertible
compartment 13 from mixing with each other.
[0054] The cutoff plate 20a may be connected to the component
chamber by a defrosting heater 8 to discharge defrosting water
generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to the
component chamber.
[0055] The doors 40,42,44 include a freezing compartment door 40, a
refrigerating compartment door 42, and a convertible compartment
door 44 which are mounted in the main body cabinet 10 to open and
close the freezing compartment 11, the refrigerating compartment
12, and the convertible compartment 13, respectively.
[0056] The freezing compartment door 40 is mounted rotatably on an
axis of one side of the main body cabinet 10. In the front of the
freezing compartment door 40 is mounted a dispenser 41 to provide
ice made in the ice making device 15 or water supplied from an
external water source.
[0057] The refrigerating compartment door 42 is mounted rotatably
on an axis of the other side of the main body cabinet 10. In the
front of the refrigerating compartment door 42 is mounted a home
bar 43 connected to the refrigerating compartment 12 to store food.
Therefore, a user may conveniently take out the food stored in the
home bar 43.
[0058] The convertible compartment door 44 is a sliding door in the
embodiment, but may be provided in various ways.
[0059] In the following, a freezing cycle of the refrigerator 1
with the aforementioned configuration according to the first
embodiment of the present invention will be described as referring
to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0060] FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit
of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator 1 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention. When a gaseous refrigerant
compressed to a high temperature and high pressure in the
compressor 2 flows into the condenser 3, the condenser 3 condenses
the gaseous refrigerant to a liquefied refrigerant having a low
temperature and low pressure. The liquefied refrigerant
decompresses while passing through a first capillary tube 4 to come
to a low temperature and a low pressure state and flows into the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21. The refrigerant flowing
into the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 flows into the
inlet 20b of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to be provided
to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and transfers to
compressor 2 through the outlet 20c of the freezing compartment
evaporator 20. Here, in a refrigerant line between the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 is provided a second capillary tube 5 so
as to expand the refrigerant passing through the refrigerating
compartment evaporator 21. However, the second capillary tube 5 may
not be provided depending on a performance of the first capillary
tube 4. Thereafter, the gaseous refrigerant vaporized in each
evaporator 21,20,22 returns to the compressor 2 and repeatedly
circulates in the aforementioned process. In a refrigerant line
between the condenser 3 and the first capillary tube 4 a dryer 6
may be provided to prevent the first capillary tube 4 from clogging
by removing moisture or an alien substance included in the
refrigerant discharged from the condenser 3.
[0061] FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit
of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator 1 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention. When a gaseous refrigerant
compressed to a high temperature and high pressure in the
compressor 2 flows into the condenser 3, the condenser 3 condenses
the gaseous refrigerant to a liquefied refrigerant. The liquefied
refrigerant decompresses while passing through the first capillary
tube 4 and flows into the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21.
Then, the liquefied refrigerant decompresses while passing through
the second capillary tube 5 and flows into the freezing compartment
evaporator 20. Here, a converting valve 7 selectively converts a
path of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator
21 or to the freezing compartment evaporator 20. In this case,
since the convertible compartment evaporator 22 is connected to the
freezing compartment evaporator 20, the refrigerant flowing into
the freezing compartment evaporator 20 may be provided to the
convertible compartment evaporator 22. That is, the refrigerant
flows into the inlet 20b of the freezing compartment evaporator 20
to be provided to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and
transfers to the compressor 2 through the outlet 20c of the
freezing compartment evaporator 20. Then, the gaseous refrigerant
vaporized in each evaporator 21,20,22 returns to the compressor 2
and repeatedly circulates in the aforementioned process. In the
refrigerant line between the condenser 3 and the converting valve 7
the dryer 6 may be provided to prevent the first capillary tube 4
and the second capillary tube 5 from clogging by removing moisture
or an alien substance included in the refrigerant discharged from
the condenser 3.
[0062] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A
refrigerator 201 in the second embodiment includes a refrigerating
compartment 212 and a convertible compartment 213 which are divided
from each other up and down by a sub-wall 260, apart from one in
the first embodiment.
[0063] The refrigerator 201 includes a main body cabinet 210
including a freezing compartment 211, the refrigerating compartment
212 and the convertible compartment 213; and doors 240,242,244
mounted in the main body cabinet 210 to open and close the freezing
compartment 211, the refrigerating compartment 212, and the
convertible compartment 213, respectively, wherein the freezing
compartment 211 and the refrigerating compartment 212 are divided
from each other right and left by a wall 50 and the convertible
compartment 213 is divided from the refrigerating compartment 212
up and down by the sub-wall 260.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the rear space of the
freezing compartment 211 is provided a cool air providing part
including the freezing compartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient
heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 25 forcibly
ventilating the cool air generated in the freezing compartment
evaporator 20 into the freezing compartment 211. In the front of
the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the cooling fan 25 is
mounted a freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool
air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20.
[0065] A cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of
the refrigerating compartment 212 and further includes the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and
generating cool air and a cooling fan 27 forcibly ventilating the
cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21
into the refrigerating compartment 212. In the front of the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the cooling fan 27 is
mounted a refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the
cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21.
The refrigerating compartment duct 28 may be extended to the
convertible compartment 213 to cover a convertible compartment
evaporator 222.
[0066] The convertible compartment 213 is disposed to the right
side of the wall 50 and is divided from the refrigerating
compartment 212 up and down by the sub-wall 260. The convertible
compartment 213 may be set up in a range of -18.degree. C. to
10.degree. C. to be used as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment.
Therefore, fruit, vegetables and the like are stored in the
convertible compartment 213, thereby preventing food stored therein
from being permeated with the smell of the food stored in the
refrigerating compartment 212. Here, the convertible compartment
213 may be used for various purposes, and is not limited to the
purposes described in the exemplary embodiment.
[0067] In the rear space of the convertible compartment 213 is
provided a cool air providing part including the convertible
compartment evaporator 222 absorbing ambient heat and generating
cool air and a cooling fan 229 forcibly ventilating the cool air
generated in the convertible compartment evaporator 222 into the
convertible compartment 213. In the front of the convertible
compartment evaporator 222 and the cooling fan 229 is mounted the
refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air
generated in the convertible compartment evaporator 222.
[0068] The convertible compartment evaporator 22 may be combined
with the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in a single body
like the one shown in FIG. 2C of the first embodiment. Accordingly,
a refrigerant passes through a compressor 2 and a condenser 3,
flows into an inlet (not shown) of the refrigerating compartment
evaporator 21 to be provided to the convertible compartment
evaporator 22, and then transfers to an outlet (not shown) of the
refrigerating evaporator 21. In this case, a manufacturer does not
need to install the convertible compartment evaporator 222 and the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in the convertible
compartment 213 and the refrigerating compartment 212,
respectively, thereby improving efficiency in a manufacturing
process. At this point, the sub-wall 260 is formed to be easily
separated from the refrigerator 201 in order that the refrigerating
compartment evaporator 21 and the convertible compartment
evaporator 222 which are formed in a single body is mounted.
Between the convertible compartment evaporator 222 and the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 may be mounted a cutoff
plate 21a to form paths of cool air in the refrigerating
compartment 212 and the convertible compartment 213 separately.
[0069] The cutoff plate 21a is similar to the one shown in the
first embodiment.
[0070] Likewise, the refrigerator 201 according to the second
embodiment includes the convertible compartment evaporator 222
combined with the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in a
single body, while the refrigerator 1 according to the first
embodiment includes the convertible compartment evaporator 22
combined with the freezing compartment evaporator 20 in a single
body. Therefore, in the refrigerator 201 according to the second
embodiment, the refrigerant passing through the compressor 2 and
condenser 3 is provided to the convertible compartment evaporator
222 through the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21, and then
returns to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be
provided to the compressor 2.
[0071] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the
refrigerator 301 according to the third embodiment, a refrigerating
compartment 312 and a freezing compartment 311 are divided into two
spaces up and down by sub-walls 360, respectively.
[0072] The refrigerator 301 includes a main body cabinet 310
including the freezing compartment 311, the refrigerating
compartment 312, and convertible compartments 313; and doors
340,342,344 mounted in the main body cabinet 310 to open and close
the freezing compartment 311, the refrigerating compartment 312,
and the convertible compartments 313, wherein the freezing
compartment 311 and the refrigerating compartment 312 are divided
from each other right and left by a wall 50 and the convertible
compartments 313 are divided from the freezing compartment 311 and
the refrigerating compartment 312 up and down by the sub-walls
360.
[0073] As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the rear space of the
freezing compartment 311 is provided a cool air providing part
including the freezing compartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient
heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 25 forcibly
ventilating the cool air generated in the freezing compartment
evaporator 20 into the freezing compartment 311. In the front of
the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the cooling fan 25 is
mounted a freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool
air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20.
[0074] A cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of
the refrigerating compartment 312 and further includes the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and
generating cool air and a cooling fan 27 forcibly ventilating the
cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21
into the refrigerating compartment 312. In the front of the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the cooling fan 27 is
mounted a refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the
cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator
21.
[0075] The sub-walls 360 include a freezing compartment sub-wall
361 and a refrigerating compartment sub-wall 362.
[0076] The convertible compartments 313 include a freezing
convertible compartment 317 divided from the freezing compartment
311 by the freezing compartment sub-wall 361 and a refrigerating
convertible compartment 318 divided from the refrigerating
compartment 312 by the refrigerating compartment sub-wall 362.
[0077] The freezing convertible compartment 317 may be used as a
subsidiary freezing compartment and the refrigerating convertible
compartment 318 may be used as a subsidiary refrigerating
compartment.
[0078] Here, the freezing convertible compartment 317 and the
refrigerating convertible compartment 318 may be converted in their
functions to a refrigerating function and a freezing function,
respectively. It is controlled by each cooling fan 330,331 to
convert functions of the freezing convertible compartment 317 and
the refrigerating convertible compartment 318. The freezing
convertible compartment 317 may be set in a range of -25.degree. C.
to 5.degree. C. and the refrigerating convertible compartment 318
may be set in a range of -18.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. so that a
user may set an optional temperature.
[0079] A cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of
the freezing convertible compartment 317 and further includes the
freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 absorbing ambient
heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 320 forcibly
ventilating the cool air generated in the freezing convertible
compartment evaporator 323 into the freezing convertible
compartment 317. In the front of the freezing convertible
compartment evaporator 323 and the cooling fan 320 is mounted a
freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air
generated in the freezing convertible compartment evaporator
323.
[0080] A cool air providing part is also disposed in the rear space
of the refrigerating convertible compartment 318 and further
includes the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324
absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan
331 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the
refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 into the
refrigerating convertible compartment 318. In the front of the
refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 and the
cooling fan 331 is mounted a refrigerating compartment duct 28 to
form a path of the cool air generated in the refrigerating
convertible compartment evaporator 324.
[0081] The freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 may be
combined with the freezing compartment evaporator 20 in a single
body and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324
may be combined with the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in
a single body, as shown in FIG. 2C of the first embodiment.
Accordingly, a refrigerant passes through a compressor 2 and a
condenser 3, and flows into an inlet (not shown) of the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the freezing
convertible compartment evaporator 323, and then flows out through
an outlet (not shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20.
Thereafter, the refrigerant flows into an inlet (not shown) of the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the
refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324, and transfers
to the compressor 2 through an outlet (not shown) of the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21.
[0082] Between the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the
freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 is provided a
cutoff plate 20a to form paths of cool air in the freezing
compartment 311 and the freezing convertible compartment 317
separately, like in the first embodiment. Further, between the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the refrigerating
convertible compartment evaporator 324 is provided a cutoff plate
21a to form paths of cool air in the refrigerating compartment
evaporator 21 and the refrigerating convertible compartment
evaporator 324 separately, like in the second embodiment.
Accordingly, the cutoff plate 20a prevents the smell of food stored
in the freezing compartment 311 and the freezing convertible
compartment 317 from mixing with each other. Further, the cutoff
plate 21a prevents the smell of food stored in the refrigerating
compartment 312 and the refrigerating convertible compartment 318
from mixing with each other.
[0083] The cutoff plates 20a,21a are connected to a component
chamber to discharge defrosting water generated in the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 and the refrigerating compartment
evaporator 21 to the component chamber, separately.
[0084] The convertible compartment door 344 includes a freezing
convertible compartment door 345 and a refrigerating convertible
compartment door 346, which are sliding doors. In the exemplary
embodiment, the freezing convertible compartment door 345 and the
refrigerating convertible compartment door 346 are sliding doors,
but may be hinged doors like the freezing compartment door 340 or
the refrigerating compartment door 342.
[0085] A freezing cycle of the refrigerator 301 with the
aforementioned configuration according to the third embodiment of
the present invention will be described referring to FIGS. 6A and
6B.
[0086] FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit
of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator 301 according to the
third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 and the freezing convertible compartment
evaporator 323, and the refrigerating evaporator 21 and the
refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 are connected
in series. Accordingly, a refrigerant passing through the
compressor 2 and the condenser 3 passes through the refrigerating
compartment evaporator 21 and the refrigerating convertible
compartment evaporator 324 to flow into the freezing compartment
evaporator 20 and the freezing convertible compartment evaporator
323, and then returns to the compressor 2. In this case, the
refrigerant provided from the condenser 3 flows into the inlet (not
shown) of refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to
the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324, and then
flows out to the freezing compartment evaporator 20 through the
outlet (not shown) of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21.
Likewise, the refrigerant provided from the outlet (not shown) of
the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 flows into the inlet
(not shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to be
provided to the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323,
and then flows out to the compressor 2 through the outlet (not
shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20.
[0087] FIG. 6B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit
of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator 301 according to the
third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 and the freezing convertible compartment
evaporator 323, and the refrigerating evaporator 21 and the
refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 are connected
in parallel. Accordingly, a refrigerant passing through the
compressor 2 and the condenser 3 flows into the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 or the refrigerating compartment
evaporator 21 selectively by a converting valve 7.
[0088] Similar to the series circuit, the refrigerant flows into
the inlet (not shown) of refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to
be provided to the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator
324, and then transfers to the compressor 2 through the outlet (not
shown) of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21. Likewise,
the refrigerant flows into the inlet (not shown) of the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the freezing
convertible compartment evaporator 323, and then transfers to the
compressor 2 through the outlet (not shown) of the freezing
compartment evaporator 20.
[0089] In the aforementioned embodiment, the sub-wall may be
separated from the main body cabinet so that the storage
compartment divided up and down can be used as one wider space.
Also, if the sub-wall is separated from the main body cabinet when
a single evaporator is mounted, it is easy to cool the storage
compartment divided up and down. Each storage compartment divided
up and down may be sealed by a gasket applied to a circumference of
the sub-wall.
[0090] In the exemplary embodiment, the freezing compartment may be
set in a range of about -30.degree. C. to about -10.degree. C. and
the refrigerating compartment may be set in a range of about
1.degree. C. to about 7.degree. C.
[0091] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *