U.S. patent application number 12/594281 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-27 for ventilating device and the refrigerator having the same.
Invention is credited to Jun Ho Bae, Chang Joon Kim, Soo Kwan Lee.
Application Number | 20100126207 12/594281 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39831496 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100126207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bae; Jun Ho ; et
al. |
May 27, 2010 |
VENTILATING DEVICE AND THE REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME
Abstract
A ventilating device and a refrigerator, more particularly, a
ventilating device including a scroll (122) of an optimized
structure and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. The
ventilating device includes a ventilation fan for ventilating air,
a first duct (130) for allowing some of the air discharged from the
ventilation fan to flow therealong, a second (140) duct for
allowing at least some of the remaining air, excluding the air
discharged from the ventilation fan and flowing along the first
duct, to flow therealong, and a scroll for guiding the air
discharged from the ventilation fan to the first duct (130) and the
second duct (140), the scroll (122) being constructed in the shape
of a spiral track in which a coefficient of expansion angle from a
cutoff part to at least one of the first (130) and second (140)
ducts is 0.35 to 0.4.
Inventors: |
Bae; Jun Ho; (Seoul, KR)
; Lee; Soo Kwan; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Chang
Joon; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Family ID: |
39831496 |
Appl. No.: |
12/594281 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
February 19, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR08/00962 |
371 Date: |
January 6, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/419 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/4226 20130101;
F25D 2317/0683 20130101; F25D 2500/02 20130101; F25D 17/062
20130101; F04D 29/4246 20130101; F25D 2317/067 20130101; F25D
2317/0681 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/419 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 4, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0033428 |
Claims
1. A ventilating device comprising: a ventilation fan for
ventilating air; a first duct for allowing some of the air
discharged from the ventilation fan to flow therealong; a second
duct for allowing at least some of the remaining air, excluding the
air discharged from the ventilation fan and flowing along the first
duct, to flow therealong; and a scroll for guiding the air
discharged from the ventilation fan to the first duct and the
second duct, the scroll being constructed in the shape of a spiral
track in which a coefficient of expansion angle from a cutoff part
to at least one of the first and second ducts is 0.35 to 0.4.
2. The ventilating device according to claim 1, wherein the
ventilating device is constructed in a structure in which the
distance between the cutoff part of the scroll and the outer
circumference of the ventilation fan is 4 to 6% of the diameter of
the ventilation fan.
3. The ventilating device according to claim 1, wherein the angle
between a perpendicular line drawn from the center point of the
ventilation fan toward the ground and an imaginary straight line
interconnecting the center point of the ventilation fan and the
cutoff part is 35 to 45 degrees.
4. A refrigerator having a ventilating device according to claim
1.
5. A refrigerator having a ventilating device, the ventilating
device comprising: a ventilation fan for ventilating air; a first
duct for allowing some of the air discharged from the ventilation
fan to flow therealong; a second duct for allowing at least some of
the remaining air, excluding the air discharged from the
ventilation fan and flowing along the first duct, to flow
therealong; and a scroll for guiding the air discharged from the
ventilation fan to the first duct and the second duct, the scroll
being constructed in a structure in which the distance between a
cutoff part and the outer circumference of the ventilation fan is 2
to 8% of the diameter of the ventilation fan.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the angle between
a perpendicular line drawn from the center point of the ventilation
fan toward the ground and an imaginary straight line
interconnecting the center point of the ventilation fan and the
cutoff part is 35 to 45 degrees.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the scroll is
constructed in the shape of a spiral track in which a coefficient
of expansion angle from the cutoff part to at least one of the
first and second ducts is 0.35 to 0.4.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilating device and a
refrigerator, and more particularly, to a ventilating device
including a scroll of an optimized structure and a refrigerator
having the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a
conventional refrigerator.
[0003] Generally, the refrigerator 1 includes a storage compartment
2 defined in a refrigerator body 10 for storing food, a door 4 for
opening and closing the storage compartment 2, and a machinery
compartment 4 in which a refrigeration cycle apparatus, including a
compressor for generating cool air necessary to cool the interior
of the storage compartment 2, is mounted.
[0004] At one side of the storage compartment 2 is mounted a cool
air channel 22 for guiding the cool air, generated by the
refrigeration cycle, to the storage compartment.
[0005] Also, the refrigerator includes a ventilating device 20 for
ventilating the generated cool air to the cool air channel 22.
[0006] FIGS. 2 and 3 are views illustrating the cool air channel
and the ventilating device.
[0007] The conventional ventilating device 20 includes a fan 24 for
suctioning cool air cooled by an evaporator and a motor for
rotating the fan 24.
[0008] The fan 24 is generally mounted above the evaporator 6,
which generates cool air. Also, the fan 24 is located in a scroll
26.
[0009] The scroll 26 is constructed in a structure in which one
side of the scroll 26 communicates with the cool air channel 22
such that cool air, suctioned by the fan 24 and then discharged,
can smoothly flow to the cool air channel 22.
[0010] However, the conventional cool air channel 22 is a single
type channel, along which the cool air flows. As a result, the
conventional refrigerator is constructed in a structure in which
cool air is discharged toward the middle of the storage compartment
2 in the storage compartment 2 for achieving uniform cooling in the
refrigerator. In this case, however, it is quite difficult to
uniformly cool opposite sides of the storage compartment 2 in the
storage compartment 2.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0011] An object of the present invention devised to solve the
problem lies on a ventilating device that is capable of more
uniformly cooling the interior of a storage compartment and a
refrigerator having the same.
[0012] Another object of the present invention devised to solve the
problem lies on an optimized structure that is capable of achieving
the smoother flow of cool air in a ventilating device having two or
more cool air channels and a refrigerator having the same.
Technical Solution
[0013] The object of the present invention can be achieved by
providing a ventilating device including a ventilation fan for
ventilating air, a first duct for allowing some of the air
discharged from the ventilation fan to flow therealong, a second
duct for allowing at least some of the remaining air, excluding the
air discharged from the ventilation fan and flowing along the first
duct, to flow therealong, and a scroll for guiding the air
discharged from the ventilation fan to the first duct and the
second duct, the scroll being constructed in the shape of a spiral
track in which a coefficient of expansion angle from a cutoff part
to at least one of the first and second ducts is 0.35 to 0.4.
[0014] Preferably, the ventilating device is constructed in a
structure in which the distance between the cutoff part of the
scroll and the outer circumference of the ventilation fan is 4 to
6% of the diameter of the ventilation fan.
[0015] Preferably, the angle between a perpendicular line drawn
from the center point of the ventilation fan toward the ground and
an imaginary straight line interconnecting the center point of the
ventilation fan and the cutoff part is 35 to 45 degrees.
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein
is a refrigerator having a ventilating device, the ventilating
device including a ventilation fan for ventilating air, a first
duct for allowing some of the air discharged from the ventilation
fan to flow therealong, a second duct for allowing at least some of
the remaining air, excluding the air discharged from the
ventilation fan and flowing along the first duct, to flow
therealong, and a scroll for guiding the air discharged from the
ventilation fan to the first duct and the second duct, the scroll
being constructed in a structure in which the distance between a
cutoff part and the outer circumference of the ventilation fan is 2
to 8% of the diameter of the ventilation fan.
[0017] Preferably, the angle between a perpendicular line drawn
from the center point of the ventilation fan toward the ground and
an imaginary straight line interconnecting the center point of the
ventilation fan and the cutoff part is 35 to 45 degrees.
[0018] Preferably, the scroll is constructed in the shape of a
spiral track in which a coefficient of expansion angle from the
cutoff part to at least one of the first and second ducts is 0.35
to 0.4.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0019] The ventilating device according to the present invention
and the refrigerator having the same have the following
effects.
[0020] First, a plurality of cool air channels, such as the first
duct and the second duct, communicate with the interior of the
storage compartment, whereby the interior of the storage
compartment is more uniformly cooled.
[0021] Second, the scroll is constructed in an optimized structure,
thereby improving the efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention.
[0023] In the drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a
conventional refrigerator;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a ventilating device
of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the ventilating device of
FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a ventilating device
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the ventilating device
according to the present invention when viewed in another
direction;
[0029] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view illustrating principal
components of FIG. 5; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the change of power
consumption depending upon the change in distance between a cutoff
part and the outer circumference of the ventilating device
according to the present invention.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0032] FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating a ventilating device
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] In this embodiment, the ventilating device 120 includes a
ventilation fan 124, a first duct 130 and a second duct 140 along
which air discharged from the ventilation fan 124 flows, and a
scroll 122 in which the ventilation fan 124 is mounted.
[0034] The ventilation fan 124 is configured to suction cool air,
cooled by an evaporator, and discharge the cool air into the scroll
122.
[0035] In the ventilating device according to this embodiment, a
motor for generating a rotary force is integrally connected to the
center of the ventilation fan 124.
[0036] Some of the cool air, discharged from the ventilation fan
124, flows along the first duct 130, and at least some of the
remaining cool air, excluding the cool air flowing along the first
duct 130, flows along the second duct 140.
[0037] When the ventilating device according to this embodiment is
applied to a refrigerator, the first duct 130 and the second duct
140 may communicate with the same storage compartment 2 (see FIG.
1). Alternatively, the first duct 130 and the second duct 140 may
communicate with different storage compartments, respectively.
[0038] When the first duct 130 and the second duct 140 communicate
with the same storage compartment, one end of the first duct 130
communicates with one side of the storage compartment, and one end
of the second duct 130 communicates with the other side of the
storage compartment opposite to the side where the first duct
communicates with the storage compartment, such that lines to
supply cool air into the storage compartment are spaced apart from
each other.
[0039] Consequently, a plurality of cool air channels, such as the
first duct 130 and the second duct 140, communicate with the
interior of the storage compartment, whereby the interior of the
storage compartment is more uniformly cooled.
[0040] Also, the ventilating device 120, having the first duct 120
and the second duct 140 as the cool air channels extending from the
scroll 122 to the storage compartment, is constructed in an
optimized structure maximizing the efficiency.
[0041] To this end, the present invention provides a ventilating
device including a ventilation fan for ventilating air, a first
duct for allowing some of the air discharged from the ventilation
fan to flow therealong, a second duct for allowing at least some of
the remaining air, excluding the air discharged from the
ventilation fan and flowing along the first duct, to flow
therealong, and a scroll for guiding the air discharged from the
ventilation fan to the first duct and the second duct, the scroll
being constructed in the shape of a spiral track in which a
coefficient of expansion angle from a cutoff part to at least one
of the first and second ducts is 0.35 to 0.4, whereby the
efficiency is maximized.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the ventilating device
according to the above-defined embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] The ventilation fan 124 is preferably a centrifugal fan,
such as a turbo fan, for suctioning air in the axial direction and
then discharging the air in the radial direction.
[0044] Also, a motor, for generating a rotary force, may be
integrally connected to the center of the ventilation fan 124.
[0045] Some of the cool air, discharged from the ventilation fan
124, flows along the first duct 130, and at least some of the
remaining cool air, excluding the cool air flowing along the first
duct 130, flows along the second duct 140.
[0046] The first duct 130 and the second duct 140 may communicate
with the same storage compartment 2 (see FIG. 1). Alternatively,
the first duct 130 and the second duct 140 may communicate with
different storage compartments, respectively.
[0047] When the first duct 130 and the second duct 140 communicate
with the same storage compartment, the first duct 130 and the
second duct 140 preferably communicate with opposite sides of the
storage compartment.
[0048] Also, the ventilation fan 124 is mounted in the scroll 122.
Consequently, when the ventilation fan 124 is operated, air is
suctioned in the axial direction of the ventilation fan 124, is
discharged in the radial direction of the ventilation fan 124, and
is guided to the first duct 130 and the second duct 140 by the
scroll 122.
[0049] The scroll 122 is constructed to surround the ventilation
fan 124. The interior of the scroll 122 is formed in a spiral
shape. The interior of the scroll 122 communicates with the first
duct 130 and the second duct 140. Consequently, the scroll 122
guides the cool air, discharged from the ventilation fan 124, to
the first duct 130 and the second duct 140.
[0050] In this case, the scroll 122 preferably has a curved part
128 curved along a spiral track from a cutoff forming part 126 to
the first duct 130 or the second duct 140.
[0051] Here, the distance r from a center point (in this
embodiment, the center point of the ventilation fan 123) to the
spiral track is represented by the production of a coefficient of
expansion angle a and angle .THETA. from the initial position. In
this embodiment, coefficient of expansion angle is preferably 0.35
to 0.4.
[0052] That is, r=a.THETA. where a=0.35 to 0.4
[0053] Consequently, the air discharged in the radial direction of
the ventilation fan 124 smoothly flows to the first duct 130 or the
second duct 140 by the scroll 122 curved along the spiral
track.
[0054] Also, the angle between a perpendicular line 152 drawn from
the center point of the ventilation fan 124 toward the ground and
an imaginary straight line 154 interconnecting the center point of
the ventilation fan 124 and the cutoff part 126 is preferably 35 to
45 degrees.
[0055] Also, the distance between the outer circumference of the
ventilation fan 124 and the cutoff part 126 of the scroll 122 is
preferably 3 to 7% of the diameter D of the ventilation fan
124.
[0056] More preferably, the distance between the cutoff part 126 of
the scroll 122 and the outer circumference of the ventilation fan
124 is preferably 4 to 6% of the diameter D of the ventilation fan
124.
[0057] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the change of power
consumption depending upon the change in distance between the
cutoff part 126 of the scroll 122 and the outer circumference of
the ventilation fan 124.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen that, when the distance
between the outer circumference of the ventilation fan 124 and the
cutoff part 126 of the scroll 122 is 3 to 7% of the diameter D of
the ventilation fan 124, the power consumption is satisfactory,
and, when the distance between the outer circumference of the
ventilation fan 124 and the cutoff part 126 of the scroll 122 is 4
to 6% of the diameter D of the ventilation fan 124, the power
consumption is minimized.
[0059] The ventilating device with the above-stated construction
may be independently used to ventilate air to a certain space.
Alternatively, the ventilating device may be applied to the
refrigerator 1 (see FIG. 1) to ventilate cool air, generated by the
refrigeration cycle, to the storage compartment.
[0060] As described above, the present invention is applied to a
ventilating device and a refrigerator. However, the present
invention may be applied to an air conditioner to ventilate air
provided that it departs from the spirit or scope of the
invention.
* * * * *