U.S. patent application number 12/674751 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for refrigerator.
Invention is credited to Bong-Jun Choi, Su-Won Lee, Seok-Min Lim, Yong-Joo Park, Gyu-Won Shin, Jong-Min Shin.
Application Number | 20110271703 12/674751 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40388002 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110271703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Yong-Joo ; et
al. |
November 10, 2011 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a
compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a
bypass pipe, and a valve device. The condenser condenses
refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and the expansion valve
expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser. The evaporator
evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve, and the
bypass pipe allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor
to move toward an inlet of the evaporator. The valve device allows
the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to selectively move
toward the bypass pipe or the condenser. The valve device comprises
an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The refrigerant
discharged from the compressor flows into the inlet. The
refrigerant is discharged toward the condenser through the first
outlet, and is discharged toward the bypass pipe through the second
outlet. The first outlet has a diameter larger than that of the
second outlet.
Inventors: |
Park; Yong-Joo;
(Gyoungsangnam-do, KR) ; Shin; Jong-Min;
(Gyoungsangnam-do, KR) ; Choi; Bong-Jun;
(Gyoungsangnam-do, KR) ; Lee; Su-Won;
(Gyoungsangnam-do, KR) ; Shin; Gyu-Won;
(Gyoungsangnam-do, KR) ; Lim; Seok-Min;
(Gyoungsangnam-do, KR) |
Family ID: |
40388002 |
Appl. No.: |
12/674751 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
August 22, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR08/04931 |
371 Date: |
February 23, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/291 ; 62/441;
62/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 47/022 20130101;
F25B 2400/0403 20130101; F25B 5/02 20130101; F25B 2400/0411
20130101; F25B 2600/2501 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/291 ; 62/498;
62/441 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02; F25D 21/14 20060101 F25D021/14; F25B 1/00 20060101
F25B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 24, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0085590 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a compressor; a condenser condensing
refrigerant discharged from the compressor; an expansion valve
expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; an evaporator
evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve; a
bypass pipe allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor
to move toward an inlet of the evaporator; and a valve device
allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to
selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the condenser, wherein
the valve device comprises: an inlet into which the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor flows; a first outlet through which
the refrigerant is discharged toward the condenser; and a second
outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged toward the
bypass pipe, the first outlet having a diameter larger than that of
the second outlet.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the inlet has a
diameter larger than that of the second outlet.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein water generated
by defrosting falls down into a tray under the evaporator, and a
portion of the bypass pipe is disposed between the tray and the
evaporator.
4. A refrigerator comprising: a compressor; a condenser condensing
refrigerant discharged from the compressor; an expansion valve
expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; a plurality
of evaporators evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the
expansion valve; a bypass pipe allowing the refrigerant discharged
from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the evaporator; a
valve device allowing the refrigerant discharged from the
compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the
condenser; and a condenser intake-side pipe allowing the
refrigerant having passed through the valve device to move to the
condenser, the condenser intake-side pipe having a diameter larger
than that of the bypass pipe.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, further comprising a
compressor discharge-side pipe connecting the valve device with the
compressor, the compressor discharge-side pipe having a diameter
larger than that of the bypass pipe.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of
evaporators comprises a freezer compartment evaporator and a
refrigeration compartment evaporator, and the bypass pipe comprises
a first bypass pipe selectively connected with one of the plurality
of evaporators and a second bypass pipe selectively connected with
the other of the plurality of evaporators.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the first bypass
pipe is connected with the valve device and the second bypass pipe
diverges from the first bypass pipe.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the valve device
comprises; a first valve provided in the a condenser intake-side
pipe to selectively communicated the compressor with the condenser;
and a second valve provided in the first bypass pipe to selectively
connect the compressor with each of the evaporators, and the second
bypass pipe diverges from the first bypass pipe.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein each of the
bypass pipes is separately connected with the valve device such
that refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows selectively
to each of bypass pipes.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A refrigerator supplies cold air to a freezer compartment
and a refrigeration compartment through a refrigerant system so as
to store foods at a low temperature.
[0003] The refrigerant system includes a compressor, a condenser,
an expansion unit, and an evaporator. Air is cooled while passing
through the evaporator, and then is supplied to the freezer
compartment and the refrigeration compartment.
[0004] Cold air, which has circulated inside the freezer
compartment and the refrigeration compartment, moves to a heat
exchange chamber including the evaporator through a predetermined
path.
[0005] Here, moisture included in the air circulating inside the
refrigerator becomes frost on a surface of the evaporator.
[0006] A large amount of frost greatly affects heat exchange
efficiency of the evaporator and increases a flow resistance of air
passing through the evaporator. Therefore, when frost of more than
a predetermined amount is generated, a defrosting operation is
performed using a defrost heater.
[0007] When power is applied to the defrost heater for a defrosting
operation, the defrost heater radiates heat to melt frost generated
on a surface of the evaporator adjacent to the defrost heater. Heat
from the defrost heater is gradually transferred to an upper
portion of the evaporator and removes the frost generated on the
surface of the evaporator.
[0008] However, power should be additionally applied to the defrost
heater, thereby leading to high power consumption. Also, the heat
of the defrost heater causes a temperature increase in the
refrigerator.
[0009] In addition, because the defrost heater is provided at one
portion of the evaporator and heats only the portion of the
evaporator, it takes a long time to defrost.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0010] Embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a defrost time
is reduced and an internal temperature in the refrigerator is
prevented from increasing during a defrosting operation.
[0011] Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which frost
removed from an evaporator is prevented from blocking an outlet
formed in a tray.
Technical Solution
[0012] In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes a compressor; a
condenser condensing refrigerant discharged from the compressor; an
expansion valve expanding the refrigerant condensed in the
condenser; an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant expanded in
the expansion valve; a bypass pipe allowing the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the
evaporator; and a valve device allowing the refrigerant discharged
from the compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or
the condenser, wherein the valve device comprises: an inlet into
which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows; a first
outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged toward the
condenser; and a second outlet through which the refrigerant is
discharged toward the bypass pipe, the first outlet having a
diameter larger than that of the second outlet.
[0013] In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes a compressor;
a condenser condensing refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant condensed in the
condenser; a plurality of evaporators evaporating the refrigerant
expanded in the expansion valve; a bypass pipe allowing the
refrigerant discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet
of the evaporator; a valve device allowing the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor to selectively move toward the
bypass pipe or the condenser; and a condenser intake-side pipe
allowing the refrigerant having passed through the valve device to
move to the condenser, the condenser intake-side pipe having a
diameter larger than that of the bypass pipe.
Advantageous Effects
[0014] According to the embodiments, since frost generated on an
evaporator can be removed by high-temperature refrigerant
discharged from a condenser without an additional defrost heater,
power consumption can be reduced.
[0015] Also, since high-temperature refrigerant having passed
through the compressor moves inside the evaporator, frost generated
on an entire surface of the evaporator can be quickly removed.
[0016] In addition, a flow resistance of refrigerant can be
minimized in a normal operation of a refrigerator by adjusting the
size of an inlet and an outlet of a valve device.
[0017] Furthermore, since a portion of a bypass pipe is disposed
adjacent to a tray for receiving water generated by defrosting,
frost can be prevented from blocking an outlet formed in the
tray.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system of a
refrigerator according to a first embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a position of a bypass
pipe.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an internal
structure of a valve device according to the first embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according
to a second embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according
to a third embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according
to a fourth embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according
to a fifth embodiment.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system of a
refrigerator according to a first embodiment.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 including a
refrigerant system according to the first embodiment includes a
compressor 10, a condenser 20, an expansion valve 30, an evaporator
40, and a vapor-liquid separator 50. The compressor 10 compresses
refrigerant to high temperature and pressure, and the condenser 20
condenses the compressed refrigerant. The expansion valve 30
expands the condensed refrigerant. The evaporator 40 evaporates the
refrigerant expanded through the expansion valve 30. The
vapor-liquid separator 50 is disposed between the evaporator 40 and
the compressor 10 to separate the liquid refrigerant and the vapor
refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 40.
[0028] In detail, the compressor 10 is connected with the condenser
20 through a first connecting pipe 61. The expansion pipe 30 is
connected with the evaporator 40 through a second connecting pipe
62.
[0029] The first connecting pipe 61 is connected with the second
connecting pipe 62 through a bypass pipe 70. When it is necessary
to defrost the evaporator 40, the bypass pipe 70 provides a path
that allows high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the
compressor 10 to move toward an inlet of the evaporator 40, i.e.,
toward the second connecting pipe 62.
[0030] A valve device 100 is provided in the first connecting pipe
61 such that high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the
compressor 10 selectively flows into the bypass pipe 70. For
example, a 3-way valve may be used as the valve device 100.
[0031] The first connecting pipe 61 may be divided into a
compressor discharge-side pipe 61a and a condenser intake-side pipe
61b by the valve device 100. The compressor discharge-side pipe 61a
may be connected with the condenser intake-side pipe 61b or the
bypass pipe 70 by operation of the valve device 100.
[0032] An operation of the refrigerator 1 having the above
construction will now be described.
[0033] During a normal operation of the refrigerator 1, the
compressor discharge-side pipe 61a is connected with the condenser
intake-side pipe 61b by the valve device 100.
[0034] In such a connection state, refrigerant is compressed
through the compressor 10. The compressed refrigerant flows into
the condenser 20 through the compressor discharge-side pipe 61a and
the condenser intake-side pipe 61b. The refrigerant is condensed
through the condenser 20. The condensed refrigerant flows into the
expansion valve 30 and then is expanded through the expansion valve
30. The expanded refrigerant flows into the evaporator 40 and is
evaporated through the evaporator 40. The evaporated refrigerant is
separated into liquid refrigerant and vapor refrigerant through the
vapor-liquid separator 50, and the vapor refrigerant flows into the
compressor 10.
[0035] Air blown by a blower fan (not shown) is cooled through heat
exchange while passing through the evaporator 40, and then is
supplied to a freezer compartment and a refrigeration
compartment.
[0036] Frost is generated on the evaporator 40 due to the heat
exchange of air in the evaporator 40. When more than a
predetermined amount of frost is generated, the frost should be
removed. In this case, the refrigerator 1 performs a defrosting
operation.
[0037] When the refrigerator 1 performs a defrosting operation, the
compressor discharge-side pipe 61a is connected with the bypass
pipe 70 by the valve device 100. Therefore, high-temperature
refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 does not flow into
the condenser 20, but flows into the second connecting pipe 62
through the bypass pipe 70. Then, the high-temperature refrigerant
flows into the evaporator 40. Therefore, as the high-temperature
refrigerant flows inside the evaporator 40, the frost generated on
the evaporator 40 is removed.
[0038] According to the first embodiment, the frost generated on
the evaporator 40 can be removed without an additional defrost
heater, thereby reducing power consumption. In addition, since the
refrigerant from the compressor 10 flows inside the evaporator 40,
the frost generated on an entire surface of the evaporator 40 can
be quickly removed.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a position of a bypass
pipe.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, a heat exchange chamber 80, where the
evaporator 40 is located, is provided at a rear side of the
refrigerator 1. A tray 82 is disposed under the evaporator 40, and
an outlet 84 is formed in a central portion of the tray 82. Water
generated by defrosting for the evaporator 40 falls down into the
tray 82, and the water having fallen into the tray 82 is discharged
through the outlet 84.
[0041] Here, the tray 82 and the outlet 84 may be formed integrally
with the heat exchange chamber 80. A water pan (not shown) may be
further formed under the outlet 84 to receive the water generated
by defrosting.
[0042] A portion of the bypass pipe 70 is disposed between the
evaporator 40 and the tray 82, and may be disposed adjacent to the
tray 82.
[0043] In detail, when high-temperature refrigerant bypassed by the
bypass pipe 70 flows inside the evaporator 40, frost generated on
the evaporator 40 is melted by the high-temperature refrigerant. In
this case, melted frost or lumped frost falls down into the tray
82. Here, when the lumped frost falls down into the tray 82, the
outlet 84 may be blocked by the lumped frost.
[0044] In the first embodiment, a portion of the bypass pipe 70 is
disposed adjacent to the tray 82 so that the frost falling down
into the tray 82 can be melted by the high-temperature refrigerant
that flows in the bypass pipe 70. Accordingly, the outlet 84 can be
prevented from being blocked.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an internal
structure of a valve device according to a first embodiment.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, as described above, a 3-way valve may
be used as the valve device 100. The 3-way valve includes an inlet
102, a first outlet 104, and a second outlet 106. The refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the inlet 102. The
refrigerant flowing into the inlet 102 is discharged to the
condenser intake-side pipe 61b through the first outlet 104, and is
discharged to the bypass pipe 70 through the second outlet 106.
[0047] In detail, the inlet 102 has a diameter equal to that of the
first outlet 104. The second outlet 106 has a diameter smaller than
that of the inlet 102 and the first outlet 104.
[0048] In general, two outlets of a 3-way valve have the same
diameter. However, in this case, a flow resistance becomes higher
in a normal operation of the refrigerator compared with the
refrigerator without having the 3-way valve. Therefore, the
efficiency of a freezing cycle decreases, thereby increasing power
consumption.
[0049] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the inlet 102 and the
first outlet 104 have a diameter larger than that of the second
outlet 106 so as to minimize the flow resistance of the refrigerant
in a normal operation of the refrigerator.
[0050] Here, since the first outlet 104 has a diameter larger than
that of the second outlet 106, the condenser intake-side pipe 61b
may be formed to a diameter larger than that of the bypass pipe
70.
[0051] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according
to a second embodiment.
[0052] Since the second embodiment is the same as the first
embodiment except the structure of a valve device, detailed
description will be omitted herein.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, a valve device according to the second
embodiment includes a first valve 110 and a second valve 120. The
first valve 110 is provided in a first connecting pipe 61 that
connects the compressor 10 with the condenser 20. The second valve
120 is provided in the bypass pipe 70.
[0054] In detail, the bypass pipe 70 diverges from the first
connecting pipe 61. The first connecting pipe 61 may be divided
into a compressor discharge-side pipe 61c and a condenser
intake-side pipe 61d by the bypass pipe 70. The first valve 110 is
provided in the condenser intake-side pipe 61d.
[0055] The first valve 110 is opened and the second valve 120 is
closed in a normal operation of the refrigerator. In this case,
high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10
flows into the condenser 20.
[0056] On the other hand, the first valve 110 is closed and the
second valve 120 is opened in a defrosting operation of the
refrigerator. In this case, high-temperature refrigerant discharged
from the compressor 10 flows into the evaporator 40 through the
bypass pipe 70. The high-temperature refrigerant removes frost
generated on the evaporator 40. When the defrosting operation is
ended, the first valve 110 is opened and the second valve 120 is
closed.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according
to a third embodiment.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, the refrigerant system according to the
third embodiment includes a compressor 10, a condenser 20, a
plurality of evaporators, expansion valves of the same number as
the evaporators, and a plurality of bypass pipes. The bypass pipes
allow refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 to flow into
the evaporators.
[0059] In detail, the evaporators include an evaporator 42 for a
freezing compartment and an evaporator 44 for a refrigeration
compartment. The expansion valves include a first expansion valve
32 for expanding refrigerant to flow into the evaporator 42 a
second expansion valve 34 for expanding refrigerant to flow into
the evaporator 44.
[0060] The bypass pipes include a first bypass pipe 72 and a second
bypass pipe 74. The first bypass pipe 72 allows high-temperature
refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 to move toward an
inlet of the evaporator 42. The second bypass pipe 74 diverges from
the first bypass pipe 72 and allows high-temperature refrigerant to
move toward an inlet of the evaporator 44.
[0061] A 3-way valve 90 is disposed between the condenser 20 and
the evaporators 42 and 44 and determines a flow direction of the
condensed refrigerant. A valve device 100 is disposed between the
compressor 10 and the condenser 20 such that high-temperature
refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 can selectively flow
into the bypass pipes 72 and 74. For example, a 3-way valve may be
used as the valve device 100.
[0062] According to the above-construction, when a freezing cycle
operates, refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 is condensed
through the condenser 20. The refrigerant discharged from the
condenser 20 flows into the first expansion valve 32 by operation
of the 3-way valve 90.
[0063] The refrigerant is expanded through the first expansion
valve 32 and flows into the evaporator 42 for a freezer
compartment. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 42 flows
into the vapor-liquid separator 50, and vapor refrigerant of the
refrigerant flows into the compressor 10.
[0064] On the other hand, when a refrigeration cycle operates,
refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 is condensed through
the condenser 20. The refrigerant discharged from the condenser 20
flows into the second expansion valve 34 by operation of the 3-way
valve 90.
[0065] The refrigerant is expanded through the second expansion
valve 34 and flows into the evaporator 44 for a refrigeration
compartment. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 44 flows
into the vapor-liquid separator 50, and vapor refrigerant of the
refrigerant flows into the compressor 10.
[0066] Meanwhile, when the refrigerator performs a defrosting
operation, high-temperature refrigerant compressed in the
compressor 10 flows into the first and second bypass pipes 72 and
74 by operation of the valve device 100, and then flows into the
evaporators 42 and 44. The high-temperature refrigerant removes
frost generated on the evaporators 42 and 44.
[0067] According to the second embodiment, the high-temperature
refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 can remove frost
generated on the evaporators 42 and 44 at the same time.
[0068] Here, the first bypass pipe 72 provides a flow passage of
high-temperature refrigerant toward the evaporator 42, and the
second bypass pipe 74 diverges from the first bypass pipe 72, and
vice-versa.
[0069] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according
to a fourth embodiment.
[0070] Since the fourth embodiment is the same as the third
embodiment except the structure of a valve device, detailed
description will be omitted herein.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 6, a valve device according to the fourth
embodiment includes a first valve 140 and a second valve 150. The
first valve 140 is provided in a first connecting pipe 61 that
connects the compressor 10 to the condenser 20. The second valve
150 is provided in the first bypass pipe 72.
[0072] In detail, the first bypass pipe 72 diverges from the first
connecting pipe 61. The first connecting pipe 61 may be divided
into a compressor discharge-side pipe 61c and a condenser
intake-side pipe 61d by the first bypass pipe 72. The first valve
140 is provided in the condenser intake-side pipe 61d.
[0073] Therefore, the first valve 140 is opened and the second
valve 150 is closed in a normal operation of the refrigerator. On
the other hand, the first valve 140 is closed and the second valve
150 is opened in a defrosting operation of the refrigerator.
[0074] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according
to a fifth embodiment.
[0075] Since the fifth embodiment is the same as the third
embodiment except the structure of a valve device, detailed
description will be omitted herein.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, a 4-way valve is used as a valve device
160 according to the fifth embodiment. A first bypass pipe 72
connected to an inlet of the evaporator 42 is separately formed a
second bypass pipe 74 connected to an inlet of the evaporator 44.
One end of each of the bypass pipes 72 and 74 is connected to the
valve device 160.
[0077] Therefore, in a normal operation of the refrigerator,
high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10
flows into the condenser 20 by operation of the valve device
160.
[0078] In order to defrost the evaporator 42 for a freezing
compartment, high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the
compressor 10 flows into the first bypass pipe 72 by operation of
the valve device 160. On the other hand, in order to defrost the
evaporator 44 for a refrigeration compartment, high-temperature
refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the second
bypass pipe 74 by operation of the valve device 160.
[0079] Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, the
evaporators 42 and 44 can be selectively defrosted.
[0080] A pair of evaporators are provided in the third to fifth
embodiments, however, the number of the evaporators is not limited
thereto. Even in the case where three or more evaporators are
provided, the evaporators can be defrosted using the
above-described structure.
* * * * *