U.S. patent application number 13/194562 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-02 for refrigerator.
Invention is credited to Sunam Chae, Juyeong Heo, Chanho Jeon, Sung Jhee.
Application Number | 20120023986 13/194562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45437455 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120023986 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chae; Sunam ; et
al. |
February 2, 2012 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a heat transfer unit, which transfers
heat generated from a machine room within a refrigerator main body
to a periphery of a home bar so as to remove dew formed at the
periphery of the home bar, and an insulating unit for surrounding
an outer circumference of the heat transfer unit. The refrigerator
further includes a heating unit installed to be thermally
conductive with the heat transfer unit, and a non-conductive cover
for covering the heat transfer unit and the heating unit.
Consequently, waste heat generated from the machine room, other
than a separate power supply unit, can be used to prevent dew
formation at the periphery of the home bar, so as to remarkably
reduce power consumption.
Inventors: |
Chae; Sunam; (Seoul, KR)
; Heo; Juyeong; (Seoul, KR) ; Jhee; Sung;
(Seoul, KR) ; Jeon; Chanho; (Seoul, KR) |
Family ID: |
45437455 |
Appl. No.: |
13/194562 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/132 ; 62/275;
62/426; 62/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/02 20130101;
F25D 2323/023 20130101; F25D 21/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/132 ; 62/449;
62/426; 62/275 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/02 20060101
F25D023/02; F25D 21/06 20060101 F25D021/06; F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00; F25D 17/06 20060101 F25D017/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0074272 |
Jul 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0074273 |
Jul 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0074275 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator main body having a
storage space for keeping foods; a door configured to open or close
the storage space of the refrigerator main body; a home bar
provided in the door; and a heat transfer unit installed to
surround a periphery of the home bar, and configured to transfer
heat generated from a machine room of the refrigerator main body to
the periphery of the home bar.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer unit is
configured as a heat pipe.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the heat transfer unit is
formed in a shape of pipe, having a middle portion surrounding the
periphery of the home bar and both ends located at a lower side of
the refrigerator main body.
4. The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising a condensation
heat guiding passage provided within a lower portion of the
refrigerator main body, and configured to guide heat generated from
a condenser installed in the refrigerator main body toward the end
portion of the heat transfer unit.
5. The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising an auxiliary fan
disposed at a lower end of the refrigerator main body and
configured to guide heat generated from the condenser installed in
the refrigerator main body toward the end portion of the heat
transfer unit.
6. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the condenser is installed
at the lower end of the refrigerator main body.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising an insulating
unit configured to cover an outer circumference of the heat
transfer unit.
8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the insulating unit is
formed of polyurethane and configured to cover a portion excluding
a portion where the periphery of the home bar contacts an outer
surface of the refrigerator main body.
9. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a heating unit
installed to be thermally conductive with the heat transfer unit;
and a cover configured to cover the heat transfer unit and the
heating unit.
10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the cover is made of a
non-conductive material.
11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the heating unit is
contactable with an outer surface of the heat transfer unit,
wherein the cover is attached onto an inner surface of the door to
cover the heat transfer unit and the heating unit.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the heating unit is
provided at least one in number and installed at least one side
surface of the heat transfer unit to be thermally conductive.
13. The refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising a conductive
adhesive interposed between the heat transfer unit and the heating
unit.
14. The refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising a heating
temperature control module configured to control the heating
temperature of the heating unit.
15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the heating temperature
control module comprises: a temperature sensor configured to
measure the temperature of the heat transfer unit located at the
heat source; and a controller electrically connected to the
temperature sensor and configured to control the operation of the
heating unit such that the measured temperature reaches a preset
reference heating temperature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in priority Korean Application Nos. 10-2010-0074273,
10-2010-0074275 and 10-2010-0074272, filed on Jul. 30, 2010, which
are herein expressly incorporated by reference in its
entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This specification relates to a refrigerator, and
particularly, to a refrigerator capable of preventing dew from
being formed at a periphery of a home bar using heat generated from
a machine room.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] In general, a refrigerator is an electronic product for
keeping stored foods in a fresh state for a long term of time by
supplying cold air, which is generated from an evaporator of a
refrigeration cycle, into a storage chamber. The refrigerator may
be fabricated in variation types, such as an upright type having a
freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber partitioned up and
down, a side-by-side type having the freezing chamber and the
refrigerating chamber partitioned side by side and having a
relatively large capacity, or the like. Also, refrigerators having
a home bar or the like have come onto the market in order to meet
various consumers' requirements.
[0006] A storage space is formed within a refrigerator main body.
The storage space is partitioned into a freezing chamber and a
refrigerating chamber in the center within the refrigerator main
body. Doors for opening or closing the freezing chamber and the
refrigerating chamber are installed at a front surface of the
refrigerator main body. The doors are rotatably supported by hinge
assemblies at both upper and lower side of the front surface of the
refrigerator main body. Also, the door for opening or closing the
refrigerating chamber is provided with a home bar for allowing
stored foods or items to be taken without opening the door.
[0007] The home bar includes a home bar frame formed in a
rectangular shape in an opening formed by cutting off the door, and
a home bar door coupled to at least one side surface of the home
bar frame for opening or closing the opening. The home bar door is
fabricated in form of being accommodated in the opening, and an
insulating layer is formed within the home bar door.
[0008] However, in the structure of the refrigerator according to
the related art, a single gasket is interposed between the home bar
door and the home bar frame, which causes a problem that a large
quantity of dewdrops are formed at the perimeter (periphery) of the
home bar frame.
[0009] To address the problem in the related art, a heater was
mounted at the perimeter of the home bar frame. However, when the
heater is mounted to prevent the dew formation, power for driving
the heater is constantly supplied, thereby increasing power
consumption.
[0010] Furthermore, heat generated from the heater is transferred
into the refrigerator, resulting in an increase in power
consumption of the overall refrigerator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to
provide a refrigerator having a heat transfer unit capable of
preventing dew from being formed at a perimeter of a home bar,
which is installed at the refrigerator to open or close a part of a
refrigerating area.
[0012] Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a
refrigerator having a heat transfer unit capable of remarkably
reducing power consumption by preventing dew formation at a
perimeter of a home bar by using waste heat generated by
refrigerating elements located within a machine room provided in
the refrigerator.
[0013] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly
described herein, a refrigerator may include a refrigerator main
body having a storage space for keeping foods, a door configured to
open or close the storage space of the refrigerator main body, a
home bar provided in the door, and a heat transfer unit installed
to surround a periphery of the home bar, and configured to transfer
heat generated from a machine room of the refrigerator main body to
the periphery of the home bar.
[0014] The refrigerator may further include an insulating unit
configured to cover an outer circumference of the heat transfer
unit.
[0015] The refrigerator may further include a heating unit
installed to be thermally conductive with the heat transfer unit,
and a cover configured to cover the heat transfer unit and the
heating unit.
[0016] Further scope of applicability of the present application
will become more apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating preferred
embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
[0018] In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance
with one exemplary embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example that a heat
transfer unit is installed at the home bar of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front view of the refrigerator;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view showing an example that a condensation
heat guiding passage is installed at a lower portion of a
refrigerator main body of the refrigerator;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example that an auxiliary
fan is installed at front of the condensation heat guiding passage
shown in FIG. 4;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example that a condenser is
installed at a lower end of the refrigerator main body of the
refrigerator;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state that a heat
transfer unit is insulated at a periphery of the home bar;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state that the heat
transfer unit is insulated at an inner side of the door;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing one example of a coupled
state between the heat transfer unit and a heating unit;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing another example of a
coupled state between the heat transfer unit and the heating unit;
and
[0029] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
heating temperature control module in accordance with this
specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Description will now be given in detail of a refrigerator
according to the exemplary embodiments, with reference to the
accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with
reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components will
be provided with the same reference numbers, and description
thereof will not be repeated.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance
with one exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing
an example that a heat transfer unit is installed at the home bar
of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of the refrigerator, FIG. 4 is a
side view showing an example that a condensation heat guiding
passage is installed at a lower portion of a refrigerator main body
of the refrigerator, FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example that
an auxiliary fan is installed at front of the condensation heat
guiding passage shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a side view showing
an example that a condenser is installed at a lower end of the
refrigerator main body of the refrigerator.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator in accordance with this
specification may include a refrigerator main body (hereinafter,
also referred to as `main body`) 110 having a storage space for
keeping foods, and a door 120 rotatably coupled to the main body
110 for opening or closing an open surface of the storage
space.
[0033] The refrigerator main body 110 may be partitioned into a
refrigerating area and a freezing area. The door 120 may be
provided with a home bar 200 for selectively exposing a part of the
refrigerating area or the freezing area to the exterior.
[0034] A heat transfer unit 300 may be installed at a periphery
(perimeter) of the home bar 200. The heat transfer unit 300 may
transfer heat generated from an external heat source, such as
condensation heat or heat generated from a compressor, to the
periphery of the home bar 200 so as to remove dewdrops formed at
the periphery of the home bar 200.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the home bar 200 may include a home bar
door 210 for opening or closing a part of the door 120, and a home
bar frame 220 defining an opening open or closed by the home bar
door 210. Here, the periphery of the home bar 200 may be defined as
a region formed along the home bar frame 220.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the heat transfer unit 300 may be
implemented as a heat pipe. Both ends of the heat transfer unit 300
may be contactable with the heat source or present near the heat
source, and a middle portion thereof may cover (surround) the
periphery of the home bar 200. The heat transfer unit 300 may
include a pipe body 310 having a core 320 disposed on an inner
circumferential surface thereof, and a working fluid 330 filled
within the pipe body 310 in a vacuum state and evaporated by heat
transferred from the exterior.
[0037] Herein, both ends of the heat transfer unit 300 as the heat
pipe may preferably be installed at a lower end of the refrigerator
main body 10, namely, at a lower end of the door 120 installed at
the refrigerator main body 110. Accordingly, the heat transfer unit
300 may be present near the machine room so as to easily utilize
condensation heat or heat generated from a compressor.
[0038] The periphery of the home bar 200 contacting the heat
transfer unit 300 may be made of plastic, and an inner portion of
the refrigerator main body 110 or the door 120 contacting the heat
transfer unit 300 may be formed of a metal. Herein, the inner
portion of the refrigerator main body 110 contacting the heat
transfer unit 300 may be preferably the inner portion of the door
120.
[0039] With the configuration of the heat transfer unit 300
according to the one exemplary embodiment, when external heat is
applied to one end of the heat transfer unit 300, the volatile
working fluid 330 filled in the heat transfer unit 300 in the
vacuum state may be evaporated, and the evaporated working fluid
330 may then be moved up along the pipe body 310.
[0040] The working fluid 330 present within the periphery of the
home bar 200 may be condensed by cold air supplied from the inside
of the refrigerator main body 110 and moved down by its own
gravity, thereby transferring heat.
[0041] Typically, as a machine room for installation of a condenser
400 or a compressor, which generates heat while forming a
refrigeration cycle, is located within the lower end at the rear of
the refrigerator main body 110, so-called machine room heat is
generated. Such heat is discharged outside the refrigerator main
body 110 by an element such as a fan (not shown).
[0042] Accordingly, a heat source may be formed within the lower
portion of the refrigerator main body 110 by the heat generated
from the elements such as the condenser 400 or the compressor.
Hence, when both ends of the heat transfer unit 300 are installed
at the lower end of the door 120, namely, the lower portion of the
refrigerator main body 110, the machine room heat may be utilized
as a heat source.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, the refrigerator main body 110 may
further include a condensation heat guiding passage 410, which
guides heat generated from the condenser 400 toward the end portion
of the heat transfer unit 300.
[0044] Here, even if the condenser 400 is not installed within the
lower portion of the refrigerator main body 110, the condensation
heat guiding passage 410 may be used to utilize the condensation
heat of the condenser 400 as a heat source.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, an auxiliary fan 500 may further be
installed at the lower end of the refrigerator main body 110. The
auxiliary fan 500 may guide heat generated from the condenser 400
installed in the refrigerator main body 110 to an end portion of
the pipe body 310.
[0046] Here, the auxiliary fan 500 may be used to forcibly convect
the heat generated from the condenser 400 to the end portion of the
pipe body 310, whereby the condensation heat generated from the
condenser 400 can be efficiently used.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, the condenser 400 may alternatively be
installed at the lower end of the refrigerator main body 110.
[0048] In this example, both ends of the heat transfer unit 300 are
approximately on a level with the heat source, accordingly, the
condensation heat can be effectively utilized without a separate
auxiliary fan. Of course, when the auxiliary fan 500 is applied
even in this example, the condensation heat can be utilized more
effectively.
[0049] In the meantime, the refrigerator may further include an
insulating unit 600 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) for insulating the heat
transfer unit 300.
[0050] The insulating unit 600 may be made of polyurethane, and
employed to cover (surround) a portion excluding a portion where
the periphery of the home bar 200 contacts an outer surface of the
refrigerator main body 110.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows a state that the heat transfer unit 300 is
covered (surrounded) by the insulating unit 600 at the side of the
home bar 200.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the periphery of the home bar 200 may be
made of plastic as ABS resin, and the heat transfer unit 300 may be
attached onto the peripheral surface of the home bar 200.
[0053] The insulating unit 600 may be foamed using polyurethane.
The insulating unit 600 may be foamed to cover the peripheral
surface of the home bar 200 and an outer circumference of the heat
transfer unit 300. Accordingly, heat of the heat transfer unit 300
can be insulated by the insulating unit 600, thereby enhancing heat
transfer efficiency.
[0054] FIG. 8 shows a state that the heat transfer unit 300 is
covered (surrounded) by the insulating unit 600 at the side of the
inner portion of the door 120 as the inner portion of the
refrigerator main body 110.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the inner portion of the door 120 may be
formed of a metal. The heat transfer unit 300 for transferring heat
generated from the lower portion of the refrigerator main body 110
up to the periphery of the home bar 200 may be adhered closely onto
the inner portion of the door 120. The insulating unit 600 may be
foamed to cover (surround) the heat transfer unit 300 within the
inner portion of the door 120.
[0056] As the heat transfer unit 300 is insulated by the insulating
unit 600, it may be possible to enhance heat transfer efficiency
during a process of transferring heat from the heat source to the
periphery of the home bar 200. On the other hand, a heat transfer
loss within the inner portion of the door 120 can be efficiently
reduced.
[0057] Meanwhile, the refrigerator may further include an auxiliary
heater in regard of a case that heat from the heat source is not
enough.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the refrigerator may further
include a heating unit 700 installed to be thermally conductive
with the heat transfer unit 300 located near the heat source, and a
non-conductive cover 800 for covering the heat transfer unit 300
and the heating unit 700 near the heat source.
[0059] Here, the heating unit 700 may be a heater, which is heated
up to a preset temperature by external power. The heating unit 700
may be fabricated in a shape having a preset length. That is, since
the heat transfer unit 300 is formed in the shape of pipe with the
preset length, the heating unit 700 may preferably be formed to be
easily attached onto an outer surface of the heat transfer unit
300.
[0060] The non-conductive cover 800 may be formed in a shape like a
tape having a preset width. The non-conductive cover 800 may be
attached onto the inner surface of the refrigerator main body 110,
namely, the inner surface of the door 120 to cover the heat
transfer unit 300 and the heating unit 700.
[0061] The heating unit 700 may be connected to the outer surface
of the heat transfer unit 300 located near the heat source, and the
non-conductive cover 800 may be attached onto the inner surface of
the door 120 to cover the heat transfer unit 300 and the heating
unit 700.
[0062] The heating unit 700, which is a heater, may be attached
onto the outer surface of the heat transfer unit 300, which is
installed near the heat source, namely, at the inner surface of the
door 120, in a physically contacted state. Here, the heating unit
700 may be attached onto the inner surface of the door 120, by
using the non-conductive cover 800 without a separate adhesive
agent, so as to prevent mis-alignment between the heat transfer
unit 300 installed at the inner surface of the door 120 and the
heating unit 700 located on the outer surface of the heat transfer
unit 300. In addition, the non-conductive cover 800 may reduce
externally discharged heat of the heating unit 700 or the heat
transfer unit 300.
[0063] Although not shown, the heating unit 700 may be fixed onto a
side surface of the heat transfer unit 300 or be provided in
plurality to be contactable with the upper surface and both side
surfaces of the heat transfer unit 300.
[0064] Although not shown, the heating unit 700 may be fabricated
to have a recess, and accordingly, the heat transfer unit 300 may
be inserted into the recess to be surrounded by the heating unit
700.
[0065] FIG. 10 shows that the heating unit 700 is attached onto the
upper surface of the heat transfer unit 300 by a conductive
adhesive 900.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, a preset amount of conductive adhesive
900 may be coated on the upper surface of the heat transfer unit
300, and the heating unit 700 may be located on the conductive
adhesive 900 so as to be fixed onto the upper surface of the heat
transfer unit 300.
[0067] The attachment of the non-conductive cover 800 may help the
heat transfer unit 300 and the heating unit 700 to be firmer fixed
to each other.
[0068] Here, heat generated from the heating unit 700 may be easily
transferred to the heat transfer unit 300 via the conductive
adhesive 900.
[0069] Thus, the heating unit 700 used as the auxiliary heater may
directly contact the heat transfer unit 300 or be electrically
conductive with the heat transfer unit 300 by virtue of the
conductive adhesive 900 so as to facilitate heat transfer from the
heating unit 700 to the heat transfer unit 300. In addition, the
heat transfer unit 300 and the heating unit 700 may be covered with
the non-conductive cover 800 so as to avoid or prevent heat
generated from the heat transfer unit 300 and the heating unit 700
from being transferred to the exterior.
[0070] Accordingly, auxiliary heat supplied from the heating unit
700 to the heat transfer unit 300 and heat of the heat transfer
unit 300 can be effectively transferred without a loss to the
exterior by virtue of the non-conductive cover 800.
[0071] Meanwhile, the refrigerator may further include a heating
temperature control module for control of heating temperature.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 11, the heating temperature control module
may include a temperature sensor 720 for measuring the temperature
of the heat transfer unit 300 located near the heat source, and a
controller 730 electrically connected to the temperature sensor 720
for controlling the operation of the heating unit 700 such that the
measured temperature reaches a preset reference heating
temperature.
[0073] Accordingly, heat of a certain temperature at the lower end
of the door 120 may be transferred to one end of the heat transfer
unit 300, and the heat transfer unit 300 may transfer heat from the
heat source to the periphery of the home bar 200 using the working
fluid 330.
[0074] Here, the temperature sensor 720 may measure the temperature
at the heat source, preferably, measure the temperature at the one
end of the heat transfer unit 300 so as to transmit the measured
temperature to the controller 730 in form of an electric
signal.
[0075] The controller 730 may then determine whether the
transmitted measured temperature reaches the preset reference
heating temperature, and control the operation of the heating unit
700 such that the measured temperature reaches the preset reference
heating temperature. The heating unit 700 may be connected to a
power source 710, which may be driven by a signal from the
controller 730.
[0076] Consequently, the temperature within the home bar 200 can be
lower than dew point temperature without a separate power supply
when using a heat pipe, namely, the heat transfer unit 300 and the
heating unit 700, thereby remarkably reducing power consumed to
prevent dew formation at the periphery of the home bar 200.
[0077] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present
disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and
other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein
may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or
alternative exemplary embodiments.
[0078] As the present features may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also
be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited
by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless
otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within
its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all
changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of
the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore
intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
* * * * *