U.S. patent application number 14/665541 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-09 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jong Een Chae, Sang Woon Jeon, Gi Joong Jeong, Jae Moon Lee, Sun Keun Lee, Jae Hoon LIM, Yun Ho Yang, Woo Yeol Yoo, Sinn Bong Yoon.
Application Number | 20150192344 14/665541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42671702 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150192344 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIM; Jae Hoon ; et
al. |
July 9, 2015 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator having an intermediate storage compartment, which
has an improved structure of a return flow passage to return cold
air from the intermediate storage compartment. The refrigerator
includes a first evaporator to supply cold air to an upper storage
compartment, a second evaporator to supply cold air to a lower
storage compartment, a cold air supply duct to supply cold air
generated at the second evaporator to an intermediate storage
compartment, and a curved section formed at a top of the
intermediate storage compartment to uniformly distribute the cold
air supplied via the cold air supply duct in the intermediate
storage compartment. The refrigerator also includes a cold air
return duct to return cold air from the intermediate storage
compartment, and an ice-making cold air return duct to return cold
air from an ice maker. The cold air return duct is joined with the
ice-making cold air return duct.
Inventors: |
LIM; Jae Hoon; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Jeong; Gi Joong; (Gwangju, KR) ; Yoon;
Sinn Bong; (Gwangju-si, KR) ; Yoo; Woo Yeol;
(Gwangju, KR) ; Chae; Jong Een; (Gwangju, KR)
; Lee; Sun Keun; (Gwangju-si, KR) ; Yang; Yun
Ho; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Jeon; Sang Woon;
(Namyangju-si, KR) ; Lee; Jae Moon; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
42671702 |
Appl. No.: |
14/665541 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12801104 |
May 21, 2010 |
9010145 |
|
|
14665541 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/441 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 2400/10 20130101;
F25D 2317/067 20130101; F25C 5/22 20180101; F25D 2317/063 20130101;
F25B 5/02 20130101; F25D 17/065 20130101; F25D 2317/0666 20130101;
F25D 17/045 20130101; F25D 11/022 20130101; F25D 2317/061 20130101;
F25C 5/046 20130101; F25D 2317/0671 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02; F25D 17/04 20060101 F25D017/04; F25B 5/02 20060101
F25B005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 1, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0048272 |
Nov 10, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0108025 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet formed with an upper
storage compartment, an intermediate storage compartment, and a
lower storage compartment, which are partitioned from one another
by insulated partition walls; a first evaporator to supply cold air
to the upper storage compartment; a second evaporator to supply
cold air to the lower storage compartment; a cold air supply duct
to supply cold air generated at the second evaporator to the
intermediate storage compartment; and a curved section formed at a
top of the intermediate storage compartment to uniformly distribute
the cold air supplied via the cold air supply duct in the
intermediate storage compartment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/801,104 filed on May 21, 2010, which claims the benefit of
Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2009-0048272 and 10-2009-0108025,
respectively filed on Jun. 1, 2009 and Nov. 10, 2009 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to a refrigerator, and, more
particularly, to a refrigerator having an intermediate storage
compartment.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Refrigerators are adapted to maintain food in a fresh state
for a prolonged period of time by supplying cold air generated
through a refrigeration cycle to a storage compartment in which the
food is stored.
[0006] Generally, such a refrigerator includes a cabinet formed
with an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment.
The upper storage compartment is opened or closed by a hinged door
pivotally coupled to the cabinet. A drawer is mounted to the lower
storage compartment such that the drawer can be extended from or
retracted into the lower storage compartment.
SUMMARY
[0007] Therefore, it is an aspect to provide a refrigerator having
an intermediate storage compartment, which is capable of uniformly
distributing cold air into the intermediate storage
compartment.
[0008] Another aspect is to provide a refrigerator having an
intermediate storage compartment, which is capable of supplying
cold air from an evaporator for a freezing compartment to the
intermediate storage compartment.
[0009] Another aspect is to provide a refrigerator having an
intermediate storage compartment, which has an improved structure
of a return flow passage to return cold air.
[0010] Additional aspects 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.
[0011] In accordance with one aspect, a refrigerator includes a
cabinet formed with an upper storage compartment, an intermediate
storage compartment, and a lower storage compartment, which are
partitioned from one another by insulated partition walls, a first
evaporator to supply cold air to the upper storage compartment, a
second evaporator to supply cold air to the lower storage
compartment, a cold air supply duct to supply cold air generated at
the second evaporator to the intermediate storage compartment, and
a curved section formed at a top of the intermediate storage
compartment to uniformly distribute the cold air supplied via the
cold air supply duct in the intermediate storage compartment.
[0012] The curved section may include a first curved portion
arranged at an entrance of the second storage compartment while
being downwardly protruded, a second curved portion extending
inwardly from the first curved portion while being sharply inclined
in an upward direction, and a third curved portion extending
inwardly from the second curved portion while being gently inclined
in a downward direction.
[0013] The refrigerator may further include a cold air return duct
to return cold air from the intermediate storage compartment, and
an ice-making cold air return duct to return cold air from an ice
maker. The cold air return duct may be joined with the ice-making
cold air return duct.
[0014] An insulated partition wall may be arranged between the cold
air return duct and the ice-making cold air return duct, to
insulate the cold air return duct and the ice-making cold air
return duct from each other.
[0015] The intermediate storage compartment may include a cold air
inlet arranged at one side of a rear portion of the intermediate
storage compartment, to suck cold air from the intermediate storage
compartment, the cold air inlet communicating with the cold air
return duct, and an introduction preventing cap arranged to cover
an upper portion of the cold air inlet, the introduction preventing
cap functioning to prevent cold air discharged into the
intermediate storage compartment from being directly introduced
into the cold air inlet.
[0016] The intermediate storage compartment may include a cold air
diffusion passage formed in a top wall of the intermediate storage
compartment, to move cold air supplied via the cold air supply
duct.
[0017] The intermediate storage compartment may further include at
least one cold air outlet formed to allow cold air moved along the
cold air diffusion passage to be discharged into the second storage
compartment.
[0018] The cold air diffusion passage may be surrounded by an
insulator.
[0019] The second evaporator may be arranged at a rear side of the
intermediate storage compartment. The cold air supply duct may
extend from the second evaporator to the rear side of the
intermediate storage compartment.
[0020] The refrigerator may further include a cold air supplier
arranged beneath a rear wall of the upper storage compartment, to
supply cold air to the intermediate storage compartment.
[0021] The cold air supplier may include a circulating fan to blow
cold air, and a cold air regulator to regulate an amount of cold
air to be supplied.
[0022] In accordance with another aspect, a refrigerator, which
includes a cabinet formed with an upper storage compartment, an
intermediate storage compartment, and a lower storage compartment,
which are partitioned from one another by insulated partition
walls, further includes a first evaporator to supply cold air to
the upper storage compartment, a second evaporator to supply cold
air to the lower storage compartment, a cold air supply duct to
supply cold air generated at the second evaporator to the
intermediate storage compartment, and a cold air diffuser formed at
a top of the intermediate storage compartment, the cold air
diffuser having a curved structure to allow the cold air supplied
from the second evaporator to be diffused after reaching a front
side of the intermediate storage compartment.
[0023] The cold air diffuser may include a first curved portion
arranged at an entrance of the second storage compartment while
being downwardly protruded, a second curved portion extending
inwardly from the first curved portion while being sharply inclined
in an upward direction, and a third curved portion extending
inwardly from the second curved portion while being gently inclined
in a downward direction.
[0024] The refrigerator may include a cold air return duct to
return cold air from the intermediate storage compartment, and an
ice-making cold air return duct to return cold air from an ice
maker. The cold air return duct may be joined with the ice-making
cold air return duct.
[0025] An insulated partition wall may be arranged between the cold
air return duct and the ice-making cold air return duct, to
insulate the cold air return duct and the ice-making cold air
return duct from each other.
[0026] The intermediate storage compartment may include a cold air
inlet arranged at one side of a rear portion of the intermediate
storage compartment, to suck cold air from the intermediate storage
compartment, the cold air inlet communicating with the cold air
return duct, and an introduction preventing cap arranged to cover
an upper portion of the cold air inlet, the introduction preventing
cap functioning to prevent cold air discharged into the
intermediate storage compartment from being directly introduced
into the cold air inlet.
[0027] The intermediate storage compartment may include a cold air
diffusion passage formed in a top wall of the intermediate storage
compartment, to move cold air supplied via the cold air supply
duct.
[0028] The intermediate storage compartment may further include at
least one cold air outlet formed to allow cold air moved along the
cold air diffusion passage to be discharged into the second storage
compartment.
[0029] The cold air diffusion passage may be surrounded by an
insulator.
[0030] The second evaporator may be arranged at a rear side of the
intermediate storage compartment. The cold air supply duct may
extend from the second evaporator to the rear side of the
intermediate storage compartment.
[0031] The refrigerator may further include a cold air supplier
arranged beneath a rear wall of the upper storage compartment, to
supply cold air to the intermediate storage compartment.
[0032] The cold air supplier may include a circulating fan to blow
cold air, and a cold air regulator to regulate an amount of cold
air to be supplied.
[0033] In the above-described refrigerator, cold air may be
uniformly distributed in the intermediate storage compartment by
virtue of the curved section formed at the top of the intermediate
storage compartment.
[0034] Also, cold air may be supplied to the interior of the
intermediate storage compartment by virtue of the cold air
diffusion passage formed in the top wall of the intermediate
storage compartment.
[0035] This cold air is supplied from the evaporator of the lower
storage compartment, which may be used for a freezing
compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more
readily appreciated from the following description of the
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outer
appearance of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment
in a state in which a refrigerating compartment door is opened;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
1;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
1 in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door, a first
drawer, and a second drawer are closed;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a flow of cold air at a rear
side of the refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a flow of cold air
in a second storage compartment in the case of FIG. 4;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the second storage
compartment;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the top of the second storage
compartment;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of
the second storage compartment;
[0045] FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a cold air
inlet of the second storage compartment;
[0046] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a second storage compartment
according to another embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the top of the second storage
compartment in the case of FIG. 10; and
[0048] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating an internal flow
passage formed in the top of the second storage compartment in the
case of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an exemplary
embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outer
appearance of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment
in a state in which a refrigerating compartment door is opened.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3
is a sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 in a state
in which the refrigerating compartment door, a first drawer, and a
second drawer are closed.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the refrigerator includes a
cabinet 10 defined with a plurality of storage compartments,
namely, a first storage compartment 20, a second storage
compartment 30, and a third storage compartment 40, partitioned
from one another and forwardly opened. The refrigerator also
includes first and second hinged doors 50a and 50b pivotally
coupled to left and right sides of the cabinet 10, to open or close
the first storage compartment 20, a first drawer 61 slidably
mounted to the second storage compartment 30 such that the first
drawer 61 can be extended from or retracted into the second storage
compartment 30, and a second drawer 62 slidably mounted to the
third storage compartment 40 such that the second drawer 62 can be
extended from or retracted into the third storage compartment 40.
For reference, as seen in FIG. 1, the first storage compartment 20
is arranged at an upper portion of the refrigerator, the third
storage compartment 40 is arranged at a lower portion of the
refrigerator, and the second storage compartment 30 is arranged
between the first storage compartment 20 and the third storage
compartment 40.
[0052] The cabinet 10 includes an inner case 11a, an outer case
11b, and an insulator 12 filled between the inner case 11a and the
outer case 11b. The cabinet 10 also includes first and second
insulated partition walls 13 and 14, which partition the first
storage compartment 20, second storage compartment 30, and third
storage compartment 40. The first insulated partition wall 13
partitions the first storage compartment 20 and second storage
compartment 30, whereas the second insulated partition wall 14
partitions the second storage compartment 30 and third storage
compartment 40.
[0053] The inner case 11a may be bent to form outer structures of
the first and second insulated partition walls 13 and 14. The
insulator 12 may be filled between the inner case 11a and the outer
case 11b by injecting a urethane foaming liquid between the inner
case 11a and the outer case 11b, and then heating the urethane
foaming liquid, to foam the urethane foaming liquid. The cabinet 10
has an integrated structure including the first and second
insulated partition walls 13 and 14. Accordingly, an enhanced
insulation effect is provided among the storage compartments.
Reference numeral "15" designates a rack coupled to the cabinet 10,
to contain food to be stored.
[0054] The first storage compartment 20, second storage compartment
30, and third storage compartment 40 defined in the cabinet 10 form
independent storage spaces, respectively. The storage temperatures
of the first storage compartment 20, second storage compartment 30,
and third storage compartment 40 are independently controlled in
accordance with respective amounts of cold air supplied to the
first storage compartment 20, second storage compartment 30, and
third storage compartment 40. The amounts of cold air supplied to
respective storage compartments 20, 30, and 40 are controlled by a
controller C, which controls a first cold air regulator 23, a
second cold air regulator 33, and a third cold air regulator 43.
Thus, the user may set a desired temperature of each storage
compartment, in order to use the storage compartment for a
particular purpose, if necessary. For example, the first storage
compartment 20, second storage compartment 30, and third storage
compartment 40 may be used as a refrigerating compartment, a fresh
compartment, and a freezing compartment, respectively.
[0055] First and second evaporators 91 and 92, which generate cold
air, are arranged at a rear wall of the cabinet 10. A machinery
compartment 16 is defined at a lower rear portion of the cabinet
10. In the machinery compartment 16, electric elements including,
for example, a compressor 93, etc. are installed. The compressor 93
constitutes a refrigeration cycle, together with a condenser (not
shown), an expansion valve (not shown), and the evaporators 91 and
92.
[0056] At least one rack 51 is provided at an inner surface of each
of the first and second hinged doors 50a and 50b. At the first
hinged door 50a, a dispenser 53 is also provided to selectively
distribute water or ice. Although not shown, an auxiliary door may
be provided at at least one of the first and second hinged doors
50a and 50b.
[0057] The dispenser 53 includes an outlet 54 to discharge water or
ice, an opening/closing member 55 to open or close the outlet 54,
and an actuating lever 56 to actuate the opening/closing member 55
and to actuate an ice maker 70 arranged at an upper portion of the
first storage compartment 20.
[0058] The ice maker 70 includes an ice making unit 71 to produce
ice to be supplied to the dispenser 53, an ice container 72
arranged beneath the ice making unit 71, to store the produced ice,
a feeding unit 73 to feed the ice stored in the ice container 72,
and an ice crushing unit 74 to crush the ice fed by the feeding
unit 73. In accordance with this configuration, the ice stored in
the ice container 72 is sequentially fed to an ice discharge
passage 52 provided at the first hinged door 50a.
[0059] As described above, the first drawer 61 is arranged such
that it is extended from or retracted into the second storage
compartment 30 of the cabinet 10. In this case, the height H from a
bottom surface of the cabinet 10 to an upper end of the first
drawer 61 may be about 850 to 950 mm. Accordingly, a user of mean
stature of 150 to 190 cm may easily extend or retract the first
drawer 61 from or into the cabinet 10 and may easily put articles
into or take articles out of a receiving space of the first drawer
61, without excessively bending his back.
[0060] A first panel 21 is mounted to a rear wall of the first
storage compartment 20. The first panel 21 partitions, from the
first storage compartment 20, a space where the first evaporator 91
is installed. The first panel 21 also defines a first cold air
supply passage 21a. The first panel 21 is formed with a plurality
of outlets 21b to distributively discharge cold air supplied
through the first cold air supply passage 21a into the first
storage compartment 20, and an inlet 21c to introduce cold air from
the first storage compartment 20 toward the first evaporator 91.
The first cold air supply passage 21a communicates with the outlets
21b at one end of the first cold air supply passage 21a while
communicating with the inlet 21c at the other end of the first cold
air supply passage 21a. A first circulating fan 22 is arranged over
the first evaporator 91. By the first circulating fan 22, cold air
in the first storage compartment 20 passes through the cold air
supply passage 21a after being introduced into the inlet 21c.
Thereafter, the cold air is discharged from the cold air supply
passage 21a through the outlets 21b. The cold air is cooled by the
first evaporator 91 while passing through the cold air supply
passage 21a. The amount of cold air supplied to the first storage
compartment 20 may be regulated by the first cold air regulator
23.
[0061] A cold air discharge member 31 is provided at a rear central
portion of the second storage compartment 30. The cold air
discharge member 31 is formed with an outlet 31b to distributively
discharge cold air into the second storage compartment 30. A cold
air inlet 37 is formed at one side of a rear portion of the second
storage compartment 30, to suck cold air from the second storage
compartment 30. Accordingly, cold air discharged out of the outlet
31b of the cold air discharge member 31 is introduced into the cold
air inlet 37 after circulating the interior of the second storage
compartment 30.
[0062] A cold air supplier 35 is provided in the interior of the
cold air discharge member 31 beneath a rear wall of the first
storage compartment 20, to supply cold air to the second storage
compartment 30. The cold air supplier 35 includes a second
circulating fan 32 to blow cold air to the outlet 31b. The second
cold air regulator 33, which regulates the amount of cold air to be
supplied to the second storage compartment 30, is also included in
the cold air supplier 35.
[0063] The cold air supplier 35 is arranged beneath the rear wall
of the first storage compartment 20 so that repair or replacement
of the cold air supplier 35 may be conveniently achieved. That is,
the entirety of the cold air supplier 35 may be conveniently
repaired or replaced only through separation and coupling of the
rear wall of the first storage compartment 20.
[0064] The second storage compartment 30 receives cold air
generated at the second evaporator 92. This will be described
later.
[0065] A second panel 41 is mounted to a rear wall of the third
storage compartment 40. The second panel 41 partitions, from the
third storage compartment 40, a space where the second evaporator
92 is installed. The second panel 41 also defines a second cold air
supply passage 41a. The second panel 41 is formed with a plurality
of outlets 41b to distributively discharge cold air supplied
through the second cold air supply passage 41a into the third
storage compartment 40, and an inlet 41c to introduce cold air from
the third storage compartment 40 toward the second evaporator 92.
The second cold air supply passage 41a communicates with the
outlets 41b at one end of the second cold air supply passage 41a
while communicating with the inlet 41c at the other end of the
second cold air supply passage 41a. A third circulating fan 42 is
arranged over the second evaporator 92. By the third circulating
fan 42, cold air in the third storage compartment 40 passes around
the second evaporator 92, and then returns to the third storage
compartment 40. Thus, the cold air is circulated. The amount of
cold air supplied to the third storage compartment 40 may be
regulated by the third cold air regulator 43.
[0066] Reference numeral "75" designates an ice-making cold air
supply duct, through which cold air generated at the second
evaporator 92 passes, so as to be supplied to the ice maker 70.
Reference numeral "76" designates an ice-making cold air return
duct, through which cold air from the ice maker 70 is returned
toward the second evaporator 92. In this case, the circulation of
cold air may be achieved by a fourth circulating fan 77 arranged
upstream from the ice-making cold air supply duct 75.
[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the refrigerator may further
include an air filter 80 to remove offensive odors or bacteria from
the cold air circulating the first storage compartment 20.
[0068] As described above, the refrigerator according to the
illustrated embodiment may store at least three kinds of food
having different optimal storage temperatures under respective
optimal low-temperature conditions because the refrigerator is
provided with three storage compartments partitioned by insulated
partition walls such that they are independently cooled. In
particular, elongate food products such as pizza and fish may be
stored at respective optimal temperatures thereof in the second and
third storage compartments 30 and 40 because the first and second
drawers 61 and 62 are installed at the second and third storage
compartments 30 and 40, respectively. Also, taking ergonomics into
consideration, the height from the bottom surface of the cabinet 10
to the upper end of the first drawer 61 is determined to be about
850 to 950 mm. Accordingly, it may be possible to provide
remarkably-enhanced use convenience for the first drawer 61 to
users of mean stature of 150 to 190 cm.
[0069] The amount of cold air supplied to the first storage
compartment 20, the amount of cold air supplied to the second
storage compartment 30, and the amount of cold air supplied to the
third storage compartment 40 are regulated by the first cold air
regulator 23, second cold air regulator 33, and third cold air
regulator 43, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, each of
the first cold air regulator 23, second cold air regulator 33, and
third cold air regulator 43 has a damper structure to regulate the
opening degree of the associated cold air flow passage. Of course,
each cold air regulator is not limited to such a structure. For
example, the cold air regulators, which have a damper structure,
may be dispensed with. In this case, the blowing fan provided in
each flow passage may provide a cold air regulating function. The
amount of cold air supplied by the blowing fan may be determined on
the basis of an electrical load applied to the blowing fan. Of
course, both the cold air regulator, which has a blowing fan
structure, and the cold air regulator, which has a damper
structure, may be provided.
[0070] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a flow of cold air at the rear
side of the refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a
flow of cold air in the second storage compartment in the case of
FIG. 4.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a cold air supply duct 110 is
formed at a rear central portion of the refrigerator, to supply
cold air generated at the second evaporator 92 to the second
storage compartment 30. The cold air supply duct 110 communicates
with the second cold air supply passage 41a at one end of the cold
air supply duct 110 while communicating with the cold air discharge
member 31 at the other end of the cold air supply duct 110. The
cold air supply duct 110 extends from a rear side of the second
evaporator 92 to a rear side of the second storage compartment
30.
[0072] A cold air return duct 130 is provided at one side of the
ice-making cold air return duct 76. The cold air return duct 130
communicates with the cold air inlet 37 at one end of the cold air
return duct 130 while communicating with the second cold air supply
passage 41a at the other end of the cold air return duct 130. The
cold air return duct 130 is joined with the ice-making cold air
return duct 76. An insulated partition wall 150 is arranged between
the cold air return duct 130 and the ice-making cold air return
duct 76, in order to provide an insulating effect.
[0073] As the cold air return duct 130 partially occupies a space
where the ice-making cold air return duct 76 is occupied.
Accordingly, an enhancement in space utility may be achieved. By
virtue of installation of the insulated partition wall 150, it may
be possible to solve dewing and frosting problems incurred due to a
cold air temperature difference caused by adjacent arrangement of
the cold air return duct 130 and ice-making cold air return duct
76. The insulated partition wall 150 may be made of at least one of
an expanded polystyrene material and a urethane material.
[0074] Thus, cold air generated at the first evaporator 91 may be
supplied to the first storage compartment 20 via the first cold air
supply passage 21a, whereas cold air generated at the second
evaporator 92 is partially supplied to the third storage
compartment 40 while being partially supplied to the second storage
compartment 30 via the cold air supply duct 110. Of course, these
cold air supply structures are illustrative, and may be varied. For
example, the cold air generated at the first evaporator may be
supplied to the first and second storage compartment, and the cold
air generated at the second evaporator may be supplied to the third
storage compartment. Also, the refrigerator may include a single
evaporator. In this case, cold air generated at the single
evaporator may be distributively supplied to the first, second, and
third storage compartments. Alternatively, the refrigerator may
include three evaporators corresponding to respective storage
compartments. In this case, cold air generated at each evaporator
may be supplied to the storage compartment corresponding to the
evaporator.
[0075] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the second storage
compartment. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the top of the second
storage compartment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the
interior of the second storage compartment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged
sectional view illustrating the cold air inlet of the second
storage compartment.
[0076] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a curved section 170 is formed at
the top of the second storage compartment 30. The curved section
170 includes a first curved portion 172 arranged at an entrance of
the second storage compartment 30 while being downwardly protruded,
a second curved portion 174 extending inwardly from the first
curved portion 172 while being sharply inclined in an upward
direction, and a third curved portion 176 extending inwardly from
the second curved portion 174 while being gently inclined in a
downward direction.
[0077] As the curved section 170 is formed at the top of the second
storage compartment 30, it may be possible to uniformly distribute
cold air in the second storage compartment 30. That is, it may be
possible to solve problems incurred in the case in which the top of
the second storage compartment 30 is planar, as in conventional
cases, for example, rough flow of cold air and a phenomenon in
which cold air discharged from the rear side of the second storage
compartment 30 cannot reach the front side of the second storage
compartment 30. In this regard, the curved section 170 functions as
a cold air diffuser to diffuse cold air.
[0078] The first curved portion 172 defines a narrow space, in
order to maximally prevent loss of cold air at the entrance of the
second storage compartment 30. On the other hand, the second curved
portion 174 and third curved portion 176 define a wide cold air
flow space over a front portion of the second storage compartment
30, in order to allow cold air to flow smoothly such that the cold
air reaches the front side of the second storage compartment 30. In
conventional structures, it is difficult to supply cold air to the
front side of the second storage compartment 30.
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an introduction preventing cap
39 is arranged over the cold air inlet 37. The introduction
preventing cap 39 functions to prevent cold air discharged out of
the outlet 31b of the cold air discharge member 31 from being
directly introduced into the cold air inlet 37 without circulating
the interior of the second storage compartment 30. That is, the
introduction preventing cap 39 enhances the internal energy
efficiency of the second storage compartment 30.
[0080] The introduction preventing cap 39 is formed to surround an
upper portion of the cold air inlet 37. Accordingly, the
introduction preventing cap 39 prevents cold air from being
introduced into the cold air inlet 37 through the upper portion of
the cold air inlet 37, but allows cold air to be introduced into
the cold air inlet 37 through a lower portion of the cold air inlet
37 after circulating the second storage compartment 30. Thus, only
the cold air, which has a relatively high temperature, is
selectively introduced into the cold air inlet 37 in accordance
with the introduction preventing cap 39.
[0081] Hereinafter, operation of the refrigerator according to the
illustrated embodiment will be described.
[0082] When the refrigerator operates in accordance with supply of
electric power thereto, air present around the first and second
evaporators 91 and 92 is cooled, so that cold air is generated. The
cold air generated at the first evaporator 91 is supplied to the
first storage compartment 20 via the first cold air supply passage
21a. The cold air is returned to the first evaporator 91 through
the inlet 21c after circulating the first storage compartment 20.
Thus, the cold air is repetitively circulated. Meanwhile, the cold
air generated at the second evaporator 92 is partially supplied to
the third storage compartment 40 via the second cold air supply
passage 41a. This cold air is returned to the second evaporator 92
through the inlet 41c after circulating the third storage
compartment 40. Thus, a portion of the cold air generated at the
second evaporator 92 is repetitively circulated.
[0083] The remaining portion of the cold air generated at the
second evaporator 92 is introduced into the cold air supply duct
110, and is then discharged into the second storage compartment 30
through the outlet 31b of the cold air discharge member 31. The
discharged cold air is uniformly distributed in the second storage
compartment 30 by virtue of the curved section 170 formed at the
top of the second storage compartment 30. In this case, the cold
air is supplied even to the front side of the second storage
compartment 30. In conventional cases, it is difficult to supply
cold air to the front side of the second storage compartment
30.
[0084] It may also be possible to achieve an enhancement in energy
efficiency by virtue of the provision of the introduction
preventing cap 39 because the cold air discharged out of the outlet
31b is introduced into the cold air inlet 37 after circulating the
second storage compartment 30, without being directly introduced
into the cold air inlet 37.
[0085] The cold air introduced into the cold air inlet 37 after
circulating the second storage compartment 30 is moved to the
second cold air supply passage 41a via the cold air return duct
130. During this movement, there is no dewing or frosting problem
by virtue of the insulated partition wall 150 arranged between the
cold air return duct 130 and the ice-making cold air return duct
76.
[0086] Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings. No description will be
given of the same constituent elements as those of the previous
embodiment of the present invention.
[0087] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a second storage compartment
according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11
is a view illustrating the top of the second storage compartment.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating an internal flow passage
formed in the top of the second storage compartment.
[0088] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the second storage compartment
30 includes a cold air diffusion passage 200 formed in a top wall
of the second storage compartment 30. The cold air diffusion
passage 200 has a structure capable of more uniformly distributing
cold air in the second storage compartment 30. In conventional
cases, cold air discharged from an outlet formed at the rear side
of the second storage compartment 30 first comes into contact with
food arranged near the outlet, and then flows to a portion of the
second storage compartment 30 remote from the outlet. When the cold
air reaches the second storage compartment portion remote from the
outlet, it may have an excessively high temperature. To this end,
the cold air diffusion passage 200 has a structure capable of
effectively supplying cold air even to a second storage compartment
region where cold air may not reach, while maintaining the cold air
in a low temperature state.
[0089] The cold air diffusion passage 200 takes the form of a
separate passage in the top wall of the second storage compartment
30. The cold air diffusion passage 200 communicates with the cold
air supply duct 110.
[0090] The cold air diffusion passage 200 includes one or more cold
air outlets 210 open to the second storage compartment 30. The cold
air outlets 210 are holes formed to allow cold air moved along the
cold air diffusion passage 200 to be finally discharged into the
second storage compartment 30. The cold air outlets 210 are
concentratedly arranged at the front side of the second storage
compartment 30.
[0091] The cold air diffusion passage 200 is surrounded by an
insulator 205, so as to be insulated from the surroundings. The
insulator 205 may include at least one of an expanded polystyrene
material and a urethane material.
[0092] Although a few embodiments 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.
* * * * *