U.S. patent application number 15/440342 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-24 for refrigerator.
The applicant listed for this patent is DAE CHANG CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jun Dong JI, Kyong Su LEE.
Application Number | 20170241694 15/440342 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59629806 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170241694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JI; Jun Dong ; et
al. |
August 24, 2017 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a freezing compartment located at a
lower portion of the refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment
located at an upper portion of the refrigerator, a fresh
compartment disposed at one side of the refrigerating compartment,
and an ice making compartment disposed at a door configured to open
and close the refrigerating compartment, wherein cold air is
conveyed from the fresh compartment to the ice making
compartment.
Inventors: |
JI; Jun Dong; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) ; LEE; Kyong Su; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAE CHANG CO., LTD. |
Jeollabuk-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
59629806 |
Appl. No.: |
15/440342 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2317/061 20130101;
F25D 2317/067 20130101; F25C 5/22 20180101; F25B 39/02 20130101;
F25D 2317/0666 20130101; F25D 17/065 20130101; F25D 2317/0667
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06; F25D 21/08 20060101 F25D021/08; F25D 23/04 20060101
F25D023/04; F25D 23/06 20060101 F25D023/06; F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02; F25C 5/00 20060101 F25C005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 23, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0021475 |
Mar 16, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0031616 |
Feb 10, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0018810 |
Feb 21, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0023073 |
Feb 21, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0023074 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a freezing compartment located at a
lower portion of the refrigerator; a refrigerating compartment
located at an upper portion of the refrigerator; a fresh
compartment disposed at one side of the refrigerating compartment;
and an ice making compartment disposed at a door configured to open
and close the refrigerating compartment, wherein cold air is
conveyed from the fresh compartment to the ice making
compartment.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the cold air is generated
at an evaporator which is located at the fresh compartment.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein an evaporator configured to
cool down the fresh compartment is disposed at the fresh
compartment, and the refrigerating compartment is cooled down by
the evaporator.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein cold air generated at an
evaporator, which is located at the freezing compartment, is
supplied to the fresh compartment.
5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fresh compartment is
cooled down in a direct-cooling manner.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a supply duct and a return
duct, which are configured to circulate the cold air, are formed
between the fresh compartment and the ice making compartment.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein an evaporator configured to
cool down the fresh compartment is disposed at the fresh
compartment.
8. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerating compartment disposed
at one side of the refrigerator; a freezing compartment disposed at
the other side of the refrigerator; and an ice making compartment
disposed at a door of the refrigerating compartment, wherein at
least one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing
compartment is cooled down in a direct-cooling manner, and an
evaporator is disposed at one of the refrigerating compartment and
the freezing compartment.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the direct-cooling manner
is such that a refrigerant pipe is partially or entirely disposed
along an outer wall surface of one of the refrigerating compartment
and the freezing compartment, thereby directly supplying cold air
to one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing
compartment.
10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the evaporator supplies
cold air to the ice making compartment through a duct.
11. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerating compartment disposed
at one side of the refrigerator; a freezing compartment disposed at
the other side of the refrigerator; and an ice making compartment
disposed at a door of the refrigerating compartment, wherein the
refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are cooled
down in a direct-cooling manner, and the freezing compartment and
the ice making compartment communicate with each other through a
duct.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the direct-cooling manner
is such that a refrigerant pipe is partially or entirely disposed
along an outer wall surface of each of the refrigerating
compartment and the freezing compartment, thereby directly
supplying cold air to the refrigerating compartment and the
freezing compartment, and the cold air of the freezing compartment
is supplied to the ice making compartment through the duct.
13. A refrigerator including a refrigerating compartment and a
freezing compartment, comprising: an ice making compartment
disposed at a door configured to open and close the refrigerating
compartment, and being in a freezing temperature condition; wherein
the ice making compartment, which is disposed at the door, includes
an opening configured to receive cold air supplied from an
evaporator; the refrigerating compartment is cooled down by an
evaporator for a refrigerating compartment, which is located at a
liner forming the refrigerating compartment, in a direct-cooling
manner; a separate insulation space, which is spaced apart from the
refrigerating compartment, is formed at a cabinet, an evaporator
for an ice making compartment, which is configured to cool down the
ice making compartment, is disposed at the separate insulation
space, a cold air supply duct and a return duct, which are
configured to communicate between the insulation space and the ice
making compartment, are formed therebetween, and an air blowing fan
is formed to facilitate conveyance of cold air inside the cold air
supply duct and the return duct.
14. (canceled)
15. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the evaporator for an ice
making compartment is connected to the evaporator for a
refrigerating compartment which operates in a direct-cooling
manner.
16. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the freezing compartment
is cooled down by an evaporator for a freezing compartment which
operates in an indirect-cooling manner or in a direct-cooling
manner, and the evaporator for an ice making compartment is
connected to the evaporator for a freezing compartment.
17. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the evaporator for an ice
making compartment is separately disposed from the evaporator for a
refrigerating compartment and an evaporator for a freezing
compartment.
18. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the insulation space, at
which the evaporator for an ice making compartment is located, is
formed inside a partition wall located between the refrigerating
compartment and the freezing compartment.
19. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the insulation space is
formed to protrude toward the refrigerating compartment.
20. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein a defrosting heater is
disposed at the evaporator for an ice making compartment.
21. A refrigerator including a refrigerating compartment and a
freezing compartment, comprising: an ice making compartment
disposed at a door configured to open and close the refrigerating
compartment, and being in a freezing temperature condition, wherein
the ice making compartment, which is disposed at the door, includes
an opening configured to receive cold air supplied from a separate
insulation space, the refrigerating compartment is cooled down by
an evaporator for a refrigerating compartment, which is located at
a liner forming the refrigerating compartment, in a direct-cooling
manner, and a cold air supply duct, which is configured to
communicate between the insulation space and the ice making
compartment, is formed therebetween.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Patent Application No. 2016-21475, filed on Feb. 23, 2016,
Korean Patent Application No. 2016-31616, filed on Mar. 16, 2016,
Korean Patent Application No. 2017-18810, filed on Feb. 10, 2017,
Korean Patent Application No. 2017-23073, filed on Feb. 21, 2017,
and Korean Patent Application No. 2017-23074, filed on Feb. 21,
2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a
refrigerator.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0005] Generally, a refrigerator is a home appliance for keeping
foods and drinks in a refrigerated state or a frozen state. A
compressor, a condenser, and an expansion member, which configure a
freezing cycle, are provided inside a refrigerator, and an
evaporator is provided at a refrigerator body.
[0006] In recent years, various types and kinds of refrigerators
are on the market, and as examples, there are a side-by-side type
refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing
compartment are respectively disposed at left and right sides, a
bottom freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating
compartment is provided at an upper side of a freezing compartment,
a top mount type refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment
is provided at a lower side of a freezing compartment, and the
like.
[0007] Also, an ice making assembly is disposed inside a
refrigerator. The ice making assembly may be disposed inside a
freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment, or at a
freezing compartment door or a refrigerating compartment door.
Further, a product, with which a dispenser structure for drawing
ice made in the ice making assembly is disposed at the freezing
compartment door or the refrigerating compartment door, is on the
market. Therefore, a user can freely take out ice without opening a
refrigerator door so that there is an advantage in which a loss of
cold air may be prevented.
SUMMARY
[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to supply
cold air to an ice making compartment through a fresh compartment
so as to improve efficiency of the ice making compartment disposed
at a refrigerator.
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided a refrigerator including a freezing compartment
located at a lower portion of the refrigerator; a refrigerating
compartment located at an upper portion of the refrigerator; a
fresh compartment disposed at one side of the refrigerating
compartment; and an ice making compartment disposed at a door
configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment, wherein
cold air is conveyed from the fresh compartment to the ice making
compartment.
[0010] The cold air may be generated at an evaporator which is
located at the fresh compartment.
[0011] The evaporator may be disposed across the fresh compartment
and the refrigerating compartment.
[0012] The evaporator may be disposed across the fresh compartment
and the freezing compartment.
[0013] The refrigerating compartment may be cooled down in a
direct-cooling manner.
[0014] An evaporator configured to cool down the fresh compartment
may be disposed at the fresh compartment, and the refrigerating
compartment may be cooled down by the evaporator.
[0015] An evaporator, which is separate from the evaporator of the
fresh compartment, may be disposed at the refrigerating
compartment.
[0016] The evaporator of the fresh compartment may further supply
cold air to at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the
freezing compartment.
[0017] The evaporator cooling down the refrigerating compartment
may be the same as the evaporator of the fresh compartment.
[0018] An evaporator cooling down the freezing compartment may be
the same as the evaporator of the fresh compartment.
[0019] Cold air generated at the evaporator, which is located at
the freezing compartment, may be supplied to the fresh
compartment.
[0020] The evaporator, which is located at the freezing
compartment, may further supply the cold air to the refrigerating
compartment.
[0021] The refrigerating compartment may be cooled down in a
direct-cooling manner.
[0022] The fresh compartment may be cooled down in a direct-cooling
manner.
[0023] The cold air generated at the evaporator, which is located
at the freezing compartment, may be supplied to the refrigerating
compartment.
[0024] A supply duct and a return duct, which are configured to
circulate the cold air, may be formed between the fresh compartment
and the ice making compartment.
[0025] An evaporator configured to cool down the fresh compartment
may be disposed at the fresh compartment.
[0026] The evaporator may further cool down the refrigerating
compartment.
[0027] The evaporator may further cool down the freezing
compartment.
[0028] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,
cold air may be supplied to an ice making compartment through a
fresh compartment, thereby improving efficiency of the ice making
compartment disposed at a refrigerator.
[0029] Also, in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure, cold air, which is formed by an evaporator disposed at
a fresh compartment or exists in the fresh component, may be
supplied to an ice making compartment, thereby improving ice making
capability of the ice making compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments
thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an ice making
system of a refrigerator according to a first example of one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating an ice making
system of a refrigerator according to a second example of one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an ice making
system of a refrigerator according to a third example of one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an ice making
system of a refrigerator according to a fourth example of one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an ice maker
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a refrigerator in
which evaporators are disposed according to another embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0037] FIGS. 8 to 13 are diagrams illustrating a refrigerator
including evaporators according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according
to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according
to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according
to still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according
to still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a connection between
evaporators according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a connection between
evaporators according to the embodiments of the present disclosure;
and
[0044] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a connection between
evaporators according to the embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0045] Hereinafter, concrete embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
However, these are merely illustrative embodiments, and the present
disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0046] In the following description of the present disclosure, if a
detailed description of the known related art is determined to
obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed
description thereof will be omitted. Further, all terms used
hereinafter are defined by considering functions in the present
disclosure, and meanings thereof may be different according to a
user, the intent of an operator, or custom. Therefore, the
definitions of the terms used herein should follow contexts
disclosed herein.
[0047] The technical spirit of the present disclosure is determined
by the appended claims, and an embodiment described hereinafter is
merely a means for efficiently describing the technical spirit of
the progressive present disclosure to those skilled in the art that
will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this
disclosure.
[0048] Hereinafter, when a component is described as being
"coupled" to another component, the two components can be directly
connected and fixed to each other, but it should be construed to
include that the two components are connected to each other in a
state in which they are able to perform a relative movement.
[0049] FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an ice making
system of a refrigerator according to a first example of one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, a refrigerator 100 may include
a freezing compartment 120 located at a lower portion of the
refrigerator 100, and a refrigerating compartment 110 located at an
upper portion of the refrigerator 100. In the refrigerator 100
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fresh
compartment 130 may be disposed between the refrigerating
compartment 110 and the freezing compartment 120. An inner
temperature of the fresh compartment 130 may be between a
temperature of the refrigerating compartment 110 and a temperature
of the freezing compartment 120.
[0051] An ice making compartment 150 configured to make ice may be
disposed at a door 115 for opening and closing the refrigerating
compartment 110. An ice maker (not shown) configured to make ice
may be disposed inside the ice making compartment 150. Cold air for
making ice should be supplied inside the ice making compartment
150, and such cold air may be conveyed from the fresh compartment
130.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 1A, cold air supplied to the ice making
compartment 150 may be generated at an evaporator 230 which is
located at the fresh compartment 130. Further, an evaporator 220
configured to cool down an inside of the freezing compartment 120
may be disposed at the freezing compartment 120, and the
refrigerating compartment 110 may be cooled down through a
direct-cooling system 210 in a direct-cooling manner. As shown in
FIG. 1B, an evaporator 230a configured to supply cold air to the
ice making compartment 150 may be disposed across the fresh
compartment 130 and the refrigerating compartment 110. As shown in
FIG. 1C, an evaporator 230b configured to supply cold air to the
ice making compartment 150 may be disposed across the fresh
compartment 130 and the freezing compartment 120.
[0053] FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating an ice making
system of a refrigerator according to a second example of one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2C, in a refrigerator 100a
according to the present embodiment, a refrigerating compartment
110 may be cooled down by evaporators 210a and 230 instead of a
direct-cooling manner.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 2A, an evaporator 230c configured to cool
down a fresh compartment 130 may be disposed at the fresh
compartment 130, and the evaporator 210a, which is separate from
the evaporator 230c of the fresh compartment 130, may be disposed
at the refrigerating compartment 110. The evaporator 230c of the
fresh compartment 130 may supply cold air to at least one of the
refrigerating compartment 110 and a freezing compartment 120.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2B, an evaporator 230a of the fresh
compartment 130 may be disposed to extend up to the refrigerating
compartment 110 to supply cold air thereto. Therefore, the
evaporator 230a cooling down the refrigerating compartment 110 may
be the same as the evaporator 230a cooling down the fresh
compartment 130.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 2C, an evaporator 230b of the fresh
compartment 130 may be disposed to extend up to the freezing
compartment 120 to supply cold air thereto. Therefore, the
evaporator 230b cooling down the freezing compartment 120 may be
the same as the evaporator 230b cooling down the fresh compartment
130.
[0058] FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an ice making
system of a refrigerator according to a third example of one
embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C,
in a refrigerator 100b according to the present embodiment, cold
air inside a fresh compartment 130 may be supplied to an ice making
compartment 150 in a state in which an evaporator is not disposed
at the fresh compartment 130.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, in the refrigerator 100b
according to the present embodiment, cold air, which is generated
at evaporators 220a, 220b, and 220c disposed at a freezing
compartment 120, may be supplied to the fresh compartment 130.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 3A, the evaporator 220a, which is disposed
at the freezing compartment 120, may supply cold air to not only
the fresh compartment 130 but also a refrigerating compartment 110.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the refrigerating compartment 110 may be
cooled down through a direct-cooling system in a direct-cooling
manner.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 3C, the fresh compartment 130 may be cooled
down through a direct-cooling system 230c in a direct-cooling
manner. Further, cold air, which is generated at the evaporator
220c disposed at the freezing compartment 120, may be supplied to
the refrigerating compartment 110.
[0062] FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an ice making
system of a refrigerator according to a fourth example of one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, in a refrigerator 100c
according to the present embodiment, a supply duct and return duct
300 may be formed to circulate cold air between a fresh compartment
130 and an ice making compartment 150. Further, evaporators 230,
230a, and 230d configured to cool down the fresh compartment 130
may be disposed at the fresh compartment 130.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 4A, a freezing compartment 120 may be
cooled down by an evaporator 220c, and a refrigerating compartment
110 may be cooled down by the evaporator 220c of the freezing
compartment 120. As shown in FIG. 4B, the evaporator 230a cooling
down the fresh compartment 130 may also cool down the refrigerating
compartment 110. As shown in FIG. 4C, the evaporator 230d cooling
down the fresh compartment 130 may also cool down the freezing
compartment 120.
[0065] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an ice maker
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0066] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an ice maker 3 may be disposed
at an ice making compartment which is disposed at one side of a
refrigerator, thereby making ice. Particularly, the ice maker 3 may
be disposed at one side of a first space portion or a second space
portion. The ice making compartment may be an insulation space
which is formed by an insulation case and an insulation cover. To
insulate the ice making compartment, an insulation member forming
the insulation space may be disposed.
[0067] The ice making compartment may include a cold air suction
inlet configured to suction cold air, and the cold air suction
inlet may be connected to a duct 5 to suction cold air inside the
ice making compartment. Ice, which is made at the ice maker 3, may
be discharged through a dispenser.
[0068] FIGS. 7A to 7B are diagrams illustrating a refrigerator 100
in which a first evaporator 41 and a second evaporator 42 are
disposed according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7B, an ice maker 3 may be disposed
at a first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be entirely
or partially disposed at an outer wall of at least one of the first
space portion 1 and a second space portion 2. Also, the second
evaporator 42 may be disposed at the remaining one, at which the
first evaporator 41 is not disposed, of the first space portion 1
and the second space portion 2.
[0070] The first and second evaporators 41 and 42 may include a
refrigerant pipe and the like.
[0071] For example, the first evaporator 41 may be entirely or
partially disposed at an outer wall of the first space portion 1.
The second evaporator 42 may be disposed at one side of the first
space portion 1 or the second space portion 2.
[0072] FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the first evaporator 41
which is partially disposed at an outer wall surface of the first
space portion 1, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the first
evaporator 41 which is entirely disposed at the outer wall surface
of the first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be
entirely or partially disposed at the outer wall surface of the
first space portion 1.
[0073] A refrigerant pipe of the first evaporator 41 may be
entirely or partially disposed along the outer wall surface of the
first space portion 1. Therefore, the refrigerant pipe may be
immediately disposed at the outer wall surface of the first space
portion 1, thereby directly supplying cold air to the first space
portion 1. Consequently, the cold air may be supplied to the first
space portion 1 in a direct-cooling manner.
[0074] Cold air generated at the second evaporator 42 may be
circulated through an air blower. A duct 5 configured to
communicate the second evaporator 42 with the ice maker 3 may be
included. The cold air generated at the second evaporator 42 may be
supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.
[0075] The refrigerator 100 may include at least one among the
evaporators 41, 42, and 43 which cool down air inside a food and
drink storage compartment, and at least one air blower capable of
circulating the air, which is cooled down through the evaporator
41, 42, or 43, and the duct 5 capable of supplying the cold air to
the ice maker 3 may be disposed in the refrigerator 100.
[0076] The first evaporator 41 may be entirely or partially
disposed at the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1.
The first evaporator 41 may be mounted on a roof surface and a rear
surface of the first space portion 1. When the first evaporator 41
is built in the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1, it
may directly cool down the first space portion 1, thereby providing
the cold air thereto in a direct-cooling manner. The cold air
generated by the first evaporator 41 may be supplied to the first
space portion 1 and the ice maker 3.
[0077] Also, the second evaporator 42 may be disposed at one side
of the first space portion 1 or the second space portion 2. The
second evaporator 42 may be connected to the duct 5 which is
configured to supply the cold air to the ice maker 3. The duct 5
may be formed to communicate the second evaporator 42 with a cold
air suction inlet of the ice making compartment, thereby enabling
the cold air, which is generated at the second evaporator 42, to be
supplied to the ice maker 3. Also, the cold air generated at the
second evaporator 42 may be further supplied to the second space
portion 2.
[0078] To convey the cold air generated at the second evaporator 42
to the second space portion 2 and the ice maker 3, an air blower
may be disposed near a position at which the second evaporator 42
is disposed. The second evaporator 42 may generate the cold air,
and the air blower may circulate the cold air. The cold air
generated at the second evaporator 42 may be conveyed to the duct 5
using the air blower. The cold air may be supplied to the ice maker
3 through the duct 5.
[0079] Since the air blower should supply the cold air through the
duct 5, a high static pressure fan may be used as the air blower.
Such a high static pressure fan may uniformly discharge the cold
air in a high pressure, thereby increasing an air volume which is
capable of reducing a temperature difference between the discharged
cold air and the second space portion 2.
[0080] When the second evaporator 42 is disposed at the second
space portion 2, the cold air may be discharged to not only the ice
maker 3 but also the second space portion 2 through the second
evaporator 42 and the air blower.
[0081] The cold air generated by the second evaporator 42 may be
conveyed to the first space portion 1 such that a temperature of
the first space portion 1 may be maintained. The cold air generated
at the second evaporator 42 may be discharged to the ice maker 3
through ON/OFF operations of a discharge valve. Alternatively, a
capillary may be used instead of the discharge valve.
[0082] Therefore, in accordance with the embodiment of the present
disclosure, the cold air may be supplied to the first space portion
1 through the first evaporator 41 in a direct-cooling manner, and
alternatively, the second evaporator 42 may supply the cold air to
the second space portion 2 and the ice maker 3 through the duct 5
in an indirect-cooling manner. At this point, the second evaporator
42 may circulate the cold air through the air blower, and may
convey the cold air to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.
[0083] However, as described above, it is not limited that the
first evaporator 41 is formed at the first space portion 1 and the
second evaporator 42 is formed at the second space portion 2, and
alternatively, the first evaporator 41 may be disposed at the
second space portion 2 and the second evaporator 42 may be disposed
at the first space portion 1.
[0084] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator 100 in which
a first evaporator 41, a second evaporator 42, and a third
evaporator 43 are disposed according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 8, the first evaporator 41 and the third
evaporator 43 may be respectively disposed at outer walls of a
first space portion 1 and a second space portion 2 such that cold
air may be supplied to the first space portion 1 and the second
space portion 2 in a direct-cooling manner. Also, the second
evaporator 42 may supply cold air to an ice maker 3 through a duct
5 in an indirect-cooling manner.
[0086] The first evaporator 41 may be disposed at the outer wall of
the first space portion 1. The second evaporator 42 may be disposed
at one side of the first space portion 1 or the second space
portion 2. Also, the third evaporator 43 may be disposed at the
outer wall of the second space portion 2.
[0087] A refrigerant pipe of the first evaporator 41 may be
entirely or partially disposed at an outer wall surface of the
first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be built in a
roof surface and a rear surface of the first space portion 1. The
first evaporator 41 may be attached to the outer wall surface of
the first space portion 1 to directly form cold air at the first
space portion 1, thereby supplying the cold air thereto in a
direct-cooling manner. The cold air generated by the first
evaporator 41 may be conveyed to the first space portion 1 and the
ice maker 3.
[0088] Also, the second evaporator 42 may be disposed at one side
of the first space portion 1 or the second space portion 2. The
second evaporator 42 may be connected to the duct 5 which is
configured to supply cold air to the ice maker 3. The duct 5 may be
formed to communicate the second evaporator 42 with a cold air
suction inlet of the ice making compartment, thereby enabling cold
air, which is generated at the second evaporator 42, to be supplied
to the ice maker 3.
[0089] The third evaporator 43 may be disposed at the outer wall of
the second space portion 2. The third evaporator 43 may be built in
a bottom surface and a rear surface of the second space portion 2.
The third evaporator 43 may be disposed at the outer wall of the
second space portion 2, thereby supplying cold air to the second
space portion 2 in a direct-cooling manner. The cold air generated
at the third evaporator 43 may be conveyed to the second space
portion 2.
[0090] Therefore, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present disclosure, the first evaporator 41 may supply the cold air
to at least one of the first space portion 1 and the ice maker 3 in
a direct-cooling manner. The second evaporator 42 may supply the
cold air to the ice maker 3 or the second space portion 2 through
the duct 5 in an indirect-cooling manner. The third evaporator 43
may supply the cold air to at least one of the second space portion
2 and the ice maker 3 in a direct-cooling manner.
[0091] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the refrigerator 100
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 9, the first evaporator 41 may be entirely
or partially disposed at the outer wall of the first space portion
1. The second evaporator 42 may be entirely or partially disposed
at the outer wall of the second space portion 2. The duct 5 may
communicate the second space portion 2 with the ice maker 3.
[0093] The first evaporator 41, which is entirely or partially
disposed at the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1,
may directly cool down the first space portion 1. The first
evaporator 41 may be mounted on the outer wall surface of the first
space portion 1 to cool down a wall surface of the first space
portion 1 using a cooling pipe and the like. Therefore, cold air
may be formed in the first space portion 1 by the first evaporator
41 in a direct-cooling manner.
[0094] The second evaporator 42, which is entirely or partially
disposed at the outer wall surface of the second space portion 2,
may cool down a wall surface of the second space portion 2.
Therefore, cold air may be formed in the second space portion 2 by
the second evaporator 42 in a direct-cooling manner.
[0095] The duct 5 may be formed to communicate the second space
portion 2 with the ice maker 3. The cold air, which is formed
inside the second space portion 2 by the second evaporator 42, may
be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.
[0096] In accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure,
the cold air may be supplied to the first space portion 1 and the
second space portion 2 in a direct-cooling manner, and the cold air
formed in the second space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice
maker 3 through the duct 5.
[0097] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the refrigerator 100
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 10, evaporators 42 may be respectively
disposed at one side of each of the first space portion 1 and the
second space portion 2. The duct 5 may communicate the second space
portion 2 with the ice maker 3.
[0099] The evaporators 42, which are respectively disposed at the
one side of each of the first space portion 1 and the second space
portion 2, may supply cold air to the first space portion 1 and the
second space portion 2. The evaporators 42 may circulate the cold
air through an air blower.
[0100] The duct 5 may be formed to communicate the second space
portion 2 with the ice maker 3. The evaporator 42, which is
disposed at the second space portion 2, may supply the cold air to
the second space portion 2, and the cold air formed in the second
space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct
5.
[0101] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure, the cold air may be formed in the first space portion 1
and the second space portion 2 by the evaporators 42, and the cold
air formed in the second space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice
maker 3 through the duct 5.
[0102] FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the refrigerator
100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0103] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the first evaporator 41
disposed at an outer wall surface of at least one of the first
space portion 1 and the second space portion 2, and the second
evaporator 42 disposed at the remaining one thereof may be included
such that cold air may be formed in the refrigerator 100.
[0104] The duct 5 configured to communicate the second space
portion 2 with the ice maker 3 may be disposed.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 11A, the second evaporator 42 may be
disposed at the first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may
be disposed at the second space portion 2. Cold air is formed in
the first space portion 1 by the second evaporator 42, and in the
second space portion 2 by the first evaporator 41.
[0106] The cold air may be formed in the second space portion 2 by
the first evaporator 41 in a direct-cooling manner. The cold air,
which is formed in the second space portion 2, may be supplied to
the ice maker 3 through the duct 5. Through the duct 5, the cold
air formed in the second space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice
maker 3.
[0107] Referring to FIG. 11B, the first evaporator 41 may be
disposed at the first space portion 1. The second evaporator 42 may
be disposed at the second space portion 2. Cold air is formed in
the first space portion 1 by the first evaporator 41, and in the
second space portion 2 by the second evaporator 42.
[0108] The cold air, which is formed in the second space portion 2
by the second evaporator 42, may be supplied to the ice maker 3.
Through the duct 5, the cold air formed in the second space portion
2 may be supplied to the ice maker 3.
[0109] FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the refrigerator
100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0110] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a through-hole 6 communicating
with the ice making compartment may be formed at one side of the
refrigerator 100.
[0111] A through-hole 6 formed at one side of the ice making
compartment, which is disposed at a door 7, may abut onto a
through-hole 6 formed at an inner surface of the first space
portion 1, and the two through-holes 6 may be formed to be coupled
to each other in a size and a shape. Therefore, through such two
through-holes 6, cold air formed by the first evaporator 41 or the
second evaporator 42, or in the duct 5 may be supplied to the ice
maker 3.
[0112] Consequently, in accordance with the embodiments of the
present disclosure, a defrosting phenomenon may be reduced using a
direct-cooling manner, and the cold air may be supplied to the ice
maker 3 using a single duct 5.
[0113] FIGS. 14 to 17 are diagrams illustrating a refrigerator
according to still another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0114] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, a refrigerator 100 may include
a refrigerating compartment 1, a freezing compartment 2, a door 3,
an ice making compartment 4, an evaporator 5, an insulation space
6, a duct 7, and an air blowing fan 8. The refrigerating
compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2 may be vertically or
horizontally divided and disposed at the refrigerator 100. For
example, the refrigerating compartment 1 may be formed at an upper
side of the refrigerator 100, and the freezing compartment 2 may be
disposed at a lower side thereof.
[0115] The door 3 configured to open and close the refrigerating
compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2 may be included. A
door 3 configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment
1, and a door 3 configured to open and close the freezing
compartment 2 may be respectively disposed.
[0116] The ice making compartment 4 may be disposed at one side of
the door 3. Particularly, the ice making compartment 4 may be
disposed at one side of the door 3 configured to open and close the
refrigerating compartment 1. The ice making compartment 4, which is
disposed at the one side of the door 3 configured to open and close
the refrigerating compartment 1, may be in a freezing temperature
condition, and may include an insulation member for the purpose of
insulation against the refrigerating compartment 1.
[0117] The ice making compartment 4 may include an ice maker 41, an
ice storage part 42, a water supplier (not shown), an ice
flocculation prevention device (not shown), a discharge opening
(not shown), and an opening (not shown).
[0118] The ice maker 41 may be disposed inside the ice making
compartment 4 and make ice. The water supplier may be formed to
supply water to the ice maker 41.
[0119] The ice storage part 42 may be disposed inside the ice
making compartment 4 and at a lower side of the ice maker 41. The
ice storage part 42 may store ice generated at the ice maker 41. A
dispenser (not shown) configured to supply the ice stored in the
ice storage part 42 to the outside of the refrigerator 100 may be
disposed at one side of the door 3.
[0120] The ice flocculation prevention device may be disposed
inside the ice storage part 42. The ice flocculation prevention
device may be a device configured to prevent the ice stored in the
ice storage part 42 from flocculating with one another. Also, the
discharge opening capable of discharging the ice stored in the ice
storage part 42 may be formed at one side of the ice storage part
42.
[0121] The opening configured to receive cold air supplied from the
evaporator 5 may be formed at the ice making compartment 4. The
opening configured to enable the ice making compartment 4 to
receive the cold air supplied from the evaporator 5, which is
disposed at one side of the refrigerator 100, may be formed.
[0122] The refrigerator 100 may be utilized as a device configured
to keep foods and drinks fresh or freeze them during a
predetermined period by repeating a freezing cycle of compression,
condensation, expansion, and evaporation by a refrigerant to cool
down an inside of the refrigerator 100. A compressor, a condenser,
an expansion member, and the like, which configure the freezing
cycle, may be provided, and the evaporator 5 may be disposed at one
side surface of the refrigerator 100 configured to keep foods and
drinks. The evaporator 5 may include a refrigerant pipe and the
like.
[0123] The evaporator 5 may include an evaporator 51 for a
refrigerating compartment, an evaporator 52 for a freezing
compartment, and an evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment.
[0124] The evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment may be
disposed at one side of the refrigerating compartment 1. The
evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment may be disposed and
tightly contacted to a liner forming the refrigerating compartment
1. The evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment may be
disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the refrigerating
compartment 1, thereby cooling down the refrigerating compartment 1
in a direct-cooling manner. Since the refrigerating compartment 1
is cooled down in the direct-cooling manner, the duct 7 may not be
disposed.
[0125] The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may cool down
the freezing compartment 2 in an indirect-cooling manner or a
direct-cooling manner. The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment
may be disposed and tightly contacted to a liner of the freezing
compartment 2. The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may be
disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the freezing
compartment 2, thereby cooling down the freezing compartment 2 in
the direct-cooling manner. Alternatively, the evaporator 52 for a
freezing compartment may cool down the freezing compartment 2 in
the indirect-cooling manner without being disposed and tightly
contacted to the liner of the freezing compartment 2. When the
freezing compartment 2 is cooled down in the indirect-cooling
manner, the duct 7 may be disposed. The duct 7 may include a cold
air supply duct configured to supply cold air, and a return duct
configured to collect used cold air.
[0126] The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be
connected to the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment
which operates in the direct-cooling manner. Alternatively, the
evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be connected to the
evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment which operates in the
direct-cooling manner or the indirect-cooling manner.
[0127] The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be
separately disposed from the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating
compartment and the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment.
[0128] The separate insulation space 6, which is spaced apart from
the refrigerating compartment 1, may be formed at the refrigerator
100. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be
disposed at the insulation space 6. The evaporator 53 for an ice
making compartment may be disposed at the insulation space 6 which
is located at an outer side of the refrigerating compartment 1. The
insulation space 6 may be a space in which the evaporator 53 for an
ice making compartment configured to cool down the ice making
compartment 4 is disposed. The evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment may communicate with the ice making compartment 4
through the duct 7. Also, the insulation space 6 may be formed to
protrude toward the refrigerating compartment 1.
[0129] The duct 7 may communicate between the evaporator 53 for an
ice making compartment and the ice making compartment 4, thereby
supplying or collecting cold air. The duct 7 may include a cold air
supply duct 71 and a return duct 72. The cold air supply duct 71
and the return duct 72 may be disposed and isolated from at least
one of the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment
2. Therefore, since heat exchange and cold air exchange do not
occur between the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing
compartment 2, the cold air, which is generated at the evaporator
53 for an ice making compartment, may be supplied to the ice making
compartment 4 while a temperature of the cold air is maintained. On
the other hand, used cold air may be collected to the evaporator 53
for an ice making compartment without being discharged to the
refrigerating compartment 1 or the freezing compartment 2 such that
a temperature of the used cold air may be dropped again.
[0130] The cold air supply duct 71 may be a passage configured to
supply the cold air generated at the evaporator 53 for an ice
making compartment to the ice making compartment 4. The return duct
72 may be a passage configured to collect the cold air which is
used for making ice at the ice making compartment 4. The used cold
air, which is collected through the return duct 72, may be
transformed again into cold air at the evaporator 53 for an ice
making compartment. To supply the cold air generated at the
evaporator 5 in the indirect-cooling manner, the air blowing fan 8
may be disposed.
[0131] The air blowing fan 8 may discharge the cold air, and may
suction the used cold air. The air blowing fan 8 may be disposed at
a passage of each of the cold air supply duct 71 and the return
duct 72.
[0132] The cold air may be supplied to the ice making compartment 4
by the air blowing fan 8 through the cold air supply duct 71. Also,
the cold air used at the ice making compartment 4 may be collected
again to the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment by the air
blowing fan 8 through the return duct 72.
[0133] Referring to FIG. 14, the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating
compartment may be disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of
the refrigerating compartment 1, thereby cooling down the
refrigerating compartment 1 in a direct-cooling manner. Since the
refrigerating compartment 1 is cooled down in the direct-cooling
manner, the duct 7 may not be disposed.
[0134] The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may cool down
the freezing compartment 2 in an indirect-cooling manner or a
direct-cooling manner. The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment
may be disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the freezing
compartment 2. The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may be
disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the freezing
compartment 2, thereby cooling down the freezing compartment 2 in
the direct-cooling manner. Alternatively, the evaporator 52 for a
freezing compartment may cool down the freezing compartment 2 in
the indirect-cooling manner without being disposed and tightly
contacted to the liner of the freezing compartment 2. When the
freezing compartment 2 is cooled down in the indirect-cooling
manner, the duct 7 may be disposed.
[0135] The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be
disposed at the outer side of the refrigerating compartment 1. The
evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed to
supply cold air to the ice making compartment 4. The insulation
space 6 may be formed at the outer side of the refrigerating
compartment 1 through an insulation member. The evaporator 53 for
an ice making compartment may be disposed at the insulation space 6
which is located at the outer side of the refrigerating compartment
1. Alternatively, the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment
may be disposed at the insulation space 6 protruding toward the
refrigerating compartment 1.
[0136] The duct 7 may be disposed to communicate between the
evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment and the ice making
compartment 4. Cold air formed at the evaporator 53 for an ice
making compartment may be supplied to the ice making compartment 4
through the cold air supply duct 71. The cold air, which is
supplied to the ice making compartment 4, may be used for making
ice at the ice making compartment 4. The used cold air may be
collected again to the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment
through the return duct 72.
[0137] To supply the cold air from the evaporator 53 for an ice
making compartment to the ice making compartment 4, the air blowing
fan 8 may be disposed at one side, which is near the cold air
supply duct 71, inside the evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment.
[0138] Also, to collect the cold air used at the ice making
compartment 4 to the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment,
the air blowing fan 8 may be disposed at one side, which is near
the return duct 72, inside the evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment.
[0139] The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be
separately disposed from the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating
compartment and the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment.
[0140] Alternatively, the evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment may be disposed and connected to the evaporator 51 for
a refrigerating compartment which is disposed at the refrigerating
compartment 1 and operates in a direct-cooling manner.
[0141] Referring to FIG. 15, the evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment may be connected to the evaporator 52 for a freezing
compartment. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment and
the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may supply cold air in
an indirect-cooling manner. The evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment may be disposed in a state of being connected to or
extending from the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment.
[0142] Referring to FIG. 16, the insulation space 6, at which the
evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment is located, may be
formed inside a partition wall which is located between the
refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2. At this
point, a side of the insulation space 6 against the freezing
compartment 2 may be isolated therefrom by a cover 9 which is
formed of at least one among metal, resin, and an insulation
member.
[0143] At this point, the insulation space 6 may include an
evaporator compartment which is formed of metal or resin and is
isolated from the outside. The evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment may be disposed at the evaporator compartment.
[0144] The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment, which is
disposed at the insulation space 6 between the refrigerating
compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2, may supply cold air
through the cold air supply duct 71 and collect used cold air
through the return duct 72.
[0145] In accordance with the embodiments of the present
disclosure, an evaporator configured to cool down in an
indirect-cooling manner may include a defrosting heater. Frost may
be filled in the evaporator 5 and may be frozen therein. To melt or
prevent the frost, the defrosting heater may be disposed.
[0146] A separate defrosting heater may be disposed at the
evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment. A defrosting heater
may be disposed at the insulation space 6 at which the evaporator
53 for an ice making compartment is disposed.
[0147] Also, when the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment
cools down the freezing compartment 2 in an indirect-cooling
manner, it may include a defrosting heater.
[0148] Referring to FIG. 17, a defrosting heater may be disposed at
one side of the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment. The
insulation space 6, at which the evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment is located, may be formed inside a partition wall which
is located between the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing
compartment 2. At this point, a side of the insulation space 6
against the freezing compartment 2 may be isolated therefrom by the
cover 9 which is formed of at least one among metal, resin, and an
insulation member. For example, the evaporator 53 for an ice making
compartment may be disposed at the insulation space 6 between the
refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2, and the
defrosting heater may be disposed at one side of the evaporator 53
for an ice making compartment.
[0149] In accordance with the embodiments of the present
disclosure, an ice crusher (not shown) configured to crush ice may
be additionally disposed at the ice making compartment 4.
[0150] A motor (not shown) configured to drive the ice crusher and
the ice flocculation prevention device may be disposed. Each of the
ice crusher and the ice flocculation prevention device may include
a power link connector configured to receive power of the
motor.
[0151] The motor may be disposed inside the ice making compartment
4. Alternatively, the motor may be disposed at one side of the
refrigerator 100. The motor may include a power connector.
[0152] Also, a water purification module configured to purify and
supply water may be additionally disposed at the refrigerator 100.
Moreover, an additive supply device, which is capable of keeping
and supplying additives such as carbonated water and the like which
are addable to purified water or drinking water, may be
disposed.
[0153] FIGS. 18 to 20 are diagrams illustrating a connection
between evaporators according to embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0154] Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, the evaporator 53 for an ice
making compartment may be connected in series to or in parallel
with the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment. Also, the
evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be connected in
series to or in parallel with the evaporator 52 for a freezing
compartment.
[0155] A line L of the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment
may be connected to a line L of the evaporator 51 for a
refrigerating compartment and a line L of the evaporator 52 for a
freezing compartment. For example, since the lines L, through which
a refrigerant pass, are the same as one another, the evaporators
51, 52, and 53 may operate through a single circulation cycle. At
this point, the lines L may be connected in series to or in
parallel with one another. Also, the evaporators 51, 52, and 53 may
be connected through a single circulation cycle so that each of
them may operate as necessary.
[0156] The lines L of the evaporators 51, 52, and 53 may not be
connected to one another. The evaporators 51, 52, and 53 may
respectively operate through a separate circulation cycle.
[0157] Although the present disclosure has been described by way of
representative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that
numerous modifications with respect to the described embodiments
can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within
the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure.
Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be
limited to the described embodiments, and it should be determined
by not only the appended claims but also equivalents to which such
claims are entitled.
* * * * *