U.S. patent application number 15/914145 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-13 for refrigeration module and bathroom management apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Jinhyeon JEON, Jeongyun KIM, Seongho KIM.
Application Number | 20180259204 15/914145 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63444982 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180259204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JEON; Jinhyeon ; et
al. |
September 13, 2018 |
REFRIGERATION MODULE AND BATHROOM MANAGEMENT APPARATUS
Abstract
Disclosed are a refrigeration module capable of reducing a
temperature of a storage room within a short time and a bathroom
management apparatus including the same. A refrigeration module may
include an outer case, a thermoelectric module, a first heat sink
provided on a first surface of the thermoelectric module to produce
heat and second heat sink provided on a second surface of the
thermoelectric module to absorb heat, and a blowing fan.
Inventors: |
JEON; Jinhyeon; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Seongho; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM;
Jeongyun; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
63444982 |
Appl. No.: |
15/914145 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/20 20130101;
F25B 21/02 20130101; F24F 1/02 20130101; F24F 13/08 20130101; F24F
5/0042 20130101; F24F 11/52 20180101; F24F 2221/10 20130101; F24F
2013/205 20130101; F24F 2221/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 5/00 20060101
F24F005/00; F25B 21/02 20060101 F25B021/02; F24F 1/02 20060101
F24F001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 7, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0028632 |
Claims
1. A refrigeration module comprising: an outer case including a
partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage room and a
machine room; a thermoelectric module installed at the partition
wall and disposed at the machine room, a first heat sink provided
on a first surface of the thermoelectric module to produce heat and
second heat sink provided on a second surface of the thermoelectric
module to absorb heat, wherein a plurality of first fins of the
first heat sink extend horizontally and protrude into the machine
room and a plurality of second fins of the second heat sink extend
vertically and protrude toward the storage room; and a blowing fan
installed at the plurality of second fins to blow cold air from the
plurality of second fins into the storage room, wherein an air
inlet in communication with the machine room is formed at a lateral
side of the outer case facing the plurality of first fins, and an
air outlet in communication with the machine room is formed at a
rear surface of the outer case perpendicular to the air inlet, and
wherein the partition wall includes a first fluid path in
communication with the storage room formed at a region of the
partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second fluid path
vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and disposed at
an outer side of the plurality of second fins and in communication
with the storage room.
2. The refrigeration module of claim 1, further comprising a
mounting bracket to mount the thermoelectric module to the
partition wall, wherein the mounting bracket includes an air flow
space in communication with the first fluid path and the second
fluid path at a surface in contact with the partition wall, and a
through hole in which the plurality of second fins are inserted to
protrude to the air flow space, and wherein the blowing fan is
disposed in the air flow space.
3. The refrigeration module of claim 1, wherein a plurality of
second fluid paths are provided, and wherein the first fluid path
is disposed between the plurality of second fluid paths.
4. The refrigeration module of claim 1, wherein a rear surface of
the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine room is
open, and wherein a back cover is coupled with the outer case to
cover the open rear surface of the outer case, the air outlet being
formed on the back cover.
5. The refrigeration module of claim 1, wherein a front surface of
the storage room is open, and wherein an inner door is rotatably
installed to open and close the open front surface of the storage
room.
6. The refrigeration module of claim 5, wherein a first protrusion
guide hole communicating with the machine room is provided at a
front surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the
machine room, a first switch for operating the thermoelectric
module is mounted at the machine room corresponding to the first
protrusion guide hole, and a first switch protrusion is configured
to be inserted into the first protrusion guide hole at a rear
surface of the inner door to press the first switch.
7. The refrigeration module of claim 5, wherein the inner door
includes an inner door body in which one side is rotatably
installed at the outer case to open and close the open front
surface of the storage room; and a mirror door in which one side is
rotatably installed at the inner door body to protrude forward from
the inner door body upon rotation and including a mirror at a front
surface.
8. The refrigeration module of claim 7, wherein a second protrusion
guide hole communicating with the machine room is formed at a front
surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine
room, a second switch for operating the thermoelectric module is
mounted at the machine room corresponding to the second protrusion
guide hole, the inner door body is formed therein with a third
protrusion guide hole communicating with the second protrusion
guide hole, and a mirror door light source is disposed at an inside
of the mirror door and is turned-on by the second switch to
irradiate light to the mirror, and a second switch protrusion is
configured to be inserted into the second protrusion guide hole and
the third protrusion guide hole at the surface of the mirror door
to press the second switch.
9. The refrigeration module of claim 7, wherein the inner door body
includes an inner door body plate and an inner door body frame
coupled with an edge of the inner door body plate, one side of the
inner door body being rotatably installed at the outer case, and
wherein the mirror door includes a mirror door plate coupled with a
rear surface of the mirror and one side of the mirror door is
rotatably installed at the inner door body frame.
10. The refrigeration module of claim 5, further comprising a
storage room light source installed inside the storage room to
produce light when the inner door is open.
11. A bathroom management apparatus comprising: a cabinet having an
open front side; a frame installed in the cabinet to reinforce
stiffness of the cabinet; and a refrigeration module mounted in the
frame, wherein the refrigeration module includes an outer case
including a partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage
room and a machine room; a thermoelectric module installed at the
partition wall and disposed at the machine room, a first heat sink
provided on a first surface of the thermoelectric module to produce
heat and second heat sink provided on a second surface of the
thermoelectric module to absorb heat, wherein a plurality of first
fins of the first heat sink extend horizontally and protrude into
the machine room and a plurality of second fins of the second heat
sink extend vertically and protrude toward the storage room; and a
blowing fan installed at the plurality of second fins to blow the
cold air from the plurality of second fins into the storage room,
wherein an air inlet in communication with the machine room is
formed at a lateral side of the outer case facing the plurality of
first fins, and an air outlet in communication with the machine
room is formed at a rear surface of the outer case perpendicular to
the air inlet, and wherein the partition wall includes a first
fluid path in communication with the storage room formed at a
region of the partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second
fluid path vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and
disposed at an outer side of the plurality of second fins to
communicate with the storage room.
12. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 11, further
comprising a mounting bracket to mount the thermoelectric module to
the partition wall, wherein the mounting bracket includes an air
flow space in communication with the first fluid path and the
second fluid path at a surface in contact with the partition wall,
and a through hole in which the plurality of second fins are
inserted to protrude to the air flow space, and wherein the blowing
fan is disposed in the air flow space.
13. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 11, wherein a
plurality of second fluid paths are provided, and wherein the first
fluid path is disposed between the plurality of second fluid
paths.
14. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 11, wherein a rear
surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine
room is open, and wherein a back cover is coupled with the outer
case to cover the open rear surface of the outer case, the air
outlet being formed on the back cover.
15. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 11, wherein a front
surface of the storage room is open, and wherein an inner door is
rotatably installed to open and close the open front surface of the
storage room.
16. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 15, wherein a first
protrusion guide hole communicating with the machine room is
provided at a front surface of the outer case corresponding to a
region of the machine room, a first switch for operating the
thermoelectric module is mounted at the machine room corresponding
to the first protrusion guide hole, and a first switch protrusion
is configured to be inserted into the first protrusion guide hole
at a rear surface of the inner door to press the first switch.
17. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 15, wherein the
inner door includes an inner door body in which one side is
rotatably installed at the outer case to open and close the open
front surface of the storage room; and a mirror door in which one
side is rotatably installed at the inner door body to protrude
forward from the inner door body upon rotation and including a
mirror at a front surface.
18. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 17, wherein a second
protrusion guide hole communicating with the machine room is formed
at a front surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of
the machine room, a second switch for operating the thermoelectric
module is mounted at the machine room corresponding to the second
protrusion guide hole, the inner door body is formed therein with a
third protrusion guide hole communicating with the second
protrusion guide hole, a mirror door light source is disposed at an
inside of the mirror door and is turned-on by the second switch to
irradiate light to the mirror, and a second switch protrusion is
inserted into the second protrusion guide hole and the third
protrusion guide hole at the surface of the mirror door to press
the second switch.
19. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 17, wherein the
inner door body includes an inner door body plate; and an inner
door body frame coupled with an edge of the inner door body plate,
one side of the inner door body being rotatably installed at the
outer case, and wherein the mirror door includes a mirror door
plate coupled with a rear surface of the mirror and one side of the
mirror door is rotatably installed at the inner door body
frame.
20. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 15, further
comprising a storage room light source installed inside the storage
room to produce light when the inner door is open.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
to Korean Application No. 10-2017-0028632 filed on Mar. 7, 2017,
whose entire disclosures is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] A refrigeration module and a bathroom management apparatus
including the same are disclosed.
2. Background
[0003] Bathroom management apparatuses and refrigeration modules
are known. However, they suffer from various disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference
to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a combined perspective view showing a bathroom
management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a bathroom
management apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a coupled state between the
cabinet and the frame shown in FIG. 3;
[0008] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigeration
module shown in FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 5;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an outer case shown in FIG.
5;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating a part of the
refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view projecting an inside of
the refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a state of a thermoelectric
module shown in FIG. 6 mounted on a mounting bracket;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state where an inner door
body of an inner door shown in FIG. 5 is closed and a mirror door
is open;
[0016] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a mirror door plate by
removing a mirror from a mirror door shown in FIG. 11;
[0017] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an inner door shown in FIG.
5; and
[0018] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an open state of a mirror
door where a refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5 is mounted in a
frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Hereinafter, a bathroom management apparatus according to
embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] In general, a bathroom is a place that allows users to wash
his/her clothes, face, hands, shower, or the like. Since the
bathroom is a very humid place, molds and bacteria may easily breed
and may result in unwanted odors.
[0021] Most bathrooms dry and deodorize depending on a ventilation
fan. However, since an operation of the ventilation fan may not
suitable or inadequate to dry the whole bathroom even with constant
operation, unhealthy molds and the bacteria may become an issue.
Accordingly, it is important to prevent the bathroom from becoming
a habitat of the molds and the bacteria by removing moisture early
on, particular at low lying areas of the bathroom, as well as
promptly drying wet bath and toilet appliances such as wet
towels.
[0022] Further, various facilities such as washstand, toilet,
mirror, towel rack, toothbrush holder as well as a storage room for
storing various bath and toilet appliances including towels may be
installed in the bathroom. Meanwhile, a user may use various types
of electronic products such as hair dryers and shavers in the
bathroom.
[0023] Hence, if a bathroom management apparatus can integrate
multiple functions such as a toothbrush sterilizer, a cosmetics
refrigerator, a charging function for electronic products, as well
as drying or dehumidifying functions to address the numerous needs
in the bathroom, the space utility of the bathroom can be
increased.
[0024] Further, if a bath management apparatus can be customized to
select only desired functions among various function modules
including a storage module having a function for storage, an air
conditioning module having a function dry objects in the bathroom,
a sterilizing module having a function of a toothbrush sterilizer,
a refrigerating module having a function of a cosmetics
refrigerator, and a charging module having a charging function of
the electronic products, or the like, the effectiveness and
usability of the bathroom management apparatus may be improved.
[0025] In addition, an installation position of the function
modules may be freely changed by taking into consideration storage
convenience and usability of the user. Since a toilet, a washstand,
and a mirror are installed in different positions in the bathroom
according to users, the installation position of the function
module may be freely changed according to an environment of the
bathroom.
[0026] Meanwhile, when a small refrigeration module is configured,
a thermoelectric module may be used to generate cold air. When
power is supplied to the thermoelectric module, one surface of the
thermoelectric module generates hot air and an opposite surface of
the thermoelectric module generates cold air. However, if the
thermoelectric module radiates the generated hot air, an efficiency
generating cold air is increased. If the generated cold air is
rapidly moved to a storage room, a temperature of the storage room
may be reduced within a short time.
[0027] The bathroom management apparatus as broadly described and
embodied herein addresses these as well as other aspects.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bathroom management
apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,
and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a bathroom
management apparatus of FIG. 1. The bathroom management apparatus
may include a cabinet 100, a frame 200 installed inside the cabinet
100, a plurality of function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and
800, and a door 900 disposed in a forward direction of the cabinet
100.
[0029] The cabinet 100 may have a hollow structure and may have a
square shape of which a front surface and a rear surface are open.
The cabinet 100 may form an upper external appearance, a lower
external appearance, a left external appearance, and a right
external appearance.
[0030] The cabinet 100 may include an upper panel 110 forming an
upper side, a lower panel 120 forming a lower side, a left side
panel 130 forming a left side, and a right side panel 140 forming a
right side. The upper panel 110 connects a top end of the left side
panel 130 with a top end of the right side panel 140. The lower
panel 120 connects a bottom end of the left side panel 130 with a
bottom end of the right side panel 140.
[0031] A left end of the upper panel 110 may be coupled with a top
end of the left side panel 130 and a right end of the upper panel
110 may be coupled with a top end of the right side panel 130.
Further, a left end of the lower panel 120 may be coupled with a
lower end of the left side panel 130, and a right end of the lower
panel 120 may be coupled with a bottom end of the right side panel
140.
[0032] The frame 200 may include frame bodies 210 and 220 having a
square shape corresponding to the cabinet 100 of which a front
surface and a rear surface are open, and back brackets 240 disposed
in a rearward direction of the frame bodies 201 and 220 to be
coupled with rear surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220. The
frame bodies 210 and 220 reinforce stiffness of the cabinet 100.
The bracket 240 may be thicker than the frame bodies 210 and 220 to
reinforce the stiffness of the frame bodies 210 and 220.
[0033] The frame bodies 210 and 220 provide a space for multiple
function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800. The function
modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 include a towel care
module 300 (or towel warmer), a sterilizing module 400 (or
sterilizer), a secret box module 500 (or lock box), a refrigerating
module 600 (or refrigerator), a charging module 700 (or charger),
and a blower out module 800 (or blower module, vane assembly). The
towel care module 300, the sterilizing module 400, the secret box
module 500, the refrigerating module 600, the charging module 700,
and the blower module 800 may be independently provided and
installed inside the frame bodies 210 and 220 as module units. Ribs
protrude from upward, downward, left and right sides of the
function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800, respectively.
The ribs protrude from left and right sides of the function modules
300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 may be supported by an inner rib
215 to be described later protruding in the frame bodies 210 and
220.
[0034] The towel care module 300 may be installed with a function
division plate 303. The function division plate 303 divides an
inner space of the towel care module 300. The towel care module 300
may include a first storage space 301 for storing towels at a top
side of the function division plate 303 and a second storage space
302 for storing the towels at a bottom side of the function
division plate 303, and configured to dry and warm the stored
towels. The towel care module 300 may include a first independent
towel care module having only the first storage space 301 without
the function division plate 303 and a second independent towel care
module having only the second storage space 302.
[0035] The sterilizing module 400 may be used as a toothbrush
sterilizer. The sterilizing module 400 may be installed therein
with toothbrushes, and may be installed therein with a lamp for
irradiating ultra violet ray to the toothbrushes. A blower module
800 may be installed at a bottom side of the sterilizing module
400. An air conditioning module 810 (or dryer) including a blower
for sucking and blowing air to the blower module 800 and a heater
for heating the air blown from the blower is installed at a
rearward direction of the sterilizing module 400 corresponding to a
top side of the blower module 800 so that the sterilizing module
400 and the air conditioning module 810 may be integrally formed.
The blower module 800 may exhaust the air blown from the blower
into an inside of the bathroom.
[0036] The secret box module 500 may be used as storage for storing
objects to prohibit children and customers to see or touch. The
secret box module 500 may be a lock box, or the like, and may be
secured.
[0037] The refrigerating module 600 may be used as usage for
refrigerating medicines and cosmetics. The refrigerating module 600
may be installed with a thermoelectric module for supplying cold
air into the refrigerating module 600 and for emitting warm air to
an outside of the refrigerating module 600.
[0038] The charging module 700 may be used as usage for charging
electronic devices such as a hair dryer and an electric shaver. The
charging module 700 may be installed therein with a holder for
holding the hair dryer and with a receptacle in which a power plug
of the electronic device or a power plug of a charger for charging
the electronic device.
[0039] Two frame bodies 210 and 220 may be provided and include a
first frame body 210 and a second frame body 220 disposed at one
side of the first frame body 210. The first frame body 210 and the
second frame body 220 have the same structure. Desired ones among
the towel care module 300, the sterilizing module 400, the secret
box module 500, the refrigerating module 600, the charging module
700, and the blower module 800 may be selected and installed
according to a need of a consumer. For example, only a plurality of
towel care modules 300 may be installed, or alternatively, two
towel care modules 300 and one refrigerating module 600 may be
installed in the frame bodies 210 and 220. According to the number
of towel care modules 300, the sterilizing modules 400, the secret
box modules 500, the refrigerating modules 600, and the charging
modules 700 installed in the frame bodies 210 and 220, one or more
frame bodies 210 and 220 may be provided.
[0040] The door 900 may form a front external appearance of the
bathroom management apparatus. The door 900 opens/closes an open
front surface of the cabinet 100. The same number of doors 900 is
provided by the corresponding number of the frame bodies 210 and
220. Since the two frame bodies 210 and 220 are provided, two doors
900 are provided to include a first door 910 and a second door 920.
The first door 910 may be disposed in a forward direction of the
first frame body 210 and opens a left side of an open front surface
of the cabinet 100, and the second door 920 may be disposed in a
forward direction of the second frame body 220 and opens a right
side of an open front surface of the cabinet 100.
[0041] Mirrors 911 and 912 may be provided at front surfaces of the
first door 910 and the second door 920, respectively. The mirrors
911 and 921 may be used instead of a mirror inside the bathroom.
The mirrors 911 and 921 include a first mirror 911 provided at a
front surface of the first door 910 and a second mirror 921
provided at a front surface of the second door 920.
[0042] A hinge 930 may be installed at a rear surface of the door
900. The hinge 930 may include a first hinge member of which one
end is coupled with a rear surface of the door and a second hinge
member of which one end is rotatably coupled with an opposite end
of the first hinge member and an opposite end is rotatably coupled
with the frame bodies 210 and 220. The hinges 930 may be installed
at a top side and a lower side of a rear surface of the first door
910, respectively, and may be installed at a top side and a bottom
side of a rear side of the second door 910.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a coupled state between the
cabinet and the frame shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 is an exploded
perspective view of FIG. 3. Top surfaces and bottom surfaces of
frame bodies 210 and 220 may be spaced apart from the cabinet 100.
That is, the top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 may be
vertically spaced apart from the upper panel 110 of the cabinet
100, and the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 may be
vertically spaced apart from the lower panel 110 of the cabinet
100.
[0044] An upper cover 150 may be disposed at a space between the
upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100 and the top surfaces of the
frame bodies 210 and 220. The upper cover 150 may be inserted into
the space between the upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100 and the
top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 to be coupled with the
upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100 and the top surfaces of the
frame bodies 210 and 220.
[0045] When a door 900 is closed, the upper cover 150 covers the
space between the upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100 and the top
surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220, a hinge 930 installed at
a rear top side of the door 900 is not viewable from a rear
direction of the bathroom management apparatus through a space
between the upper panel 110 and top surfaces of the frame bodies
210 and 220. When the door 900 is open, the upper cover 150
prevents the bathroom wall from being viewed from the forward
direction of the bathroom management apparatus through a space
between the upper panel 110 and the top surface of the frame bodies
210 and 220. The upper cover 150 may have a shape in which a top
surface and a rear surface are open to include a bottom surface, a
front surface, a left surface, and a right surface.
[0046] A concave groove 151 for receiving a hinge 930 when the door
900 is closed is formed at the front surface of the upper cover 150
so that a space for receiving the hinge 930 may be formed between
the upper panel 110 and the top surfaces of the frame bodies 210
and 220.
[0047] Further, a control panel 160 may be inserted between the
lower panel 120 of the cabinet 100 and bottom surfaces of the frame
bodies 210 and 220. The control panel 160 may be inserted between
the lower panel 120 of the cabinet 100 and bottom surfaces of the
frame bodies 210 and 220 to be coupled with the lower panel 120 of
the cabinet 100 and the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and
220.
[0048] Remaining regions of the control panel 160 except for a top
side coupled with the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and
220 may be spaced apart from the bottom surfaces of the frame
bodies 210 and 220. Air exhausted from the blower module 800 may be
moved into a first air outlet 2 through a space between bottom
surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 and a top side of the
control panel 160. A user may quickly dry off after a shower using
air exhausted into the bathroom through the first air outlet 2.
[0049] A user interface as well as an input unit for controlling
function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 810 may be
installed at the control panel 160. The input unit may include at
least one of a button and a touch screen, and the user pushes or
touches the input unit to operate or stop the function modules 300,
400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 810. An installed region of the input
unit of the control panel 160 may be exposed below the door 900
when the door 900 is closed.
[0050] Meanwhile, the cabinet 100 may include decoration members
171, 172, and 173 coupled with a front end of the upper panel 110,
a front end of the left side panel 130, and a front end of the
right side panel 140, respectively. The decoration members 171,
172, and 173 include a first decoration member 171 coupled with a
front end of the upper panel 100, a second decoration member 172
coupled with a front end of the left side panel 130, and a third
decoration member 173 coupled with a front end of the right side
panel 140. The decoration members 171, 172, and 173 are not
installed at a front end of the lower panel 120. Instead, the front
end of the lower panel 120 may be covered by a front end of the
control panel 160. That is, the control panel 160 may function as a
decoration members by covering the front end of the lower panel
120. The control panel 160 may be formed with the same color and
material as those of the decoration members 171, 172, and 173. The
frame bodies 210 and 220 may include an upper frame 211 forming an
upper side, a lower frame 212 forming a lower side, and a left side
frame 213 forming a left side, and a right side frame 214 forming a
right side.
[0051] The upper frame 211 connects a top end of the left side
frame 213 with a top end of the right side frame 214. The lower
frame 212 connects a bottom end of the left side frame 213 with a
bottom end of the right side frame 214.
[0052] A left end of the upper frame 211 may be coupled with a top
end of the left side frame 213, and a right end of the upper frame
211 may be coupled with a top end of the right side frame 214.
Further, a left end of the lower frame 212 may be coupled with a
bottom end of the left side frame 213, and a right end of the lower
frame 212 may be coupled with a bottom end of the right side frame
214.
[0053] The upper frame 211 and the lower frame 212 may have the
same structure. The left side frame 213 and the right side frame
214 may have the same structure. Accordingly, the frame body 210
and the second frame body 220 may be installed inside the cabinet
100 regardless of upper and lower sides and regardless of left and
right sides.
[0054] The upper frame 211 may have a shape in which a top surface
and a front surface are open and may include a bottom surface, a
left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface. Further, the
lower frame 212 has a shape that is upside down relative to the
upper frame 211 and may include a bottom surface and a front
surface which are open. That is, the lower frame 212 may include a
left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface.
[0055] First opening portions 216 having a square shape may be
formed in the left side frame 213 and the right side frame 214,
respectively. The first opening portion 216 may form a path through
which wires of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and
800 may pass. A same number of first opening portions 216 may be
formed corresponding to the number of function modules 300, 400,
500, 600, 700, and 800 installed inside the frame bodies 210 and
220.
[0056] Inner ribs 215 may be formed at inner sides of the left side
frame 213 and the right side frame 214, respectively. The inner
ribs 215 protrudes inward from the frame bodies 210 and 220 at a
top side and a bottom side of the first opening portion 216.
[0057] The inner rib 215 may guide insertion of the function
modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 when the function modules
300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are individually inserted into the
frame bodies 210 and 220. After the function modules 300, 400, 500,
600, 700, and 800 are inserted into the frame bodies 210 and 220,
the inner rib 215 may support the function modules 300, 400, 500,
600, 700, and 800.
[0058] Outer ribs 217 may be formed at outer sides of the left side
frame 213 and the right side frame 214, respectively. The outer
ribs 217 may protrude to outer sides of the frame bodies 210 and
220 from a front side and a rear side of the first opening portion
216, respectively.
[0059] The outer ribs 217 may be spaced a part from each other in
forward and reward directions while interposing the first opening
portion 216 therebetween to form a path through which wires of the
function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 pass after the
wires of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 pass
through the first opening portion 216.
[0060] Cut lines 218 having a square shape are formed at a bottom
surface of the upper frame 211 and a top surface of the lower frame
212, respectively. The cut lines 218 may be formed by partially
cutting a bottom surface of the upper frame 211 and a top surface
of the lower frame 212 so that a worker may easily separate an
inner region divided by the cut lines 218 from a bottom surface of
the upper frame 211 an a top surface of the lower frame 212.
[0061] When the sterilizing module 400 is installed close to the
upper frame, a worker may cut the cut line 218 formed at the upper
frame 211 among the cut line 218 formed at the upper frame 211 and
the cut line 218 formed at the lower frame 212 to separate an inner
region of the upper frame 211 divided by the cut line 218. When the
sterilizing module 400 is installed close to the lower frame, the
worker may cut the cut line 218 formed at the lower frame 211 among
the cut line 218 formed at the upper frame 211 and the cut line 218
formed at the lower frame 212 to separate an inner region of the
lower frame 212 divided by the cut line 218.
[0062] The second opening portions 219 may be formed at the upper
frame 211 and the lower frame 212 when the inner region divided by
the cut line 218 is separated by the worker. Further, a third
opening portion 161 may be formed at a lower side of the second
opening portion 219 in a lower side of the control panel 160.
Further, a fourth opening portion 121 may be formed at a lower side
of the third opening portion 161 in a lower panel 120 of the
cabinet 100.
[0063] A blower louver 181 may be installed at a region
corresponding to the fourth opening portion 121 or a lower cover
182 may be installed in the top surface of the lower panel 120.
When the fourth opening portion 121 is located under the
sterilizing module 400, the lower louver 181 is installed at a
region corresponding to the fourth opening portion 121 in the lower
panel 120. Otherwise, a lower cover 182 is installed at a region
corresponding to the fourth opening portion 121 in the lower panel
120 so that the fourth opening portion 121 is shielded by the lower
cover 182.
[0064] The blower louver 181 may include a discharge grill 183, and
may be installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening
portion 121 in the lower panel 120 to guide air from the blower
module 800 into the fourth opening portion 121. When the blower
louver 182 is installed at a region corresponding to the fourth
opening portion 121 in the lower panel 120, the fourth opening
portion 121 becomes the second air outlet 121. That is, in the
cabinet 100, the first air outlet 2 is spaced apart from a lower
frame 212 being a bottom surface of the frame 200, and a second air
outlet 121 may be formed at a bottom surface of the frame 200.
[0065] The blower module 800 may be disposed inside the control
panel 160 between the lower panel 120 and the lower frame 212.
Further, a top end of the blower module 800 may be inserted into
the second opening portion 219 so that air blown from the blower
flows though the blower module 800, and a bottom end of the blower
module 800 is connected to the blower louver 181 through the third
opening portion 161. Moreover, a front opening portion
communicating with the first air outlet 2 may be formed at a front
surface of the blower module 800.
[0066] Since the blower module 800 may be installed with a motor
and a fluid path switching vane rotated by a driving force of the
motor, the fluid path switching vane is rotated by the driving
force of the motor to open the front opening portion and close a
bottom end, such that air flowing from an air conditioning module
810 passes through the front opening portion and is discharged into
the bathroom through the first air outlet 2. When the front opening
portion is closed and the bottom end is open, the air flowing from
the blower passes through the blower louver 181 and is discharged
into the bathroom through the second air outlet 121. That is, the
blower module 800 switches the direction of air blown from the air
conditioning module 810 to one of the first air outlet 2 and the
second air outlet 121.
[0067] A user may control a rotation position of the fluid path
switching vane of the blower module 800 by operating the input unit
installed at the control panel 160 to discharge air into the
bathroom through the first air outlet 2 or to discharge the air
into the bathroom through the second air outlet 121. The air
discharged into the bathroom through the first air outlet 2 may be
used to dry the user's body. The air discharged into the bathroom
through the second air outlet 121 may be used to dry an inside of
the bathroom.
[0068] Meanwhile, when a plurality of frame bodies 210 and 220 are
provided, a center cover 184 may be further installed at front
surfaces of adjacent side frames 214 and 213 of the plurality of
frame bodies 210 and 220. That is, in the present embodiment, two
frame bodies 210 and 220 are provided, center covers 184 may be
installed at a front surface of the right side frame 214 of the
first frame body 210 and a front surface of a left side frame 213
of the second frame body 220, respectively. The center cover 184
may cover the right side frame 214 of the first frame body 210 and
the left side frame 213 of the second frame body 220 in a forward
direction. In addition, after the function modules 300, 400, 500,
600, and 700 are inserted into the frame bodies 210 and 220, the
center cover 184 may protrude to both sides of the function modules
300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 to cover a module locking rib which is
locked at a front surface of the both side frames 213 and 214 of
the frame bodies 210 and 220.
[0069] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigeration
module shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of
FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an outer case shown in FIG.
5, FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating a part of the
refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 9 is a rear perspective
view projecting an inside of the refrigeration module shown in FIG.
5, and FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a state of a thermoelectric
module shown in FIG. 6 mounted on a mounting bracket.
[0070] The refrigeration module 600 may include an outer case 620
and an inner door 630 disposed at a front surface of the outer case
620. The outer case 620 may have a square shape of which a left
region of a front surface is open. Guide ribs 610 supported by an
inner rib 215 formed at an inner side of the frame 200 may be
formed at both sides of the outer case 620. When the refrigeration
module 600 is inserted into a mounting space in the frame 200,
insertion is guided by the guide ribs 610 formed at both sides of
the outer case 310, and the guide ribs 610 is supported by the
inner rib 215. When the refrigeration module 600 is completely
mounted in a mounting space of the frame 200, the guide ribs 610
are supported by the inner rib 215 so that the refrigeration module
600 may be supported while also guiding insertion of the
refrigeration module 600 into the mounting space in the frame
200.
[0071] The outer case 620 may include a storage room 621 (or
storage space/area) for storing products requiring refrigeration
storage and a machine room 622 (or utility space/area) at one side
of the storage room 621. The outer case 620 may include a partition
wall 623, a storage room 621 may be formed at one side based on the
partition wall 623, and a machine room 622 may be formed at another
side based on the partition wall. That is, an inner space of the
outer case 620 may be divided into a storage room 621 and a machine
room 622 by a partition wall 623 so that the outer case 620
includes the machine room 622 divided to be separate from the
storage room 621.
[0072] A front surface of the storage room 621 and the open storage
room 621 may be opened/closed by an inner door 630. One side of the
inner door 630 may be rotatably coupled with a region of the
machine room 622 at the outer case 620 so that the inner door 630
may be rotated to open/close an open front surface of the storage
room 621.
[0073] The machine room 622 may be installed therein with a
thermoelectric module 640. The thermoelectric module 640 may be
installed at a partition wall 623 and may be disposed in the
machine room 622. When power is supplied to the thermoelectric
module 640, one surface of the thermoelectric module 640 generates
heat and an opposite surface of the thermoelectric module 640
absorbs heat. In this manner, the thermoelectric module 640 may
supply cold air to the storage room 621 and to discharge hot air to
the machine room 622.
[0074] The outer case 620 may include an air inlet 624 and an air
outlet 625 in communication with the machine room 622. The air
inlet 624 may face the thermoelectric module 640 in a side surface
of the machine room 622. The air outlet 625 faces the
thermoelectric module 640 in a rear surface of the machine room 622
in the outer case 620. Air introduced into the machine room 622
through the air inlet 624 may be heat-exchanged with the
thermoelectric module 640 and the heat-exchanged air may be
exhausted to an outside of the machine room 622 through the air
outlet 625.
[0075] A suction grill 601 may be installed in the air inlet 624 at
one side of the machine room 622 in the outer case 620. The suction
grill 601 prevents foreign materials from being introduced into the
machine room 622 through the air inlet 624.
[0076] The partition wall 623 may be formed therein with a first
fluid path 626 in which air from the thermoelectric module 640 may
flow into the storage room 621 and a second fluid path 627 in which
air from the storage room 621 flows into the thermoelectric module
640.
[0077] A plurality of second fluid paths 627 may be provided. In
one embodiment, two second fluid paths 627 may be spaced apart from
each other. The fluid path 626 may be disposed between a plurality
of second fluid paths 627. One fluid path 626 may be formed at a
center point between two second fluid paths 627.
[0078] Decoration members 602 may be installed at the first fluid
path 626 and the second fluid path 627 on the partition wall 623,
respectively. A blowing fan 603 may be installed at a region of the
thermoelectric module 640 corresponding to the first fluid path
626. The blowing fan 603 blows air cooled by the thermoelectric
module 640 into the storage room 621 through the first fluid path
626.
[0079] The thermoelectric module 640 may be installed at the
partition wall 623 through the mounting bracket 640. That is, the
mounting bracket 650 mounts the thermoelectric module 640 to be
coupled with the partition wall 623. A mounting part 651 for
mounting the thermoelectric module 640 protrudes from a front
surface of the mounting bracket 650, and an air flow space 652 may
be formed at a rear surface of the mounting bracket 650 making
contact with the partition wall 623.
[0080] When the mounting bracket 650 is installed at a partition
wall, the first fluid path 626 and the second fluid path 627 formed
at the partition wall 623 may be in communication with the air flow
space 652 which may be formed at a rear surface of the mounting
bracket 650.
[0081] A plurality of first fins 641 may protrude from one surface
of the thermoelectric module 640 and a plurality of second fins 642
protrude from another surface of the thermoelectric module 640. The
plurality of first fins 641 spreads hot air generated from one
surface of the thermoelectric module 640. The plurality of second
fins 642 spreads cold air generated from another surface of the
thermoelectric module 640.
[0082] The plurality of first fins 641 is formed horizontally
relative to the direction of air flow from the air outlet 625. The
plurality of second fins 642 is formed vertically relative to the
plurality of first fins 641. That is, the plurality of first fins
641 may be horizontally disposed and the plurality of second fins
642 may be vertically disposed.
[0083] Two mounting parts 651 may be vertically spaced apart from
each other on the mounting bracket 650. A top mounting part 651
supports a top surface of a first fin 641 disposed at the upper
most side among the plurality of first fins 641. A bottom mounting
part 651 supports a bottom surface of a first fin 641 disposed at
the lower most side among the plurality of first fins 641.
[0084] Further, the mounting bracket 650 may be formed therein with
a through hole 653 into which the plurality of second fins 642 is
inserted. That is, if the thermoelectric module 640 is inserted
between the mounting parts 651 disposed at upper and lower sides of
a front surface of the mounting bracket 650 to be mounted by the
mounting parts 651, the plurality of second fins 642 is inserted
into the through hole 653 to protrude to the air flow space
652.
[0085] The blowing fan 603 may be coupled with the plurality of
second fins 642 in the air flow space 652 to face the first fluid
path 626. The blowing fan 603 blows the cold air spread from the
plurality of second fins 642 into the storage room 621 through the
first fluid path 626.
[0086] The air inlet 624 may be formed at a lateral surface of the
outer case 620 facing a protruding direction of the plurality of
first fins 641. The air outlet 625 may be formed at a rear surface
of the outer case 620 perpendicular to the air inlet 624.
Accordingly, air introduced into the machine room 622 through the
air inlet 624 passes a direction horizontal to a gap between the
plurality of first fins 641 to be heat-exchanged with hot air
spread from the plurality of first fins 641 so that the
heat-exchanged air is moved forward and rearward. In this case, the
air moved rearward is discharged through the air outlet 625.
[0087] Furthermore, the first fluid path 626 may be formed at a
region of the partition wall 623 facing the blowing fan 603. The
second fluid path 627 may be vertically spaced apart from the first
fluid path 626 to be disposed at outer sides of the plurality of
second fins 642. Accordingly, the air in the storage room 621 may
be introduced into the air flow space 652 through the second fluid
path 627 and passes a direction perpendicular to a gap between the
plurality of second fins 642 (e.g., flow parallel to the heat sink
fins) to be heat-exchanged with the cold air spread from the
plurality of second fins 642 to maximize heat exchange and airflow.
Then, the heat-exchanged air is blown into the first fluid path 626
by the blowing fan 603 to be again introduced into the storage room
621.
[0088] A rear surface of the outer case 620 corresponding to a
region of the machine room 622 may be open. In this case, the open
rear surface the outer case 620 is shielded by the back cover 604.
That is, the back cover 604 shields the open rear surface of the
outer case 620 and is coupled with the outer case 620. The air
outlet 625 is formed at the back cover 604.
[0089] Storage room light sources 661 and 662 may be further
installed in the storage room 621. The storage room light sources
661 and 662 may include a light emitting diode (LED). When the
inner door 630 is open, the storage room light sources 661 and 662
are turned-on to produce light. When the inner door 630 is closed,
the storage room light sources 661 and 662 are turned-off. Since
the storage room light sources 661 and 662 create the light when
the inner door 630 is open, the user may easily find cooling
products stored in the storage room 621.
[0090] The storage room light sources 661 and 662 include a first
storage room light source 661 disposed at one side of a rear
surface of the storage room 621 and a second storage room light
source 662 disposed at another side of the rear surface of the
storage room 621. A first corner opening portion 605 (or opening)
may be formed at a corner of the outer case 620 in which one side
of a rear surface of the storage room 621 is formed and a second
corner opening portion 606 (or opening) may be formed at a corner
of the outer case 620 in which another side of the rear surface of
the storage room 621 is formed.
[0091] The first corner opening portion 605 is shielded by a first
storage room light source cover 663. That is, the first storage
room light source cover 663 shields the first corner opening
portion 605 and is coupled with the outer case 620. the first light
source cover 663 may be mounted over the opening 605 at the rear
surface of the outer case 620. After the first storage room light
source 661 is mounted on the first storage room light source cover
663, the first storage room light source cover 663 may be coupled
with the outer case 620 to cover the first corner opening portion
605.
[0092] The second corner opening portion 606 is shielded by a
second storage room light source cover 664. That is, the second
storage room light source cover 664 shields the second corner
opening portion 606 and is coupled with the outer case 620. After
the second storage room light source 661 is mounted on the second
storage room light source cover 663, the second storage room light
source cover 664 is coupled with the outer case 620 to cover the
second corner opening portion 605.
[0093] Meanwhile, a first protrusion guide hole 628 communicating
with the machine room 622 may be formed at a front surface of the
outer case 620 corresponding to a region of the machine room 622.
Further, a first switch 607 for operating a thermoelectric module
640 may be mounted at a region of the machine room 622
corresponding to the first protrusion guide hole 628.
[0094] Moreover, the first protrusion guide hole 628 may be
inserted into a rear surface of the inner door 630 to form a first
switch protrusion 631 for pressing the first switch 607. When the
first switch 607 is pressed by the first switch protrusion 631, the
switch 607 is turned-on. When the first switch 607 is not pressed
by the first switch protrusion 631, the switch 607 is
turned-off.
[0095] When the inner door 630 is closed, the first switch
protrusion 631 is inserted into the first protrusion guide hole 628
to press the first switch 607 to be turned-on so that the
thermoelectric module 640 is operated. When the inner door 630 is
open, the first switch protrusion 631 is separated from the first
protrusion guide hole 628 not to press the first switch 607 so that
the first switch 607 is turned-off to stop the thermoelectric
module 640. As described above, since the thermoelectric module 640
stops when the inner door 630 is open, unnecessary power
consumption may be prevented when the inner door 630 is open due to
carelessness.
[0096] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state where an inner door
body of an inner door shown in FIG. 5 is closed and a mirror door
is open, FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a mirror door plate by
removing a mirror from a mirror door shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a
view illustrating an inner door shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 14 is a
view illustrating an open state of a mirror door where a
refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5 is mounted in a frame. The
inner door 630 may include two doors 637 and 638. That is, the
inner door 630 may include an inner door body 637 of which one side
is rotatably installed at the outer case 620 to open/close an open
front surface of the storage room 621. The inner door 630 also may
include a mirror door 638 configured to form a front surface of the
inner door 630 and of which one side is rotatably installed at the
inner door body 637.
[0097] When the mirror door 638 is rotated, the mirror door 638
protrudes forward of the inner door body 637 and a mirror 635 is
provided at a front surface of the mirror door 638. The user may
rotate the mirror door 638 to protrude forward of the inner door
body 637 while the storage room 621 is kept closed by the inner
door body 637. This prevents cold air from escaping while allowing
the user to move the mirror 635 at various angles when using the
mirror 635.
[0098] Moreover, when the mirror door 638 is rotated to the highest
degree by the user to protrude forward of the inner door body 637,
the mirror door 638 protrudes to a lateral surface of the open door
920. In this case, the user may have a side view of herself through
a mirror 921 included on a front surface of the open door 920 while
looking at frontal view through a mirror 921 included in the front
surface of the open door 920.
[0099] The inner door body 637 includes an inner door body plate
633 and an inner door body frame 634 coupled with an edge of the
inner door body plate 363. The inner door body plate 633 includes a
square shaped plate. The lateral side of the inner door body frame
634 may be rotatably installed at the outer case 620. First hinge
holes 609 may be formed at a front top end and a front bottom end
of the outer case 620 corresponding to a region of the machine room
622 and the inner door body frame 634 may be rotatably installed at
the first hinge holes 609. The inner door body frame 634 may be
rotatably installed in the first hinge hole 609 formed at the outer
case 620 so that one side of the inner door body 637 may be
rotatably installed at the outer case 620.
[0100] The mirror door 638 may include a mirror door plate coupled
with a rear surface of the mirror 635 to support the mirror 635.
The mirror door plate 636 includes a square shaped plate and a
mirror 635 is coupled with a front surface of the mirror door plate
636. One side of the mirror door plate 636 may be rotatably
installed at the inner door body frame 634. The one side of the
mirror door plate 636 may be rotatably installed at another side of
the inner door body frame 634. That is, one side of the inner door
body frame 634 may be rotatably installed at the outer case 620,
and another side of the inner door body frame 634 may be rotatably
installed at one side of the mirror door plate 636. Second hinge
holes 639 rotatably installed at the mirror door plate 636 may be
formed at a top end and a bottom end of another side of the inner
door body frame 634. Since the mirror door plate 636 is rotatably
installed at the second hinge hole 639 formed at the inner door
body frame 634, one side of the mirror door 638 may be rotatably
installed at the inner door body 637.
[0101] A second protrusion guide hole 629 in communication with the
machine room 622 may be formed at a front surface of the outer case
620 corresponding to a region of the machine room 622. Moreover, a
second switch 608 may be mounted at a region of the machine room
622 corresponding to the second protrusion guide hole 629.
[0102] In addition, a third protrusion guide hole 633A
communicating with the second protrusion guide hole 629 may be
formed at the inner door body 637. When the inner door body 637 is
closed, the third protrusion guide hole 633A is in communication
with the second protrusion guide hole 629. The third protrusion
guide hole 633A may be formed at an inner door body plate 633 of
the inner door body 637.
[0103] Further, the mirror door 638 may be disposed therein with a
mirror door light source 670 which is turned-on by the second
switch 608 to irradiate light to the mirror 635. The mirror door
light source 670 may include an LED. Second switch protrusion 632
may be formed at a rear surface of the mirror door 638 and are
inserted into the second protrusion guide hole 629 and the third
protrusion guide hole 633A to press the second switch 608. Only
when the mirror door 638 is completely attached to the inner door
body 637, the second switch protrusion 632 presses the second
switch 608. The second switch door 632 may be formed at a rear
surface of the mirror door plate 636 of the mirror door 638.
[0104] A mirror door light source mounting part 636A may be formed
at a front surface of the mirror door plate 636 and the mirror door
light source 670 may be inserted and mounted into the mirror door
light source mounting part 636A. The mirror door light source
mounting parts 636A are longitudinally formed rightward and
leftward at a top side and a bottom side of a front surface of the
mirror door plate 636, respectively. The mirror door light sources
670 may be inserted and mounted in the mirror door light source
mounting parts 636A, respectively. After the mirror door light
source 670 is inserted and mounted in the mirror door light source
mounting part 636A, the mirror 635 may be coupled with an inside of
the mirror door plate 636 so that the mirror door light source 670
is disposed inside the mirror door 638.
[0105] The second switch protrusion 632 protrudes from a rear
surface of the mirror door plate 636.
[0106] When the second switch 608 is not pressed by the second
switch protrusion 632, the second switch 608 is turned-on. When the
second switch 608 is pressed by the second switch protrusion 632,
the second switch 608 is turned-off.
[0107] When the mirror door 638 is completely attached on a front
surface of the inner door body 637, the second switch protrusion
632 presses to turn-off the second switch 608 to turn-off the
mirror door light source 670. When the mirror door 638 is rotated
to protrude forward of the inner door body 637, the second switch
protrusion 632 does not press the second switch 608 to turn-on the
second switch 608 so that the mirror door light source 670 is
turned-on. The mirror door light source 670 is turned-on to
irradiate light to the mirror 635 to softly emit light to improve
visibility through the mirror 635.
[0108] An electric wire of the mirror door light source 670 may be
separated from one side of the mirror door 638 rotatably installed
at the inner door body 637 between the mirror 635 and the mirror
door plate 636. The wire may be inserted inside the inner door body
637 from another side of the inner door body 637 at which the
mirror door 638 is rotatably installed between the inner door body
plate 633 and the inner door body frame 634. The wire may be
provided along an inside of the inner door body frame 634 to be
separated from an outside of the inner door body 637 from one side
of the inner door body 637 rotatably installed at the outer case
620 between the inner door body plate 633 and the inner door body
frame 634. The wire is introduced into the inside of the machine
room 622 formed at the outer case 620. Accordingly, when at least
one of the inner door body 637 and the mirror door 638 is open, an
electric wire 671 of the mirror door light source 670 is not viewed
from the outside.
[0109] Meanwhile, in order to obtain an effect where the user may
have a side view through the mirror 635 provided at a front surface
of the mirror door 638 while looking at a frontal view through a
mirror 921 of an open door 920, an inner door 630 includes an inner
door body 637 of which one side is rotatably installed at an outer
case 620 to open/close the storage room 621 and a mirror door 638
of which one side is rotatably installed at an inner door body 637
to protrude forward from the inner door body 637 upon rotation. The
inner door may be installed at a thermoelectric module 600.
However, although the storage room is installed at a front surface
of an outer case forming an open front surface of a storage room of
the other function modules 300, 400, 500, and 700, by allowing the
inner door 630 to include the inner door body 637 and the mirror
door 638, the same effect may be represented.
[0110] As described above, according to the refrigeration module
and the bathroom management apparatus including the same according
to the present disclosure, since an air inlet 624 and an air outlet
625 may be formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of first
fins 641, and a first fluid path 626 and a second fluid path 627
are formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of second fins
642, hot air generated from a thermoelectric module 640 is easily
discharged to an outside of a machine room 622 so that the
thermoelectric module 640 may easily generate cold air. Since the
cold air generated from the thermoelectric module 640 may be easily
introduced into an inside of the storage room, a temperature of the
storage room 621 may be reduced within a short time.
[0111] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a refrigeration module which may include: an outer case
including a partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage
room and a machine room; a thermoelectric module installed at the
partition wall and disposed at the machine room, a plurality of
first fins for spreading hot air horizontally protruding from one
surface of the thermoelectric module, and a plurality of second
fins for spreading cold air vertically protruding from another
surface of the thermoelectric module toward the storage room; and a
blowing fan installed at the plurality of second fins to blow the
cold air spread from the plurality of second fins to the storage
room, wherein an air inlet communicating with the machine room is
formed at a lateral side of the outer case facing a protruding
direction of the plurality of first fins of the outer case, and an
air outlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a rear
surface of the outer case perpendicular to the air inlet, and the
partition wall comprises a first fluid path communicating with the
storage room formed at a region of the partition wall facing the
blowing fan, and a second fluid path vertically spaced apart from
the first fluid path and disposed at an outer side of the plurality
of second fins to communicate with the storage room.
[0112] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a bathroom management apparatus which may include: a
cabinet of which a front surface is open; a frame installed in the
cabinet to reinforce stiffness of the cabinet; and a refrigeration
module mounted in the frame, wherein the refrigeration module
includes: an outer case including a partition wall to divide an
inner space into a storage room and a machine room; a
thermoelectric module installed at the partition wall and disposed
at the machine room, a plurality of first fins for spreading hot
air horizontally protruding from one surface of the thermoelectric
module, and a plurality of second fins for spreading cold air
vertically protruding from another surface of the thermoelectric
module toward the storage room; and a blowing fan installed at the
plurality of second fins to blow the cold air spread from the
plurality of second fins to the storage room, wherein an air inlet
communicating with the machine room is formed at a lateral side of
the outer case facing a protruding direction of the plurality of
first fins of the outer case, and an air outlet communicating with
the machine room is formed at a rear surface of the outer case
perpendicular to the air inlet, and the partition wall comprises a
first fluid path communicating with the storage room formed at a
region of the partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second
fluid path vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and
disposed at an outer side of the plurality of second fins to
communicate with the storage room.
[0113] According to one objective of the present disclosure, since
an air inlet and an air outlet are formed in an air flow direction
of a plurality of first fins, and a first fluid path and a second
fluid path are formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of
second fins, hot air generated from a thermoelectric module is
easily discharged to an outside of a machine room so that the
thermoelectric module may easily generate cold air. Since the cold
air generated from the thermoelectric module may be easily
introduced into an inside of the storage room, a temperature of the
storage room may be reduced within a short period of time.
[0114] It will be understood that when an element or layer is
referred to as being "on" another element or layer, the element or
layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening
elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as
being "directly on" another element or layer, there are no
intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term
"and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items.
[0115] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various
elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these
elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be
limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish
one element, component, region, layer or section from another
region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region,
layer or section could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the present disclosure.
[0116] Spatially relative terms, such as "lower", "upper" and the
like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the
relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or
feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood
that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass
different orientations of the device in use or operation, in
addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example,
if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as
"lower" relative to other elements or features would then be
oriented "upper" relative the other elements or features. Thus, the
exemplary term "lower" can encompass both an orientation of above
and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees
or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors
used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0117] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0118] Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with
reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic
illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate
structures) of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes
of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing
techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments
of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the
particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include
deviations in shapes that result, for example, from
manufacturing.
[0119] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0120] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
disclosure. The appearances of such phrases in various places in
the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0121] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
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