U.S. patent application number 17/544134 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-14 for refrigerator.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Seung Min YANG.
Application Number | 20220221213 17/544134 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006065124 |
Filed Date | 2022-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220221213 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YANG; Seung Min |
July 14, 2022 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
Proposed is a refrigerator including a cabinet having a freezing
compartment above a partition wall and a refrigerating compartment
therebelow, an evaporator positioned behind the freezing
compartment and generating cool air, a freezing-compartment grill
assembly positioned in front of the evaporator inside the freezing
compartment, a blowing fan for blowing the cool air being mounted
in the freezing-compartment grill assembly, and a
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly positioned behind the
refrigerating compartment, wherein a refrigerating-compartment
discharge flow path guiding discharging of the cool air supplied
from the freezing-compartment grill assembly into the refrigerating
compartment, and a refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path
guiding flowing of the cool air retrieved from the refrigerating
compartment into the freezing compartment are formed together in
the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.
Inventors: |
YANG; Seung Min; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006065124 |
Appl. No.: |
17/544134 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 17/045 20130101;
F25D 17/08 20130101; F25D 2317/067 20130101; F25D 17/065
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06; F25D 17/08 20060101 F25D017/08; F25D 17/04 20060101
F25D017/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 8, 2021 |
KR |
10-2021-0002287 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining a storage space
including (i) a freezing compartment above a partition wall and
(ii) a refrigerating compartment below the partition wall; an
evaporator provided behind the freezing compartment and configured
to generate cool air; a freezing-compartment grill assembly
provided in front of the evaporator inside the freezing
compartment; a blowing fan provided at the freezing-compartment
grill assembly and configured to blow the cool air generated by the
evaporator into the freezing compartment; and a
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly provided inside the
refrigerating compartment at a rear side portion thereof, wherein
the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly provides (i) a
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path configured to guide
the cool air from the freezing-compartment grill assembly into the
refrigerating compartment and (ii) a refrigerating-compartment
retrieval flow path configured to guide the cool air from the
refrigerating compartment into the freezing compartment.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a first transfer flow path
is defined at the partition wall and configured to guide the cool
air to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the first transfer flow
path is provided at a rear side center portion of the partition
wall such that the first transfer flow path passes through the rear
side center portion from a top towards a bottom thereof.
4. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein a cool-air inlet of the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path is provided downward
in a backward direction relative to a bottom end of the first
transfer flow path, and (i) a front side branch flow path extending
up towards a front side bottom surface of the partition wall and
(ii) a rear side branch flow path connected to the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path are both defined at
the bottom end of the first transfer flow path.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the rear side branch flow
path gradually inclines downward from the first transfer flow path
toward the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a second transfer flow path
is defined at the partition wall and configured to guide the cool
air towards the evaporator.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the second transfer flow
path is recessed in a rear surface of the partition wall, and a
blocking cover is provided at the rear surface of the partition
wall and configured to cover the second transfer flow path from an
external environment.
8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the blocking cover is
detachably provided at the rear surface of the partition wall.
9. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein a cool-air outlet of the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path is provided at an
upper surface of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly, and
a communication groove is defined in the second transfer flow path
such that the communication groove passes through the second
transfer flow path towards the cool-air outlet.
10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein a guidance flow path is
defined in the blocking cover and configured to guide the cool air
from the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path to an upper
center portion of the blocking cover.
11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly comprises: a first duct
unit provided at an inside of the refrigerating compartment and
having a plurality of refrigerating-compartment discharge openings;
and a second duct unit coupled to a rear surface of the first duct
unit, wherein the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path is
defined in the second duct unit.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the first duct unit has
(i) a width that is greater in a leftward-rightward direction than
a width of the second duct unit and (ii) lateral walls on opposite
sides thereof, wherein a front surface of the second duct unit is
in contact with one portion of the rear surface of the first duct
unit, and the rear surface of the first duct unit and the second
duct unit are covered by a blocking plate.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path is recessed in a rear
surface of the second duct unit and thus is blocked by the blocking
plate from an outside environment.
14. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the blocking plate is
made of an insulating material.
15. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the second duct unit is
provided at a center portion of the rear surface of the first duct
unit, and the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path is
defined between one lateral wall of the first duct unit and one
lateral wall of the second duct unit and between the other lateral
wall of the first duct unit and the other lateral wall of the
second duct unit.
16. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein a plurality of
communication discharge openings are defined in the second duct
unit and configured to be in fluid communication with each of the
plurality of refrigerating-compartment discharge openings in the
first duct unit and thus discharge the cool air, and a plurality of
the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow paths pass through
each of the plurality of communication discharge openings.
17. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein the plurality of
refrigerating-compartment discharge openings are provided at
opposite sides, respectively, of the first duct unit, and the
plurality of communication discharge openings are provided at
portions, respectively, of the second duct unit that correspond to
the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings when the second
duct unit is combined with the rear surface of the first duct
unit.
18. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein the plurality of
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow paths are defined to (i)
branch off from a cool-air inlet towards opposite sides,
respectively, of the second duct unit, (ii) pass through the
plurality of the communication discharge openings, respectively,
and (iii) reach bottoms, respectively, of the opposite sides of the
second duct unit, and wherein the cool-air inlet is provided at a
center portion of an upper surface of the second duct unit and
passes therethrough.
19. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the first duct unit has
openings at a bottom surface and an upper surface of the
refrigerating compartment, and wherein the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path is configured to
guide the cool air from the refrigerating compartment into the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path through the openings
at the bottom surface and then discharge through the openings at
the upper surface.
20. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path in the second duct
unit is configured to receive the cool air from a center portion of
an upper surface of the second duct unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2021-0002287, filed on Jan. 8, 2021, the entire
contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator including a
grill assembly in which a discharge flow path and an absorption
flow path for supplying and retrieving cool air into a storage
compartment are provided together.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Usually, refrigerators are a household appliance that is
configured to store various foodstuffs and drinks for a long period
of time using cool air that is generated by circulating refrigerant
with a freezing cycle.
[0004] Refrigerators are categorized into top freezer type
refrigerators in which a freezing compartment is arranged over a
refrigerating compartment, bottom freezer type refrigerators in
which the freezing compartment is arranged under the refrigerating
compartment, and side-by-side type refrigerators in which the
refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are arranged
side by side in the leftward-rightward direction.
[0005] In the top freezer type refrigerators, an evaporator is
positioned in a rear side space inside the freezing compartment,
and a freezing-compartment grill assembly in which a blowing fan
for supplying and circulating cool air toward the freezing
compartment is mounted is positioned in front of the
evaporator.
[0006] In addition, in the top freezer type refrigerators, a
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly is positioned in a rear
side space inside the refrigerating compartment.
[0007] One portion of the cool air, supplied by the
freezing-compartment grill assembly, is supplied to the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly through a connection flow
path. The cool air supplied through the connection flow path is
supplied into the refrigerating compartment.
[0008] The top freezer type refrigerators are as disclosed in
Korean Patent No. 10-0160419 and Korean Patent Application
Publication Nos. 10-1999-0060433, 10-2016-0100548, and
10-2017-0006995.
[0009] The above-described top freezer type refrigerators in the
related art are configured in such a manner that a retrieval flow
path is formed in a partition wall by which division into the
freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment is realized
and that the cool air circulating through the inside of the
refrigerating compartment is retrieved into the evaporator behind
the freezing compartment.
[0010] Accordingly, in the top freezer type refrigerators in the
related art, the cool air discharged from an upper portion of the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly is discharged directly to
the retrieval flow path without being sufficiently supplied all the
way up to the front side of the refrigerating compartment that has
the same height as the upper portion. Due to this phenomenon, the
efficiency of refrigerating is decreased.
[0011] Particularly, the above-described retrieval flow path makes
it very difficult to form another flow path in the partition wall.
For this reason, various design changes do not have been made using
the partition wall. That is, selection of the retrieval flow path
is limited when forming a new flow path in the partition wall.
[0012] In addition, the partition wall needs to provide sufficient
thermal insulation in order to maintain predetermined temperatures
inside the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.
However, the insulation performance of the partition is decreased
due to the above-described retrieval flow path.
[0013] The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding
of the background of the present disclosure, and is not intended to
mean that the present disclosure falls within the purview of the
related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.
DOCUMENT OF RELATED ART
[0014] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent No. 10-0160419 [0015]
(Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Application Publication No.
10-1999-0060433 [0016] (Patent Document 3) Korean Patent
Application Publication No. 10-2016-0100548 [0017] (Patent Document
4) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2017-0006995
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a
refrigerator including a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly
in which a refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path for
supplying cool air to a refrigerating compartment and a
freezing-compartment retrieval flow path for retrieving the cool
air circulating through a freezing compartment are provided
together.
[0019] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a
refrigerator including a new type of refrigerating-compartment
grill assembly capable of causing cool air supplied into an upper
space inside a refrigerating compartment to flow sufficiently
through the inside of the refrigerating compartment and then
discharging the cool air, thereby increasing the efficiency of
refrigerating.
[0020] Still another objective of the present disclosure is to
provide a refrigerator including a new type of
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly in which a
refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path is formed in a
partition wall by which division into a refrigerating compartment
and a freezing compartment is realized, thereby preventing the
occurrence of insulation loss caused in the related art.
[0021] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is a
refrigerator in which a flow path for discharging cool air to a
refrigerating compartment and a flow path for discharging the cool
air to a freezing compartment are formed together in a
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.
[0022] In the refrigerator, a flow path guiding discharging of the
cool air supplied from a freezing-compartment grill assembly into
the refrigerating compartment may be formed in a
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.
[0023] In the refrigerator, a refrigerating-compartment retrieval
flow path guiding flowing of the cool air retrieved from the
refrigerating compartment into the freezing compartment may be
formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly.
[0024] In the refrigerator, a flow path may be formed in a
partition wall.
[0025] In the refrigerator, the flow path formed in the partition
wall may include a flow path that is provided with the cool air
from the freezing-compartment grill assembly and supplies the
provided cool air to a refrigerating-compartment discharge flow
path in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.
[0026] In the refrigerator, the flow path formed in the partition
wall may include a first transfer flow path that passes through a
rear side center portion of the partition wall from top to
bottom.
[0027] In the refrigerator, a cool-air inlet of the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path may be positioned
more downward in a backward direction than a bottom end of the
first transfer flow path.
[0028] In the refrigerator, a rear side branch flow path connected
to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path and a front
side branch flow path extending up to a front side bottom surface
of the partition wall may be both formed on the bottom end of the
first transfer flow path.
[0029] In the refrigerator, the rear side branch flow path may be
famed in a manner that is gradually inclined downward from the
first transfer flow path toward the refrigerating-compartment
discharge flow path.
[0030] In the refrigerator, a second transfer flow path that is
provided with the cool air from the refrigerating-compartment
retrieval flow path in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly
and guides flowing of the provided cool air to a position where an
evaporator is positioned may be formed in the partition wall.
[0031] In the refrigerator, the second transfer flow path may be
formed in a rear surface of the partition wall in a recessed
manner.
[0032] In the refrigerator, a blocking covering the second transfer
flow path in such a manner as to be blocked from an external
environment may be provided on the rear surface of the partition
wall.
[0033] In the refrigerator, the blocking cover may be detachably
mounted on the rear surface of the partition wall.
[0034] In the refrigerator, a cool-air outlet of the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path may be formed in each
of the opposite sides of an upper surface of the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.
[0035] In the refrigerator, a communication groove may be formed in
each of the opposite sides of the second transfer flow path in a
manner that passes through each of the opposite sides thereof and
reaches a position where the cool-air outlet is positioned.
[0036] In the refrigerator, a guidance flow path guiding flowing of
the cool air in the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path
transferred through the two communication grooves in the second
transfer flow path to above an upper center portion of the blocking
cover may be formed in the blocking cover.
[0037] In the refrigerator, the refrigerating-compartment grill
assembly may include a first duct unit and a second duct unit.
[0038] In the refrigerator, the first duct unit may be formed to be
positioned in a manner that is exposed to the inside of the
refrigerating compartment and to have a plurality of
refrigerating-compartment discharge openings.
[0039] In the refrigerator, the refrigerating-chamber discharge
flow path may be formed in the second duct unit.
[0040] In the refrigerator, the first duct unit may be formed in
such a manner as to have a greater width in a leftward-rightward
direction than the second duct unit and to have lateral walls on
opposite sides thereof.
[0041] In the refrigerator, a front surface of the second duct unit
may be brought into close contact with one portion of the rear
surface of the first duct unit.
[0042] In the refrigerator, rear surfaces of the first duct unit
and the second duct unit may be covered by a blocking plate.
[0043] In the refrigerator, the refrigerating-compartment discharge
flow path may be formed in the rear surface of the second duct unit
in a recessed manner.
[0044] In the refrigerator, the refrigerating-compartment discharge
flow path may be formed as a path that is blocked by the blocking
plate from an outside environment.
[0045] In the refrigerator, the blocking plate may be formed of an
insulating material.
[0046] In the refrigerator, the second duct unit may be positioned
in a center portion of the rear surface of the first duct unit.
[0047] In the refrigerator, the refrigerating-compartment retrieval
flow path may be formed between one lateral wall of the first duct
unit and one lateral wall of the second duct unit and between the
other lateral wall of the first duct unit and the other lateral
wall of the second duct unit.
[0048] In the refrigerator, a communication discharge opening may
be formed in the second duct unit in a manner that communicates
with each of the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings in
the first duct unit and thus discharges the cool air.
[0049] In the refrigerator, the refrigerating-compartment discharge
flow path may be formed in such a manner as to pass through each of
the communication discharge openings.
[0050] In the refrigerator, the refrigerating-compartment discharge
openings may be famed in opposite sides, respectively, of the first
duct unit.
[0051] In the refrigerator, the communication discharge openings
may be formed in portions, respectively, of the first duct unit
that correspond to the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings
when the second duct unit is combined with the rear surface of the
first duct unit.
[0052] In the refrigerator, the refrigerating-compartment discharge
flow paths may be formed in such a manner as to branch off from a
cool-air inlet into opposite sides, respectively, of the second
duct unit, to pass through the communication discharge openings,
respectively, and to reach bottoms, respectively, of the opposite
sides of the second duct unit.
[0053] In the refrigerator, the cool-air inlet of the
refrigerating-component discharge flow path may be formed in a
center portion of an upper surface of the second duct unit in a
manner that passes therethrough.
[0054] In the refrigerator, the first duct unit may be formed in
such a manner as to be open at opposite sides bottom surfaces and
opposite sides upper surfaces, and the cool air inside the
refrigerating compartment may flow into each of the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow paths through openings in
the opposite sides bottom surfaces and then may be discharged
through openings in the opposite side upper surfaces.
[0055] As described above, in the refrigerator according to the
present disclosure, the discharge flow path for supplying the cool
air to the refrigerating compartment and the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path for retrieving the
cool air circulating through the refrigerating compartment are
formed together in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.
Thus, the effect of simplifying an overall structure of the
refrigerator without the need to provide a separate duct for
retrieving the cool air can be achieved.
[0056] In the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, the
cool-air inlet of the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path
for retrieving the cool air inside the refrigerating compartment is
formed in a bottom surface of the refrigerating-compartment grill
assembly. Thus, the cool air supplied into an upper space inside
the refrigerating compartment can flow sufficiently through the
inside of the refrigerating compartment and then can be discharged.
Thus, the effect of improving the efficiency of refrigerating can
be achieved.
[0057] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure is
configured in such a manner that the cool air retrieved through the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path in the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly is transferred to the
evaporator through the second transfer flow path formed in the rear
surface of the partition wall without passing through the inside of
the partition wall. Thus, the effect of reducing insulation loss
can be achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] The above and other objectives, features, and other
advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly
understood from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0059] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0060] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
mounted state of each grill assembly of the refrigerator according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0061] FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an internal state of the
refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0062] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I on
FIG. 3;
[0063] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion indicated
by a circle "A" on FIG. 4;
[0064] FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views each illustrating
essential components, respectively, that are differently
cross-sectioned to describe an internal structure of a partition
wall of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0065] FIG. 8 is a rear view illustrating the refrigerator
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from which an
outer casing is removed to describe a rear side structure of the
inside of the refrigerator;
[0066] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating essential
components of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure from which the outer casing is removed to
describe the rear side structure of the inside of the
refrigerator;
[0067] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating essential
components of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure from which a block cover is removed to describe
a second transfer flow path in a rear surface of the partition wall
in the rear side structure of the inside of the refrigerator;
[0068] FIG. 11 is a rear view illustrating the essential components
in FIG. 10;
[0069] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly of the refrigerator
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0070] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled
state of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly of the
refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0071] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
first duct unit and a second duct unit of the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly are combined with each
other in the rear of the refrigerator according to the embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0072] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
blocking plate is mounted on the refrigerating-compartment grill
assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0073] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where
cool air circulates through a freezing compartment of the
refrigerator according to the present disclosure;
[0074] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where
the cool air circulates through a refrigerating compartment of the
refrigerator according to the present disclosure;
[0075] FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the
cool air circulates through the refrigerating-compartment grill
assembly of the refrigerator according to the present disclosure;
and
[0076] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating essential
components that are cross-sectioned to describe a state where the
cool air circulates through the inside of the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly of the refrigerator
according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0077] A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19.
[0078] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded
perspective view illustrating a mounted state of each grill
assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an internal
state of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line I-I on FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a
portion indicated by a circle "A" on FIG. 4.
[0079] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the refrigerator according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to
include a cabinet 100, an evaporator 30, a freezing-compartment
grill assembly 200, and a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly
300. Particularly, a refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path
301 and a refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 are formed
together in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300.
[0080] Components of the refrigerator according to the embodiment
of the present disclosure will be described below.
[0081] First, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure is configured to include the cabinet 100.
[0082] The cabinet 100 may be configured to include an outer casing
110 and inner casings 121 and 122. The outer casing 110 provides an
exterior appearance of the cabinet 100. The inner casings 121 and
122 are positioned inside the outer casing 110 and form a storage
space.
[0083] In this case, the inner casings 121 and 122 may be a
freezing-compartment inner casing 121 and a
refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122, respectively. The
freezing-compartment inner casing 121 provides a freezing
compartment 10. The refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122
provides a refrigerating compartment 20.
[0084] The inner casings 121 and 122 are positioned in an upper
space and a lower space, respectively, inside the outer casing 110
with a partition wall 130 in between.
[0085] That is, the freezing-compartment inner casing 121 is
positioned over the partition wall 130 and provides the freezing
compartment 10. The refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122 is
positioned under the partition wall 130 and provides the
refrigerating compartment 20. The respective positions of the
freezing-compartment inner casing 121 and the
refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122 are illustrated in FIGS.
3 to 5.
[0086] More specifically, the partition wall 130 is formed in such
a manner that an upper end portion thereof surrounds a lower end
portion of the freezing-compartment inner casing 121. The partition
wall 130 is formed in such a manner that a lower end portion
thereof surrounds an upper end portion of the
refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122. The partition wall 130
is formed as illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0087] The first transfer flow path 131 may be famed in the
partition wall 130. The first transfer flow path 131 serves to be
provided with cool air from the freezing-compartment grill assembly
200 and to supply the provided cool air to the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 in the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300.
[0088] The first transfer flow path 131 may be formed in a rear
side center portion of the partition wall 130 in a manner that
passes through a rear side center portion from top to bottom. In
this case, a front side branch flow path 132 is formed on a bottom
end of the first transfer flow path 131. The front side branch flow
path 132 extends from the bottom end thereof up to a front side
bottom surface of the partition wall 130. The front side branch
flow path 132 supplies the cool air to a front side space inside
the refrigerating compartment 20.
[0089] A rear side branch flow path 133 may further be formed on
the bottom end of the first transfer flow path 131. The rear side
branch flow path 133 supplies the cool air to the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 in the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. The rear side branch
flow path 133 may be formed in a manner that is gradually inclined
downward from the first transfer flow path 131 toward the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301.
[0090] The first transfer flow path 131 and each of the branch flow
paths 132 and 133 are formed as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7.
[0091] FIG. 8 is a rear view illustrating the refrigerator
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from which
the outer casing 110 is removed to describe a rear side structure
of the inside of the refrigerator. FIG. 9 is a perspective view
illustrating essential components of the refrigerator according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure from which the outer
casing 110 is removed to describe the rear side structure of the
inside of the refrigerator. FIG. 10 is a perspective view
illustrating essential components of the refrigerator according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure from which a blocking
cover is removed to describe a second transfer flow path 134 in a
rear surface of the partition wall 130 in the rear side structure
of the inside of the refrigerator. FIG. 11 is a rear view
illustrating the essential components in FIG. 10.
[0092] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11, the second transfer flow
path 134 may be formed in the partition wall 130. The second
transfer flow path 134 serves to be supplied with the cool air
retrieved from the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 and
to guide flowing of the supplied cool air to a position where the
evaporator 30 is positioned.
[0093] Particularly, the second transfer flow path 134 is formed in
a rear surface of the partition wall 130 in a recessed manner, and
a blocking cover 140 is provided on the rear surface of the
partition wall 130. The blocking cover 140 covers the second
transfer flow path 134 in such a manner as to be blocked from an
outside environment. In this case, the blocking cover 140 may be
detachably mounted on the rear surface of the partition wall
130.
[0094] That is, instead of providing a separate duct for
transferring the cool air retrieved from the refrigerating
compartment 22 to the evaporator 30, the second transfer flow path
134 is formed by the structure of the second transfer flow path
recessed into the rear surface of the partition wall 130 and by the
blocking cover 140. Thus, a structure for retrieving the cool air
can be simplified.
[0095] In this case, the second transfer flow path 134 is formed in
such a manner that a cooling-air discharge side portion thereof is
positioned on a rear side bottom of the evaporator 30.
[0096] Communication groove 135 may be formed in opposite sides,
respectively, of the second transfer flow path 134. The
communication groove 135 communicates with a cool-air outlet of the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302.
[0097] Moreover, a guidance flow path 141 may be formed in the
blocking cover 140. The cool air in the refrigerating-compartment
retrieval path 302 is transferred to the guidance flow path 141
through the two communication grooves 135 in the second transfer
flow path 134. The guidance flow path 141 guides flowing of the
transferred cool air to above an upper center portion of the
blocking cover 140.
[0098] In addition, the freezing compartment 10 and the
refrigerating compartment 20 are configured in such manner as to be
opened and closed by doors 11 and 21, respectively. In this case,
the doors 11 and 21 may be configured in such a manner as to employ
a hinge mechanism.
[0099] Of course, although not illustrated, the doors 11 and 21 may
be configured as a drawer-type door.
[0100] Next, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure may be configured to include the evaporator
30.
[0101] The evaporator 30 is configured in such a manner as to
generate the cool air that is supplied to the freezing compartment
10 or the refrigerating compartment 20.
[0102] Particularly, along with a compressor 60 (refer to FIG. 4),
a condenser (not illustrated), and an expander (not illustrated),
the evaporator 30 constitutes a freezing system. The evaporator 30
exchanges heat with air flowing therethrough and thus performs a
function of decreasing temperature of the air.
[0103] The evaporator 30 may be positioned in a rear portion of the
inside of the freezing compartment 10. Specifically, the evaporator
30 may be positioned adjacent to a front surface of a rear wall of
the freezing compartment 10.
[0104] Next, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure may be configured to include the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.
[0105] The freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 serves to
provide to the freezing compartment 10 and the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 the cool air that
exchanges heat with the evaporator 30 while passing
therethrough.
[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the freezing-compartment grill
assembly 200 is positioned in front of the evaporator 30 inside the
freezing compartment 10. That is, the freezing compartment 10 has a
front side storage space and a rear side heat exchange space inside
with the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 in between.
[0107] Moreover, a blowing fan 201 that blows the cool air may be
mounted in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. In this
case, the blowing fan 201 may be configured as a module including
both a fan and a motor. The blowing fan 201 supplies the cool air
passing through the evaporator 30 to the freezing compartment 10 or
the refrigerating compartment 20.
[0108] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of
freezing-compartment discharge openings 202 (refer to FIG. 3) is
formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.
[0109] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 203 is formed in the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. The
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 203 guides
discharging of the cool air blown by the blowing fan 201 to each of
the freezing-compartment discharge openings 202. In this case, the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 203 may be formed in
such a manner as to guide flowing of the cool air to above and
below the opposite sides of a center portion of the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 in which the blowing fan
201 is mounted. In this case, each of the freezing-compartment
discharge openings 202 may be formed in the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow paths 203.
[0110] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a
refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204 is formed in the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.
[0111] The refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204 is a flow
path that is formed to supply one portion of the cool air blown by
the blowing fan 201 to the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly
300. The refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204 is formed
in such a manner as to extend from the center portion of the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200, in which the blowing fan
201 is positioned, up to a bottom surface of the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.
[0112] Although not specifically illustrated, a temperature
adjustment device 206 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 4) may be provided in
the refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204. The temperature
adjustment device 206 adjusts an amount of cool air passing
therethrough and thus adjusts temperature inside the freezing
compartment 10 or inside the refrigerating compartment 20.
[0113] In addition, a freezing-compartment retrieval flow path 205
is formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. The
freezing-compartment retrieval flow path 205 is formed in the
bottom surface of the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 in a
recessed manner. In this case, the freezing-compartment retrieval
flow path 205 is formed in such a manner that a front side end
portion thereof is exposed to the inside of the freezing
compartment 10 and that a rear side end portion thereof is exposed
to a bottom of the evaporator 30.
[0114] That is, the cool water flowing through the inside of the
freezing compartment 10 is retrieved toward the cool-air inflow
side of the evaporator 30 through the freezing-compartment
retrieval flow path 205.
[0115] Next, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure,
the refrigerator may be configured to include the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300.
[0116] The refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is
configured in such a manner to guide discharging of the cool air
transferred from the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 into
the refrigerating compartment 20. The refrigerating-compartment
grill assembly 300 is positioned in a rear portion of the inside of
the refrigerating compartment 20. Specifically, the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is positioned in front
of a front surface of a rear wall of the refrigerating-compartment
inner casing 122.
[0117] The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 and
the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 are formed
together in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. In
this case, the cool air flows to the refrigerating-compartment
discharge flow path 301 from the freezing-compartment grill
assembly 200. The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301
serves to guide discharging of the cool air into the refrigerating
compartment 20. The refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302
serves to guide flowing of the cool retrieved from the
refrigerating compartment 20 into the freezing compartment 10.
[0118] Each component of the refrigerating-compartment grill
assembly 300 is described in more detail as follows with reference
to FIGS. 12 to 15. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view
illustrating the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 of
the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled
state of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 of the
refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a first
duct unit and a second duct unit of the refrigerating-compartment
grill assembly 300 are combined with each other in the rear of the
refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a blocking
plate is mounted on the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly
300 of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0119] First, the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is
configured to include a first duct unit 310.
[0120] The first duct unit 310 provides a front surface of the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 and is positioned in a
manner that is exposed to the inside of the refrigerating
compartment 20.
[0121] The first duct unit 310 is formed in a manner that has a
greater width in the leftward-rightward direction than the second
duct unit 320 described below.
[0122] Moreover, surrounding walls are formed on an edge of the
first duct unit 310. That is, the first duct unit 310 is formed in
such a manner as to have an upper wall 311 and lateral walls 312 on
opposite sides thereof. The upper wall 311 provides an upper
surface of the first duct unit 310, and the lateral walls 312
provide opposite lateral surfaces thereof, respectively. The
surrounding walls (the upper wall 311 and the lateral walls 312) of
the first duct unit 310 may be formed in such a manner that
respective heights in the forward-backward direction thereof are
such that the cool air can flow. That is, thicknesses (heights) in
the forward-backward direction of the first duct unit 310 are
minimized so that a space inside the refrigerating compartment 20
can be maximally secured.
[0123] In addition, a plurality of refrigerating-compartment
discharge openings 310a may be formed in the first duct unit 310.
The refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a are formed
according to the height direction of the first duct unit 310.
Through the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a, the
cool air is discharged into spaces of different heights inside the
refrigerating compartment 20. In this case, each of the spaces of
different heights may be a space between shelves provided inside
the refrigerating compartment 20.
[0124] Moreover, the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings
310a are formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the first duct
unit 310. Therefore, the cool air may be uniformly supplied into
opposite side spaces inside the refrigerating compartment 20
[0125] The refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is
configured to include the second duct unit 320.
[0126] The second duct unit 320 is provided to a portion of the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 in which the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 is formed. A
front surface of the second duct unit 320 is brought into close
contact with one portion of a rear surface of the first duct unit
310 for being combined therewith. Specifically, the front surface
of the second duct unit 320 may be brought into close contact with
a center portion of the rear surface of the first duct unit
310.
[0127] The second duct unit 320 is formed in a manner that has a
smaller width in the leftward-rightward direction than the first
duct unit 310. The refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 is
famed between one lateral wall of the first duct unit 310 and one
lateral wall of the second duct unit 320 and between the other
lateral wall of the first duct unit 310 and the other lateral wall
of the second duct unit 320. A space between one lateral wall of
the first duct unit 310 and one lateral wall of the second duct
unit 320 and a space between the other lateral wall of the first
duct unit 310 and the other lateral wall of the second duct unit
320 are used as the refrigerating-compartment retrieval paths 302,
respectively.
[0128] The first duct unit 310 is formed in a manner that is open
at the bottom. Retrieval cool-air inlets 313a are formed opposite
sides, respectively, of a bottom surface between the first duct
unit 310 and the second duct unit 320. The retrieval cool-air
inlets 313a communicate with the refrigerating-compartment
retrieval paths 302, respectively. Retrieval cool-air outlets 311b
are formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the upper wall 311
of the first duct unit 310. The retrieval cool-air outlets 311b
communicate with the refrigerating-compartment retrieval paths 302,
respectively. That is, the cool air that flows through the
refrigerating compartment 20 flows into the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 through the retrieval
cool-air inlet 313a and then is discharged through the retrieval
cool-air outlet 311b.
[0129] Particularly, the retrieval cool-air outlets 311b
communicate with the communication grooves 135, respectively, that
are formed in the opposite sides of the second transfer flow path
134. Accordingly, the cool air that flows along the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 passes sequentially
through the retrieval cool-air outlet 311b and the communication
groove 135 and then is retrieved toward the cool-air inflow side of
the evaporator 30 along the guidance flow path 141 formed in the
blocking cover 140.
[0130] A supply cool-air inlet 311a is formed in the upper wall 311
of the first duct unit 310. The supply cool-air inlet 311a serves
to supply the cool air to the refrigerating-compartment discharge
flow path 301.
[0131] Specifically, the supply cool-air inlet 311a is formed in a
center portion of the upper wall 311 of the first duct unit 310. In
this case, the retrieval cool-air outlets 311b may be formed to
opposite sides, respectively, of the supply cool-air inlet 311a,
and are positioned in such a manner as to correspond to the
communication grooves 135, respectively, formed in the
above-described partition wall 130.
[0132] In addition, a communication discharge opening 320a is
formed in the second duct unit 320 in a manner that communicates
with each of the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a
in the first duct unit 310 and thus discharges the cool air. In
this case, the communication discharge openings 320a may be formed
at positions, respectively, that correspond to positions of the
refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a. That is, since
the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a are formed in
opposite sides, respectively, of the first duct unit 310, the
communication discharge openings 320a may be formed in opposite
sides, respectively, of the second duct unit 320.
[0133] The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 is
formed in a rear surface of the second duct unit 320 in a recessed
manner. Specifically, a cool-air inlet of the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 may be formed at
a position that corresponds to a position of the supply cool-air
inlet 311a in the first duct unit 310. In this case, the supply
cool-air inlet 311a is positioned in such a manner as to correspond
to a lower end of the rear side branch flow path 133 branching off
from the first transfer flow path 131 in the partition wall
130.
[0134] The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 may be
formed in such a manner to pass through each of the communication
discharge openings 320a. In this case, in order to guide flowing of
the cool air, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow paths
301 are formed in such a manner as to branch off from the cool-air
inlet into opposite sides, respectively, of the second duct unit
320, to pass through the communication discharge openings 320a,
respectively, and to reach bottoms, respectively, of the opposite
sides of the second duct unit 320.
[0135] An upper surface of the second duct unit 320 is brought into
close contact with a bottom surface of the upper wall 311 of the
first duct unit 310. A bottom surface of the second duct unit 320
is brought into close contact with an upper surface of a lower wall
313 of the first duct unit 310.
[0136] The refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 may be
configured to include a blocking plate 330.
[0137] The blocking plate 330 is foiled in such a manner as to
cover both rear surfaces of the first duct unit 310 and the second
duct unit 320. That is, with the blocking plate 330, the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 and the two
refrigerating-compartment retrieval paths 302 may be formed as
paths blocked from the external environment.
[0138] It is desirable that the blocking plate 330 is formed of an
insulating material. Accordingly, the cool air that flows along the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 or the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 can be prevented from
being affected by outside air.
[0139] A process of supplying and retrieving the cool air in the
refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure
will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 16
to 19.
[0140] First, in the refrigerator, the compressor (not illustrated)
and the blowing fan 201 operate. The compressor operates with a
cooling cycle according to a condition of temperature inside the
freezing compartment 10 or the refrigerating compartment 20.
[0141] That is, when the temperature inside the freezing
compartment 10 or the refrigerating compartment 20 reaches a range
of improper temperatures (a range of temperatures higher than a
setting temperature), the compressor operates, and thus refrigerant
flows sequentially through the condenser, the expander, and the
evaporator 30. At the same time, the blowing fan 201 operates, and
thus the cool air that exchanges heat with the evaporator 30 while
passing therethrough is supplied to the freezing compartment 10 and
the refrigerating compartment 20 through the grill assembly
200.
[0142] At this point, the cool air that is retrieved from the
freezing compartment 10 or the refrigerating compartment 20 by the
operation of the blowing fan 201 passes through the evaporator 30.
Moisture is removed from the cool air passing through the
evaporator 30. As a result of the heat exchange, temperature of the
cool air is decreased to a lower temperature.
[0143] Furthermore, the cool air passing through the evaporator 30
passes through the blowing fan 201 and then flows into the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. Subsequently, while
flowing along the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 203
formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200, the cool air
is supplied into the freezing compartment 10 through each of the
freezing-compartment discharge openings 202 formed in the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.
[0144] Therefore, an object subject to being stored in a frozen
state is frozen by the cool air in the freezing compartment 10 for
being stored.
[0145] Then, the cool air supplied into the freezing compartment 10
circulates through the inside of the freezing compartment 10.
Subsequently, the cool air passes through the freezing-compartment
retrieval flow path 205 famed in the bottom surface of the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200, is retrieved toward the
cool-air inflow side of the evaporator 30, and passes back through
the evaporator 30. This cool air circulation for heat exchange is
repeated. Cool air circulation for freezing is as illustrated in
FIG. 16.
[0146] One portion of the cool air flowing into the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 flows along the
refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204 formed in the
freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 and then is provided to the
first transfer flow path 131 formed in the partition wall 130.
[0147] Subsequently, the cool air provided to the first transfer
flow path 131 flows along the first transfer flow path 131, and
then the cool air branches off into two streams. The two streams of
the cool air flow along the front side branch flow path 132 and the
rear side branch flow path 133, respectively, that extend from the
bottom end of the first transfer flow path 131.
[0148] At this point, the cool air that flows along the front side
branch flow path 132 passes through the front side bottom surface
of the partition wall 130 and is supplied into the front side space
inside the refrigerating compartment 20.
[0149] Moreover, the cool air flowing along the rear side branch
flow path 133 passes through the supply cool-air inlet 311a famed
in the first duct unit 310 of the refrigerating-compartment grill
assembly 300 and is supplied to the refrigerating-compartment
discharge flow path 301 formed in the second duct unit 320.
[0150] While flowing along the first duct unit 310, the cool air is
discharged sequentially through each of the communication discharge
openings 320a formed in the second duct unit 320 and each of the
refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a formed in the
refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 and is supplied
into each of the spaces of different heights inside the
refrigerating compartment 20.
[0151] Therefore, an object subject to being stored in a
refrigerated state is cooled by the cool air in the refrigerating
compartment 20 for being stored. Cool air circulation for
refrigerating is as illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0152] The cool air supplied into the refrigerating compartment 20
circulates through the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20
and then flows into the retrieval cool-air inlets 313a famed in
opposite sides of the lower wall 313 of the first duct unit 310
constituting the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300.
[0153] Subsequently, the cool air flows along the
refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 communicating with the
retrieval cool-air inlet 313a. Then, the cool air passes
sequentially through the retrieval cool-air outlets 311b formed in
opposite sides respectively, of the upper wall 311 of the first
duct unit 310 and through the communication grooves 135 positioned
in such a manner as to correspond to the retrieval cool-air outlets
311b, respectively. Then, the cool air is provided to the second
transfer flow path 134. Cool air circulation is as illustrated in
FIGS. 18 and 19.
[0154] Subsequently, the cool air is retrieved toward the cool-air
inflow side of the evaporator 30 along the guidance flow path 141
in the blocking cover 140 formed in such a manner as to cover the
second transfer flow path 134. Then, the cool air passes back
through the evaporator 30. This cool air circulation for heat
exchange is repeated.
[0155] While the cool air is supplied by each of the
above-described processes to the refrigerating compartment 20, when
the temperature inside the refrigerating compartment 20 reaches a
range of proper temperatures (when a setting temperature is
reached), the blowing fan 201 and the compressor stops operating.
Of course, in a case where the temperatures inside the
refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 10 are
both proper, the blowing fan 201 and the compressor may be
controlled in such a manner as to stop operating.
[0156] In summary, in the refrigerator according to the present
disclosure, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301
for supplying the cool air to the refrigerating compartment 20 and
the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 for retrieving the
cool air circulating through the refrigerating compartment 20 are
formed together in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly
300. Accordingly, an overall structure of the refrigerator
according to the present disclosure may be simplified because there
is no need to provide a separate duct for retrieving the cool
air.
[0157] In addition, in the refrigerator according to the present
disclosure, a cool-air inlet of the refrigerating-compartment
retrieval path 302 for retrieving the cool air inside the
refrigerating compartment 20 is formed in a bottom surface of the
refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. Accordingly, the cool
air supplied into an upper space inside the refrigerating
compartment 20 sufficiently flows through the inside of the
refrigerating compartment 20 and then is discharged. Thus, the
efficiency of refrigerating can be improved.
[0158] In addition, the refrigerator according to the present
disclosure is configured in such a manner that the cool air
retrieved through the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302
in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is transferred
to the evaporator 30 through the second transfer flow path 134
formed in a rear surface of the partition wall 130. With this
configuration, insulation loss can be reduced.
[0159] Although the specific embodiment of the present disclosure
has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *