KR100857324B1 - Apparatus for supercooling - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is characterized in that it comprises a cooling chamber in which cold air formed by a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant flows is introduced, and an electrode for applying an electric field to the non-freezing chamber and the non-freezing chamber, which store food in a non-freezing supercooling state. It provides a supercooling device. With this configuration, food can be stored for a long time without freezing.

Freezing, supercooling, freezing, specialty rooms, reflective surfaces, refrigerators, subcoolers

Description

Subcooler {APPARATUS FOR SUPERCOOLING}

1 is a view showing an example of a refrigerator having a conventional special selection room,

2 is a view showing a freezing chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention,

3 is a view illustrating a freezing chamber according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a view illustrating a freezing chamber according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a view showing an outer case according to a fourth embodiment;

6 is a view showing a first embodiment of a top mount type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied;

7 is a view showing a second embodiment of a top mount type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied;

8 is a view showing a first embodiment of a side by side type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied;

9 is a view showing a first embodiment of a side by side type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied;

10 is a view showing a second embodiment of a side by side type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied;

11 is a view showing a first embodiment of a bottom freezer type refrigerator having a freezing compartment of the present invention;

12 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of a bottom freezer type refrigerator having a freezing compartment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a subcooling device which keeps water in a supercooled state and prevents it from freezing. In particular, the present invention relates to a supercooling apparatus including a freezing chamber for storing food at a low temperature and preventing food from freezing.

Subcooling means that the liquid does not transition even below the phase transition temperature to a solid and maintains a high temperature phase, that is, a liquid state. In the natural state, for example, the supercooled water drop (supercooled water drop) is an example, even in the conventional refrigerator, the water or the drink does not freeze by chance in the case of the supercooled state. Meanwhile, as the principle of subcooling is applied to a refrigerator, there are a freezing method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. S59-151834 and a freezing method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-086967 and a refrigerator. A technique of applying a magnetic field to maintain a food in a supercooled state below a phase transition temperature is disclosed. In addition, the electrostatic field treatment method disclosed in WO / 98/41115 discloses various types of electrode structures that can be used for supercooling and thawing food.

1 is a view illustrating an example of a refrigerator having a specialty chamber disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-0038999. The main body 10 of the refrigerator 10 is a main body 10 so as to open and close the freezer compartment 20, the refrigerating compartment 30, the specialty chamber 40 formed under the refrigerating compartment 30, the freezer compartment 20, and the refrigerating compartment 30, respectively. And a freezer compartment door 21 and a refrigerating compartment door 31 which are hinged to each other.

The special selection room 40 is a space for storing perishable food such as fish meat, and is a space for solving a large amount of time required for thawing frozen food during cooking when the fish meat is stored in the freezing chamber 20. .

However, although the specialty chamber provided in the conventional refrigerator maintains a lower temperature than the refrigerator compartment, it is not suitable for long-term storage of fish meat and the like because it is higher than the freezer compartment. Therefore, in order to store the fish meat for more than a dozen hours still need to use the freezer, there was still inconvenience due to thawing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus including a freezing chamber which can store food at a temperature below the phase transition temperature of water, prevent water phase transition, and can be stored for a long time without freezing the food.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus including a defrosting apparatus for defrosting an energy source to which energy is applied so that the freezing chamber can maintain a supercooling state below a phase transition temperature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus including a cold air passage or a refrigerant passage for maintaining a freezing chamber at a low temperature.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus having a surface where a freezing chamber is visible, and capable of confirming the state of stored food without withdrawing the freezing chamber.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus in which a non-freezing chamber includes a reflecting surface and has a widened position where a state of a food can be confirmed inside a storage compartment.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a supercooling apparatus including a freezing chamber that can be provided at various positions of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

The present invention is located in the cooling chamber, the cooling chamber in which the cold air formed by the freezing cycle flows through the refrigerant flow, the freezing chamber for storing the food in a non-freezing supercooled state, an electrode for applying an electric field to the non-freezing chamber, defining a non-freezing chamber Provided with an outer case and an outer case, and provides a supercooling device comprising an inner case on which the storage is placed. With this configuration, food can be stored for a long time without freezing. In addition, the outer case may be integrally formed with the inner case constituting the cooling chamber, or may be separately formed and combined. In addition, it is possible to prevent the current is applied to the food to be stored, it is easy to form the inner case.

In another aspect of the present invention, the electrode provides a supercooling apparatus, characterized in that located on the inner surface of the outer case. Through this configuration, it is possible to minimize the risk of electric shock while increasing the efficiency of the electric field applied to the non-freezing chamber by the electrode.

In addition, as another aspect of the present invention, the outer case is any one of the form of the front open and the form that can be opened and closed, the inner case provides a supercooling device, characterized in that withdrawable from the outer case. Through such a configuration, it is possible to take out and bring in food by taking out only the inner case while the outer case is fixed.

In another aspect of the present invention, the outer case provides a supercooling device, characterized in that it comprises a heat insulating material. Through this configuration, the freezing chamber can be maintained at or below the phase transition temperature of the water, thereby preventing the supercooled state from being terminated.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling apparatus, further comprising a defrosting device for defrosting the electrode. Through such a configuration, frost is formed on the electrode, and the efficiency of forming the electric field can be prevented from being lowered. In this case, as the defrosting apparatus, various types of heaters may be used.

In another aspect of the present invention, the outer case provides a supercooling device, characterized in that it comprises a drain hole for discharging the defrost water. Through this configuration, the defrost water can be prevented from remaining in the outer case and becoming unsanitary.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling apparatus, further comprising a sensor for measuring the state of the freezing chamber. With this configuration, it is possible to monitor whether the freezing chamber maintains the supercooling condition.

In another aspect of the present invention, the inner case provides a supercooling device, characterized in that the surface of the electrode is in the form of a mesh. Through such a configuration, the surface where the electric field formed by the electrode is interfered by the inner case formed of the non-metallic insulating material can be reduced, and thus, the strength of the electric field is weakened and the freezing can be prevented from being terminated.

In another aspect of the present invention, the inner case provides a supercooling device, characterized in that the front surface with a handle. Through this configuration, the user can easily withdraw the inner case from the outer case.

In addition, as another aspect of the present invention, the outer case and the inner case provides a supercooling device, characterized in that provided with a guide member corresponding to each other to guide the movement of the inner case. Through such a configuration, the inner case can be stably moved along the outer case, thereby preventing the inner case from being impacted and the freezing state of the food is terminated.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the outer case and the inner case provide a supercooling device, characterized in that the surface corresponding to each other includes a transparent surface. Through this configuration, it is possible to check the state of the food stored in the freezing chamber without withdrawing the inner case.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling device, characterized in that the electrode is located on the surface except at least one of the transparent surface of the outer case. Through this configuration, it is possible to check the state of the food stored in the non-freezing chamber through at least one surface except the surface covered by the electrode.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling device, characterized in that the surface except at least one of the transparent surfaces of the inner case includes a reflective surface. Therefore, from the perspective viewable, it is possible to check the rear or side of the food stored in the freezing chamber through the reflective surface.

In another aspect of the present invention, the front surface of the outer case is an open surface, the front surface of the inner case provides a supercooling device, characterized in that the surface formed of a transparent material. Through this configuration, it is possible to check the food stored in the subcooling chamber through the front side of the subcooling chamber without having to take out the inner case from the outer case.

In another aspect of the present invention, the upper surface of the outer case is a surface formed of a transparent material, the upper surface of the inner case provides an overcooling device, characterized in that the open surface. Through such a configuration, it is possible to check the food stored in the subcooling chamber through the upper surface of the subcooling chamber without withdrawing the inner case from the outer case.

In another aspect of the present invention, the electrode provides a supercooling device, characterized in that located on both sides of the inner surface of the outer case. Through this configuration, it is possible to prevent the transparent surface from being blocked by the electrode.

In another aspect of the present invention, the electrode provides a supercooling device, characterized in that located on the upper, lower surface of the inner surface of the outer case. Through this configuration, it is possible to prevent the transparent surface from being blocked by the electrode.

In another aspect of the present invention, the cooling chamber includes a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and the freezing cycle provides an subcooling apparatus including an evaporator in which the refrigerant exchanges heat and forms cold air.

In another aspect of the present invention, the freezing chamber provides a supercooling apparatus, characterized in that located in any one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. Refrigerators are classified into top mount type, side by side type and bottom freezer type according to the layout of the refrigerator and freezer. The location of the fruit can be different. In addition, according to the presence of the ice maker, the dispenser, and the display, the non-freezing chamber is placed in a position to increase the space utilization.

In another aspect of the present invention, the evaporator provides a supercooling apparatus, characterized in that located on at least one of the freezer compartment side and the refrigerating compartment side. The evaporator may be installed only on the freezing compartment side, and the cold air formed by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator may be introduced into the freezing compartment and then introduced into the refrigerating compartment. In addition, an evaporator may be formed on the freezer compartment side and the refrigerating compartment side, respectively, and the cold air formed by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the freezer compartment evaporator may flow into the freezer compartment, and the cold air formed by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the refrigerator compartment side evaporator may flow into the refrigerating compartment. have.

In addition, as another aspect of the present invention, the outer case provides a supercooling device, characterized in that it comprises a cold air inlet hole and cold air outlet hole. Through this configuration, cold air formed by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator flows into the inside of the outer case, thereby keeping the freezing chamber at a low temperature.

In another aspect of the present invention, the cold air flows through any one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber through the cold air inlet, and further comprises a non-freezing cold air passage through which the cold air flows out of the cold compartment and the freezing chamber through the cold air outlet. Provided is an overcooling device. That is, the cold air flow path for cooling the freezing chamber is a cold air flow path that flows into the freezer compartment and flows out into the freezer compartment, a cold air flow path that flows into the freezer compartment and flows out into the freezer compartment, a flow path that flows into the refrigerating compartment and flows out into the refrigerating compartment, and flows into the freezer compartment It can be formed into a cold air flow path. However, since the temperature of the freezer compartment is lower than that of the freezer compartment, the cold air flow path flowing into the freezer compartment and outflowing into the freezer compartment is not preferable for storing food in the freezer compartment.

In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supercooling apparatus comprising a duct formed in at least one of a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, which constitutes at least one freezing chamber cold air flow path.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the evaporator provides a supercooling device, characterized in that a portion of the evaporator extends to the inner case to cool the freezing chamber. Through this configuration, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator can directly heat-exchange with the atmosphere inside the freezing chamber and directly cool the freezing chamber.

In another aspect of the present invention, the evaporator provides a supercooling apparatus, characterized in that located on at least one of the freezer compartment side and the refrigerating compartment side.

2 is a view illustrating a freezing chamber according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The supercooling apparatus including the non-freezing chamber 200 includes an inner case 210 defining the non-freezing chamber 200, an outer case 220 enclosing the inner case 210, and electrodes located on an inner surface of the outer case 220. 230, a cold air inlet hole 242 and cold air outlet hole 244 through which cold air flows in and out, a defrosting device 250 for defrosting an electrode, and an outer case 220, and a drain hole 260 for discharging defrost water. And a sensor 270 that detects a state of the freezing chamber 200.

The inner case 210 is in the form of a drawer and is accommodated in the outer case 220. The outer case 220 has a front shape or is openable in the form of a box. Therefore, the inner case 210 may be drawn out through the front of the outer case 220. The outer case 220 has a cold air inlet 242 and a cold air outlet 244 through which cold air flows in and out, and the cold air is introduced into the non-freezing chamber 200 through the cold air inlet 242 so that the cold freezing chamber 200 is formed. Keep this low temperature. The location of the cold air inlet hole 242 and the cold air outlet hole 244 may be formed anywhere in the outer case 220. Depending on the relationship between the non-freezing chamber 200 and other parts of the supercooling device, the place where the cold air flows into the non-freezing chamber 200 and the place where the cold air flows out from the non-freezing chamber 200 are different, and thus the cold air inlet hole ( 242 and the cold air outlet hole 244 is different. In addition, an electrode 230 for applying an electric field to the non-freezing chamber 200 is positioned on an inner surface of the outer case 220. Due to the energy of the electric field, hydrogen bonding of water is interrupted, so that the water does not freeze and remains in a liquid state even at a temperature below the phase transition temperature, that is, below the freezing point of water. The electrodes 230 generally need to be paired, so that an electric field can be applied between the electrodes 230. Accordingly, the electrodes 230 are disposed in pairs on the inner surfaces of the outer case 220 facing each other. At this time, the inner surface facing the electrode 230 may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the outer case 220, or may be formed on both sides. Through this configuration, while maintaining the copper freezing chamber 200 below the phase transition temperature of water by using cold air, an electric field is applied to the copper freezing chamber 200 with the electrode 230 to hinder the phase transition of the water to prevent food from phase transitioning. Can be stored without freezing at temperature.

Since cold air flows into the outer case 220, frost may be generated on the inner surfaces of the electrode 230 and the outer case 220. When the frost is generated, the strength of the electric field applied by the electrode 230 is weakened, so that the energy efficiency is reduced. In addition, when the frost is generated on the inner surface of the outer case 220, not only the draw of the inner case 210 becomes uncomfortable, but also when the frost falls into the inner case 210, that is, the non-freezing chamber 200, the freezing nucleus. Can cause food to freeze. Therefore, the frost needs to be removed. Accordingly, the supercooling device includes a defrosting device 250 that removes frost generated in the electrode. The defroster 250 may use a heater as a representative example. At the time of defrosting, power is cut off from the electrode 230 and the heater is heated to remove frost. When the heater generates heat, frost melts and defrost water is formed. If the defrost water is not discharged, it is preferable to discharge the defrost water immediately because the defrost water may freeze or generate frost again and is not sanitary. Therefore, the drain hole 260 is formed in the lower portion of the outer case 220. The drain hole 260 is connected to a drain flow path (not shown) to discharge the defrost water to the outside.

In addition, the sensor 270 that can detect the state of the freezing chamber 200 is installed. Since the inner case 210 is a moving member, it is not easy to configure a circuit, and therefore, the inner case 210 is preferably installed on an upper surface of the inner case of the outer case 220. If the sensor 270 is installed on the side or the bottom of the inner surface of the outer case, it is covered by the inner case 210, it is because it is difficult to detect the state of the freezing chamber 200 substantially. The sensor 270 senses the temperature of the freezing chamber 200 and the strength of the electric field applied to the freezing chamber 200. Continuously detects the temperature and the intensity of the electric field so that the condition of the freezing chamber 200 maintains the supercooling conditions, and transmits the temperature and the electric field to the control unit (not shown), the control unit (not shown), according to the flow rate of the cold air, the temperature of the cold air and The voltage applied to the electrode 230 is adjusted. The controller (not shown) determines whether the electrode 230 is defrosted, and operates the defroster 250.

In addition, the outer case 220 may be formed of a heat insulating material, or may include a heat insulating layer. In particular, when the freezing chamber 200 is formed in the cooling chamber to be described later in the subcooling chamber, since the ambient temperature is higher than the freezing chamber 200, it is particularly useful that the outer case 220 has a heat insulating function.
Meanwhile, the inner case 210 may form a surface corresponding to the surface on which the electrode 230 of the outer case 220 is formed in a mesh shape. That is, when the electrode 230 is disposed as shown in FIG. 2, both sides of the inner case 210 may be formed in a mesh shape, and in this case, an element that prevents the formation of an electric or magnetic field applied by the electrode 230. Can be minimized. In addition, the inner case 210 may be easily drawn out from the outer case 220 by forming a handle on the front surface similarly to a shape used in a drawer-type storage room generally used as a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator. In addition, each of the inner case 210 and the outer case 220 may be provided with a guide member for guiding the movement of the inner case corresponding to each other. The guide member may simply use any known method such as grooves and protrusions corresponding to each other or rails and rollers.

3 is a view showing a freezing chamber according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, the supercooling device including the non-freezing chamber 200 includes an inner case 210 defining the non-freezing chamber 200, an outer case 220 surrounding the inner case 210, and an outside. The state of the electrode 230 located on the inner surface of the case 220, the defrosting device 250 for defrosting the electrode, the drainage hole 260 formed in the outer case 220 and discharging the defrost water and the freezing chamber 200 It includes a sensor 270 that detects. Unlike the first embodiment having a cold air inlet hole 242 (shown in FIG. 2) and a cold air outlet hole 244 (shown in FIG. 2) to keep the freezing chamber 200 at a low temperature, the second embodiment is free of charge. The deletion 200 includes a refrigerant pipe 244 through which a part of an evaporator (not shown) extends and through which a refrigerant flows. Since the coolant tube 244 in which the low-temperature refrigerant flows is particularly low in temperature, frost is likely to be generated in the coolant tube 244 when exposed to the freezing chamber 200. As described above, when frost is generated in the non-freezing chamber 200, the non-freezing supercooling state of the entire non-freezing chamber 200 is likely to be terminated. Therefore, the refrigerant pipe 244 is preferably located on the outer surface of the outer case 220. In order to shorten the length of the refrigerant pipe 244 extending from the evaporator (not shown), it is preferably formed on the rear of the outer surface of the outer case 220. However, the coolant pipe 244 may be installed at any of the outer surfaces of the outer case 220.

4 is a view showing a freezing chamber according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the subcooling device including the non-freezing chamber 200 includes an inner case 210 and an outer case surrounding the inner case 210 defining the non-freezing chamber 200. 220, an electrode 230 positioned on an inner surface of the outer case 220, a defrosting device 250 for defrosting the electrode, a drain hole 260 formed in the outer case 220, and discharging defrost water, and a freezing chamber It includes a sensor 270 for detecting the state of the (200). In addition, in order to keep the freezing chamber 200 at a low temperature, the cold air inlet hole 242 (shown in FIG. 2) and the cold air outlet hole 244 (shown in FIG. 2) of the first embodiment and the second embodiment In any embodiment, the freezing chamber 200 may include a refrigerant pipe 244 in which a part of an evaporator (not shown) extends and through which a refrigerant flows.

The freezing chamber 200 according to the third embodiment is formed of a material that is transparent to the front surface of the inner case 210. Since the front face of the outer case 220 is open, when the front face of the inner case 210 is formed of a transparent material, the inner case 210 and the outer case of the outer case 220 are not drawn out. The inside of the freezing chamber 200 can be observed from the front surface of the case 220. The electrode 230 may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces or both sides of the inner surface of the outer case 220. As another example, the upper surface of the outer case 220 may also be formed of a transparent material. In this case, since the upper surface of the inner case 210 is open, the food stored in the freezing chamber 200 can be observed from the top of the inner case 210 and the outer case 220. However, when the electrode 230 is located on the top and bottom of the inner surface of the outer case 220, since it is difficult to observe the state of the food is covered by the electrode 230, located on the side of the inner surface of the outer case 220 It is desirable to. In this case, the side and bottom surfaces of the inner case 210 and the side and bottom surfaces of the outer case 220 may be formed of a transparent material or may be formed of a non-transparent material. However, since the inner case 210 and the outer case 220 are formed integrally with each other, it is easy to manufacture, so that the entire surface of the inner case 210 and the entire surface of the outer case 220 can be viewed. It may be formed of a material.

In addition, the side and back of the inner case 210 may include a reflective surface 212. Through this configuration, the front case of the inner case 210 and the outer case 220, that is, the front case of the freezing chamber 200, the state of the rear or side of the stored food to the inner case 210 You can know without withdrawal. The reflective surface 212 may be included on only one of both sides and the rear surface of the inner case 210, but in order to more reliably check the state of the food stored in the freezing chamber 200, the inner case 210 may be included. It is preferable that both sides and the rear of the reflective surface 212 is included. The reflective surface 212 may be in any form as long as it can reflect the light to show the state of food, such as a reflective film, a mirror, and a metallic coating attached to the inner case 210.

5 is a view showing an outer case according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the supercooling apparatus including the non-freezing chamber 200 according to the fourth embodiment, a door 220D that opens and closes the inner space of the outer case 220 is formed on the front surface of the outer case 220. The door 220D is hinged to one side of the outer case 220. Since the outer case 220 includes the door 220D, it is easier to keep the freezing chamber 200 at a low temperature. For example, when the freezing chamber 200 is provided in the refrigerating chamber to be described later, an atmosphere of the refrigerating chamber is introduced through a gap between the outer case 220 and the inner case 210 (shown in FIG. The temperature of 200) may rise. Therefore, since more cold air or refrigerant should be supplied to the non-freezing chamber 200, energy efficiency may be lowered. However, if the outer case 220 includes the door 220D, this loss can be reduced.

6 is a view showing a first embodiment of a top mount type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied. The refrigerator 100 is a cooling chamber, and includes a freezing chamber 110 and a refrigerating chamber 120. In addition, the refrigerator compartment 120 is located in the freezing chamber that can be stored for a long time without freezing food. In addition, the refrigerator 100 includes a freezing cycle to keep food at a low temperature. The refrigeration cycle includes a condenser (not shown), an evaporator 130, a compressor 140, and an expansion valve (not shown). The atmosphere in the freezer compartment 110 exchanges heat with the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 130, and cold air is formed. The cold air is naturally convection or forced convection by the blower 150 to be introduced into the freezing compartment 110 to maintain the freezing compartment 110 at a low temperature. In addition, a part of the cold air introduced into the freezing compartment 110 is introduced into the refrigerating compartment 120 through the duct 160.

Here, the duct 160 introduces cold air into the non-freezing chamber 200. The cold air introduced into the non-freezing chamber 200 flows out into the refrigerating chamber 120 to cool the entire refrigerator 100. The freezing chamber 200 is connected to the cold air inlet hole 242 (shown in FIG. 2) and the duct 160 to allow the cold air to pass through each other. In addition, the cold air outlet hole 246 is formed at the lower side of the refrigerating chamber side 120, that is, the non-freezing chamber 200 to cool the non-freezing chamber 200, and then flow out to the refrigerating chamber.

7 is a view showing a second embodiment of a top mount type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied. As in the first embodiment of the top mount type refrigerator, the freezing chamber 200 is formed in the refrigerating chamber 120, but does not introduce cold air through the duct 160, but a portion of the evaporator 130 extends from the refrigerant pipe ( 244 is located behind the freezing chamber 200. The coolant tube 244 directly contacts the rear surface of the outer case 220 (shown in FIG. 3) to directly exchange heat with the atmosphere of the freezing chamber 200 and to cool the freezing chamber 200.

6 and 7, as a third embodiment of the top mount type refrigerator to which the freezing chamber of the present invention is applied, the freezing chamber 200 is located in the freezing compartment 110, and the freezing chamber as in the first embodiment ( The refrigerator 200 may be indirectly cooled. In a fourth embodiment of the top mount type refrigerator, the freezing chamber 200 is located in the freezing chamber 110 and, like the second embodiment, the refrigerator includes a refrigerant pipe 244 in which a part of the evaporator 130 is extended. Can be carried out. In addition, an evaporator for exchanging heat with the atmosphere for cooling the freezer compartment 110 and an evaporator for exchanging heat with the atmosphere for cooling the refrigerating chamber are provided, respectively. When the freezing chamber 200 is located in the freezer compartment 110, the refrigerators indirectly and directly cooled, respectively, are provided. And the fifth and sixth embodiments of a top mount type refrigerator having a freezing chamber applied thereto. In addition, an evaporator for exchanging heat with the atmosphere for cooling the freezer compartment 110 and an evaporator for exchanging heat with the atmosphere for cooling the refrigerating chamber are provided, respectively. When the freezing chamber 200 is located in the refrigerating chamber 110, a refrigerator for indirect and direct cooling is provided. Each can be implemented as the seventh and eighth embodiments of the top mount refrigerator to which the freezing chamber 200 is applied.

8 and 9 illustrate a first embodiment of a side by side type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied. The freezing chamber 110 and the refrigerating chamber 120 are arranged long left and right, respectively. The evaporator 130 is positioned on the rear surface of the freezing chamber 110, and the atmosphere is exchanged with the evaporator 130 to generate cold air. The cold air flows into the freezer compartment 110, thereby keeping the refrigerator at a low temperature. The cold air heat-exchanged with the evaporator 130 is introduced into the copper freezing chamber 200 through the cold air inlet hole 242 through the duct 160. The cold air having cooled the freezing chamber 200 flows out into the refrigerating chamber 120 through the cold air outlet hole 244 to cool the refrigerating chamber. In this case, the cold air cooling the non-freezing chamber 200 may flow out into the freezing chamber 110 instead of the refrigerating chamber 120.

10 is a view illustrating a second embodiment of a side by side type refrigerator to which a freezing chamber of the present invention is applied. A portion of the evaporator 130 extends toward the refrigerating chamber 120 to form a refrigerant pipe 244 so as to contact the rear surface of the outer case 220. The atmosphere of the refrigerant pipe 244 and the non-freezing chamber 200, which is in contact with the rear surface of the outer case 220, may directly exchange heat, thereby keeping the non-freezing chamber 200 at a low temperature.

In addition, as another embodiment of the side-by-side type refrigerator to which the non-freezing chamber of the present invention is applied, the non-freezing chamber 200 is located in the refrigerating chamber 120, and the evaporator 130 is formed in the freezing chamber 110 and the refrigerating chamber 120, respectively. In the third embodiment in which the cold air of the refrigerating chamber 120 flows into the non-freezing chamber 200, the non-freezing chamber 200 is located in the refrigerating chamber 120, and the evaporator 130 is the freezing chamber 110 and the refrigerating chamber 120. In the fourth embodiment, each free-formed chamber 200 is formed in the atmosphere, and the atmosphere of the freezing chamber 200 directly exchanges heat with the evaporator 130 or the refrigerant pipe 244 extending from the evaporator 130 located on the refrigerating chamber 120 side. ) Is located in the freezer compartment 110, the fifth embodiment in which the cold air of the freezer compartment 120 is introduced into the freezing chamber 200, the non-freezing chamber 200 is located in the freezer compartment 110, located in the freezer compartment 110 A sixth embodiment may be implemented in which the evaporator 130 or the refrigerant pipe 244 extending from the evaporator 130 directly exchanges heat.

11 is a view showing a first embodiment of a bottom freezer type refrigerator having a freezing compartment of the present invention. The refrigerating chamber 120 is disposed above, and the freezing chamber 110 is disposed below. In addition, the evaporator 130 is also located on the lower side of the refrigerator 100, that is, the rear side of the freezer compartment 110. The freezing chamber 200 is disposed in the refrigerating chamber 120, and the cold air flows into the non-freezing chamber 200 from the freezing chamber 110 through the cold air inlet hole 242 formed at the lower portion of the outer case 220. The cold air introduced into the non-freezing chamber 200 cools the non-freezing chamber 200 and flows out into the refrigerating chamber 120 through the cold air outlet hole 244 formed on the outer case 220. As a second embodiment of the bottom freezer type refrigerator, the cold air outlet hole 244 may be formed in the lower portion of the outer case 220 to return the cold air to the freezing compartment 110 instead of the refrigerating compartment 120. A third embodiment of the bottom freezer type refrigerator further includes a refrigerant pipe (not shown) extending from the evaporator 130 to at least a portion of a lower surface, a side surface, and a rear surface of the outer case 220, and further comprising a freezing chamber 200. The atmosphere may directly exchange heat with the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant pipe to keep the freezing chamber 200 at a low temperature. While cooling the non-freezing chamber 200 in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments, it is also possible to change the position of the non-freezing chamber 200 to be positioned inside the freezing compartment 110.

12 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of a bottom freezer type refrigerator having a freezing compartment of the present invention. In order to illustrate the structure of the refrigerator 100 in more detail, the door of the refrigerating chamber 120 side is omitted. The refrigerating chamber 120 is disposed above, and the freezing chamber 110 is disposed below. In this case, the evaporator 130 may be located at each side of the freezing compartment 110 and the refrigerating compartment 120, and may independently cool the freezing compartment 110 and the refrigerating compartment 120. The freezing chamber 200 maintains the freezing chamber 200 at a low temperature while the atmosphere inside the evaporator 130 and the freezing chamber 200 are heat exchanged. Although the heat exchanger may directly exchange heat with the evaporator 130, a portion of the evaporator 130 may be formed inside the refrigerant pipe 244 and the non-freezing chamber 200 extending outside the freezing chamber 200, that is, the periphery of the outer case 220. Atmosphere may exchange heat.

In addition, according to the fifth embodiment of the bottom freezer-type refrigerator, the freezer compartment 200 has an evaporator 130 on the freezer compartment 110 side and the refrigerating compartment 120 side, respectively, and indirectly cools the freezing compartment 200 by introducing cold air from the refrigerating compartment 120. can do. In this case, the outer case 220 includes a cold air inlet hole 242 (shown in FIG. 2) for injecting cold air from the refrigerating chamber 120 and a cold air outlet hole 244 (shown in FIG. 2) for outflowing cold air into the cold room 120. Equipped.

In addition, as a sixth embodiment of the bottom freezer type refrigerator, the freezing chamber 200 is positioned in the freezing chamber 110, and the freezing chamber 110 is provided with the evaporator 130 at the freezing chamber 110 side and the refrigerating chamber 120 side, respectively. The heat exchanger may directly exchange heat with the evaporator 130 or the refrigerant pipe 246 (shown in FIG. 2) extending from the evaporator 130. In addition, in the seventh embodiment, the freezing chamber 200 is positioned in the freezing chamber 110, and provided with the evaporator 130 at the freezing chamber 110 side and the refrigerating chamber 120 side, respectively, and the cold air introduced into the freezing chamber 110. Is introduced through the cold air inlet hole 242 (shown in FIG. 2) formed in the outer case 220 to cool the non-freezing chamber 200, and the freezer compartment 110 again through the cold air outlet hole 244 (shown in FIG. 2). May be leaked.

In addition to the above-described embodiment, the location of the freezing chamber 200 may be changed according to the display unit in the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, an ice making device for making ice, the presence or absence of a dispenser capable of taking water from the outside, and its position. In addition, the cold air inlet for introducing cold air may be changed depending on whether cold air is introduced from the freezer compartment or the cold compartment. In addition, the location of the cold air outlet hole for outflowing the cold air can also be changed depending on where the cold air that has cooled the freezing chamber flows out.

The supercooling apparatus provided with the freezing chamber provided by the present invention can prevent freezing of the liquid while storing the food at a temperature lower than the phase transition temperature of the liquid, so that the food can be stored for a long time without freezing the food.

Moreover, in the supercooling apparatus provided with the non-freezing chamber provided in this invention, the position of a non-freezing chamber is appropriately arrange | positioned according to the relationship with another component, and it can raise space utilization.

In addition, the supercooling apparatus provided with the non-freezing chamber provided by the present invention, the case constituting the non-freezing chamber is formed to be transparent, it is possible to check the state of the food from the outside without drawing out the non-freezing chamber.

In addition, in the supercooling apparatus provided with the non-freezing chamber provided by the present invention, the inner case of the non-freezing chamber includes a reflective surface, so that it is easy to check the state of the food in the blind spot in the non-freezing chamber.

In addition, in the supercooling apparatus provided with the non-freezing chamber provided by the present invention, a defrosting device is attached to an electrode that applies an electric field to the non-freezing chamber, thereby improving energy efficiency.

Furthermore, the supercooling apparatus provided with the non-freezing chamber provided by this invention includes the drainage hole which discharges the defrost water which defrosted the electrode, and can prevent defrost water from freezing again and is sanitary.

Claims (25)

A cooling chamber into which cold air formed by a freezing cycle in which a refrigerant flows is introduced; Located in the cooling chamber, the non-freezing chamber for storing food in a non-freezing supercooling state; An electrode for applying an electric field to the freezing chamber; An outer case defining a freezing chamber; And And an inner case accommodated in the outer case and on which the storage is placed. The method of claim 1, The electrode is located on the inner surface of the outer case supercooling apparatus. The method of claim 1, The outer case is any one of a form in which the front face is open and a form in which the front face can be opened and closed, and the inner case is withdrawn from the outer case. The method of claim 1, The outer case is a supercooling device, characterized in that it comprises a heat insulating material. The method of claim 1, Defrosting apparatus for defrosting the electrode; further comprising a supercooling apparatus. The method of claim 5, The outer case is provided with a drain hole for discharging defrost water. The method of claim 1, And a sensor for measuring a state of the freezing chamber. The method of claim 1, The inner case is a supercooling device, characterized in that the surface of the electrode is in the form of a mesh. The method of claim 1, The inner case is provided with a handle on the front surface, the supercooling device. The method of claim 1, The outer case and the inner case are provided with a guide member corresponding to each other to guide the movement of the inner case. The method of claim 1, The outer case and the inner case, the supercooling device, characterized in that the surface corresponding to each other is transparent. The method of claim 11, Subcooling device, characterized in that the electrode is located on the surface except at least one of the transparent surface of the outer case. The method of claim 11, Subcooling apparatus, characterized in that the surface except at least one of the transparent surface of the inner case includes a reflective surface. The method of claim 11, The front of the outer case is the open side, The front surface of the inner case is a supercooling device, characterized in that the surface formed of a transparent material. The method of claim 11, The upper surface of the outer case is a surface formed of a transparent material, A supercooling device, characterized in that the upper surface of the inner case is an open surface. The method according to any one of claims 14 and 15, Electrodes are supercooling apparatus, characterized in that located on both sides of the inner surface of the outer case. The method of claim 14, The electrode is located on the upper and lower surfaces of the inner surface of the outer case, the supercooling device. The method of claim 1, The cooling chamber includes a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, The refrigeration cycle is a supercooling device, characterized in that the refrigerant comprises an evaporator that heat exchange and form cold air. The method of claim 18, The freezing chamber is located in any one of a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment. The method of claim 18, The evaporator is located in at least one of the freezer compartment side and the refrigerating compartment side. The method of claim 18, The outer case is a supercooling device, characterized in that having a cold air inlet hole and cold air outlet hole. The method of claim 21, And a non-freezing cold air passage through which cold air flows from one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment through the cold air inlet hole, and the cold air flows out of the cold compartment and the freezing compartment through the cold air outlet hole. The method of claim 22, A supercooling apparatus comprising: a duct formed in at least one of a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, which constitutes at least one freezing chamber cold air passage. The method of claim 18, The evaporator is a supercooling device, characterized in that part of the evaporator extends to the inner case to cool the freezing chamber. The method of claim 24, The evaporator is located in at least one of the freezer compartment side and the refrigerating compartment side.

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