KR101419945B1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator which improves the structure of a machine room of a refrigerator to effectively dissipate heat generated in the machine room and make a machine room space compact.

A refrigerator according to the present invention includes a machine room formed at a lower portion thereof, a compressor provided inside the machine room for compressing refrigerant, And a condenser for allowing the refrigerant passing through the compressor to condense and accommodating the compressor therein.

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the heat dissipation system of the condenser is improved, and the heat of the condenser is effectively dissipated.

In addition, since the condenser and the heat dissipation structure are improved to reduce the internal space of the refrigerator machine room, the internal space of the refrigerator can be enlarged.

Machine room, condenser, heat sink, water pump

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator that improves the structure of a machine room of a refrigerator, effectively dissipates heat generated in the machine room, and makes a machine room space compact.

Generally, a refrigerator is a device that keeps the interior of the refrigerator at a low temperature and keeps the food fresh for a predetermined period of time as the refrigerant repeats a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant is compressed, condensed, expanded, and evaporated.

These refrigerators consist largely of freezers, refrigerators and machine rooms. Here, an evaporator is installed in a predetermined space formed on the rear side of the freezing chamber, and a compressor and a condenser are installed in the machine room.

Hereinafter, a general conventional machine room structure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a structure of a machine room of a conventional refrigerator, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a conventional condenser.

1 and 2, the machine room 10 is installed at the rear of the lower portion of the storage room (the refrigerator room or the freezer compartment). The machine room 10 is provided with a base plate 10a provided at a lower portion thereof, a compressor 11 provided at an upper side of the base plate 10a, a condenser 12, A blowing fan 13 for allowing air to flow as much as possible and a water pump 15 for providing a driving force for supplying water to the dispenser device (not shown).

The compressor 11, the condenser 12 and the heat radiating fan 13 are installed side by side and the outside air blown by the heat radiating fan 18 exchanges heat with the compressor 11 and the condenser 12.

A machine room cover (not shown) may be provided on the rear side of the machine room 10 to block the machine room 10 from the outside. An air suction hole (not shown) and an air discharge hole (not shown) corresponding to the heat radiation fan 13 may be formed in the machine room cover.

On the other hand, under the condenser 12, a defrost water receiver 14 for storing defrosted water from the evaporator is provided.

However, in the conventional condenser 12, a refrigerant pipe 12a having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole is formed by bending a linear steel pipe into a plurality of bends so as to be continuously repeated in a parallel state, And a plurality of radiating fins 12b which are joined to the outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe 12a at predetermined intervals to radiate the heat of the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant pipe 12a to the outside.

At this time, the heat dissipation fins 12b are formed in a circular shape in cross section and are bonded to the outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe 12a at a predetermined interval through spot welding.

However, according to the structure of the condenser 12 as described above, in the process of blowing the outside air sucked into the machine room 10 to the condenser 12 through the blowing action of the heat-dissipating fan 13, There is a problem in that it can not easily flow.

Specifically, since the refrigerant pipe 12a is densely arranged in the condenser 12, the air blown toward the condenser 12 can not pass through the condenser 12 freely.

Accordingly, heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe 12a and the outside air can not be performed smoothly.

In addition, since the condenser 12 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a predetermined volume, the internal space of the machine room 10 is reduced by the volume of the condenser 12 There was a problem.

Further, in order to install the compressor 11 and the heat-dissipating fan 13 in the machine room 10 together with the condenser 12, there is a problem in that the internal space of the machine room 10 must be enlarged. In addition, the internal space of the refrigerator can not be utilized as much as the internal space of the enlarged machine room 10.

In addition, since the heat dissipation of the condenser 12 is performed only through heat exchange with the outside air, the heat exchange performance achievable is limited.

The embodiments of the present invention have been proposed in order to solve the above problems and provide a machine room of a refrigerator which improves the structure of a machine room of a refrigerator to effectively dissipate heat generated inside the machine room and make the machine room space compact .

In addition, in order to dissipate heat in the condenser, heat exchange is performed using not only outside air but also water, thereby improving heat exchange performance.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a machine room formed at a lower portion; A compressor provided inside the machine room for compressing the refrigerant; A condenser for condensing the refrigerant passed through the compressor and formed in an annular shape in which a refrigerant tube through which the refrigerant flows is wound along an outer periphery of the compressor; And a plurality of support grooves formed in the outer side of the compressor so as to receive the refrigerant tube at a position corresponding to the winding position of the refrigerant tube, .
The machine room is provided with an air inflow part through which air flows from the outside and an air outflow part through which air circulated inside the machine room flows out.
The air inlet portion is provided with a guide member for guiding air introduced through the air inlet portion toward a lower portion of the machine room.
A radiating fan is provided at one side of the air outlet to allow air to flow forcedly.
The machine room further includes a pump for allowing water to be sucked from an external water source and a water discharging portion for supplying water sucked by the pump to the inside of the machine room.
And the pump is operated for a predetermined time while the compressor is turned off.
A dispenser flow path connected to the pump and a dispenser installed in the refrigerator door to supply water to the dispenser; And a discharge channel branched from the dispenser channel and connected to the discharge unit to supply water to the discharge unit.
A valve is provided at one side of the discharge unit to adjust the flow rate of water discharged through the discharge unit.
The machine room includes a heat radiating fan for allowing external air to flow in and circulating inside the machine room, and an air inlet and an air outlet for allowing air to flow in and out by the heat radiating fan. The air inlet includes a compressor, And the air outlet is located above the position of the compressor and the condenser.

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According to the machine room of the refrigerator according to the present invention, the heat exchanging performance with the outside air is improved by improving the structure of the annularly formed condenser.

Also, at least a part of the water provided to the dispenser is used for heat radiation of the condenser, thereby enhancing heat exchange performance.

In addition, since the condenser and the heat dissipation structure are improved to reduce the internal space of the refrigerator machine room, the internal space of the refrigerator can be enlarged.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that those skilled in the art, upon reading and understanding the spirit of the invention, may easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same concept.

3 is a front view showing a structure of a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a machine room 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 110 for compressing refrigerant at a high temperature and a high pressure, a condenser 120 for condensing the refrigerant having passed through the compressor 110, And a water pump 140 for supplying water to the condenser 120 through which heat is exchanged. The condenser 120 includes a heat-dissipating fan 130 for blowing outside air to heat the condenser 120.

In particular, the compressor 110 may be positioned to be received within the condenser 120.

The refrigerant pipe 120a through which the refrigerant flows is spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the compressor 110. The condenser 120 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the compressor 110 so as to have an annular shape. That is, since the condenser 120 is provided in the form of a cylinder having an empty interior as a whole, it may be called an "annular condenser ".

The refrigerant pipe 120a has a predetermined diameter and is wound in a predetermined radius of curvature and arranged in the vertical direction. That is, the refrigerant pipe 120a forms several layers in a wound state.

In addition, each layer of the refrigerant pipe 120a may be spaced apart at a predetermined interval so that the air introduced into the machine room 100 can pass smoothly.

Meanwhile, the compressor 110 may be arranged to be accommodated in the condenser 120. The outer diameter of the compressor 110 may be smaller than the outer diameter of each layer of the refrigerant pipe 120a. In this case, the compressor 110 may be located inside the condenser 120. That is, the condenser 120 is arranged on the outside of the compressor 110 as an annular shape.

In addition, the condenser 120 is provided with a fixing member 121 for fixing the refrigerant pipe 120a arranged in layers. A radiating fin (not shown) may be provided at one side of the refrigerant pipe 120a to radiate the heat of the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant pipe 120a to the outside.

In order to support the refrigerant pipe 120a, the fixing member 121 is provided at one side thereof with a supporting groove 121a which is substantially equal to the diameter of the refrigerant pipe 120a and which is slightly larger than the diameter of the refrigerant pipe 120a, (Not shown) may be formed. The support groove may be provided in the same number as the number of the layers of the refrigerant pipe 120a.

As described above, since the compressor 110 is accommodated in the condenser 120, the compressor 110 and the condenser 120 are arranged in a line, 120 is reduced in volume within the machine room 100.

An air inflow part 151 through which air flows from the outside is formed at one side of the machine room 100 and heat exchanged air flows through the other side of the machine room 100 while passing through the condenser 120 An air outflow portion 152 is formed.

A heat radiating fan 130 is provided inside the air outflow portion 152 to allow air to flow inside the machine room 100 to perform heat exchange with the condenser 120.

The air inlet 151 may be formed in a substantially lower portion of one side of the machine room 100 and the air outlet 152 may be formed in a substantially upper portion of the other side of the machine room 100.

In order to allow heat exchange with the entire surface of the condenser 120 from the outside to the upper portion of the condenser 120, the air inflow path in the air inflow portion 151 is downward As shown in FIG. To this end, the air inlet 151 may be provided with a guide member 151a so that air can be introduced into the lower portion of the machine room 100. FIG.

A water pump 140 is provided at one side of the machine room 100 to provide a driving force for discharging water to be heat-exchanged with the condenser 120.

A water discharge unit 153 (not shown) is connected to the water pump 140 and discharges water, which is flowed by the suction force of the water pump 140, into the machine room 100, Is formed.

In detail, the main function of the water pump 140 is to supply water to the dispenser provided in the refrigerator. That is, the water pump 140 sucks water from a water supply source (not shown) and supplies water to the dispenser device installed in the refrigerator door. Between the water pump 140 and the dispenser, a dispenser flow path 141 through which water to be supplied flows may be formed.

A predetermined discharge passage 142 branched from the dispenser passage 141 may be connected to the water discharge portion 153. A valve 143 may be provided on the discharge flow passage 142 to control the amount of water discharged through the water discharge portion 153.

Here, the valve 143 is opened when heat exchange with the condenser 120 is required. When the valve 143 is opened, water is introduced into the machine room 100 through the water discharge unit 153 Can be supplied. Here, in the water discharging portion 153, in order to allow the supplied water to be heat-exchanged with the entire surface of the condenser 120, water may be supplied in a form sprayed with small particles.

In addition, a dehydrated water receiver 124 is provided at a lower portion of the machine room 100 to collect the water supplied into the machine room 100 after the heat exchange. Water defrosted by an evaporator (not shown) can be dropped and collected in the defrost water receiver 124.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a water supply process using a water pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the water pump 140 and the valve 143 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be operated only for a predetermined time. When the water pump 140 is operated and water is continuously supplied into the machine room 100, the excess water overflows the capacity of the remedial water receiver 124, It is because.

Here, the process of supplying water to the dispenser by the water pump 140 is excluded, and when the water sucked by the water pump 140 is supplied with water through the water discharger 153 Explain only about.

First, when cool air is supplied to the refrigerator, the compressor 110 is turned on and the refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 110, the condenser 120, the capillary (not shown) and the evaporator (not shown) ). The cool air generated through the evaporator may be introduced into the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment. (S10, S11)

When the temperature of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment reaches a predetermined temperature by the cold air, the compressor (110) is stopped (OFF) to stop the circulation of the refrigerant cycle in order to avoid the supply of cold air. On the other hand, when the temperatures of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment do not reach the set temperature, the refrigerant cycle is circulated until the set temperature is reached, and the cold air can be continuously supplied. (S12, S13)

On the other hand, when the operation of the compressor 110 is stopped in step S13, the water pump 140 and the valve 143 are opened. The water sucked by the water pump 140 flows through the dispenser flow path 141 and the discharge flow path 142 and can be supplied into the machine room 100 through the water discharge part 153 .

Since the water discharge unit 153 is disposed on the upper side of the machine room 100, the water discharge unit 153 can flow downward from the upper side of the condenser 120. After the heat exchanged with the condenser 120, the supplied water falls to the remedial water receiver 124 while the temperature is slightly raised.

In addition, the operation time of the water pump 140 and the opening time of the valve 143 can be set in advance. For example, it may be set to "3 minutes after the compressor 110 is turned OFF ". (S14)

Thereafter, when the preset water supply time elapses, the water pump 140 is stopped from operating, the valve 143 is closed, and the water supply through the water discharge portion 153 can be stopped. (S15, S17)

However, when the preset water supply time has not elapsed, the water supply can be continuously performed only when the compressor 110 is not operated. That is, if the set time has not elapsed, it is determined whether the compressor 110 is in an operating state, and water supply through the water discharging unit 153 can be continued only when the compressor is in the OFF state . (S16)

Hereinafter, a process of heat dissipation in a condenser of a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a heat dissipation by air and water in a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, the heat-dissipating fan 130 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be operated to allow air to flow from the outside.

When the heat-dissipating fan 130 is operated, air can be introduced into the machine room 100 from the outside through the air inlet 151 by the forced suction force of the heat-dissipating fan 130 (solid line arrow). At this time, air can be introduced toward the lower portion of the condenser 120 by the guiding action of the air inlet 151.

Then, the introduced air is moved to the upper portion of the machine room 100. That is, the inflow air passes through the condenser 120 and the compressor 110 at the same time, moves toward the heat radiating fan 130, and can be discharged to the outside through the air outflow part 152.

Here, the introduced air passes through the condenser 120, and is heat-exchanged with the condenser 120, so that the condenser 120 dissipates heat and is cooled. On the other hand, the flow air may be supplied with heat from the condenser 120 and may be discharged to the outside in a state where the temperature is raised.

On the other hand, in the machine room 100, water can be advanced through the water discharging part 153. Here, the water may be supplied in a spray form so as to increase the heat exchange area with the condenser 120 (dotted arrow).

That is, after the compressor 110 is turned off, the water pump 140 is operated and the valve 143 can be opened. The water sucked through the water pump 140 may be supplied to the inside of the machine room 100 through the water discharger 153.

The water exchanged with the condenser 120 can be dropped and collected in the remedial water receiver 124.

As described above, the condenser 120 performs heat exchange with the outside air introduced by the heat dissipating fan 130, and at the same time, performs heat exchange with the water sucked by the water pump 140, .

In addition, since the compressor 110 is disposed inside the condenser 120, the volume occupied by the compressor 110 and the condenser 120 in the machine room 100 is reduced, There is an advantage to be improved.

1 is a front view showing a mechanical room structure of a conventional refrigerator.

2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a conventional condenser;

3 is a front view showing the structure of a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a water supply process using a water pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view showing a heat dissipation by air and water in a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A machine room formed in the lower part; A compressor provided inside the machine room for compressing the refrigerant; A condenser for condensing the refrigerant passed through the compressor and formed in an annular shape in which a refrigerant tube through which the refrigerant flows is wound along an outer periphery of the compressor; And A plurality of support grooves formed in the outer side of the compressor so as to accommodate the refrigerant tube at a position corresponding to a position where the refrigerant tube is wound up and formed so as to be vertically long, Refrigerator included. delete The method according to claim 1, In the machine room, An air inflow portion into which air flows from the outside, And an air outlet portion through which circulated air flows in the machine room is formed. The method of claim 3, In the air inlet portion, And a guide member for guiding air introduced through the air inflow portion toward a lower portion of the machine room. The method of claim 3, On one side of the air outlet, A refrigerator comprising a heat-dissipating fan for forced air flow. The method according to claim 1, In the machine room, A pump for allowing water to be sucked from an external water source, And a water discharge portion for allowing water sucked by the pump to be supplied into the machine room. The method according to claim 6, Wherein the pump is operated for a predetermined time while the compressor is turned off. The method according to claim 6, A dispenser flow path connected to the pump and a dispenser installed in the refrigerator door to supply water to the dispenser; And a discharge channel branched from the dispenser channel and connected to the discharging unit to supply water to the discharging unit. The method according to claim 6, On one side of the discharge portion, And a valve for controlling a flow rate of water discharged through the discharge portion. The method according to claim 6, In the machine room, A heat radiating fan for forcedly introducing outside air and circulating inside the machine room, An air inflow portion and an air outflow portion through which the air flows in and out by the heat dissipation fan, Wherein the air inlet is located at a side of the compressor and the condenser, and the air outlet is located above the position of the compressor and the condenser.

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