KR102267853B1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an inner case having a storage compartment; a thermoelectric module that cools the storage compartment and includes a thermoelectric element and a heat sink; a heat dissipation fan disposed to face the heat sink; a heat dissipation cover spaced apart from the inner case and having at least one outer suction hole facing the heat dissipation fan; and a blocking member blocking a gap between the heat dissipation cover and the heat dissipation fan.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator in which a storage compartment is cooled by a thermoelectric module.

A refrigerator is a device that cools food or medicines or stores them at a low temperature to prevent spoilage and deterioration.

The refrigerator includes a storage compartment in which food or medicine is stored, and a cooling device for cooling the storage compartment.

An example of the cooling device may be composed of a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator.

Another example of the cooling device may be composed of a thermoelectric module (TEM) using a phenomenon in which a temperature difference occurs in both end surfaces of different metals when different metals are combined and an electric current flows.

The refrigeration cycle device has higher efficiency than the thermoelectric module, but has a disadvantage in that the compressor is noisy when driving.

On the other hand, the thermoelectric module is less efficient than the refrigeration cycle device, but has the advantage of low noise, and can be used in a CPU cooling device, a vehicle temperature control seat, a small refrigerator, and the like.

KR 19970030644 U (1999.05.25. published) KR 20080040112 A (published on Nov. 3, 2009)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of reducing noise caused by a heat dissipation fan.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator with improved heat dissipation efficiency.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an inner case having a storage compartment; a thermoelectric module that cools the storage chamber and includes a thermoelectric element and a heat sink; a heat dissipation fan disposed to face the heat sink; a heat dissipation cover spaced apart from the inner case and having at least one outer suction hole facing the heat dissipation fan; and a blocking member blocking a gap between the heat dissipation cover and the heat dissipation fan.

The blocking member may be disposed to surround an outer circumference of the heat dissipation fan.

The heat dissipation fan, a fan; and a shroud disposed around the fan, wherein the blocking member may be disposed to contact each of the shroud and the heat dissipation cover.

The blocking member may be disposed between the shroud and the heat dissipation cover.

The heat dissipation cover may include a cover part; and a suction grill mounted on the cover portion and having the outer suction hole formed therein, wherein the blocking member may be disposed to be in contact with the cover portion.

The suction grill is a mesh composed of a plurality of wires, and the thickness of the wire may be 1 mm or more and 1.6 mm or less.

The cover part may be formed to be recessed toward the rear and include a recessed part to which the suction grill is mounted, and the blocking member may be disposed to contact the recessed part.

The blocking member may be made of a porous material.

The outer suction hole may be plural, and a distance between a pair of outer suction holes adjacent to each other among the outer suction holes may be 1 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

The outer suction hole may be plural, and a center-to-center distance between a pair of outer suction holes adjacent to each other among the outer suction holes may be 7 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

The outer suction hole may be plural, and the outer suction hole may be formed in a circular shape having a diameter of 7 mm or more and 8 mm or less.
A refrigerator according to another aspect includes: an inner case having a storage compartment; a thermoelectric module for cooling the storage chamber, the thermoelectric module including a thermoelectric element, a cooling sink, and a heat sink; a cooling fan disposed to face the cooling sink; a heat dissipation fan disposed to face the heat sink; a heat dissipation cover having a plurality of outer suction holes facing the heat dissipation fan; and a blocking member forming a passage for air sucked through the plurality of outer suction holes while blocking a gap between the heat dissipation cover and the heat dissipation fan, wherein the cooling fan, the cooling sink, the heat sink, and the heat dissipation A fan and the heat dissipation cover are sequentially disposed, and the air passing through the plurality of outer suction holes of the heat dissipation cover passes through the heat dissipation fan after passing through the passage formed by the blocking member.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blocking member blocks the gap between the heat dissipation fan and the heat dissipation cover to prevent flow disturbance due to recirculation, thereby reducing noise generated by flow disturbance, and Heat dissipation efficiency may be increased.

In addition, the blocking member has an advantage in that it is possible to reduce noise and vibration generated by the driving of the heat dissipation fan.

In addition, by limiting the size and shape of the outer suction hole through which the outside air is sucked, it is possible to prevent the user's finger from touching the heat dissipation fan and to reduce the generation of noise due to the suction of the outside air.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view in which the main body, the door, and the storage member are separated from the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exploded perspective view of a main body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view illustrating a rear surface of an inner case according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a perspective view illustrating a thermoelectric module and a heat dissipation fan according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric module and the heat dissipation fan shown in FIG. 5 .
7 is an exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric module and the heat dissipation fan shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from another direction.
8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a thermoelectric module and a heat dissipation fan according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a perspective view of a fixing pin according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a side view for explaining a configuration in which the thermoelectric module and the heat dissipation fan are fixed by fixing pins.
11 is a plan view illustrating a configuration in which a thermoelectric module and a heat dissipation fan are fixed by fixing pins.
12 is a front view of a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a view for explaining a configuration in which a thermoelectric module is mounted on a thermoelectric module holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a cutaway perspective view of a thermoelectric module mounted on an inner case and a thermoelectric module holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a perspective view illustrating a cooling fan according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a periphery of the thermoelectric module of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 16 .
18 is a front view of a heat dissipation cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a rear view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a part of the suction grill shown in FIG. 19 .
21 is an enlarged view of a portion of the suction grill according to another embodiment of the present invention.
22 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a body, a door, and a storage member are separated. An exploded perspective view of a main body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rear surface of an inner case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking the case of a side table refrigerator as an example. A side table refrigerator can serve as a side table in addition to the function of storing food. Unlike a regular refrigerator that is often provided in the kitchen, the side table refrigerator can be used next to the bed in the bedroom. Therefore, for the convenience of the user, the height of the side table refrigerator is preferably similar to the height of the bed, and the height of the side table refrigerator is lower than that of a general refrigerator and can be formed compactly.

However, the content of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it can be applied to other types of refrigerators.

1 to 4 , the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention cools the main body 1 in which the storage compartment S is formed, the door 2 for opening and closing the storage compartment S, and the storage compartment S. It may include a thermoelectric module (3).

The body 1 may be formed in a box shape. The height of the main body 1 is preferably 400 mm or more and 700 mm or less so that it can be utilized as a side table. That is, the height of the refrigerator may be 400 mm or more and 700 mm or less.

The upper surface of the main body 1 may be horizontal, and the user may utilize the upper surface of the main body 1 as a side table.

The body 1 may be composed of a combination of a plurality of members.

The body 1 may include an inner case 10 , cabinets 12 , 13 and 14 , a cabinet bottom 15 , a drain pipe 16 , and a tray 17 . The body 1 may further include a PCB cover 18 and a heat dissipation cover 8 .

A storage compartment S may be provided in the inner case 10 . The storage compartment S may be formed inside the inner case 10 . One surface of the inner case 10 may be opened, and the opened surface may be opened and closed by the door 2 . Preferably, the front surface of the inner case 10 may be opened.

A thermoelectric module mounting part 10a may be formed on the rear surface of the inner case 10 . The thermoelectric module mounting part 10a may be formed so that a part of the rear surface of the inner case 10 protrudes backward. The thermoelectric module mounting portion 10a may be formed closer to an upper surface of the inner case 10 than to a bottom surface thereof.

A cooling passage S1 (refer to FIG. 16 ) may be provided inside the thermoelectric module mounting part 10a. The cooling passage S1 is an internal space of the thermoelectric module mounting part 10a and may communicate with the storage chamber S.

Also, a thermoelectric module mounting hole 10b may be formed in the thermoelectric module mounting portion 10a. At least a portion of the cooling sink 32 to be described later of the thermoelectric module 3 may be disposed in the cooling passage S1 .

The cabinets 12, 13, and 14 may constitute the exterior of the refrigerator.

The cabinets 12 , 13 , and 14 may be disposed to surround the outside of the inner case 10 . The cabinets 12 , 13 , and 14 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner case 10 , and a foam material may be inserted between the cabinets 12 , 13 , 14 and the inner case 10 .

The cabinets 12, 13, and 14 may be formed by combining a plurality of members. The cabinets 12 , 13 , and 14 may include an outer cabinet 12 , a top cover 13 , and a back plate 14 .

The outer cabinet 12 may be disposed outside the inner case 10 . In more detail, the outer cabinet 12 may be located on the left, right, and lower sides of the inner case 10 . However, the positional relationship between the outer cabinet 12 and the inner case 10 may be changed as needed.

The outer cabinet 12 may be disposed to cover a left side, a right side, and a bottom surface of the inner case 10 . The outer cabinet 12 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner case 10 .

The outer cabinet 12 may constitute a left side, a right side, and a bottom side of the refrigerator.

The outer cabinet 12 may be composed of a plurality of members. The outer cabinet 12 may include a base that forms a bottom surface of the refrigerator, a left cover disposed on the upper left side of the base, and a right cover disposed on the upper right side of the base. In this case, the material of at least one of the base, the left cover, and the right cover may be different. For example, the base may be formed of a synthetic resin material, and the left and right plates may be formed of a metal material such as steel or aluminum.

The outer cabinet 12 may be configured as a single member, and in this case, the outer cabinet 12 may include a bent or bent lower plate, a left plate, and a right plate. When the outer cabinet 12 is composed of one member, it may be formed of a metal material such as steel or aluminum.

The top cover 13 may be disposed above the inner case 10 . The top cover 13 may constitute an upper surface of the refrigerator. A user may utilize the upper surface of the top cover 13 as a side table.

The top cover 13 may be manufactured in a plate shape, and the top cover 13 may be formed of a wood material. Accordingly, the appearance of the refrigerator can be formed more stylishly. In addition, since the wood material is used for a general side table, the user can more intuitively feel the use of the side table of the refrigerator.

The top cover 13 may be disposed to cover the upper surface of the inner case 10 . At least a portion of the top cover 13 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner case 10 .

The top surface of the top cover 13 may be disposed to coincide with the top of the outer cabinet 12 . The left-right width of the top cover 13 may be the same as the left-right inner width of the outer cabinet 12 . Left and right sides of the top cover 13 may be disposed in contact with the inner surface of the outer cabinet 12 .

The back plate 14 may be vertically disposed. The back plate 14 may be disposed at the rear of the inner case 10 and below the top cover 13 . The back plate 14 may be disposed to face the rear surface of the inner case 10 in the front-rear direction.

The back plate 14 may be disposed to contact the inner case 10 . The back plate 14 may be disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric module mounting portion 10a of the inner case 10 .

A through hole 14a may be formed in the back plate 14 . The through hole 14a may be formed at a position corresponding to the thermoelectric module mounting hole 10b of the inner case 10 . The size of the through hole 14a may be greater than or equal to the size of the thermoelectric module mounting hole 10b of the inner case 10 .

The cabinet bottom 15 may be positioned below the inner case 10 . The cabinet bottom 15 may support the inner case 10 from below.

The cabinet bottom 15 may be disposed between an outer bottom surface of the inner case 10 and an inner bottom surface of the outer cabinet 12 . The cabinet bottom 15 may separate the inner case 10 from the inner bottom surface of the outer cabinet 12 . The cabinet bottom 15 may form a lower heat dissipation flow path 92 (refer to FIG. 16 ) together with the inner surface of the outer cabinet 12 .

The drain pipe 16 may communicate with the storage chamber S. The drain pipe 16 may be connected to the lower portion of the inner case 10 , and may discharge water generated by defrosting or the like in the inner case 10 .

The tray 17 may be located below the drain pipe 16 , and may receive water that has fallen from the drain pipe 16 .

The tray 17 may be disposed between the cabinet bottom 15 and the outer cabinet 12 . The tray 17 may be located in a lower heat dissipation flow path 92 (refer to FIG. 16 ) to be described later, and water contained in the tray 17 may be evaporated by the high-temperature air guided to the lower heat dissipation flow path 92 . Due to the above configuration, there is an advantage that the water of the tray 17 does not need to be emptied frequently.

The heat dissipation cover 8 may be disposed behind the back plate 14 , and may be disposed to face the back plate 14 in the front-rear direction. The heat dissipation cover 8 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the back plate 14 .

The heat dissipation cover 8 may be vertically disposed.

The upper end of the heat dissipation cover 8 may be spaced apart from the top cover 13 . That is, the height of the heat dissipation cover 8 may be lower than that of the outer cabinet 12 . In this case, the PCB cover 18 to be described later may be exposed to the rear of the main body 1 .

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the upper end of the heat dissipation cover 8 may be disposed in contact with the top cover 13 . In this case, the PCB cover 18 may be positioned in front of the heat dissipation cover 8 and may not be exposed to the rear of the main body 1 .

The heat dissipation cover 8 may include a cover part 81 and a suction grill 82 mounted on the cover part 81 . The cover part 81 and the suction grill 82 may be integrally formed, or may be formed as separate members from each other.

At least one outer suction hole 83 may be formed in the heat dissipation cover 8 .

A plurality of outer suction holes 83 may be formed in the suction grill 82 . The outer suction hole 83 may face the heat radiation fan, and when the heat radiation fan 5 is driven, external air may be sucked into the heat radiation fan 5 through the outer suction hole 83 .

The size and shape of the outer suction hole 83 may be changed as needed.

The suction grill 82 may be a finger guard that prevents the user's fingers from approaching the heat dissipation fan 5 . It is preferable that the outer suction hole 83 is formed to a size such that a user's finger does not enter.

A cover through hole 81a may be formed in the cover part 81 . The cover through hole 81a may be formed at a position facing the heat dissipation fan 5 .

The cover through hole 81a may be positioned between the suction grill 82 and the heat dissipation fan 5 . Air sucked through the outer suction hole 83 may be sucked into the heat dissipation fan 5 through the cover through hole 81a.

The suction grill 82 may cover the cover through hole 81 .

The suction grill 82 may face the heat dissipation fan. In more detail, the front surface of the suction grill 82 may face the heat dissipation fan 5 with respect to the front-rear direction.

The suction grill 82 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the heat dissipation fan 5 . The separation distance between the suction grill 82 and the heat dissipation fan 5 may be longer than the front maximum elastic deformation length of the suction grill 82 . Accordingly, even if the user presses the suction grill 82 by hand, the suction grill 82 may not come into contact with the heat dissipation fan 5 .

A recessed portion 84 formed by being recessed backward may be formed in the cover portion 81 . The recessed part 84 may be formed by recessing a part of the cover part 81 backward.

The cover through hole 81a may be formed in the depression 84 , and the suction grill 82 may be mounted in the depression 84 . Compared to the case in which the recessed part 84 is not formed in the cover part 81 , the distance between the suction grill 82 and the heat dissipation fan 5 can be increased, so that the suction grille does not increase the length in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator. There is an advantage that can secure the required separation distance between the (82) and the heat dissipation fan (5).

The heat dissipation cover 8 may form a rear heat dissipation passage 91 (refer to FIG. 16 ) together with the back plate 14 . The rear heat dissipation flow path 91 may be positioned between the front surface of the heat dissipation cover 8 and the rear surface of the back plate 14 . In more detail, the rear heat dissipation flow path 91 may be positioned between the front surface of the cover part 81 and the rear surface of the back plate 14 .

When the heat dissipation fan 5 is driven, air outside the refrigerator may be sucked into the heat dissipation fan 5 through the outer suction hole 83 . The air sucked into the outer suction hole 83 may be heated by heat exchange in the heat sink 33 , and may be guided to the rear heat dissipation passage 91 . This will be described in detail later.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a blocking member 85 for blocking a gap 86 (refer to FIG. 17 ) between the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 .

The blocking member 85 may have a ring shape. Preferably, the blocking member 85 may have a rectangular annular shape. The blocking member 85 may be formed by combining a plurality of members.

The blocking member 85 may have a porous material. For example, the material of the blocking member may be ethylene propylene (EPDM: Ethylene propylene).

Since the blocking member 85 having a porous material has excellent sound absorption and absorption performance, it is possible to effectively reduce vibration and noise generated by the operation of the heat dissipation fan.

The blocking member 85 may be disposed to be in contact with the heat dissipation cover 8 . The blocking member 85 may be disposed to be in contact with the front surface of the heat dissipation cover 8 . It is also possible that the blocking member 85 is disposed so as to be in contact with the inner circumference of the cover through hole (81a).

The blocking member 85 may be disposed to be in contact with the cover part 81 and/or the suction grill 82 . When the blocking member 85 is in contact with the cover portion 81 , the blocking member 85 may contact the recessed portion 84 .

The blocking member 85 may block the gap 86 (refer to FIG. 17 ) between the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the air heated by the heat sink 33 of the thermoelectric module 3 from flowing into the gap 86 between the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 and sucked into the heat dissipation fan 5 . . The blocking member 85 may form a passage for air sucked through the plurality of outer suction holes 83 of the heat dissipation cover 8 . Accordingly, the air passing through the plurality of outer suction holes 83 of the heat dissipation cover 8 may pass through the heat dissipation fan 5 after passing through the passage formed by the blocking member 85 .

On the other hand, the door 2 can open and close the storage compartment (S). The door 2 may be coupled to the body 1 , and the coupling method and number thereof are not limited. For example, the door 2 may be a single one-way door or a plurality of two-way doors that can be opened and closed by a hinge. Hereinafter, a case in which the door 2 is a drawer-type door that is slidably connected in the front-rear direction from the main body 1 will be described as an example.

The door 2 may be coupled to the front surface of the body 1 . The door 2 may cover the open front of the inner case 10 , thereby opening and closing the storage compartment S.

The door 2 may be formed of a wood material, but is not limited thereto.

The vertical height of the door 2 may be lower than the height of the outer cabinet 12 . The lower end of the door 2 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner bottom of the outer cabinet 12 .

Between the lower end of the door 2 and the lower end of the outer cabinet 12 , a heat dissipation passage outlet 90 communicating with the lower heat dissipation passage 92 (refer to FIG. 16 ) may be formed.

The door 2 may be coupled to the body 1 in a sliding manner. A pair of sliding members 20 may be provided in the door 2 , and the sliding members 20 may be slidably fastened to a pair of sliding rails 19 provided in the storage compartment S to be slidable. Accordingly, the door 2 can be slid back and forth while maintaining a state facing the open front of the inner case 10 .

The sliding rail 19 may be provided on the left inner surface and the right inner surface of the inner case 10 . The sliding rail 19 may be provided at a position closer to the bottom surface than the top surface of the inner case 10 .

The user may open the storage compartment S by pulling the door 1 and may close the storage compartment S by pushing the door 2 .

On the other hand, the refrigerator may include at least one accommodating member (6) (7) disposed in the storage compartment (S).

The types of the housing members 6 and 7 are not limited. For example, the receiving members 6 and 7 may be shelves or drawers. Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to the case where the housing members 6 and 7 are drawers.

Food can be placed or accommodated in the accommodating members 6 and 7 .

Each of the housing members 6 and 7 may be configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction. At least one pair of accommodating member rails corresponding to the number of accommodating members 6 and 7 may be provided on the left and right inner surfaces of the inner case 10, and each accommodating member 6 and 7 is It may be slidably fastened to the member rail.

The housing members 6 and 7 may be configured to move together with the door 2 . For example, the housing members 6 and 7 may be detachably coupled to the door 2 by a magnet. In this case, when the user pulls the door 2 to open the storage compartment S, the accommodating members 6 and 7 may move forward along the door 2 . It is also possible that the housing members 6 and 7 are configured to move independently without moving together with the door 2 .

The storage members 6 and 7 may be horizontally disposed in the storage chamber S.

The upper surfaces of the accommodating members 6 and 7 may be opened, and food may be accommodated in the accommodating members 6 and 7 .

The accommodating members 6 and 7 may include a first accommodating member 6 and a second accommodating member 7 . The first accommodating member 6 may be disposed below the second accommodating member 7 .

The lengths in the front-rear direction of the first accommodating member 6 and the second accommodating member 7 may be the same or different from each other. In addition, the vertical height of the first accommodating member 6 and the second accommodating member 7 may be the same or different from each other.

On the other hand, the thermoelectric module 3 may cool the storage chamber (S). The thermoelectric module 3 may utilize the Peltier effect to keep the temperature of the storage chamber S low.

The thermoelectric module 3 may be disposed in front of the heat dissipation cover 8 .

The thermoelectric module 3 may include a thermoelectric element 31 (refer to FIG. 6 ), a cooling sink 32 (refer to FIG. 6 ), and a heat sink 33 (refer to FIG. 6 ).

The thermoelectric element 31 may include a low temperature part and a high temperature part, and the low temperature part and the high temperature part may be determined according to a direction of a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 31 . Also, a temperature difference between the low-temperature portion and the high-temperature portion may be determined according to a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 31 .

The thermoelectric element 31 may be disposed between the cooling sink 32 and the heat sink 33 , and may contact the cooling sink 32 and the heat sink 33 , respectively.

The low temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 31 may contact the cooling sink 32 , and the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 31 may contact the heat sink 33 .

A detailed configuration of the thermoelectric module 3 will be described later in detail.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator may further include a cooling fan 4 for circulating air to the cooling sink 32 of the thermoelectric module 3 and the storage compartment S. The refrigerator may further include a heat dissipation fan 5 for flowing external air to the heat sink 33 of the thermoelectric module 3 .

The cooling fan 4 may be disposed in front of the thermoelectric module 3 , and the heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed in the rear of the thermoelectric module 3 . The cooling fan 4 may be disposed to face the cooling sink 32 in the front-rear direction, and the heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed to face the heat sink 33 in the front-rear direction.

The cooling fan 4 may be disposed inside the inner case 10 . The cooling fan 4 may flow the air in the storage chamber S to the cooling passage S1 (refer to FIG. 16 ), and the low-temperature air heat-exchanged with the cooling sink 32 disposed in the cooling passage S1 is returned to the storage chamber It flows to (S) to keep the temperature in the storage chamber (S) low.

The heat dissipation fan 5 may suck in external air through the outer suction hole 83 formed in the heat dissipation cover 8 . In more detail, the heat dissipation fan 5 may suck in external air through the outer suction hole 83 formed in the suction grill 82 .

The air sucked in by the heat dissipation fan 5 may exchange heat with the heat sink 33 located between the back plate 14 and the heat dissipation cover 8 to radiate heat from the heat sink 33 . The high-temperature air heat-exchanged with the heat sink 33 is sequentially guided to the rear heat dissipation flow path 91 (refer to FIG. 16) and the lower heat dissipation flow path 92 (refer to FIG. 16), and the heat dissipation flow path outlet 90 located below the door 2 ) can be extracted.

The heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed to face the suction grill 82 . The heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed to face the outer suction hole 83 .

Detailed configurations of the cooling fan 4 and the heat dissipation fan 5 will be described in detail later.

5 is a perspective view showing the thermoelectric module and the heat dissipation fan according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric module and the heat dissipation fan shown in FIG. 5 , and FIG. 7 is the thermoelectric module shown in FIG. 5 and an exploded perspective view of the heat dissipation fan viewed from a different direction, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermoelectric module and a heat dissipation fan according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fixing pin according to an embodiment of the present invention , FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the configuration in which the thermoelectric module and the heat dissipation fan are fixed by the fixing pins, FIG. 11 is a plan view for explaining the configuration in which the thermoelectric module and the heat dissipation fan are fixed by the fixing pins, and FIG. 12 is It is a front view of a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a configuration in which the thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a thermoelectric module holder, and FIG. 14 is an embodiment of the present invention It is a cutaway perspective view when the thermoelectric module according to the example is mounted on the inner case and the thermoelectric module holder.

Hereinafter, detailed configurations of the thermoelectric module 3 and the heat dissipation fan 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 14 .

The thermoelectric module 3 may utilize the Peltier effect to keep the temperature of the storage chamber S low. The thermoelectric module 3 includes a thermoelectric element 31 , a cooling sink 32 , and a heat sink 33 .

The thermoelectric element 31 may be disposed between the cooling sink 32 and the heat sink 33 , and may contact the cooling sink 32 and the heat sink 33 , respectively. The low temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 31 may contact the cooling sink 32 , and the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 32 may contact the heat sink 33 .

The thermoelectric element 31 may include a fuse 35 , and when an overvoltage is applied to the thermoelectric element, the fuse 35 may block the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 31 .

The cooling sink 32 may be a cooling heat exchanger connected to the low temperature part of the thermoelectric element 31 , and may cool the storage chamber S. In addition, the heat sink 33 may be a heating heat exchanger connected to the high temperature part of the thermoelectric element 31 , and may radiate heat absorbed by the cooling sink 33 .

The thermoelectric module 3 may be disposed in front of the heat dissipation cover 8 . The cooling sink 32 may be disposed closer to the inner case 10 than the heat sink 33 . The cooling sink 32 may be disposed in front of the thermoelectric element 31 . The cooling sink 32 may be in contact with the low temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 31 to be maintained at a low temperature.

In addition, the heat sink 33 may be disposed closer to the heat dissipation cover 8 to be described later than the cooling sink 32 . The heat sink 33 may be in contact with the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 31 to be maintained at a high temperature. The heat sink 33 may be disposed below the control unit 18a to be described later.

In the thermoelectric module 3 , any one of the thermoelectric element 31 , the cooling sink 32 , and the heat sink 33 may be disposed to pass through the through hole 14a. The thermoelectric module 3 may be disposed such that the heat sink 33 passes through the through hole 14a. In this case, the thermoelectric element 31 and the cooling sink 32 may be located in front of the through hole 14a, and a portion of the heat sink 33 may be located in the rear of the through hole 14a.

The cooling sink 32 may include a cooling plate 32a and a cooling fin 32b.

The cooling plate 32a may be disposed to contact the thermoelectric element 31 . A portion of the cooling plate 32a may be inserted into the heat transfer element accommodating hole formed in the heat insulating member 37 to contact the thermoelectric element 31 . The cooling plate 32a may be positioned between the cooling fins 32b and the thermoelectric element 31, and the cooling plate 32a is in contact with the low-temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 31 to transfer heat from the cooling fins 32b to the thermoelectric element ( 31) can be transferred to the low-temperature part.

The cooling plate 32a may be formed of a material having high thermal conductivity. The cooling plate 32a may be located in the thermoelectric module mounting hole 10b of the inner case 10 .

The cooling sink 32 may be disposed to block the thermoelectric module mounting hole 10b of the inner case 10 . Preferably, the cooling plate 32a may block the thermoelectric module mounting hole 10b of the inner case 10 .

The cooling fins 32b may be disposed to contact the cooling plate 32a. The cooling fins 32b may be formed to protrude from one surface of the cooling plate 32a.

The cooling fins 32b may be located in front of the cooling plate 32a. At least a part of the cooling fins 32b may be located in the cooling passage S1 in the thermoelectric module mounting part 10a, and may heat exchange with air in the cooling passage S1 to cool the air.

The cooling fin 32b may have a plurality of fins to increase the heat exchange area with air. The cooling fins 32b may be formed to guide air in a vertical direction. Each of the plurality of fins constituting the cooling fins 33b may be configured as a vertical plate having a left side and a right side and disposed long in a vertical direction.

The cooling fins 32b may be disposed to be positioned between the fan 42 of the cooling fan 4 and the thermoelectric element 31 , and the air blown from the fan 42 of the cooling fan 4 is discharged through the upper discharge hole. (45) and the lower discharge hole (46) can be guided. The air blown by the fan 42 of the cooling fan 4 may be guided to the cooling fins 32b and dispersed up and down.

The heat sink 33 may include a heat dissipation plate 33a, a heat dissipation pipe 33b, and a heat dissipation fin 33c.

The heat dissipation plate 33a may be disposed to contact the thermoelectric element 31 . A portion of the heat dissipation plate 33a may be inserted into the device mounting hole formed in the heat insulating member 37 to contact the thermoelectric device 31 . The heat dissipation plate 33a may be in contact with the high temperature portion of the thermoelectric element 31 to conduct heat to the heat dissipation pipe 33b and the heat dissipation fins 33c.

The heat dissipation plate 33a may be formed of a material having high thermal conductivity.

At least one of the heat dissipation plate 33a and the heat dissipation fins 33c may be disposed in the through hole 14a of the back plate 14 .

The heat dissipation pipe 33b may be a heat pipe in which a heat transfer fluid is embedded. A portion of the heat dissipation pipe 33b may be disposed through the heat dissipation plate 33a, and another portion may be disposed through the heat dissipation fin 33c.

In a portion of the heat dissipation pipe 33b in contact with the heat dissipation plate 33a, the heat transfer fluid inside the heat dissipation pipe 33b may be evaporated, and in a portion in contact with the heat dissipation fin 33c, the heat transfer fluid may be condensed. The heat transfer fluid circulates in the heat dissipation pipe 33b due to a density difference and/or gravity, and may conduct heat from the heat dissipation plate 33a to the heat dissipation fins 33c.

The heat dissipation fin 33c is capable of being in contact with at least one of the heat dissipation plate 33a and the heat dissipation pipe 33b, and is spaced apart from the heat dissipation plate 33a and is connected to the heat dissipation plate 33a through the heat dissipation pipe 33b. It is also possible When the heat dissipation fins 33a are disposed in contact with the heat dissipation plate 33a, the heat dissipation pipe 33b may be omitted.

The heat dissipation fin 33c may include a plurality of fins vertically disposed on the heat dissipation pipe 33b.

The heat dissipation fins 33c may guide the air blown by the heat dissipation fan 5 , and the air guide direction of the heat dissipation fins 33c may be different from the air guide direction of the cooling fins 32b . For example, when the cooling fins 32b guide air in the vertical direction, the heat dissipation fins 33c may guide the air in the left and right directions.

The heat dissipation fins 33c may be formed to guide air in a horizontal direction (especially, the left and right directions among the front and rear directions and the left and right directions), and each of the plurality of fins constituting the heat dissipation fin 33c has an upper surface and a lower surface It is preferable to consist of horizontal plates arranged long in the horizontal direction.

When the heat dissipation fins 33c are formed to be long in the vertical direction, there may be a large amount of air flowing toward the control unit 18a among the air guided by the heat dissipation fins 33c. On the other hand, when the heat dissipation fins 33c are formed to be long in the horizontal direction as described above, air flowing toward the control unit 18a among the air guided by the heat dissipation fins 33c may be minimized.

The heat dissipation plate 33a may be located between the heat dissipation fin 33c and the thermoelectric element 31 , and the heat dissipation fin 33c may be located at the rear of the heat dissipation plate 33a.

The heat dissipation fins 33c may be located at the rear of the back plate 14 . The heat dissipation fins 33c may be positioned between the back plate 14 and the heat dissipation cover 8 , and may be heat-exchanged with external air sucked by the heat dissipation fan 5 to radiate heat.

The thermoelectric module 3 may further include a module frame 34 and a heat insulating member 37 .

The module frame 34 may have a box shape. The module frame 34 may have a space in which the heat insulating member 37 and the thermoelectric element 31 are accommodated therein. The module frame 34 and the heat insulating member 37 may protect the thermoelectric element 31 .

The module frame 34 may be formed of a material capable of minimizing heat loss due to heat conduction. For example, the module frame 34 may have a non-metal material such as plastic. The module frame 34 may prevent heat from the heat sink 33 from being conducted to the cooling sink 32 .

A gasket 36 may be provided on the front surface of the module frame 34 . The gasket 36 may have an elastic material such as rubber. The gasket 36 may be formed in a rectangular ring shape, but is not limited thereto. The gasket 36 may be a sealing member.

The gasket 36 may be disposed so as to be in contact with the back surface of the thermoelectric module mounting part 10a and/or the periphery of the thermoelectric module mounting hole 10b. The gasket 36 may be disposed between the module frame 34 and the thermoelectric module mounting portion 10a and compressed in the front and rear directions.

The gasket 36 may prevent the cool air of the cooling passage S1 in the thermoelectric module mounting portion 10a from leaking into a gap between the thermoelectric module mounting hole 11b and the cooling sink 32 .

The module frame 34 may be provided with a fastening part 34a. The fastening part 34 may be formed to extend outwardly from at least a portion of the periphery of the module frame 34 . The fastening part 34 may be formed to extend outwardly from the left and right surfaces of the module frame 34 , respectively.

The fastening part 34a may include a boss 34b. A thread may be formed inside the boss 34b, and a fastening member such as a bolt may be fastened thereto. The fastening member may be coupled to the fastening portion 34a of the module frame 34 through a fastening hole 10c formed in the inner case 10 inside the inner case 10 , and in more detail, the fastening member may be coupled to the fastening part 34a of the module frame 34 . It may be coupled to the boss 34b of the portion 34a. As a result, the thermoelectric module 3 and the inner case 10 can be securely fastened, and the cold air in the inner case 10 can be prevented from leaking.

The heat insulating member 37 may be disposed to surround the outer circumference of the thermoelectric element 31 . The heat insulating member 37 may be disposed to surround the upper surface, the left surface, the lower surface, and the right surface of the thermoelectric element 31 . The thermoelectric element 31 may be located in the heat insulating member 37 . The heat insulating member 37 may be provided with a thermoelectric element accommodating hole open in the front and rear directions, and the thermoelectric element 31 may be located in the thermoelectric element accommodating hole.

The thickness of the heat insulating member 37 in the front-rear direction may be thicker than the thickness of the thermoelectric element 31 .

The heat insulating member 37 may prevent heat from being conducted to the periphery of the thermoelectric element 31 in the thermoelectric element 31 , thereby increasing the efficiency of the thermoelectric element 31 . That is, the periphery of the thermoelectric element 31 may be surrounded by the heat insulating member 37 , and transfer of heat generated from the heat sink 33 to the cooling sink 32 may be minimized.

The heat insulating member 37 may be disposed inside the module frame 34 together with the thermoelectric element 31 , and may be protected by the module frame 34 . The module frame 34 may be disposed to surround the outer periphery of the heat insulating member 37 .

The refrigerator may further include a thermoelectric module holder 11 (refer to FIG. 3 ) for fixing the thermoelectric module 3 to the inner case 10 and/or the back plate 14 .

The thermoelectric module holder 11 may couple the thermoelectric module 3 to the inner case 10 and/or the back plate 14 .

The thermoelectric module holder 11 may be coupled to the thermoelectric module mounting portion 10a and/or the back plate 14 of the inner case 10 by a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw.

The thermoelectric module holder 11 may block the through hole 14a of the back plate 14 together with the thermoelectric module 3 .

A hollow part 11a may be provided in the thermoelectric module holder 11 . The hollow portion 11a may be formed so that a part of the thermoelectric module holder 11 protrudes forward.

The module frame 34 may be inserted and fitted into the hollow portion 11a , and the hollow portion 11a may wrap around the module frame 34 .

The front portion of the thermoelectric module 3 may be located in front of the through hole 14a of the back plate 14 , and the rear portion of the thermoelectric module 3 may be located in the rear of the through hole 14a of the back plate 14 . .

The thermoelectric module 3 may further include a sensor 39 . The sensor 39 may be disposed on the cooling sink 32 . The sensor 39 may be a temperature sensor or a defrost sensor.

Meanwhile, the heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed at the rear of the thermoelectric module 3 . The heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed to face the heat sink 33 at the rear of the heat sink 33 , and may blow external air to the heat sink 33 .

The heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed to face the suction grill 82 . The heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed to face the outer suction hole 83 .

The heat dissipation fan 5 may include a fan 52 and a shroud 51 disposed around the fan 52 . The fan 52 of the heat dissipation fan 5 may be an axial fan.

The heat dissipation fan 5 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the heat sink 33 . Accordingly, the flow resistance of the air blown by the heat dissipation fan 5 is minimized, and heat exchange efficiency in the heat sink 33 can be increased.

At least one fixing pin 53 may be provided in the heat dissipation fan 5 . The fixing pins 53 may be in contact with the heat sink 33 , and may be spaced apart from the heat sink 33 and fixed to the heat sink 33 at the same time.

The fixing pin 53 may be formed of a material having low thermal conductivity, such as rubber or silicone.

The fixing pin 53 may include a head portion 53a, a body portion 53b, a fixing portion 53c, and an extension portion 53d.

The head part 53a may be in contact with the heat sink 33 . In more detail, the head part 53a may be in contact with the heat dissipation pipe 33b and/or the heat dissipation fin 33c of the heat sink 33 .

In the heat dissipation fin 33c, a groove 33d may be formed in a portion through which the heat pipe 33b is disposed. The grooves 33d formed in the heat dissipation fins 33c may be elongated in the vertical direction.

The head portion 53a of the fixing pin 53 may be disposed to be inserted into the groove 33d of the heat dissipation fin 33c.

The head portion 53a may have a larger diameter than the body portion 53b.

The body part 53b may be disposed on the heat dissipation fan 5 . In more detail, the body portion 53b may be disposed in a fixing pin through hole formed in the shroud 53 .

A length in the front-rear direction of the body portion 53b may be the same as a thickness in the front-rear direction of the heat dissipation fan 5 . The body part 53b may be positioned between the head part 53a and the fixing part 53c.

The fixing part 53c may have a larger diameter than the body part 53b. The fixing part 53c may be fixed after the fixing pin 53 penetrates the shroud 51 of the heat dissipation fan 5 . The fixing part 53c may be fixed in contact with the rear surface of the shroud 51 .

The extension part 53d may be formed to extend backward from the fixing part 53c. The diameter of the extension portion 53d may be smaller than or equal to that of the fixing portion 53c. A screw thread may be formed on the outer periphery of the extension portion 53d.

The extension 53d may be coupled to the heat dissipation cover 8 or penetrate the heat dissipation cover 8 .

The heat dissipation fan 5 may suck in external air through the outer suction hole 83 formed in the suction grill 82 of the heat dissipation cover 8 . The air sucked in by the heat dissipation fan 5 may radiate heat from the heat sink 33 while exchanging heat with the heat sink 33 positioned between the back plate 14 and the heat dissipation cover 8 .

15 is a perspective view illustrating a cooling fan according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the cooling fan 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 15 .

The cooling fan 4 may be disposed in front of the thermoelectric module 3 and may be disposed to face the cooling sink 32 .

The cooling fan 4 may circulate air to the cooling passage S1 and the storage chamber S. Forced convection may be made between the cooling flow path S1 and the storage chamber S by the cooling fan 4 . The cooling fan 4 may flow the air in the storage chamber S to the cooling passage S1, and the low-temperature air heat-exchanged with the cooling sink 32 disposed in the cooling passage S1 is returned to the storage chamber S. It is possible to keep the temperature in the storage chamber (S) low by flowing.

The cooling fan 4 may include a fan cover 41 and a fan 42 .

The fan cover 41 may be disposed inside the inner case 10 . The fan cover 41 may be vertically disposed. The fan cover 41 may partition the storage compartment S and the cooling passage S1 . A storage compartment S may be positioned at the front of the fan cover 41 , and a cooling flow path S1 may be positioned at the rear of the fan cover 41 .

An inner suction hole 44 and an inner discharge hole 45 and 46 may be formed in the fan cover 41 .

The number, size, and shape of the inner suction hole 44 and the inner discharge hole 45 and 46 may vary as needed.

The inner discharge holes 45 and 46 may include an upper discharge hole 45 and a lower discharge hole 46 . The upper discharge hole 45 may be formed above the inner suction hole 44 , and the lower discharge hole 46 may be formed below the inner suction hole 44 . There is an advantage that the temperature distribution of the storage chamber (S) can be uniform by the above configuration.

The area of the upper discharge hole 45 and the area of the lower discharge hole 46 may be the same as each other.

The distance G1 between the upper end 46a of the lower discharge hole 46 and the lower end 44b of the inner suction hole 44 is the lower end 45b of the upper discharge hole 45 and the upper end of the inner suction hole 44 It may be formed closer than the distance G2 between the (44a). That is, the inner suction hole 44 may be formed at a position closer to the lower discharge hole 46 than the upper discharge hole 45 .

The area of the inner suction hole 44 may vary depending on the size of the fan 41 , and the area of the inner discharge hole 45 and 46 may be formed in a constant ratio to the area of the inner suction hole 44 .

The area of the inner discharge holes 45 and 46 may be larger than the area of the inner suction hole 44 . Preferably, the area of the inner discharge holes 45 and 46 may be 1.3 times or more and 1.5 times or less the area of the inner suction hole 44 .

The fan cover 41 may include a fan accommodating part 47 . The fan accommodating part 47 may be formed so that a part of the front surface of the fan cover 41 protrudes forward, and a fan accommodating space may be formed in the fan accommodating part 47 . At least a portion of the fan 42 may be disposed in a fan accommodating space formed in the fan accommodating part 47 . The inner suction hole 44 may be formed in the fan receiving part 47 .

The fan 42 may be disposed in the cooling passage S1 , and may be disposed behind the fan cover 41 . The fan cover 41 may cover the fan 42 from the front.

The fan 42 may be disposed to face the cooling sink 32 . The fan 42 may be disposed between the inner suction hole 44 and the cooling sink 32 .

The fan 42 may be disposed to face the inner suction hole 44 . When the fan 42 is driven, the air inside the storage chamber S is sucked into the cooling passage S1 through the inner suction hole 44 to be cooled by heat exchange with the cooling sink 32 of the thermoelectric module 3 . . The cooled air may be discharged to the storage chamber S through the inner discharge holes 45 and 46, whereby the temperature of the storage chamber S may be maintained at a low temperature.

In more detail, a portion of the air cooled by the cooling sink 32 may be guided upward and discharged to the storage chamber S through the upper discharge hole 45 , and another portion may be guided downward and discharged to the lower discharge hole 46 . ) through the storage chamber (S) can be discharged.

16 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric module of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a front view of a heat dissipation cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. to be.

16 to 18 , at least a portion of each of the inner suction hole 44 and the lower discharge hole 46 may face between the first storage member 6 and the second storage member 7 . In addition, at least a portion of the upper discharge hole 45 may face between the upper surface of the storage chamber 10 and the second storage member (7).

The lower end 46b of the lower discharge hole 46 may be located at the rear upper side of the first accommodating member 6 . In more detail, the lower end 46b of the lower discharge hole 46 may be located at the rear upper side of the upper end 63 on the rear side of the first accommodating member 6 .

The rear surface 61 of the first accommodating member 6 may be disposed to face the bottom of the lower discharge hole 46 with respect to the horizontal direction, and the lower discharge hole 46 may be disposed to face the bottom of the lower discharge hole 46 with respect to the horizontal direction. ) and may not overlap. That is, the first accommodating member 6 may be disposed so as not to cover the lower discharge hole 46 in the horizontal direction.

Accordingly, the flow of low-temperature air discharged to the lower discharge hole 46 may not be disturbed by the first storage member 6 , so that the air circulation inside the storage chamber S may be smooth. In addition, since the low-temperature air descends, the food stored in the first storage member 6 can be maintained at a low temperature.

In order to further facilitate air circulation in the storage chamber S, the lower discharge hole 46 and the first accommodating member 6 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. The lower end 46b of the lower discharge hole 46 and the first accommodating member 6 are spaced apart by a first horizontal distance D1 in the horizontal direction, and at the same time a first vertical distance H1 in the vertical direction. ) can be spaced apart.

In more detail, the first horizontal separation distance D1 may mean a horizontal distance between an extension line extending vertically upward from the rear surface 61 of the first storage member 6 and the lower discharge hole 46 . . The first vertical separation distance H1 may mean a vertical distance between an extension line horizontally extending forward from the lower end 46b of the lower discharge hole 46 and the upper end 60 of the first storage member 6 . have.

The first horizontal separation distance D1 may mean a separation distance between the rear surface of the storage chamber S and the first storage member. In this case, the rear surface of the storage compartment S may be the front surface of the fan cover 41 . The first vertical separation distance H1 may be a height difference between the lower end 46b of the lower discharge hole 46 and the upper end 60 of the first accommodating member 6 .

A portion of the upper discharge hole 45 may overlap the second accommodating member 7 in the horizontal direction. In more detail, a portion of the upper side of the upper discharge hole 45 may face between the upper end 70 of the second storage member 7 and the upper surface of the storage unit S, and the lower portion of the upper discharge hole 45 is The rear surface 71 of the second storage member 7 may face each other.

The upper end 45a of the upper discharge hole 45 may be located at the rear upper side of the rear upper end 73 of the second storage member 7 .

Accordingly, compared to the case where the upper discharge hole 45 does not overlap the second accommodating member 7 in the horizontal direction, the height of the storage compartment S can be lowered, and the refrigerator can be compactly formed.

In addition, as described above, in the fan cover 41 , the inner suction hole 44 may be formed closer to the lower discharge hole 46 than the upper discharge hole 45 . Accordingly, the height of the storage chamber S for satisfying the positional relationship between the accommodating members 6 and 7 and the inner suction hole 44 and the inner discharge hole 45 and 46 described above can be further lowered.

At least a portion of the rear surface 71 of the second storage member 7 may be inclined upward. A portion of the rear surface 71 of the second storage member 7 facing the upper discharge hole 45 may be a sloped surface 72 formed to be inclined upward. A lower portion of the upper discharge hole 45 may face the inclined surface 72 .

The inclined surface 72 may guide the low-temperature air discharged through the upper discharge hole 45 to the upper side of the second accommodating member 7 . Accordingly, the food stored in the second storage member 7 can be maintained at a low temperature.

In order to further facilitate air circulation in the storage chamber S, the upper discharge hole 45 and the second storage member 7 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. The upper end 45a of the upper discharge hole 45 and the second accommodating member 7 are spaced apart by a second horizontal distance D2 in the horizontal direction, and at the same time, a second vertical distance H2 in the vertical direction. ) can be spaced apart.

In more detail, the second horizontal separation distance D2 may mean a horizontal distance between the rear surface 71 of the second accommodating member 7 and the upper discharge hole 45 . The second vertical separation distance H2 may mean a vertical distance between an extension line horizontally extending forward from the upper end 45a of the upper discharge hole 45 and the upper end 70 of the second storage member 7 . have.

The second horizontal direction separation distance D2 may mean a separation distance between the rear surface of the storage chamber S and the second storage member 7 . In this case, the rear surface of the storage compartment S may be the front surface of the fan cover 41 . The second vertical separation distance H2 may be a height difference between the upper end 45a of the upper discharge hole 45 and the upper end 60 of the second storage member 7 .

The second horizontal separation distance D2 between the rear surface 71 of the second storage member 7 and the upper discharge hole 45 is the rear surface 61 of the first storage member 6 and the lower discharge hole 46 ) may be longer than the first horizontal separation distance D1 between them. Unlike the first accommodating member 6, since the second accommodating member 7 faces a part of the upper discharge hole 45 with respect to the horizontal direction, an additional separation distance for air circulation of the storage chamber S is required. Because. Accordingly, the length in the front-rear direction of the first accommodating member 6 may be longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the second accommodating member 7 .

The inner suction hole 44 may face between the first accommodating member 6 and the second accommodating member 7 . The inner suction hole 44 may not overlap the second accommodating member 7 in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the air flow to the inner suction hole 44 is smoothed and the temperature of the storage compartment S is lowered, thereby improving the refrigeration performance of the refrigerator.

The vertical height of the second accommodating member 7 may be lower than the vertical height F1 of the first accommodating member. Due to this configuration, food having a high height such as a bottle can be accommodated in the first storage member 6 , and food having a relatively low height can be accommodated in the second storage member 7 .

Meanwhile, heat dissipation passages 91 and 92 and cooling passages S1 may be formed in the refrigerator. A cooling sink 32 may be disposed in the cooling passage S1 , and a heat sink 33 may be disposed in the heat dissipation flow passages 91 and 92 . The cooling passage S1 may communicate with the storage chamber S, and the heat dissipation passages 91 and 92 may communicate with the outside of the body 1 .

The air in the storage chamber S may be guided to the cooling passage S1 by the driving of the cooling fan 4 , and may be cooled by heat exchange with the cooling sink 32 .

The cooling passage S1 may be located inside the inner case 10 . In more detail, the cooling flow path S1 may be located inside the thermoelectric module mounting part 10a. The cooling flow path S1 may be formed by the rear surface of the fan cover 41 and the inner surface of the thermoelectric module mounting part 10a.

The cooling passage S1 may communicate with the inner suction hole 44 and the inner discharge hole 45 , 46 . The cooling sink 32 may be disposed to face the fan 42 . The cooling passage S1 may guide the air sucked into the inner suction hole 44 to the inner discharge holes 45 and 46 .

The outside air may be guided to the heat dissipation passages 91 and 92 by the driving of the heat dissipation fan 5 , and may be heated by heat exchange with the heat sink 33 .

The heat dissipation passages 91 and 92 may be located outside the inner case 10 .

The heat dissipation flow paths 91 and 92 may include a rear heat dissipation flow path 91 located at the rear of the inner case 10 and a lower heat dissipation flow path 92 located at a lower side of the inner case 10 .

The rear heat dissipation flow path 91 may be positioned between the back plate 14 and the heat dissipation cover 8 . The rear heat dissipation flow path 91 may be formed by the rear surface of the back plate 14 and the inner surface of the heat dissipation cover 8 .

The heat sink 33 may be disposed in the rear heat dissipation passage 91 . The heat sink 33 may be disposed to face the heat dissipation fan 5 . At least a portion of the rear heat dissipation flow path 91 may be a machine room.

The rear heat dissipation flow path 91 may communicate with the outer suction hole 83 . The rear heat dissipation flow path 91 may guide air sucked into the outer suction hole 83 by the heat dissipation fan 5 to the lower heat dissipation flow path 92 .

The lower heat dissipation flow path 92 may be positioned between the cabinet bottom 15 and the outer cabinet 12 . The lower heat dissipation flow path 92 may communicate with the rear heat dissipation flow path 91 .

The lower heat dissipation flow path 92 may guide the air flowing in the rear heat dissipation flow path 91 to the heat dissipation flow path outlet 90 under the door 2 .

Meanwhile, the PCB cover 18 may cover the control unit 18a. The controller 18a may include an electronic component such as a PCB board. The control unit 18a may receive and store the measured values of each sensor provided in the refrigerator. The controller 18a may control the thermoelectric module 3 , the cooling fan 4 , and the heat dissipation fan 5 . The control unit 18a may further control additional components as necessary.

The control unit 18a may be located above the heat sink 33 and/or the heat dissipation fan 5, and a barrier 18b is formed between the heat sink 33 and/or the heat dissipation fan 5 and the control unit 18a. may be provided. That is, the barrier 18b may be located below the control unit 18a. The barrier 18b may prevent the controller 18a from being overheated by the heat emitted from the heat sink 33 . Also, the barrier 18b may prevent the air heated in the heat sink 33 from flowing to the controller 18a.

The barrier 18b may be mounted to the heat dissipation cover 8 and/or the back plate 14 . Alternatively, the barrier 18b may be mounted on the PCB cover 18 or may be formed integrally with the PCB cover 18 .

The PCB cover 18 may be disposed above or in front of the heat dissipation cover 8 . The PCB cover 18 may cover the rear and/or upper side of the control unit 18a.

The PCB cover 18 may be disposed below the top cover 13 , and may be disposed at the rear of the inner case 10 . In addition, the PCB cover 18 may be located above the heat sink 33 and/or the heat dissipation fan 5 of the thermoelectric module 3 to be described later.

For example, when the upper end of the heat dissipation cover 8 is spaced apart from the top cover 13 , the PCB cover 18 may cover the rear of the control unit 18a. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the control unit 18a from being exposed to the rear of the main body 1 .

On the other hand, when the upper end of the heat dissipation cover 8 is in contact with the top cover 13, the control unit 18a is not exposed to the rear of the main body 1 by the heat dissipation cover 8, so the PCB cover 18 is the control unit ( The upper side of 18a) may be covered, and the rear side may not be covered.

Meanwhile, the blocking member 85 may block the gap 86 between the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 . In more detail, the blocking member 85 may block the gap 86 between the shroud 51 of the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 .

When the gap 86 between the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 is not blocked by the blocking member 85 , the air sucked into the heat dissipation fan 5 through the outer suction hole 83 is blown by the heat sink. to be heated in the heat sink 33 , and some of the air heated in the heat sink 33 flows into the gap 86 between the shroud 51 and the heat dissipation cover 8 to the heat dissipation fan 5 . Re-suction can result in flow disturbances. Such flow disturbance may generate low-frequency tone noise, and the already heated air may be blown back to the heat sink 33 , thereby reducing the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat sink 33 .

In the blocking member 85, the air heated by the heat sink 33 flows into the gap 86 between the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 and is sucked into the heat dissipation fan 5. Re-circulation. phenomenon can be prevented. Accordingly, there is an advantage that noise generated by flow disturbance can be reduced, and the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat sink 33 can be increased.

In addition, as described above, the blocking member 85 may have a porous material. Accordingly, the blocking member 85 can effectively reduce vibration and noise generated by the driving itself of the heat dissipation fan 5 .

The blocking member 85 may be disposed to contact each of the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 .

The blocking member 85 may be disposed to surround the outer circumference of the heat dissipation fan 5 . In more detail, the blocking member 85 may be disposed to surround the outer circumference of the shroud 51 . The blocking member 85 may be in contact with the shroud 51 .

The blocking member 85 may be disposed in contact with the heat dissipation cover 8 , and may be disposed in contact with the front surface of the heat dissipation cover 8 .

The blocking member 85 may be disposed to be in contact with the cover part 81 and/or the suction grill 82 . When the blocking member 85 is in contact with the cover portion 81 , the blocking member 85 may contact the recessed portion 84 .

The length L in the front-rear direction of the blocking member 85 may be longer than the thickness T. The length L in the front-rear direction of the blocking member 85 may be 15 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and the thickness T of the blocking member 85 may be 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

19 is a rear view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a portion of the suction grill shown in FIG. 19 .

19 and 20 , the outer suction hole 83 formed in the heat dissipation cover 8 may be formed in a plurality of perforated structures.

A plurality of outer suction holes 83 may be formed in the suction grill 82 . The outer suction hole 83 may be formed in a circular shape.

Table 1 is a table in which noise of a refrigerator according to an embodiment is measured.

heat dissipation cover condition Measure
location Cooling fan and heat dissipation fan conditions sleaze medium speed high speed Suction grill (82) not included, blocking member (85) included forward 17.9 19.1 19.9 rear 19.1 20.7 21.6 D=8mm, C=1mm suction grill (82), including blocking member (85) forward 18.1 19.2 20.2 rear 18.8 21.1 21.9 D=8mm, C=1.5mm suction grill (82), including blocking member (85) forward 18.4 19.7 20.5 rear 20.2 22.1 23.2 D=7mm, C=1mm suction grill (82), including blocking member (85) forward 18.5 19.8 20.7 rear 20.7 21.5 23.5 D=7mm, C=1.5mm suction grill (82), including blocking member (85) forward 18.8 20.5 21.3 rear 20.6 21.9 23.8

The unit of noise indicated in Table 1 is dBA. With respect to the noise measurement position, the measured noise was measured at a position 1 m away from the refrigerator and 1 m apart from the rear, respectively. In addition, with respect to the conditions of the cooling fan 4 and the heat dissipation fan 5, the cooling fan 4 is driven at 851 rpm and the heat dissipation fan 5 at 1807 rpm under the low speed condition, and the cooling fan 4 is operated at 922 rpm under the medium speed condition. , the heat dissipation fan 5 is driven at 1903 rpm, the cooling fan 4 is driven at 947 rpm, and the heat dissipation fan 5 is driven at 2001 rpm under high-speed conditions. In addition, the front-back direction length L of the blocking member 85 is 20mm, and the thickness T of the blocking member 85 is 10mm.

The refrigerator may have the smallest noise when the suction grill 82 is not included. However, it is preferable that the suction grill 82 is mounted for the safety of the user. Even if the suction grill 82 is mounted, it is preferable that the noise does not increase abruptly than when the suction grill 82 is not included.

Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the measured noise varies as the diameter D of the outer suction hole 83 formed in the suction grill 82 and the distance C of the outer suction space are varied. However, when the diameter (D) of the outer suction hole 83 is 7mm or 8mm and the distance (C) between the outer suction holes 83 is 1mm or 1.5mm, compared to the case where the suction grill 82 is not included. It can be seen that the noise is not significantly different.

Accordingly, the diameter D of the outer suction hole 83 may be 7 mm or more and 8 mm or less. A distance C between a pair of adjacent outer suction holes 83 among the plurality of outer suction holes 83 may be 1 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. A distance P between centers of a pair of outer suction holes 83 adjacent to each other among the plurality of outer suction holes 83 may be 7 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

Preferably, the diameter D of the outer suction hole 83 may be 8 mm, and the distance C between the pair of outer suction holes 83 adjacent to each other may be 1 mm.

21 is an enlarged view of a portion of the suction grill according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Since the refrigerator according to this embodiment is the same as the refrigerator according to the embodiment described above except for the suction grill 82, the overlapping content will be omitted and the differences will be mainly described.

The suction grill 82 may be a mesh composed of a plurality of wires 87 . The suction grill 82 may have a rectangular outer suction hole 83 formed between each wire 87 .

The wire 87 may include a first wire 87a and a second wire 87b. The first wire 87a and the second wire 87b may be disposed to cross each other. Any one of the outer suction holes 83 may be formed by a pair of first wires 87a adjacent to each other and a pair of second wires 87b adjacent to each other.

Preferably, the first wire 87a and the second wire 87b may be disposed orthogonally to each other, and the outer suction hole 83 may have a square shape.

Table 2 is a table in which noise of a refrigerator according to another embodiment is measured.

heat dissipation cover condition Measure
location Cooling fan and heat dissipation fan conditions sleaze medium speed high speed Suction grill (82) not included, blocking member (85) included forward 17.9 19.1 19.9 rear 19.1 20.7 21.6 B = 1mm suction grill (82), including blocking member (85) forward 18.5 19.5 20.6 rear 20.1 21.7 22.8 B = 1.6mm suction grill (82), including blocking member (85) forward 18.5 19.6 20.1 rear 20.4 21.2 22.2

The unit of noise indicated in Table 2 is dBA. With respect to the noise measurement position, the measured noise was measured at a position 1 m away from the refrigerator and 1 m apart from the rear, respectively. In addition, with respect to the conditions of the cooling fan 4 and the heat dissipation fan 5, the cooling fan 4 is driven at 851 rpm and the heat dissipation fan 5 at 1807 rpm under the low speed condition, and the cooling fan 4 is operated at 922 rpm under the medium speed condition. , the heat dissipation fan 5 is driven at 1903 rpm, the cooling fan 4 is driven at 947 rpm, and the heat dissipation fan 5 is driven at 2001 rpm under high-speed conditions. In addition, the front-back direction length L of the blocking member 85 is 20mm, and the thickness T of the blocking member 85 is 10mm. In addition, in the suction grill 82, 16 outer suction holes 83 composed of 4 rows and 4 columns are formed in an imaginary square having a unit length A of 1 inch, respectively, on a horizontal side and a vertical side.

Referring to Table 2, it can be seen that the measurement noise varies as the thickness B of the wire 87 constituting the suction grill 82 is changed. However, when the thickness (B) of the wire 87 is 1mm or 1.6mm, it can be seen that the measurement noise is not significantly different compared to the case in which the suction grill 82 is not included.

Accordingly, the thickness B of the wire 87 may be 1 mm or more and 1.6 mm or less.

In addition, 16 outer suction holes 83 composed of 4 rows and 4 columns per 1 square inch may be formed in the suction grill 82 .

22 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Since the refrigerator according to this embodiment is the same as the refrigerator according to the embodiment described above except for the blocking member 85 , the overlapping content will be omitted and the differences will be mainly described.

The blocking member 85 may be disposed between the heat dissipation cover 8 and the heat dissipation fan 5 . In more detail, the blocking member 85 may be disposed between the shroud 51 of the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 .

The blocking member 85 may be disposed to contact each of the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 . In more detail, the blocking member 85 may be disposed to be in contact with the rear surface of the shroud 51 , and may be disposed to be in contact with the front surface of the heat dissipation cover 8 .

According to this embodiment, since the blocking member 85 is disposed between the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8, the gap 86 between the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8 is more directly blocked. can In addition, since the blocking member 85 can be compressed in the front and rear directions by the heat dissipation fan 5 and the heat dissipation cover 8, respectively, the gap between the blocking member 85 and the heat dissipation fan 5 and the blocking member 85 and The gaps between the heat dissipation covers 8 can each be effectively sealed. Accordingly, the blocking member 85 can more effectively prevent flow disturbance.

In addition, since the blocking member 85 has a porous material, vibration caused by the driving of the heat dissipation fan 5 is absorbed by the blocking member 85 to prevent the vibration of the heat dissipation cover 8 .

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

1: body 10: inner case
3: thermoelectric module 31: thermoelectric element
32: cooling sink 33: heat sink
4: cooling fan 5: heat dissipation fan
51: shroud 52: fan
8: heat dissipation cover 81: cover part
82: suction grill 83: outer suction hole
84: recessed portion 85: blocking member

Claims (11)

an inner case having a storage compartment;
a thermoelectric module that cools the storage chamber and includes a thermoelectric element and a heat sink;
a heat dissipation fan disposed to face the heat sink;
a heat dissipation cover spaced apart from the inner case and having at least one outer suction hole facing the heat dissipation fan; and
and a blocking member blocking a gap between the heat dissipation cover and the heat dissipation fan,
The heat dissipation fan,
Pan; and
a shroud disposed around the fan;
The blocking member surrounds the circumference of the shroud while in contact with the shroud,
The blocking member is spaced apart from the heat sink. an inner case having a storage compartment;
a thermoelectric module for cooling the storage chamber, the thermoelectric module including a thermoelectric element, a cooling sink, and a heat sink;
a cooling fan disposed to face the cooling sink;
a heat dissipation fan disposed to face the heat sink;
a heat dissipation cover having a plurality of outer suction holes facing the heat dissipation fan; and
and a blocking member forming a passage for air sucked through the plurality of outer suction holes while blocking a gap between the heat dissipation cover and the heat dissipation fan,
The cooling fan, the cooling sink, the heat sink, the heat dissipation fan and the heat dissipation cover are sequentially disposed,
The air passing through the plurality of outer suction holes of the heat dissipation cover passes through the passage formed by the blocking member and then passes through the heat dissipation fan. The method of claim 1,
The blocking member is disposed to be in contact with each of the shroud and the heat dissipation cover. 3. The method of claim 2,
The heat dissipation fan, a fan; and
a shroud disposed around the fan;
The blocking member is disposed between the shroud and the heat dissipation cover. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The heat dissipation cover,
cover part; and
It is mounted on the cover portion and includes a suction grill having the outer suction hole formed therein,
The blocking member is disposed in contact with the cover portion. 6. The method of claim 5,
The suction grill is a mesh composed of a plurality of wires,
The thickness of the wire is 1mm or more and 1.6mm or less refrigerator. 6. The method of claim 5,
The cover part is formed to be recessed toward the rear and includes a recessed part on which the suction grill is mounted,
The blocking member is disposed in contact with the recessed portion. The method of claim 1,
The blocking member is a refrigerator made of a porous material. The method of claim 1,
The outer suction hole is a plurality,
A distance between a pair of adjacent outer suction holes among the outer suction holes is 1 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The method of claim 1,
The outer suction hole is a plurality,
A distance between centers between a pair of adjacent outer suction holes among the outer suction holes is 7 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The method of claim 1,
The outer suction hole is a plurality,
The outer suction hole is formed in a circular shape with a diameter of 7 mm or more and 8 mm or less.

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