KR102482405B1 - Food storage - Google Patents

Abstract

Food storage according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed; an evaporator installed inside the storage compartment to generate cold air; an inner door connected to the cabinet and opening and closing at least a portion of the storage compartment; an outer door connected to the cabinet and opening and closing a front surface of the inner door; and a storage unit provided on a rear surface of the outer door to provide a storage space, wherein at least a portion of the inner door is made of a transparent window, and even if the outer door is opened while the inner door is closed, the evaporator It is characterized in that the cold air generated in does not leak to the outside of the storage compartment.

Description

Food storage {Food storage}

The present invention relates to a food storage that can store food at room temperature or low temperature.

Various products for storing food are on the market.

For example, a refrigerator is a home appliance capable of storing food at a low temperature for a long period of time, and a pantry is understood as a storage cabinet for storing food at room temperature.

Among foods, there are cold-storage foods that must be stored at low temperatures, while room-temperature foods that can be stored at room temperature exist.

Room temperature, although not clearly defined, may mean a temperature of around 15 degrees to 25 degrees as an average temperature throughout the year.

As such, in the case of food stored at room temperature, it is not necessary to store it in a low temperature state, so it is stored indoors or in a storage cabinet such as a pantry.

However, in the case of summer weather when the outside air temperature is 30 degrees or more, the temperature of the indoor space or the space where the pantry is located rises rapidly. Then, it becomes difficult to store food stored at room temperature at room temperature, and as a result, there is a problem in that food deterioration due to temperature rise occurs.

In order to solve this problem, there is a method of storing room temperature food in a refrigerator in summer when the outside temperature is relatively high, but there is a limit to the storage capacity of the refrigerator, and the refrigerator door is frequently opened to take out the food stored in the refrigerator. In this case, there is a problem in that power consumption increases as cold air inside the refrigerator escapes to the outside.

Regarding such a refrigerator, the present applicant has previously filed an application (hereinafter referred to as prior literature). The information of prior literature is as follows.

1. Publication number (publication date): 10-2016-0099911 (August 23, 2016)

2. Title of Invention: Refrigerator

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a food storage that can simultaneously store food stored at room temperature and food stored at low temperature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage compartment in which food stored in the storage compartment can be grasped at a glance without leakage of cold air inside the storage compartment to the outside even when the outer door is opened.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage unit having a storage unit in which the temperature of a storage space can be kept low by an indirect cooling method by cold air in the storage compartment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage unit in which a control temperature for each of a plurality of storage compartments can be easily set through a display unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage that can check not only the indoor temperature of the storage compartment but also the indoor temperature of a storage space indirectly cooled by cold air in the storage compartment.

A food storage according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed, an evaporator installed inside the storage compartment to generate cold air, an inner door connected to the cabinet and opening and closing at least a portion of the storage compartment, the It is connected to the cabinet and includes an outer door that opens and closes a front surface of the inner door, and a storage unit provided on a rear surface of the outer door to provide a storage space.

At this time, in a closed state of the inner door, even if the outer door is opened, the cool air generated in the evaporator does not leak out of the storage compartment, so the load inside the refrigerator is reduced and power consumption is reduced.

In addition, the storage space is located in a space between the front surface of the inner door and the rear surface of the outer door, and is indirectly cooled by cold air inside the storage compartment, so that food stored in the storage space can be stored for a long period of time.

In addition, since at least a portion of the inner door is made of a transparent window, and an insulating material is provided between a portion where the inner door and the cabinet come into contact, food stored in the storage compartment can be grasped at a glance even without opening the inner door. It is possible to secure the confidentiality of the inside of the storage room.

In addition, the storage compartment may include a plurality of partitioned storage compartments, and a display unit may be provided on the external door. At this time, the display unit includes a storage compartment display unit for selecting one of the plurality of partitioned storage compartments, a temperature range setting unit for setting the indoor temperature range of the storage compartment, and a storage unit for selecting the type of food stored in the storage compartment. Since the storage menu setting unit can be displayed for storage, it is possible to easily set the control temperature for each of a plurality of storage rooms.

In addition, when one of the plurality of storage compartments is selected, the current room temperature of the storage space facing the selected storage room can be displayed, so that the room temperature of not only the storage room but also the storage space indirectly cooled by the cold air of the storage room can be checked in real time. can

The food storage according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration has the following effects.

First, since an inner door that opens and closes the storage compartment and an outer door provided with a storage unit forming a storage space on the rear surface are provided, even if the outer door is opened while the inner door is closed, the cold air in the storage compartment does not leak to the outside. . Therefore, when only the outer door is opened to take out food stored in the storage unit of the outer door, cold air in the storage compartment is not leaked, thereby reducing the internal load and reducing power consumption.

Second, when the outer door is opened, since a portion of the inner door that shields the storage compartment is made of a transparent material, there is an advantage in that food stored in the storage compartment can be grasped at a glance even when only the outer door is opened.

Third, since the storage compartment in the cabinet is directly cooled by cold air, and the storage space formed on the rear surface of the outer door is indirectly cooled by the cold air, the indoor temperature of the storage space can be kept low, so that food stored at room temperature and food stored at low temperature can be stored. It has the advantage of being able to store both at the same time.

Fourth, the control temperature for each of the plurality of storage compartments can be easily set through the display unit, and not only the room temperature of the storage room but also the room temperature of the storage space indirectly cooled by the cold air in the storage room can be checked in real time, improving usability. There are advantages.

1 is a front view of a food pantry according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which the outer door of the food storage of Figure 1 is opened.
3 is a view showing a state in which both the outer door and the inner door of the food storage of FIG. 1 are open;
4 is a schematic diagram showing a cooling cycle configuration of a food storage room according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a view showing a display unit of a food storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention will be able to easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same spirit.

1 is a front view of a food storage according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing an outer door of the food storage of FIG. 1 opened, and FIG. 3 is an outer door and an inner door of the food storage of FIG. 1 This is a drawing showing the open state.

1 to 3 , a food storage 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 11 forming a storage compartment.

The storage compartment is a space in which food or products are stored, and may include a plurality of partitioned spaces. For example, the storage compartment may include a first storage compartment 111 , a second storage compartment 112 , a third storage compartment 113 , and a fourth storage compartment 114 .

The first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 may be disposed above the third storage compartment 113 and the fourth storage compartment 114 . Also, the first storage compartment 111 and the third storage compartment 113 may be disposed on the left side in the drawing, and the second storage compartment 112 and the fourth storage compartment 114 may be disposed on the right side in the drawing.

The plurality of storage compartments 111, 112, 113, and 114 may be partitioned by a plurality of partition walls 12, 13, and 14. For example, the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 and the third storage compartment 113 and the fourth storage compartment 114 may be partitioned by the first partition wall 12 .

The first partition wall 12 is formed to be long in the horizontal direction inside the cabinet 11 and functions to divide the interior space of the cabinet 11 into an upper space and a lower space.

In addition, the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are partitioned by the second partition wall 13 .

The second partition wall 13 is formed long in the vertical direction inside the upper space of the cabinet 11, and divides the upper space of the cabinet 11 into the first storage compartment 111 on the left side and the second storage compartment 111 on the right side. It serves to partition into the storage chamber 112.

In addition, the third storage compartment 113 and the fourth storage compartment 114 are partitioned by a third partition wall 14 .

The third partition wall 14 is formed long in the vertical direction inside the lower space of the cabinet 11, and divides the lower space of the cabinet 11 into the third storage compartment 111 on the left side and the fourth storage compartment 111 on the right side. It serves to partition into the storage chamber 112.

The food storage compartment 10 further includes a door 20 that opens and closes the storage compartment.

The door 20 includes a first door 21 opening and closing the first storage compartment 111, a second door 22 opening and closing the second storage compartment 112, and opening and closing the third storage compartment 113. and a fourth door 24 for opening and closing the third door 23 and the fourth storage compartment 114.

The first to fourth doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 are installed outside the first to fourth inner doors 211, 221, 231, and 241 installed inside the cabinet 11, respectively. It includes first to fourth outer doors 213, 223, 233, 243.

The first to fourth inner doors 211, 221, 231, and 241 are rotatably hinged to the cabinet 11, and substantially serve to seal the first to fourth storage compartments 111, 112, 113, and 114. That is, the first to fourth inner doors 211 , 221 , 231 , and 241 are configured to open and close at least a portion of the first to fourth storage chambers 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 .

Therefore, the cold air cooling the first to fourth storage compartments 111, 112, 113, and 114 is prevented from escaping to the outside, and the indoor temperature of each storage compartment can be kept constant. To this end, a heat insulating material (not shown) may be provided between the first to fourth inner doors 211 , 221 , 231 , and 241 and a contact portion of the cabinet 11 .

The first to fourth outer doors 213 , 223 , 233 , and 243 are rotatably hinged to the cabinet 11 to open and close the inner door sealing the storage compartment. That is, in a state where both the inner door and the outer door are closed, in order to open the inner door, the outer door must be opened.

At this time, the inner door 211 includes a transparent window (211a). That is, at least a portion of the inner door 211 may be made of a transparent material. Therefore, in a state in which the outer door 213 is open, even if the inner door 211 is closed, through the transparent window 211a of the inner door 211, it is easy to see what kind of food is stored in the corresponding storage compartment. can figure it out

According to the configuration described above, even if both the inner door 211 and the outer door 213 are not opened, that is, even if only the outer door 213 is opened, not only can the food stored in the storage compartment be checked, but the outer door 213 can be checked. By opening the door 213, there is an advantage in that cold air in the corresponding storage compartment is prevented from leaking to the outside.

In addition, at least one accommodating part 213a, 223a, 233a, and 243a for storing food is formed on the rear surface of the first to fourth external doors 213, 223, 233, and 243. The storage units 213a, 223a, 233a, and 243a form a storage space in which food or articles are stored, and may be provided in the form of a shelf or a box, for example. To this end, the accommodating parts 213a, 223a, 233a, and 243a may be formed to extend from rear surfaces of the first to fourth external doors 213, 223, 233, and 243 toward the rear.

In addition, a display unit 30 is provided on any one of the first to fourth external doors 213 , 223 , 233 , and 243 . For example, the display unit 30 may be provided on a front surface of the first external door 213 . The display unit 30 may show various information related to food storage.

In this embodiment, the display unit 30 can display the type of food stored in the food storage 10, the set temperature of each storage compartment, and the current temperature of each storage space in real time.

In addition, a plurality of cold air discharge units (not shown) are formed on the rear wall of the cabinet 11 to discharge cold air to the plurality of storage compartments 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 respectively. That is, at least one cool air discharge unit is formed on the rear wall of the cabinet 11 corresponding to one storage compartment. For example, a total of four cold air discharge units may be formed on the rear wall of the cabinet 11 .

In addition, the food storage compartment 10 further includes evaporators (71, 72, 73, and 74 in FIG. 4) disposed at the rear of each storage compartment to cool each storage compartment. The evaporators are respectively installed at positions corresponding to each storage compartment, and the cold air generated by the evaporator is supplied to each storage compartment through the cold air discharge unit.

Although not shown, the main parts of the food storage compartment 10 are installed at the rear lower part of the food storage compartment 10, that is, at the rear of the third storage compartment 113 or the fourth storage compartment 114. A machine room (not shown) is provided. For example, a compressor and a condenser are installed in the machine room.

Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the cooling cycle including the evaporator will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

4 is a schematic diagram showing a cooling cycle configuration of a food storage room according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the food storage compartment 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cooling cycle for maintaining a plurality of storage compartments at set temperatures.

In detail, the refrigeration cycle includes a compressor 50 that compresses a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure, supersaturated gaseous refrigerant; A condenser 60 that condenses into a liquid refrigerant, an expansion device (not shown) disposed at the outlet side of the condenser 60 to expand the high-temperature and high-pressure saturated liquid refrigerant into a low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant, and an outlet of the expansion device and an evaporator 70 disposed on the side to evaporate the low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure, gaseous refrigerant. The compressor 50, the condenser 60, the expansion device, and the evaporator 70 are connected by a refrigerant pipe, and the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipe.

In particular, the evaporator 70 is disposed in the first storage compartment 111, the first evaporator 71 for cooling the first storage compartment 111, and disposed in the second storage compartment 112 to cool the first storage compartment 111, The second evaporator 72 cooling the second storage compartment 112, the third evaporator 73 disposed in the third storage compartment 113 and cooling the third storage compartment 113, and the fourth storage compartment 114 and a fourth evaporator 74 for cooling the fourth storage compartment 114.

The cooling cycle further includes a flow control valve (not shown) for selectively controlling the flow of the refrigerant passing through the expansion device to the first to fourth evaporators 71, 72, 73, and 74.

The flow control valve may include a five way valve capable of adjusting the flow direction of the refrigerant to supply the refrigerant to the first to fourth evaporators 71, 72, 73, and 74.

According to the configuration described above, the amount of refrigerant flowing through the expansion device to the first to fourth evaporators 71, 72, 73, and 74 may be set differently. That is, since the amount of the refrigerant can be adjusted, the internal temperatures of the first to fourth storage compartments 111, 112, 113, and 114 can be set differently.

For example, the first to fourth storage chambers 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 may have an internal temperature maintained and set at a temperature between 10 degrees and 25 degrees. In addition, set temperatures of the first to fourth storage compartments 111, 112, 113, and 114 may be different from each other.

In the case of the food storage 10 of the present invention, in the first to fourth storage compartments 111, 112, 113, and 114, various foods that require storage at low or room temperature, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, pastes, and alcoholic beverages, can be stored.

For example, in the case of the present invention, grains or alcoholic beverages may be automatically set to a temperature between 10 and 15 degrees and stored, and vegetable or paste foods are automatically set to a temperature between 10 and 25 degrees can be stored. In addition, fruit-type foods can be automatically set to a temperature between 15 degrees and 22 degrees and stored.

As such, the automatically set temperature range according to the type of food may be based on data values previously stored in the memory of the food storage 10 .

In addition, in the present invention, various foods may be stored not only in the plurality of storage compartments, but also in at least one storage unit 213a, 223a, 233a, and 243a provided on the rear surface of the external doors 213, 223, 233, and 243.

In particular, the storage units 213a, 223a, 233a, and 243a are not directly cooled by the cold air generated by the evaporator 70, and the storage units 213a, 223a, 233a, and 243a are connected to the respective storage compartments. Since it is disposed adjacent or facing, it is characterized in that indirect cooling by the cold air in each of the storage compartments.

That is, each storage compartment is cooled by the cold air of the evaporator, and the internal temperature of the storage unit may be lowered by a heat conduction phenomenon through an inner door partitioning each storage compartment and the storage unit.

Therefore, in the summer when the outside air temperature is relatively high, not only the storage compartment directly cooled by the cold air of the evaporator but also the inside of the storage unit adjacent to each storage compartment can be kept cool, so that food that needs to be stored at room temperature can be stored efficiently. There are advantages to being able to

In addition, since at least a portion of the inner door is made of a transparent material, in a state in which the outer door is open, even if the inner door is closed, it is possible to check what kind of food is stored in the corresponding storage compartment through the transparent window of the inner door. can be easily figured out. In addition, there is an advantage in that the leakage of cold air in the corresponding storage compartment to the outside is prevented by opening the external door.

Hereinafter, a method for setting the indoor temperature of each storage compartment through the display unit will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

5 is a view showing a display unit of a food storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the user may set the indoor temperature of each storage compartment through the display unit 30 provided on the first external door 213 .

In detail, on the display unit 30, a storage compartment display unit 31 for showing the currently selected storage compartment and a food storage information display unit 32 showing food storage information for the storage compartment selected through the storage compartment display unit 31 are displayed. do.

On the storage compartment display unit 31, first to fourth icons 311, 312, 313, and 314 corresponding to each storage compartment of the food storage compartment 10, that is, the first to fourth storage compartments 111, 112, 113, and 114 are displayed.

The first to fourth icons 311 , 312 , 313 , and 314 are displayed in regions where the first to fourth storage compartments 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 are actually located in the food storage 10 . That is, the first icon 311 is displayed on the upper left side of the storage compartment display unit 31, the second icon 312 is displayed on the upper right side of the storage compartment display unit 31, and the third icon 313 is displayed on the upper right side of the storage compartment display unit 31. ) is displayed on the lower left side of the storage compartment display unit 31, and the fourth icon 314 is displayed on the lower right side of the storage compartment display unit 31.

Also, the first to fourth icons 311, 312, 313, and 314 may be selected by the user. For example, as shown in this figure, when the third icon 313 is selected by the user, the third icon 313 may be highlighted or activated compared to other non-selected icons. Conversely, icons that are not selected may be displayed darker than the selected third icon 313 or may be inactivated.

When the third icon 313 is selected by the user, food storage information for the third storage compartment 113 corresponding to the third icon 313 is displayed through the food storage information display unit 32 .

For example, the food storage information display unit 32 includes a temperature range setting unit 321 for setting a set temperature range of the selected storage compartment, and a storage menu display unit for selecting and displaying the type of food stored in the selected storage compartment ( 322) are included.

The temperature range setting unit 321 may be understood as a part for the user to directly set the set temperature of the selected storage compartment. For example, a plurality of predetermined temperature ranges such as "10 degrees to 15 degrees", "15 degrees to 20 degrees", and "20 degrees to 30 degrees" may be displayed on the temperature range setting unit 321 . Further, when the user selects one of a plurality of displayed temperature ranges, the temperature of the corresponding storage compartment may be controlled to the selected temperature range.

In this case, the temperature range selected by the user may be highlighted or activated compared to the non-selected temperature range. Conversely, the non-selected temperature range may be displayed darker than the selected temperature range or may be inactivated.

In addition, the stored menu display unit 322 can be understood as a portion capable of selecting and displaying the type of food stored in the selected storage compartment. For example, a plurality of distinguishable food types such as "cereals", "liquor", "fermented foods", and "fruits and vegetables" may be displayed on the storage menu display unit 322 . Further, when the user selects one of a plurality of displayed food types, the selected food type may be highlighted or activated.

That is, when a user selects an icon through the storage compartment display unit 31, the temperature setting range of the storage compartment corresponding to the selected icon and the type of stored food can be checked at a glance.

In addition, the temperature of the door compartment 323 may be further displayed on the food storage information display unit 32 . The door storage unit temperature 323 may be understood as the indoor temperature of the storage space where the storage units 213a, 223a, 233a, and 243a provided on the rear surface of the external doors 213, 223, 233, and 243 are located.

That is, since various foods can be stored in the door storage unit, the indoor temperature of the door storage unit may be important. The temperature of the door storage unit may be higher than the set control temperature of the storage compartment. This is because the room temperature of the storage compartment is directly cooled by the cool air generated by the evaporator, whereas the room temperature of the compartment is indirectly cooled by the cool air of the storage compartment. Therefore, the temperature of the door storage part 323 may indicate 18 degrees, for example.

In summary, through the display unit 30, the user can input the type of food stored in the storage room, and can easily set the control temperature of the storage room.

In addition, the current temperature of the door storage unit that is indirectly cooled can be grasped through the display unit 30 . Therefore, convenience in storing food is improved, and cold air flowing out when an external door is opened can be prevented, so that electricity bills can be significantly reduced.

Another embodiment is proposed.

In the previous embodiment, it was described that the user directly selects the set temperature range for the selected storage room, but the set temperature range may be automatically recommended.

For example, when the user selects "fruits and vegetables" through the storage menu display unit 322, an appropriate temperature range for storing fruits and vegetables may be displayed and recommended.

That is, when “Fruits and Vegetables” is selected, “10°C to 15°C”, which is a temperature range suitable for storing fruits and vegetables, is highlighted in the temperature range setting unit 321 to be recommended.

According to this configuration, when an appropriate temperature range for food to be stored in the food storage is not known, it can be automatically recommended and notified, thereby improving user convenience.

Another embodiment is proposed.

In the previous embodiment, the cooling cycle of the food storage 10 has been described as including a plurality of evaporators 70, but may include only one evaporator 70. In this case, the cold air generated in one evaporator 70 may be supplied to the inside of each storage compartment through a plurality of ducts (not shown). In this case, each storage compartment may be provided with a damper for guiding cold air to a duct of each storage compartment.

Within the scope of the basic technical idea of the present invention, many other modifications are possible to those skilled in the art, and the scope of the present invention should be interpreted based on the appended claims. .

Claims (9)

A cabinet in which a plurality of partitioned storage compartments are formed;
an evaporator installed inside the storage compartment to generate cold air;
an inner door connected to the cabinet and opening and closing at least a portion of the storage compartment;
an outer door connected to the cabinet and opening and closing a front surface of the inner door;
a display unit provided on a front surface of the external door; and
A storage unit provided on the rear surface of the external door to provide a storage space,
At least a portion of the inner door is made of a transparent window,
When the inner door is closed, even if the outer door is opened, the cold air generated in the evaporator does not leak out of the storage compartment,
The display unit includes a temperature range setting unit for setting the indoor temperature range of the plurality of storage compartments, a storage menu setting unit for selecting the type of food stored in the plurality of storage compartments, and one of the plurality of storage compartments. The storage room display unit for selecting is displayed,
When one of the plurality of storage rooms is selected, the set indoor temperature range of the selected storage room, the type of food stored in the selected storage room, and the current room temperature of the storage space facing the selected storage room are displayed together. food storage. According to claim 1,
The storage space is defined by a space between the front surface of the inner door and the rear surface of the outer door, and is indirectly cooled by cold air inside the storage compartment. According to claim 1,
The inner door and the outer door are rotatably connected to the cabinet and rotated in the same direction. According to claim 1,
The food storage according to claim 1 , wherein an insulating material is provided between a portion where the inner door and the cabinet come into contact. delete According to claim 1,
When a type of food is selected through the storage menu setting unit, a storage temperature range for the selected food is recommended and displayed. delete delete delete

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