KR20040067647A - Refrigerator Having Temperature-Controlled Chamber Utlizing Thermoelectric Module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator with a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module is provided to keep the freshness of meats and fishes and to store the foods to be cooked at once without thawing out the foods. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator with a temperature control chamber(20) using a thermoelectric module(40) is composed of a refrigerator compartment(4) kept in cold storage temperature with cold air generated by an evaporator; the temperature control chamber divided in the refrigerator compartment; and the thermoelectric module arranged in the rear side of the temperature control chamber. The thermoelectric module comprises a Peltier element(41) composed of endothermic and exothermic sides at both sides; a cooling member(42) disposed to the endothermic side of the Peltier side to cool the inner part of the temperature control chamber; and a radiating member(46) disposed to the exothermic side of the Peltier element and cooled by cold air circulating through the inner part of the refrigerator compartment.

Description

Refrigerator with temperature control chamber using thermoelectric module {Refrigerator Having Temperature-Controlled Chamber Utlizing Thermoelectric Module}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, a thermoelectric module having a temperature control chamber which can be maintained at a specific temperature by a thermoelectric module in a refrigerating compartment to store food at a specific temperature between a refrigerating chamber temperature and a freezer compartment temperature. It relates to a refrigerator having a temperature control chamber used.

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that supplies cold air generated in an evaporator to a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment to maintain and maintain freshness of various foods for a long time. The freezer stores foods that must be kept below freezing temperatures, such as meats, fish, and ice cubes. The cold storage stores foods that must be kept fresh at low temperatures above freezing temperatures, such as vegetables, fruits, and beverages. do.

In recent years, large refrigerators that can store a lot of food for the convenience of life have been released, which has gained great response from consumers. Such large refrigerators generally have a structure in which the freezer and the refrigerating chamber are arranged in parallel on the left and right sides. There are several shelves and storage boxes installed so that many foods can be stored.

Therefore, vegetables or fruits are stored in the refrigerating chamber so as to remain fresh at a low temperature above the freezing temperature, and perishable meat or fish is stored in the freezer compartment for long-term storage in a frozen state.

As described above, the meat or fish is stored in the freezer in a frozen state, so in order to take out the meat or fish stored in the freezer to cook it, it must go through a process of thawing for a long time.

Therefore, if meat or fish need to be stored for a while and then cooked, meat or fish should be kept in a completely unfrozen state to facilitate cooking.However, in general refrigerators, only the refrigerators that are kept above freezing temperature except the freezer. This is not suitable for storing meat and fish in this refrigerator.

In addition, since the refrigerator is frequently opened and closed due to the characteristics of the refrigerator, the internal space of the refrigerator is not maintained at an appropriate temperature and the temperature variation is severe. Therefore, it is difficult to store meat or fish in a fresh state without requiring a thawing process. have.

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art described above, an object of the present invention is to maintain a fresh food such as meat or fish and keep the temperature in a ready-to-cook state without thawing It is to provide a refrigerator provided with.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a longitudinal sectional view for showing the structure of the refrigerating chamber shown in FIG.

3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module according to a first embodiment of the present invention installed inside a refrigerator compartment.

4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module according to a second embodiment of the present invention installed in a refrigerating chamber.

* Description of symbols on the main parts of the drawings *

4: refrigerating chamber 12: guide duct

20: temperature control chamber 30: heat dissipation flow path

31: cooling passage 40: thermoelectric module

41: Peltier element 42: cooling block

43, 44, 45: cooling plate 46: heat dissipation member

47: cooling fan 48: heat dissipation fan

Refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module according to the present invention for achieving this object, the refrigerator compartment is maintained at the refrigeration temperature by the cold air generated by the evaporator, and the temperature control chamber partitioned inside the refrigerating compartment And a thermoelectric module disposed at the rear of the temperature control chamber,

The thermoelectric module may include a Peltier element having a heat absorbing portion and a heat generating portion, a cooling member disposed at the heat absorbing portion of the Peltier element to cool the inside of the temperature control chamber, and a heat generating portion of the Peltier element. It characterized in that it comprises a heat dissipation member that is cooled by the cold air circulating the internal space of the refrigerator compartment.

The Peltier element is disposed on the rear wall of the temperature control chamber, the cooling member of the thermoelectric module is cooled by being disposed in contact with the front surface of the cooling block and the cooling block disposed in contact with the heat absorbing portion of the Peltier element. The temperature control chamber comprises a rear cooling plate forming a rear surface of the temperature control chamber, an upper and lower cooling plate and both side cooling plates extending from upper and lower ends and both ends of the rear cooling plate to form upper and lower sides and both sides of the temperature control chamber. The internal space of the is cooled.

Insulation is provided in the space between the upper and lower wall of the temperature control chamber and the upper and lower cooling plates, and the space between both side walls of the temperature control chamber and the both side cooling plates so that the respective cooling plates are not heat exchanged with the outside.

In order to discharge the condensed water generated inside the temperature control chamber to the outside, a drainage passage is provided at a lower portion of the temperature control chamber through a space between the lower surface cooling plate and the lower wall of the temperature control chamber.

In addition, the temperature control chamber is provided with a temperature sensor to adjust the internal temperature of the temperature control chamber.

A cooling flow path part is provided in the space disposed between the rear cooling plate and the rear wall of the temperature control chamber in which the cooling block is installed, and the upper cooling plate and the upper wall of the temperature control chamber. A cooling fan is installed at a lower portion of the cooling plate, and a plurality of cold air discharge holes communicating with the cooling channel part are provided at the upper surface cooling plate, and air suction holes communicating with the cooling channel part are provided at the rear end of the cooling plate. By the cooling fan, the air of the temperature control chamber is circulated through the cooling block so that the temperature control chamber is rapidly cooled.

A heat dissipation flow path is provided between the rear wall of the temperature control chamber and the rear part of the refrigerating chamber, and a heat dissipation member is disposed in the heat dissipation flow path and installed on the heat generation unit of the Peltier element. A cold air inlet part communicating with a space and a cold air outlet part communicating with a guide duct for guiding the cold air of the refrigerating compartment to the evaporator are provided, and the heat dissipation member flows into the cold air inlet part from the internal space of the refrigerating compartment, Cooled by cold air sent to the guide duct via the cold air outlet.

Preferably, a heat dissipation fan is installed under the heat dissipation member so that the heat dissipation member is cooled quickly.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view for showing a structure of a refrigerator compartment shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator to which the present invention is applied includes a main body 1 having an appearance of a refrigerator and having a food storage space provided therein, and a vertical bulkhead 2 disposed longitudinally in the main body 1. And a freezing compartment (3) and a refrigerating compartment (4), each partitioned on the left and right sides by the vertical bulkhead (2). The freezing chamber 3 and the refrigerating chamber door 6 are hinged to the front surfaces of the freezing chamber 3 and the refrigerating chamber 4, respectively, to open and close the freezing chamber 3 and the refrigerating chamber 4.

The freezer compartment (3) is maintained at a temperature range of approximately minus 16 degrees Celsius to minus 21 degrees Celsius to store the meat, fish and foods such as ice cream frozen, and the refrigerator compartment (4) is an image at approximately 3 degrees Celsius It is kept at a temperature range of 5 degrees to keep foods such as vegetables, fruits and drinks fresh. The freezer compartment 3 and the refrigerating compartment 4 are provided with a plurality of shelves 7 and storage boxes 8 for effectively storing food.

In addition, the refrigerating chamber (4) is provided with a temperature control chamber (20), which characterizes the present invention for storing foods that need to be stored at a specific temperature in the temperature range between the freezing chamber (3) and the refrigerating chamber (4).

As shown in FIG. 2, a compressor 9, an evaporator 10, and a blower fan 11 are installed at an upper portion of the refrigerating compartment 4 to cool the internal space of the refrigerating compartment 4. At the rear of the guide duct 12 for guiding the cooled air through the internal space of the refrigerating chamber 4 to the evaporator 10 is provided.

The temperature control chamber 20 according to the present invention is installed so as to be partitioned from the refrigerating compartment 4 at the lower part of the refrigerating compartment 4 to a specific temperature by a thermoelectric module 40 separately provided without supply of cold air circulating in the refrigerating compartment 4. Will be maintained.

3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module according to a first embodiment of the present invention installed inside a refrigerator compartment. As shown therein, the temperature control chamber 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an upper wall 21 and a lower wall 22, and both side walls (not shown) and a rear wall 23. It forms a box shape with an approximately open front surface.

Between the rear wall 23 of the temperature control chamber 20 and the rear wall 4a of the refrigerating chamber 4, a heat dissipation passage part 30 for circulating cold air in the refrigerating chamber 4 is formed, In the interior of the 20, the storage container 24 for advancing back and forth through the open front of the temperature control chamber 20 to accommodate food.

As described above, the temperature control chamber 20 partitioned inside the refrigerating chamber 4 is cooled by the thermoelectric module 40, and the thermoelectric module 40 has a rear wall of the temperature control chamber 20. A state in which the Peltier element 41 provided in the 23, the cooling members 42-45 disposed on the front surface of the Peltier element 41 serving as the heat absorbing portion, and the rear surface of the Peltier element 41 serving as the heat generating portion are in contact with each other. It is provided with a heat dissipation member 46 is installed.

Here, the Peltier device is a device made by combining two different metals or by bonding an n-type semiconductor and a p-type semiconductor to each other. When DC current is applied to the device, endothermic and exothermic reactions occur on both metal surfaces. Will have Therefore, when the heat exchanger is installed on the heat absorbing portion of the thermoelectric element, the surrounding space can be cooled. On the contrary, when the heat exchanger is installed on the heat generating portion, the temperature of the surrounding space can be increased.

The cooling members 42-45 may include a cooling block 42 installed in contact with an endothermic portion of the Peltier element 41 and a rear cooling plate disposed in contact with the front surface of the cooling block 42. 43 and an upper surface cooling plate 44 and a lower surface extending from the upper and lower ends of the rear cooling plate 43 to be spaced apart from the upper and lower walls 21 and 22 of the temperature control chamber 20, respectively. Cooling plate 45 and both side cooling plates (not shown) extending forward from both side ends of the rear cooling plate 43 and spaced apart from both side walls (not shown) of the temperature control chamber 20. It is composed of

An insulating material 25 is provided between the upper and lower cooling plates 44 and 45 and the upper and lower wall walls 21 and 22 of the temperature control chamber 20, and between both side cooling plates and the side walls of the temperature control chamber 20. The upper and lower cooling plates 44 and 45 and both side cooling plates are filled so as not to exchange heat with the outside.

In addition, in order to discharge the condensed water generated when the condensed water melts inside the temperature control chamber 20 to the outside, the lower surface of the cooling plate 45 and the temperature control chamber ( A drainage passage 26 penetrating the space between the lower walls 22 of 20 is provided. The drainage path 26 extends to the outside of the refrigerating chamber 4 to collect in a separately installed collection fan (not shown).

In addition, in order to maintain the internal space of the temperature control chamber 20 at a specific temperature by adjusting the supply cycle of the current to the Peltier element 41 of the thermoelectric module 40, the temperature sensor (not shown) Is installed.

Here, the cooling block 42, the cooling plate 43, 44, 45, and the heat dissipation member 46 are made of a material having good thermal conductivity such as aluminum, so that heat exchange with the Peltier element 41 is caused by heat conduction. Make it smooth.

As described above, the temperature control chamber 20 according to the present invention is partitioned and provided in the refrigerating chamber 4, the refrigerating chamber by the thermoelectric module 40 installed over the rear wall 23 and the upper and lower walls 21, 22. It will have a structure to be cooled separately from the cold of (4).

That is, when a current is supplied to the Peltier element 41 of the thermoelectric module 40, an endothermic reaction occurs from the front surface of the Peltier element 41 so that the cooling block 42 is lowered than the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 4, and the cooling is performed. Upper and lower cooling plates 44 and 45 and upper and lower cooling plates 44 and 45 connected to the block 42 also cool the internal space of the temperature control chamber 20 while being cooled by heat conduction. When the internal space of 20) reaches a specific temperature, the temperature sensor detects this and stops the current supplied to the Peltier element 41 so that the inside of the temperature control chamber 20 can be adjusted to be maintained at a specific temperature.

On the other hand, due to the operation of the Peltier element 41, the heat generating portion of the rear surface of the Peltier element 41 is increased in temperature, so that the temperature of the heat radiating member 46 arranged to be in contact therewith is also increased, which is the refrigerating chamber 4 ) Cold air is introduced from the cold air inlet (30a) of the outer lower portion of the temperature control chamber 20 to cool, and the cold air passing through the heat dissipation member (46) continues through the cold air outlet (30b) It flows to the guide duct 12 provided in the rear wall (4a) of.

Therefore, by controlling the supply of current to the Peltier element 41, it is possible to store meat or fish freshly in a specific temperature range between -3 degrees Celsius and -5 degrees Celsius, so that the meat or fish can be cooked immediately without having to thaw meat or fish. It will be possible to maintain in an easy state to do. The temperature control chamber 20 can also store other foods that need to be maintained at a particular temperature.

4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module according to a second embodiment of the present invention installed in a refrigerating chamber.

As shown in the figure, the temperature control chamber 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a Peltier element (so that the cooling block 42 and the heat dissipation member 46 of the thermoelectric module 40 to effectively heat exchange with the surroundings ( The cooling fan 47 is provided in the heat absorbing part side of 41, and the heat dissipation fan 48 is provided in the heat generating part side of the Peltier element 41.

To this end, a cooling plate 47 and a rear cooling plate 43 in which the cooling block 42 is installed to allow air in the temperature control chamber 20 to flow through the cooling block 42 by the cooling fan 47. A cooling flow path 31 is provided in the space between the rear wall 23 of the control chamber 20 and the heat insulating material 25 disposed between the upper surface cooling plate 44 and the upper wall 21 of the temperature control chamber 20. do.

In addition, the upper surface cooling plate 44 is provided with a plurality of cold air discharge holes 32 communicating with the outlet of the cooling flow path part 31, and the rear end of the lower cooling plate 45 is provided with the cooling flow path part 31. Air suction holes 33 communicating with the inlet are provided.

Therefore, the air in the temperature control chamber 20 flows into the cooling flow path part 31 through the air suction holes 33 by the cooling fan 47 and passes through the cooling block 42 to the cold air discharge hole 32. By discharging, the internal space of the temperature control chamber 20 can be cooled more quickly.

Similarly, the cold air of the refrigerating chamber 4 is introduced into the heat dissipation flow path part 30 through the cold air inlet part 30a by the heat dissipation fan 48 and passes through the heat dissipation member 46, and then passes through the cold air outlet part 30b. Through the flow through the guide duct 12 is sent to the evaporator 10 (see Fig. 2) is to cool the heat radiation member 46 is made more quickly and effectively.

As described in detail above, the refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using the thermoelectric module according to the present invention can maintain the internal space of the temperature control chamber at a specific temperature range between the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment to provide food such as meat or fish. It can be kept fresh without being frozen, and thus, these foods can be cooked immediately without thawing in the refrigerator when taken out of the refrigerator, thereby effectively cooking.

Claims (9)

A refrigeration chamber maintained at a refrigerating temperature by cold air generated by an evaporator, a temperature control chamber partitioned inside the refrigerating chamber, and a thermoelectric module disposed behind the temperature control chamber, The thermoelectric module may include a Peltier element having a heat absorbing portion and a heat generating portion, a cooling member disposed at the heat absorbing portion of the Peltier element to cool the inside of the temperature control chamber, and a heat generating portion of the Peltier element. A refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that the heat dissipation member is cooled by cold air circulating in the refrigerating compartment. According to claim 1, wherein the Peltier element is disposed on the rear wall of the temperature control chamber, the cooling member of the thermoelectric module is in contact with the heat absorbing portion of the Peltier element and the cooling block which is in contact with the front surface of the cooling block A rear cooling plate disposed in a state of cooling and forming a rear surface of the temperature control chamber, and an upper and lower cooling plate and both side cooling plates extending from upper and lower ends and both ends of the rear cooling plate to form upper and lower sides and both sides of the temperature control chamber. Refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that for cooling the internal space of the temperature control chamber. According to claim 2, wherein the space between the upper and lower wall and the upper and lower cooling plate of the temperature control chamber, and the space between the side wall and the both side cooling plate of the temperature control chamber is provided with a heat insulating material so that each of the cooling plate heat exchange with the outside Refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that not to. The lower part of the temperature control chamber penetrates a space between the lower surface cooling plate and the lower wall of the temperature control chamber to discharge the condensed water generated inside the temperature control chamber to the outside. Refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that the drainage passage is provided. The refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module according to claim 2, wherein a temperature sensor is installed in the temperature control chamber to adjust an internal temperature of the temperature control chamber. According to claim 3, wherein the cooling flow path portion is provided in the insulating material disposed between the space between the rear cooling plate and the rear wall of the temperature control chamber and the upper cooling plate and the upper wall of the temperature control chamber in which the cooling block is installed. Cooling fan is installed in the lower portion of the cooling block, the upper surface cooling plate is provided with a plurality of cold air discharge holes in communication with the cooling channel, the rear end of the cooling plate is in communication with the cooling channel portion The air intake holes are provided, such that the air in the temperature control chamber is circulated through the cooling block by the cooling fan so that the temperature control chamber is rapidly cooled. One refrigerator. The heat dissipation passage portion is disposed between the rear wall of the temperature control chamber and the rear portion of the refrigerating chamber, and a heat dissipation member disposed on the heat dissipation portion of the Peltier element is disposed in the heat dissipation passage portion, and the lower portion and the upper portion of the heat dissipation passage portion. Each of the cold air inlet portion communicating with the internal space of the refrigerating compartment and the cold air outlet portion communicating with the guide duct for guiding the cold air of the refrigerating compartment is provided, the heat dissipation member is introduced into the cold air inlet from the internal space of the refrigerating compartment And cooled by cold air sent to the guide duct via the heat dissipation passage part and the cold air outlet part. The refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module according to claim 7, wherein a heat dissipation fan is installed at a lower portion of the heat dissipation member so as to be quickly cooled by the heat dissipation member. The refrigerator having a temperature control chamber using a thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control chamber has a structure in which a front surface thereof is opened, and a storage container containing food is inserted through the open front surface.