KR20110071170A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator is provided to prevent an increase in the load of the refrigerator due to defrost and an increase in the internal temperature of the refrigerator. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator comprises a main body(2), an evaporation chamber(40), a intake duct(44), a moisture absorption member, and a driver. The main body has a storage space. The evaporation chamber is formed in the main body. The evaporation chamber comprises an evaporator(43) generating cool air. The air of the storage space flows to the evaporation chamber through the intake duct. The moisture absorption member is installed at the entrance of the evaporation chamber. The moisture absorption member absorbs the moisture included in the air flowing through the intake duct. The driver is connected to one end of the moisture-absorption member. The driver provides stress to the moisture-absorption member.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

It relates to a refrigerator of the present invention.

Refrigerator is a device for keeping various foods fresh for a long time by using cold air generated in a freezing cycle. Generally, a refrigerator is a freezer compartment for storing frozen foods below freezing temperature, and a freezer and freezer compartment for storing refrigerated foods above freezing temperature. And a cooling system for cooling the refrigerating compartment.

The inside of the refrigerator is cooled by continuously supplied cold air, which is continuously generated by the heat exchange action of the refrigerant repeatedly performing the cooling cycle of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation.

And, the supply of cold air is made by an evaporator provided in the inside of the refrigerator, and the cold air generated by the evaporator is evenly transferred to the inside of the refrigerator by convection, so that food in the refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature.

The cold air convection inside the refrigerator returns to the space where the evaporator is provided, exchanges heat again with the evaporator, and is discharged into the storage space.

In this process, moisture adhering to the evaporator freezes, causing frost to form, resulting in poor heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator.

Conventionally, in order to solve such a problem, a method of melting ice formed on the evaporator by heating a heater mounted on the evaporator when the cooling time is accumulated and the set cooling time has elapsed has been used.

However, such a defrosting method has a problem that the temperature inside the refrigerator rises during the heating of the heater, and the power consumption increases.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which frost is not implanted in the evaporator by removing moisture in the air flowing into the evaporation chamber.

In the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the main body is formed with a storage space; An evaporation chamber formed in the main body and provided with an evaporator for generating cold air; A suction duct for allowing air in the storage space to flow into the evaporation chamber; And a moisture absorbing member provided at an inlet side of the evaporation chamber and absorbing moisture contained in air introduced from the suction duct.

According to the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the defrost heater is eliminated, so that the load of the refrigerator due to the defrost and the internal temperature of the refrigerator are prevented from being increased.

In addition, since the defrost heater is eliminated, the refrigerating chamber humidity due to the heating is prevented from being lowered, the power consumption is reduced, and the cost is reduced.

In addition, there is an advantage that can maintain the freshness of the vegetables accommodated in the storage space by supplying the water separated from the air flowing into the evaporation chamber to the storage space.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the proposed embodiment, and other embodiments included within the scope of the inventive concept or other inventions may be easily added by adding, changing, or deleting other components. Can suggest.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 2 having a storage space 10 formed therein, and a door for selectively opening and closing the storage space 10. 21) 31 is included. The main body 2 includes a side portion 3 forming a side of the refrigerator 1 and a rear portion 4 forming a rear side of the refrigerator 1.

The main body 2 is divided left and right by the intermediate wall 11, one side is provided with a refrigerating chamber 20 for storing the food refrigerated, the other side is provided with a freezing chamber 30 for freezing and storing the food.

The doors 21 and 31 include a refrigerating compartment door 21 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 20 and a freezing compartment door 31 for opening and closing the freezing compartment 30. The refrigerating compartment door 21 and the freezing compartment door 31 may be hinged to the main body 2.

In addition, the refrigerating compartment door 21 may be provided with a home bar 22 for storing food, and the freezer compartment 31 may be provided with a dispenser 32 capable of taking out water or ice.

A plurality of door baskets 23 and 33 are provided on the rear surface of the doors 21 and 31 to store various kinds of foods.

The refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 30 are divided into a plurality of layers by a plurality of shelves 14, and a plurality of storage containers 15 are provided in the divided layers to separately store food. The storage container 15 may be mounted in the refrigerating chamber 20 and the freezing chamber 30 in a structure capable of sliding forward and backward, and the storage container 15 may include a vegetable box for storing vegetables.

The rear wall surface 41 of the freezing chamber 30 is provided with a plurality of cold air discharge ports 42 for discharging the cold air generated in the evaporation chamber 40 to be described later into the freezing chamber 30.

3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken by cutting AA of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a moisture absorbing member of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

3 to 5, a compressor 70 for compressing a refrigerant at a high temperature and high pressure is provided at a rear lower side of the main body 2, and an evaporation chamber 40 is formed at a rear side of the freezing chamber 30.

In the evaporation chamber 40, an evaporator 43 for generating cold air by exchanging a refrigerant with air in the evaporation chamber 40, and the cold air generated in the evaporator 43 through the cold air discharge port 42 roll. A cooling fan 402 for discharging into the freezer compartment 30 is provided. In addition, the evaporation chamber 40 may be provided with a control unit 80 for controlling the drive unit 52 and the feed pump 62 to be described later.

Both side surfaces of the evaporation chamber 40 may be defined by the side portion 3 and the intermediate wall 11.

The evaporator 43 may be connected to the compressor 70 by a pipe (not shown), and may be installed on one side of the evaporation chamber 40 by the evaporator support 431.

Cold air circulating in the freezing chamber 30 flows into the evaporation chamber 40 through a suction duct 44 formed at one side of the main body 2. One side of the suction duct 44 is defined by the side portion 3 of the refrigerator 1, and the other side is defined by the intermediate wall 11. Since the suction duct 44 is formed between the side portion 3 and the intermediate wall 11, a flow cross section of air flowing through the suction duct 44 may be formed in a flat rectangular shape having a wide left and right width.

The cold air sucked through the suction duct 44 is heat-exchanged in the evaporator 43 again, and is discharged into the freezing chamber 30 by the cooling fan 402, and the circulation process is repeatedly performed. 30 maintains a predetermined temperature.

The moisture absorption unit 50 is provided in the inlet side of the evaporation chamber 40 into which cold air of the suction duct 44 flows. The moisture absorption unit 50 serves to remove moisture contained in the air sucked through the suction duct 44.

The moisture absorbing unit 50 separates moisture from the air sucked through the suction duct 44, and provides deformation force to the moisture absorbing member 51 and the moisture absorbing member 51, which may contain the separated moisture. The driving part 52 and the support part 54 for supporting the said moisture absorption member 51 are contained.

The moisture absorbing member 51 is provided between the side portion 3 and the intermediate wall 11 so as to cover an outlet through which air flowing through the suction duct 44 is discharged.

The moisture absorbing member 51 may be formed of a material having excellent hygroscopicity so as to suck moisture contained in air flowing through the suction duct 44. Therefore, the moisture absorbing member 51 may absorb moisture contained in the air flowing into the evaporation chamber 40 through the suction duct 44. Accordingly, the water flowing into the evaporation chamber 40 is removed to prevent frost on the evaporator 43.

In addition, the moisture absorbing member 51 may be formed of a material having elasticity so as to be easily deformed by the driving unit 51. For example, a sponge may be used as the moisture absorbing member 51.

One end of the moisture absorbing member 51 is provided with a first coupling portion 51a for providing a deformation force from the drive unit 52 to the moisture absorbing member 51, and the other end fixes the moisture absorbing member 51. A second coupling part 51b is provided for the purpose.

One side of the first coupling part 51a is fixed to the driving part 52, and the other side of the first coupling part 51a is fixed to the moisture absorbing member 51. For example, one side of the first coupling part 51a may be fitted to the driving unit 52.

One side of the second coupling part 51b is fixed to the support part 54, and the other side of the second coupling part 51b is fixed to the moisture absorbing member 51. In one example, a portion of the second coupling portion 51b may be fitted to the support portion 54.

The drive unit 52 includes a motor 521 for generating a deformation force for deforming the moisture absorbing member 51 and a motor shaft 522 for transmitting the power generated by the motor 521 to the moisture absorbing member 522. Included. The motor 521 may be referred to as a power generator, and the motor shaft 522 may be referred to as a power transmitter.

The motor 521 may be installed on the intermediate wall 11, and the motor shaft 522 may protrude from the intermediate wall 11 toward the evaporation chamber 40. In FIG. 4, the motor 521 is installed on the intermediate wall 11, but the installation position of the motor 521 is not limited thereto, and may be installed on the side part 3.

The motor shaft 522 is coupled to one end of the moisture absorbing member 51. In detail, the motor shaft 522 is fixed to the first coupling part 51a. Therefore, when the motor shaft 522 is rotated, the first coupling portion 51a is also rotated together with the motor shaft 522, thereby providing a deformation force to the moisture absorbing member 51.

The other end of the moisture absorbing member 51 is coupled to the support 54. The support part 54 is fixed to the side part 3.

Fixing protrusions 541 may protrude from the support part 54. The fixing protrusion 541 prevents the support 54 from being rotated with respect to the inner wall of the evaporation chamber 40. Since the second coupling part 51b is fixed to the support part 54 and the moisture absorbing member 51 is fixed to the second coupling part 51b, when the motor shaft 522 is rotated, the moisture absorbing member Torsion of 51 occurs.

The operation of the driver 52 may be controlled by the controller 80. The control unit 80 is connected to transmit a drive signal to the motor 521. The controller 80 may set a time in advance and input the signal, and periodically transmit the signal to the motor 521 at the set time interval.

Accordingly, the motor 521 is driven at a set time interval, and moisture containing the moisture absorbing member 51 may be separated from the moisture absorbing member 51 at the set time interval. On the other hand, the control unit 80 may be connected to enable the transmission of the signal to the water supply pump 62 and the water level sensor 65 to be described later.

A water collecting part 60 is provided below the moisture absorbing member 51. Moisture contained in the moisture absorbing member 51 by the moisture absorbing member 51 accumulates in the water collecting part 60. The water collecting part 60 may be formed by recessing the bottom portion 40a of the evaporation chamber 40.

The water collecting unit 60 is provided with a connection pipe 61 connecting the water collecting unit 60 and the storage space 10.

One end of the connection pipe 61 is connected to the water collecting part 60 as an absorption end for sucking water, and the other end is a discharge end for supplying water to the storage space 10. Will be exposed inside.

A nozzle 64 may be provided at the discharge end of the connection pipe 61. Moisture flowing through the connection pipe 61 by the nozzle 64 may be discharged into the storage space 10 in an atomized state. For example, the discharge end may be exposed to the storage space 10 in which vegetables, fruits, and the like are stored, and may maintain freshness by spraying water on the vegetables, fruits, and the like.

The inlet side of the connection pipe 61 is provided with a water supply pump 62 for supplying the water of the water collecting unit 60 to the storage space. When the water supply pump 62 receives the operation signal from the controller 80, the water pump 62 may supply water accumulated in the water collecting unit 60 to the storage space 10.

The connection pipe 61 may be provided with a filter 63 for purifying the water supplied from the water collecting part 60. Since the water discharged through the connecting pipe 61 is sprayed on the food stored in the storage space 10, it is necessary to purify the filter 63 before being discharged to the storage space 10. The filter 63 may be a water filter generally used in water purifiers.

The water collecting unit 60 may be provided with a water level detection sensor 65 for measuring the level of condensate accumulated in the water collecting unit 60. The water level sensor 65 may be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the water collecting unit 60 in a vertical direction by a predetermined interval, and installed on one side of the water collecting unit 60.

When it is detected by the water level sensor 65 that the condensate accumulated in the water collecting unit 60 has reached the set level, the water level sensor 64 signals that the condensed water has reached the set level. To pass on. Then, the controller 80 transmits an operation signal to the feed pump 62.

Hereinafter, the flow of cold air of the refrigerator and the action of the moisture absorption unit will be described in detail.

6 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 to 6, the cold air heat exchanged by the evaporator 43 in the evaporation chamber 40 is discharged to the freezing chamber 30 through the cold air discharge port 42.

The cold air circulates through the freezing chamber 30 and flows toward the evaporation chamber 40 through the suction duct 44.

The cold air flowing through the suction duct 44 is in contact with the moisture absorbing member 51 provided at the inlet side of the evaporation chamber 40. When the cold air is in contact with the moisture absorbing member 51, the moisture included in the cold air is absorbed by the moisture absorbing member 51. Accordingly, dry air from which moisture is removed may be introduced into the evaporation chamber 40. Since water is not included in the air flowing into the evaporation chamber 40, frost does not form on the evaporator 43.

The moisture absorbing member 51 may be deformed by the motor 521. The motor 521 may be periodically driven at a time interval set by the controller 80. Therefore, the moisture absorbing member 51 may be periodically deformed at set time intervals, and thus moisture contained in the moisture absorbing member 51 may be accumulated in the water collecting part 60.

When the condensate accumulated in the water collecting unit 60 reaches the set level, the water level detecting sensor 65 detects the condensate water and reaches the control unit 80. To pass.

When the control unit 80 receives such a signal from the water level sensor 65, the control unit 80 transmits an operation signal to the feed pump 62. Then, the feed pump 62 pumps the water of the water collecting unit 60 to the storage space 10 side. Water pumped by the feed water pump 62 flows along the connection pipe 61 and is sprayed into the storage space 10 through the nozzle 64 installed at the discharge end of the connection pipe 61.

According to the proposed embodiment, there is an advantage that the frost is not implanted in the evaporator even without the defrost heater because no water is included in the air flowing into the evaporation chamber.

In addition, the humidity of the refrigerating chamber is lowered due to the heating by the defrost heater, there is an advantage that can prevent the temperature in the high rise.

In addition, by supplying the water separated from the air flowing into the evaporation chamber back to the storage space such as a vegetable compartment, there is an advantage that can maintain the freshness of the food stored in the refrigerator.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3 when the moisture absorbing member of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is deformed.

6 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A body in which a storage space is formed; An evaporation chamber formed in the main body and provided with an evaporator generating cold air; A suction duct for allowing air in the storage space to flow into the evaporation chamber; And And a moisture absorbing member provided at an inlet side of the evaporation chamber and absorbing moisture contained in air introduced from the suction duct. The method of claim 1, And a driving unit connected to one end of the moisture absorbing member to provide a deformation force to the moisture absorbing member. The method of claim 2, The drive unit includes a motor for rotating one end of the moisture absorbing member. The method of claim 3, wherein The end of the moisture absorbing member corresponding to the opposite side to which the motor is connected is fixed to the evaporation chamber wall, Refrigerator, characterized in that the absorption of the moisture absorbing member by the rotation of the motor. The method of claim 3, wherein And the motor is periodically driven at a set time interval. The method of claim 1, The refrigerator having a bottom of the evaporation chamber is provided with a water collecting unit for collecting the moisture discharged from the moisture absorbing member. The method of claim 6, A connecting pipe connecting the water collecting unit and the storage space; And a water supply pump provided at an inlet side of the connection pipe for supplying water to the storage space. The method of claim 7, wherein The discharge end of the connecting pipe is exposed inside the storage space, The end of the connection pipe is provided with a nozzle, The refrigerator, characterized in that to discharge the water in the water collecting portion to the storage space in the atomized state. The method of claim 7, wherein The water collecting unit further includes a water level sensor for measuring the level of condensate accumulated in the water, And the pump operates when the level of the condensate reaches a set level. The method of claim 7, wherein The connection pipe, a refrigerator provided with a filter for purifying the water supplied from the water collecting unit.

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