KR20130055176A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator is provided to prevent discomfort feeling due to a light source because the light source is radiated to the rear side of an inner case. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator comprises an inner case(14), a recessed part(130), a light source, and a cover part(140). The inner case forms a refrigerating room or a freezing room. The recessed part is recessed in the inner case at a predetermined depth. The light source is received in the recessed part. The cover part surrounds the light source and is completely received in the recessed part. The light source irradiates light to the rear side of the inner case. The cover part comprises an extended piece extended in parallel to the inner case so that the cover part can be completely received in the recessed part.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having improved energy saving and ease of use.

Generally, a refrigerator discharges cold air generated by a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, etc. to lower the temperature of the inside of the refrigerator and freeze or refrigerate food or the like.

The refrigerator generally includes a freezer for freezing food or beverage, and a refrigerator for storing the food or beverage at a low temperature. In addition, a kimchi refrigerator for keeping food and vegetables such as kimchi fresh is also a kind of refrigerator.

At least one of the plurality of doors installed in the refrigerator is connected to one side of the main body by a hinge and is rotated to open and close the main body. In addition to the door pivoted by the hinge, a drawer door is also used in which a door is mounted on the front surface of the drawer and is drawn or drawn in the front-rear direction together with the drawer.

The freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator are generally provided with a plurality of shelves for partitioning the storage compartment of the refrigerator up and down to accommodate food of various sizes and to increase space utilization.

When the user opens the refrigerator door or the refrigerator door, the lighting is turned on so as to check the food stored in the freezer or the refrigerator compartment. Since the heat is generated by the lighting, the internal temperature of the refrigerator is unnecessarily increased to waste energy. Problem occurs.

In addition, when the light is directly irradiated to the user there is a problem that may cause glare to the user, causing discomfort.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can reduce the heat generated by the light source to improve the energy efficiency when operating the refrigerator.

In another aspect, the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that does not cause the direction of light irradiation of the light source toward the user, does not cause discomfort that may be caused to the user.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an inner case for forming a freezer compartment or a refrigerating compartment; A depression recessed in the inner case by a predetermined depth; A light source accommodated in the depression; And a cover part surrounding the light source and completely received in the recess, wherein the light source irradiates light toward the rear of the inner case, and the cover part extends substantially parallel to the inner case. Provided is a refrigerator, comprising: an extension piece fully accommodated in the depression.

The depression may include a first inclined surface facing the front of the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment and a second inclined surface facing the rear of the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment.

The cover part may include an inclined piece facing the rear of the inner case, and the inclined piece may be disposed adjacent to the first inclined surface.

On the other hand, the inclined piece may be formed with irregularities for scattering light emitted from the light source.

At this time, the inclined piece is preferably made of a transparent material.

Of course, the extension piece may be made of a translucent material, the extension piece may be inclined at a predetermined inclination to face the rear of the inner case.

It is preferable that the light source is completely accommodated in the depression, and does not protrude to the outside of the inner case.

The depression may include an extension surface forming a side surface connecting the first slope and the second slope.

The light source preferably includes an LED.

According to the present invention, since the LED is used as the light source, energy efficiency is improved because the energy for driving the light source can be reduced.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the LED is used as the light source, the amount of heat generated when the light source is driven can be reduced, thereby saving energy required to restart the refrigeration cycle in order to lower the temperature raised by the light source again. Can be.

Further, according to the present invention, the direction in which the light source is irradiated does not face the user, thereby preventing the user from being uncomfortable due to the light source.

1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view in which the door is open in FIG.
3 shows the main parts of one embodiment;
4 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3.
5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4.
6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view in which a door is opened in FIG. 1. This will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig.

In the refrigerator 10 according to the present invention, the freezer compartment 32 and the refrigerating compartment 22 are partitioned up and down, and the freezer compartment 32 is disposed on the upper side of the refrigerating compartment 22, and the freezer compartment. The same applies to the side-by-side type refrigerator in which the 32 and the refrigerating chamber 22 are divided into left and right sides.

However, in the present embodiment, for convenience of description, the freezer compartment 32 and the refrigerating compartment 22 are partitioned up and down, and the freezer compartment 32 is located below the freezer compartment 22. Explain.

In general, the freezing chamber 32 maintains the temperature below freezing, and the refrigerating chamber 22 stores the food while maintaining a relatively higher temperature than the freezing chamber 32.

The refrigerator 10 forms an exterior of the refrigerator by a main body, and seals and protects a mechanical device accommodated therein from the outside. The main body of the refrigerator 10 has an outer case 12 which forms an overall appearance when viewed by a user from the outside and an inner case which forms a storage compartment in which food is stored, that is, the freezing compartment 32 and the refrigerating compartment 22. (14). A predetermined space may be formed between the outer case 12 and the inner case 14 to form a passage through which cold air is circulated.

In addition, a coolant cycle device is installed in a machine room (not shown) formed in a space between the outer case 12 and the inner case 14 to generate cool air by circulating a coolant. By using a refrigerant cycle device can maintain the freshness of foods to keep the inside of the refrigerator at a low temperature. The refrigerant cycle apparatus includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an evaporator (not shown) for performing heat exchange with the outside by phase-converting a liquid refrigerant into a gaseous state.

The refrigerator 10 includes a freezer compartment door 20 to open and close the freezer compartment 30 and the refrigerating compartment 22 to open and close the freezer compartment 32. One end of the freezing compartment door 30 and the refrigerating compartment door 20 is rotatably installed in a main body of the refrigerator 10 by a hinge. The freezing compartment door 30 and the refrigerating compartment door 20 may be formed in plural numbers. That is, as shown in Figure 2, the refrigerating compartment door 20 and the freezer compartment door 30 may be installed in a form that is open around both corners of the refrigerator toward the front.

A barrier 16 may be installed between the freezing chamber 32 and the refrigerating chamber 22 to distinguish the freezing chamber 32 and the refrigerating chamber 22. The barrier 16 may have a predetermined thickness and may be formed in the inner case 14. The barrier 16 extends in a horizontal direction and allows the freezing compartment 32 and the refrigerating compartment 22 to be divided up and down based on the barrier 16.

A partition 18 is installed at the center of the freezing compartment 32 to divide the freezing compartment 32 into two separate spaces. The partition wall 18 may be installed perpendicular to the inner case 14 to form the freezing compartment 32 divided into two sides. Thus, the freezing compartment door 30 may individually open or close each freezing compartment 32.

On the other hand, unlike the freezer compartment 32, the refrigerating compartment 22 is not provided with a partition wall that divides the center of the refrigerating compartment 22 from side to side, but may be installed as applied to the freezer compartment (32).

In the freezer compartment 32 and the refrigerating compartment 22, shelves, drawers, baskets, etc. may be arranged to store food.

The freezer compartment 32 is provided with a drawer 40 capable of drawing in or drawing out. The drawer 40 stores food and the like. A cover is vertically disposed on the front of the drawer 40 so that cold air may be stored in the freezer compartment 32 even when the freezer compartment door 30 is opened.

A plurality of drawers 40 may be disposed in the freezer compartment 32, but may be disposed at both sides with the partition 18 therebetween.

The freezing chamber 32 or the refrigerating chamber 22 is provided with a light source 150 for irradiating light, so that when the user opens the freezing chamber door 30 or the refrigerating chamber door 20, the light source 150 is provided. Can be operated. At this time, the light source 150 is preferably irradiated with the light toward the rear of the freezing chamber 32 or the refrigerating chamber 22 (the rear means the direction toward the inside of the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber).

3 is a diagram illustrating main parts of an embodiment. This will be described below with reference to Fig.

One embodiment includes a recess 130 recessed in the inner case 14 by a predetermined depth and a light source 150 accommodated in the recess 130.

In this case, the light source 150 is preferably an LED.

An LED, or Light Emitting Diode (LED), is a semiconductor device that emits light by passing a current through a compound such as gallium arsenide. The LED has a structure in which a positive charge particle called an electron and a hole is emitted from the center of the electrode and emits a photon of light when an electric current passes through a conductive material having an electrode attached thereunder. The color of the light changes according to the properties of this material. At present, yellow, green, blue, and white LEDs have been developed. It is preferable that a white LED is applied to the light source in the present embodiment.

Compared to other light emitting devices such as tungsten lamps and neon lamps, LEDs have a good conversion efficiency from electricity to light. Moreover, the time from the start of the current to the light emission is short, and the response characteristic is also good.

Therefore, when the LED is used as the light source 150 in the freezing compartment 32 or the refrigerating compartment 22, the time taken to emit light is relatively short, so that the user can quickly check the food contained in the refrigerator.

In addition, since the LED light source 150 does not emit heat as compared to other light sources, the temperature of the freezing chamber 32 or the refrigerating chamber 22 in the state where the light source 150 emits light can be prevented from being unnecessarily increased. . Therefore, it is possible to save energy required to drive the refrigeration cycle apparatus in order to lower the elevated temperature due to the light source.

In particular, it is preferable that the light source 150 irradiate light toward the rear of the inner case 14. At this time, the rear of the inner case 14 refers to the inside of the drawing based on the drawing shown in FIG. 2, and the front of the inner case 14 refers to the position of those skilled in the art looking at the drawing based on the drawing shown in FIG. it means. For convenience of explanation, the rear of the inner case 14 means a direction deeper into the freezing compartment 32 or the refrigerating compartment 22, and the front of the inner case 14 is the freezing compartment 32 or the like. It demonstrates by defining in the direction which exits from the said refrigerator compartment 22 to the exterior.

In order to use a refrigerator, a user opens the freezing compartment door 30 or the refrigerating compartment door 20, and a hand enters the freezing compartment 32 or the refrigerating compartment 22. At this time, since the user's gaze is located behind the user's hand, when the light irradiated by the light source 150 does not face the front of the inner case 14, the user does not feel glare by the light. There is this.

On the other hand, since the LED used in the embodiment is a straight light and a high illuminance, when the light is directed to the user, the user feels a great discomfort compared to other light sources. In order to prevent this, in the present invention, the light source 150 is installed to face the inner case 14. It is particularly preferred to face the back wall of the inner case 14.

The light source 150 may be completely accommodated in the recess 130 and may not protrude to the outside of the inner case 14. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of shelves may be mounted around the light source 150. The shelf may be installed in the refrigerating chamber 22 or the freezing chamber 32 while changing the height according to the user's convenience. To this end, it is preferable that the light source 150 disposed adjacent to the shelf does not protrude to the outside of the inner case 14. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the light source 150 is installed on the side surface of the inner case 14, and the light source 150 is completely accommodated in the recess 130 so as to draw or draw out the shelf. It is installed so as not to be an obstacle.

In the light source 150, a plurality of LEDs may be arranged in a line. Since the recess 130 and the light source 150 are elongated in the vertical direction, light may be evenly radiated into the inner case 14. Since the light irradiated from the LED is generally light having a strong straightness, it is preferable to arrange a plurality of LEDs at predetermined intervals in order to irradiate light entirely inside the freezing compartment 32 or the refrigerating compartment 22. Do.

4 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. A description with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 is as follows.

The depression 130 includes a first inclined surface 132 facing the front of the freezing chamber 32 or the refrigerating chamber 22 and a second inclined surface 134 facing the rear of the freezing chamber 32 or the refrigerating chamber 22. do. The first inclined surface 132 and the second inclined surface 134 may be disposed to contact one end in a 'v' shape while forming an obtuse angle with each other. Of course, the first inclined surface 132 and the second inclined surface 134 may be disposed so as to contact one end at a right angle or an acute angle, but for convenience of description, an embodiment of the present invention is limited to FIGS. 4 and 5. Let's explain.

At this time, the meaning of looking forward or rearward of the freezing compartment 32 or the refrigerating compartment 22 means that the normal direction of each of the first inclined surface 132 or the second inclined surface 134 of the freezing compartment 32 or the refrigerating compartment 22 is different. It means to face forward or backward.

In addition, the depression 130 includes an extension surface 136 that forms a side connecting the first inclined surface 132 and the second inclined surface 134. Two extension surfaces 136 are formed on both sides of the first inclined surface 132, and each of the extension surfaces 136 individually connects the first inclined surface 132 and the second inclined surface 134 to each other.

Since the extension surface 136 is formed by the outer circumferential surfaces of the first sloped surface 132 and the second sloped surface 134, the extension surface 136 may form a triangular shape as a whole. The extension surface 136 may be formed of a member capable of reflecting light for efficiency of light emitted from the light source 150.

In addition, in one embodiment, the light source 150 may further include a cover 140 that is completely accommodated in the recess 130. The cover part 140 seals a space in which the light source 150 is installed so that the light source 150 is not directly exposed to the freezing chamber 32 or the refrigerating chamber 22. When the light source 150 is exposed to the refrigerating chamber 22 or the freezing chamber 32, heat generated by the light source 150 is immediately exchanged with heat in the refrigerating chamber 22 or the freezing chamber 32. The problem that the temperature inside the freezer compartment 32 or the refrigerating compartment 22 rises may occur. In order to prevent such a direct heat exchange, the cover portion 140 preferably has a shape having a thickness of a predetermined size or more.

The cover part 140 may include an inclined piece 142 facing the rear of the inner case 14, and the inclined piece 142 may be installed to be in contact with the first inclined surface 132. Since the inclined piece 142 faces the rear of the inner case 14, the light emitted from the light source 150 is the rear of the inner case 14, that is, the freezing chamber 32 or the refrigerating chamber 22. ) To the inner side.

In particular, the inclined piece 142 is preferably made of a transparent material. This is because light irradiated by the light source 150 passes through the inclined piece 142 and faces the inner case 14.

The inclined piece 142 may be formed with irregularities that scatter light emitted from the light source 150. In this case, the unevenness may be scattered in various directions in a range in which the light of the light source 150 faces the inner case 14. Since the LED used as the light source 150 has a strong straightness, the light emitted from the light source 150 is irradiated toward the rear of the inner case 14 in a straight line unless the light is scattered using unevenness. Therefore, a problem may occur in that a portion of the light source 150 that is not directly irradiated with light has a significantly lower illuminance than a portion that is irradiated with light.

Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention by placing additional unevenness, the light emitted from the light source 150 can be scattered to the position that can not be irradiated because the light source 150 is not installed.

Meanwhile, the cover part 140 may include an extension piece 144 formed to be substantially parallel to the inner case 14. The extension piece 144 may be formed to be parallel to the entire surface of the inner case 14 in which the depression 130 is installed. This is because the light irradiated through the light source 150 is prevented from being irradiated to the rear of the inner case 14 where the user is located through the extension piece 144.

On the other hand, the extension piece 144 may be installed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface of the inner case 14. In this case, the extension piece 144 may be inclined at a predetermined angle of the inner case 14. It is desirable to look back. This is because when the extension piece 144 faces the front of the inner case 14, some of the light emitted from the light source is irradiated to the front of the inner case 14. In such a case, the user may feel glare and may cause inconvenience.

Meanwhile, the extension piece 144 may be made of a translucent material. In order to prevent the light transmitted through the extension piece 144 is directly transmitted to the user. However, it is not preferable that the extension piece 144 is made of a material through which light is not transmitted. Even if the extension piece 144 is formed of a translucent material, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the light from being irradiated to the user. On the other hand, if light is not transmitted through the extension piece 144 at all, the result is that some of the light energy irradiated from the light source 150 is not used, and thus the overall energy efficiency is lowered.

6 is a view showing another embodiment of the present invention. A description with reference to FIG. 6 is as follows.

In FIG. 6, the recess 130 and the light source 150 are not provided at the side surface of the inner case 14, but are disposed on an upper surface of the inner case 14. That is, the depression 130 and the light source 150 may be installed at any part of the freezing chamber 32 or the upper side and the side of the refrigerating chamber 22.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source 150 may not be installed in the refrigerating compartment 22, but may be installed in the same form in the freezing compartment 32. The description is omitted because it is only a technical item that can be achieved.

At this time, even if the light source 150 is installed on the upper surface of the inner case 14, the light source 150 is preferably irradiated toward the rear of the inner case 14, as in the above-described embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as can be seen in the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

10: refrigerator 20: refrigerator compartment door
22: refrigerator compartment 30: freezer door
32: freezing chamber 130: depression
140: cover portion 150: light source

Claims (10)

An inner case forming a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment;
A depression recessed in the inner case by a predetermined depth;
A light source accommodated in the depression; And
And a cover part surrounding the light source and completely received in the recessed part.
The light source irradiates light toward the rear of the inner case,
And the cover portion includes an extension piece extending substantially parallel to the inner case and completely received in the depression portion. The method of claim 1,
The recess includes a first inclined surface facing the front of the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment and a second inclined surface facing the rear of the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment. The method of claim 1,
The cover portion has an inclined piece facing the rear of the inner case,
The inclined piece is a refrigerator, characterized in that installed adjacent to the first slope. The method of claim 3,
The inclined piece is a refrigerator, characterized in that irregularities are formed to scatter the light irradiated from the light source. The method of claim 3,
The inclined piece is a refrigerator, characterized in that made of a transparent material. The method of claim 1,
The extension piece is a refrigerator, characterized in that made of a translucent material. The method of claim 1,
The extension piece is inclined at a predetermined inclination so as to face the rear of the inner case. The method of claim 1,
The light source is completely accommodated in the recessed portion, characterized in that does not protrude to the outside of the inner case. The method of claim 2,
The depression includes a refrigerator including an extended surface forming a side connecting the first slope and the second slope. The method of claim 1,
The light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

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