KR20180046577A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator comprises: a main body including a storage unit to store food and an air conditioning unit divided from the storage unit and having an inlet and outlet formed therein; a compression unit installed inside the main body; a first air conditioning heat exchanger connected to the compression unit with a refrigerant inlet passage; an air conditioning expansion device connected to the first air conditioning heat exchanger with a refrigerant outlet passage; a second air conditioning heat exchanger installed inside the air conditioning unit, connected to the expansion device with an air conditioning passage, and connected to the compression unit with an inlet passage; a blowing fan interposed between the inlet and the outlet, and installed to face the second air conditioning heat exchanger; a water purifier installed in a front side of the storage unit; and a water supply passage connected to the water purifier. A cold water inlet passage connected to the water supply passage and a cold water outlet passage connected to the water purifier are connected to the first air conditioning heat exchanger. Accordingly, the refrigerator includes an air conditioning system and the air conditioning system is able to be formed with the water supply passage required for the water purifier.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having an air conditioning function.

The refrigerator is designed not only to extend the shelf life of food or food, but also to maintain its freshness for a longer period of time. It keeps the inside of food or food storage at a low temperature.

In recent years, various types of refrigerators have been introduced depending on the type of food while the eating habits have been improved, diversified, and various kinds of foods are consumed. For example, refrigerator includes cereal refrigerator for storing grain, sake reservoir for storing wine such as wine, and Kimchi refrigerator for storing kimchi or vegetables. In addition, in recent years, additional functions such as water purification function and ice-making function have been added for convenience of life.

Generally, the interior of a kitchen in which a refrigerator is installed is relatively large in heat load compared to a living room or the like, depending on the use of a cooking appliance or the like. However, since the air conditioner necessary for solving the heat load is generally installed in the living room, there is a problem that it is difficult to take care of air conditioning up to the kitchen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator including an air conditioning system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator including an air conditioning system utilizing a water supply channel required for a water purifier.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a main body having therein a storage part for storing food and an air conditioning part for partitioning the storage part and forming an inlet and an outlet; A compression unit provided inside the main body; A first air conditioning heat exchanger connected to the compression unit through a refrigerant inflow channel; An air conditioning expansion mechanism connected to the first air conditioning heat exchanger and the refrigerant outflow channel; A second air conditioning heat exchanger provided in the air conditioning unit, the second air conditioning heat exchanger being connected to the expansion mechanism by an air conditioning duct and connected to the compression unit by a suction duct; A blowing fan disposed between the suction port and the discharge port and provided so as to face the second air conditioning heat exchanger; A water purifier installed in front of the storage unit; And a water supply channel connected to the water purifier.

The first air conditioning heat exchanger may be connected to a cooling water inflow passage connected to the water supply passage and a cooling water outflow passage connected to the water purifier. According to this, the refrigerator can have an air conditioning system, and the air conditioning system can be configured by utilizing the water supply channel necessary for the water purifier.

The water supply channel may be provided with a filter module, and the cooling water outlet channel may be connected to the water purifier via the filter module. According to this, the hot water can be supplied to the water purifier without a separate heating device.

An auxiliary heater may be installed in the cooling water outflow channel. According to this, hot water can be supplied to the water purifier even if the user does not use the air conditioning function.

The air conditioning unit may be located above the storage unit.

Wherein the air conditioning unit includes: an accommodating portion in which the suction port is formed and in which the second air conditioning heat exchanger and the blowing fan are disposed; And a duct portion communicating with the accommodating portion and having the discharge port formed therein, and the duct portion may be positioned in front of the accommodating portion.

And the cross-sectional area of the duct portion may be narrower than the cross-sectional area of the accommodating portion. According to this, the flow velocity of the air discharged to the cold air discharge port is increased, and the air conditioning performance can be improved.

Wherein the air conditioning unit further includes an intermediate portion located between the accommodating portion and the duct portion, Sectional area of the intermediate portion may become narrower from the side of the accommodating portion toward the side of the duct portion.

A refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a condenser connected to the compression unit through a condenser inlet flow path; A main valve device connected to the condenser and the condenser outflow channel; At least one evaporator connected to the main valve unit and connected to the refrigerant channel, the evaporator being disposed behind the storage unit and exchanging heat with air introduced into the storage unit; And at least one expansion mechanism installed in the refrigerant passage and corresponding to the at least one evaporator, respectively. According to this, a single compressor can be used to constitute a refrigeration and / or refrigeration system and an air conditioning system, so that the machine room can be made compact.

The at least one evaporator may be connected to the suction passage.

Wherein the compression unit includes: a compressor to which the suction passage is connected; And a sub-valve device connected to the compressor and the discharge passage. The sub valve device may be connected to the first air conditioning heat exchanger and the refrigerant inflow channel, and may be connected to the condenser and the condenser inflow channel.

The refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may further include a sub-coolant channel connecting the main valve unit and the air-conditioning channel. The sub-refrigerant passage may be provided with a sub-expansion mechanism.

The refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may further include a sub-coolant channel connecting the main valve unit and the coolant outflow channel.

Wherein the compression unit comprises: a first compressor connected to the first air conditioning heat exchanger and the refrigerant inflow passage and connected to the second air conditioning heat exchanger and the suction passage; And a second compressor connected to the condenser and the condenser inlet flow path and connected to the at least one evaporator through a sub suction port. According to this, the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system and the air conditioning system are configured independently of each other, so that the cooling performance can be improved and the control can be made convenient.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined space can be cooled by only a refrigerator.

In addition, the air conditioning system can be realized by utilizing the water supply channel necessary for the water purifier.

In addition, by utilizing the heat of condensation of the heat exchanger, the hot water can be supplied to the water purifier without a separate heating device.

Further, the machine room can be made compact by configuring the air conditioning system with the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system using a single compressor.

Further, by independently configuring the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system and the air conditioning system, the cooling performance can be improved and the control can be made convenient.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a configuration of an air conditioning system.
4 is a perspective view showing the air conditioning unit.
5 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a main body 10. At least one door 80 may be installed in the main body 10. In addition, the refrigerator (1) may further include a water purifier (71).

The main body 10 can form an outer appearance of the refrigerator 1, and the main body 10 can have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A storage unit 20 and an air conditioning unit 40, which will be described later, may be formed inside the main body 10.

The door (80) can open / close the main body (10) of the refrigerator (1). In more detail, the door 80 can open and close the storage portion 20 of the main body 10.

 At least one door 80 may be provided. For example, the refrigerator 1 may be provided with a freezer compartment door for opening and closing the freezer compartment 21, and a refrigerator compartment door for opening and closing the freezer compartment 22.

 When a plurality of doors 80 are provided, each of the plurality of doors 80 may be different in size and shape. The plurality of doors (80) can be installed on the front surface of the main body (10).

The water purifier 71 may be installed in the main body 10. More specifically, the water purifier 71 may be installed in a space in which a part of the outer surface of the door 80 is recessed. Therefore, the user can use the water purifier 71 without opening the door 80.

The main body 10 may be provided with a discharge port 44 through which air for performing an air conditioning function is discharged.

Since the air discharged from the discharge port 44 may be a cold air at a low temperature, the temperature may be lower than the ambient air. That is, since the air discharged from the discharge port 44 is relatively heavy compared to the surrounding air, it is preferable that the discharge port 44 is formed on the upper side of the main body 10. However, the position of the discharge port 44 is not limited to this. For example, the discharge port 44 may be located on the side surface of the main body 10. [

The discharge port 44 may be formed on the upper side of the door 80. The discharge port 44 may be formed to face the front surface of the main body 10, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the discharge port 44 may have a rectangular cross section.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a configuration of an air conditioning system, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioning unit.

Hereinafter, the air conditioning system may mean a cooling cycle for air conditioning, and the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system may refer to a cooling cycle for refrigeration and / or refrigeration.

2 and 4, the main body 10 included in the refrigerator 1 of the present invention may include a storage unit 20, an air conditioning unit 40, and a machine room 50. The storage unit 20, the air conditioning unit 40, and the machine room 50 may be partitioned by partition walls, respectively. At this time, the partition wall may be a heat insulating wall, whereby the temperature of each of the storage unit 20, the air conditioning unit 40, and the machine room 50 can be independently maintained.

Food may be stored or stored in the storage 20. The storage unit 20 may include a freezer compartment 21 and a refrigerating compartment 22. The internal temperature of the freezing compartment 21 may be lower than the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment 22. More specifically, the internal temperature of the freezing compartment 21 may be below -15 캜. The internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment 22 may be an image and is preferably about 3 to 5 캜.

The freezing compartment 21 and the refrigerating compartment 22 may be partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall. At least one hole (not shown) through which air can pass may be formed in the heat insulating partition wall for partitioning the freezing compartment 21 and the refrigerating compartment 22. The holes may be selectively openable and closable. Thus, the cold air in the freezing chamber 21 and the refrigerating chamber 22 can be mixed, and the temperature inside the refrigerating chamber 22 can be further lowered by the cooling air in the freezing chamber 21.

A temperature sensor (not shown) may be provided in each of the freezer compartment 21 and the refrigerating compartment 22, and a controller (not shown) may control the refrigerator 1 according to the measured value of the temperature sensor.

The freezing compartment 21 may be located at one side of the storage unit 20 and the refrigerating compartment 22 may be located at the other side of the storage unit 20. The freezing compartment 21 may be located above the refrigerating compartment 22, but is not limited thereto. For example, the freezing chamber 21 may be located on the left or right side of the refrigerating chamber 22.

On the rear side of the storage unit 20, a barrier 60 may be provided. That is, the storage unit 20 can be positioned in front of the barrier 60. It is preferable that the barrier 60 is disposed as close as possible to the back of the main body 10 when the size of the main body 10 is constant since the larger the inner space of the storage unit 20 is,

At least one cold air discharge opening (61, 62) may be formed in the barrier (60). For example, the barrier 60 may be provided with a first cool air discharge port 61 for discharging cool air to the freezing chamber 21 and a second cool air discharge port 62 for discharging cool air to the refrigerating chamber 22 .

The first cool air discharge port 61 may be formed in a portion corresponding to the freezing chamber 21 in the barrier 60 and the second cool air discharge port 62 may be formed in a portion corresponding to the refrigerating chamber 22 in the barrier 60 .

At least one evaporator (211, 221) and evaporation fans (212, 222) may be installed behind the barrier (60). For example, the first evaporator 211 and the first evaporator fan 212 can be positioned behind the portion corresponding to the freezer compartment 21 in the barrier 60, and the first evaporator 211 and the first evaporator fan 212 can be located in the freezer compartment 22 And a second evaporator 221 and a second evaporation fan 222 may be positioned behind the corresponding portion.

The first evaporation fan 212 can blow air that has been heat-exchanged in the first evaporator 211 to the freezing chamber 21 through the first cooling air discharge opening 61. The second evaporation fan 222 can blow air that has been heat-exchanged in the second evaporator 221 to the refrigerating chamber 22 through the second air discharge opening 62. That is, the first evaporator 211 may be a freezer compartment evaporator for cooling the freezer compartment 21, and the second evaporator 221 may be a refrigerator compartment evaporator for cooling the refrigerating compartment 22.

The cooling load required by the first evaporator 211 may be larger than the cooling load required by the second evaporator 221 since the temperature of the freezer compartment 21 should be maintained lower than the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 22. [ Therefore, the flow rates of the refrigerant flowing into the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 221 may be different from each other, and the flow rate of the refrigerant can be controlled by the main valve device 56.

It is preferable that the evaporation fans 212 and 222 are disposed between the evaporators 211 and 221 and the cold air discharge ports 61 and 62 but the evaporation fans 212 and 222 are disposed behind the evaporators 211 and 221 It is possible.

The machine room 50 may be located below the main body 10. In addition, the machine room 50 may be located behind the main body 10.

A compression unit 14, a condenser 52, a condensing fan 53, and a main valve unit 56 may be provided in the machine room 50. In addition, a first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) may be provided in the machine room (50). At least one expansion mechanism (213, 223) and an air conditioning expansion mechanism (59) may be further included in the machine room (50).

The compression section 14 may include a compressor 51 and a sub-valve device 58. The compression section 14 may further include a discharge flow passage 15. The compressor (51) and the sub valve device (58) can be connected to the discharge passage (15). The discharge passage 15 can guide the refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 51 to the sub valve device 58.

A suction passage (19) may be connected to the compression section (14). More specifically, the suction passage 19 may be connected to the compressor 51.

The compressor (51) can compress the refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure. The compressor (51) can be connected to the suction passage (19) and the discharge passage (15). The compressor (51) compresses the refrigerant introduced from the suction passage (19) into the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant and can discharge the refrigerant into the discharge passage (15). An accumulator (not shown) for preventing liquid refrigerant from being introduced into the compressor 51 may be installed in the suction flow path 19.

The refrigerant inflow passage 16 can connect the compression section 14 and the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57. More specifically, the refrigerant inflow passage 16 can connect the sub valve device 58 and the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57. [ The refrigerant inflow passage 16 can guide the refrigerant discharged from the sub valve device 58 to the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57.

The sub valve device 58 can regulate the direction and amount of flow of the refrigerant in order to supply the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 51 to the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 and the condenser 52. The amount of refrigerant flowing into the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 and the condenser 52 can be varied according to the control of the sub valve device 58. [ The sub valve device 58 may include a three way valve or a four way valve.

A condenser inlet flow path (54) may be connected to the compression section (14). More specifically, the sub valve device 58 may be connected to a condenser inlet flow path 54. [ The sub valve device 58 can cause the refrigerant introduced through the discharge passage 15 to flow into the refrigerant inflow passage 16 and / or the condenser inflow passage 54.

When the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system is stopped and the air conditioning system is operated alone, the sub valve device 58 can be adjusted so that all of the refrigerant introduced through the discharge passage 15 flows into the refrigerant inflow passage 16. [ In this case, the passage in the direction of the condenser inlet flow path 54 of the sub valve device 58 is closed and the refrigerant does not flow into the condenser inlet flow path 54.

When the air conditioning system is stopped and the refrigerating and / or refrigeration system is operated alone, the sub valve device 58 can be adjusted so that all of the refrigerant introduced through the discharge passage 15 flows into the condenser inflow passage 54. In this case, the passage in the direction of the refrigerant inflow passage 16 of the sub valve device 58 is closed so that the refrigerant does not flow into the refrigerant inflow passage 16. [

During the simultaneous operation of the air conditioning system and the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system, a part of the refrigerant introduced into the sub valve device 58 through the discharge passage 15 flows into the condenser inflow passage 54, (16). ≪ / RTI >

In the condenser (52), the refrigerant compressed in the compressor (51) can be condensed. The condenser 52 may be connected to the compression unit 14 through the condenser inlet flow path 54. More specifically, the condenser 52 may be connected to the sub-valve device 58 by a condenser inlet flow path 54. [ The refrigerant introduced into the condenser 52 through the condenser inlet flow path 54 in the sub valve device 58 can be heat-exchanged with the air inside the mechanical chamber 50 and condensed.

The condenser 52 may be connected to the condenser outlet flow path 55. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 52 may flow into the condenser outlet flow path 55.

The condensing fan 53 can blow the air exchanged with the refrigerant in the condenser 52 to the outside of the main body 10 through a passage (not shown) formed on the back surface of the main body 10. [ The condensing fan (53) can be disposed between the passage and the condensing fan (53). It is also possible that the condenser 52 is disposed between the condensing fan 53 and the communicating hole.

The main valve device 56 may be connected to a condenser outflow passage 55 and at least one refrigerant passage 214, 224.

The condenser outflow channel 55 may connect the condenser 52 and the main valve unit 56. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 52 may flow into the main valve device 56 through the condenser outlet flow path 55.

The main valve device 56 may adjust the flow direction of the refrigerant to supply the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 52 to the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 221. The amount of the refrigerant flowing into the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 221 may be changed under the control of the main valve device 56. [ The main valve device 56 may include a three way valve or a four way valve.

At least one of the refrigerant passages 214 and 224 may connect the main valve device 56 and at least one of the evaporators 221 and 221. For example, the first refrigerant passage 214 connects the main valve device 56 and the first evaporator 211, the second refrigerant passage 224 connects the second evaporator 221 and the main valve device 56, .

At least one expansion mechanism (213, 223) may be provided in the body (10). The expansion mechanisms 213 and 223 are preferably disposed within the machine room 50.

 The plurality of expansion mechanisms 213 and 223 may be provided corresponding to the plurality of evaporators 211 and 221, respectively. For example, the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 221 may correspond to the first expansion mechanism 213 and the second expansion mechanism 223, respectively. The first expansion mechanism 213 may be provided in the first refrigerant passage 214 and the second expansion mechanism 223 may be provided in the second refrigerant passage 224. [

The refrigerant flowing into the main valve device 56 through the condenser outlet flow path 55 may flow into the refrigerant flow paths 214 and 224. The refrigerant can expand through the expansion mechanisms 213, 223 on the refrigerant flow paths 214, 224. The refrigerant throttled in the expansion mechanisms (213, 223) can be evaporated in the evaporators (211, 221).

As described above, the evaporation fans 212 and 222 can blow the air that has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the evaporators 211 and 221 to the inside of the storage unit 20 through the cold air discharge ports 61 and 62. Thus, refrigeration and / or refrigeration of the storage unit 20 may be possible.

The evaporators 211 and 221 may be connected to the suction flow path 19. The refrigerant heat-exchanged with the air in the evaporators 211 and 221 flows into the suction passage 19 and can be sucked into the compressor 51. This allows the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system to be completed.

Hereinafter, the air conditioning unit 40 will be described.

The air conditioning part 40 may be located on the upper side of the main body 10, but is not limited thereto. The air conditioning part (40) can be partitioned into a storage part (20) and a heat insulating partition wall.

The air conditioning part (40) may be provided with a suction port (45) and a discharge port (44). A second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) and a blowing fan (47) may be disposed inside the air conditioning part (40).

The air conditioning part (40) may include a receiving part (41) and a duct part (42). The air conditioning part (40) may further include an intermediate part (43).

A second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) and a blowing fan (47) may be installed in the receiving portion (41). In addition, a suction port 45 may be formed at one side of the accommodating portion 41. The inlet port 45 may be an outside air inlet through which the air outside the main body 10 flows into the air conditioning unit 40.

And the blowing fan 47 may be disposed so as to face the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46.

The air blowing fan 47 can suck the air outside the main body 10 into the air conditioning part 40 through the air inlet 45 and flow through the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46. Also, the blowing fan 47 can blow air heat-exchanged in the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46 to the discharge port 44. [ The blowing fan 47 may be disposed between the suction port 45 and the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46. Or the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46 may be disposed between the air blowing fan 47 and the air inlet 45.

The duct portion 42 may communicate with the receiving portion 41 and the discharge port 44 may be formed. The discharge port 44 may be provided with a direction adjusting member 440 that can adjust the direction of the air to be drawn.

The duct portion 42 may be located in front of the receiving portion 41, but is not limited thereto.

The suction port 45 may be formed on the back surface of the air conditioning part 40 and the discharge port 44 may be formed on the front surface of the air conditioning part 40. More specifically, the suction port 45 may be formed on the back surface of the receiving portion 41, and the discharge port 44 may be formed on the front surface of the duct portion 42.

Since the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46 and the air blowing fan 47 are installed in the accommodating portion 41 as described above, the accommodating portion 41 may have a relatively larger cross sectional area than the duct portion 42. That is, the cross-sectional area of the duct portion 42 may be narrower than the cross-sectional area of the accommodating portion 41. Therefore, the cool air flowing in the accommodating portion 41 can pass through the duct portion 42 and can flow at a higher flow speed, can be discharged from the discharge port 44, and can be spread farther. Thereby, there is an advantage that the air conditioning function of the refrigerator 1 can be further improved.

The intermediate portion 43 may be located between the accommodating portion 41 and the duct portion 42. The intermediate portion 43 communicates with the accommodating portion 41 and can communicate with the duct portion 42.

The sectional area of the intermediate portion 43 may become narrower toward the duct portion 42 side from the receiving portion 41 side. That is, at least a part of the outer surface of the intermediate portion 43 may include a sphere rear surface.

As described above, the cross-sectional area of the duct portion 42 may be narrower than the cross-sectional area of the accommodating portion 41. If the intermediate portion 43 does not exist at this time, the area between the accommodating portion 41 and the duct portion 42 drastically changes. Therefore, a part of the air blown by the air blowing fan 47 flows into the duct portion 42, It can be reflected by the inner wall of the receiving portion 41 and returned to the receiving portion 41. [

The intermediate portion 43 may serve to gradually reduce the cross sectional area difference between the accommodating portion 41 and the duct portion 42. Thereby, the air that has flowed by the blowing fan 47 can flow along the sphere rear surface of the intermediate portion 43, and the entire air can flow into the duct portion 42.

The upper outer surface of the air conditioning part 40 may be the upper surface of the main body 10. The upper outer surface of the accommodating portion 41, the duct portion 42, and the intermediate portion 43 may be a single flat surface without a step. The duct portion 42 and the intermediate portion 43 may be located above the storage portion 20.

The length of the accommodating portion 41, the duct portion 42, and the intermediate portion 43 may be the same. The vertical length of the duct portion 42 and the intermediate portion 43 is equal to the length of the receiving portion 41 because the sectional area of the duct portion 42 and that of the intermediate portion 43 are smaller than the sectional area of the receiving portion 41. [ May be shorter than the length in the up and down direction. Thereby, the storage section 20 can be widened.

Hereinafter, the air conditioning system will be described.

As described above, a part of the refrigerant compressed by the compression unit 14 may be introduced into the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 through the refrigerant inflow passage 16. [ More specifically, the refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 51 may be introduced into the sub valve device 58 through the discharge passage 15, and a part of the refrigerant introduced into the sub valve device 58 may be introduced into the sub- The refrigerant can be introduced into the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 through the first air conditioning heat exchanger 16.

The first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) can condense the introduced refrigerant. That is, the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 may serve as a condenser.

The first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) may be a water-cooled heat exchanger in which water serves as cooling water. Preferably, the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 may be a plate heat exchanger.

The first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) may be connected to the refrigerant inflow passage (16) and the refrigerant outflow passage (17). The refrigerant flowing into the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) through the refrigerant inflow passage (16) is heat-exchanged with the cooling water in the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57), and then flows out to the refrigerant outflow passage (17). The flow path of the cooling water will be described in detail later.

The refrigerant outflow channel (17) can connect the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) and the air conditioning expansion mechanism (59). The refrigerant guided to the refrigerant outflow channel (17) passes through the air conditioning expansion mechanism (59) and can be expanded. The expanded refrigerant may be in a state where the liquid refrigerant and the gaseous refrigerant coexist. The air conditioning expansion mechanism (59) is preferably provided inside the machine room (50).

The air conditioning duct (18) can connect the air conditioning expansion mechanism (59) and the second air conditioning heat exchanger (46). The air conditioning duct 18 may extend from inside the machine room 50 to the inside of the air conditioning part 40. The refrigerant throttled in the air conditioning expansion mechanism (59) can flow to the second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) located inside the air conditioning part (40) through the air conditioning flow path (18).

The second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) is capable of exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air. More specifically, in the second air conditioning heat exchanger (46), the refrigerant is evaporated and heat exchange with air blown by the blowing fan (47) can be performed. That is, the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46 can serve as an evaporator.

The air exchanged with the refrigerant in the second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) can be cooled. The cooled air is blown by the blowing fan 47 and can be discharged to the discharge port 44 through the intermediate portion 43 and the duct portion 42 in order. That is, the cold air can be discharged from the discharge port 44, whereby the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment can perform the cooling function by the air conditioning system.

The suction passage 19 can connect the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46 and the compression section 14. In more detail, the suction passage 19 can connect the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46 and the compressor 51. [ The refrigerant evaporated in the second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) can be sucked into the compressor (51) through the suction passage (19). Whereby the air conditioning system can be constructed.

As described above, in addition to the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46, the evaporator 211, 221 may be connected to the suction flow passage 19. For example, the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46, the first evaporator 211, and the second evaporator 221 may be sequentially connected to the suction passage 19 along the flow direction of the refrigerant.

The refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment can constitute both the air conditioning system and the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system by utilizing only one compressor 51. Thereby, the machine room 50 can be made compact, and the storage unit 20 in which the food is stored can be advantageously widened.

On the other hand, the refrigerator 1 may include a water purifier 71 and a water supply channel 11.

The water purifier 71 may be installed in the main body 10. Preferably, the water purifier 71 may be installed in front of the storage unit 20. The user can receive the hot water and the cold water from the water purifier 71. Cold water can mean water at or near room temperature.

It is preferable that the water purifier 71 is provided on the side of the freezing chamber 21. The water inside the water purifier 71 is cooled by the cold air inside the freezer compartment 21 and the water purifier 71 can supply cool cold water to the user. In addition, the water purifier 71 can provide ice to the user along with cold water provided in the freezer compartment 21.

The cold water can be supplied to the water purifier 71 through the water supply channel 11 connected to the water purifier 71 and the hot water is supplied to the water purifier 71 through the cooling water outflow channel 13 connected to the water purifier 71 .

The water supply flow path 11 can guide the water outside the main body 10 and flow into the main body 10. The water supply channel 11 may be provided with a filter module 70. The water supply passage 11 is connected to the water purifier 71 and can supply water to the water purifier 71.

The filter module (70) can be received in the interior of the body (10). The filter module 70 may include a plurality of different types of filters. The filter module 70 may be installed on the water supply channel 11 and water may be purified through the filter module 70. Thereby, the water purifier 71 can supply purified water to the user.

The cooling water inflow passage 12 may be connected to the water supply passage 11. More specifically, the cooling water inflow passage 12 may be connected before the filter module 70 in the water supply flow passage 11 with respect to the flow direction of the water. That is, the connection portion between the cooling water inflow passage 12 and the water supply passage 11 may be located before the filter module 70 with respect to the flow direction of the water.

The cooling water inflow passage 12 can connect the water supply passage 11 and the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57.

The cooling water inflow passage 12 can guide the water flowing into the water supply passage 11 to the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57. The water guided to the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) can be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57). That is, the cooling water inflow passage 12 can supply water to the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57, and the water can serve as cooling water for the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57.

The cooling water outflow channel 13 can connect the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 and the water purifier 71 to each other. The cooling water outflow channel 13 may be connected to the water purifier 71 via the filter module 70. An auxiliary heater (73) may be installed in the cooling water outflow channel (13).

The water exchanged with the refrigerant in the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) can flow into the cooling water outflow channel (13). The water flowing into the cooling water outflow channel 13 may be supplied to the water purifier 71 after being filtered through the filter module 70. Thus, the water supplied to the water purifier 71 through the cooling water outflow channel 13 may be purified water.

In the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57), the refrigerant condenses and radiates condensation heat to the outside, so that the water that is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) can be heated. Therefore, the water flowing into the water purifier 71 along the cooling water outflow channel 13 can be heated hot water, and the user can receive the hot water from the water purifier 71.

The auxiliary heater (73) provided in the cooling water outflow channel can heat the water passing through the portion where the auxiliary heater (73) is installed on the cooling water outflow channel (13).

When the cooling function by the air conditioning system is not used, the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) can not supply hot water due to heat exchange since heat exchange with water is not performed. However, when the user desires hot water from the water purifier 71, the auxiliary heater 73 provided in the cooling water outflow channel 13 is operated to supply hot water to the water purifier.

Further, even if water is exchanged with the refrigerant in the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57, water may not be heated to a degree desired by the user. At this time, the water passing through the cooling water outflow channel 13 is further heated by the auxiliary heater 73, so that hot water can be supplied to the water purifier 71.

On the other hand, when the user uses the cooling function by the air conditioning system but does not use the hot water in the water purifier 71, the water exchanged with the refrigerant in the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 flows into the drain channel (Not shown).

5 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the same descriptions as those described above will be omitted and differences will be mainly described.

The refrigerator 1 'according to the present embodiment may include a sub air conditioning duct 48 connected to the main valve device 56. An open / close valve (not shown) may be provided in the sub air conditioning duct 48.

According to the present embodiment, the main valve device 56 may include four-way valves. The main valve device 56 may be connected to a condenser outflow passage 55, a first refrigerant passage 214, a second refrigerant passage 224, and a sub air conditioning passage 48.

When the user uses the air conditioning system and at the same time does not use hot water in the water purifier 71, water can not flow through the cooling water outflow channel 13, which causes water in the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 Can not be done. Therefore, the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 may be difficult to function as a condenser.

In this case, the sub valve device 58 can be adjusted so that all of the refrigerant introduced through the discharge passage 15 flows into the condenser inlet flow path 54. That is, the refrigerant may not flow into the refrigerant inflow passage 16 and the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57.

The refrigerant flowing into the condenser inlet flow path 54 can be introduced into the condenser 52 to be condensed and the condensed refrigerant can flow into the main valve device 56 through the condenser outlet flow path 55.

The main valve device 56 can be adjusted so that the introduced refrigerant flows into the first refrigerant passage 214, the second refrigerant passage 224, and the sub air conditioning passage 48, respectively. At this time, the flow amount of the refrigerant flowing through each flow path may be varied as needed.

The sub air conditioning duct 48 may be provided with a sub inflation mechanism 49 and the sub air conditioning duct 48 can connect the air valve duct 18 with the main valve device 56. The refrigerant flowing to the sub air conditioning duct 48 can be expanded in the sub-expansion mechanism 49. The expanded refrigerant may flow to the air conditioning duct 18 and be guided to the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46. The refrigerant vaporized in the second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) and heat-exchanged with air can be sucked into the compressor (51) through the suction passage (19).

It is also possible that the sub air conditioning duct 48 is not provided with the sub-expansion mechanism 49. At this time, the sub air conditioning duct 48 can connect the main valve device 56 and the refrigerant outflow channel 17. The refrigerant flowing into the sub air conditioning duct 48 can be introduced into the refrigerant outflow channel 17 and expanded in the air conditioning expansion mechanism 59. The expanded refrigerant may flow to the air conditioning duct 18 and be guided to the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46. The refrigerant vaporized in the second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) and heat-exchanged with air can be sucked into the compressor (51) through the suction passage (19).

The refrigerator 1 'according to the present embodiment can configure the air conditioning system using the condenser 54 instead of the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 when the user does not use hot water. That is, the condenser 54 may be included in the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system and the air conditioning system at the same time.

On the other hand, when the user uses hot water, the main valve device 56 can be adjusted so that the refrigerant does not flow into the sub air conditioning duct 48. At this time, the open / close valve provided on the sub air conditioning flow path 48 can be closed so that the refrigerant does not flow from the air conditioning flow path 18 to the sub air conditioning flow path 48. In this case, the operation of the refrigerator 1 'according to the present embodiment may be the same as that of the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above.

6 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the same descriptions as those described above will be omitted and differences will be mainly described.

The refrigerator 1 " according to the present embodiment can be configured independently of the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system and the air conditioning system. In more detail, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system and the refrigerant circulating in the air conditioning system can circulate independently without being split or merged with each other.

The compression section 14 " of the refrigerator 1 " according to the present embodiment may include a first compressor 51a and a second compressor 51b. The first compressor (51a) and the second compressor (51b) may be installed in the machine room (50).

The first compressor 51a may be included in the air conditioning system and the second compressor 51b may be included in the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system.

The air conditioning system will be described below.

The first compressor 51a may be connected to the suction passage 19 and the refrigerant inlet passage 16, respectively. The first compressor (51a) can compress the refrigerant sucked through the suction passage (19) into the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant compressed in the first compressor (51a) can be discharged to the refrigerant inflow passage (16).

The refrigerant inflow passage 16 can connect the first compressor 51a and the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57. [ The refrigerant flowing into the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) through the refrigerant inflow passage (16) can be condensed by heat exchange with the cooling water. Since the operation of the cooling water flowing into the first air conditioning heat exchanger 57 is the same as that described above, detailed description is omitted.

The refrigerant condensed in the first air conditioning heat exchanger (57) can be discharged through the refrigerant outflow channel (17) and expanded through the air conditioning expansion mechanism (59). The expanded refrigerant can flow into the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46 in the air conditioning unit 40 through the air conditioning duct 18 and can be evaporated by heat exchange with air in the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46.

The suction passage 19 can connect the second air conditioning heat exchanger 46 and the first compressor 51a. The refrigerant evaporated in the second air conditioning heat exchanger (46) can be sucked into the first compressor (51a) through the suction passage (19). Thereby, the air conditioning system can be constructed.

Hereinafter, the refrigeration and / or refrigeration system will be described.

And the second compressor 51b may be connected to the sub suction path 29 and the condenser inflow path 54, respectively. The second compressor (51b) can compress the refrigerant sucked through the sub suction line (29) into a gaseous refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure. The refrigerant compressed in the second compressor (51b) can be discharged to the condenser inlet flow path (54).

The condenser inlet flow path 54 can connect the second compressor 51b and the condenser 52. [ The refrigerant flowing into the condenser 52 through the condenser inlet flow path 54 can be heat-exchanged with the air and condensed.

The condenser outlet flow path 55 can connect the main valve device 56 and the condenser 52. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 52 may flow into the main valve device 56 through the condenser outlet flow path 55.

At least one refrigerant passage (214, 224) may be connected to the main valve device (56). For example, the first refrigerant passage 214 and the second refrigerant passage 224 may be connected to the main valve device 56, respectively.

At least one of the refrigerant channels 214 and 224 may connect the main valve unit 56 and the at least one evaporator 211 and 221. For example, the first refrigerant passage 214 may be connected to the first evaporator 211 for cooling the interior of the freezer compartment 21, and the second refrigerant passage 224 may be connected to the first evaporator 211 for cooling the interior of the refrigerating compartment 22 2 evaporator 221 as shown in FIG. Since the operations of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 221 are the same as those described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

At least one evaporator (211, 221) may be connected to the sub suction line (29), respectively. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporators 211 and 221 may be sucked into the second compressor 51b through the sub-suction passage 29. [ Thereby, a refrigeration and / or refrigeration system can be constructed.

The compressors 51a and 51b included in the compressing section 14 " of the refrigerator 1 " according to the present embodiment constitute separate cooling cycles, which is advantageous in that the control of each cooling cycle becomes more convenient. Further, the cooling ability by the air conditioning system can be further improved.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

10: main body 11: water supply channel
14: compression unit 15:
18: air conditioning channel 19: suction channel
20: storage unit 21: freezer compartment
22: Refrigerator chamber 29: Sub-
40: air conditioning unit 41:
42: duct portion 43: middle portion
44: Outlet port 45: Inlet port
46: second air conditioning heat exchanger 47: blowing fan
48: Sub air conditioning duct 49: Sub-
50: machine room 51: compressor
52: condenser 53: condensing fan
56: main valve device 57: first air conditioning heat exchanger
58: Sub-valve device 59: Air conditioning expansion device
60: barrier 61: first cold air discharge opening
62: second cold air discharge port 70: filter module
71: water purifier 73: auxiliary heater

Claims (13)

A main body having a storage part in which food is stored, and an air conditioning part which is partitioned from the storage part and in which an inlet and an outlet are formed;
A compression unit provided inside the main body;
A first air conditioning heat exchanger connected to the compression unit through a refrigerant inflow channel;
An air conditioning expansion mechanism connected to the first air conditioning heat exchanger and the refrigerant outflow channel;
A second air conditioning heat exchanger provided in the air conditioning unit, the second air conditioning heat exchanger being connected to the air conditioning expansion mechanism by an air conditioning duct and connected to the compression unit by a suction duct;
A blowing fan disposed between the suction port and the discharge port and provided so as to face the second air conditioning heat exchanger;
A water purifier installed in front of the storage unit; And
And a water supply channel connected to the water purifier,
Wherein the first air conditioning heat exchanger is connected to a cooling water inflow channel connected to the water supply channel and a cooling water outflow channel connected to the water purifier. The method according to claim 1,
The water supply channel is provided with a filter module,
And the cooling water outflow channel is connected to the water purifier via the filter module. The method according to claim 1,
And an auxiliary heater is installed in the cooling water outflow channel. The method according to claim 1,
And the air conditioning unit is located above the storage unit. The method according to claim 1,
The air-
A receiving portion in which the suction port is formed and in which the second air conditioning heat exchanger and the blowing fan are disposed; And
And a duct portion communicating with the accommodating portion and having the discharge port formed therein,
And the duct portion is located in front of the receiving portion. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the cross-sectional area of the duct portion is narrower than the cross-sectional area of the accommodating portion. The method according to claim 6,
The air-
Further comprising an intermediate portion located between the accommodating portion and the duct portion,
And the cross-sectional area of the intermediate portion becomes narrower from the side of the accommodating portion toward the side of the duct portion. The method according to claim 1,
A condenser connected to the compression unit and the condenser inlet flow path;
A main valve device connected to the condenser and the condenser outflow channel;
At least one evaporator connected to the main valve unit and connected to the refrigerant channel, the evaporator being disposed behind the storage unit and exchanging heat with air introduced into the storage unit; And
And at least one expansion mechanism installed in the refrigerant passage and corresponding to each of the at least one evaporator. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the at least one evaporator is connected to the inhalation flow path. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the compression unit comprises:
A compressor to which the suction passage is connected; And
And a sub valve device connected to the compressor and the discharge passage,
And the sub valve device is connected to the first air conditioning heat exchanger and the refrigerant inflow passage, and is connected to the condenser and the condenser inflow passage. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a sub-coolant flow path connecting the main valve device and the air conditioning flow path,
And the sub-refrigerant channel is provided with a sub-expansion mechanism. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a sub-refrigerant flow path connecting the main valve device and the refrigerant outflow channel. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the compression unit comprises:
A first compressor connected to the first air conditioning heat exchanger and the refrigerant inflow passage and connected to the second air conditioning heat exchanger and the suction passage; And
And a second compressor connected to the condenser and the condenser inlet flow path and connected to the at least one evaporator through a sub suction port.

Images