KR20220092025A - Evaporating unit and refrigerator having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an evaporator unit comprises: an evaporator having an evaporation pipe and having a plurality of heat exchanging pins penetrated by the evaporation pipe; a defrost heater mounted on a lower side of the evaporator; and a defrost water discharge unit disposed on the lower side of the evaporator to collect water or ice fallen from a surface of the evaporator. The defrost water discharge unit can comprise: a drain hole; a defrost water collection unit tilted downward toward the drain hole; and a defrost water pipe connected to a lower side of the drain hole.

Description

Evaporating unit and refrigerator having the same}

The present invention relates to an evaporator unit and a refrigerator having the same.

BACKGROUND ART A refrigerator is a home appliance that stores food at a refrigerated or frozen temperature.

The refrigerator is provided with an evaporation chamber for cooling the air in the refrigerator to a low temperature, and an evaporator, which is a component of the refrigerating cycle, is mounted in the evaporation chamber. In addition, a defrost water receiver is disposed below the evaporator to collect frost or ice separated from the evaporator surface during a defrosting operation.

On the other hand, a defrosting heater such as a sheath heater is mounted on the bottom surface of the evaporator. Conventionally, a sheath heater in the form of a pipe having a flat inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface has been applied.

A prior document, Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-0336032, discloses a kimchi refrigerator including drainage having a predetermined size on the bottom surface of an upper storage room for a kimchi refrigerator.

In the case of these prior documents, the water accumulated on the floor can be discharged to the outside through the drain pipe extending from the drain hole, but when the amount of defrost water is small, the defrost water slowly goes down along the drain hole and there is a problem that it does not drain smoothly. can occur

In particular, if cooling proceeds in such a state, ice builds up again in the drain hole, which may cause a problem that the drain hole is clogged.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problem of freezing in the process of discharging the defrosting water by allowing the defrosting water to be discharged at a high speed even when the amount of defrosting water in the refrigerator is small.

In addition, it can be applied to various defrost water drains regardless of the structure of the refrigerator, and the purpose is to reduce the air pressure difference between the beginning and the end of the drain as air escapes through the center of the drain.

The evaporator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, through a defrost water pipe having a spiral structure, allows the defrost water to be discharged quickly even when the amount of defrost water is small, so that the defrost water is not discharged and freezes again can prevent

An evaporator unit according to the present invention includes: an evaporator including an evaporating pipe and a plurality of heat exchange fins through which the evaporating pipe passes; a defrost heater mounted on the lower side of the evaporator; and a defrost water discharge unit disposed below the evaporator to collect water or ice falling from the surface of the evaporator.

The defrost water discharge unit may include a drain hole, a defrost water collection unit inclined downward toward the drain hole, and a defrost water pipe connected to a lower side of the drain hole.

The defrost water pipe may include a pipe body forming an inner space, and a helical protrusion helically protruding along an outer circumferential surface of the pipe body.

The defrosting water may flow spirally along the inner space of the spiral protrusion.

Air may flow along the center of the flow of the defrost water.

The defrost water collecting part may include a front part, a rear part, a right side part, and a left side part inclined toward the drain hole.

The right side portion and the left side portion may be inclined to meet at the drain hole.

The front portion and the rear portion may be inclined to meet at the drain hole.

The lowermost end of the defrost heater may be located directly above the drain hole.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a cabinet having a storage chamber for storing food and an evaporation chamber for generating cold air; a door coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment; and an evaporator unit accommodated in the evaporating chamber, wherein the evaporator unit includes: an evaporator including an evaporating pipe and a plurality of heat exchange fins through which the evaporating pipe passes; a defrost heater mounted on the lower side of the evaporator; and a defrost water discharge unit disposed below the evaporator to collect water or ice falling from the surface of the evaporator, wherein the defrost water discharge unit includes a drainage hole and a defrost water collection unit inclined downward along the drainage hole. and a defrost water pipe connected to a lower side of the drain hole.

The defrost water pipe may include a pipe body forming an inner space, and a helical protrusion helically protruding along an outer circumferential surface of the pipe body.

According to the evaporator unit and the refrigerator having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration, the following effects are obtained.

Even when the amount of defrost water in the refrigerator is small, it is possible to solve the problem of freezing in the process of discharging the defrost water by allowing the defrost water to be discharged at a high speed according to the spiral structure of the drain hole.

In addition, it can be applied to various defrost water drains regardless of the structure of the refrigerator, and air escapes through the center of the drain, so that the air pressure difference between the beginning and the end of the drain can be reduced.

In addition, as the defrost water is prevented from freezing inside the drain hole, power consumption can be improved.

1 is a rear view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing an evaporator unit and a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram of an evaporator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a plan view of a defrost water drain hole according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a defrost water drain hole according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which defrost water is discharged from a defrost water drain port according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, or order of the elements are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component is between each component. It will be understood that may also be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a rear view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing an evaporator unit and a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2 , a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 having a storage compartment 12 therein, and rotatably coupled to the front of the cabinet 10 . It may include a door 13 for opening and closing the storage compartment and a cooling cycle for cooling the storage compartment 12 .

In detail, the storage compartment 12 may include a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, and a machine compartment 20 in which components constituting the cooling cycle are accommodated may be formed at a lower rear surface of the cabinet 10 . In addition, the machine room is shielded by the machine room cover 14 , and an external air intake grill and a discharge grill may be formed in the machine room cover 14 .

The refrigeration cycle provided in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 21 for compressing a refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and a condenser for condensing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 into a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant. (22), a condensing fan (23) for forcibly flowing indoor air so that heat exchange between the condenser (22) and the indoor air, and an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant discharged from the condenser (22) into a low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant; , may include an evaporator 30 for evaporating the two-phase refrigerant passing through the expansion valve into a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.

In detail, the compressor 21 , the condenser 22 and the condensing fan 23 may be disposed inside the machine room 20 , and the evaporator 30 may be located on the rear surface of the cabinet 10 . have.

In addition, the condensing fan 23 may be disposed between the compressor 21 and the condenser 22 .

Hereinafter, the evaporator unit will be described in detail.

3 is a view of an evaporator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view of a defrost water discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a defrost water discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which defrost water is discharged from a defrost water discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3, the evaporator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an evaporator 30 for exchanging heat with cold air and refrigerant, a defrost heater 40 disposed below the evaporator 30, and the defrost heater ( 40), it may include a defrost water discharge unit 100 that is collected by falling frost or ice formed on the surface of the evaporator 30 .

In detail, as shown in the figure, the evaporator 30 is disposed parallel to the evaporation pipe 31 through which the refrigerant passing through the expansion valve flows, and the evaporation pipe 31 in the longitudinal direction, and the evaporation pipe 31 passes through. It may include a plurality of heat exchange fins (32).

In more detail, the evaporation pipe 31 may be curved to form a meander line. In addition, the plurality of heat exchange fins 32 are arranged side by side in a line, and the evaporation pipe 31 passes through the plurality of heat exchange fins 32 in sequence. Accordingly, the evaporation pipe 31 and the heat exchange fins 32 exchange heat by a heat conduction phenomenon, and the evaporation pipe 31 and the heat exchange fins 32 exchange heat with the cold air of the evaporation chamber.

The defrost heater 40 may extend along the bottom and side surfaces of the evaporator 30 .

In detail, the defrost heater 40 connects the first end 41 and the second end 42 connected to a lead wire (not shown) and the first end 41 and the second end 42 . and a body 43 disposed on a bottom surface of the evaporator 30 .

The body 43 may be bent one or more times, and heat may be generated along the body 43 to defrost the evaporator 30 .

In detail, the defrost heater 40 is bent from the first body 43a and the first body 43a and is opposite to the direction in which the first body 43a extends from the lower side of the first body 43a. a second body 43b extending in the direction and a third bent from the second body 43b extending in the opposite direction to the extending direction of the second body 43b from the lower side of the second body 43b It may include a body 43c.

In addition, the defrost heater 40 may further include a fourth body 43d that is bent and extended from the third body 43c.

In detail, a point where the third body 43c and the fourth body 43d meet may be the lowest portion of the defrost heater 40 .

The shape of the defrost heater 40 is an example, and various shapes are possible.

When the defrosting operation starts, the flow of refrigerant through the evaporation pipe 31 is stopped, and power is applied to the defrost heater 40 . Then, as the defrost heater 40 is heated, heat is emitted, and the ice formed on the surface of the evaporator 30 begins to melt.

In detail, when the ice formed on the surface of the evaporator 30 melts, it slides due to gravity and falls to the defrost water discharge unit 100 . Then, the ice falling to the defrost water discharge unit 100 is changed into water and collected in another defrost water receiver formed on the floor of the machine room or discharged to the outside of the refrigerator.

Hereinafter, the defrost water discharge unit 100 will be described in detail.

3 to 6 , the defrost water discharge unit 100 is mounted on the lower side of the evaporator 30 , collects the defrost water falling from the evaporator 30 during the defrosting operation, and discharges it to the outside of the refrigerator.

In detail, the defrost water discharge unit 100 may correspond to the shape of the lowermost portion of the defrost heater 40 .

The defrost water discharge unit 100 may include a defrost water collecting unit 110 having an open upper surface, and a defrosting water pipe 120 disposed at a lower end of the defrosting water collecting unit 110 .

In more detail, the defrost water collecting part 110 may include a front part 113 , a rear part 114 , a right side part 111 , a left side part 112 , and a drain hole 115 . The drain hole 115 may be formed at the bottom of a point that bisects the left and right widths of the defrost water collecting unit 110, or may be formed biased to a point closer to the left or right edge from the bisecting point. have.

In addition, the right side part 111 and the left side part 112 are inclined to meet at the drain hole 115 . In addition, the front portion 113 and the rear portion 114 are also inclined to meet at the drain hole 115 .

The side sectional view and the front sectional view of the defrost water collecting unit 110 cut by the vertical plane passing through the drain hole 115 are both narrower in width toward the lower side, so that the funnel or inverted triangle shape is concentrated on the drain hole 115 . can be said to achieve

In particular, the front sectional view of the defrost water collecting unit 110 cut by the vertical plane passing through the drain hole 115 is inclined similarly to the shape of the bent portion of the defrost heater 40 .

That is, the third body 43c and the fourth body 43d of the defrost heater 40 are bent along the slope of the bottom of the defrost water collecting unit 110 passing through the drain hole 115 .

Accordingly, the portion where the third body 43c and the fourth body 43d of the defrost heater 40 meet may be located directly above the drain hole 115 of the defrost water collecting unit 110 .

That is, the lowermost end of the defrost heater 40 may be located directly above the drain hole 115 of the defrost water collecting unit 110 .

Accordingly, the defrost water may be stably introduced into the drain hole 115 along the slope of the defrost heater 40 or the defrost water collecting unit 110 .

In addition, since the bottom of the defrost water collecting unit 110 is inclined so as to be concentrated in the drain hole 115 , the defrost water falling into the defrost water collecting unit 110 goes to the drain hole 115 . Concentrated, the defrost water is guided to the defrost water tray installed on the floor of the machine room along the defrost water pipe 120 or discharged to the outside of the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, the drain hole 115 may be connected to the defrost water pipe 120 .

The defrost water pipe 120 has an inner space 122 in which the defrost water is discharged by forming a space therein, and a pipe body 121 forming the inner space 122 and an outer peripheral surface of the pipe body 121 . It may include a helical protrusion 123 along the .

In detail, the spiral protrusion 123 may correspond to a spiral shape formed along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe body 121 to be formed in the inner space 122 in the same manner.

That is, as in the cross section of FIG. 5 , the inner space 122 may also include a shape protruding outward, and the inner space 122 may also be formed in a spiral shape.

In detail, the inner space 122 may include a spiral shape protruding outward along the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical space.

In addition, the defrost water pipe 120 may be formed to have the same thickness throughout, and the inside of the spiral protrusion 123 may be empty.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 6 , the flow of air and defrost water as the defrost water pipe 120 includes the spiral protrusion 123 can be seen.

In detail, as the spiral protrusion 123 is formed, the defrost water flowing to the drain hole 115 along the defrost water collecting unit 110 descends spirally along the road where the spiral protrusion 123 is formed. can

As the defrost water descends spirally, a centrifugal force may be generated so that the defrost water may fall rapidly, and air may flow along the center of the flow of the defrost water.

In addition, when the defrost water pipe is simply formed in a cylindrical shape, the defrost water that falls while freely falling vertically generates a lot of air pressure to cause strong air pressure at the lower end of the pipe. The defrost water pipe 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the case of , as the air flows to the center of the defrost water flow, the air pressure difference between the start of the defrost water pipe 120 , that is, the drain hole 115 and the lower end of the defrost water pipe 120 may be reduced.

Claims (10)

an evaporator comprising an evaporating pipe and a plurality of heat exchange fins through which the evaporating pipe passes;
a defrost heater mounted on the lower side of the evaporator; and
and a defrost water discharge unit disposed below the evaporator to collect water or ice falling from the surface of the evaporator,
The defrost water discharge unit,
An evaporator unit comprising a drain hole, a defrost water collecting part inclined downward toward the drain hole, and a defrost water pipe connected to a lower side of the drain hole. The method of claim 1,
The defrost water pipe,
A pipe body forming an internal space, and
The evaporator unit including a helical protrusion protruding helically along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body. 3. The method of claim 2,
An evaporator unit in which the defrost water flows in a spiral manner along the inner space of the spiral protrusion. 4. The method of claim 3,
An evaporator unit in which air flows along the center of the flow of the defrost water. The method of claim 1,
The defrost water collecting unit,
The evaporator unit including a front portion, a rear portion, a right side portion and a left side portion inclined toward the drain hole. 6. The method of claim 5,
The evaporator unit is formed to be inclined so that the right side portion and the left side portion meet in the drain hole. 6. The method of claim 5,
The evaporator unit is formed to be inclined so that the front portion and the rear portion meet in the drain hole. The method of claim 1,
The lowermost end of the defrost heater is an evaporator unit located directly above the drain hole. a cabinet having a storage chamber for storing food and an evaporation chamber for generating cold air;
a door coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment; and
Including an evaporator unit accommodated in the evaporating chamber,
The evaporator unit is
an evaporator comprising an evaporating pipe and a plurality of heat exchange fins through which the evaporating pipe passes;
a defrost heater mounted on the lower side of the evaporator; and
and a defrost water discharge unit disposed below the evaporator to collect water or ice falling from the surface of the evaporator,
The defrost water discharge unit,
A refrigerator comprising: a drain hole; a defrost water collecting part inclined downward along the drain hole; and a defrost water pipe connected to a lower side of the drain hole. 10. The method of claim 9,
The defrost water pipe,
A pipe body forming an internal space, and
A refrigerator including a spiral protrusion protruding spirally along an outer circumferential surface of the pipe body.

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