US20100242525A1

US20100242525A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: US20100242525A1
Application number: US12/680,532
Authority: US
Inventors: Jin-Koo Park; Sang-Hyun Cheon; Dae-Kil Kang
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2007-09-28
Filing date: 2008-09-25
Publication date: 2010-09-30
Also published as: CN101809388B; CN101809388A; WO2009041778A2; KR20090032733A; WO2009041778A3

Abstract

A refrigerator comprises: a case having a cooling chamber; a machine room disposed on one side of the case, and configured to accommodate a compressor therein; a condenser disposed on an outer surface of the case; and a heat emission unit configured to guide external air of the case for heat emission of the compressor and the condenser. In the refrigerator, heat emission of the machine room and the condenser is sufficiently performed, and a compact configuration of the machine room is implemented.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having a condenser at an outer side of a machine room in which a compressor is installed.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a refrigerator serves to store food and drink in a low temperature state by providing a cooling chamber. The cooling chamber of the refrigerator may be divided into a freezing chamber maintained in a temperature below zero, and a refrigerating chamber maintained in a temperature above zero.
The refrigerator can freshly store food in a frozen state or in a cooled state by lowering each temperature of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, by transmitting cool air to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber. Here, the cool air is generated by a refrigeration cycle constituted by a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator.
For installation of the refrigeration cycle, a machine room is installed in a rear bottom portion of the refrigerator. A fan, a compressor, a condenser, and so on constituting the refrigeration cycle are installed at the machine room.
A great deal of heat occurs from the compressor, the condenser, and so on of the machine room, and the occurred heat has to be dissipated outside. For dissipation of heat, a plurality of vents through which external air flows are formed at a cover for protecting the machine room. And, a blowing fan is installed at the machine room so as to generate a blowing force such that external air can be introduced into the vents.
However, since the conventional machine room is equipped therein with not only the condenser but also the compressor, the fan, etc., the machine room occupies a prescribed space of a bottom portion of the refrigerator.
The space occupied by the machine room can not be utilized as a storage space of the refrigerator. Accordingly, there has been proposed a refrigerator having a structure in which heat of the condenser is smoothly emitted, and the machine room is compacted.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator capable of sufficiently emitting heat of a machine room and a condenser, and implementing a compact configuration of the machine room.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a refrigerator, comprising: a case having a cooling chamber; a machine room disposed on one side of the case, and configured to accommodate a compressor therein; a condenser disposed on an outer surface of the case; and a heat emission unit configured to guide external air of the case for heat emission of the compressor and the condenser.
In the refrigerator, the machine room may be disposed on a rear bottom portion of the case, and the condenser may be disposed on a rear surface of the case.
The heat emission unit may include a machine room cover configured to cover the machine room, and having a plurality of first vents; a condenser case configured to fix the condenser accommodated therein onto a wall surface of the case, having a plurality of second vents, and communicated with one side of the machine room; a blowing fan configured to generate a flow of air passing through the first and second vents; and a communication portion configured to communicate an inner side of the machine room with an inner side of the condenser case.
The blowing fan may be installed such that air introduced into one of the first vents and the second vents is discharged to the other.
The fan may be coupled to a rear surface of the machine room cover.
The fan may be installed at the communication portion configured to communicate an inner side of the machine room with an inner side of the condenser case.
The blowing fan may be implemented as a cross flow fan.
The communication portion may include a communication duct configured to communicate an inner side of the machine room with a rear side of the case, and a guide duct configured to communicate an inner side of the communication duct with an inner side of the condenser case.
The communication duct may be formed at a lower middle portion on a rear surface of the case.
The machine room may have an opened surface toward a side surface of the case, and the machine room cover may cover the opened surface. The communication duct may be formed on a rear surface of the case so as to be adjacent to the opened surface of the machine room.
Each of the second vents may be formed to have a size increased toward a side surface of the condenser case, from a connection passage of the condenser case communicated with the guide duct.
The condenser may be implemented as refrigerant pipes for passing a refrigerant are curved a plurality of times on the same plane.
The communication portion may be provided so as to have a decreased sectional area in a flow direction of air by the blowing fan.
The refrigerator of the present invention has the following advantages.
Firstly, the condenser is installed on an outer surface of the case not inside the machine room, and the heat emission unit for emitting heat of the machine room and the condenser is provided. Accordingly, the machine room may have a decreased capacity, and heat of the condenser may be effectively emitted.
Secondly, since the condenser is positioned on a rear surface of the refrigerator, a degraded appearance of the refrigerator may be prevented.
Thirdly, since the condenser is not installed in the machine room, a position of the machine room may be variable to right and left portions or a middle portion of a rear surface of the refrigerator.
Fourthly, the condenser case having the condenser accommodated therein may serve to guide a flow of air to each portion of the condenser, and may prevent a degraded appearance due to exposure of the condenser. Owing to the condenser case, may be prevented damage of the condenser when the refrigerator is moved.
Fifthly, since an opened surface of the machine room is formed at a side surface of the case, a flow path of air passing through the machine room and the condenser case may be simplified. Accordingly, a flow resistance of air may be reduced, and power consumption of the blowing fan may be decreased.
Sixthly, each of the second vents is formed to have a size increased toward a side surface of the condenser case, from the connection passage of the condenser case communicated with the guide duct. This may minimize air leakage occurring through the second vents before air inside the condenser case is heat-exchanged with each part of the condenser, in the case when air is introduced from the connection passage to the condenser case, or from the condenser case to the connection passage.
Seventhly, the condenser may be implemented as refrigerant pipes for passing a refrigerant are curved a plurality of times on the same plane. This may minimize each thickness of the condenser and the condenser case. Furthermore, since the condenser may be installed on an outer surface of the case, the refrigerator may have an increased installation space.
Eighthly, the communication portion may be provided so as to have a decreased sectional area in a flow direction of air generated by the flowing fan. This causes air to flow with an increased speed, thereby enhancing a heat emission efficiency of the condenser or the compressor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat emission unit installed on a rear surface of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat emission unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line ‘I-I’ in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a flow of air through the heat emission unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a heat emission unit installed on a rear surface of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a heat emission unit installed on a rear surface of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line ‘III-III’ in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a condenser case and a blowing fan of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat emission unit installed on a rear surface of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat emission unit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line ‘I-I’ in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a case 40 having a cooling chamber (S); a machine room 70 disposed on one side of the case 40, and configured to accommodate a compressor 50 therein; a condenser 20 disposed on an outer side of the case 40; and a heat emission unit 100 configured to guide external air of the case 40 for heat emission of the compressor 50 and the condenser 20.
Hereinafter, each component of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be explained in more detail.
The refrigerator according to the present invention comprises the case 40 that forms appearance thereof, and having a cooling chamber (S) where food items are cooled to be stored.
The machine room 70 is formed below a rear surface of the case 40.
The compressor 50 is installed at the machine room 70.
The compressor 50, an evaporator (not shown), the condenser 20, and an expander (not shown) constitute a refrigeration cycle.
The condenser 20 is disposed on a rear surface of the case 40, not inside the machine room 70.
The heat emission unit 100 is provided to guide external air of the case 40 for heat emission of the compressor 50 and the condenser 20.
The heat emission unit 100 includes a machine room cover 101 configured to cover the machine room 70, and having a plurality of first vents 102; a condenser case 114 configured to fix the condenser 20 accommodated therein onto a wall surface of the case 40, having a plurality of second vents 114 b, and communicated with one side of the machine room 70; a blowing fan 103 configured to generate a flow of air passing through the first and second vents 102 and 114 b; and a communication portion 113 configured to communicate an inner side of the machine room 70 with an inner side of the condenser case 114.
The communication portion 113 includes a communication duct 113 b configured to communicate an inner side of the machine room 70 with a rear side of the case 40, and a guide duct 113 a configured to communicate an inner side of the communication duct 113 b with an inner side of the condenser case 114.
The communication duct 113 b is formed at a lower middle portion on a rear surface of the case 40.
Air introduced into one of the first vents 102 and the second vents 114 b is discharged to the other by the blowing fan 103. Accordingly, the compressor 50 inside the machine room 70, and the condenser 20 inside the condenser case 114 are cooled.
Preferably, a flow direction of air by the blowing fan 103 is determined so that air having a high temperature by passing around the condenser 20 can absorb heat from the compressor 50, by passing around the compressor 50 having a relatively higher temperature than the condenser 20.
The blowing fan 103 is implemented as an axial flow fan, and is installed on a rear surface of the machine room cover 101.
In the present invention, the condenser 20 is installed inside the condenser case 114. And, the condenser case 114 is installed on one outer side of the case 40, not inside the machine room 70. This allows the cooling chamber (S) to have a more increased capacity compared to when the condenser is installed at the machine room 70.
As the condenser case 114 is installed so as to contact with external air, heat having conducted to the condenser case 114 from the condenser 200 installed inside the condenser case 114 is emitted by air passing through an outer surface of the condenser case 114. Accordingly, the condenser case 114 serves as a heat emission plate for emitting heat generated from the condenser 20 to outside of the refrigerator.
The condenser 20 is formed in an in-line shaped plate so as to be inserted into the condenser case 114, i.e., is formed as refrigerant pipes for passing a refrigerant are curved a plurality of times. Here, the refrigerant pipe is disposed on the same plane. An inlet 21 of the condenser 20 is connected to an outlet 51 of the compressor 50 inside the machine room 70. An outlet 22 of the condenser 20 is connected to a hot line inlet 25 installed on a front surface of the refrigerator so as to prevent dew condensation.
The condenser case 114 includes a case member 114 a having a prescribed space to accommodate the condenser 20 therein, and having one opened side surface; a plurality of second vents 114 b penetratingly formed at the case member 114 a, and configured to introduce air thereinto so as to cool the condenser 20; and a connection passage 113 aa disposed on a lower end of the case member 114 a in communication with the guide duct 113 a, so that the condenser case 114 and the machine room 70 can be communicated with each other.
Preferably, each of the second vents 114 a is formed to have a size increased toward a side surface of the condenser case 114, from the connection passage 113 aa of the condenser case 114 communicated with the guide duct 113 a.
Under this configuration, heat emission of the condenser 20 disposed in the condenser case 114 is uniformly performed.
In the present invention, the machine room cover 101 may be installed at the case 40 by a coupling member such as bolts. However, the machine room cover 101 may be integrally formed with the case 40.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, will be explained processes for installing the heat emission unit, and processes for emitting heat of the compressor and the condenser through the heat emission unit, in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a flow of air through the heat emission unit of FIG. 1.
Firstly, will be explained processes for coupling the condenser 20 accommodated in the condenser case 114 to the compressor 50 installed in the machine room 70, and processes for fixing the condenser case 114 to the case 40.
The condenser 20 disposed on a plane in the form of in-line is inserted into the condenser case 114. Then, the condenser 20 is fixed to the condenser case 114 by a coupling member (not shown) such as screws or in a welding manner so as to be prevented from moving in the condenser case 114.
The inlet 21 of the condenser 20 is connected to the outlet 51 of the compressor 50 installed inside the machine room 70. And, the outlet 22 of the condenser 20 is connected to the hot line inlet 25 installed on a front surface of the refrigerator so as to prevent dew condensation.
Then, the opened one side surface of the condenser case 114 having the condenser 20 therein is adhered, by using a coupling member 114 c, to a wall surface of a rear surface of the case 40.
In correspondence to the communication duct 113 b positioned at the blower fan 103 inside the machine room 70, the guide duct 113 a integrally formed on a lower end of the condenser case 114 is fixed to the blowing fan 103, by the coupling member 114 c, as one opened side thereof is adhered to the blowing fan 103.
Through the above processes, may be completed the processes for coupling the condenser 20 accommodated in the condenser case 114 to the compressor 50, and the processes for fixing the condenser case 114 to a rear wall of the case 40.
The blowing fan 103 is coupled to a rear wall of the case 40 so as to face the compressor 50. And, the machine room cover 101 is installed on a rear wall of the case 40 by a coupling member, so as to cover the blowing fan 103.
Hereinafter, will be explained processes for emitting heat of the compressor 50 and the condenser 20 by the heat emission unit 100 provided on a rear wall of the case 40.
A refrigerant introduced into the refrigerator via an evaporator (not shown) in a low-temperature low-pressure gaseous state is compressed into a high-temperature high-pressure gaseous state by the compressor 50, thereby being used to heat the compressor 50. Therefore, the compressor 50 requires to be cooled so as to prevent damage and lowering of a driving efficiency thereof.
The compressor 50 is cooled by a flow of air generated by the blowing fan 103 and discharged to or introduced into the first vents 102.
The refrigerant discharged through the compressor 50 is condensed into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid state via the condenser 20. In this case, a large amount of heat occurs around the condenser 20. Therefore, the condenser 20 requires to be cooled so as to prevent damage and lowering of a driving efficiency thereof.
The condenser 20 is cooled by a flow of air generated by the blowing fan 103 and discharged to or introduced into the second vents 114 b.
The reason is because a flow of air by the blowing fan 103 also occurs at the condenser 20 through the communication portion 113.
As the condenser case 114 having the condenser 20 accommodated therein in a fixed state is installed so as to directly contact with external air, heat having conducted from the condenser 200 is emitted out by natural convection of air passing through an outer side of the condenser case 114.
Here, the condenser case 114 serves as a heat emission plate.
Here, a flow direction of air is determined such that air having served to cool one of the compressor 50 and the condenser 20 can be supplied to the other for cooling.
Since the compressor 50 has a relatively higher temperature than the condenser 20, a flow direction of air is preferably set so that the condenser 20 can be firstly cooled and then the compressor 50 can be cooled.
In conclusion, since external air can absorb heat of the compressor 50 and the condenser 20 to dissipate the heat by the heat emission unit, heat emission of the machine room 70 and the condenser 20 is smoothly performed. Also, the machine room 70 can have a compact configuration.
Next, will be explained state changes of a refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle constituted by the compressor 50 and the condenser 20.
A refrigerant introduced into the compressor 50 through the evaporator (not shown), and pressurized into a high-temperature high-pressure gaseous state from a low-temperature low-pressure gaseous state flows to the condenser 20 accommodated in the condenser case 114 fixed to the case 40. Then, the refrigerant introduced into the condenser 20 has a state change to a room-temperature high-pressure liquid state through a heat emission process by the condenser 20.
Here, the refrigerant having complete a condensation process by the condenser 20 is introduced into the hot line inlet 25 connected to the outlet 22 of the condenser 20, and then flows on an entire part of a hot line (not shown) installed on a front surface of the refrigerator for prevention of dew condensation. Then, the refrigerant moves into an expansion valve (not shown) through an inlet of the expansion valve connected to an outlet of the hot line.
The refrigerant introduced into the expansion valve is depressurized into a state that can be easily evaporated, through a heat exchange by the evaporator. The refrigerant is introduced into the evaporator, and then is evaporated by an absorption reaction by which internal heat of the refrigerator is absorbed. The evaporated refrigerant is changed into a low-temperature low-pressure gaseous state, thus to be introduced into the compressor 50 again.
The refrigeration cycle is completed through the above processes, and is repeated to discharge the generated cool air into the refrigerator. Accordingly, the refrigerator can have a lowered internal temperature.
Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Explanations for the same components as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a heat emission unit installed on a rear surface of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line ‘II-II’ in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the refrigerator according to a second embodiment is different from the refrigerator according to a first embodiment in the aspects of positions of a machine room cover 201 and a communication portion 213.
The machine room 270 has an opened surface toward a side surface of the case 40, and a machine room cover 201 covers the opened surface. A communication duct 213 b is formed on a rear surface of the case 40 so as to be adjacent to the opened surface of the machine room 270.
Each of a plurality of the second vents 114 b formed at the condenser case 114 has a size increased to both side surfaces of the condenser case 114, from the connection passage 113 aa of the condenser case 114 communicated with the guide duct 213 a.
Under this configuration, air passing through the machine room 270 and the condenser case 114 can smoothly flow. This allows the blowing fan for generating a flow of air to have reduced power consumption.
Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Explanations for the same components as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a heat emission unit installed on a rear surface of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line ‘III-III’ in FIG. 7.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the refrigerator according to a third embodiment is different from the refrigerator according to a first embodiment in the aspect of a communication portion 313.
The communication portion 313 includes a communication duct 313 b configured to communicate an inner side of the machine room 70 with a rear side of the case 40, and a guide duct 113 a configured to communicate an inner side of the communication duct 313 b and an inner side of the condenser case 114. The communication portion 313 is provided such that the communication duct 313 b and the guide duct 113 a can have a decreased sectional area in a flow direction of air, respectively.
Under this configuration, as air flows with an increased speed, heat of the condenser or the compressor is more effectively emitted. Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 9. Explanations for the same components as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a condenser case and a blowing fan of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 9, the refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment is different from the refrigerator according to a first embodiment in the aspects of an installation position and a type of a blowing fan 403.
Here, the blowing fan 403 is implemented as a cross flow fan, and is installed at one side of the guide duct 113 a.
As the blowing fan 403 is installed at a position where a flow direction of air frequently changes, a cooling efficiency by the compressor 50 and the condenser 20 can be more enhanced.
It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a case having a cooling chamber;

a machine room disposed on one side of the case, and configured to accommodate a compressor therein;

a condenser disposed on an outer surface of the case; and

a heat emission unit configured to guide external air of the case for heat emission of the compressor and the condenser.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the machine room is disposed on a rear bottom portion of the case, and the condenser is disposed on a rear surface of the case.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the heat emission unit comprises:

a machine room cover configured to cover the machine room, and having a plurality of first vents;

a condenser case configured to fix the condenser accommodated therein onto a wall surface of the case, having a plurality of second vents, and communicated with one side of the machine room;

a blowing fan configured to generate a flow of air passing through the first and second vents; and

a communication portion configured to communicate an inner side of the machine room with an inner side of the condenser case.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the blowing fan is installed such that air introduced into one of the first vents and the second vents is discharged to the other.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the fan is coupled to a rear surface of the machine room cover.

6. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the fan is installed at an inner side of the communication portion.

7. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the blowing fan is implemented as a cross flow fan.

8. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the communication portion comprises:

a communication duct configured to communicate an inner side of the machine room with a rear side of the case; and

a guide duct configured to communicate an inner side of the communication duct with an inner side of the condenser case.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the communication duct is formed in a lower middle portion on a rear surface of the case.

10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the machine room has an opened surface toward a side surface of the case, and the machine room cover covers the opened surface.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the communication duct is formed on a rear surface of the case so as to be adjacent to the opened surface of the machine room.

12. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein each of the second vents is formed to have a size increased toward a side surface of the condenser case, from a connection passage of the condenser case communicated with the guide duct.

13. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the condenser is implemented as refrigerant pipes for passing a refrigerant are curved a plurality of times on the same plane.

14. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the communication portion is provided so as to have a decreased sectional area in a flow direction of air by the blowing fan.

15. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the blowing fan is implemented as a cross flow fan.

16. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the blowing fan is implemented as a cross flow fan.

17. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the blowing fan is implemented as a cross flow fan.

18. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein each of the second vents is formed to have a size increased toward a side surface of the condenser case, from a connection passage of the condenser case communicated with the guide duct.