US20120096887A1 - Defrosting heater for refregerator and refregerator having the same - Google Patents

Defrosting heater for refregerator and refregerator having the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120096887A1
US20120096887A1 US13/380,192 US201013380192A US2012096887A1 US 20120096887 A1 US20120096887 A1 US 20120096887A1 US 201013380192 A US201013380192 A US 201013380192A US 2012096887 A1 US2012096887 A1 US 2012096887A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
evaporator
fan
defrosting
refrigerator
cold air
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/380,192
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English (en)
Inventor
Yeonwoo CHO
Gyeyoung Song
KwangWoon Ahn
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LG Electronics Inc
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LG Electronics Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LG Electronics Inc filed Critical LG Electronics Inc
Assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC. reassignment LG ELECTRONICS INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AHN, KWANGWOON, CHO, YEONWOO, SONG, GYEYOUNG
Publication of US20120096887A1 publication Critical patent/US20120096887A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/06—Removing frost
    • F25D21/08—Removing frost by electric heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/067—Evaporator fan units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/068—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the fans
    • F25D2317/0681—Details thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/068—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the fans
    • F25D2317/0682—Two or more fans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/068—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the fans
    • F25D2317/0683—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the fans the fans not of the axial type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a defrosting heater for a refrigerator and a refrigerator having the same, and particularly, to a defrosting heater for a refrigerator capable of simultaneously defrosting an evaporator and a cooling fan, and a refrigerator having the same.
  • a refrigerator is a device for freshly keeping groceries (e.g., foods) in a cold or frozen state.
  • Such refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body having a plurality of cooling chambers therein, doors for opening and closing the cooling chambers and a refrigeration cycle device for providing cold air into each cooling chamber.
  • the refrigeration cycle device includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing a refrigerant by emitting heat, an expansion apparatus for depressurizing and expanding the refrigerant, and an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant by making the refrigerant adsorb peripheral latent heat.
  • a cold air circulation passage may be formed at a rear wall of the cooling chamber for circulation of cold air.
  • the cold air circulation passage may be provided with a cooling fan for facilitation of air flow.
  • An evaporator may be provided in the cold air circulation passage such that air can be cooled while passing through the evaporator.
  • the evaporator may be disposed at each of the plurality of cooling chambers.
  • moisture in the air may be frozen (implanted) on a wall near the evaporator or on the cooling fan as well as the surface of the evaporator.
  • Frost as the frozen moisture, impedes heat exchange between air and a refrigerant and also increases an air flow resistance. Also, an operable portion of the cooling fan is frozen, so the operation of the cooling fan can be restricted.
  • a defrosting heater is present at one side (e.g., a lower side) of the evaporator to perform a defrosting function, accordingly, components (e.g., the cooling fan) located relatively away from the defrosting heater may not be properly defrosted, thereby increasing an overall defrosting time. If a longer time is taken for the defrosting, the temperature of foods stored in the refrigerator may increase, resulting in further increase in power consumption.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a defrosting heater for a refrigerator capable of simultaneously defrosting an evaporator and a cooling fan, and a refrigerator having the same.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a defrosting heater for a refrigerator capable of defrosting a plurality of components with a single defrosting heater, and a refrigerator having the same.
  • a refrigerator including an evaporator disposed in a refrigerator main body and configured to generate cold air, a fan configured to blow cold air flowed through the evaporator to circulate within the refrigerator main body, and a defrosting heater configured to defrost the evaporator and the fan by applying heat to the evaporator and the fan, wherein the defrosting heater comprises an evaporator defrosting unit configured to defrost the evaporator and a fan defrosting unit configured to defrost the fan, the evaporator defrosting unit and the fan defrosting unit being integrally formed.
  • a defrosting heater for a refrigerator including an evaporator defrosting unit disposed at one side of an evaporator, the evaporator being present in a refrigerator main body, and configured to heat the evaporator, and a fan defrosting unit disposed in the refrigerator main body and configured to heat a fan, wherein the evaporator defrosting unit and the fan defrosting unit are integrally formed.
  • the refrigerator includes an evaporator disposed in a refrigerator main body and configured to generate cold air, a fan configured to blow cold air flowed through the evaporator to circulate within the refrigerator main body, and a defrosting heater configured to defrost the evaporator and the fan by applying heat to the evaporator and the fan, wherein the defrosting heater comprises an evaporator defrosting unit configured to defrost the evaporator and a fan defrosting unit configured to defrost the fan, the evaporator defrosting unit and the fan defrosting unit being integrally formed, whereby the evaporator and the fan can simultaneously be defrosted.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a defrosting heater in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a partially cut-out perspective view of a barrier taken along the line ?-? of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a planar view of an evaporator area of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the evaporator area of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a disassembled perspective view of an evaporator and a defrosting heater of FIG. 8 ;
  • FIG. 10 is a front view of a main body of a refrigerator having a defrosting heater in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a front view of the defrosting heater of FIG. 10 .
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a defrosting heater in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 2
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of FIG. 3
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of FIG. 3
  • FIG. 6 is a partially cut-out perspective view of a barrier taken along the line ?-? of FIG. 5
  • FIG. 7 is a planar view of an evaporator area of FIG. 2 .
  • a refrigerator having a defrosting heater may include a refrigerator main body 110 having a cooling chamber therein, an evaporator 250 located in the refrigerator main body 110 , a cooling fan disposed at one side of the evaporator 250 for blowing cold air into the cooling chamber, and a defrosting heater 270 including an evaporator defrosting unit 271 disposed at one side of the evaporator 250 for heating the evaporator 250 , and a fan defrosting unit 281 integrally extending from the evaporator defrosting unit 271 for heating the cooling fan.
  • the cooling chamber may refer to both a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber
  • the refrigerator main body 110 may be configured to have either the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber.
  • the refrigerator main body 110 may include a first cooling chamber 150 and a second cooling chamber 160 which are partitioned up and down by a barrier 120 disposed in a horizontal direction.
  • the refrigerator main body 110 may include a refrigeration cycle (not shown) for supplying cold air into the cooling chamber.
  • the refrigeration cycle may be configured as a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, which includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for extracting heat from a refrigerant, an expansion apparatus for decompressing and expanding a refrigerant, and the evaporator 250 for urging a refrigerant to adsorb ambient latent heat to be evaporated.
  • a machine chamber 170 may be defined at a rear lower area of the refrigerator main body 110 .
  • the compressor, the condenser and the expansion apparatus may be located in the machine chamber 170 , and the evaporator 250 may be disposed within the cooling chamber.
  • the first cooling chamber 150 is a refrigerating chamber
  • the second cooling chamber is a freezing chamber
  • the evaporator 250 is disposed inside the barrier 120 .
  • a pair of refrigerating chamber doors 155 for selectively opening and closing the refrigerating chamber 150 may be provided at the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • the refrigerating chamber doors 155 may be rotatable at both sides of the refrigerating chamber 150 about rotational shafts.
  • a freezing chamber door 165 which is slidable back and forth for opening and closing the freezing chamber 160 , may be provided at the freezing chamber 160 .
  • An ice-making chamber 180 may be disposed at one of the refrigerating chamber doors 155 .
  • An ice maker (not shown) for making ice pieces with water provided from the exterior may be disposed in the ice-making chamber 180 .
  • An ice tank (not shown) for storing ice pieces made may be disposed below the ice maker.
  • a sidewall cold air duct 190 which allows supply of cold air into the ice-making chamber 180 may be disposed at one sidewall of the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • the sidewall cold air duct 190 may be provided in pair to be parallel with each other.
  • One of the sidewall cold air ducts 190 may form a cold air intake passage through which cold air is supplied into the ice-making chamber 180 , and another may form a cold air outlet passage through which cold air flowed through the ice-making chamber 180 is restored into the freezing chamber 160 .
  • the evaporator 250 may be present inside the barrier 120 . Accordingly, since the evaporator 250 , which has a temperature lower than that of the cold air within the freezing chamber 160 or the refrigerating chamber 150 , is not installed adjacent to a rear wall of the main body 110 , it is possible to increase the size of a usable space of the freezing chamber 160 and/or the refrigerating chamber 150 without increase in the size of an outer appearance of the refrigerator main body 110 .
  • An evaporator accommodation portion 122 in which the evaporator 250 is accommodated may be formed inside the barrier 120 .
  • the evaporator accommodation portion 122 may be formed, having an opening at an upper side thereof.
  • An evaporator cover 125 for closing the upper opening of the evaporator accommodation portion 122 may be disposed at an upper side of the evaporator accommodation portion 122 .
  • the evaporator accommodation portion 122 may be downwardly slant toward the rear side.
  • the barrier 120 present on the upper side of the evaporator 122 may be configured such that its thickness can gradually increase toward the rear side.
  • the configuration can prevent supercooling of a lower surface of the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • the cold air of the evaporator 250 can flow into the freezing chamber 160 via a lower wall portion of the evaporator 250 which is relatively thin in thickness, thereby preventing an increase in a temperature of the freezing chamber 160 .
  • the period for supplying cold air of the freezing chamber 160 can extend, so as to prevent an increase in power consumption due to a frequent driving of a second cooling fan 220 .
  • a defrosting heater 270 may be disposed at one side, more particularly, a lower side of the evaporator 250 .
  • the defrosting heater 270 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • An outlet 127 may be formed at a rear central portion of an upper surface of the barrier 120 .
  • a first intake 131 and a second intake 132 through which cold air of the refrigerating chamber 150 and the freezing chamber 160 can be sucked in may be formed at a front area of the barrier 120 .
  • the first intake 131 may be formed at an upper surface of the barrier 120 .
  • the first intake 131 may be formed through the evaporator cover 125 .
  • the first intake 131 may be provided in plurality.
  • the first intakes 131 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in right and left directions of the barrier 120 . Accordingly, air within the refrigerating chamber 150 can be sucked into both side areas of the evaporator 250 so as to be heat-exchanged.
  • the first intake 131 may be in a rectangular form.
  • the first intake 131 may be formed to have a width relatively greater than a length.
  • Such structure can decrease a contact area (heat-exchange area) between air of the refrigerating chamber 150 and the evaporator 250 , and increase an amount of sucked air of the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • a great deal of cold air having a relatively high temperature can be supplied into the refrigerating chamber 150 , thereby preventing the partial supercooling and also rapidly overcoming the temperature deviation of the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • the second intake 132 may be formed at a lower surface of the barrier 120 .
  • the second intake 132 may be formed at a front area of the barrier 120 .
  • the second intake 132 may alternatively be formed even over the central area of the barrier 120 . Accordingly, air within the freezing chamber 160 can be sucked into a relatively wider area including the central area of the evaporator 250 so as to undergo heat exchange.
  • the second intake 132 may have a length longer than a width and be formed in a shape of a short bend having a relatively narrow width, whereby the contact area (heat-exchange area) between air within the freezing chamber 160 and the evaporator 250 can increase and an appropriate amount of sucked air within the freezing chamber 160 can be retained. Consequently, the air within the freezing chamber 160 can be heat-exchanged with the air of the evaporator 250 in the relatively wider area, thereby being cooled to be lower in temperature, thus allowing a rapid cooling of the freezing chamber 160 .
  • a refrigeration cold air duct 152 through which cold air can be supplied into the refrigerating chamber 150 may be disposed at a rear side of the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • the refrigeration cold air duct 152 may be formed to be thin in thickness and long in length.
  • the refrigeration cold air duct 152 may have a length corresponding to a height of the refrigerating chamber 150 and a width wider than a half of the width of the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • Such structure can reduce the thickness of the refrigeration cold air duct 152 , thereby increasing an actually usable space of the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • a plurality of cold air outlets 153 through which cold air is discharged may be formed at upper, central and lower areas of the refrigeration cold air duct 152 , respectively.
  • a first cooling fan 210 may be installed at a lower portion of the refrigeration cold air duct 152 in an accommodated state.
  • a first cooling fan accommodation portion 157 in which the first cooling fan 210 is accommodated may be formed at a lower portion of the refrigeration cold air duct 152 .
  • the first cooling fan 210 may be configured as a centrifugal fan by which cold air is sucked in an axial direction and blown out in a radial direction.
  • the first cooling fan 210 may be disposed such that an intake thereof faces forward and an outlet thereof faces upward.
  • a duct intake 158 which communicates with the outlet 127 of the barrier 120 may be formed at one side of a lower portion of the first cooling fan accommodation portion 157 .
  • the first cooling fan accommodation portion 157 may have a thickness thick enough to protrude forwardly more than its surrounding for cold air suction of the first cooling fan 210 .
  • the barrier 120 may be provided with an ice-making fan 230 for blowing cold air into the ice-making chamber 180 .
  • the ice-making fan 230 may be configured as a centrifugal fan by which air is sucked in an axial direction and blown out in a radial direction. With the configuration of the centrifugal fan, the ice-making fan 230 can be shorter in an axial length, thereby being easily accommodated in the barrier 120 . Accordingly, the projection of the ice-making fan 230 to the freezing chamber 160 and/or the refrigerating chamber 150 can be prevented, resulting in an increase in an actually usable space of the freezing chamber 160 and/or the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • the ice-making fan 230 may be disposed such that an intake thereof faces downward and an outlet thereof faces a horizontal direction.
  • the barrier 120 may be provided with an ice-making fan accommodation portion 141 in which the ice-making fan 230 is accommodated.
  • the barrier 120 may further include a cold air passage 142 through which cold air blown out of the ice-making fan 230 flows, and an outlet 143 formed at one side of the ice-making fan 230 for allowing cold air passed through the ice-making chamber 180 to flow into the freezing chamber 160 .
  • Each lower end of the sidewall cold air ducts 190 may be connected to one side (e.g., a left side in the drawing) of the barrier 120 .
  • a second cooling fan 220 for blowing cold air flowed through the evaporator 250 into the freezing chamber 160 may be provided at a rear area of the freezing chamber 160 .
  • the second cooling fan 220 may be configured as a centrifugal fan by which air is sucked in an axial direction and blown out in a radial direction.
  • the second cooling fan 220 may be configured such that air can be sucked at one side thereof and discharged at another side thereof in the same direction as the air sucked direction.
  • the second cooling fan 220 as shown in FIG. 2 , may be located to be more forward than the first cooling fan 210 .
  • a grill fan 240 for guiding the air flowed through the evaporator 250 may be disposed near the second cooling fan 220 .
  • the grill fan 240 may be located at an upper portion of a rear side of the freezing chamber 160 , thus partitioning an inner space. That is, the grill fan 240 partitions the inner space into a space for the evaporator 250 in which cold air is generated and a food storage space for actually keeping foods.
  • the grill fan 240 may include an upper plate portion 241 connected to a lower portion of the barrier 120 and a fan accommodation portion 245 downwardly extending from the upper plate portion 241 .
  • the upper plate portion 241 may have a length corresponding to a bilateral width of the barrier 120 .
  • the fan accommodation portion 245 may have a bilateral width which is reduced more than the length of the upper plate portion 241 , and accommodate the second cooling fan 220 therein.
  • a cold air outlet 246 through which cold air flowed out of the second cooling fan 220 is introduced into the freezing chamber 160 may be formed through a front portion of the fan accommodation portion 245 .
  • the upper plate portion 241 of the grill fan 240 may be formed to be slant backwardly so that defrosted water generated at the side of the evaporator 250 can be collected and drained out.
  • the fan accommodation portion 245 may be provided with a drain portion 247 such that defrosted water dropped from the upper plate portion 241 can be discharged therethrough.
  • the drain portion 247 may be connected with a water pipe 249 .
  • the water pipe 249 may be drawn into the machine chamber 170 .
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the evaporator area of FIG. 2
  • FIG. 9 is a disassembled perspective view of an evaporator and a defrosting heater of FIG. 8
  • the evaporator 250 may include a heat pipe 251 in which a refrigerant flows, and a plurality of heat plates 255 coupled to the heat pipe 251 .
  • the heat pipe 251 may include a plurality of linear pipe zones 253 aligned in parallel with one another, and a plurality of curved connection pipe zones 254 by which the linear pipe zones 253 can communicate all together.
  • the linear pipe zones 253 may be aligned in right and left directions of the barrier 120 .
  • Each heat plate 255 may be in the form of a rectangular plate.
  • Each heat plate 255 may have an insertion hole 256 for inserting the corresponding linear pipe zone 253 therein.
  • the heat plates 255 may be aligned to be spaced with a preset pitch in a lengthwise direction of the linear pipe zone 253 .
  • the pitches of the heat plates 255 may be configured such that a pitch P 1 of the upstream heat plate 255 is larger than a pitch P 2 of the downstream heat plate 255 . Accordingly, an increase in air flow resistance due to frost at the upstream zone having a relatively great amount of frost generated can be prevented.
  • the linear pipe zones 253 may be aligned in a single line on the same surface.
  • the evaporator 250 may be aligned up and down in plural lines.
  • the defrosting heater 270 may be disposed at a lower side of the evaporator 250 .
  • the defrosting heater 270 may include a protection pipe 270 a , and a thermal line 270 b disposed inside the protection pipe 270 a for generating heat.
  • an insulating material 270 c for insulation of the thermal line 270 b may be filled in the protection pipe 270 a.
  • the protection pipe 270 a may be made of an aluminum (Al) member having characteristics of easy heat transfer and easy plastic deformation.
  • the defrosting heater 270 may include an evaporator defrosting unit 271 for defrosting the evaporator 250 , and a cooling fan defrosting unit 281 for defrosting the cooling fan.
  • the evaporator defrosting unit 271 may be formed to be curved in a zigzag form, such as the heat pipe 251 of the evaporator 250 , at the lower side of the evaporator 250 .
  • the evaporator defrosting unit 271 may include linear zones 272 a and curved zones 272 b .
  • the linear zones 272 a may have the same length and be disposed with the same gap, as those of the linear pipe zones 253 of the heat pipe 251 . Accordingly, since the evaporator defrosting unit 271 is formed to be long in length, the defrosting heater 270 may be configured to provide a relatively less amount of heat for each unit length and a relatively low surface temperature.
  • the second cooling fan 220 and the ice-making fan 230 may be configured as a centrifugal fan by which air is sucked in an axial direction and blown out in a radial direction.
  • Each of the second cooling fan 220 and the ice-making fan 230 may include a casing 231 having an intake 233 and an outlet 234 , a fan 237 rotatably disposed in the casing 231 , and a motor 239 for rotating the fan 237 .
  • the intake 233 may be formed at one side of the casing 231 in an axial direction of the fan 237
  • the outlet 234 may be formed at one side of the casing 231 in a radial direction of the fan 237 .
  • Each intake 233 of the second cooling fan 220 and the ice-making fan 230 may have a scroll 235 protruded from a circumference in a semi-circular sectional shape and extending in the circumferential direction.
  • the cooling fan defrosting unit 281 may include an ice-making fan defrosting portion 283 and a second cooling fan defrosting portion 285 for heating the ice-making fan 230 and the second cooling fan 220 , respectively.
  • the ice-making fan defrosting portion 283 and the second cooling fan defrosting portion 285 may be curved to come in contact with the scrolls 235 formed at the intakes 233 of each casing 231 of the ice-making fan 230 and the second cooling fan 220 , respectively.
  • the ice-making fan defrosting portion 283 and the second cooling fan defrosting portion 285 may be curved in a semi-circular shape having radii of curvatures corresponding to the sizes of the ice-making fan 230 and the second cooling fan 220 , respectively.
  • the first cooling fan 210 rotates upon supplying air into the refrigerating chamber 150 .
  • the rotation of the first cooling fan 210 allows air within the refrigerating chamber 150 to be sucked into the barrier 210 via the first intake 131 .
  • the sucked air is cooled while passing through the evaporator 250 and then introduced into the refrigeration cold air duct 152 due to the first cooling fan 210 .
  • the cold air introduced into the refrigeration cold air duct 152 is thusly supplied into the refrigerating chamber 150 via each cold air outlet 153 .
  • the second cooling fan 220 For supplying cold air into the freezing chamber 160 , the second cooling fan 220 rotates. The rotation of the second cooling fan 220 allows air within the freezing chamber 160 to be sucked into the barrier 120 via the second intake 132 . The introduced air is cooled while passing through the evaporator 250 , and then sucked by the second cooling fan 220 , thereby being introduced into the freezing chamber 160 via the grill fan 240 .
  • the first cooling fan 210 and the second cooling fan 220 simultaneously rotate. Accordingly, air within the refrigeration chamber 150 is sucked into the barrier 120 via the first intake 131 and air within the freezing chamber 160 is sucked into the barrier 120 via the second intake 132 .
  • the air of the refrigerating chamber 150 sucked into the barrier 120 flows along an upper area of the evaporator accommodation portion 122 and the air of the freezing chamber 160 flows along a lower area of the barrier 120 .
  • the air which has been cooled while passing through the evaporator 250 , is partially introduced into the refrigeration cold air duct 152 by virtue of the first cooling fan 210 to be discharged into the refrigerating chamber 150 and partially sucked by the second cooling fan 220 to be discharged into the freezing chamber 160 .
  • the ice-making fan 230 Upon supplying cold air into the ice-making chamber 230 , the ice-making fan 230 rotates. Upon the rotation of the ice-making fan 230 , air which has been cooled while passing through the evaporator 250 is sucked by the ice-making fan 230 to be introduced into the sidewall cold air duct 190 . The air flowing upwardly along the sidewall cold air duct 190 cools the ice-making chamber 180 and then flows downwardly along the sidewall cold air duct 190 to be introduced into the freezing chamber 160 .
  • the evaporator defrosting unit 271 and the cooling fan defrosting unit 281 Upon the power supply to the defrosting heater 270 , the evaporator defrosting unit 271 and the cooling fan defrosting unit 281 generate heat, respectively, to defrost the evaporator 250 and each cooling fan, in more detail, the ice-making fan 230 and the second cooling fan 220 .
  • defrosted water which is generated due to frost being melted, flows backwardly along a lower surface of the evaporator accommodation portion 122 , and gathered in the upper plate portion 241 of the grill fan 240 , thereby flowing down into the fan accommodation portion 245 .
  • the defrosted water flowed into the fan accommodation portion 245 is then discharged into the machine chamber 170 via the drain portion and the water pipe.
  • FIG. 10 is a front view of a main body of a refrigerator having a defrosting heater in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 11 is a front view of the defrosting heater of FIG. 10 .
  • a refrigerator having a defrosting heater may include a refrigerator main body 310 having a cooling chamber therein, evaporators 350 a and 350 b disposed in the refrigerator main body 310 , cooling fans disposed at one side of the evaporators 350 a and 350 b for blowing cold air into the cooling chamber, and defrosting heaters 360 a and 360 b each including an evaporator defrosting unit 361 for heating the evaporators 350 a and 350 b , and a cooling fan defrosting unit 371 integrally extending from the evaporator defrosting unit 361 for heating the cooling fans.
  • a first cooling chamber 330 and a second cooling chamber 340 may be disposed within the refrigerator main body 310 with a barrier 120 therebetween, which is located in a longitudinal direction.
  • the first cooling chamber 330 and the second cooling chamber 340 are a freezing chamber 330 and a refrigerating chamber 340 , respectively, and the evaporators include a first evaporator 350 a and a second evaporator 350 b disposed in the first and second cooling chambers, respectively.
  • a circulation passage through which air of the freezing chamber 330 can circulate may be formed at a rear area of the freezing chamber 160 .
  • the first evaporator 350 a for cooling air may be installed in the circulation passage.
  • a freezing chamber fan 355 a for facilitation of air flow may be provided at one side of the first evaporator 350 a .
  • the freezing chamber fan 355 a may be installed at an upper side of the first evaporator 350 a .
  • a freezing cold air duct 333 may be provided at an upper side of the freezing chamber fan 355 a .
  • a plurality of cold air outlets 334 may be formed at the freezing cold air duct 333 .
  • Air intakes 332 through which air of the freezing chamber 330 is sucked may be formed at a lower area of the first evaporator 350 a.
  • a circulation passage through which air of the refrigerating chamber 340 can circulate may be formed at a rear area of the refrigerating chamber 340 .
  • the second evaporator 350 b for cooling air may be installed in the circulation passage.
  • a refrigerating chamber fan 355 b for facilitation of air flow may be disposed at one side of the second evaporator 350 b .
  • the refrigerating chamber fan 355 b may be installed at an upper side of the second evaporator 350 b .
  • a refrigeration cold air duct 343 may be formed at an upper side of the refrigerating chamber fan 355 b .
  • Air intakes 342 in which air of the refrigerating chamber 340 is sucked may be formed at a lower area of the second evaporator 350 b.
  • a first defrosting heater 360 a and a second defrosting heater 360 b may be disposed at rear sides of the first evaporator 350 a and the second evaporator 350 b , respectively.
  • the configurations of the first defrosting heater 360 a and the second defrosting heater 360 b may depend on shapes, sizes and positions of the first and second evaporators 350 a and 350 b and the freezing chamber fan 355 a and the refrigerating chamber fan 355 b .
  • the configurations are similar, so, the description of the second defrosting heater 360 a will be omitted, hereinafter, and the first defrosting heater 360 a will be exemplarily described.
  • the first defrosting heater 360 a may include an evaporator defrosting unit 361 for defrosting the first evaporator 350 a , and a cooling fan defrosting unit 371 for defrosting the freezing chamber fan 355 a .
  • the evaporator defrosting unit 361 may have approximately the same size and shape as those of a heat pipe of the first evaporator 350 a .
  • the cooling fan defrosting unit 371 may extend upwardly from an end of the evaporator defrosting unit 361 , and be curved in a semi-circular shape corresponding to the shape of a scroll of the freezing chamber fan 355 a so as to come in contact with the scroll.
  • the operation of the freezing chamber fan 355 a is stopped, and power is supplied to the first defrosting heater 360 a .
  • the evaporator defrosting unit 361 and the cooling fan defrosting heater 371 are simultaneously heated up, thereby simultaneously defrosting the first evaporator 350 a and the freezing chamber fan 355 a.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
  • Defrosting Systems (AREA)
US13/380,192 2009-07-15 2010-07-01 Defrosting heater for refregerator and refregerator having the same Abandoned US20120096887A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020090064665A KR101637443B1 (ko) 2009-07-15 2009-07-15 냉장고용 제상히터 및 이를 구비한 냉장고
KR10-2009-0064665 2009-07-15
PCT/KR2010/004291 WO2011007971A2 (en) 2009-07-15 2010-07-01 Defrosting heater for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same

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Publication Number Publication Date
US20120096887A1 true US20120096887A1 (en) 2012-04-26

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US (1) US20120096887A1 (ko)
EP (1) EP2454540B1 (ko)
KR (1) KR101637443B1 (ko)
WO (1) WO2011007971A2 (ko)

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JP2015135227A (ja) * 2013-12-20 2015-07-27 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 冷蔵庫
CN105333672A (zh) * 2015-11-25 2016-02-17 青岛海尔股份有限公司 抽屉式冰箱
US20160370087A1 (en) * 2015-06-16 2016-12-22 Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation Cooled-air circulation structure of refrigerator and method for controlling the same
US20170176084A1 (en) * 2015-12-17 2017-06-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator
EP3301385A1 (en) * 2016-09-29 2018-04-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
US10041717B2 (en) 2016-10-27 2018-08-07 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Air tower improvement for a refrigerator
US20180340726A1 (en) * 2017-05-26 2018-11-29 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
US10386109B2 (en) * 2016-09-29 2019-08-20 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
US10408525B2 (en) * 2015-11-11 2019-09-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Defrosting device and refrigerator having the same
US11293685B2 (en) * 2017-03-10 2022-04-05 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
US20230068073A1 (en) * 2021-08-31 2023-03-02 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electronic apparatus and controlling method thereof
WO2023033292A1 (ko) * 2021-08-31 2023-03-09 삼성전자주식회사 전자 장치 및 그 제어 방법

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KR102153136B1 (ko) * 2016-09-29 2020-10-26 엘지전자 주식회사 냉장고
KR102182084B1 (ko) * 2016-09-29 2020-11-23 엘지전자 주식회사 냉장고
KR102632585B1 (ko) * 2016-09-29 2024-02-02 엘지전자 주식회사 냉장고
JP2020101299A (ja) * 2018-12-20 2020-07-02 日立グローバルライフソリューションズ株式会社 冷蔵庫
CN110567214A (zh) * 2019-09-12 2019-12-13 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 冰箱
KR20210116087A (ko) * 2020-03-17 2021-09-27 엘지전자 주식회사 냉장고
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JP2015135227A (ja) * 2013-12-20 2015-07-27 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 冷蔵庫
US20160370087A1 (en) * 2015-06-16 2016-12-22 Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation Cooled-air circulation structure of refrigerator and method for controlling the same
US10408525B2 (en) * 2015-11-11 2019-09-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Defrosting device and refrigerator having the same
CN105333672A (zh) * 2015-11-25 2016-02-17 青岛海尔股份有限公司 抽屉式冰箱
US20170176084A1 (en) * 2015-12-17 2017-06-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator
US10612832B2 (en) * 2015-12-17 2020-04-07 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator with defrost operation control
EP3301385A1 (en) * 2016-09-29 2018-04-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
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WO2023033292A1 (ko) * 2021-08-31 2023-03-09 삼성전자주식회사 전자 장치 및 그 제어 방법
US11783692B2 (en) * 2021-08-31 2023-10-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electronic apparatus and controlling method thereof

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Publication number Publication date
EP2454540A2 (en) 2012-05-23
KR20110006996A (ko) 2011-01-21
EP2454540B1 (en) 2020-09-02
EP2454540A4 (en) 2017-06-28
WO2011007971A2 (en) 2011-01-20
KR101637443B1 (ko) 2016-07-07
WO2011007971A3 (en) 2011-04-14

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