US20130014524A1

US20130014524A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: US20130014524A1
Application number: US13/548,452
Authority: US
Inventors: Woosung Kim
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2011-07-14
Filing date: 2012-07-13
Publication date: 2013-01-17
Also published as: KR20130009055A

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided, including a case that forms a predetermined space separated from an outside thereof, a storage chamber provided in the case, a component chamber partitioned from the storage chamber within the case, the component chamber housing at least a compressor or a condenser, a thermoelectric device to generate electricity based on a temperature difference, and a display to display operational information related to the refrigerator. The thermoelectric device may include a first surface exposed to a high temperature area and a second surface exposed to a low temperature area to produce electricity using the temperature difference between the two areas.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Application No. 10-2011-0069854 filed in Korea on Jul. 14, 2011, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field
Embodiments as broadly described herein relate to a refrigerator.
2. Background
Generally, a refrigerator includes a component chamber provided in a lower portion of a case to house various mechanical components. For example, a freezing cycle unit may be housed in the component chamber, including, for example, a compressor for changing a low temperature and low pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant, a condenser for changing the high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high temperature and high pressure fluidal refrigerant, and an evaporator for absorbing an external heat while changing the low temperature and high pressure fluidal refrigerant changed in the condenser into a gaseous refrigerant. As refrigerator capacity increases, power consumption typically increases. Accordingly, the electric power consumed to maintain cold air inside such an increased capacity refrigerator may be increased disadvantageously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermoelectric device as embodied and broadly described herein;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance with embodiment as broadly described herein;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance with embodiment as broadly described herein;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance with embodiment as broadly described herein; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment as broadly described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail in reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1 thermoelectric device 40 may employ the Seebeck effect. The Seebeck effect, found by T. J Seebeck in Germany in 1821, indicates that electric currents flow by an electromotive force generated when a temperature difference is applied to two different metals or semiconductors. This may be called a Thermo-electric effect and a potential difference generated in this instance may be called a thermo-electromotive force. The thermo-electric effect may be categorized into the Seebeck effect that achieves the electromotive force by using a temperature difference between two materials, a Peltier effect that performs cooling or heating using the electromotive force, or a Thomson effect that generates the electromotive force using a temperature difference in a band structure of a conductor. In other words, the thermoelectric device 40 makes use of a phenomenon in which electric currents are generated in a circuit having a high temperature contact and the other low temperature contact after two different kinds of metal materials are connected with each other.
The thermoelectric device 40 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first surface 42 exposed to a relatively high temperature area and a second surface 44 exposed to a relatively low temperature area. The first surface 42 and the second surface 44 may be formed of two different metal materials, respectively, to realize the thermo-electric effect described above.
The term “relatively” used above may refer to a standard used in comparing a space where the first surface 42 is exposed with a space where the second surface 44 is exposed.
For example, the temperature of the space where the first surface 42 is exposed may be 30° C. and the temperature of the space where the second surface 44 is exposed may be 25° C. In this instance, the space where the first surface 42 is exposed may have a relatively high temperature and the space where the second surface 44 is exposed may have a relatively low temperature.
Similarly, in another example, the temperature of the space where the first surface 42 is exposed may be 20° C. and the temperature of the space where the second surface 44 is exposed may be 15° C. In this instance, the space where the first surface 42 is exposed may have a relatively high temperature and that the space where the second surface 44 is exposed may have a relatively low temperature. Numerous different temperatures may be appropriate.
The first surface 42 may include a first heat exchanger fin 43 to facilitate heat exchange. The first heat exchanger fin 43 may enlarge a heat exchanging area of the first surface 42. Accordingly, heat exchange may be efficiently performed between the first surface 42 and the space where the first surface 42 is exposed. The first heat exchanger fin 43 may include a plurality of fins formed perpendicular with respect to the first surface 42.
The second surface 44 may include a second heat exchanger fin 45 to facilitate heat exchange. The second heat exchanger fin 45 may enlarge a heat exchanging area of the second surface 44. Accordingly, heat exchange may be efficiently performed between the second surface 44 and the space where the second surface 44 is exposed. The second heat exchanger fin 45 may include a plurality of fins formed perpendicular with respect to the second surface 44.
An electricity storage device 50 may be further provided to store the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40. In certain circumstances, the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40 may be relatively small amount, and the electricity stored in the electricity storage device 50 may be used in a special situation when electricity is supplied abnormally. The electricity storage device 50 may include, for example, a rechargeable battery and the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40 may be charged in the electricity storage device 50.
Furthermore, a display 54 may be provided to receive the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40. The display 54 may display, for example, operational information of the refrigerator, or another variety of information. In addition, the display 54 may include a panel for enabling the user to control an operation state of the refrigerator. Such a display 54 used in a refrigerator or other type of appliance may consume a relatively small amount of electricity. Accordingly, the display 54 may be smoothly operated by the supply of the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40.
The display 54 may be simultaneously or selectively operated by the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40 and electricity supplied by a common external power supply source. For example, the display 54 may be operated by the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40 when a supply of external electric power is interrupted. The display 54 may be directly supplied with electricity from the thermoelectric device 40 by an electric wire.
Even if an electric power failure occurs, a difference between temperatures inside the refrigerator may be maintained for a predetermined time period and electricity may be generated by the thermoelectric device 40 accordingly. As a result, the display 54 may be driven by the thermoelectric device 40 for a predetermined time period even in the event of an electric power failure.
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a single storage chamber where items are stored is provided in the refrigerator. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment are both provided in a refrigerator.
A refrigerator in accordance with embodiments as broadly described herein includes a case 10, a storage chamber 20 provided in the case 10 and a component, or mechanism chamber 30. The case 10 encloses/isolates an inner space of the refrigerator from an outer space such that a difference between the temperatures inside and outside the refrigerator can be generated.
In the mechanism chamber 30 may be provided a compressor 34 for compressing refrigerant, a condenser 32 for heat-exchanging the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 34, and other components as appropriate. To make the drawings simple, detailed components such as refrigerant pipes provided in the compressor 34 and the condenser 32 are omitted.
In a freezing cycle, the compressor 34 changes a low temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant. The condenser 32 performs heat exchange to change the high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant of the compressor 34 into a high temperature and high pressure fluid refrigerant.
In other words, heat is generated in the mechanism chamber 30 by the driving of the compressor 34 and the heat is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant passing through the condenser 32. Accordingly, the temperature in the inner space of the refrigerator may be maintained at a relatively low level, compared with the temperature outside of the refrigerator.
Items may be stored in the storage chamber 20 and cold air is supplied to the storage chamber 20 by the refrigerant passing the compressor 34 and the condenser 32. Accordingly, the temperature in the storage chamber 20 may be maintained at a relatively low level, compared with the temperature outside of the case 10 or in the mechanism chamber 30.
When the freezing cycle is formed, the temperature in the storage chamber 20 is the lowest, the temperature in the mechanism chamber 30 is the highest, and the temperature outside of the case 10 is between these two (lowest and highest) temperature. For example, the temperature outside of the case 10 may be approximately 18˜30 ° C. corresponding to a common room temperature. Heat is generated in the mechanism chamber 30 by the compressor 34 and the condenser 32 provided in the substantially airtight closed chamber. Thus, in this embodiment, the first surface 42 is exposed to the mechanism chamber 30 and the second surface 44 is exposed to the outside of the case 10 so that the thermoelectric device 40 may generate electricity using the temperature difference between the spaces partitioned by the case 10 and the mechanism chamber 30.
In this instance, a heat transfer member 36 for having the heat of the condenser 32 transferred thereto may be installed in the first surface 42. Typically, heat transmission may be performed not by convection but by conduction. If the first surface 42 is spaced apart from the condenser 32, the heat of the condenser 32 may be difficult to transfer to the first surface 42 sufficiently. Accordingly, the heat transfer member 36 may be used for generating the conduction between the condenser 32 and the thermoelectric device 40 to transfer the heat.
The heat transfer member 36 may be various types capable of transferring the heat smoothly, such as, for example, a metallic panel or a metallic pole. The heat transfer member 36 may have a variety of shapes such as, for example, as a curved shape or a stepped shape to transfer the heat to the first surface 42 from the condenser 32 without changing the design of the refrigerator.
Different from what is shown in FIG. 2, the heat transfer member 36 may connect the compressor 34 and the first surface 42 with each other. While the compressor 34 is driven, heat is generated in the compressor 34 and such heat can be transferred to the first surface 42 from the compressor 34 via the heat transfer member 36 smoothly and efficiently.
Also, the heat transfer member 36 may connect the compressor 34, the condenser 32 and the first surface 42 with each other. In this instance, not only the heat generated in the compressor 34 but also the heat generated in the condenser 32 may be transferred to the first surface 42 via conduction.
The first surface 42 may be exposed to the mechanism chamber 30 maintaining the relatively high temperature and the second surface 44 may be exposed to the outside of the case 10 maintaining the relatively low temperature. In other words, the temperature of the second surface 44 may be relatively higher than the temperature of the first surface 42.
Once again, the first surface 42 and the second surface 44 are located between the spaces having a temperature difference generated while the freezing cycle of the refrigerator is formed. The surfaces are exposed to the spaces having such the difference between the temperatures thereof. Accordingly, the temperature difference is generated between the first surface 42 and the second surface 44 and electricity can be generated based on Seebeck effect or Thermo-electric effect mentioned above.
The electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40 may be stored in the electricity storage device 50. Although FIG. 2 shows that the electricity storage device 50 is installed in the mechanism chamber 30, the electricity storage device 50 may be provided in the case 10 or at various locations outside the case 10. Wiring may be provided in the electricity storage device 50 to transfer the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device 40 to the storage device 50.
As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator may include a display 54 provided on a front surface thereof. The electricity supplied to the display 54 may be generated in the thermoelectric device 40. Components provided in the thermoelectric device 40 such as electric wires are omitted in the drawings to make them more understandable.
Also, an auxiliary control panel may be provided in the display 54 to display the information used when the user controls the temperature inside the refrigerator or the information notifying whether the thermoelectric device 40 generates electricity.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of another refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein. Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a position of the thermoelectric device 40 is changed, and such a difference will be described in detail as follows.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first surface 42 of the thermoelectric device 40 is exposed to the mechanism chamber 30 and the second surface 44 is exposed to the storage chamber 20. In short, the thermoelectric device 40 is installed in a boundary region between the mechanism chamber 30 and the storage chamber 20.
A heat transfer member 36 may be installed at the first surface 42 to transfer the heat of the condenser 32. Alternatively, a heat transfer member 36 may be installed at the first surface 42 to transfer the heat of the compressor 34. In other words, the heat transfer member 36 may be extended from the first surface 42 of the thermoelectric device 40 and it may connect the compressor 34 and the condenser 32 with each other to transfer the heat generated in both of the compressor 34 and the condenser 32.
The mechanism chamber 30 may maintain the relatively high temperature because of the heat generated by the compressor 34 and the condenser 32 while the freezing cycle is formed. In contrast, cold air may be supplied to the storage chamber 20 because of the refrigerant flow according to the freezing cycle and the cold air may be stored in the storage chamber 20. Accordingly, the storage chamber 20 may maintain the relatively low temperature.
Meanwhile, an evaporator 22 may be provided in the storage chamber 20 to supply cold air to the storage chamber 20. In this instance, the evaporator 22 may be connected with the compressor 34 and the condenser 32 to enable the refrigerant to circulate there through. Accordingly, the cold air supply based on the freezing cycle can be performed.
Especially, the second surface 44 may be connected with a cold air transfer member 38 connected with the evaporator 22. The cold air of the evaporator 22 may be transferred to the second surface 44 and the second surface 44 may be cooled at a low temperature. The cold air transfer member 38 may be formed of the same material used for forming the heat transfer member 36.
In other words, the thermoelectric device 40 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 may generate electricity using the difference between the temperatures of the spaces partitioned by the storage chamber 20 and the mechanism chamber 30. Especially, the first surface 42 may be connected with the condenser 32 and the compressor 34 by the heat transfer member 36 and the second surface 44 may be connected with the evaporator 22, such that the thermoelectric device 40 may gain a sufficient temperature difference between the first surface 42 and the second surface 44. The temperature difference between the storage chamber 20 and the mechanism chamber 30 is the largest (among the various combinations of the storage chamber 20, the mechanism chamber 30 and the outside of the case 10). Accordingly, the electricity that can be generated in this arrangement may be the largest.
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment. Compared with the previous embodiments, a position of the thermoelectric device 40 is changed. Such a difference will be described in detail.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the first surface 42 may be exposed to the outside of the case 10 and the second surface 44 may be exposed to the storage chamber 20. The outside of the case 10 where the first surface 42 is exposed may maintain the normal temperature and may be considered to be a relatively high temperature when compared to that of the storage chamber 20 where the second surface 44 is exposed, which may store cold air therein and thus may maintain a relatively low temperature. In short, the thermoelectric device 40 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 may generate electricity using a temperature difference between spaces partitioned by the storage chamber 20 and the outside of the case 10.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment. The refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 is a side by side type refrigerator having a freezer compartment 12 and a refrigerator compartment 14 arranged side by side. The side by side refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 is selected based on convenient explanation, and the same/similar principles may be applied to other types of refrigerators such as a top mount type refrigerator having a freezer compartment 12 mounted on a refrigerator compartment 14 and a bottom freezer type refrigerator having a freezer compartment 12 provided under a refrigerator compartment 14.
The inner space of the refrigerator may have a low temperature due to a freezing cycle unit mounted in a mechanism chamber formed in a lower portion of the case 10, to preserve freshness of items stored in the refrigerator.
The refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 includes a freezer compartment 12 and a refrigerator compartment 14 provided as separate storage chambers. The freezer compartment 12 is provided in a left side of the refrigerator and the refrigerator compartment 14 is provided in a right side of the refrigerator. Typically, the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is maintained below zero (i.e., below a freezing temperature) and the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 14 is maintained above zero (i.e., above a freezing temperature) higher than that of the freezer compartment 12, to preserve items in a fresh state. Accordingly, a temperature difference is generated between the refrigerator compartment 14 and the freezer compartment 12.
A freezer door 13 and a refrigerator door 15 are coupled to the refrigerator to open and close the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 14, respectively. The freezer door 13 and the refrigerator door 15 are rotatably coupled to the case 10 of the refrigerator, to separate an inner space from the outside of the refrigerator.
A storage space may also be provided in the freezer door 13 to enable the user to store foods therein.
The case 10 includes a partition wall 16 for partitioning an inner space thereof into the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 14. Items are stored in the refrigerator compartment 14 above 0° C. and items are stored in the freezer compartment 12 below 0° C. As a result, the partition wall 16 may insulate and maintain the temperature difference between the refrigerator compartment 14 and the freezer compartment 12.
The thermoelectric device 40 may be installed in the partition wall 16. In other words, the first surface 42 of the thermoelectric device 40 may be exposed to the refrigerator compartment 14 and the second surface 44 of the thermoelectric device 40 may be exposed to the freezer compartment 12.
In this instance, an auxiliary duct may be provided in the partition wall 16 and the thermoelectric device 40 may be arranged in the duct. A damper may be provided in the duct to control opening of the duct and the damper may control the electricity generation of the thermoelectric device 40.
The first surface 42 exposed to the refrigerator compartment 14 may be exposed to a relatively high temperature because the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 14 is relatively higher than the temperature of the freezer compartment 12. Similarly, the second surface exposed to the freezer compartment 12 may be exposed to a relatively low temperature because the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is relatively lower than the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 14. In other words, the same temperature difference is generated between the first surface 42 and the second surface 44 as the temperature difference between the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 14. Accordingly, electricity may be generated based on Seebeck effect mentioned above.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the thermoelectric device 40 generates electricity using the temperature difference between the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 14.
In alternative embodiments, the thermoelectric device 40 provided in the type of refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 may use the temperature difference between the freezer compartment 12 and the outside of the case 10, the temperature difference between the refrigerator compartment 14 and the outside of the case 10 and the temperature difference between the refrigerator compartment 14 and the mechanism chamber 30 in generating electricity. Such variations may be derived from the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 based on the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 and described above by one skilled in the art.
Accordingly, embodiments as broadly described herein may be directed to a refrigerator that is able to save electric energy by producing electricity using a temperature difference realized by a basic freezing cycle of a refrigerator.
A refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein may stably supply an auxiliary electric power even in a special situation when electric power is abnormally supplied.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with embodiments as embodied and broadly described herein, a refrigerator may include a refrigerator includes a case to form a predetermined space separated from an outside; a storage chamber provided in the case, to store foods therein; a mechanism chamber partitioned off in the case, the mechanism chamber comprising a compressor or a condenser; a thermoelectric device to generate electricity by using a temperature difference; and a display part to provide information to a user, wherein the thermoelectric device comprises a first surface exposed to a high temperature part having a relatively high temperature and a second surface exposed to a low temperature part having a relatively low temperature, and the display part is driven by the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device in an electric power failure when an external electric power fails to be supplied.
The first surface may be exposed to the mechanism chamber and the second surface may be exposed to an outside of the case.
The first surface may be exposed to the mechanism chamber and the second surface may be exposed to the storage chamber.
A heat transfer member may be provided in the first surface to transfer the heat of the condenser or the compressor.
A cold air transfer member may be provided in the second surface to transfer cold air of an evaporator.
The first surface may be exposed to the outside of the case and the second surface may be exposed to the storage chamber.
The storage chamber may include a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, and the case may include a partition wall for partitioning an inner space of the case into the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment.
The first surface may be exposed to the refrigerator compartment and the second surface may be exposed to the freezer compartment.
The refrigerator may further include an electricity storage part to store the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device.
A first heat exchanger fin where heat exchange may be enabled is formed in the first surface and a second heat exchanger fin where heat exchange may be enabled is formed in the second surface.
In another embodiment as broadly described herein, a refrigerator may include a case to form a predetermined space separated from an outside; a storage chamber to store foods therein, the storage chamber where cooling is performed by cold air supplied by an evaporator; a mechanism chamber comprising a compressor or a condenser; a thermoelectric device to generate electricity by using a temperature difference; and a display part to provide information to a user, wherein the thermoelectric device comprises a first surface connected with the compressor and a second surface connected with the evaporator, and the display part is driven by the electricity generated by the thermoelectric device in an electric power failure when an external electric power fails to be supplied.
The display may notify the electric power failure to the user when the external electric power fails to be supplied.
The refrigerator according to the invention may have following effects. The refrigerator according to the invention may produce the electricity by using the temperature difference generated by the basic freezing cycle and it may save the electric energy.
A refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein may use the generated electricity stored in the electricity storage part after being generated in the thermoelectric device in a special situation when electric power is abnormally supplied. Accordingly, the refrigerator may enhance food storage ability.
Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a case that defines an interior space therein;

at least one storage chamber provided in interior space of the case;

a component chamber formed in the case and partitioned from the at least one storage chamber, the component chamber housing a compressor or a condenser;

a thermoelectric device configured to generate electricity based on a temperature difference between a first location of a plurality of locations of the refrigerator and a second location of the plurality of locations, the plurality of locations including the component chamber, the at least one storage chamber and an outside of the case; and

a display coupled to the thermoelectric device and configured to display information related to operation of the refrigerator,

wherein the thermoelectric device comprises a first surface exposed to the first location of the plurality of locations and a second surface exposed to the second location of the plurality of locations, the first location having a first temperature and second location having a second temperature, the first temperature being higher than the second temperature, and

wherein the display is configured to be selectively driven by electricity generated by the thermoelectric device in an electric power failure when an external electric power fails to be supplied.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first surface is exposed to the component chamber and the second surface is exposed to the outside of the case.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first surface is exposed to the component chamber and the second surface is exposed to the at least one storage chamber.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising a heat transfer member coupled to the first surface to transfer heat of the condenser or the compressor thereto.

5. The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising a cold air transfer member coupled to the second surface to transfer cold air of an evaporator thereto.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first surface is exposed to the outside of the case and the second surface is exposed to the at least one storage chamber.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a partition wall provided in the interior space of the case to partition the at least one storage chamber into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the first surface is exposed to the refrigerator compartment and the second surface is exposed to the freezer compartment.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:

an electricity storage device configured to receive and store electricity generated by the thermoelectric device.

10. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a first heat exchanger fin provided at the first surface and a second heat exchanger fin provided at the second surface, wherein the first and second heat exchanger fins each form heat exchange areas where heat exchange is performed.

11. A refrigerator, comprising:

a case having an interior space separated from an outside thereof;

a storage chamber provided in the inner space of the case;

an evaporator that supplies cold air to the storage chamber;

a mechanism chamber provided in the inner space of the case and housing at least one of a compressor or a condenser;

a display configured to display information related to operation of the refrigerator; and

a thermoelectric device, comprising:

a first surface connected with the at least one of the compressor or condenser; and

a second surface connected with the evaporator, wherein the thermoelectric device generates electricity based on a temperature difference between the first and second surfaces, and wherein the display is selectively driven by electricity generated by the thermoelectric device in an electric power failure when an external electric power fails to be supplied.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the display generates notification of a power failure when a supply of power is interrupted.