WO2008111811A1

WO2008111811A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2008111811A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001428
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin-Koo Park
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2007-03-14
Filing date: 2008-03-13
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Also published as: KR20080083954A; US20100101255A1; KR101342349B1

Abstract

By means of the front panel structure having the insulating layer according to the embodiment of the present invention, the phenomenon that frost is formed on a structure in a freezing chamber is preferably reduced even though outside air is introduced while opening/closing a freezing chamber door.

Description

Description REFRIGERATOR

Technical Field

[1] This document relates to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[2] Generally, a refrigerator is an apparatus to reduce the temperature in a chamber by introducing cold air produced by a refrigeration cycle having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator into the chamber, so as to keep foodstuffs stored in the chamber in a chilled or frozen state. The refrigerator is classified into a top mount-type refrigerator where a freezing chamber is located above a refrigerating chamber, a bottom freezer-type refrigerator where the freezing chamber is located below the refrigerating chamber, and a side by side-type refrigerator where the refrigerating and freezing chambers are located side to side.

[3] Specifically, the bottom freezer-type refrigerator is a refrigerator where the refrigerating chamber is formed at an upper part and the freezing chamber is formed at a lower part, and an inner space of the bottom freezer-type refrigerator is divided by a barrier. And, at least one refrigerating chamber door is pivotably mounted in order to open the refrigerating chamber. And, the freezing chamber door for opening the freezing chamber is drawably provided so that it can be slid out in a forward direction.

[4] More specifically, the freezing chamber door is connected with a drawer provided at an inside, and a sliding rail is provided at both side of the drawer to slidably draw the drawer. And, a rail guide corresponding to the sliding rail is formed in an inner wall of the freezing chamber.

[5] Therefore, if an user grabs a door handle formed at the freezing chamber door and pulls the door handle in a forward direction, the user may store or take out foodstuffs as the drawer connected with the door is slid out in a forward direction.

[6] Also, a main drawer, in which relatively large foodstuffs are stored, and a sub- drawer, in which relatively small foodstuffs are stored, can be provided in the freezing chamber. And, the main drawer is configured to be drawn together with the freezing chamber door when the freezing chamber door is drawn, as it is directly connected with the freezing chamber door. And, the sub-drawer is configured to be drawn by directly grabbing the sub-drawer, so that foodstuffs can be classified and stored according to the purpose of use.

[7] However, the above-described convention art has following problems.

[8] In the refrigerator according to the prior art, outside air is introduced into the freezing chamber by opening/closing the freezing chamber door, moisture is included in the introduced outside air. Therefore, if the freezing chamber door is closed in a stated that outside air is introduced into the freezing chamber, moisture included in the outside air is frozen on a surface of the sub-drawer or structure in the chamber, thereby forming frost.

[9] In addition, frost formed on the structure in the chamber is also formed on foodstuffs as well as the structure, thereby causing emotional dissatisfaction of users. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] The present invention is proposed to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which is able to minimize the phenomenon that moisture is frozen on a surface of a structure in a freezing chamber by outside air introduced while opening/closing a freezing chamber door. Technical Solution

[11] To achieve the objects of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a refrigerator, including: a body in which a storage space is provided; a drawer drawably provided in the storage space; a door provided at a front of the body to selectively close the storage space; and a frost prevention device provided at one side of the drawer to prevent frost from growing, as outside air is introduced therein.

[12] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator, including: a body having at least a freezing chamber; a main drawer drawably provided in the freezing chamber in a back-and-forth direction; a door connected to the main drawer; a sub-drawer provided above the main drawer; and a front panel provided at a front end of the sub-drawer to minimize freezing of air introduced from outside. Advantageous Effects

[13] According to the refrigerator having this construction of the present invention, the phenomenon, that moisture which is contained in air introduced in a refrigerator, in particular a freezing chamber, is accumulated and frozen on a structure in the chamber, is preferably reduced.

[14] Further, as the amount of frost which is formed on a sub-drawer disposed at a front of a cold air outlet is reduced, the external appearance is improved when the freezing chamber door is opened.

[15] Also, as the amount of frost formed on the sub-drawer is reduced, the amount of frost formed on foodstuffs stored in the sub-drawer is also preferably reduced.

[16] In addition, as the amount of frost formed on the sub-drawer and foodstuffs is reduced, the product satisfaction is improved, thereby increasing the reliability of the refrigerator. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an inner structure of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[18] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an aspect that a sub-drawer of a refrigerator is mounted thereto.

[19] Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a freezing chamber provided in a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[20] Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a front panel of a sub-drawer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[21] Figs. 5 and 6 are views showing the function of an insulating layer of a sub-drawer according to the embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[22] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[23] Figure 1 shows an inner structure of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view.

[24] Referring to Fig. 1 , the inner space of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is horizontally divided by a barrier, the divided upper part is formed as a refrigerating chamber 100 for storing foodstuffs in a fresh and cold state and the divided lower part is formed as a freezing chamber 200 for storing foodstuffs in a frozen state.

[25] And, a front of the refrigerating chamber 100 is closed by a refrigerating chamber door 120 which is pivotably installed, thereby preventing cold air in the refrigerator from flowing out of the refrigerator. And, a refrigerating chamber basket 140 in which beverage or potable water is stored, a dairy products basket 170 in which dairy products such as a milk are stored are provided on a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 120.

[26] Also, a home-bar 150, which allows to take out foodstuffs such as beverage or potable water stored in the refrigerating chamber without opening the refrigerating chamber door 120, may be further provided at the refrigerating chamber door 120. And, an inner space of the refrigerating chamber 100 is partitioned by a plurality of refrigerating chamber shelves 160.

[27] Also, a storage box 180 and an all-purpose wide room 190, which are configured as a separate space to respectively control the temperature thereof, may be further provided in the refrigerating chamber 100. Specifically, a plurality of LEDs are provided in the storage box 180 to emit light of various colors, so that the stored foodstuffs can be more freshly stored by emitting light of color appropriate to the stored foodstuffs.

[28] Meanwhile, the freezing chamber 200 located below the refrigerating chamber 100 is selectively closed by a freezing chamber door 220. And, a main drawer 240 is provided behind the freezing chamber door 220.

[29] And, an ice making assembly 400 is provided above the main drawer 240, a sub- drawer 300 may be further provided at the right side of the ice making assembly 400.

[30] Also, the main drawer 240 is configured to be drawn together with the freezing chamber door 220, if the user pulls the freezing chamber door 220 in a forward direction while holding a door handle 222.

[31] Hereinafter, the structure of the freezing chamber 200 will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[32] Figure 2 shows an aspect that a sub-drawer of a refrigerator is mounted in an exploded perspective view.

[33] Referring to Fig. 2, a freezing chamber evaporator E is provided behind the freezing chamber 200, and a grill pan 230 closing the freezing chamber evaporator E is provided ahead of the freezing chamber evaporator E.

[34] And, a blower fan 290 for supplying cold air generated by the evaporator E into the freezing chamber 200 is provided behind the grill pan 230. And, a cold air duct (not shown) which separates and supplies cold air into the freezing chamber 200 and refrigerating chamber 100 is provided ahead of the blower fan 290. And, the blower fan 290 is provided at a branch site of the cold air duct. Therefore, some of the cold air generated from the evaporator E is supplied into the freezing chamber 200, and some of the rest is supplied into the refrigerating chamber 100.

[35] And, cold air outlet 260 is formed at one side of the grill pan 230. The cold air outlet 260 is a passage through which cold air blown by the blower fan 290 is discharged, and it is perforated and formed at a left topn of the grill pan 230.

[36] Meanwhile, a sliding guide 500 is extended and formed at a top of both inner walls of the freezing chamber 200 in a back-and-forth direction. The sliding guide 500 serves to guide the entry/exit of the sub-drawer 300 installed in the freezing chamber 200.

[37] The sub-drawer 300 is installed ahead of the cold air outlet 260 to store foodstuffs required to be separately stored or small foodstuffs, it is formed in the shape of a drawer of which a top is opened.

[38] And, a roller element 390 is provided at both sides of the sub-drawer 300, the roller element 390 is movably provided as it is received in the sliding guide 500.

[39] Also, an insulating layer is provided at a front of the sub-drawer 300, more details about this will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[40] Figure 3 shows a freezing chamber provided in a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a longitudinal cross-sectional view. [41] Referring to Fig. 3, a main drawer 240 is drawably provided in the freezing chamber 200, and a sub-drawer 300 is drawably provided above the main drawer 240. And, an insulating layer 340 is provided at a front of the sub-drawer 300. And, at least one freezing chamber basket 280 may be provided at a rear surface of the freezing chamber door 220. And, a separate storage case 244 may be further provided behind the main drawer 240.

[42] Specifically, a front panel 320 is vertically provided at a front surface of the sub- drawer 300, so that outside air is prevented from being introduced into the sub-drawer 300 when the freezing chamber door 220 is opened.

[43] More specifically, an insulating layer 340 is formed in the front panel 320, the way how to form the insulating layer 340 is as follows.

[44] First of all, the front panel 320 is formed in a manner that two panels having the same size and shape are contacted to each other and kissed, and a hollow is formed in the front panel 320. And, portions where a pair of panels are contacted are integrally connected by an ultrasonic welding.

[45] That is, if a high frequency wave is generated by using an ultrasonic welding machine in a state that the two panels are received in a jig, contact points of the panels received in the jig is heated by vibration of the high frequency wave, and if pressure is applied by using the jig in this state, then mirror-shaped portions are compressed and closed. Therefore, an insulating layer 340, that is an air space separated from the outside air, is formed in the front panel 320. Here, the inner space of the front panel 320 may be vacuumed. Alternately, an insulating element such as a styrofoam may be provided in the insulating space.

[46] Figure 4 shows a front panel of a sub-drawer according to another embodiment of the present invention in a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

[47] Referring to Fig. 4, a plurality of ribs 360 are upwardly protruded from a bottom of a front end of the sub-drawer 300. And, a pair of front panels 320 are inserted between the ribs 360, and the respective front panels 320 are maintained to be regularly spaced intervals. And, a packing 380 or selaing element is surrounded along edges of the pair of front panels 320.

[48] More specifically, the ribs 360 are upwardly protruded at a spaced interval corresponding to the thickness of the front panel 320, the pair of ribs 360 made in this way form one groove. And, each of the front panels 320 is respectively inserted into the groove and is arranged at a predetermined interval.

[49] And, the packing 380 or sealing element of elastic materials is fitted into the edge of the front panels 320 arranged in this way, thereby forming the insulating layer 340 in the front panel 320.

[50] Also, the freezing chamber door 220 is tilably connected to a lower end of the main drawer 240, so that it can be drawn in a tilted or vertical state depending on the user's selection.

[51] Figures 5 and 6 show the function of an insulating layer of a sub-drawer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[52] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, first of all, the user pulls the door handle 222 of the freezing chamber door 220 while holding it by hand in order to store foodstuffs required to be frozen. And, if the user pulls the door handle 222, the main drawer 240 and sub-drawer 300 together with the freezing chamber door 220 are exposed to the ouside, as shown in Fig. 5. And, the inside of the freezing chamber 200 is opened, and outisde air is introduced into the freezing chamber 200.

[53] Specifically, the outside air introduced into the freezing chamber 200 is hit by the front panel 320 of the sub-drawer 300. And then, the temperature of the insulating layer 340 is increased, however the temperature of the introduced outside air is decreased. Accordingly, moisture contained in the introduced outside air is accumulated on the front panel 320.

[54] And, the inside of the freezing chamber 200 is separated from the outside when the user closes the freezing chamber door 220. And, the cold air discharged into the freezing chamber 200 via the cold air outlet 260 is hit by the rear surface of the front panel 320.

[55] As described in the above, once the inside of the freezing chamber 200 and the outside are separately closed, the outside air and the newly supplied cold air are mixed and circulated in the freezing chamber 200.

[56] And, the temperature of the insulating layer 340 is decreased by the cold air hit by the rear surface of the sub-drawer 300. However, since the temperature of the insulating layer 340 is relatively higher than that of the freezing chamber 200, the cooling rate of the front panel 320 is reduced. Therefore, the moisture accumulated on the front of the sub-drawer 300 is not frozen by the insulating layer 340 and is removed by the cold air passing around the front panel 320. That is, the phenomenon that frost is formed on the front of the front panel 320 is reduced.

[57] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein is merely exemplary and a person skilled in the art can make variations and modifications to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[58] For example, a structure such as an insulating layer formed in the sub-drawer can be formed in the main drawer and refrigerator drawer as well as the sub-drawer.

Claims

[I] A refrigerator, comprising: a body in which a storage space is provided; a drawer drawably provided in the storage space; a door provided at a front of the body to selectively close the storage space; and a frost prevention device provided at one side of the drawer to prevent frost from growing as outside air is introduced therein. [2] The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the frost prevention device is an insulating layer formed at a front of the drawer. [3] The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the insulating layer is maintained under vacuum or filled with air. [4] The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the insulating layer is formed in a front panel which is provided at a front of the drawer. [5] A refrigerator, comprising: a body having at least a freezing chamber; a main drawer drawably provided in the freezing chamber in a back-and- forth direction; a door connected to the main drawer; a sub-drawer provided above the main drawer; and a front panel provided at a front end of the sub-drawer to minimize freezing of air introduced from outside. [6] The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein an insulating layer is formed in the front panel. [7] The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the insulating layer is formed by ultrasonic welding at least two panels constituting the front panel. [8] The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the insulating layer is formed by connecting at least two panels, which are connected to the sub-drawer in a spaced state in order to form the front panel, with a sealing element being surrounded along edges of the two panels. [9] The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of ribs are protruded from a bottom of the sub-drawer in order to insert a lower end of the panels therebetween. [10] The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the insulating layer is maintained under vacuum or filled with air or a styrofoam.

[I I] The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the door is tiltably connected to a lower end of the main drawer.