REFRIGERATOR

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2024/015202, filed Oct. 7, 2024, and claims foreign priority to Japanese Application No. 2024-062054, filed Apr. 8, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND ART

Refrigerators that cool air in a storage compartment by using a Peltier device have been manufactured. A Peltier device is a plate-shaped semiconductor, and when a current flows therethrough, one surface thereof becomes a cooling surface and an opposite surface thereof becomes a radiation surface. According to Japanese Patent No. 7105816, in order to increase the cooling performance on a cooling surface of a Peltier device and the radiation efficiency on a radiation surface thereof, a heat sink and a fan are respectively arranged on the cooling surface and the radiation surface.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator may include a main body, a cooling unit, and a radiation unit. The main body may have a storage compartment therein. The cooling unit may include a Peltier device having a cooling surface facing the storage compartment, and a radiation surface. The cooling unit may be configured to transfer heat from the cooling surface to the radiation surface to cool the storage compartment when a current is supplied to the Peltier device. The radiation unit may include a water jacket, a radiator, and a coolant flow path. The water jacket may contact the radiation surface to absorb heat radiated from the radiation surface into a coolant in the water jacket. The radiator may be in the main body and spaced apart from the cooling unit. The radiator may be configured to radiate heat absorbed by the coolant to an outside of the main body. The coolant flow path may be configured to circulate the coolant between the water jacket and the radiator.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partial rear view illustrating a schematic configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of a water jacket according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a water jacket according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view illustrating a structure of an internal space of a water jacket according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an A-A′ cross-sectional view of the water jacket illustrated in FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to particular embodiments, and the disclosure should be understood as including various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments of the disclosure.

Throughout the disclosure and drawings, like reference numerals may be used to denote like or relevant elements.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include the item or a plurality of items unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, each of the phrases “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the phrase or any combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one or any combination of the associated listed items.

Terms such as “first” and “second” may be merely used to distinguish an element from another element and are not intended to limit the elements in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

Also, herein, terms such as “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

It will be understood that terms such as “comprise”, “include”, and “have”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

When an element is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”, “supported”, or “contacted” with another element, it may include not only a case where the elements are directly connected, coupled, supported, or contacted with each other but also a case where the elements are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or contacted with each other through a third element.

When an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may include not only a case where the element contacts the other element but also a case where one or more other elements are between the two elements.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body.

The “main body” may include an inner case, an outer case arranged outside the inner case, and an insulator arranged between the inner case and the outer case.

The “inner case” may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The “outer case” may form the appearance of the main body and may be coupled outside the inner case such that the insulator is arranged between the inner case and the outer case.

The “insulator” may insulate the inside of the storage compartment from the outside of the storage compartment such that the temperature in the storage compartment may be maintained at a set suitable temperature without being affected by the environment outside the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulator may include a foam insulator. The foam insulator may be formed by injecting and foaming a urethane foam obtained by mixing polyurethane and a foam agent, between the inner case and the outer case.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulator may further include a vacuum insulator in addition to the foam insulator, or the insulator may include only the vacuum insulator instead of the foam insulator. The vacuum insulator may include a core and a shell that accommodates the core and seals the inside thereof at a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulator is not limited to the foam insulator or the vacuum insulator described above and may include various materials that may be used for insulation.

The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include an inner case defining a space corresponding to the storage compartment. Various articles such as foods, medicines, and cosmetics may be stored in the storage compartment, and the storage compartment may be formed such that at least one side thereof is opened for taking articles in and out.

The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When two or more storage compartments are included in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes and may be maintained at different temperatures. For this purpose, the respective storage compartments may be partitioned from each other by a partition wall including an insulator.

The storage compartment may be arranged to be maintained in a suitable temperature range according to the purpose thereof and may include a “refrigeration compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, or a “variable-temperature compartment” that is distinguished according to the purpose and/or temperature range thereof. The refrigeration compartment may be maintained at a suitable temperature for refrigerating articles, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at a suitable temperature for freezing articles. “Refrigeration” may mean cooling an article to a temperature at which it is not frozen, and for example, the refrigeration compartment may be maintained in a range of about 0 degrees Celsius to about +7 degrees Celsius. “Freezing” may mean cooling an article to freeze it or keep it frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained in a range of about-20 degrees Celsius to about-1 degree Celsius. The variable-temperature compartment may be used as either a refrigeration compartment or a freezing compartment, at the user's selection or regardless thereof.

In addition to the names “refrigeration compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “variable-temperature compartment”, the storage compartment may also be referred to as various names such as “vegetable compartment”, “fresh compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice making compartment”, and the terms “refrigeration compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “variable-temperature compartment” used hereinafter should be construed as including storage compartments having corresponding purposes and temperature ranges respectively.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open/close an open side of the storage compartment. The door may be provided to open/close each of one or more storage compartments, or one door may be provided to open/close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front surface of the may body in a rotatable or slidable manner.

The “door” may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. Like the may body, the door may include an insulator to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door may include a door outer plate forming the front surface of the door, a door inner plate forming the back surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator arranged therein.

A gasket may be arranged at the edge of the door inner plate to seal the storage compartment by tightly contacting the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The door inner plate may include a dyke protruding backward to mount a door basket capable of storing articles.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forms the front surface of the door. The door body may include a door outer plate forming the front surface of the door body, a door inner plate forming the back surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator arranged therein.

Depending on the arrangement of the door and the storage compartment, the refrigerator may be classified as a French door type, a side-by-side Type, a bottom mounted freezer (BMF), a top mounted freezer (TMF), or a 1-door refrigerator.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device arranged to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, a mechanism, an electronic device, and/or a system as a combination thereof that may generate cold air and guide the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of a refrigerant. For this purpose, the cold air supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator that may drive the refrigeration cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device may cool the storage compartment by heat generation and cooling through the Peltier effect.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a machine compartment arranged such that at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged therein.

The “machine compartment” may be configured to be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent the heat generated from the components arranged in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. The inside of the machine compartment may be configured to communicate with the outside of the main body to radiate heat from the components arranged in the machine compartment.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a dispenser arranged at the door to provide water and/or ice. The dispenser may be arranged at the door so as to be accessible by the user without opening the door.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include an ice making device arranged to generate ice. The ice making device may include an ice making tray for storing water, an ice separating device for separating the ice from the ice making tray, and an ice bucket for storing the ice generated in the ice making tray.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

The “control unit” may include a memory for storing or memorizing a program and/or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting a control signal for controlling the cold air supply device or the like according to the program and/or data stored in the memory.

The memory may store or record various information, data, instructions, programs, and the like necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating a control signal for controlling the components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or a combination thereof.

The processor may control an overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing the program stored in the memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) for performing an operation of an artificial intelligence model. Also, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a dedicated graphic processor (a graphic processing unit (GPU)), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal for controlling an operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal for controlling an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

Also, according to the program and/or data memorized/stored in the memory, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface. The user interface may be provided by using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive a user input from the user interface. Also, in response to the user input, the processor may transmit, to the user interface, a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface.

The processor and the memory may be arranged integrally or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling all of the components included in the refrigerator or may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for separately controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling an operation of the cold air supply device according to an output of the temperature sensor. Also, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and a memory for controlling an operation of the user interface according to a user input.

A communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device, or other home appliances through an access point (AP) therearound. The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator or a user device is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server through the WAN.

The input interface may include a key, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive a user input and transmit the same to the processor.

The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.

In addition to a refrigerant-based cooling method described above, the refrigerator may use a thermoelectric cooling method using a thermoelectric device. The refrigerator using a thermoelectric cooling method may be different in that it uses a Peltier device as a thermoelectric device instead of components performing a cooling cycle of compressing, expanding, evaporating, and condensing a refrigerant. Thus, the above description of the refrigerator using a refrigerant-based cooling method except for a structure related to refrigerant circulation may also be similarly applied to the refrigerator using a thermoelectric cooling method. In the refrigerator using a thermoelectric cooling method, according to a structure in which a Peltier device, heat sinks respectively mounted on the cooling surface and the radiation surface of the Peltier device, and a fan are arranged as a single assembly in a refrigerator body, the degree of freedom of the arrangement of each component in the refrigerator body may be reduced.

The disclosure provides a refrigerator that uses a Peltier device and may increase the degree of freedom of the arrangement of each component in a refrigerator body. The disclosure provides a refrigerator that uses a Peltier device and may secure the cooling performance in a storage compartment.

However, technical objects to be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the technical objects mentioned above, and other technical objects not mentioned above may be clearly understood from the following description by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the disclosure. However, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Also, portions irrelevant to the description of the disclosure will be omitted in the drawings for a clear description of the disclosure, and like reference numerals will denote like elements throughout the specification.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a partial rear view illustrating a schematic configuration of the refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a partial side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment may cool air in a storage compartment by using a Peltier device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 100 may include a main body 1 with one or more storage compartments S therein, a cooling unit 2 for cooling the one or more storage compartments S, and a radiation unit 3 for radiating heat generated in the cooling unit 2 to the outside of the main body 1. The cooling unit 2 may include one or more Peltier devices (thermoelectric devices) 21 (see FIG. 2). A control unit 9 may control operations of the cooling unit 2 and the radiation unit 3.

The main body 1 may include the one or more storage compartments S. The one or more storage compartments S may be arranged in the main body 1. Although not illustrated, the main body 1 may include an inner case and an outer case arranged outside the inner case. An insulator may be arranged between the inner case and the outer case. The inner case may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming the one or more storage compartments S. The outer case may form the appearance of the main body 1 and may be coupled outside the inner case such that the insulator is arranged between the inner case and the outer case.

The shape of the main body 1 may be, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Although not illustrated, a door for opening/closing the storage compartment S may be arranged at the main body 1. The surface of the main body 1 at which the door is arranged will be referred to as a front surface of the refrigerator 100, and the surface opposite thereto will be referred to as a back surface. Hereinafter, a direction in which the front surface and the back surface are arranged will be referred to as a front/back direction, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front/back direction will be referred to as a left/right direction, and a direction perpendicular to the front/back direction and the left/right direction will be referred to as an up/down direction. The up/down direction may be a vertical direction.

The number of storage compartments S is not particularly limited. There may be one or two or more storage compartments S. The two or more storage compartments S may be arranged in the up/down direction and/or the left/right direction in the main body 1. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, the main body 1 may include four storage compartments S partitioned in the up/down direction. Hereinafter, among the four storage compartments S, a storage compartment located at the uppermost side will be referred to as an upper storage compartment SU, a storage compartment located at the lowermost side will be referred to as a lower storage compartment SL, and a storage compartment between the upper storage compartment SU and the lower storage compartment SL will be referred to as a middle storage compartment SM.

The cooling unit 2 may be arranged in the main body 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cooling unit 2 may include one or more Peltier devices 21 and one or more cooling heat sinks 22 arranged between the Peltier devices 21 and the storage compartment S to expand the heat exchange area between the Peltier devices 21 and the storage compartment S. The cooling unit 2 may include a plurality of Peltier devices 21. A plurality of cooling heat sinks 22 may be arranged to respectively correspond to the plurality of Peltier devices 21. One cooling heat sink 22 may be arranged to correspond to two or more Peltier devices 21. A cooling fan 23 may circulate air in the refrigerator 100. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, the cooling unit 2 may be arranged on the back side of the middle storage compartment SM; however, the arrangement position of the cooling unit 2 is not limited thereto.

The Peltier device 21 may be an example of a thermoelectric device in which heat is transferred from one surface (cooling surface) thereof to an opposite surface (radiation surface) thereof when a current is supplied thereto. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the Peltier device 21 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be a plate-shaped semiconductor having a rectangular shape. Because the Peltier device 21 is covered by a water jacket 31 described below and thus is not visible from the outside, it is represented in a grid pattern in FIG. 2 for convenience of description.

In the present embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of Peltier devices 21 may be arranged between the back surface of the main body 1 of the refrigerator 100 and the storage compartment S. One surface of each of the plurality of Peltier devices 21 may face the front side of the main body 1 of the refrigerator 100, that is, the storage compartment S, and the other surface thereof may face the back side of the main body 1 of the refrigerator 100. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, three Peltier devices 21 may be arranged in parallel in the left/right direction. In a cooling operation (a cooling mode described below) of cooling the inside of the storage compartment S, the one surface and the other surface described above may respectively become a cooling surface 21C and a radiation surface 21R. The cooling surface 21C may absorb heat of the air in the storage compartment S, and the radiation surface 21R may radiate heat transferred from the cooling surface 21C to the outside of the storage compartment S.

The cooling heat sink 22 may be mounted on the cooling surface 21C of the Peltier device 21 to exchange heat with the air in the storage compartment S. The surface area of the cooling heat sink 22 may be greater than the surface area of the cooling surface 21C of the Peltier device 21. By arranging the cooling heat sink 22 with a great heat transfer area on the cooling surface 21C of the Peltier device 21, the cooling performance when the Peltier device 21 cools the air in the storage compartment S may be improved. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, three cooling heat sinks 22 and three Peltier devices 21 may one-to-one correspond to each other; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, two or more Peltier devices 21 may correspond to one cooling heat sink 22, or two or more cooling heat sinks 22 may correspond to one Peltier device 21.

The cooling fan 23 may supply air cooled by heat exchange with the cooling heat sink 22 to the storage compartment S. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the cooling fan 23 may be arranged over the Peltier device 21 and the cooling heat sink 22. For example, the cooling fan 23 may circulate the air in the main body 1 in the order of the cooling unit 2→the upper storage compartment SU—the middle storage compartment SM—the lower storage compartment SL—the cooling unit 2 through a duct (not illustrated) installed in the main body 1. However, this is merely an example, and the arrangement position of the cooling fan 23 and the circulation path of the air in the main body 1 are not limited thereto.

According to the refrigerator 100 of the disclosure using a thermoelectric cooling method, because the Peltier device 21 is used to cool the storage compartment S, it may not require a refrigerant such as Freon that may adversely affect the environment, unlike a compressor-type refrigerator. Also, noise generated from a compressor that compresses a refrigerant may also be reduced. Also, by using the plurality of Peltier devices 21, the refrigerator 100 having sufficient cooling performance even when the capacity of the storage compartment S is large may be implemented.

The radiation unit 3 may be arranged in the main body 1. The radiation unit 3 may absorb heat from the Peltier device 21 by using a coolant and radiate the absorbed heat to the outside of the main body 1. The radiation unit 3 may include a water jacket 31, a radiator 32, and a coolant flow path 33 for circulating the coolant therebetween. The water jacket 31 may contact the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21 to absorb heat radiated from the radiation surface 21R into the coolant. The radiator 32 may radiate the heat absorbed by the coolant in the water jacket 31 to the outside of the main body 1. The radiator 32 may be arranged in the main body 1 so as to be spaced apart from the cooling unit 2. A liquid having a higher specific heat and a higher heat transfer coefficient than air may be used as the coolant. For example, water, ethylene glycol, or the like may be used as the coolant.

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of a water jacket 31 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a water jacket 31 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view illustrating a structure of an internal space IS of a water jacket 31 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 7 is an A-A′ cross-sectional view of the water jacket 31 illustrated in FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, the water jacket 31 may include an internal space IS through which the coolant flows. The water jacket 31 may exchange heat with the radiation surface 21R of a Peltier device 21. The water jacket 31 may contact the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21. The water jacket 31 may cover the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, three water jackets 31 may respectively cover the radiation surfaces 21R of three Peltier devices 21.

The water jacket 31 may be a block shape having a flat surface covering the entire radiation surface of the Peltier device 21. Screw holes 31S (see FIG. 4) may be arranged at the edge of the water jacket 31. In a state where the Peltier device 21 is arranged between the cooling heat sink 22 and the water jacket 31, the water jacket 31 may be coupled to the cooling heat sink 22 by fastening screws (not illustrated) to the cooling heat sink 22 through the screw holes 31S. The Peltier device 21 may be fixed between the cooling heat sink 22 and the water jacket 31.

Referring to FIG. 5, a spacer 211 may be arranged between the cooling heat sink 22 and the water jacket 31. The spacer 211 may surround the edge of the Peltier device 21. The spacer 211 may relieve a stress applied to the Peltier device 21 when the water jacket 31 is fixed to the cooling heat sink 22 by screw fastening with the Peltier device 21 inserted therebetween.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the water jacket 31 may have a structure in which two blocks (a water cooling block 31a and a cover block 31b) are combined. An internal space IS in which the coolant flows may be formed between the water cooling block 31a and the cover block 31b. However, the structure of the water jacket 31 described above is merely an example, and the structure of the water jacket 31 is not limited to the above structure. For example, the water jacket 31 may be a single block structure or may be a structure in which three or more blocks are combined.

The water cooling block 31a may contact the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21. The internal space IS may face the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21 with the water cooling block 31a therebetween. The internal space IS may be arranged to face all the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21. The heat of the radiation surface 21R may be absorbed into the coolant of the internal space IS through the water cooling block 31a. The internal space IS may have a shape capable of uniformly cooling all the radiation surface 21R. For this purpose, the internal space IS may be formed in a shape (e.g., rectangular shape) that matches the shape (e.g., rectangular shape) of the radiation surface 21R and may be configured to uniformly cool all the radiation surface 21R.

In order to effectively exchange heat with the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21, the water cooling block 31a may be a flat plate shape that covers all the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21. The water cooling block 31a may include a material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the water cooling block 31a may include copper, aluminum, high-thermal-conductivity resin, or the like.

The outer surface of the water cooling block 31a facing the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21 may be flat in accordance with the surface shape of the radiation surface 21R, and accordingly, the water cooling block 31a may tightly contact the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21. A heat transfer structure F may be arranged on an inner surface 31c of the water cooling block 31a. The heat transfer structure F (see FIGS. 6 and 7) may include, for example, a plurality of fins 31f. The plurality of fins 31f may protrude from the inner surface 31c of the water cooling block 31a toward the internal space IS. Accordingly, the water jacket 31 including the heat transfer structure F arranged in the internal space IS may be implemented. The surface area of the inner surface of the water jacket 31 may be expanded by the heat transfer structure F. Accordingly, the heat exchange area between the water jacket 31, for example, the water cooling block 31a, and the coolant in the internal space IS may be expanded, and thus, effective heat exchange may be performed between the water jacket 31, for example, the water cooling block 31a, and the coolant.

The cover block 31b may be coupled to the water cooling block 31a on the opposite side of the Peltier device 21. The cover block 31b may include a material (e.g., resin) having lower thermal conductivity than the water cooling block 31a. An inlet 31d for introducing the coolant into the internal space IS and an outlet 31e for discharging the coolant from the internal space IS may be arranged in the cover block 31b. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the outlet 31e may be arranged above the inlet 31d. Because the outlet 31e is located over the inlet 31d, air that has entered the internal space IS of the water jacket 31 may be easily discharged through the outlet 31e.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the cover block 31b may cover protrusion end portions of the plurality of fins 31f protruding from the inner surface 31c of the water cooling block 31a. Accordingly, the internal space IS may be divided into a plurality of flow paths by the plurality of fins 31f. The coolant introduced into the internal space IS through the inlet 31d may absorb heat from the water cooling block 31a while flowing along the plurality of flow paths and may be discharged from the internal space IS through the outlet 31e. The plurality of flow paths may communicate with each other.

A sealing member 31g with flexibility may be arranged between the water cooling block 31a and the cover block 31b. The sealing member 31g may be pressed by the protrusion end portions of the plurality of fins 31f to eliminate a gap between the protrusion end portions of the plurality of fins 31f and the cover block 31b. Accordingly, all the coolant may flow along the plurality of paths between the plurality of fins 31f, and thus, effective heat exchange may be performed between the water cooling block 31a and the coolant. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of paths may be formed such that the coolant introduced into the internal space IS flows from a center portion of the internal space IS having a rectangular shape toward an edge portion thereof. For this purpose, the plurality of fins 31f may extend in the left/right direction and may be arranged in the up/down direction.

Because the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21 is cooled by the coolant with a high heat transfer coefficient, the thermal resistance of the radiation side of the Peltier device 21 may be reduced compared to a refrigerator that cools the radiation surface 21R by air. Thus, the cooling performance by the Peltier device 21 may be improved. Because the heat transfer structure F is installed in the internal space IS of the water jacket 31, the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21 may be efficiently cooled and as a result, the cooling performance by the Peltier device 21 may be improved.

The radiator 32 may radiate the heat absorbed by the coolant in the water jacket 31 to the outside of the main body 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the radiator 32 may include a radiator pipe (not illustrated) through which a coolant flows and a radiation fan 321 that radiates heat of the coolant in the radiator pipe. The radiator 32 may include an inlet 32a through which the coolant flows in from the water jacket 31 and an outlet 32b through which the coolant is discharged to the water jacket 31 after radiation. The radiator pipe may be arranged between the inlet 32a and the outlet 32b. The coolant that has flowed into the radiator 32 through the inlet 32a may be cooled by heat exchange with air supplied by the radiation fan 321 while flowing along the radiator pipe and may be discharged from the radiator 32 through the outlet 32b.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the radiator 32 may be arranged under the cooling unit 2. In this example, the radiator 32 may be installed on the back side of the lower storage compartment SL (herein, the lowermost portion of the refrigerator 100). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the radiator 32 may have a structure in which the upstream-side coolant and the downstream-side coolant do not mix with each other while the coolant is introduced into the radiator 32 and is then discharged from the radiator 32 after radiation. That is, the radiator 32 may have a structure in which the coolant flows in one direction along the radiator pipe. Accordingly, the power consumption of a pump P circulating the coolant may be reduced. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the radiator 32 may have a structure in which the upstream-side coolant and the downstream-side coolant mix with each other while the coolant is introduced into the radiator 32 and is then discharged from the radiator 32 after radiation.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the radiation fan 321 may supply the air inhaled from the front side of the main body 1, through the bottom portion of the main body 1 to the radiator 32 and discharge the same to the back side of the main body 1. According to this configuration, a ventilation path may be shortened and a pressure loss may be reduced and thus the energy efficiency of the radiation fan 321 may be improved. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, the radiator 32 may include two radiation fans 321; however, the number of radiation fans 321 is not limited to two.

In the case of a general refrigerator 100 installed on a floor surface or the like, because the storage compartment S at the upper or middle portion of the refrigerator 100 in the up/down direction, for example, the upper storage compartment SU or the middle storage compartment SM, is easy for the user to access, it is advantageous in terms of user convenience to make the capacity of the upper storage compartment SU or the middle storage compartment SM as large as possible. According to the refrigerator 100 of the disclosure, because the radiator 32 requiring a relatively large installation space due to its large volume is installed at the lower portion of the refrigerator 100, the space of the upper storage compartment SU or the middle storage compartment SM may be secured as large as possible and thus the usability of the refrigerator 100 may be improved. Also, because the arrangement of the radiator 32 is similar to that of a general compressor-type refrigerator 100, components may be shared with the general compressor-type refrigerator 100 and thus the manufacturing cost thereof may be reduced.

Condensation water may be generated by condensation in the cooling unit 2. Frost attached to the cooling unit 2 may be melted. The condensation water and the water resulting from the melted frost may fall down from the cooling unit 2 by gravity. According to the refrigerator 100 of the disclosure, the cooling unit 2 may be arranged over the radiator 32. The condensation water and the water resulting from the melted frost may fall to the radiator 32 by gravity and may be evaporated by the heat of the radiator 32. Accordingly, the water falling from the cooling unit 2 may be treated without using another treatment device.

The coolant flow path 33 may form a path for circulating the coolant between the water jacket 31 and the radiator 32. The coolant flow path 33 may be formed by connecting the water jacket 31 and the radiator 32 to each other by a coolant tube T installed in the main body 1. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the coolant tube T may extend substantially parallel to the back surface of the main body 1 to connect the water jacket 31 and the radiator 32 to each other. Accordingly, the coolant tube T may be arranged so as not to interfere with other components and thus the internal volume of the refrigerator 100 may be secured.

Because the coolant that has absorbed heat from the Peltier device 21 is conveyed to the radiator 32 along the coolant tube T, the radiator 32 may be arranged at a position away from the Peltier device 21. Thus, compared to a refrigerator of the related art in which a radiator 32 and a Peltier device 21 form a single assembly, the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the Peltier device 21 and the radiator 32 in the main body 1 may be improved.

The pump P may circulate the coolant along the coolant flow path 33. The pump P may be a constant-speed pump or may be a pump having a flow rate control function that variably controls the flow rate of the coolant. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, the pump P may be configured to control the flow rate of the coolant such that the coolant flows in a laminar state along the internal space IS of the water jacket 31 or may be set to satisfy such a condition. Particularly, the Reynolds number of the flow of the coolant in the internal space IS of the water jacket 31 may be 2,300 or less. The Reynolds number may be defined as Equation (1).

Re = ρ ⁢ VD h / μ ( 1 )

• • Re: Reynolds number
  • V: Coolant velocity [m/s]

D h = 4 ⁢ hg / { 2 ⁢ ( h + g ) } [ m ]

• • h: Height of fins 31f in water jacket 31 (=flow path height) [m]
  • g: Space distance between fins 31f in water jacket 31 (=flow path width) [m]
  • μ: Viscosity coefficient of coolant [Pa·s]

The coolant may flow in a laminar state in the internal space IS of the water jacket 31 and the heat transfer coefficient of the coolant in the laminar state may be constant regardless of the flow rate of the coolant and therefore its influence on the heat transfer performance may be small. Because the power consumption of the pump P is greatly reduced when the flow rate is reduced, the energy consumption efficiency of the refrigerator 100 may be improved by maintaining the flow rate of the coolant in the laminar state.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the coolant flow path 33 may connect a plurality of water jackets 31 in parallel to one radiator 32. In the present embodiment of the disclosure, in the coolant flow path 33, the coolant heated in three water jackets 31 may merge into one and flow along the coolant tube T to be introduced into the radiator 32. The coolant cooled in the radiator 32 may flow along the coolant tube T and then branch into three to be introduced into the three water jackets 31 respectively. Because the coolant branches and flows through the plurality of water jackets 31 respectively, the flow rate of the coolant flowing through each of the water jackets 31 may be reduced and thus the power of the pump P for circulating the coolant may be reduced. However, the structure of the coolant flow path 33 is not limited thereto, and the coolant flow path 33 may connect three water jackets 31 in series to each other.

Because the plurality of water jackets 31 are connected to one radiator 32, the heat radiated from the respective radiation surfaces 21R of the plurality of Peltier devices 21 may be collected in one radiator 32 through the coolant flow path 33 and then radiated to the outside of the main body 1. Thus, compared to the case where the radiator 32 or the radiation fan 321 is installed for each of the plurality of Peltier devices 21, the number of components may be reduced and the internal volume of the refrigerator 100 may be easily secured.

Referring to FIG. 1, the control unit 9 may include a memory 92 that stores or memorizes a program and/or data for controlling the refrigerator 100, and a processor 91 that outputs a control signal for controlling the refrigerator 100 according to the program and/or data stored in the memory. The memory 92 may include at least one of a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or a combination thereof. The processor 91 may control an overall operation of the refrigerator 100. By executing the program stored in the memory 92, the processor 91 may control the components of the refrigerator 100, for example, the cooling unit 2 and the radiation unit 3. The processor 91 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a dedicated graphic processor (a graphic processing unit (GPU)), and the like. Although not illustrated, the control unit 9 may include circuit elements that connect components of the refrigerator 100 and the processor 91 to each other, for example, an A/D converter and the like.

The control unit 9 may control the Peltier device 21. The control unit 9 may control a current flowing through the Peltier device 21. The control unit 9 may control the Peltier device 21 to execute a cooling mode. In a normal cooling mode, the control unit 9 may cause a current to flow through the Peltier device 21 such that one surface of the Peltier device 21 facing the storage compartment S becomes the cooling surface 21C and the other surface becomes the radiation surface 21R. The control unit 9 may separately control the currents flowing through the plurality of Peltier devices 21. The control unit 9 may separately control the currents flowing through the plurality of Peltier devices 21 such that the temperatures of the respective cooling surfaces 21C of the plurality of Peltier devices 21 are different from each other. The control unit 9 may also control a voltage applied to the Peltier device 21.

Because the currents of the plurality of Peltier devices 21 may be separately controlled, the temperature in the storage compartment S may be more finely set. For example, the temperature distribution in the storage compartment S may be set in accordance with the arrangement of a cooling target object in the storage compartment S.

The control unit 9 may control the plurality of Peltier devices 21 to execute a defrosting mode. The defrosting mode may be executed by stopping the supply of a current to the Peltier device 21 at a certain timing during the execution of the cooling mode or by causing a current in the opposite direction to the current flowing through the Peltier device 21 in the cooling mode to flow through the Peltier device 21. The defrosting mode may be executed at certain periods, for example, after the start of the cooling mode.

The control unit 9 may control the Peltier device 21 to execute a partial defrosting mode. The partial defrosting mode may be executed by stopping the supply of a current to some Peltier devices 21 among the plurality of Peltier devices 21. For example, the partial defrosting mode may be executed by alternating a certain timing of executing the defrosting mode with other Peltier devices 21 with respect to some Peltier devices 21 among the plurality of Peltier devices 21. In other words, in the partial defrosting mode, the control unit 9 may perform control such that some of the plurality of Peltier devices 21 operate in the defrosting mode and the other Peltier devices 21 operate in the cooling mode.

When the defrosting mode is executed, the current supply to the Peltier device 21 may be stopped or a reverse current may flow through the Peltier device 21. Then, the temperature of the cooling heat sink 22 may rise, and the frost attached to the cooling heat sink 22 may be melted and removed. When the defrosting mode is executed on all of the plurality of Peltier devices 21, the temperature in the storage compartment S may rise excessively. According to the partial defrosting mode, because some Peltier devices 21 among the plurality of Peltier devices 21 operate in the defrosting mode, the temperature in the storage compartment S may be prevented from rising excessively.

In the above embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of Peltier devices 21, for example, three Peltier devices 21, may be consecutively arranged in the left/right direction; however, the arrangement of the plurality of Peltier devices 21 is not limited thereto. Some Peltier devices 21 among the plurality of Peltier devices 21 may be arranged apart from other adjacent Peltier devices 21. Also, the plurality of Peltier devices 21 may be arranged in the left/right direction and/or the up/down direction. The spacing distance between the plurality of Peltier devices 21 may be uniform or may not be uniform.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, three Peltier devices 21 may be arranged apart from each other in the up/down direction (vertical direction). When a plurality of storage compartments S are arranged to be partitioned in the up/down direction, a Peltier device 21 may be arranged for each storage compartment S. Thus, it may be easy to uniformly cool each storage compartment S. Also, various settings of the cooling mode, such as separately controlling the temperature of each storage compartment S, may be possible. Also, because a radiator 32 is arranged under a plurality of Peltier devices 21 arranged in the up/down direction, condensation water generated on the cooling surfaces 21C of the plurality of Peltier devices 21 may fall to the common radiator 32 and then evaporate.

The cooling unit 2 may not necessarily need to include a plurality of Peltier devices 21. The cooling unit 2 may include one Peltier device 21. In this case, the cooling performance may be improved by cooling the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21 by using a coolant. Also, because the cooling unit 2 and the radiator 32 may be arranged apart from each other in the coolant flow path 33, the degree of freedom of the arrangement of each component in the main body 1 of the refrigerator 100 may be improved.

The water jacket 31 may not necessarily need to be installed at each Peltier device 21. That is, the water jacket 31 and the Peltier device 21 may not need to one-to-one correspond to each other. One water jacket 31 may correspond to two or more Peltier devices 21. For example, one water jacket 31 may cover the radiation surfaces 21R of two or more Peltier devices 21 that are consecutively arranged. The water jacket 31 may not necessarily need to cover all the radiation surface 21R of the Peltier device 21 and may cover at least a portion of the radiation surface 21R. The heat transfer structure F arranged in the internal space IS of the water jacket 31 is not limited to the plurality of fins 31f, and various structures capable of increasing the heat transfer area between the water jacket 31 and the coolant may be used.

The radiator 32 may be installed as a plurality of units according to the size of the refrigerator 100 or the like. In this case, by arranging two or more Peltier devices 21 to correspond to one radiator 32, it may be possible to reduce the number of components and secure the internal volume of the refrigerator 100, compared to a case where a Peltier device 21 and a radiator 32 are arranged to one-to-one correspond to each other. Also, the radiator 32 may be arranged at the upper end portion of the refrigerator 100. For example, the thermoelectric cooling method according to the disclosure may be applied to a refrigerator using a refrigerant-based cooling method having a structure in which a radiator is not arranged on the lower side of the refrigerator. In this case, when a unit capable of transporting condensation water to the radiation unit 3, that is, the radiator 32, is separately secured in the refrigerator, the configuration where the radiator 32 is arranged at the upper end portion of the refrigerator may be applied. As such, according to the disclosure, the position of the radiator 32 may be determined in accordance with the shape of the refrigerator. However, the arrangement position of the radiator 32 is not limited to the lower or upper portion of the main body 1, and the radiator 32 may also be arranged at the middle portion of the main body 1.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator may include a main body, a cooling unit, and a radiation unit. A storage compartment may be arranged in the main body. The cooling unit may be configured to cool air in the storage compartment. The cooling unit may include a Peltier device in which heat is transferred from a cooling surface thereof facing the storage compartment to a radiation surface thereof when a current is supplied thereto. The radiation unit may include a water jacket, a radiator, and a coolant flow path. The water jacket may be configured to contact the radiation surface of the Peltier device to absorb heat radiated from the radiation surface into a coolant. The radiator may be arranged in the main body so as to be spaced apart from the cooling unit. The radiator may be configured to radiate heat absorbed by the coolant in the water jacket to an outside of the main body. The coolant flow path may be configured to allow the coolant to circulate therethrough between the water jacket and the radiator.

According to this configuration, because the radiation surface of the Peltier device is cooled by a coolant with a high heat transfer coefficient, the thermal resistance of the radiation side of the Peltier device may be reduced compared to a refrigerator that cools a radiation surface by air and thus the cooling performance by the Peltier device may be improved. Also, the coolant transfers the heat radiated from the radiation surface to the radiator along the coolant flow path, the radiator may be installed apart from the Peltier device. Thus, the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the Peltier device or the radiator in the main body may be improved. Thus, for example, an arrangement structure used in a general compressor-type refrigerator in which a cooling unit is arranged in a middle portion of a main body and a radiator is arranged in a lowermost portion of the main body may be used, thus enabling common use of components with a general refrigerator and cost reduction resulting therefrom. Also, because the Peltier device and the radiator may not need to be arranged as a single assembly, the degree of freedom of the arrangement of other components may also be improved.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the water jacket may include an internal space through which the coolant flows. A heat transfer structure expanding a heat exchange area between the water jacket and the coolant may be arranged in the internal space. According to this configuration, because the heat transfer efficiency from the radiation surface of the Peltier device to the coolant may be improved, the radiation surface may be efficiently cooled and as a result, the cooling performance by the Peltier device may be improved.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heat transfer structure may include a plurality of fins protruding from an inner surface of the water jacket toward the internal space.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the water jacket may include a water cooling block contacting the radiation surface of the Peltier device and a cover block coupled to the water cooling block to form the internal space therebetween. The plurality of fins may protrude from the water cooling block to the internal space.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a sealing member may be arranged between the water cooling block and the cover block. The sealing member may be pressed by protrusion end portions of the plurality of fins.

According to this configuration, the internal space of the water jacket may be divided into a plurality of flow paths by the plurality of fins. Because the sealing member is pressed by the protrusion end portions of the plurality of fins, all the coolant may flow along the plurality of flow paths between the plurality of fins. Thus, effective heat exchange between the water jacket and the coolant may be achieved.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the water jacket may include an inlet for introducing a coolant into the internal space and an outlet for discharging a coolant from the internal space. The outlet may be arranged above the inlet. Accordingly, the air introduced into the internal space of the water jacket may be easily discharged through the outlet.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may further include a cooling heat sink mounted on the cooling surface of the Peltier device to exchange heat with air in the storage compartment. The water jacket may be fixed to the cooling heat sink with the Peltier device therebetween. A spacer surrounding the Peltier device may be arranged between the water jacket and the cooling heat sink. Accordingly, the stress applied to the Peltier device in the process of fixing the Peltier device and the water jacket to the cooling heat link may be reduced.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the coolant may flow in a laminar state in the water jacket. Accordingly, without degrading the heat transfer performance from the water jacket to the coolant, the power consumption of a pump circulating the coolant may be reduced and the energy consumption efficiency of the refrigerator may be improved.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the cooling unit may be arranged above the radiator. Accordingly, condensation water generated in the cooling unit may fall to the radiator by gravity and the condensation water may be evaporated by the heat of the radiator.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the cooling unit may include a plurality of Peltier devices. Accordingly, the capacity of the refrigerator may be increased while maintaining the cooling performance.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the radiation unit may include a plurality of water jackets respectively corresponding to the plurality of Peltier devices.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the coolant flow path may connect the plurality of water jackets in parallel to the radiator.

Because the coolant having absorbed heat from the radiation surface of each of the plurality of Peltier devices may be conveyed to a common radiator (e.g., one radiator) through the coolant flow path and the heat of the coolant may be radiated to the outside of the main body, the number of components may be reduced and the internal volume of the refrigerator may be secured compared to a case where a radiator or a cooling fan is installed for each of the plurality of Peltier devices.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of Peltier devices may be arranged apart from each other in an up/down direction. According to this configuration, in a refrigerator including a large-capacity storage compartment, it may be easy to uniformly cool the entire storage compartment. Also, when a radiator is installed under a plurality of Peltier devices arranged in a vertical direction, condensation water generated on the cooling surfaces of the plurality of Peltier devices may be collected and evaporated by a common radiator.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may further include a control unit configured to separately control currents flowing through the plurality of Peltier devices. Accordingly, for example, the temperature distribution in the storage compartment may be freely set in accordance with the arrangement of a cooling target object in the storage compartment or the like.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the control unit may be configured to control the plurality of Peltier devices such that some Peltier devices among the plurality of Peltier devices operate in a defrosting mode and the other Peltier devices operate in a cooling mode.

During the cooling operation, the condensation water formed by condensation in the cooling unit may be frozen and attached to the cooling unit as frost. In order to remove the frost, the control unit may be configured to operate some Peltier devices among the plurality of Peltier devices in the defrosting mode to increase the temperature of the frosted cooling surface. Because some Peltier devices among the plurality of Peltier devices operate in the defrosting mode, it may be possible to avoid a rapid increase in the temperature in the storage compartment. Technical effects to be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the technical effects mentioned above, and other technical effects not mentioned above may be clearly understood from the description of the disclosure by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Although the refrigerators of the disclosure have been described above with reference to certain embodiments of the disclosure and the accompanying drawings, the disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments of the disclosure and various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.