REFRIGERATOR

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date and the right of priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2024-0154520, filed on Nov. 4, 2024, and 10-2025-0129280, filed on Sep. 10, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND

In general, a refrigerator is a machine which keeps objects fresh or frozen.

As Prior Art patent document related to storage in a refrigerated state in a refrigerator, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0084003 (hereinafter referred to as “Patent Document”; published on Jun. 21, 2022) discloses a refrigerator.

According to the patent document, a refrigerator may include a cabinet forming a storage chamber, a heat exchange chamber formed inside the cabinet, an evaporator arranged in the heat exchange chamber, a door opening and closing at least a portion of the storage chamber, a housing arranged in the door and forming a storage space, and a duct guiding cool air generated in the evaporator into the housing and defining a cool air flow path which extends from the heat exchange chamber and is connected to the door at a position where the door is closed.

The duct may include a first duct extending forward along at least one wall of an inner case of the cabinet away from the heat exchange chamber, and the housing may include a cool air inlet and a cool air outlet.

The refrigerator can cool the storage space of the housing by delivering the cool air generated in the evaporator to the housing of the door through the duct.

However, there is a problem in that the cool air generated in the evaporator is not only supplied to the storage chamber of the cabinet, but also supplied to the housing through the duct, causing fluctuations in cycle operation.

Due to a structure in which the duct is connected to the heat exchange chamber, which is located in the lower portion of the rear surface of the cabinet, and to the lower portion of the side surface of the door, it is difficult to supply cool air from bottom to top of the door or circulate cool air inside the storage space.

The first duct is embedded to extend to the side surface of the door along the at least one wall of the inner case of the cabinet, which causes deterioration of insulation performance of the refrigerator.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator with a structure which is capable of solving those problems and other drawbacks.

A first aspect is to provide a refrigerator with a structure which is capable of supplying cool air from a refrigerating chamber to a storage space inside a door.

A second aspect is to provide a refrigerator with a structure which is capable of achieving a temperature similar to a temperature of a refrigerating chamber.

A third aspect is to provide a refrigerator with a structure which is capable of suppressing the deterioration of insulation performance of the refrigerator due to the use of a separate duct embedded in a cabinet.

A fourth aspect is to provide a refrigerator with a structure which is capable of improving the circulation of cool air to pass through an accommodating portion inside a door without fluctuations in cycle operation.

A fifth aspect is to provide a refrigerator with a structure which is capable of suppressing a cooling fan mounted in a door from being exposed to outside.

As a result of an intensive research, the inventors of the disclosure can achieve the first to fifth aspects by the following embodiments of the disclosure.

In order to achieve those aspects the above-described object, according to an embodiment, a refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage chamber, a refrigerator door having a storage part and opening and closing the storage chamber, and a cool air supply device configured to supply cool air of the storage chamber to the storage part so that the cool air is circulated through the storage part.

The cool air supply device may include a cooling fan arranged on the refrigerator door to suck in the cool air from the storage chamber, and a suction duct connected to the cooling fan and an upper portion of the storage part to transmit the cool air sucked by the cooling fan to the upper portion of the storage part.

With the configuration, the cool air supply device can supply cool air to the storage part of the refrigerator door in a cool air circulation manner.

According to an embodiment, the cool air supply device may be positioned in an upper portion of the refrigerator door. Accordingly, the cool air supply device can supply cool air from the storage chamber to the upper side of the storage part.

According to an embodiment, the storage chamber may include a refrigerating chamber. The refrigerator door may include a first door having the storage part and rotatably mounted on the cabinet to open and close the refrigerating chamber, and a second door rotatably mounted to the first door to open and close the storage part.

Accordingly, the cool air supply device can supply cool air to the storage part of the first door.

According to an embodiment, the second door may be made of a transparent material so that a user can see the storage part.

According to an embodiment, the refrigerator door may further include an ice-making unit arranged on a rear wall of the storage part, and an insulating wall arranged between the storage part and the ice-making unit and having a preset thickness.

Accordingly, the ice-making unit can reduce an insulation load of the storage part of the first door.

According to an embodiment, the suction duct may include a first bent portion arranged on a downstream side of the cooling fan based on a flow direction of the cool air and inclined upward in one direction with respect to a horizontal line, and a second bent portion formed on a downstream side of the first bent portion to be inclined downward in the one direction.

Accordingly, the first bent portion and the second bent portion can hide the cooling fan not to be exposed to a user.

According to an embodiment, the suction duct may further include a connecting portion arranged between the first bent portion and the second bent portion, to connect the first bent portion and the second bent portion.

According to an embodiment, the storage part may include an inlet formed at a top thereof. The storage part may include a discharge port formed at a bottom thereof to discharge the cool air introduced through the inlet into the storage chamber. The cooling fan may be arranged on one side of the suction duct to be inclined downward toward the storage chamber.

The suction duct may include a bent portion formed at a preset angle with respect to the horizontal line through the inlet. The bent portion may hide the cooling fan.

According to an embodiment, the suction duct may include a duct body accommodating the cooling fan and forming a flow path for the cool air, and a bent part formed to be bent at a downstream side of the duct body based on a flow direction of the cool air.

According to an embodiment, the bent part may be arranged on a front end of the duct body.

The bent part may include a first bent portion formed to be inclined upward with respect to a horizontal line passing through a lowermost end of the duct body in one direction, and a second bent portion connected to a front end of the first bent portion and formed to be inclined downward in the one direction.

According to an embodiment, the cooling fan may be arranged inside the duct body to be inclined downward toward the storage chamber.

A height of the upper end of the second bent portion based on the horizontal line may be equal to or greater than a lowest point of the cooling fan.

Accordingly, the second bent portion can hide the cooling fan from the user's gaze.

According to an embodiment, the duct body may include an upper duct having the cooling fan mounted thereto, and accommodating an upper portion of the cooling fan, and a lower duct coupled to a lower portion of the upper duct and accommodating a lower portion of the cooling fan.

This can facilitate the molding of the suction duct. The assembly of the suction duct and the cooling fan can be improved.

According to an embodiment, the first bent portion may include a first upper bent portion arranged on a downstream side of the upper duct based on a flow direction of the cool air, and inclined upward from the upper duct, and a first lower bent portion arranged on a downstream side of the lower duct, and bent upward from the lower duct. Accordingly, the first upper bent portion and the first lower bent portion can form a single flow path inside the first bent portion.

The second bent portion may include a second upper bent portion connected to a downstream end of the first upper bent portion, and bent downward from the first upper bent portion, and a second lower bent portion connected to a downstream end of the first lower bent portion, and bent downward from the first lower bent portion. Accordingly, the second upper bent portion and the second lower bent portion can form a single flow path inside the second bent portion.

According to an embodiment, the suction duct may include a fan mounting portion protruding upward from the upper duct, and having a fan accommodating portion therein, and a fan cover mounted to cover an upper portion of the fan mounting portion, and having a grill portion.

Accordingly, the fan mounting part can improve the assembly of the cooling fan and the suction duct.

According to an embodiment, the first door may in include a door outer case arranged toward the storage chamber, and a suction port formed on an upper surface of the door outer case.

The suction duct may include a flange formed to protrude from an upper portion of the fan mounting portion to overlap the upper surface of the door outer case, and a coupling guide protruding from an inner end of the flange to be in surface contact with an inner surface of the suction port.

Accordingly, the flange can increase the rigidity of the door outer case along the periphery of the suction port. The coupling guide can facilitate the assembly of the suction duct and the first door.

According to an embodiment, the first door may include a door outer case arranged toward the storage chamber and comprising a suction port, a door inner case accommodated in the door outer case, and comprising an inlet fluidly connected to the suction port.

The suction duct may include a first connecting portion protruding from a front end of the bent part, and connected to an upper surface of the door inner case, and a second connecting portion protruding downward from the front end of the bent part and connected to a rear surface of the door inner case. The inlet may be positioned between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

Accordingly, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can increase the rigidity of the door inner case along the periphery of the inlet.

According to an embodiment, the first door may include a door frame arranged toward the second door, a door outer case arranged toward the storage chamber from the door frame, a suction port communicating with the storage chamber, and formed on an upper side of the door outer case, a door inner case accommodated inside the door outer case, and forming the storage part, and an inlet formed on an upper rear surface of the door inner case toward the storage chamber, and fluidly connected to the suction port.

The suction duct may extend from the suction port to the inlet. The suction port may be positioned higher than the inlet. This can result in smoothly maintaining the flow of the cold air.

According to an embodiment, the suction duct may include a plurality of first boss portions formed inside the duct body to protrude from one side surface to an opposite side surface in an up-down direction, to support an inner surface of the duct body.

The suction duct may further include a second boss portion formed inside the bent part to protrude from one side surface to an opposite side surface in a direction inclined at a preset angle with respect to the up-down direction, to support an inner surface of the bent part.

According to another embodiment, the cool air supply device may be arranged on a side surface of the first door. Accordingly, the cool air supply device can supply cool air to the storage part through the side surface of the first door.

According to another embodiment, the first door may include a door outer case arranged toward the storage chamber, a suction port formed on a lower portion of a side surface of the door outer case, a door inner case accommodated inside the door outer case, and an inlet formed on a lower portion of a side surface of the door inner case to communicate with the suction port.

The cool air supply device may include a first grill portion mounted on the suction port, a second grill portion mounted on the inlet, and a fan accommodating portion coupled to one side of the suction duct connecting the suction port and the inlet port, and accommodating the cooling fan.

Accordingly, the cool air supply device can supply cool air to the storage part through a lower portion of the side surface of the first door.

According to an embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

First, the cooling unit can be installed in an upper portion of the first door. The cool air supplying device includes a cooling fan which sucks in and circulates cool air of a refrigerating chamber. The cooling fan may be installed inside a suction port, which is formed on a rear side of the first door.

The suction port is formed at an upper end of the door outer case. The suction port may be accommodated in the refrigerating chamber and fluidly connected to the refrigerating chamber.

The cool air supply device includes a suction duct forming a portion of a cool air circulation path. The suction duct may be fluidly connected to the suction port and the inlet of the first door. The inlet may be formed at an upper end of a rear surface of the door inner case.

The front end of the suction duct is fluidly connected to the inlet. The cooling fan is positioned at the rear end of the suction duct communicating with the suction port to be inclined downward toward the refrigerating chamber.

Accordingly, the cooling fan can suck in cool air from the refrigerating chamber through the suction port. The suction duct can supply and circulate the cool air sucked in by the cooling fan to the upper side of the storage part of the first door.

Accordingly, the cool air supply device can cool the storage part by supplying the cool air from the refrigerating chamber to the storage part of the first door through the cooling fan and the suction duct.

Second, the cool air supply device can circulate cool air from the refrigerating chamber through the cooling fan and the suction duct via the storage part of the first door, thereby realizing the temperature of the storage part at the level of the refrigerating chamber.

Third, the first door may include its own suction duct, rather than using a separate cabinet-embedded duct, to circulate the cool air of the refrigerating chamber, thereby improving the refrigerator's insulation performance.

Fourth, the cool air supply device can maintain smooth circulation of cool air in the storage part by supplying the cool air to the upper side of the storage part through the cooling fan and the suction duct.

Fifth, the suction duct includes an upper duct and a lower duct. The cooling fan is mounted on the upper duct. The upper duct is coupled to cover the upper side of the lower duct. The upper and lower ducts accommodate the cooling fan and form a flow path for cool air.

However, the cooling fan may be arranged to be inclined downward toward the rear side based on the user's eyes, such that a lower end of the cooling fan can be seen by the user, which can may spoil the appearance of the product while reducing the completeness of the product.

Furthermore, the structure may allow the user's fingers to approach the cooling fan through an inlet, which may cause a risk of finger pinching during the operation of the cooling fan.

To address this issue, the suction duct includes a first bent portion which is bent to be inclined upward toward the front side, and a second bent portion which is bent to be inclined downward toward the front side.

The first bent portion includes a first lower bent portion. The first lower bent portion is bent from the front end of the lower duct to be upwardly inclined toward the front side. The second bent portion includes a second lower bent portion. The second lower bent portion is bent from the front end of the first lower bent portion to be inclined downward toward the front side.

The height of the second lower bent portion is positioned equal to or greater than the height of the uppermost end of the lower end of the cooling fan based on a horizontal line passing through the lowermost end of the lower duct in a front-rear direction.

Accordingly, the suction duct can allow the movement of cool air by the first and second bent portions, but the second lower bent portion of the second bent portion can hide the lower end of the cooling fan from the user's eyes, thereby suppressing access by the user's hand, and the exposure of the cooling fan. This can improve the product's completeness and appearance quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a state in which a refrigerator door is mounted to a cabinet of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual view of a state in which a second door of the refrigerator door is open relative to a first door in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first door of FIG. 2, viewed from the front, in the open state of the second door;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first door of FIG. 3, viewed from the rear;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 3, which is a conceptual view of a cool air supply device embedded in an upper portion of the first door;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged conceptual view of an area VI in FIG. 5, which shows a cool air movement path through the cool air supply device;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the first door of FIG. 2, viewed from the front;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the first door of FIG. 5, viewed from the rear;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual view of a state where a front end of the cool air supply device is connected to a fourth panel of a door inner case of the first door in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 10A to 10D are conceptual views for explaining whether a cooling fan is visible to a user depending on an installation location of the cooling fan and the user's viewing direction;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cool air supply device in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a lateral view of the cool air supply device of FIG. 11, viewed from the side;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the cool air supply device of FIG. 11, viewed from above;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13, which is a conceptual view showing that a bent part of a suction duct obscures the cooling fan from the user's eyes;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the suction duct in FIG. 14, viewed from the front;

FIG. 16A is an exploded perspective view of the cool air supply device of FIG. 11, viewed from the front;

FIG. 16B is an exploded perspective view of the cool air supply device of FIG. 11, viewed from the rear;

FIG. 17 is a conceptual view of the cooling fan mounted on an upper duct in FIG. 16A, viewed from the bottom;

FIG. 18 is a front view of a cool air supply device according to another embodiment, installed on a side surface of a first door, viewed from the front;

FIG. 19 is a lateral view of the cool air supply device installed on the side surface of the first door in FIG. 18, viewed from the side;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the cool air supply device in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cool air supply device in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the cool air supply device of FIG. 21, viewed from above;

FIG. 23 is a lateral view of the cool air supply device of FIG. 21, viewed from the side;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the cool air supply device in FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a conceptual view for explaining a hiding structure of a suction duct according to still another embodiment; and

FIG. 26 is a conceptual view for explaining a structure of a bent part of a suction duct according to still another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When applying reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same or equivalent components are given the same or equivalent reference numerals even if they are shown on different drawings. In describing an embodiment of the disclosure, when a detailed description of a related known configuration or function is determined to obscure understanding of the embodiment of the disclosure, the detailed description is omitted.

1. Definition of Terms

In describing components of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish one element from another, and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the elements. It will be understood that although the terms, such as first, second, and the like, may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected with” another element, the element may be connected with the another element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected with”another element, there are no intervening elements present.

The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The terms “front side,” “rear side,” “left,” “right,” “top (or upper side)” and “bottom (or lower side)” used herein will be understood with reference to a coordinate system shown in FIG. 1.

A first door used in the following description may be referred to as an inner door or a main door. A second door may be referred to as an outer door or a sub-door.

A front surface of the second door is a surface which forms the front appearance of a refrigerator door. A rear surface of the second door is a surface facing the first door.

A front surface of the first door is a surface which forms the front appearance of the first door and faces the rear surface of the second door. A rear surface of the first door is a surface facing a cabinet or storage chamber.

In the following description, the bent portion may be understood as an inclined portion in terms of being formed to be inclined in one direction. For example, the first bent portion may be understood as a first inclined portion and the second bent portion may be understood as a second inclined portion.

2. Description of Configuration of Refrigerator According to One Embodiment

Hereinafter, each component of a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a refrigerator door 104 and 128 mounted on a cabinet 100 of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual view of a state in which a second door 124 of the refrigerator door is open relative to a first door 105 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first door 105 of FIG. 2, viewed from the front, in the open state of the second door 124.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first door 105 of FIG. 3, viewed from the rear.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 3, which is a conceptual view of a cool air supply device 130 embedded in an upper portion of the first door 105.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged conceptual view of an area VI in FIG. 5, which shows a cool air movement path through the cool air supply device 130.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the first door 105 of FIG. 2, viewed from the front.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the first door 105 of FIG. 5, viewed from the rear.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual view of a state where a front end of the cool air supply device 130 is connected to a fourth panel 1084 of a door inner case 108 of the first door 105 of FIG. 2.

The refrigerator includes a cabinet 100. The cabinet 100 has a storage chamber 101 therein. Objects to be kept fresh or frozen is accommodated in the storage chamber 101. The refrigerator includes a door. The door is rotatably connected to one side, for example, a front side of the cabinet 100 by hinges. Accordingly, the door can open and close the storage chamber 101.

The storage chamber 101 may be divided into a refrigerating chamber 102 and a freezing chamber 103 by a partition wall. The refrigerating chamber 102 and the freezing chamber 103 may be partitioned in a top-down direction or a left-right direction of the cabinet 100. This embodiment shows that the refrigerating chamber 102 and the freezing chamber 104 are partitioned in the up-down direction. The refrigerating chamber 102 may be arranged in an upper area of the cabinet 100. The refrigerating chamber 102 may be arranged on left and right sides in the upper area of the cabinet 100.

The freezing chamber 103 may be arranged in a lower area of the cabinet 100. The freezing chamber 103 may be arranged on left and right sides in the lower area of the cabinet 100.

In another embodiment, the refrigerating chamber 102 may be arranged in the lower area of the cabinet 100, while the freezing chamber 103 may be arranged in the upper area of the cabinet 100.

The door may include a refrigerating chamber door 104 for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber 102 and a freezing chamber door 128 for opening and closing the freezing chamber 103.

The refrigerating chamber door 104 may include an ice-making unit 116 to be explained later.

The refrigerating chamber door 104 or the freezing chamber door 128 may each include at least two doors. This embodiment shows an example in which the refrigerating chamber door 104 includes two doors.

The refrigerating chamber door 104 may include a first door 105. The first door 105 may be mounted on a front surface of the cabinet 100 to be rotatable relative to the cabinet 100 around a first hinge. Accordingly, the first door 105 can open and close the storage chamber 101.

The first door 105 may include a first door frame 106 and a door case 107.

The first door frame 106 may have a square shape. The first door frame 106 is arranged on the front of the first door 105.

The door case 107 may include a door inner case 108 and a door outer case 114. An insulating wall 115 may be arranged between the door inner case 108 and the door outer case 114.

The door inner case 108 is mounted on a rear surface of the first door frame 106. The door inner case 108 may include a first mounting guide 1080, a first panel 1081, a plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b, a third panel 1083, and a fourth panel 1084. The first mounting guide 1080 extends in up-down and left-right directions along front edges of the door inner case 108.

The first mounting guide 1080 may guide a mounting position of the door inner case 108 to facilitate mounting of the door inner case 108 on the front surface of the first door frame 106.

The first panel 1081 is arranged on an upper side of the first mounting guide 1080. The first panel 1081 may be formed to protrude rearward from the upper side of the first mounting guide 1080. The first panel 1081 may extend to be inclined with respect to a horizontal line. The first panel 1081 may extend long in the left-right direction. The first panel 1081 may be arranged on an upper surface of the door inner case 108.

The plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b may be arranged on left and right sides of a rear surface of the first mounting guide 1080. The plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b may be spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The plurality of second panel 1082a and 1082b may extend long in the up-down direction. The plurality of second panel 1082a and 1082b may form left and right surfaces of the door inner case 108.

The first panel 1081 may connect upper ends of the plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b.

The third panel 1083 may be arranged on a lower side of the rear surface of the first mounting guide 1080. The third panel 1083 may extend long in the left-right direction. The third panel 1083 may connect lower ends of the plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b. The third panel 1083 may form a lower surface of the door inner case 108.

The fourth panel 1084 may be formed in a rectangular shape. The fourth panel 1084 may extend long in the up-down direction. The fourth panel 1084 may be connected to the first panel 1081 and the plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b. The fourth panel 1084 may form the rear surface of the door inner case 108.

Storage parts 109 and 121 for storing objects or goods is located inside the first door 105. The storage parts 109 and 121 may include a first storage part 109 and a second storage part 121. The first panel 1081, the plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b, and the fourth panel 1084 may form the first storage part 109.

The first storage part 109 may have a rectangular shape. The first storage part 109 may extend such that a length in the up-down direction is greater than a length in the left-right direction.

A basket 110 may be arranged in the first storage part 109. The basket 110 may support food containers, for example. The basket 110 may be arranged to overlap the ice-making unit 116 in a front-rear direction. Upon drawing an imaginary line in the front-rear direction in an installation area of the basket 110, the imaginary line may pass through the ice-making unit 116.

The basket 110 may have a rectangular shape. The basket 110 may extend long in the left-right direction. An upper side of the basket 110 may be open upward. A rear side of the basket 110 may be open toward a first insulating wall 1151.

The basket 110 may include a first wall 111, a plurality of second walls 112, and a third wall 113. The first wall 111 may be formed in a rectangular shape. The first wall 111 may extend such that a length in the left-right direction is greater than a length in the front-rear direction. The first wall 111 may form a lower surface of the basket 110.

The plurality of second walls 112 may extend upward from left and right ends of the first wall 111. The second wall 112 may be formed in a trapezoidal or rectangular shape. The shape of the second wall 112 is not limited thereto. The plurality of second walls 112 may form left and right surfaces of the basket 110.

The second wall 112 may extend such that a length in the up-down direction is greater than a length in the front-rear direction. The length of the second wall 112 in the front-rear direction may correspond to the length of the first wall 111 in the front-rear direction.

The third wall 113 may have a square shape. The third wall 113 may be arranged to protrude upward from a front end of the first wall 111 or to be inclined forward in the up-down direction to be close to a vertical line. The third wall 113 may form a front surface of the basket 110.

For example, an upper end of the third wall 113 may protrude further forward from the first wall 111 compared to a lower end of the third wall 113. A length of an upper end of the second wall 112 in the front-rear direction may be greater than a length of a lower end of the second wall 112 in the front-rear direction.

Rear ends of the first wall 111 and the second wall 112 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the first insulating wall 1151 in the front-rear direction. A gap between the rear end of the basket 110 and the first insulating wall 1151 is narrow enough to suppress containers to be stored in the basket 110 from falling.

A gap between the front end of the basket 110 and the inner surface of the second door 124 may be different from the gap between the rear end of the basket 110 and the first insulating wall 1151. This embodiment shows an example in which the gap between the front end of the basket 110 and the inner surface of the second door 124 is smaller than the gap between the rear end of the basket 110 and the first insulating wall 1151.

The ice-making unit 116 may be arranged on a rear surface of the first storage part 109. When the first door 105 is closed, the ice-making unit 116 may be located between the storage chamber 101 and the first storage part 109.

When the first door 105 is closed, the first storage part 109 may be arranged in an opposite direction to the storage chamber 101 with respect to the ice-making unit 116. The first storage part 109 and the ice-making unit 116 may be arranged to at least partially overlap each other in the front-rear direction with the first insulating wall 1151 positioned therebetween.

For example, the first storage part 109 may be entirely included in the area of the ice-making unit 116. Upon drawing imaginary lines in the front-rear direction in an installation area of the first storage part 109, the imaginary lines may all pass through the ice-making unit 116.

The ice-making unit 116 may transfer cooling energy to the first storage part 109 through the first insulating wall 1151.

Accordingly, the ice-making unit 116 can greatly contribute to reducing an insulation load of the first storage part 109 when cooling the first storage part 109. Here, the insulation load refers to the amount of heat required for cooling.

It is preferable that the first insulating wall 1151 between the first storage part 109 and the ice-making unit 116 has an appropriate thickness. In case that the thickness of the first insulating wall 1151 is reduced too much, the insulation load of the first storage part 109 can be greatly reduced, but there is a problem in that dew is formed on the surface of the second door 124 due to a temperature difference.

To suppress dew from being formed on the surface of the second door 124, the thickness of the first insulating wall 1151 must be at least a preset value.

However, in case that the thickness of the first insulating wall 1151 is too great, the insulation load of the ice-making unit 116 can be greatly reduced, but the insulation load of the first storage part 109 may increase and the temperature of the first storage part 109 may not be easily lowered to a temperature level of the refrigerating chamber 102 merely by the circulation of cool air.

To lower the temperature of the first storage part 109 to the temperature level of the refrigerating chamber 102, a separate additional cooling means is required to further lower the temperature.

The second storage part 121 may be arranged below the first storage part 109. The first storage part 109 and the second storage part 121 are fluidly connected to each other in the up-down direction.

The length of the first storage part 109 in the up-down direction may be greater than or equal to that of the second storage part 121. This embodiment shows an example in which the length of the first storage part 109 in the up-down direction is greater than the length of the second storage part 121 in the up-down direction.

The length of the second storage part 121 in the front-rear direction may be greater than or equal to that of the first storage part 109. This embodiment shows an example in which the length of the second storage part 121 in the front-rear direction is greater than the length of the first storage part 109 in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the second storage part 121 can store objects, which are wide in the front-rear direction, compared to the first storage part 109.

A discharge port 122 may be arranged on the rear of the second storage part 121. The discharge port 122 may be formed below the fourth panel 1084 to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The discharge port 122 may communicate with the storage chamber 101 of the cabinet 100, such that cool air passing through the first storage part 109 and the second storage part 121 is discharged to the storage chamber 101.

The door inner case 108 may be accommodated inside the door outer case 114. A portion of the door outer case 114 may be accommodated in the storage chamber 101 of the cabinet 100. The door outer case 114 may include a second mounting guide 1140, a first cover 1141, a plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b, a third cover 1143, and a fourth cover 1144.

The second mounting guide 1140 extends in the up-down and left-right directions along front edges of the door outer case 114.

The second mounting guide 1140 may be mounted on a rear surface of the first door frame 106. The second mounting guide 1140 may guide a mounting position of the door outer case 114 to facilitate mounting of the door outer case 114 together with the door inner case 108 on the rear surface of the first door frame 106.

The first cover 1141 may be formed to protrude rearward from the upper side of the second mounting guide 1140. The first cover 1141 may extend to be inclined with respect to a horizontal line. A front end of the first cover 1141 and a rear end of the first panel 1081 may overlap each other in the up-down direction. The first cover 1141 may extend long in the left-right direction. The first cover 1141 may form an upper surface of the door outer case 114.

The second covers 1142a and 1142b may be arranged on left and right sides of the rear surface of the second mounting guide 1140. The plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b may extend long in the up-down direction. The plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b may form left and right surfaces of the door outer case 114.

The first cover 1141 may connect upper ends of the plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b.

The third cover 1143 may be arranged on a lower side of the rear surface of the second mounting guide 1140. The third cover 1143 may extend long in the left-right direction. The third cover 1143 may connect lower ends of the plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b. The third cover 1143 may form a lower surface of the door outer case 114.

The fourth cover 1144 may have a rectangular shape. The fourth cover 1144 may extend long in the up-down direction. The fourth cover 1144 may be connected to the first cover 1141 and the plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b. The fourth cover 1144 may form the rear surface or a portion of the rear surface of the door outer case 114.

This embodiment shows an example in which the fourth cover 1144 forms a portion of the rear surface of the door outer case 114. The fourth cover 1144 may include an ice-making chamber opening formed therethrough in the front-rear direction.

In this case, the rear cover 1145 may be mounted on the rear surface of the fourth cover 1144 to cover the ice-making chamber opening.

An ice-making case 117 may be arranged at an upper portion inside the door outer case 114. The ice-making case 117 may have a rectangular shape. The ice-making case 117 may extend in the up-down direction.

The first panel 1081, the plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b, and the fourth panel 1084 of the door inner case 108 are located at the front of the ice-making case 117. The fourth panel 1084 is arranged to overlap the ice-making case 117 in the front-rear direction.

The length in the front-rear direction of the first panel 1081 and the plurality of second panels 1082a and 1082b of the door inner case 108 is smaller than the length in the front-rear direction of the first cover 1141 and the plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b of the door outer case 114.

The fourth panel 1084 and a front surface of the ice-making case 117 may be spaced apart from each other. Upper, left, and right surfaces of the ice-making case 117 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the first cover 1141 and the plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b of the door outer case 114.

An ice-making chamber 118 may be formed inside the ice-making case 117. The ice-making unit 116 may be accommodated in the ice-making chamber 118.

The ice-making unit 116 may include a water supply module, a cool air supply module, an ice-making module, an ice-moving module, an ice bin, and an ice-feeding module. Accordingly, ice stored in the ice bin can be dispensed upon the user's request.

The ice-feeding module may operate when dispensing ice. A technology regarding the ice-making unit of FIGS. 8 and 9 and a flow path for supplying cool air to an ice maker disclosed in KR20230094436A may be included in the description of the disclosure. Other various technologies related to ice-making units may be applied to the disclosure.

The insulating wall 115 may surround the ice-making case 117 to block heat transfer between the ice-making chamber 118 and the storage chamber 101 or between the ice-making chamber 118 and the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105. Accordingly, the insulating wall 115 can suppress ice generated in the ice-making unit 116 from melting.

The insulating wall 115 may be foam-molded using polyurethane (PU) foam.

The insulating wall 115 may include a first insulating wall 1151, a second insulating wall 1152, and a third insulating wall 1153.

The first insulating wall 1151 may be positioned between the fourth panel 1084 and the front surface of the ice-making chamber 118. Accordingly, the first insulating wall 1151 can block heat transfer between the ice-making chamber 118 and the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105.

The second insulating wall 1152 may be mounted on the rear surface of the door outer case 114. The second insulating wall 1152 may be arranged on an inner surface of the rear cover 1145 through the ice-making chamber opening. Accordingly, the second insulating wall 1152 can block heat transfer between the ice-making chamber 118 and the storage chamber 101.

The third insulating wall 1153 may be positioned between the first cover 1141 and the upper surface of the ice-making case 117, and between the inner surfaces of the plurality of second covers 1142a and 1142b and the left and right surfaces of the ice-making case 117, so as to surround the upper surface and the left and right surfaces of the ice-making case 117.

A chute 119 may be arranged below the ice-making unit 116. The chute 119 guides the ice discharge of the ice-making unit 116. A funnel 120 may be arranged below the ice-making unit 116. The funnel 120 is configured to dispense ice pieces into the user's container. The container includes cups, for example, and is not limited to any shape as long as it is a container that can store ice pieces.

A discharge duct 123 may be arranged at a lower portion inside the door outer case 114. The discharge duct 123 is arranged below the ice-making case 117. The discharge duct 123 may have a rectangular pipe shape. The discharge duct 123 may extend in the front-rear direction.

The discharge duct 123 may be formed through the door outer case 114 in the front-rear direction. Portions of left and right surfaces of the discharge duct 123 may penetrate the door outer case 114 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 7).

A front end of the discharge duct 123 is connected to the discharge port 122 in communication. A rear end of the discharge duct 123 is connected to the storage chamber 101 in communication.

Upper, left and right, and lower surfaces of the discharge duct 123 may be surrounded by the third insulating wall 1153. The discharge duct 123 may be arranged at the rear of the second storage part 121.

The refrigerating chamber door 104 may further include the second door 124. The second door 124 may be arranged on the front surface of the first door 105. The second door 124 may be mounted on the front surface of the first door 105 to be rotatable relative to the first door 105 around a second hinge. Accordingly, the second door 124 can open and close the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105.

The second door 124 may include a second door frame 125. The second door frame 125 may have a square shape. The second door frame 125 may include a plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c. The plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c may be spaced apart from one another in the front-rear direction.

This embodiment shows an example in which the plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c include three panels, namely, first to third transparent panels 126a to 126c arranged sequentially from outside toward inside of the second door 124. The first transparent panel 126a may form the appearance of the second door 124. The third transparent panel 126c may form the inner surface of the second door 124.

The plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c may be connected by a plurality of connection panels. The transparent panels 126a, 126b, 126c may extend in the up-down direction. For example, a plurality of first connection panels 127 which connect ends of the plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c may extend in the left-right direction. The plurality of first connection panels 127 may connect upper and lower ends of the plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c.

A plurality of second connection panels (not shown) connecting side surfaces of the plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c may extend in the up-down direction. The plurality of second connection panels may connect the left and right ends of the transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c.

The plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c may transmit light. The user can visually see the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105 through the transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c.

The plurality of transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c and insulating layers therebetween may perform an insulating function. Accordingly, the transparent panels 126a, 126b, and 126c and the insulating layers can block heat transfer due to a temperature difference between the outside of the second door 124 and the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105.

The user can open the second door 124 to dispense ice generated by the ice-making unit 116.

The refrigerator includes a cool air supply device 130 which supplies cool air to the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105.

The cool air supply device 130 may supply cool air in a manner of circulating the cool air. The cool air supply device 130 may circulate cool air along a certain circulation path. The cool air supply device 130 may include a cool air supply source and a suction duct 132.

The cool air supply source may include the refrigerating chamber 102 and a cooling fan 150. The cooling fan 150 may apply power to cool air in the refrigerating chamber 102 such that the cool air can circulate along the cool air circulation path.

The suction duct 132 is configured such that the refrigerating chamber 102 communicates with the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105 which is to be cooled. The suction duct 132 forms a portion of the cool air circulation path. The cooling fan 150 and suction duct 132 are mounted in the first door 105.

The storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105 and the refrigerating chamber 102 may be spaced apart in the front-rear direction with the ice-making chamber 118 therebetween. The suction duct 132 may be arranged above the ice-making chamber 118, to connect an upper side of the storage parts 109 and 121 and an upper side of the refrigerating chamber 102. The discharge duct 123 may be arranged below the ice-making chamber 118, to connect a lower side of the storage parts 109 and 121 and a lower side of the refrigerating chamber 102.

The cooling fan 150 and the suction duct 132 will be described in more detail in the following description.

The cool air circulation path may allow cool air to circulate between the storage chamber 101 of the cabinet 100 and the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105. This embodiment shows an example in which cool air can circulate between the refrigerating chamber 102 and the storage parts 109 and 121 along the cool air circulation path.

The first cover 1141 of the door outer case 114 may include a suction port 131. The door outer case 114 may be accommodated in the refrigerating chamber 102. Accordingly, the suction port 131 can be connected to the refrigerating chamber 102 in communication. The suction duct 132 may be arranged between the suction port 131 and the first storage part 109.

The suction duct 132 may be fluidly connected to the suction port 131 and the first storage part 109. One side of the suction duct 132 may be connected to the suction port 131. The other side of the suction duct 132 may be connected to the first storage part 109 in communication.

The suction port 131 and the suction duct 132 may supply cool air to the upper side of the first storage part 109 so that the cool air passes through the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105.

The suction duct 132, the storage part 109 and 121, the discharge duct 123, and the refrigerating chamber 102 may form one cool air circulation path. When the first door 105 and the second door 124 are closed, the cool air circulation path may form a closed loop.

The cooling fan 150 is configured to suck in cool air from the refrigerating chamber 102. The cooling fan 150 may have a square box shape. The cooling fan 150 may also be referred to as a so-called box fan depending on the shape of the fan. The cooling fan 150 may be an axial fan. Axial fans induce an airflow in an axial direction.

The cooling fan 150 may include a fan frame 151, a support 152, a hub 153, an electric motor 154, and a plurality of blades 155. The fan frame 151 may have a square shape. The fan frame 151 forms the appearance of the cooling fan 150.

A hollow portion may be formed through an inside of the fan frame 151 in the axial direction. The hub 153 and the plurality of blades 155 may be rotatably accommodated in the hollow portion.

The support 152 is located on a lower portion inside the fan frame 151. The support 152 may have a circular plate shape. The support 152 may be arranged beneath the hub 153 to be described later. The support 152 may support the electric motor 154. The support 152 may be connected to the fan frame 151 by a plurality of connection ribs 1521.

The connection rib 1521 may protrude radially from an outer circumferential surface of the support 152 toward an inner circumferential surface of the fan frame 151. The plurality of connection ribs 1521 are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface of the fan frame 151. One end of each connection rib 1521 may be connected to the support 152. The other end of the corresponding connection rib 1521 may be connected to the inner circumferential surface of the fan frame 151.

The electric motor 154 is mounted on the support 152. The electric motor 154 may be accommodated inside the hub 153. Accordingly, the electric motor 154 can be supported by the support 152.

The electric motor 154 includes a rotational shaft 1541. The rotational shaft 1541 may be coupled to the inside of the hub 153. Accordingly, the rotational shaft 1541 can transmit a driving force of the electric motor 154 to the hub 153.

The hub 153 may have a cylindrical shape. The hub 153 is rotatably arranged inside the hollow portion. The hub 153 may be supported by being connected to the rotational shaft 1541 of the electric motor 154.

The plurality of blades 155 may protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the hub 153 toward the inner circumferential surface of the fan frame 151. The plurality of blades 155 may be circumferentially arranged spaced apart from one another along the outer circumferential surface of the hub 153.

The blade 155 may be inclined at a preset angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the hub 153. The blade 155 may have a curved shape. When power is applied to the electric motor 154, the plurality of blades 155 and the hub 153 may rotate by receiving the driving force from the electric motor 154.

Accordingly, the cooling fan 150 can suck in air from the refrigerating chamber 102.

The cooling fan 150 may be arranged inside the suction port 131. The cooling fan 150 is mounted on the first cover 1141. The cooling fan 150 may be embedded in the first cover 1141. The cooling fan 150 is arranged on one side of the suction duct 132. Here, one end of the suction duct 132 refers to an upstream side based on a flow direction of cool air. The cooling fan 150 may be arranged on the upstream side of the suction duct 132. With this configuration, the cooling fan 150 can suck in cool air through the suction port 131.

An inlet 156 may be formed on a rear side of an upper portion of the door inner case 108. The inlet 156 may be formed through an upper end of the fourth panel 1084 in the front-rear direction. The inlet 156 may extend such that a length in the left-right direction is greater than a width in the up-down direction. The length of the inlet 156 in the left-right direction may have smaller than or equal to the length of the fourth panel 1084 in the left-right direction. This embodiment shows an example in which the length of the inlet 156 in the left-right direction is smaller than the length of the fourth panel 1084 in the left-right direction.

The inlet 156 may be positioned to be in contact with or close to a rear end of the first cover 1141. This embodiment shows an example in which the inlet 156 is arranged in contact with the rear end of the first cover 1141.

The first cover 1141 of the door outer case 114 is positioned higher than the first panel 1081 of the door inner case 108. The first cover 1141 and the first panel 1081 may be arranged in parallel to each other. The first cover 1141 and the first panel 1081 may each be inclined at a preset angle with respect to a horizontal line.

The suction port 131 of the door outer case 114 is positioned higher than the inlet 156 of the door inner case 108. One end of the suction duct 132 is positioned higher than the other end of the suction duct 132. Accordingly, cool air can move from the upper side to the lower side of the suction duct 132, which can make the cool air to smoothly flow.

An outlet 170 may be formed at the other end of the suction duct 132. The outlet 170 may be connected to the inlet 156 of the door inner case 108 in communication. Here, the other end of the suction duct 132 refers to a downstream side based on the flow direction of cool air.

Accordingly, the suction duct 132 can supply cool air sucked in by the cooling fan 150 to the upper side of the first storage part 109. The reason for supplying cool air to the upper side of the first storage part 109 is to facilitate circulation of the cool air.

The temperature of cool air is relatively lower than the temperature of air in the first storage part 109 and the density of the cool air is greater than the density of the air in the first storage part 109. Therefore, the cool air sinks in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the cool air can move from the first storage part 109 to the second storage part 121.

The cool air exchanges heat with air while moving from the first storage part 109 to the second storage part 121. The air in the first storage part 109 can be cooled by the cool air. The air in the first storage part 109 can be maintained at a temperature similar to that of the refrigerating chamber 102.

The temperature of the cool air can rise through the heat exchange with the air. The cool air with the increased temperature can flow to the upper side of the first storage part 109. That is, some of the cool air can circulate in the first storage part 109 while flowing up and down by convection due to changes in temperature and density, so that the heat exchange between the cool air and the air can be facilitated.

Hereinafter, a cool air circulation path will be described. Cool air may move from the refrigerating chamber 102 to the suction port 131 by a suction force of the cooling fan 150. The cool air may be sucked into the cooling fan 150 through the suction port 131. The cool air which has passed through the cooling fan 150 may move along the suction duct 132.

Next, the cool air may flow from the outlet 170 of the suction duct 132 into the inlet 156 of the first storage part 109.

Continuously, the cool air introduced into the inlet 156 may pass through the basket 110. The left, right, and front sides of the basket 110 may be blocked, but the rear side of the basket 110 may be open. The rear end of the basket 110 may be spaced apart from the fourth panel 1084 of the door inner case 108 at a preset gap.

Accordingly, the cool air can be branched into two paths when passing through the basket 110. Of the two paths above, a first path is a path through which cool air flows to the outside of the basket 110. For example, some of the cool air may move downward through a gap between the rear surface of the second door 124 and the third wall 113 (the front surface) of the basket 110.

Of the two paths above, a second path is a path through which cool air flows into the basket 110. For example, some of the cool air may move into the basket 110 through upper of the second wall 112 and the third wall 113 and side openings of the basket 110.

The cool air which has flowed into the basket 110 may exchange heat with items contained inside the basket 110, move to the rear side of the basket 110, and escape to the lower side of the basket 110 through a gap between the rear end of the first wall 111 and the front surface of the fourth panel 1084.

The plurality of baskets 110 may include a first basket 110a and a second basket 110b. The first basket 110a may be located at an upper side in the first storage part 109. The second basket 110b may be arranged at a lower side in the first storage part 109 to be spaced apart downward from the first basket 110a.

The cool air may be branched in the front-rear direction of the plurality of baskets 110, such as the first and second paths, and pass through the first basket 110a and the second basket 110b.

Afterwards, the cool air may move from the lower portion of the plurality of basket 110 to the second storage part 121.

Next, the cool air may be discharged from the second storage part 121 of the first door 105 through the discharge port 122 and introduced into the refrigerating chamber 102 along the discharge duct 123.

After passing through the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105, the cool air may be sucked back into the suction port 131 from the refrigerating chamber 102.

Hereinafter, the structure of the suction duct 132 and the cooling fan 150 of the cool air supply device 130 will be described in more detail.

FIGS. 10A to 10D are conceptual views for explaining whether the cooling fan 150 is visible to a user depending on an installation location of the cooling fan 150 and the user's viewing direction.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cool air supply device 130 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a lateral view of the cool air supply device 130 of FIG. 11, viewed from the side.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the cool air supply device 130 of FIG. 11, viewed from above.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13, which is a conceptual view showing that a bent part 160 of the suction duct 132 obscures the cooling fan 150 from the user's eyes.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the suction duct 132 in FIG. 14, viewed from the front.

FIG. 16A is an exploded perspective view of the cool air supply device 130 of FIG. 11, viewed from the front.

FIG. 16B is an exploded perspective view of the cool air supply device 130 of FIG. 11, viewed from the rear.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual view of the cooling fan 150 mounted on an upper duct in FIG. 16A, viewed from the bottom.

When the second door 124 is open, the user may directly access the first storage part 109.

The inlet 156 of the first storage part 109 may be positioned at the user's eye level. In case that the suction duct 132 connected to the inlet 156 is formed in a horizontally straight line or a linear shape inclined with respect to a horizontal direction, and the cooling fan 150 is inclined downward toward the refrigerating chamber 102, the following problems may occur.

Here, the phrase “inclined downward” means that the rear end of the cooling fan 150 is positioned lower than the front end of the cooling fan 150. The front end of the cooling fan 150 is positioned toward the first storage part 109. The rear end of the cooling fan 150 is positioned toward the refrigerating chamber 102.

For example, depending on a user's height, a tall adult can see the cooling fan 150 through the inlet 156 of the first storage part 109 while looking straight at the inlet 156 at the user's eye level (see FIG. 10A).

A relatively short teenager or child may have an eye level lower than the inlet 156 of the first storage part 109, and thus can see the cooling fan 150 through the inlet 156 of the first storage part 109 while looking upward at the inlet 156 (see FIG. 10B).

Exposure of the cooling fan 150 may cause a problem that degrades the appearance quality of a product. In case that the user inserts fingers through the inlet 156, there may be a risk of damaging the fingers when the cooling fan 150 operates.

To solve this problem, it may be considered that a cooling fan 150a is arranged above a suction duct 132a. In this case, the cooling fan 150a may be hidden from the user's eyes through the inlet 156, so that the cooling fan 150a is invisible to the user (see FIG. 10A).

However, even when the cooling fan 150a is positioned above the suction duct 132a, the cooling fan 150a may be visible to the user in case that the user's gaze is inclined upward toward the inlet 156 (see FIG. 10B).

In case that the cooling fan 150a is arranged above the suction duct 132a, the height of the first door 105 must be raised upward to secure the installation space of the cooling fan 150a. This may cause a problem with only increasing the sizes of the first door 105 and the refrigerator without increasing the storage space of the refrigerator.

In case that the cooling fan 150 is positioned below the suction duct 132, the installation space of the cooling fan 150 may overlap the ice-making chamber 118, which may make it more difficult to secure the installation space of the cooling fan 150.

To solve the above-described problem, in this embodiment, the suction duct 132 includes at least one bent part 160. The bent part 160 is formed to hide the cooling fan 150 from the user's eyes. Here, the term “bent part 160” refers to a portion where a portion of a member is bent or curved from one direction to another.

The bent part 160 may be formed by bending a portion of the suction duct 132 between the inlet 156 and the cooling fan 150, so that the inlet 156 and the cooling fan 150 can be horizontally arranged in an offset manner. The cooling fan 150 may be located at the rear of the bent part 160 (see FIG. 10D).

Accordingly, the bent part 160 can be positioned between the inlet 156 and the cooling fan 150 to obscure the cooling fan 150, so that the user cannot see the cooling fan 150 through the inlet 156.

The suction duct 132 includes a duct body 133. The duct body 133 may accommodate the cooling fan 150. The duct body 133 may form a flow path of cool air. The duct body 133 may include an upper duct 134 and a lower duct 135 depending on the position.

The upper duct 134 may be arranged above the lower duct 135. The upper duct 134 may include a plurality of first side walls 1341, a first rear wall 1342, and an upper wall 1345.

The plurality of first side walls 1341 form left and right surfaces of the upper duct 134. The first rear wall 1342 may form a rear surface of the upper duct 134. The upper wall 1345 may form an upper surface of the upper duct 134.

Through this, the left, right, rear, and upper surfaces of the upper duct 134 can be blocked while a lower surface of the upper duct 134 can be open toward the lower duct 135. A front end of the upper duct 134 may be connected in communication with a rear end of a first upper bent portion 162 to be described later. A flow path is formed inside the upper duct 134 for the flow of cool air.

The lower duct 135 may include a plurality of second side walls 1351, a second rear wall 1352, and a lower wall 1355. The plurality of second side walls 1351 form left and right surfaces of the lower duct 135. The second rear wall 1352 may form a rear surface of the lower duct 135. The lower wall 1355 may form a lower surface of the lower duct 135.

Through this, the left, right, rear, and lower surfaces of the lower duct 134 can be blocked while an upper surface of the lower duct 134 can be open toward the upper duct 134. A front end of the lower duct 135 may be connected in communication with a first lower bent portion 163 to be described later. A flow path is formed inside the lower duct 135 for the flow of cool air.

The upper duct 134 may be coupled to cover an upper portion of the lower duct 135. The upper duct 134 and the lower duct 135 may be coupled at edges. One end of each of the plurality of first side walls 1341 and one end of the first rear wall 1342 may be coupled in contact with one end of each of the plurality of second side walls 1351 and one end of the second rear wall 1352, respectively, in the up-down direction.

One end of each of the plurality of first side walls 1341 and one end of the first rear wall 1342 may be coupled to overlap one end of each of the plurality of second side walls 1351 and one end of the second rear wall 1352, respectively.

For example, one end of each of the plurality of first side walls 1341 and one end of the first rear wall 1342 may cover one end of each of the plurality of second side walls 1351 and one end of the second rear wall 1352, respectively. A first coupling groove 1343 may be concavely formed along a periphery on inner surfaces of the plurality of first side walls 1341 and the first rear wall 1342.

A second coupling groove 1353 may be concavely formed along a periphery on outer surfaces of the plurality of second side walls 1351 and the second rear wall 1352. A first coupling protrusion 1344 formed on outer surfaces of the plurality of first side walls 1341 and the first rear wall 1342 may be inserted into the second coupling groove 1353, and a second coupling protrusion 1354 formed on inner surfaces of the plurality of second side walls 1351 and the second rear wall 1352 may be inserted into the first coupling groove 1343.

With this configuration, the one end of each of the plurality of first side walls 1341 and the one end of the first rear wall 1342 can be engaged in a surrounding manner with the one end of each of the plurality of second side walls 1351 and the one end of the second rear wall 1352, respectively. The outer surfaces of the plurality of first side walls 1341, the first rear wall 1342, the plurality of second side walls 1351, and the second rear wall 1352 may form the same plane.

The upper duct 134 may include a fan mounting portion 136. The fan mounting portion 136 may protrude upward from the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134. The fan mounting portion 136 may have a square shape to surround the cooling fan 150. The shape of the fan mounting portion 136 is not limited thereto, and may be formed in various shapes depending on the shape of the cooling fan 150.

A fan accommodating portion 137 may be formed to penetrate the inside of the fan mounting portion 136 in the up-down direction. The cooling fan 150 may be accommodated in the fan accommodating portion 137. The fan accommodating portion 137 may be formed to correspond to the shape of the cooling fan 150 to surround the cooling fan 150. This embodiment shows the fan accommodating portion 137 in the square shape.

Support ribs 1371 may be formed at four lower corners of the fan accommodating portion 137 to protrude to the inner space of the fan accommodating portion 137. The support ribs 1371 may support the cooling fan 150 so that the cooling fan 150 does not fall downward. The support rib 1371 may be formed in a triangular shape but is not limited thereto, and may be formed in various shapes as long as it can support the cooling fan 150.

Accordingly, cool air can pass through the cooling fan 150 accommodated in the fan accommodating portion 137 and be sucked into the suction duct 132.

A recess portion 138 may be arranged inside the fan mounting portion 136. The recess portion 138 is recessed along the periphery of the fan accommodating portion 137 to surround the fan accommodating portion 137. A portion of the upper surface of the upper duct 134 may form a lower surface of the recess portion 138.

A fan cover 140 may be mounted on an upper side of the fan mounting portion 136. The fan cover 140 may include a grill portion 141 and a cover extension portion 142. The grill portion 141 has a square shape. The grill portion 141 may have the same size as the cooling fan 150. The grill portion 141 is coupled to cover the upper portion of the cooling fan 150.

A plurality of openings 1411 are formed inside the grill portion 141. Accordingly, the grill portion 141 can allow the passage of cool air through the openings 1411 while restricting the passage of foreign substances. The opening 1411 may extend in one direction. For example, the opening 1411 may extend to be long in the left-right direction. The plurality of openings 1411 may be arranged to be spaced apart from one another in the front-rear direction.

A plurality of spacers 1412 may be arranged beneath the grill portion 141. The spacer 1412 may have a thin plate shape. The spacer 1412 may protrude downward from a lower surface of the grill portion 141 toward the cooling fan 150. The spacer 1412 may extend in a direction crossing an extension direction of the opening 1411, for example, in the up-down direction.

With this configuration, the plurality of spacers 1412 can maintain a constant gap between the grill portion 141 and the cooling fan 150. The plurality of spacers 1412 can allow cool air to move radially on the upper surface of the hub 153 through the gap between the grill portion 141 and the cooling fan 150, thereby allowing the cool air to keep flowing smoothly.

In case that there is no gap between the grill portion 141 and the cooling fan 150, a plurality of openings 1411 are partitioned by the grill portion 141. As a result, when cool air passes through the plurality of openings 1411 of the grill portion 141, the flow direction of the cool air is restricted to the extension direction of the openings 1411 due to the grill portion 141 on the upper surface of the hub 153, which causes a flow resistance.

The cover extension portion 142 is arranged on one side of the grill portion 141. The cover extension portion 142 extends from the one side of the grill portion 141. The cover extension portion 142 is mounted on the upper side of the fan mounting portion 136 to cover the recess portion 138 of the fan mounting portion 136 excluding the fan accommodating portion 137. The cover extension portion 142 may have a rectangular plate shape. A fastening hole may be formed through the cover extension portion 142 in the up-down direction.

A fastening portion 139 is arranged in the recess portion 138. The fastening portion 139 may protrude upward from a lower surface of the recess portion 138. A fastening groove may be formed inside the fastening portion 139. A fastening member, such as a screw, may be fastened to the fastening groove of the fastening portion 139 through the fastening hole of the cover extension portion 142.

Accordingly, the fan cover 140 can be fastened to the upper duct 134 of the suction duct 132 by the fastening member.

A flange 143 may be arranged on an upper end of the fan mounting portion 136. The flange 143 may be formed in a square shape. The flange 143 may be arranged to be perpendicular to a protruding direction of the fan mounting portion 136.

The flange 143 may extend from the upper end of the fan mounting portion 136 horizontally in the left-right and front-rear directions along a periphery of the fan mounting portion 136. The flange 143 may protrude from the upper end of the fan mounting portion 136 in the left-right direction.

The flange 143 may be arranged to overlap the first cover 1141 of the door outer case 114 in the up-down direction along the periphery of the suction port 131. The flange 143 may be arranged to be in surface-contact with the inner surface of the first cover 1141.

With the configuration, the flange 143 can facilitate the coupling of the fan mounting portion 136 and the first cover 1141. The flange 143 can restrict the fan mounting portion 136 from moving upward through the suction port 131 of the first cover 1141. The flange 143 can reinforce the rigidity of the first cover 1141 which has been weakened due to the suction port 131.

A plurality of coupling portions 1431 may be arranged on left and right sides of the flange 143. The coupling portion 1431 may have a cylindrical shape. The coupling portion 1431 may extend in the up-down direction.

An upper end of the coupling portion 1431 may be connected to the flange 143, and the lower end of the coupling portion 1431 may be connected to the upper surface of the upper duct 134. A fastening groove may be formed downward in each of the coupling portions 1431.

A plurality of first fastening holes 1146 may be formed through the first cover 1141 in the up-down direction. Fastening members, such as screws, may be fastened to fastening grooves 1432 of the coupling portions 1431 through the first fastening holes 1146 of the first cover 1141. Accordingly, the fastening members can fasten the upper duct 134 of the suction duct 132 to the first cover 1141.

A coupling guide 144 may protrude upward from the flange 143. The coupling guide 144 may be formed to correspond to the shape and size of the suction port 131. The coupling guide 144 may extend along the inner circumferential surface of the suction port 131 in the left-right and front-rear directions.

An outer circumferential surface of the coupling guide 144 may be arranged to be in surface contact with the inner circumferential surface of the suction port 131. A protrusion height of the coupling guide 144 may be equal to the thickness of the first cover 1141. Accordingly, the upper surface of the coupling guide 144 can be flush with the upper surface of the first cover 1141.

The coupling guide 144 may restrict the upper duct 134 from moving in the front-rear and left-right directions. The coupling guide 144 is formed to surround the outer surface of the fan cover 140. The fan cover 140 is coupled to an inner surface of the coupling guide 144.

With the configuration, the coupling guide 144 can restrict the fan cover 140 from moving in the front-rear and left-right directions.

The suction duct 132 may include a duct passage part 157. The duct passage part 157 may be arranged on one side of the duct body 133, for example, on the front side. The duct passage part 157 may include a first bent portion 161, a connecting portion 164, and a second bent portion 167 to be described later.

The duct passage part 157 may include a first duct passage part 157a and a second duct passage part 157b.

The first duct passage part 157a may be arranged on one side of the upper duct 134, for example, on the front side. The second duct passage part 157b may be arranged on one side of the lower duct 135, for example, on the front side. The first duct passage part 157a and the second duct passage part 157b may be arranged on the upper and lower sides, respectively, and may be coupled to each other.

The first duct passage part 157a may include a first upper bent portion 162, an upper connecting portion 165, and a second upper bent portion 168 to be described later.

The second duct passage part 157b may include a first lower bent portion 163, a lower connecting portion 166, and a second lower bent portion 169 to be described later.

The first bent portion 161 may include the first upper bent portion 162 and the second lower bent portion 163. The first upper bent portion 162 is arranged on one side of the upper duct 134. Here, the one side of the upper duct 134 means the downstream side of the upper duct 134 based on the flow direction of cool air. The one side of the upper duct 134 may also be defined as the front end of the upper duct 134.

The first upper bent portion 162 may extend forward from the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134 to be inclined upward at a preset angle. The first upper bent portion 162 begins to be inclined forward from a point where the front end of the fan mounting portion 136 and the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134 meet. Here, the forward direction may mean a horizontal direction toward the second door 124 when the second door 124 is in a closed state to close the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105. A rear end 1623 of the first upper bent portion 162 may be connected to a lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 136 or the front end of the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134.

The first upper bent portion 162 extends from one side of the upper duct 134. The first upper bent portion 162 includes a first upper wall 1621 and a plurality of first upper side walls 1622. The first upper wall 1621 of the first upper bent portion 162 is connected to one side of the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134. The first upper side walls 1622 of the first upper bent portion 162 are connected to corresponding sides of the side walls of the upper duct 134.

The first upper bent portion 162 may extend forward from the front end of the upper duct 134 to be inclined upward. The front end of the first upper bent portion 162 may be positioned higher than the rear end 1623 of the first upper bent portion 162.

The first upper bent portion 162 may extend from the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 136 to be inclined upward with respect to a second horizontal line H2. Here, the second horizontal line H2 refers to a straight line which passes horizontally in the front-rear direction through a point where the first duct passage part 157a and the fan mounting portion 136 meet.

For example, the second horizontal line H2 may refer to a straight line which passes horizontally in the front-rear direction through a point where the rear end 1623 of the first upper bent portion 162 and the front end of the fan mounting portion 136 meet.

The upper duct 134 may be arranged to be inclined downward at a preset angle toward the front with respect to the second horizontal line H2. The rear end of the upper duct 134 is positioned higher than the front end of the upper duct 134.

The cooling fan 150 may be arranged inside the fan mounting portion 136 to be inclined at a preset angle with respect to the second horizontal line H2. The cooling fan 150 may be arranged to be inclined upward toward the first upper bent portion 162 with respect to the second horizontal line H2. The front end of the cooling fan 150 is positioned higher than the rear end of the cooling fan 150. The lower end of the front surface of the cooling fan 150 may be positioned higher than or equal to the lower end of the front surface of the fan mounting portion 136. The lower end of the rear surface of the cooling fan 150 may be positioned lower than the lower end of the rear surface of the fan mounting portion 136. The lower end of the rear surface of the cooling fan 150 may be accommodated in an inner surface of the lower duct 135.

The height of the lower end of the cooling fan decreases from the lower wall 1355 of the lower duct 135 in a direction from the front surface to rear surface of the cooling fan 150.

Most of the upper portion of the cooling fan 150 is accommodated inside the fan mounting portion 136 without protruding below the second horizontal line H2 toward the lower duct 135, so as to be obscured by the fan mounting portion 136.

However, in case that the lower end of the cooling fan 150 protrudes below the second horizontal line H2 toward the lower duct 135, and there is no obscuring structure at the front of the cooling fan 150, for example, the suction duct 132 has a horizontally linear shape other than a curved shape, the lower end of the cooling fan 150 may be exposed to the front.

To suppress the lower end of the cooling fan 150 from being exposed to the user, the first lower bent portion 163, the lower connecting portion 166, and the second lower bent portion 169 to be described later may be arranged. The first lower bent portion 163 may extend forward from the lower duct 135 to be inclined upward at a preset angle with respect to the first horizontal line H1.

The first lower bent portion 163 extends from one side of the lower duct 135. The first lower bent portion 163 includes a first lower wall 1631 and a plurality of first lower side walls 1632. The first lower wall 1631 of the first lower bent portion 163 is connected to one side of the lower wall 1355 of the lower duct 135. The first lower side walls 1632 of the first lower bent portion 163 are connected to corresponding sides of the side walls of the upper duct 135.

The first lower bent portion 163 may extend forward from the front end of the lower duct 135 to be inclined upward with respect to the first horizontal line H1. A front end of the first lower bent portion 163 may be positioned higher than the rear end of the first lower bent portion 163. The first horizontal line H1 refers to an imaginary horizontal line which passes horizontally through the front end of the lower wall 1355 of the lower duct 135.

The height of the front end of the first lower bent portion 163 may be positioned equal to or higher than the height of the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1. This embodiment shows an example in which the height of the front end of the first lower bent portion 163 is equal to the height of the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1. The height of the front end of the first lower bent portion 163 may be positioned equal to or higher than the height of the rear end 1623 of the first upper bent portion 162 based on the first horizontal line H1. A height between the first horizontal line H1 and the front end of the first lower bent portion 163 may be greater than or equal to a height between the first horizontal line H1 and the rear end 1623 of the first upper bent portion 162. In this embodiment, the height of the front end of the first lower bent portion 163 may be equal to the height of the rear end 1623 of the first upper bent portion 162 based on the first horizontal line H1.

The front end of the first lower bent portion 163 may be positioned higher than or equal to the lower end of the front end of the cooling fan 150 based on the first horizontal line H1. The height between the first horizontal line H1 and the front end of the first lower bent portion 163 may be greater than or equal to a height between the first horizontal line H1 and the lower end of the front end of the cooling fan 150. This embodiment shows an example in which the height of the front end of the first lower bent portion 163 may be equal to the height of the lower end of the front end of the cooling fan 150 based on the first horizontal line H1.

The lower duct 135 may be arranged to be inclined downward toward the first bent portion 161 at a preset angle with respect to the first horizontal line H1. The front end of the lower duct 135 is connected to the lower end of the first lower bent portion 163. The rear end of the lower duct 135 is positioned higher than the front end of the lower duct 135.

With this configuration, cool air passing through the cooling fan 150 can move more smoothly to the first bent portion 161 by the downwardly-inclined structure of the lower duct 135.

The rotational shaft 1541 of the cooling fan 150 may be arranged to be inclined at an angle in the front-rear direction with respect to a vertical line. With this configuration, air passing through the cooling fan 150 along the axial direction of the rotational shaft 1541 can move more smoothly from the lower wall 1355 of the lower duct 135 to the first bent portion 161.

The connecting portion 164 may be arranged on one side of the first bent portion 161. The connecting portion 164 is configured to connect the first bent portion 161 to the second bent portion 167 to be explained later. The connecting portion 164 may include an upper connecting portion 165 and a lower connecting portion 166.

Here, one side of the first bent portion 161 may refer to a front end of the first bent portion 161. One side of the first bent portion 161 may refer to the downstream side of the first bent portion 161 based on the flow direction of cool air.

The upper connecting portion 165 is configured to connect the first upper bent portion 162 and the second upper bent portion 168 to be described later. The upper connecting portion 165 includes an upper connecting wall 1651 and a plurality of upper connecting side walls 1652. The upper connecting wall 1651 of the upper connecting portion 165 may have a planar shape.

The upper connecting wall 1651 of the upper connecting portion 165 may extend parallel to the second horizontal line H2. A rear end of the upper connecting wall 1651 of the upper connecting portion 165 may be connected to a front end of the first upper wall 1621 of the first upper bent portion 162.

The upper connecting side walls 1652 may be connected to the first upper side walls 1622 of the first upper bent portion 162.

The lower connecting portion 166 is configured to connect the first lower bent portion 163 and the second lower bent portion 169 to be described later. The lower connecting portion 166 includes a lower connecting wall 1661 and a plurality of lower connecting side walls 1662.

The lower connecting wall 1661 of the lower connecting portion 166 may be curved in an arcuate shape or may be formed straight. This embodiment shows an example in which the lower connecting wall 1661 of the lower connecting portion 166 is formed in a curved shape of a gentle arc. The lower connecting wall 1661 of the lower connecting portion 166 may be connected to a front end of the first lower bent portion 163.

The lower connecting side walls 1662 may be connected to the first lower side walls 1632 of the first lower bent portion 163.

The second bent portion 167 may be arranged on one side of the connecting portion 164. Here, one side of the connecting portion 164 may refer to a front end of the connecting portion 164. One side of the connecting portion 164 may refer to the downstream side of the connecting portion 164 based on the flow direction of cool air.

The second bent portion 167 may include the second upper bent portion 168 and the second lower bent portion 169. The second upper bent portion 168 includes a second upper wall 1681 and a plurality of second upper side walls 1682. The second upper wall 1681 of the second upper bent portion 168 may be inclined downward from the upper connecting wall 1651 of the upper connecting portion 165 toward the front.

The second upper wall 1681 of the second upper bent portion 168 may be inclined downward from the upper connecting wall 1651 of the upper connecting portion 165 toward the downstream side of the upper connecting wall 1651 based on the flow direction of cool air.

A front end of the second upper wall 1681 of the second upper bent portion 168 is positioned lower than a rear end of the second upper wall 1681.

The second upper side walls 1682 of the second upper bent portion 168 may be connected to the upper connecting side walls 1652 of the upper connecting portion 165.

A first connecting portion 171 may protrude from the second upper wall 1681 of the second upper bent portion 168 toward the first panel 1081 of the door inner case 108. The first connecting portion 171 may be arranged to overlap the first panel 1081 in the up-down direction to cover a rear end of the first panel 1081.

Accordingly, the first connecting portion 171 may be supported by being mounted on the upper surface of the first panel 1081. The first connecting portion 171 may restrict the front end of the second upper bent portion 168 from moving downward while being supported on the upper surface of the first panel 1081. A front end of the suction duct 132 may be supported on the first panel 1081 by the first connecting portion 171.

The second lower bent portion 169 includes a second lower wall 1691 and a plurality of second lower side walls 1692. The second lower wall 1691 of the second lower bent portion 169 may be formed on the lower connecting wall 1661 of the lower connecting portion 166 to be inclined downward with respect to the second horizontal line H2.

The second lower wall 1691 of the second lower bent portion 169 may be inclined downward from the lower connecting wall 1661 of the lower connecting portion 166 toward the downstream side of the lower connecting wall 1661 based on the flow direction of cool air.

A front end of the second lower wall 1691 of the second lower bent portion 169 is positioned lower than a rear end of the second lower wall 1691.

The second lower side walls 1692 of the second lower bent portion 169 may be connected to the lower connecting side walls 1662 of the lower connecting portion 166.

A second connecting portion 172 may protrude from the second lower wall 1691 of the second lower bent portion 169 toward the fourth panel 1084 of the door inner case 108. The second connecting portion 172 may be arranged to overlap the fourth panel 1084 to cover the rear surface of the fourth panel 1084.

Accordingly, the second connecting portion 172 may be supported by being mounted on the rear surface of the fourth panel 1084. The second connecting portion 172 may restrict the front end of the second lower bent portion 169 from moving forward while being supported on the rear surface of the fourth panel 1084. The front end of the suction duct 132 may be supported on the fourth panel 1084 by the second connecting portion 172.

The inlet 156 is located at an edge where the rear end of the first panel 1081 of the door inner case 108 and the upper end of the fourth panel 1084 meet, which may decrease the strength of a connected portion between the first panel 1081 and the fourth panel 1084.

The first connecting portion 171 may be added to the upper surface of the first panel 1081 to be positioned on an upper side of the inlet 156, and the second connecting portion 172 may be added to the rear surface of the fourth panel 1084 to be positioned on a lower side of the inlet 156, thereby reinforcing the decreased strength caused by the inlet 156.

A plurality of first bosses 173 may protrude downward from an inner surface of the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134. The first boss 173 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. The first boss 173 may extend in the up-down direction. A fastening groove is formed inside each of the plurality of first bosses 173.

The plurality of first bosses 173 may be arranged spaced apart on the left and right sides with the cooling fan 150 between them. A lower end of each of the plurality of first bosses 173 may be in surface contact with the inner surface of the lower wall 1355 of the lower duct 135.

A plurality of second fastening holes 174 may be formed through the lower duct 135 in the up-down direction. The second fastening holes 174 are arranged to overlap the fastening grooves of the first bosses 173 in the up-down direction. First fastening members, such as screws, may be fastened to the fastening grooves of the first bosses 173 by passing through the second fastening holes 174 of the lower duct 135. Accordingly, the upper duct 134 and the lower duct 135 may be connected by the plurality of first fastening members.

At least one second boss 175 may protrude on the inner surface of the upper wall 1345 of the first upper bent portion 162. This embodiment shows that the second boss 175 is located on the center of the inner surface of the upper wall 1345 of the first upper bent portion 162.

The second boss 175 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. A fastening groove is formed inside each of the at least one second boss 175. The second boss 175 may extend at a certain angle with respect to the first boss 173. The second boss 175 may be arranged vertically on the first upper wall 1621 of the first upper bent portion 162.

A lower end of the second boss 175 may be in surface contact with an inner surface of the first lower wall 1631 of the first lower bent portion 163.

At least one third fastening hole 176 may be formed through the first lower wall 1631 of the first lower bent portion 163. The third fastening hole 176 is arranged to overlap the fastening groove of the second boss 175. At least one second fastening member, such as a screw, may be fastened to the fastening groove of the at least one second boss 175 by passing through the second fastening hole 174 of the first lower bent portion 163. Accordingly, the upper duct 134 and the lower duct 135 may be connected by the at least one second fastening member.

The plurality of first bosses 173 and the second boss 175 may form the vertices of a triangle on the inner surface of the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134 and the first upper wall 1621 of the first upper bent portion 162.

Accordingly, the plurality of first bosses 173 can support a flow path space between the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134 of the suction duct 132 and the lower wall 1355 of the lower duct 135. The second boss 175 can support a flow path space between the first upper wall 1621 of the first upper bent portion 162 of the suction duct 132 and the first lower wall 1631 of the first lower bent portion 163.

The plurality of first bosses 173 and the second boss 175 can support the flow path space of the suction duct 132 from external impact.

For example, a third insulating wall 1153 is positioned between the first cover 1141 of the door outer case 114 and the upper wall 1345 of the suction duct 132. The third insulating wall 1153 may be made of PU foam as an insulating material. In this case, the plurality of first bosses 173 and the second boss 175 can suppress the upper wall 1345 of the suction duct 132 from being crushed by impact during foam molding.

The third insulating wall 1153 is positioned between the lower wall 1355 of the suction duct 132 and the upper surface of the ice-making case 117. In this case, the plurality of first bosses 173 and the second boss 175 can suppress the lower wall 1355 of the suction duct 132 from being crushed by impact during foam molding.

Hereinafter, a cool air movement path of the suction duct 132 will be described. Cold air sucked in through the suction port 131 passes through the cooling fan 150. The cold air which has passed through the cooling fan 150 may be introduced into a flow path between the upper duct 134 and the lower duct 135.

The cool air moves along a flow path between the first upper bent portion 162 and the first lower bent portion 163 in the flow path between the upper duct 134 and the lower duct 135.

Continuously, the cool air passes through a path between the upper connecting portion 165 and the lower connecting portion 166.

Thereafter, the cool air moves along a flow path between the second upper bent portion 168 and the second lower bent portion 169, so as to be supplied to the upper side of the first storage part 109 through the outlet 170 formed at the ends of the second upper bent portion 168 and the second lower bent portion 169 and the inlet 156 of the door inner case 108.

Meanwhile, when the user opens the second door 124, the user may access the storage parts 109 and 121 of the first door 105. The cooling fan 150 is arranged to be inclined downward toward the refrigerating chamber 102. The lower end of the cooling fan 150 is positioned to be lower than the lower end of the first upper bent portion 162 from the front side to the rear side of the cooling fan 150. The lower end of the cooling fan 150 can be seen with the user's eyes through the inlet 156.

According to this embodiment, the second lower bent portion 169 and the lower connecting portion 166 are arranged in front of the cooling fan 150.

When the user looks straight at the inlet 156, the height of the rear end of the second lower bent portion 169 based on the first horizontal line H1 may be positioned greater than or equal to the height of the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1. This embodiment shows that the height of the rear end of the second lower bent portion 169 is the same as the height between the first horizontal line H1 and the second horizontal line H2.

The height of the rear end of the second lower bent portion 169 may be positioned greater than or equal to the height of the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 136 based on the first horizontal line H1. This embodiment shows that the height of the rear end of the second lower bent portion 169 is the same as the height of the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 136.

The height of the rear end of the second lower bent portion 169 may be positioned equal to or greater than the height of the lower end of the front end of the fan accommodating portion 137 based on the first horizontal line H1. This embodiment shows that the height of the rear end of the second lower bent portion 169 is the same as the height of the lower end of the front end of the fan accommodating portion 137.

The height of the rear end of the second lower bent portion 169 may be positioned equal to or greater than the height of the lower end of the front end of the cooling fan 150 based on the first horizontal line H1. This embodiment shows that the height of the rear end of the second lower bent portion 169 is the same as the height of the lower end of the front end of the cooling fan 150.

The height of the lower connecting portion 166 may be positioned equal to or greater than the height of the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1. This embodiment shows that the height of the upper end of the lower connecting portion 166 is the same as the height of the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1.

The height of the upper end of the lower connecting portion 166 may be positioned equal to or greater than the height of the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting part 136 based on the first horizontal line H1. This embodiment shows that the height of the upper end of the lower connecting portion 166 is the same as the height of the front end of the fan mounting portion 136 based on the first horizontal line H1.

The height of the upper end of the lower connecting portion 166 may be positioned equal to or greater than the height of the lower end of the front end of the fan accommodating portion 137 based on the first horizontal line H1. This embodiment shows that the height of the upper end of the lower connecting portion 166 is the same as the height of the front end of the fan accommodating portion 137 based on the first horizontal line H1.

The height of the upper end of the lower connecting portion 166 may be equal to or greater than the height of the lower end of the front end of the cooling fan 150. This embodiment shows that the height of the upper end of the lower connecting portion 166 is the same as the height of the lower end of the front end of the cooling fan 150.

The cooling fan 150 is located at the rear of the bent part 160. The lower end of the cooling fan 150 located below the second horizontal line H2 is arranged at the rear of the second lower bent portion 169, the lower connecting portion 166, and the first lower bent portion 163.

Accordingly, the second lower bent portion 169, the lower connecting portion 166, and the first lower bent portion 163 can hide the lower end of the cooling fan 150, which protrudes below the second horizontal line H2 from the inside of the fan mounting portion 136, thereby suppressing the lower end of the cooling fan 150 from being visible to the user. This can suppress the product's exterior quality from being deteriorated due to the cooling fan 150 being exposed to the outside when the second door 124 is open.

The first bent portion 161 is bent to be inclined upward toward the front from the upper duct 134 and the lower duct 135, and the second bent portion 167 is bent to be inclined downward toward the front from the first bent portion 161. Accordingly, it is impossible for the user's hand to approach the cooling fan 150, thereby suppressing the risk of safety accidents, such as finger pinching, during the operation of the cooling fan 150.

However, when the user looks straight at the inlet 156, which is formed at the upper side of the first storage part 109, at the same or similar height as the inlet 156 of the first door 105, the second lower bent portion 169 and the lower connecting portion 166 can be seen with the user's naked eye through the inlet 156. When the user looks upward at the inlet 156, a portion of the first upper bent portion 162 can be seen by the user through the inlet 156.

The second bent portion 167 is formed to be inclined downward toward the upper side of the first storage part 109. Accordingly, the second bent portion 167 can make the flow direction of cool air inclined downward from the downstream side of the suction duct 132 toward the upper side of the first storage part 109, thereby reducing power consumption and solving the problem of dew condensation. When the flow direction of cool air is inclined upward from the downstream side of the suction duct 132, a problem of overcooling a specific area of the second door 124, for example, the uppermost surface of the second door 124, may occur.

3. Description of Configuration of Refrigerator According to Another Embodiment

FIG. 18 is a front view of a cool air supply device 230 according to another embodiment, installed on the side surface of the first door 105, viewed from the front.

FIG. 19 is a lateral view of the cool air supply device 230 installed on the side surface of the first door 105 in FIG. 18, viewed from the side.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the cool air supply device 230 in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cool air supply device 230 in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the cool air supply device 230 of FIG. 21, viewed from the top.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the cool air supply device 230 of FIG. 21, viewed from the top.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the cool air supply device 230 in FIG. 21.

This embodiment is different from the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17 in that the cool air supply device 230 is mounted on the side surface of the first door 105.

A touch pad 229 may be arranged on a rear surface inside the second storage part 121. The touch pad 229 may be arranged behind the funnel 120. The touch pad 229 may be mounted to be pressible on the front surface of the fourth panel 1084.

The touch pad 229 is configured to be touched by the user to dispense ice. Through this, when the user presses the touch pad 229 while holding the container in his/her hand, ice can be dispensed into the user's container.

The cool air supply device 230 may be arranged between the second cover 1142a, 1142b of the door outer case 114 and the second panel 1082a, 1082b of the door inner case 108.

The second cover 1142a 1142b may form the outer surface of the first door 105, for example, the right surface. The suction port 231 may be formed through the lower portion of the second cover 1142b in the left-right direction. The suction port 231 is formed in a square shape.

The second panel 1082a, 1082b may form the inner surface of the first door 205, for example, an inner right surface of the storage part 109, 121. An inlet 256 may be formed through the lower portion of the second panel 1082b in the left-right direction. The inlet may be formed in a square shape.

The cool air supply device 230 includes a cooling fan 250 and a suction duct 251.

The suction duct 251 is connected to the suction port 231 and the inlet 256. The suction duct 251 may be formed in a rectangular shape. A right end of the suction duct 251 is fluidly connected to the fan accommodating portion 252. A left end of the suction duct 251 is fluidly connected to the inlet 256.

Here, the right end of the suction duct 251 refers to an upstream end of the suction duct 251 based on a flow direction of cool air. The left end of the suction duct 251 refers to a downstream end of the suction duct 251 based on the flow direction of cool air.

Accordingly, the suction duct 251 can form a flow path for cool air to be sucked in by the cooling fan 250.

The second panel 1082a, 1082b and the second cover 1142a, 1142b are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The second panel 1082a, 1082b and the second cover 1142a, 1142b are arranged to partially overlap each other in the left-right direction. The front end of the second panel 1082a, 1082b may be positioned further forward than the front end of the second cover 1142a, 1142b. The rear end of the second panel 1082a, 1082b is positioned further forward than the rear end of the second cover 1142a, 1142b.

The front end of the inlet 256 may be positioned further forward than the front end of the suction port 231. The rear end of the inlet 256 is positioned further forward than the rear end of the suction port 231.

A front wall 2511 and a rear wall 2512 of the suction duct 251 may each be formed to be inclined. The left end of the suction duct 251 may be located further forward than the right end of the suction duct 251. An upper wall 2513 and a lower wall 2514 of the suction duct 251 may be formed in a planar shape.

A fan accommodating portion 252 may be coupled to one side of the suction duct 251. The fan accommodating portion 252 may be formed in a square shape. However, the shape of the fan accommodating portion 252 is not limited thereto and the fan accommodating portion 252 may be formed in various shapes depending on the shape of the cooling fan 250.

The cooling fan 250 may be accommodated inside the fan accommodating portion 252. A plurality of support ribs 2521 may be respectively formed on four corners of one surface of the fan accommodating portion 252. The plurality of support ribs 2521 can restrict the cooling fan 250 from moving left and right in the fan accommodating portion 252.

A first grill portion 253 may be mounted on an upstream end of the suction duct 251 based on the flow direction of cool air. The first grill portion 253 may be coupled to the right end of the suction duct 251. The first grill portion 253 may be arranged inside the suction port 231.

The first grill portion 253 may be formed in a square shape. The first grill portion 253 is arranged to cover the upstream side of the cooling fan 250. The first grill portion 253 includes a plurality of first openings 2531. With this configuration, the first grill portion 253 can allow the passage of cool air and suppress the passage of foreign substances.

A second grill portion 254 may be mounted on a downstream end of the suction duct 251 based on the flow direction of cool air. The second grill portion 254 may be coupled to the left end of the suction duct 251. The second grill portion 254 may be arranged inside the inlet 256.

The second grill portion 254 may be formed in a square shape. The second grill portion 254 is arranged to cover the downstream side of the cooling fan 250. The second grill portion 254 includes a plurality of second openings 2541. With this configuration, the second grill portion 254 can allow the passage of cool air and suppress the passage of foreign substances.

A first discharge port (not shown) may be formed at the upper side of the first storage part 109. The first discharge port may be formed through the upper side of the door inner case 108. A second discharge port (not shown) may be formed at the upper side of the door outer case 114.

The second discharge port may be located higher than the first discharge port.

A discharge duct (not shown) may be arranged between the first discharge port and the second discharge port. One end of the discharge duct is fluidly connected to the first discharge port. Another end of the discharge duct is fluidly connected to the second discharge port.

One end of the discharge duct refers to an upstream end of the discharge duct based on the flow direction of cool air. Another end of the discharge duct refers to a downstream end of the discharge duct based on the flow direction of cool air.

Hereinafter, a cool air movement path will be described. The cooling fan 250 may suck cool air from the refrigerating chamber 102 into the second storage part 121 of the first door 205. The cool air may pass through the first grill portion 253. The cool air may pass through the cooling fan 250.

The cool air may move from the suction port 231 to the inlet 256 along the suction duct 251. The cool air may pass through the second grill portion 254. The cool air is introduced into the second storage part 121. The cool air moves upward from the second storage part 121 to the first storage part 109. The cool air may circulate between the first storage part 109 and the second storage part 121 to cool items which are contained in the baskets 110 of the storage parts 109 and 121.

The cool air may circulate by being discharged into the refrigerating chamber 102 through the first discharge port, the discharge duct, and the second discharge port formed at the upper side of the first storage part 109.

4. Description of Hiding Structure of Suction Duct 132 According to Still Another Embodiment

FIG. 25 is a conceptual view for explaining a hiding structure of a suction duct 132 according to still another embodiment.

This embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 14 described above in that the heights of the rear end of a second lower bent portion 269, a lower connecting portion 266, and the front end of a first lower bent portion 263 are positioned higher than the height of the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1.

Here, the first horizontal line H1 refers to a straight line passing horizontally through a point where the rear end of the first lower bent portion 263 and the front end of the lower wall 1355 of the lower duct 135 meet.

The second horizontal line H2 refers to a straight line passing horizontally through a point where the rear end of the first upper bent portion 262 and the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 136 meet.

The second lower bent portion 269, the lower connecting portion 266, and the first lower bent portion 263 can hide the lower end of the cooling fan 150, which protrudes below the second horizontal line H2 from the inside of the fan mounting portion 136.

Other components are the same as or similar to those in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 24, so a redundant description will be omitted.

5. Description of Structure of Bent Portion 360 of Suction Duct 132 According to Still Another Embodiment

FIG. 26 is a conceptual view for explaining a hiding structure of a bent part 360 according to still another embodiment.

This embodiment is different from the embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 25 described above in that the heights of the rear end of a second lower bent portion 369, a lower connecting portion 366, and the front end of a first lower bent portion 363 are positioned lower than the height of the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1.

In this embodiment, the cooling fan 150 may be positioned lower than the first horizontal line H1. The lower end of the front end of a fan mounting portion 336 may protrude downward from the front end of the upper wall 1345 of the upper duct 134. Here, the front end of the fan mounting portion 336 means a portion meeting one end of the first upper bend 362, for example, the rear end 1623 of the first upper bent portion 362.

The lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 336 may protrude downward to be lower than the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1.

The lower surface of the lower duct 335 may be arranged horizontally on the same straight line as the first horizontal line H1.

The front end of the first lower bent portion 363 may be positioned higher than or equal to the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 336 based on the first horizontal line H1.

The lower connecting portion 366 may be positioned higher than or equal to the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 336 based on the first horizontal line H1.

The rear end of the second lower bent portion 369 may be positioned higher than or equal to the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 336 based on the first horizontal line H1.

This embodiment shows that the front end of the first lower bent portion 363, the lower connecting portion 366, and the rear end of the second lower bent portion 369 are positioned higher than the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 336 with respect to the first horizontal line H1.

The front end of the first lower bent portion 363, the lower connecting portion 366, and the rear end of the second lower bent portion 369 may be positioned at the same height as a third horizontal line H3 which is lower than the second horizontal line H2 based on the first horizontal line H1. Here, the third horizontal line H3 is positioned higher than the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 336 based on the first horizontal line H1. The third horizontal line H3 refers to a straight line that passes horizontally in the front-rear direction through the highest point P of the lower connecting portion 166.

With the configuration, when the user's eyes are directed along the third horizon H3, the first lower bent portion 363, the lower connecting portion 366, and the second lower bent 369 can hide the lower end of the cooling fan 150 which protrudes from the lower end of the front end of the fan mounting portion 336.

By lowering the heights of the front end of the first lower bent portion 363, the lower connecting portion 366, and the rear end of the second lower bent portion 369 with respect to the first horizontal line H1, the inclination angles of the first bent portion 361 and the second bent portion 367 can be formed gently.

This can minimize flow resistance when cool air passing through the cooling fan 150 moves to the first bent portion 361, the connecting portion, and the second bent portion 367.

Other components are the same as or similar to those in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 25, so a redundant description will be omitted.