US20060130513A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents
Refrigerator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060130513A1 US20060130513A1 US11/294,533 US29453305A US2006130513A1 US 20060130513 A1 US20060130513 A1 US 20060130513A1 US 29453305 A US29453305 A US 29453305A US 2006130513 A1 US2006130513 A1 US 2006130513A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- compartment
- convertible
- freezing
- refrigerating
- evaporator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
- F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
- F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
- F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
- F25D11/022—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures with two or more evaporators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/06—Walls
- F25D23/069—Cooling space dividing partitions
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/25—Control of valves
- F25B2600/2511—Evaporator distribution valves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/06—Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/16—Convertible refrigerators
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigerator and, more particularly, to a refrigerator including a convertible compartment divided from a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment.
- Korean Patent No. 2002-0077423 discloses a side-by-side refrigerator including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment which are divided from each other by a vertically formed wall.
- the conventional refrigerator is formed of an insulating material and has a tube shape of which the front is open.
- the refrigerator includes a casing having a cool air opening connected to the freezing compartment to one side and a temperature convertible compartment disposed in the refrigerating compartment to be provided with cool air from the cool air opening; and a drawer disposed in the casing to be drawn out.
- the refrigerator can store food in the temperature convertible compartment at adequate temperature by adjusting the temperature.
- the temperature convertible compartment is provided with the cool air from the freezing compartment, there may be a problem that a smell generated in the freezing compartment flows into the temperature convertible compartment.
- a user may open a refrigerating compartment door to take out the food stored in the temperature convertible compartment, and therefore the cool air may flow out excessively.
- a refrigerator including a convertible compartment divided from a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment to store food by being provided with cool air separately.
- the present invention provides a refrigerator which prevents cool air in a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment from flowing out when a convertible compartment is open.
- a refrigerator including: a main body cabinet including a storage compartment and a convertible compartment divided from the storage compartment; and a cool air providing part including a storage compartment evaporator to cool the storage compartment, a convertible compartment evaporator connected to the storage compartment evaporator in series to cool the convertible compartment, and a cooling fan providing cool air generated in the convertible compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment so as to function as one of freezing or refrigerating.
- the storage compartment includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment;
- the storage compartment evaporator includes a freezing compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment evaporator to cool the refrigerating compartment; and
- the convertible compartment evaporator is connected to either the freezing compartment evaporator or the refrigerating compartment evaporator in series.
- the refrigerator further includes a freezing compartment door, a refrigerating compartment door, and a convertible compartment door mounted in the main body cabinet to open and close the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment, and the convertible compartment, respectively.
- the refrigerator further includes a sub-wall dividing the convertible compartment from either the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment up and down.
- the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in series.
- the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in parallel.
- the refrigerator further includes a refrigerant pipe connecting the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator so that the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator which are separated from each other are formed in an evaporating pipe.
- the refrigerant pipe includes a first refrigerant pipe disposed between the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator to transfer a refrigerant passing through a part of the storage compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment evaporator and a second refrigerant pipe disposed between the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator to transfer the refrigerant transferred from the first refrigerant pipe and passing through the convertible compartment evaporator to the other part of the storage compartment.
- the convertible compartment is set in a range of ⁇ 25° C. to 5° C. to function as a subsidiary freezing compartment.
- the convertible compartment is set in a range of ⁇ 18° C. to 10° C. to function as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment.
- a refrigerator including: a main body cabinet including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment which are divided from each other, and a freezing convertible compartment and a refrigerating convertible compartment which are divided from the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment to function as either refrigerating or freezing; and a cool air providing part including a freezing compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, a freezing convertible compartment evaporator and a refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator respectively connected to the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator in series to cool the freezing convertible compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment, and a plurality of cooing fans respectively providing cool air generated in the freezing convertible compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator to the freezing convertible compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment.
- the refrigerator includes a freezing compartment door, a refrigerating compartment door, a freezing convertible compartment door, and a refrigerating convertible compartment door which are mounted in the main body cabinet to open and close the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment, the freezing convertible compartment, and the refrigerating convertible compartment, respectively.
- the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in series.
- the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in parallel.
- the refrigerator further includes refrigerant pipes connecting the freezing compartment evaporator and the freezing convertible compartment evaporator, and connecting the refrigerating compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator so that the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are formed in an evaporating pipe along with the freezing convertible compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator, respectively.
- the freezing convertible compartment is set in a range of ⁇ 25° C. to 5° C. and the refrigerating convertible compartment is set in a range of ⁇ 18° C. to 10° C.
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 2C is a perspective view illustrating a freezing compartment evaporator and a convertible compartment evaporator of the refrigerator in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 6B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 5 .
- a refrigerator 1 includes a main body cabinet 10 including the storage compartments 11 , 12 and a convertible compartment 13 divided from the storage compartments 11 , 12 , and a plurality of doors 40 , 42 , 44 mounted in the main body cabinet 10 to open and close the storage compartments 11 , 12 and the convertible compartment 13 , respectively.
- the storage compartments 11 , 12 include a freezing compartment 11 and a refrigerating compartment 12 divided from each other by a wall 50 in the main body cabinet 10 .
- the convertible compartment 13 is divided from the storage compartments 11 , 12 to form a storage space functioning as a subsidiary storage compartment.
- the convertible compartment 13 is divided from the freezing compartment 11 up and down by a sub-wall 60 in the main body cabinet 10 .
- a component chamber (not shown) in which a compressor 2 compressing a refrigerant and a condenser 3 condensing the refrigerant are installed. Accordingly, the refrigerant passing through the compressor 2 and the condenser 3 is provided to storage compartment evaporators 20 , 21 and a convertible compartment evaporator 22 , referring to FIG. 2A .
- the storage compartment evaporators 20 , 21 include a freezing compartment evaporator 20 and a refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 , referring to FIG. 2A .
- the freezing compartment 11 is disposed to the left side of the wall 50 . Inside the freezing compartment 11 are provided an ice making device 15 to the upper part to make ice and shelves 14 up and down to keep food.
- a cool air providing part including the freezing compartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 25 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 into the freezing compartment 11 .
- a freezing compartment duct 26 In the front of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the cooling fan 25 is mounted a freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- the freezing compartment duct 26 may be extended to the convertible compartment 13 to cover the convertible compartment evaporator 22 .
- the refrigerating compartment 12 is disposed to the right side of the wall 50 and includes shelves 16 up and down to keep food.
- a cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the refrigerating compartment 12 and includes the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 27 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 into the refrigerating compartment 12 in order to provide the cool air to the refrigerating compartment 12 .
- a refrigerating compartment duct 28 In the front of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the cooling fan 27 is mounted a refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 .
- the convertible compartment 13 is disposed to the left side of the wall 50 and is divided from the freezing compartment 11 up and down by the sub-wall 60 .
- the convertible compartment 13 may be set up in a range of ⁇ 25° C. to 5° C. to be used as a subsidiary freezing compartment. Therefore, fish, meat, and the like which need a large amount of time to defrost may be stored in the convertible compartment 13 when stored for a short time. Also, the fish, meat, and the like are stored in the convertible compartment 13 , thereby preventing food stored in the freezing compartment 11 from being permeated with the smell of food in the convertible compartment 13 .
- the convertible compartment 13 may be used for various purposes, and is not limited to the purposes described in the exemplary embodiment.
- the cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the convertible compartment 13 and includes the convertible compartment evaporator 22 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 29 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the convertible compartment evaporator 22 into the convertible compartment 13 in order to provide the cool air to the convertible compartment 13 .
- a freezing compartment duct 26 In the front of the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and the cooling fan 29 is mounted a freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the convertible compartment evaporator 22 .
- the convertible compartment evaporator 22 is directly connected to the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- the convertible compartment evaporator 22 may be combined with the freezing compartment evaporator 20 in a single body like in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C .
- the convertible compartment evaporator 22 is spaced from the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- refrigerant pipes 22 a , 22 b are provided between the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to form the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and the freezing compartment evaporator 20 in a single body.
- the refrigerant pipes 22 a , 22 b include a first refrigerant pipe 22 a disposed between the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the convertible compartment evaporator 22 to transfer the refrigerant passing through a part of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and a second refrigerant pipe 22 b disposed between the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the convertible compartment evaporator 22 to transfer the refrigerant transferred from the first refrigerant pipe 22 a and passing through the convertible compartment evaporator 22 to the other part of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- the refrigerant passes through the compressor 2 and the condenser 3 , flows into an inlet 20 b of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 , and then circulates through the freezing compartment evaporator 20 . Thereafter, the refrigerant is provided to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 through the first refrigerant pipe 22 a . Then, the refrigerant circulates through the convertible compartment evaporator 22 , re-transfers to freezing compartment evaporator 20 through the second refrigerant pipe 22 b , and then transfers to the compressor 2 through an outlet 20 c of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- a manufacturer does not need to install the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and the freezing compartment evaporator 20 in the convertible compartment 13 and the freezing compartment 11 , respectively, thereby improving efficiency in the manufacturing process.
- a cutoff plate 20 a Between the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and the freezing compartment evaporator 20 is provided a cutoff plate 20 a to form paths of cool air in the freezing compartment 11 and the convertible compartment 13 separately. Accordingly, the cutoff plate 20 a prevents the cool air circulating through the freezing compartment 11 and the convertible compartment 13 from mixing with each other.
- the cutoff plate 20 a may be connected to the component chamber by a defrosting heater 8 to discharge defrosting water generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to the component chamber.
- the doors 40 , 42 , 44 include a freezing compartment door 40 , a refrigerating compartment door 42 , and a convertible compartment door 44 which are mounted in the main body cabinet 10 to open and close the freezing compartment 11 , the refrigerating compartment 12 , and the convertible compartment 13 , respectively.
- the freezing compartment door 40 is mounted rotatably on an axis of one side of the main body cabinet 10 .
- a dispenser 41 to provide ice made in the ice making device 15 or water supplied from an external water source.
- the refrigerating compartment door 42 is mounted rotatably on an axis of the other side of the main body cabinet 10 .
- a home bar 43 connected to the refrigerating compartment 12 to store food. Therefore, a user may conveniently take out the food stored in the home bar 43 .
- the convertible compartment door 44 is a sliding door in the embodiment, but may be provided in various ways.
- FIGS. 2A and 2B a freezing cycle of the refrigerator 1 with the aforementioned configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described as referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B .
- FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- a gaseous refrigerant compressed to a high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 2 flows into the condenser 3 , the condenser 3 condenses the gaseous refrigerant to a liquefied refrigerant having a low temperature and low pressure.
- the liquefied refrigerant decompresses while passing through a first capillary tube 4 to come to a low temperature and a low pressure state and flows into the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 .
- the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 flows into the inlet 20 b of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and transfers to compressor 2 through the outlet 20 c of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- a second capillary tube 5 in a refrigerant line between the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the freezing compartment evaporator 20 is provided a second capillary tube 5 so as to expand the refrigerant passing through the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 .
- the second capillary tube 5 may not be provided depending on a performance of the first capillary tube 4 .
- a dryer 6 may be provided to prevent the first capillary tube 4 from clogging by removing moisture or an alien substance included in the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 3 .
- FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- a converting valve 7 selectively converts a path of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 or to the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- the convertible compartment evaporator 22 since the convertible compartment evaporator 22 is connected to the freezing compartment evaporator 20 , the refrigerant flowing into the freezing compartment evaporator 20 may be provided to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 . That is, the refrigerant flows into the inlet 20 b of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 and transfers to the compressor 2 through the outlet 20 c of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- the gaseous refrigerant vaporized in each evaporator 21 , 20 , 22 returns to the compressor 2 and repeatedly circulates in the aforementioned process.
- the dryer 6 may be provided to prevent the first capillary tube 4 and the second capillary tube 5 from clogging by removing moisture or an alien substance included in the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 3 .
- FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- a refrigerator 201 in the second embodiment includes a refrigerating compartment 212 and a convertible compartment 213 which are divided from each other up and down by a sub-wall 260 , apart from one in the first embodiment.
- the refrigerator 201 includes a main body cabinet 210 including a freezing compartment 211 , the refrigerating compartment 212 and the convertible compartment 213 ; and doors 240 , 242 , 244 mounted in the main body cabinet 210 to open and close the freezing compartment 211 , the refrigerating compartment 212 , and the convertible compartment 213 , respectively, wherein the freezing compartment 211 and the refrigerating compartment 212 are divided from each other right and left by a wall 50 and the convertible compartment 213 is divided from the refrigerating compartment 212 up and down by the sub-wall 260 .
- a cool air providing part including the freezing compartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 25 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 into the freezing compartment 211 .
- a freezing compartment duct 26 In the front of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the cooling fan 25 is mounted a freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- a cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the refrigerating compartment 212 and further includes the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 27 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 into the refrigerating compartment 212 .
- a refrigerating compartment duct 28 In the front of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the cooling fan 27 is mounted a refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 .
- the refrigerating compartment duct 28 may be extended to the convertible compartment 213 to cover a convertible compartment evaporator 222 .
- the convertible compartment 213 is disposed to the right side of the wall 50 and is divided from the refrigerating compartment 212 up and down by the sub-wall 260 .
- the convertible compartment 213 may be set up in a range of ⁇ 18° C. to 10° C. to be used as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment. Therefore, fruit, vegetables and the like are stored in the convertible compartment 213 , thereby preventing food stored therein from being permeated with the smell of the food stored in the refrigerating compartment 212 .
- the convertible compartment 213 may be used for various purposes, and is not limited to the purposes described in the exemplary embodiment.
- a cool air providing part including the convertible compartment evaporator 222 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 229 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the convertible compartment evaporator 222 into the convertible compartment 213 .
- the refrigerating compartment duct 28 In the front of the convertible compartment evaporator 222 and the cooling fan 229 is mounted the refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in the convertible compartment evaporator 222 .
- the convertible compartment evaporator 22 may be combined with the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in a single body like the one shown in FIG. 2C of the first embodiment. Accordingly, a refrigerant passes through a compressor 2 and a condenser 3 , flows into an inlet (not shown) of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the convertible compartment evaporator 22 , and then transfers to an outlet (not shown) of the refrigerating evaporator 21 .
- a manufacturer does not need to install the convertible compartment evaporator 222 and the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in the convertible compartment 213 and the refrigerating compartment 212 , respectively, thereby improving efficiency in a manufacturing process.
- the sub-wall 260 is formed to be easily separated from the refrigerator 201 in order that the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the convertible compartment evaporator 222 which are formed in a single body is mounted. Between the convertible compartment evaporator 222 and the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 may be mounted a cutoff plate 21 a to form paths of cool air in the refrigerating compartment 212 and the convertible compartment 213 separately.
- the cutoff plate 21 a is similar to the one shown in the first embodiment.
- the refrigerator 201 according to the second embodiment includes the convertible compartment evaporator 222 combined with the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in a single body
- the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment includes the convertible compartment evaporator 22 combined with the freezing compartment evaporator 20 in a single body. Therefore, in the refrigerator 201 according to the second embodiment, the refrigerant passing through the compressor 2 and condenser 3 is provided to the convertible compartment evaporator 222 through the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 , and then returns to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the compressor 2 .
- FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- a refrigerating compartment 312 and a freezing compartment 311 are divided into two spaces up and down by sub-walls 360 , respectively.
- the refrigerator 301 includes a main body cabinet 310 including the freezing compartment 311 , the refrigerating compartment 312 , and convertible compartments 313 ; and doors 340 , 342 , 344 mounted in the main body cabinet 310 to open and close the freezing compartment 311 , the refrigerating compartment 312 , and the convertible compartments 313 , wherein the freezing compartment 311 and the refrigerating compartment 312 are divided from each other right and left by a wall 50 and the convertible compartments 313 are divided from the freezing compartment 311 and the refrigerating compartment 312 up and down by the sub-walls 360 .
- a cool air providing part including the freezing compartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 25 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 into the freezing compartment 311 .
- a freezing compartment duct 26 In the front of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the cooling fan 25 is mounted a freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- a cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the refrigerating compartment 312 and further includes the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 27 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 into the refrigerating compartment 312 .
- a refrigerating compartment duct 28 In the front of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the cooling fan 27 is mounted a refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 .
- the sub-walls 360 include a freezing compartment sub-wall 361 and a refrigerating compartment sub-wall 362 .
- the convertible compartments 313 include a freezing convertible compartment 317 divided from the freezing compartment 311 by the freezing compartment sub-wall 361 and a refrigerating convertible compartment 318 divided from the refrigerating compartment 312 by the refrigerating compartment sub-wall 362 .
- the freezing convertible compartment 317 may be used as a subsidiary freezing compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment 318 may be used as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment.
- the freezing convertible compartment 317 and the refrigerating convertible compartment 318 may be converted in their functions to a refrigerating function and a freezing function, respectively. It is controlled by each cooling fan 330 , 331 to convert functions of the freezing convertible compartment 317 and the refrigerating convertible compartment 318 .
- the freezing convertible compartment 317 may be set in a range of ⁇ 25° C. to 5° C. and the refrigerating convertible compartment 318 may be set in a range of ⁇ 18° C. to 10° C. so that a user may set an optional temperature.
- a cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the freezing convertible compartment 317 and further includes the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 320 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 into the freezing convertible compartment 317 .
- a freezing compartment duct 26 In the front of the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 and the cooling fan 320 is mounted a freezing compartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 .
- a cool air providing part is also disposed in the rear space of the refrigerating convertible compartment 318 and further includes the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 331 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 into the refrigerating convertible compartment 318 .
- a refrigerating compartment duct 28 In the front of the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 and the cooling fan 331 is mounted a refrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 .
- the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 may be combined with the freezing compartment evaporator 20 in a single body and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 may be combined with the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in a single body, as shown in FIG. 2C of the first embodiment. Accordingly, a refrigerant passes through a compressor 2 and a condenser 3 , and flows into an inlet (not shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 , and then flows out through an outlet (not shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- the refrigerant flows into an inlet (not shown) of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 , and transfers to the compressor 2 through an outlet (not shown) of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 .
- a cutoff plate 20 a to form paths of cool air in the freezing compartment 311 and the freezing convertible compartment 317 separately, like in the first embodiment.
- a cutoff plate 21 a to form paths of cool air in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 separately, like in the second embodiment. Accordingly, the cutoff plate 20 a prevents the smell of food stored in the freezing compartment 311 and the freezing convertible compartment 317 from mixing with each other. Further, the cutoff plate 21 a prevents the smell of food stored in the refrigerating compartment 312 and the refrigerating convertible compartment 318 from mixing with each other.
- the cutoff plates 20 a , 21 a are connected to a component chamber to discharge defrosting water generated in the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to the component chamber, separately.
- the convertible compartment door 344 includes a freezing convertible compartment door 345 and a refrigerating convertible compartment door 346 , which are sliding doors.
- the freezing convertible compartment door 345 and the refrigerating convertible compartment door 346 are sliding doors, but may be hinged doors like the freezing compartment door 340 or the refrigerating compartment door 342 .
- FIGS. 6A and 6B A freezing cycle of the refrigerator 301 with the aforementioned configuration according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B .
- FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator 301 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
- the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 , and the refrigerating evaporator 21 and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 are connected in series. Accordingly, a refrigerant passing through the compressor 2 and the condenser 3 passes through the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 to flow into the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 , and then returns to the compressor 2 .
- the refrigerant provided from the condenser 3 flows into the inlet (not shown) of refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 , and then flows out to the freezing compartment evaporator 20 through the outlet (not shown) of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 .
- the refrigerant provided from the outlet (not shown) of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 flows into the inlet (not shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 , and then flows out to the compressor 2 through the outlet (not shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- FIG. 6B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator 301 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
- the freezing compartment evaporator 20 and the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 , and the refrigerating evaporator 21 and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 are connected in parallel. Accordingly, a refrigerant passing through the compressor 2 and the condenser 3 flows into the freezing compartment evaporator 20 or the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 selectively by a converting valve 7 .
- the refrigerant flows into the inlet (not shown) of refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator 324 , and then transfers to the compressor 2 through the outlet (not shown) of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 21 .
- the refrigerant flows into the inlet (not shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the freezing convertible compartment evaporator 323 , and then transfers to the compressor 2 through the outlet (not shown) of the freezing compartment evaporator 20 .
- the sub-wall may be separated from the main body cabinet so that the storage compartment divided up and down can be used as one wider space. Also, if the sub-wall is separated from the main body cabinet when a single evaporator is mounted, it is easy to cool the storage compartment divided up and down. Each storage compartment divided up and down may be sealed by a gasket applied to a circumference of the sub-wall.
- the freezing compartment may be set in a range of about ⁇ 30° C. to about ⁇ 10° C. and the refrigerating compartment may be set in a range of about 1° C. to about 7° C.
Abstract
A refrigerator including a main body cabinet including a storage compartment and a convertible compartment divided from the storage compartment; and a cool air providing part including a storage compartment evaporator to cool the storage compartment, a convertible compartment evaporator connected to the storage compartment evaporator in series to cool the convertible compartment, and a cooling fan providing cool air generated in the convertible compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment so as to function as one of freezing or refrigerating. Thus, the refrigerator includes a convertible compartment divided from a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment to store food by being provided with cool air separately. Further, the refrigerator prevents cool air in a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment from flowing out when a convertible compartment is open.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 2004-0110333, filed on Dec. 22, 2004, and 2005-0078962, filed on Aug. 26, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a refrigerator and, more particularly, to a refrigerator including a convertible compartment divided from a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Korean Patent No. 2002-0077423 discloses a side-by-side refrigerator including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment which are divided from each other by a vertically formed wall.
- The conventional refrigerator is formed of an insulating material and has a tube shape of which the front is open. The refrigerator includes a casing having a cool air opening connected to the freezing compartment to one side and a temperature convertible compartment disposed in the refrigerating compartment to be provided with cool air from the cool air opening; and a drawer disposed in the casing to be drawn out.
- Accordingly, the refrigerator can store food in the temperature convertible compartment at adequate temperature by adjusting the temperature.
- However, in the conventional refrigerator, since the temperature convertible compartment is provided with the cool air from the freezing compartment, there may be a problem that a smell generated in the freezing compartment flows into the temperature convertible compartment.
- Further, a user may open a refrigerating compartment door to take out the food stored in the temperature convertible compartment, and therefore the cool air may flow out excessively.
- Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a refrigerator including a convertible compartment divided from a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment to store food by being provided with cool air separately.
- Further, the present invention provides a refrigerator which prevents cool air in a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment from flowing out when a convertible compartment is open.
- Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
- The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a refrigerator including: a main body cabinet including a storage compartment and a convertible compartment divided from the storage compartment; and a cool air providing part including a storage compartment evaporator to cool the storage compartment, a convertible compartment evaporator connected to the storage compartment evaporator in series to cool the convertible compartment, and a cooling fan providing cool air generated in the convertible compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment so as to function as one of freezing or refrigerating.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the storage compartment includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment; the storage compartment evaporator includes a freezing compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment evaporator to cool the refrigerating compartment; and the convertible compartment evaporator is connected to either the freezing compartment evaporator or the refrigerating compartment evaporator in series.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator further includes a freezing compartment door, a refrigerating compartment door, and a convertible compartment door mounted in the main body cabinet to open and close the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment, and the convertible compartment, respectively.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator further includes a sub-wall dividing the convertible compartment from either the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment up and down.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in series.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in parallel.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator further includes a refrigerant pipe connecting the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator so that the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator which are separated from each other are formed in an evaporating pipe.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the refrigerant pipe includes a first refrigerant pipe disposed between the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator to transfer a refrigerant passing through a part of the storage compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment evaporator and a second refrigerant pipe disposed between the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator to transfer the refrigerant transferred from the first refrigerant pipe and passing through the convertible compartment evaporator to the other part of the storage compartment.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the convertible compartment is set in a range of −25° C. to 5° C. to function as a subsidiary freezing compartment.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the convertible compartment is set in a range of −18° C. to 10° C. to function as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment.
- The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are also achieved by providing a refrigerator including: a main body cabinet including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment which are divided from each other, and a freezing convertible compartment and a refrigerating convertible compartment which are divided from the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment to function as either refrigerating or freezing; and a cool air providing part including a freezing compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, a freezing convertible compartment evaporator and a refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator respectively connected to the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator in series to cool the freezing convertible compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment, and a plurality of cooing fans respectively providing cool air generated in the freezing convertible compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator to the freezing convertible compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator includes a freezing compartment door, a refrigerating compartment door, a freezing convertible compartment door, and a refrigerating convertible compartment door which are mounted in the main body cabinet to open and close the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment, the freezing convertible compartment, and the refrigerating convertible compartment, respectively.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in series.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in parallel.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator further includes refrigerant pipes connecting the freezing compartment evaporator and the freezing convertible compartment evaporator, and connecting the refrigerating compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator so that the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are formed in an evaporating pipe along with the freezing convertible compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator, respectively.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the freezing convertible compartment is set in a range of −25° C. to 5° C. and the refrigerating convertible compartment is set in a range of −18° C. to 10° C.
- The above and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
-
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 2C is a perspective view illustrating a freezing compartment evaporator and a convertible compartment evaporator of the refrigerator inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of a freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 5 ; and -
FIG. 6B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 5 . - Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below so as to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
- As shown in
FIG. 1 , arefrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes amain body cabinet 10 including thestorage compartments convertible compartment 13 divided from thestorage compartments doors main body cabinet 10 to open and close thestorage compartments convertible compartment 13, respectively. - The
storage compartments freezing compartment 11 and a refrigeratingcompartment 12 divided from each other by awall 50 in themain body cabinet 10. - The
convertible compartment 13 is divided from thestorage compartments convertible compartment 13 is divided from thefreezing compartment 11 up and down by asub-wall 60 in themain body cabinet 10. - In a lower rear of the
main body cabinet 10 is provided a component chamber (not shown) in which acompressor 2 compressing a refrigerant and a condenser 3 condensing the refrigerant are installed. Accordingly, the refrigerant passing through thecompressor 2 and the condenser 3 is provided tostorage compartment evaporators convertible compartment evaporator 22, referring toFIG. 2A . Thestorage compartment evaporators freezing compartment evaporator 20 and a refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 21, referring toFIG. 2A . - The freezing
compartment 11 is disposed to the left side of thewall 50. Inside the freezingcompartment 11 are provided anice making device 15 to the upper part to make ice andshelves 14 up and down to keep food. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 2A and 2B , in the rear space of the freezingcompartment 11 is provided a cool air providing part including the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 25 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 into the freezingcompartment 11. In the front of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 and the coolingfan 25 is mounted a freezingcompartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. The freezingcompartment duct 26 may be extended to theconvertible compartment 13 to cover theconvertible compartment evaporator 22. - The refrigerating
compartment 12 is disposed to the right side of thewall 50 and includesshelves 16 up and down to keep food. - A cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the
refrigerating compartment 12 and includes therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 27 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 into therefrigerating compartment 12 in order to provide the cool air to therefrigerating compartment 12. In the front of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the coolingfan 27 is mounted arefrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. - The
convertible compartment 13 is disposed to the left side of thewall 50 and is divided from the freezingcompartment 11 up and down by the sub-wall 60. Theconvertible compartment 13 may be set up in a range of −25° C. to 5° C. to be used as a subsidiary freezing compartment. Therefore, fish, meat, and the like which need a large amount of time to defrost may be stored in theconvertible compartment 13 when stored for a short time. Also, the fish, meat, and the like are stored in theconvertible compartment 13, thereby preventing food stored in the freezingcompartment 11 from being permeated with the smell of food in theconvertible compartment 13. Here, theconvertible compartment 13 may be used for various purposes, and is not limited to the purposes described in the exemplary embodiment. - The cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the
convertible compartment 13 and includes theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 29 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 into theconvertible compartment 13 in order to provide the cool air to theconvertible compartment 13. In the front of theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 and the coolingfan 29 is mounted a freezingcompartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in theconvertible compartment evaporator 22. - The
convertible compartment evaporator 22 is directly connected to the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. Theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 may be combined with the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 in a single body like in the embodiment shown inFIG. 2C . As shown inFIG. 2C , theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 is spaced from the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. Between theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 and the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 are providedrefrigerant pipes convertible compartment evaporator 22 and the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 in a single body. - The
refrigerant pipes refrigerant pipe 22 a disposed between the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 and theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 to transfer the refrigerant passing through a part of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 to theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 and a secondrefrigerant pipe 22 b disposed between the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 and theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 to transfer the refrigerant transferred from the firstrefrigerant pipe 22 a and passing through theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 to the other part of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. - The refrigerant passes through the
compressor 2 and the condenser 3, flows into aninlet 20 b of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20, and then circulates through the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. Thereafter, the refrigerant is provided to theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 through the firstrefrigerant pipe 22 a. Then, the refrigerant circulates through theconvertible compartment evaporator 22, re-transfers to freezingcompartment evaporator 20 through the secondrefrigerant pipe 22 b, and then transfers to thecompressor 2 through anoutlet 20 c of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. In this case, a manufacturer does not need to install theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 and the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 in theconvertible compartment 13 and the freezingcompartment 11, respectively, thereby improving efficiency in the manufacturing process. Between theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 and the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 is provided acutoff plate 20 a to form paths of cool air in the freezingcompartment 11 and theconvertible compartment 13 separately. Accordingly, thecutoff plate 20 a prevents the cool air circulating through the freezingcompartment 11 and theconvertible compartment 13 from mixing with each other. - The
cutoff plate 20 a may be connected to the component chamber by adefrosting heater 8 to discharge defrosting water generated in the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 to the component chamber. - The
doors compartment door 40, a refrigeratingcompartment door 42, and aconvertible compartment door 44 which are mounted in themain body cabinet 10 to open and close the freezingcompartment 11, the refrigeratingcompartment 12, and theconvertible compartment 13, respectively. - The freezing
compartment door 40 is mounted rotatably on an axis of one side of themain body cabinet 10. In the front of the freezingcompartment door 40 is mounted adispenser 41 to provide ice made in theice making device 15 or water supplied from an external water source. - The refrigerating
compartment door 42 is mounted rotatably on an axis of the other side of themain body cabinet 10. In the front of the refrigeratingcompartment door 42 is mounted ahome bar 43 connected to therefrigerating compartment 12 to store food. Therefore, a user may conveniently take out the food stored in thehome bar 43. - The
convertible compartment door 44 is a sliding door in the embodiment, but may be provided in various ways. - In the following, a freezing cycle of the
refrigerator 1 with the aforementioned configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described as referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B . -
FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of the freezing cycle of therefrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When a gaseous refrigerant compressed to a high temperature and high pressure in thecompressor 2 flows into the condenser 3, the condenser 3 condenses the gaseous refrigerant to a liquefied refrigerant having a low temperature and low pressure. The liquefied refrigerant decompresses while passing through a first capillary tube 4 to come to a low temperature and a low pressure state and flows into therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. The refrigerant flowing into therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 flows into theinlet 20 b of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 to be provided to theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 and transfers tocompressor 2 through theoutlet 20 c of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. Here, in a refrigerant line between the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 21 and the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 is provided a secondcapillary tube 5 so as to expand the refrigerant passing through therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. However, the secondcapillary tube 5 may not be provided depending on a performance of the first capillary tube 4. Thereafter, the gaseous refrigerant vaporized in each evaporator 21,20,22 returns to thecompressor 2 and repeatedly circulates in the aforementioned process. In a refrigerant line between the condenser 3 and the first capillary tube 4 adryer 6 may be provided to prevent the first capillary tube 4 from clogging by removing moisture or an alien substance included in the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 3. -
FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of therefrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When a gaseous refrigerant compressed to a high temperature and high pressure in thecompressor 2 flows into the condenser 3, the condenser 3 condenses the gaseous refrigerant to a liquefied refrigerant. The liquefied refrigerant decompresses while passing through the first capillary tube 4 and flows into therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. Then, the liquefied refrigerant decompresses while passing through the secondcapillary tube 5 and flows into the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. Here, a convertingvalve 7 selectively converts a path of the refrigerant to therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 or to the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. In this case, since theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 is connected to the freezingcompartment evaporator 20, the refrigerant flowing into the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 may be provided to theconvertible compartment evaporator 22. That is, the refrigerant flows into theinlet 20 b of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 to be provided to theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 and transfers to thecompressor 2 through theoutlet 20 c of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. Then, the gaseous refrigerant vaporized in each evaporator 21,20,22 returns to thecompressor 2 and repeatedly circulates in the aforementioned process. In the refrigerant line between the condenser 3 and the convertingvalve 7 thedryer 6 may be provided to prevent the first capillary tube 4 and the secondcapillary tube 5 from clogging by removing moisture or an alien substance included in the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 3. -
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Arefrigerator 201 in the second embodiment includes arefrigerating compartment 212 and aconvertible compartment 213 which are divided from each other up and down by a sub-wall 260, apart from one in the first embodiment. - The
refrigerator 201 includes amain body cabinet 210 including a freezingcompartment 211, therefrigerating compartment 212 and theconvertible compartment 213; anddoors main body cabinet 210 to open and close the freezingcompartment 211, therefrigerating compartment 212, and theconvertible compartment 213, respectively, wherein the freezingcompartment 211 and therefrigerating compartment 212 are divided from each other right and left by awall 50 and theconvertible compartment 213 is divided from therefrigerating compartment 212 up and down by the sub-wall 260. - As shown in
FIGS. 4A and 4B , in the rear space of the freezingcompartment 211 is provided a cool air providing part including the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 25 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 into the freezingcompartment 211. In the front of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 and the coolingfan 25 is mounted a freezingcompartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. - A cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the
refrigerating compartment 212 and further includes therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 27 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 into therefrigerating compartment 212. In the front of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the coolingfan 27 is mounted arefrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. Therefrigerating compartment duct 28 may be extended to theconvertible compartment 213 to cover aconvertible compartment evaporator 222. - The
convertible compartment 213 is disposed to the right side of thewall 50 and is divided from therefrigerating compartment 212 up and down by the sub-wall 260. Theconvertible compartment 213 may be set up in a range of −18° C. to 10° C. to be used as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment. Therefore, fruit, vegetables and the like are stored in theconvertible compartment 213, thereby preventing food stored therein from being permeated with the smell of the food stored in therefrigerating compartment 212. Here, theconvertible compartment 213 may be used for various purposes, and is not limited to the purposes described in the exemplary embodiment. - In the rear space of the
convertible compartment 213 is provided a cool air providing part including theconvertible compartment evaporator 222 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 229 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in theconvertible compartment evaporator 222 into theconvertible compartment 213. In the front of theconvertible compartment evaporator 222 and the coolingfan 229 is mounted therefrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in theconvertible compartment evaporator 222. - The
convertible compartment evaporator 22 may be combined with therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in a single body like the one shown inFIG. 2C of the first embodiment. Accordingly, a refrigerant passes through acompressor 2 and a condenser 3, flows into an inlet (not shown) of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to theconvertible compartment evaporator 22, and then transfers to an outlet (not shown) of the refrigeratingevaporator 21. In this case, a manufacturer does not need to install theconvertible compartment evaporator 222 and therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in theconvertible compartment 213 and therefrigerating compartment 212, respectively, thereby improving efficiency in a manufacturing process. At this point, the sub-wall 260 is formed to be easily separated from therefrigerator 201 in order that therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and theconvertible compartment evaporator 222 which are formed in a single body is mounted. Between theconvertible compartment evaporator 222 and therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 may be mounted acutoff plate 21 a to form paths of cool air in therefrigerating compartment 212 and theconvertible compartment 213 separately. - The
cutoff plate 21 a is similar to the one shown in the first embodiment. - Likewise, the
refrigerator 201 according to the second embodiment includes theconvertible compartment evaporator 222 combined with therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in a single body, while therefrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment includes theconvertible compartment evaporator 22 combined with the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 in a single body. Therefore, in therefrigerator 201 according to the second embodiment, the refrigerant passing through thecompressor 2 and condenser 3 is provided to theconvertible compartment evaporator 222 through therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21, and then returns to therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to thecompressor 2. -
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In therefrigerator 301 according to the third embodiment, arefrigerating compartment 312 and a freezingcompartment 311 are divided into two spaces up and down bysub-walls 360, respectively. - The
refrigerator 301 includes amain body cabinet 310 including the freezingcompartment 311, therefrigerating compartment 312, andconvertible compartments 313; anddoors main body cabinet 310 to open and close the freezingcompartment 311, therefrigerating compartment 312, and theconvertible compartments 313, wherein the freezingcompartment 311 and therefrigerating compartment 312 are divided from each other right and left by awall 50 and theconvertible compartments 313 are divided from the freezingcompartment 311 and therefrigerating compartment 312 up and down by the sub-walls 360. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 6A and 6B , in the rear space of the freezingcompartment 311 is provided a cool air providing part including the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 25 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 into the freezingcompartment 311. In the front of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 and the coolingfan 25 is mounted a freezingcompartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. - A cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the
refrigerating compartment 312 and further includes therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 27 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 into therefrigerating compartment 312. In the front of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the coolingfan 27 is mounted arefrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. - The sub-walls 360 include a freezing
compartment sub-wall 361 and arefrigerating compartment sub-wall 362. - The
convertible compartments 313 include a freezingconvertible compartment 317 divided from the freezingcompartment 311 by the freezingcompartment sub-wall 361 and a refrigeratingconvertible compartment 318 divided from therefrigerating compartment 312 by therefrigerating compartment sub-wall 362. - The freezing
convertible compartment 317 may be used as a subsidiary freezing compartment and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment 318 may be used as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment. - Here, the freezing
convertible compartment 317 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment 318 may be converted in their functions to a refrigerating function and a freezing function, respectively. It is controlled by each coolingfan convertible compartment 317 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment 318. The freezingconvertible compartment 317 may be set in a range of −25° C. to 5° C. and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment 318 may be set in a range of −18° C. to 10° C. so that a user may set an optional temperature. - A cool air providing part is disposed in the rear space of the freezing
convertible compartment 317 and further includes the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a cooling fan 320 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323 into the freezingconvertible compartment 317. In the front of the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323 and the cooling fan 320 is mounted a freezingcompartment duct 26 to form a path of the cool air generated in the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323. - A cool air providing part is also disposed in the rear space of the refrigerating
convertible compartment 318 and further includes the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 absorbing ambient heat and generating cool air and a coolingfan 331 forcibly ventilating the cool air generated in the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 into the refrigeratingconvertible compartment 318. In the front of the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 and the coolingfan 331 is mounted arefrigerating compartment duct 28 to form a path of the cool air generated in the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324. - The freezing
convertible compartment evaporator 323 may be combined with the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 in a single body and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 may be combined with therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 in a single body, as shown inFIG. 2C of the first embodiment. Accordingly, a refrigerant passes through acompressor 2 and a condenser 3, and flows into an inlet (not shown) of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323, and then flows out through an outlet (not shown) of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows into an inlet (not shown) of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324, and transfers to thecompressor 2 through an outlet (not shown) of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. - Between the freezing
compartment evaporator 20 and the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323 is provided acutoff plate 20 a to form paths of cool air in the freezingcompartment 311 and the freezingconvertible compartment 317 separately, like in the first embodiment. Further, between the refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 21 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 is provided acutoff plate 21 a to form paths of cool air in therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 separately, like in the second embodiment. Accordingly, thecutoff plate 20 a prevents the smell of food stored in the freezingcompartment 311 and the freezingconvertible compartment 317 from mixing with each other. Further, thecutoff plate 21 a prevents the smell of food stored in therefrigerating compartment 312 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment 318 from mixing with each other. - The
cutoff plates compartment evaporator 20 and therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 to the component chamber, separately. - The
convertible compartment door 344 includes a freezingconvertible compartment door 345 and a refrigeratingconvertible compartment door 346, which are sliding doors. In the exemplary embodiment, the freezingconvertible compartment door 345 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment door 346 are sliding doors, but may be hinged doors like the freezingcompartment door 340 or the refrigeratingcompartment door 342. - A freezing cycle of the
refrigerator 301 with the aforementioned configuration according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B . -
FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram illustrating a series circuit of the freezing cycle of therefrigerator 301 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 and the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323, and the refrigeratingevaporator 21 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 are connected in series. Accordingly, a refrigerant passing through thecompressor 2 and the condenser 3 passes through therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 to flow into the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 and the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323, and then returns to thecompressor 2. In this case, the refrigerant provided from the condenser 3 flows into the inlet (not shown) of refrigeratingcompartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324, and then flows out to the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 through the outlet (not shown) of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. Likewise, the refrigerant provided from the outlet (not shown) of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 flows into the inlet (not shown) of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323, and then flows out to thecompressor 2 through the outlet (not shown) of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. -
FIG. 6B is a circuit diagram illustrating a parallel circuit of the freezing cycle of therefrigerator 301 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 and the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323, and the refrigeratingevaporator 21 and the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324 are connected in parallel. Accordingly, a refrigerant passing through thecompressor 2 and the condenser 3 flows into the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 or therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21 selectively by a convertingvalve 7. - Similar to the series circuit, the refrigerant flows into the inlet (not shown) of refrigerating
compartment evaporator 21 to be provided to the refrigeratingconvertible compartment evaporator 324, and then transfers to thecompressor 2 through the outlet (not shown) of therefrigerating compartment evaporator 21. Likewise, the refrigerant flows into the inlet (not shown) of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20 to be provided to the freezingconvertible compartment evaporator 323, and then transfers to thecompressor 2 through the outlet (not shown) of the freezingcompartment evaporator 20. - In the aforementioned embodiment, the sub-wall may be separated from the main body cabinet so that the storage compartment divided up and down can be used as one wider space. Also, if the sub-wall is separated from the main body cabinet when a single evaporator is mounted, it is easy to cool the storage compartment divided up and down. Each storage compartment divided up and down may be sealed by a gasket applied to a circumference of the sub-wall.
- In the exemplary embodiment, the freezing compartment may be set in a range of about −30° C. to about −10° C. and the refrigerating compartment may be set in a range of about 1° C. to about 7° C.
- Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
Claims (19)
1. A refrigerator comprising:
a main body cabinet comprising a storage compartment and a convertible compartment divided from the storage compartment; and
a cool air providing part comprising a storage compartment evaporator to cool the storage compartment, a convertible compartment evaporator connected to the storage compartment evaporator in series to cool the convertible compartment, and a cooling fan providing cool air generated in the convertible compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment so as to function as one of freezing or refrigerating.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the storage compartment comprises a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment; the storage compartment evaporator includes a freezing compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment evaporator to cool the refrigerating compartment; and the convertible compartment evaporator is connected to either the freezing compartment evaporator or the refrigerating compartment evaporator in series.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2 , further comprising a freezing compartment door, a refrigerating compartment door, and a convertible compartment door mounted in the main body cabinet to open and close the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment, and the convertible compartment, respectively.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3 , further comprising a sub-wall dividing the convertible compartment from either the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment up and down.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in series.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in parallel.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , further comprising a refrigerant pipe connecting the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator so that the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator which are separated from each other are formed with one evaporating pipe.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 7 , wherein the refrigerant pipe comprises a first refrigerant pipe disposed between the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator to transfer a refrigerant passing through a part of the storage compartment evaporator to the convertible compartment evaporator and a second refrigerant pipe disposed between the storage compartment evaporator and the convertible compartment evaporator to transfer the refrigerant transferred from the first refrigerant pipe and passing through the convertible compartment evaporator to the other part of the storage compartment.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the convertible compartment is set in a range of −25° C. to 5° C. to function as a subsidiary freezing compartment.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the convertible compartment is set in a range of −18° C. to 10° C. to function as a subsidiary refrigerating compartment.
11. A refrigerator comprising:
a main body cabinet comprising a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment which are divided from each other, and a freezing convertible compartment and a refrigerating convertible compartment which are divided from the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment to function as either refrigerating or freezing; and
a cool air providing part comprising a freezing compartment evaporator and a refrigerating compartment evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, a freezing convertible compartment evaporator and a refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator respectively connected to the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator in series to cool the freezing convertible compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment, and a plurality of cooing fans respectively providing cool air generated in the freezing convertible compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator to the freezing convertible compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 11 , comprising a freezing compartment door, a refrigerating compartment door, a freezing convertible compartment door, and a refrigerating convertible compartment door which are mounted in the main body cabinet to open and close the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment, the freezing convertible compartment, and the refrigerating convertible compartment, respectively.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 11 , wherein the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in series.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 11 , wherein the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are connected to each other in parallel.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 11 , further comprising refrigerant pipes connecting the freezing compartment evaporator and the freezing convertible compartment evaporator, and connecting the refrigerating compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator so that the freezing compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator are formed with one evaporating pipe along with the freezing convertible compartment evaporator and the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator, respectively.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 11 , wherein the freezing convertible compartment is set in a range of −25° C. to 5° C. and the refrigerating convertible compartment is set in a range of −18° C. to 10° C.
17. The refrigerator according to claim 7 , further comprising a cutoff plate disposed between the convertible compartment evaporator and the storage compartment evaporator to form paths of cool air in the storage compartment and the convertible compartment separately.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 15 , further comprising a cutoff plate disposed between the freezing convertible compartment evaporator and the freezing compartment evaporator to form paths of cool air in the freezing compartment and the freezing convertible compartment separately.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 15 , further comprising a cutoff plate disposed between the refrigerating convertible compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator to form paths of cool air in the refrigerating compartment and the refrigerating convertible compartment separately.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR20040110333 | 2004-12-22 | ||
KR2004-0110333 | 2004-12-22 | ||
KR2005-0078962 | 2005-08-08 | ||
KR1020050078962A KR100633077B1 (en) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-08-26 | Refrigerator |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060130513A1 true US20060130513A1 (en) | 2006-06-22 |
Family
ID=36594000
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/294,533 Abandoned US20060130513A1 (en) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-12-06 | Refrigerator |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060130513A1 (en) |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070130966A1 (en) * | 2005-12-13 | 2007-06-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator |
EP1918662A2 (en) * | 2006-10-30 | 2008-05-07 | Liebherr-Hausgeräte Ochsenhausen GmbH | Refrigeration and/or freezer device |
US20090249810A1 (en) * | 2008-04-02 | 2009-10-08 | Dirk Neumeister | Evaporator |
US20100319390A1 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2010-12-23 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator with a plurality of control panels |
US20110219806A1 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2011-09-15 | Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgerãäte Gmbh | Refrigeration appliance comprising a plurality of shelves |
US20140216084A1 (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2014-08-07 | Hefei Hualing Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
EP2115366A4 (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2015-05-20 | Lg Electronics Inc | Refrigerator and control method for the same |
US20170138659A1 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2017-05-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Refrigerator |
US20170292750A1 (en) * | 2016-04-11 | 2017-10-12 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Refrigerator |
US20180058746A1 (en) * | 2012-10-22 | 2018-03-01 | Whirlpool Corporation | Low energy evaporator defrost |
US10274242B2 (en) | 2017-02-09 | 2019-04-30 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance with dual freezer compartments |
US10281190B2 (en) | 2017-02-09 | 2019-05-07 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance with dual freezer compartments |
US10288340B2 (en) | 2017-02-09 | 2019-05-14 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance with dual freezer compartments |
US10465967B2 (en) | 2017-05-17 | 2019-11-05 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance with a convertible freezer compartment |
US10591197B2 (en) | 2017-10-16 | 2020-03-17 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance |
US11248833B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2022-02-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11320191B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2022-05-03 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11493261B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2022-11-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11543067B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2023-01-03 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11768026B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2023-09-26 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
Citations (31)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3984223A (en) * | 1975-11-28 | 1976-10-05 | General Motors Corporation | Refrigerator cabinet with condenser tube loop in partition mullion |
US4368622A (en) * | 1981-05-14 | 1983-01-18 | General Electric Company | Refrigerator with through-the-door quick-chilling service |
US4383421A (en) * | 1980-07-11 | 1983-05-17 | Thomson-Brandt | Refrigeration unit comprising compartments at different temperatures |
US4528825A (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1985-07-16 | Whirlpool Corporation | Fold-down multiple position shelf for refrigerator |
US4543800A (en) * | 1984-02-16 | 1985-10-01 | White Consolidated Industries, Inc. | Refrigerator door hinge |
US4583376A (en) * | 1985-04-05 | 1986-04-22 | Pritchard Gloria C | Freezer/refrigerator and removable food module for use therein |
US4586347A (en) * | 1984-09-07 | 1986-05-06 | General Electric Co. | Intermediate temperature storage chamber |
US4688393A (en) * | 1986-06-03 | 1987-08-25 | Whirlpool Corporation | Power switch and baffle assembly for a refrigerator |
US4914928A (en) * | 1988-08-29 | 1990-04-10 | Whirlpool Corporation | Manual air damper control for a refrigerator |
US5209082A (en) * | 1991-01-29 | 1993-05-11 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Multi-purpose refrigerator having a door within a door |
US5209073A (en) * | 1990-11-01 | 1993-05-11 | Fisher & Paykel Limited | Cooling device and method with multiple cooled chambers and multiple expansion means |
US5385032A (en) * | 1994-03-04 | 1995-01-31 | General Electric Company | Refrigerator air flow control mechanism |
US5388427A (en) * | 1992-09-23 | 1995-02-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with kimchi compartment |
US5411328A (en) * | 1992-11-09 | 1995-05-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator having a cool air leak-prevention device |
US5737939A (en) * | 1995-05-19 | 1998-04-14 | Forma Scientific, Inc. | Ultra low temperature split door freezer |
US5758512A (en) * | 1996-10-16 | 1998-06-02 | Whirlpool Corporation | Multi-compartment refrigeration system |
US5787725A (en) * | 1995-04-06 | 1998-08-04 | Daewoo Electronics, Ltd. | Refrigerator and method for circulating cold air therein |
US6055823A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2000-05-02 | General Electric Company | Modular refreshment center for refrigerator fresh food compartment |
US6185948B1 (en) * | 1998-10-02 | 2001-02-13 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Refrigerator freezer with two evaporators for respective refrigerating and freezing compartments |
US6327867B1 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 2001-12-11 | Matsushita Refrigeration Company | Refrigerator having a cooler mounted in each of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment |
US6460357B1 (en) * | 2000-12-12 | 2002-10-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Two-evaporator refrigerator having a bypass and channel-switching means for refrigerant |
US6497113B1 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 2002-12-24 | Matsushita Refrigeration Company | Refrigerator |
US6609078B2 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2003-08-19 | Emerson Retail Services, Inc. | Food quality and safety monitoring system |
US6622503B1 (en) * | 2002-03-01 | 2003-09-23 | Ranco Inc. Of Delaware | Evaporator fan control system for a multi-compartment refrigerator |
US6672089B2 (en) * | 2000-10-12 | 2004-01-06 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Apparatus and method for controlling refrigerating cycle of refrigerator |
US6675591B2 (en) * | 2001-05-03 | 2004-01-13 | Emerson Retail Services Inc. | Method of managing a refrigeration system |
US20040040338A1 (en) * | 2002-08-31 | 2004-03-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Refrigerator |
US6725678B2 (en) * | 2001-11-27 | 2004-04-27 | Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | Refrigerator with multipurpose storage chamber and control method thereof |
US6766652B2 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2004-07-27 | Gsle Development Corporation | Dual independent chamber ultra-low temperature freezer |
US6865905B2 (en) * | 2003-03-11 | 2005-03-15 | General Electric Company | Refrigerator methods and apparatus |
USD523033S1 (en) * | 2005-07-26 | 2006-06-13 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
-
2005
- 2005-12-06 US US11/294,533 patent/US20060130513A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (31)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3984223A (en) * | 1975-11-28 | 1976-10-05 | General Motors Corporation | Refrigerator cabinet with condenser tube loop in partition mullion |
US4383421A (en) * | 1980-07-11 | 1983-05-17 | Thomson-Brandt | Refrigeration unit comprising compartments at different temperatures |
US4368622A (en) * | 1981-05-14 | 1983-01-18 | General Electric Company | Refrigerator with through-the-door quick-chilling service |
US4543800A (en) * | 1984-02-16 | 1985-10-01 | White Consolidated Industries, Inc. | Refrigerator door hinge |
US4528825A (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1985-07-16 | Whirlpool Corporation | Fold-down multiple position shelf for refrigerator |
US4586347A (en) * | 1984-09-07 | 1986-05-06 | General Electric Co. | Intermediate temperature storage chamber |
US4583376A (en) * | 1985-04-05 | 1986-04-22 | Pritchard Gloria C | Freezer/refrigerator and removable food module for use therein |
US4688393A (en) * | 1986-06-03 | 1987-08-25 | Whirlpool Corporation | Power switch and baffle assembly for a refrigerator |
US4914928A (en) * | 1988-08-29 | 1990-04-10 | Whirlpool Corporation | Manual air damper control for a refrigerator |
US5209073A (en) * | 1990-11-01 | 1993-05-11 | Fisher & Paykel Limited | Cooling device and method with multiple cooled chambers and multiple expansion means |
US5209082A (en) * | 1991-01-29 | 1993-05-11 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Multi-purpose refrigerator having a door within a door |
US5388427A (en) * | 1992-09-23 | 1995-02-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with kimchi compartment |
US5411328A (en) * | 1992-11-09 | 1995-05-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator having a cool air leak-prevention device |
US5385032A (en) * | 1994-03-04 | 1995-01-31 | General Electric Company | Refrigerator air flow control mechanism |
US5787725A (en) * | 1995-04-06 | 1998-08-04 | Daewoo Electronics, Ltd. | Refrigerator and method for circulating cold air therein |
US5737939A (en) * | 1995-05-19 | 1998-04-14 | Forma Scientific, Inc. | Ultra low temperature split door freezer |
US5758512A (en) * | 1996-10-16 | 1998-06-02 | Whirlpool Corporation | Multi-compartment refrigeration system |
US6055823A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2000-05-02 | General Electric Company | Modular refreshment center for refrigerator fresh food compartment |
US6327867B1 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 2001-12-11 | Matsushita Refrigeration Company | Refrigerator having a cooler mounted in each of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment |
US6497113B1 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 2002-12-24 | Matsushita Refrigeration Company | Refrigerator |
US6185948B1 (en) * | 1998-10-02 | 2001-02-13 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Refrigerator freezer with two evaporators for respective refrigerating and freezing compartments |
US6672089B2 (en) * | 2000-10-12 | 2004-01-06 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Apparatus and method for controlling refrigerating cycle of refrigerator |
US6460357B1 (en) * | 2000-12-12 | 2002-10-08 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Two-evaporator refrigerator having a bypass and channel-switching means for refrigerant |
US6609078B2 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2003-08-19 | Emerson Retail Services, Inc. | Food quality and safety monitoring system |
US6675591B2 (en) * | 2001-05-03 | 2004-01-13 | Emerson Retail Services Inc. | Method of managing a refrigeration system |
US6725678B2 (en) * | 2001-11-27 | 2004-04-27 | Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | Refrigerator with multipurpose storage chamber and control method thereof |
US6622503B1 (en) * | 2002-03-01 | 2003-09-23 | Ranco Inc. Of Delaware | Evaporator fan control system for a multi-compartment refrigerator |
US20040040338A1 (en) * | 2002-08-31 | 2004-03-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Refrigerator |
US6766652B2 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2004-07-27 | Gsle Development Corporation | Dual independent chamber ultra-low temperature freezer |
US6865905B2 (en) * | 2003-03-11 | 2005-03-15 | General Electric Company | Refrigerator methods and apparatus |
USD523033S1 (en) * | 2005-07-26 | 2006-06-13 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
Cited By (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070130966A1 (en) * | 2005-12-13 | 2007-06-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator |
EP1918662A2 (en) * | 2006-10-30 | 2008-05-07 | Liebherr-Hausgeräte Ochsenhausen GmbH | Refrigeration and/or freezer device |
EP1918662A3 (en) * | 2006-10-30 | 2008-08-06 | Liebherr-Hausgeräte Ochsenhausen GmbH | Refrigeration and/or freezer device |
EP2115366A4 (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2015-05-20 | Lg Electronics Inc | Refrigerator and control method for the same |
US20100319390A1 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2010-12-23 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator with a plurality of control panels |
US20090249810A1 (en) * | 2008-04-02 | 2009-10-08 | Dirk Neumeister | Evaporator |
US20110219806A1 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2011-09-15 | Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgerãäte Gmbh | Refrigeration appliance comprising a plurality of shelves |
US20140216084A1 (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2014-08-07 | Hefei Hualing Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US9951987B2 (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2018-04-24 | Hefei Midea Refrigerator Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator having quick-freezing function |
US20180058746A1 (en) * | 2012-10-22 | 2018-03-01 | Whirlpool Corporation | Low energy evaporator defrost |
US11287173B2 (en) * | 2012-10-22 | 2022-03-29 | Whirlpool Corporation | Low energy evaporator defrost |
US20170138659A1 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2017-05-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Refrigerator |
US10451337B2 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2019-10-22 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Three section refrigerator with two freezer compartments |
US20170292750A1 (en) * | 2016-04-11 | 2017-10-12 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Refrigerator |
US10119740B2 (en) * | 2016-04-11 | 2018-11-06 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Refrigerator |
US10281190B2 (en) | 2017-02-09 | 2019-05-07 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance with dual freezer compartments |
US10288340B2 (en) | 2017-02-09 | 2019-05-14 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance with dual freezer compartments |
US10274242B2 (en) | 2017-02-09 | 2019-04-30 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance with dual freezer compartments |
US10465967B2 (en) | 2017-05-17 | 2019-11-05 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance with a convertible freezer compartment |
US10591197B2 (en) | 2017-10-16 | 2020-03-17 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Refrigerator appliance |
US11248833B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2022-02-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11320191B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2022-05-03 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11493261B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2022-11-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11543067B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2023-01-03 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11768026B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2023-09-26 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11781801B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2023-10-10 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11835290B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2023-12-05 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
US11933535B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2024-03-19 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20060130513A1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
US6935127B2 (en) | Refrigerator | |
KR100633077B1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
US6666045B1 (en) | Kimchi refrigerator | |
US20210239382A1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
US9903636B2 (en) | Ice making system and method for refrigerator | |
US10480845B2 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator | |
EP2818809B1 (en) | Condenser and refrigerator having the same | |
US20050247077A1 (en) | Evaporator for a refrigeration system | |
JP2004324902A (en) | Freezing refrigerator | |
US20160370088A1 (en) | Refrigerator and ice making method therefor | |
EP1800076A1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
KR20150072812A (en) | Refrigerator having drying room | |
KR102204009B1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
CN220624579U (en) | Cold and hot cabinet | |
KR100469781B1 (en) | Kim-ch refrigerator installed a evaporating-tube at door | |
JP2003194425A (en) | Cooling device | |
KR100522795B1 (en) | Refrigerator that cool directly | |
KR200250590Y1 (en) | Defrost water drainer for built-in type grocery refrigerator | |
KR20070057402A (en) | Refrigerator | |
KR200350968Y1 (en) | Condensing unit for refrigerators | |
KR200297145Y1 (en) | A front and rear door type refrigerator | |
KR200333204Y1 (en) | air duct system for a refrigerator protection | |
JP3427062B2 (en) | refrigerator | |
JP2004239456A (en) | Intermediate assembly for cooling chamber and device using the same |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SAMSUNG ELECTRINICS CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHANG, EUI-YOUNG;OH, JAE-SEK;KANG, SUNG-CHEOL;REEL/FRAME:017327/0377 Effective date: 20051118 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |