Refrigerator including a drawer supporter having a cold air discharge port

A refrigerator may include a body formed with a storage space and a cooling module accommodating space; a cooling module disposed in the cooling module accommodating space and having a heat absorption part and a heat radiating part; a drawer supporter disposed inside the storage space; and a drawer supported by the drawer supporter, and the drawer supporter is formed with an inner passage through which cold air flowing from the heat absorption part passes, and the drawer supporter is formed with a plurality of cold air discharge ports through which cold air of the inner passage is discharged in an opposite direction. Therefore, it is possible to maximize the depth of the storage space in the front-rear direction while minimizing the number of parts, and cool the entire storage space evenly.

This is the National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2018/011076, filed on Sep. 19, 2018, and claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0122610, filed Sep. 22, 2017, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator having a drawer supporter for supporting a drawer.

BACKGROUND ART

A refrigerator is an apparatus that prevents decay and deterioration by cooling objects to be cooled (hereinafter, referred to as food for convenience) such as food, medicine, and cosmetics or storing them at a low temperature.

The refrigerator includes a storage space in which food is stored and a refrigerant circulation apparatus for cooling the storage space. The refrigerant circulation apparatus may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator through which refrigerant is circulated.

The refrigerator may include a freezing space maintained at a subzero temperature range and a refrigerating space maintained at an above-zero temperature range, and the freezing space or the refrigerating space may be cooled by at least one evaporator.

A refrigerator according to the related art may include an outer case and an inner case disposed inside the outer case and formed with a space having a front opening. Such a refrigerator may be disposed in the inner case, and a cold air discharge duct that divides the inside of the inner case into a storage space and a heat exchange chamber. An evaporator and an evaporator fan may be disposed in the heat exchange chamber. In addition, such a refrigerator may be formed with a separate machine room outside the inner case and a compressor, a condenser and a condenser fan may be disposed in the machine room. The compressor in the machine room may be connected to an evaporator and a refrigerant tube in the heat exchange chamber.

Meanwhile, the conventional refrigerator as described above may include a barrier that divides the inside of a body into a plurality of storage spaces, and a drawer that can be withdrawn out of the storage space may be accommodated in at least one of the plurality of storage spaces.

The refrigerator according to the related art has a structure in which an evaporator, a cold air discharge duct and an evaporator fan are disposed together in the inner case, and the evaporator is disposed between the cold air discharge duct and the inner wall of the inner case. In such a refrigerator, the volume of the storage space is reduced by the gap between the evaporator and the inner case, the thickness of the evaporator in the front-rear direction, the thickness of the cold air discharge duct in the front-rear direction, and the gap between the evaporator and the cold air discharge duct, and it is difficult to greatly increase the refrigerator capacity.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator capable of increasing internal volume of a storage space by maximizing the depth of a storage space in the front-rear direction, in which a drawer supporter is installed, thus allowing the weight to be reduced and quickly and evenly cooling the entire storage space in which the drawer supporter is disposed.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator which can not only make the height of a refrigerator not excessively high but also reduce the material cost of a refrigerant tube connecting a heat radiating part and a heat absorption part.

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a body formed with a storage space and a cooling module accommodating space; a cooling module disposed in the cooling module accommodating space and having a heat absorption part and a heat radiating part; a drawer supporter disposed inside the storage space; and a drawer supported by the drawer supporter, wherein the drawer supporter is formed with an inner passage through which cold air flowing from the heat absorption part passes, and the drawer supporter is formed with a plurality of cold air discharge ports through which cold air of the inner passage is discharged in an opposite direction.

The drawer supporter may be formed with at least one communication portion configured to communicating a left space of the drawer supporter and a right space of the drawer supporter. The plurality of cold air discharge ports may be formed in a portion other than the communication portion.

The drawer supporter may include a plurality of drawer guides configured to guide sliding of the drawer. The plurality of drawer guides may be provided to be spaced apart from one another in the drawer supporter in a longitudinal direction At least one of the plurality of cold air discharge ports may be opened toward a space between the plurality of drawer guides.

The drawer supporter may be disposed to extend in a front-rear direction in the storage space. The heat absorption part is disposed to extend in a lateral direction. A portion of the drawer supporter and a portion of the heat absorption part may overlap each other in the longitudinal direction.

The body may include a body barrier configured to separate a freezing space and a refrigerating space, The drawer supporter may be orthogonal to the body barrier A portion of the drawer supporter may be disposed above or under the cooling module.

The drawer supporter may include a pair of side bodies facing a side surface of the storage space among upper, lower, rear and side surfaces of the storage space, and a front body connecting front ends of the pair of side bodies. The plurality of cold air discharge ports may include a first side discharge port formed at one of the pair of side bodies and being opened, and a second side discharge port formed at the other of the pair of side bodies and being opened.

The inner passage may be formed between the pair of side bodies.

The drawer supporter may be formed with a cooling module accommodating groove accommodating a portion of the cooling module, the cooling module accommodating groove being formed to be recessed.

The drawer supporter may be formed with a suction port through which air blown from the heat absorption part flows into the inner passage The suction port may be configured to be opened in the drawer supporter in a longitudinal direction or a front-rear direction

The heat radiating part may be disposed eccentrically on one of lateral sides of the cooling module, and the heat absorption part may be disposed beside the heat radiating part.

The cooling module may include a cooling module barrier that divides an inside of the cooling module into a heat absorption part accommodating space accommodating the heat absorption part and a heat radiating part accommodating space accommodating the heat radiating part. The heat absorption part accommodating space may be larger than the heat radiating part accommodating space.

The drawer supporter may be formed with a suction port through which air blown from the heat absorption part flows, and the suction port may be in communication with the heat absorption part accommodating space.

The cooling module may be formed with a heat absorption part inlet through which cold air of the storage space is sucked into the heat absorbing part accommodating space, the drawer supporter being disposed in the storage space.

The heat radiating part may include an evaporator disposed to be laid horizontally and configured to guide cold air in a horizontal direction; and an evaporator fan disposed above the evaporator and having a suction port formed on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the evaporator fan.

A length of the evaporator in a lateral direction may be greater than that of the evaporator in a front-rear direction, and that of the evaporator in an longitudinal direction individually.

The evaporator fan may include a centrifugal fan having a rotational central axis in a vertical direction.

The heat absorption part may further include a heat absorbing part insulating material to insulate the evaporator from the outside. The heat absorbing part insulating material may be thinner than an insulating material of the body.

The cooling module may include a cooling module body forming an outer surface of the cooling module and accommodated in the cooling module accommodating space.

The cooling module body may include a lower body and an upper body spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction; a pair of side bodies spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction; a rear body connecting rear portions of the pair of side bodies; and a front body connecting front portions of the pair of side bodies, and the heat radiating part and the heat absorption part may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction between the pair of side bodies.

The heat radiating part may include a compressor configured to compress refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, and a condenser fan configured to blow outdoor air to the condenser, and the condenser fan may be disposed in front of the condenser, and the compressor may be disposed in front of the condenser fan.

The cooling module may further include a cooling module body having an inlet through which outdoor air is sucked into the heat radiating part and an outlet through which air passing through the heat radiating part is discharged.

A rear body and a side body of the cooling module body may the heat radiating part.

The inlet may include a rear inlet formed in the rear body and a side inlet formed in the side body. The outlet may be spaced apart from the side inlet in the front-rear direction, in front of the side inlet of the side body.

Advantageous Effects

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the drawer supporter supporting the drawer may serve as a cold air discharge duct to minimize the number of parts and maximize the depth of the storage space in the front-rear direction, and the cold air discharged from the drawer supporter may be distributed and discharged in opposite directions to each other, making it possible to cool the entire storage space quickly and evenly.

In addition, since the refrigerant tube connecting the heat absorption part and the heat radiating part does not pass through the body, the body can be easily manufactured, the entire cooling module can be easily installed, and the length of the refrigerant tube between the compressor and the evaporator can be minimized to reduce the material cost of the refrigerant tube.

In addition, there is an advantage in that the noise of the cooling module is minimized from being transmitted to the front of the refrigerator while the overall height of the refrigerator is not excessively increased.

In addition, the evaporator may secure a sufficient heat transfer area while minimizing the overall size of the cooling module, and the evaporator can quickly and efficiently cool the storage space even if the internal volume of the storage space are increased.

In addition, it is possible to minimize the height of the cooling module and maximize the internal volume of the storage space without excessively increasing the overall height of the refrigerator.

In addition, since the cold air of the storage space is sucked into the heat absorption part accommodating space through the heat absorption part inlet of the cooling module, the number of parts can be minimized and the internal volume of the storage space can be further expanded.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.1is a view illustrating an inside of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.2is a perspective view showing rear and side surfaces of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.3is a perspective view when a cooling module is separated from a body shown inFIG.2.

A refrigerator may include a body1formed with a storage space, a door2that opens and closes the storage space, and a cooling module3that cools the storage space. The refrigerator may include a drawer supporter6disposed inside the storage space; and a drawer8supported on the drawer supporter6.

The storage space of the body1may have a front opening. At least one storage space may be formed in the body1. When a plurality of storage spaces are formed in the body1, the plurality of storage spaces may include a freezing space and a refrigerating space.

The body1includes a left wall15and a right wall16spaced apart in a lateral direction, an upper wall17connecting upper portions of the left wall15and the right wall16, and a lower wall18connecting lower portions of the left wall15and the right wall16.

The body1may further include a body barrier11. The body1may be formed with a freezing space F and a refrigerating space R. The body1may be formed with a plurality of storage spaces separated by the body barrier11. The body barrier11may be disposed between the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R, and may separate the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R to be independent cooling spaces.

An example of the body barrier11may be a horizontal barrier disposed in a horizontal direction between the left wall15and the right wall16. In this case, the body barrier11may be arranged horizontally, as shown inFIG.1. In this case, the body barrier11may be divided into the freezing space R and the refrigerating space R in a longitudinal direction, and one of the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R may be disposed above the body barrier11and the other one of the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R may be disposed below the body barrier11.

Another example of the body barrier11may be a vertical barrier disposed in a longitudinal direction between the upper wall17and the lower wall18. In this case, the body barrier11may separate the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R left and right, and one of the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R may be disposed on the left side of the body barrier11and the other one of the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R may be disposed on the right side of the body barrier11.

Hereinafter, a description will be given by taking, as an example, a case in which the body barrier11may be formed to be horizontal to the body1, and may divide the body1into the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R up and down.

The body1may include an outer case12forming an outer surface of the body1. The outer case12may have a hexahedron shape as a whole. The body1may include a freezing space inner case13having the freezing space F therein and a refrigerating space inner case14having the refrigerating space R therein.

Each of the freezing space inner case13and the refrigerating space inner case14may have a front opening, each of which may have a hexahedron shape having an upper plate, a lower plate, a left plate, a right plate, and a rear plate.

When the freezing space F is located below the refrigerating space R, the top plate of the freezing space F, the bottom plate of the refrigerating space R, and an insulating material (not shown) between the top plate of the freezing space F and the bottom plate of the refrigerating space R may constitute a body barrier11.

When the refrigerating space F is located below the freezing space R, the bottom plate of the freezing space F, the top plate of the refrigerating space R, and an insulating material (not shown) between the bottom plate of the freezing space F and the top plate of the refrigerating space R may constitute a body barrier11.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, the body1may be formed with a cooling module accommodating space S1in which the cooling module3is accommodated. The cooling module accommodating space S1may be formed to be close to the storage space in which the drawer supporter6is disposed.

For example, when the drawer supporter6is disposed in a lower storage space located on the lower side among the plurality of storage spaces, the cooling module accommodating space S1may be located adjacent to the lower storage space, and in this case, the cooling module accommodating space S1may be formed at the lower portion or the central portion of the body1.

As another example, when the drawer supporter6is disposed in an upper storage space located on the relatively upper side among the plurality of storage spaces, the cooling module accommodating space S1may be located adjacent to the upper storage space, and in this case, the cooling module accommodating space S1may be located adjacent to the upper storage space and the cooling module accommodating space S1may be formed at the central portion or the upper portion of the body1.

The cooling module accommodating space S1may be formed at a portion other than the front surface of the body1such that noise occurring in the cooling module3is minimized from being transmitted to the front of the refrigerator. The cooling module accommodating space S1may be preferably formed at a position close to both the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R. In addition, the cooling module accommodating space S1may be preferably formed at a position close to the storage space in which the drawer supporter6is disposed among the freezing space and the refrigerating space.

The cooling module accommodating space S1may be formed at the rear of any one of the upper wall17, the lower wall18, and the body barrier11, and in this case, the noise occurring in the cooling module3may be minimized from being transmitted to the front of the refrigerator.

As shown inFIG.3, the cooling module accommodating space S1may be formed in a shape recessed in a forward direction on the rear surface of the body1. When the cooling module3is accommodated in the cooling module accommodating space S1, as shown inFIG.2, a portion of the cooling module3may be exposed to the outside, and the cooling module accommodating space1may be opened in at least partial portions of the left side surface and the right side surface, and the rear surface of the body1.

The cooling module accommodating space S1may be located on the rear side of the body1. When the body1is divided into a front portion and a rear portion based on the center of the front-rear direction of the body1, the cooling module accommodating space S1may be located at the rear portion.

The body1may include an upper-side facing surface10positioned on the upper side of the cooling module3to face the upper surface of the cooling module3, a lower-side facing surface1D positioned on the lower side of the cooling module3to face the lower surface of the cooling module3, and a front-side facing surface1E positioned in front of the cooling module3to face the front surface of the cooling module3.

The cooling module accommodating space S1may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The length of the cooling module accommodating space S1in the lateral direction X may be greater than the length of the cooling module accommodating space S1in the longitudinal direction Z and the length of the cooling module accommodating space S1in the front-rear direction Y. In addition, the length of the cooling module accommodating space S1in the front-rear direction Y may be greater than the length of the cooling module accommodating space S1in the longitudinal direction Z.

The door2may be arranged to open and close the storage space. The door2may be rotatably connected to the body1or slidably connected to the body1. The door2may include a plurality of doors21and22, and the plurality of doors21and22may include a freezing space door21that opens and closes the freezing space F and a refrigerating space door22that opens or closes the refrigerating space R.

The cooling module3may be a refrigerant circulation apparatus that absorbs heat of air flowing in the storage space using refrigerant and then radiates heat to the outside. The cooling module3may include a heat absorption part A (seeFIG.8) that absorbs heat of air in the storage space, and a heat radiating part B (seeFIG.8) that radiates heat to the outside.

The cooling module3may be disposed in the cooling module accommodating space S1of the body1. The cooling module3may absorb heat of air in the storage space in a state in which the cooling module3is mounted on the body1and radiate heat to outdoor air sucked into the inside of the cooling module3from the outside of the cooling module3.

The cooling module3may be disposed at the rear side of one of the upper wall17, the lower wall18, and the body barrier11, and in this case, the volume of each of the freezing space F and the refrigerating space R may be maximized, and the total height of the refrigerator may not be excessively high. Furthermore, noise of the cooling module3may be minimized to be transferred to the front side of the refrigerator.

When the cooling module3is disposed above the upper wall17or below the lower wall18, the overall height of the refrigerator may be excessively high, whereas, as described above, when the cooling module3may disposed at the rear side of one of the upper wall17, the lower wall18, and the body barrier11, the overall height of the refrigerator does not need to be excessively high.

For example, when the cooling module3is disposed on the rear side of the body barrier11, at least a portion of the cooling module3may face the body barrier11in the horizontal direction. The cooling module3may be located on the rear side the body barrier11in the front-rear direction Y, and at least a portion of the cooling module3may face the rear surface of the body barrier11in the front-rear direction Y. Here, the rear surface of the body barrier11may be located in front of the cooling module3in the body barrier11and may be the front-side facing surface1E facing the front surface of the cooling module3.

When the cooling module3is disposed at the rear side of the upper wall17, at least a portion of the cooling module3may face the upper wall17in the horizontal direction. The cooling module3may be located on the rear side the upper wall17in the front-rear direction Y, and at least a portion thereof may face the rear surface of the upper wall17in the front-rear direction Y. Here, the rear surface of the upper wall17may be a front-side facing surface1E of the upper wall17located in front of the cooling module3and facing the front surface of the cooling module3.

As another example, when the cooling module3is disposed at the rear side of the lower wall18, at least a portion of the cooling module3may face the lower wall18in the horizontal direction. The cooling module3may be located on the rear side the lower wall18in the front-rear direction Y, and at least a portion thereof may face the rear surface of the lower wall18in the front-rear direction Y. Here, the rear surface of the lower wall17may be a front-side facing surface1E of the lower wall17located in front of the cooling module3and facing the front surface of the cooling module3.

On the other hand, the cooling module3may suck the cold air in the storage space in which the drawer supporter6is accommodated, cool the air in the heat absorption part A, and then blow the air to the drawer supporter6. The cooling module3may blow the cool air cooled by the evaporator34(seeFIGS.6and8) to the drawer supporter6. In addition, the cooling module3may directly suck cold air in the storage space in which the drawer supporter6is disposed, and may suck the cold air through a separate inlet duct (not shown).

When the refrigerator includes a separate inlet duct to guide the cold air of the storage space to the heat absorption part A, the number of parts may increase, the mounting process of the inlet duct may be required, and the effective volume of the storage space of the inlet duct may be reduced. That is, in the refrigerator, it may be preferable that the cold air of the storage space is sucked into the cooling module3without a separate inlet duct, and in this case, the effective volume of the storage space may be maximized and the refrigerator may be made as light as possible.

The drawer supporter6may be provided with a cold air passage through which the cold air flowing from the cooling module3passes. The drawer supporter6may guide cold air blown from the cooling module3to the storage space.

That is, the cooling module3may blow the cold air cooled by the evaporator34to the cold air passage of the drawer supporter6, and after the cold air passes through the cold air passage of the drawer supporter6, the cold air may be discharged from the drawer supporter6into the storage space. Hereinafter, the cold air passage of the drawer supporter6will be described in detail later.

In this case, the drawer supporter6may function as a cold air discharge duct for discharging cold air into the storage space, and the refrigerator may discharge cold air flowing from the cooling module3into the storage space by the drawer supporter6, without additionally installing a separate cold air discharge duct in the storage space.

The storage space in which the drawer supporter6may be formed by an upper surface, a lower surface, a rear surface, and a pair of side surfaces spaced apart in the lateral direction of an inner case in which the drawer supporter6is accommodated. The drawer supporter6may be arranged spaced apart from each of the pair of side surfaces between the pair of side surfaces. The drawer supporter6may be orthogonal to the body barrier11.

When the body barrier11is disposed horizontally, the drawer supporter6may be disposed vertically, and when the body barrier11is disposed vertically, the drawer supporter6may be disposed horizontally.

The drawer8may be inserted into the storage space to be accommodated in the storage space, and may be drawn out in the front direction of the storage space while being accommodated in the storage space. The drawer8may be accommodated to be drawn out to the outside between the left wall15of the body1and the drawer supporter6, or may be accommodated to be drawn out to the outside between the right wall15of the body1and the drawer supporter6.

A plurality of drawers8may be accommodated in the storage space, and in this case, the plurality of drawers8may include a left drawer8A between the left wall15of the body1and the drawer supporter6and a right drawer8B between the right wall15of the body1and the drawer supporter6.

A plurality of left drawers8A or a plurality of right drawer8B may be accommodated inside the storage space. Hereinafter, the common description for the left drawer8A and the right drawer8B will be given by being referred to as the drawer8.

As described above, the cooling module3is disposed at the rear side of one of the upper wall17, the lower wall18and the body barrier11, and the drawer supporter6functions as an cold air discharge duct for discharging the cold air into the storage space, the effective volume (especially a depth in the front-rear direction) of the storage space in which the drawer supporter6is disposed may be maximized, and the refrigerator may secure the maximum effective volume when assuming that the overall size is not changed.

The cooling module3as described above may include a compressor31(seeFIG.4) for compressing gas refrigerant.

FIG.4is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a compressor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.5is an enlarged view showing a “D” portion shown inFIG.4.

The compressor31of the present embodiment may be a reciprocating compressor in which a piston142reciprocates in a cylinder141and may be a compressor in which gas introduced between the piston142and the cylinder141may be substituted for a lubricant such as oil.

To this end, a cylinder side bearing surface141amay be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder141, a piston side bearing surface142amay be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the piston142, and the cylinder141may be formed with a bearing hole141bfor guiding gas to between the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142a.

As described above, the gas guided to the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142amay be lubricated like oil.

The compressor31as described above does not need an oil supply device for supplying oil between the piston142and the cylinder141, and does not need to form a separate space for accommodating oil in the compressor31. When the compressor31does not include an oil supply device, the structure thereof may be simplified, the overall size of the compressor may be minimized, and the compressor may be miniaturized.

As described above, the compressor31that does not require an oil supply device may enhance space availability around the heat radiating part B, in particular, the compressor31, and the cooling module3may be compact.

Hereinafter, the compressor31will be described below in detail.

The compressor31may include a casing110, a reciprocating motor130, a cylinder141, and a piston142. The casing110may form an outer surface of the compressor31. The casing110may have an inner space.

The casing110may be provided with a suction pipe112that guides refrigerant into the casing110. The suction pipe112may be connected to the casing110such that one end thereof is positioned in the inner space of the casing110.

The casing110may be provided with a discharge pipe113for guiding the compressed refrigerant to the outside. The discharge pipe113may be connected to the casing110such that one end thereof is positioned inside the casing110.

A frame120supporting the reciprocating motor130and the cylinder41may be disposed in the casing110. The reciprocating motor130may be disposed in the inner space. The reciprocating motor130may have a stator131and a mover132. The stator131may include a stator and a coil coupled to the stator, and the mover132may include a magnet reciprocating by the stator131, and a magnet holder to which the magnet is fixed.

The cylinder141may be formed with a space in which the piston142may reciprocate. The cylinder side bearing surface141amay be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder141.

The piston142may be connected to the mover132to reciprocate with the mover132. The piston142may be formed with a suction flow path E through which the refrigerant is suctioned and guided into the cylinder141. A compression space S2in which refrigerant passing through the suction flow path E is compressed may be formed between the piston142and the cylinder141.

The piston142may include one end forming the compression space S2together with the cylinder141, and one end of the piston142may be formed with a through hole through which the refrigerant of the suction flow path E is guided to the compression space S2.

The suction flow path E may be formed in the same direction as the reciprocating direction of the piston142in the piston142. The suction flow path E may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the piston142.

The piston side bearing surface142afacing the cylinder side bearing surface141amay be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the piston142. The cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142amay be formed to face each other, and when gas flows in between the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142a, the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142amay function as gas bearing.

The compressor31may guide the gas refrigerant compressed in the compression space S2to flow between the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142a. To this end, a bearing hole141bfor guiding the gas refrigerant compressed in the compression space S2to between the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142amay be formed in the cylinder141.

On the other hand, the compressor31may further include a suction valve143provided in the piston142to open and close the suction flow path E, and a discharge valve144provided in the cylinder141to open and close the compression space S2formed between the cylinder141and the piston142.

The compressor31may further include a discharge cover146having a space in which the discharge valve144is accommodated, and a spring147disposed inside the discharge cover146to press the discharge valve144in the direction of the piston142.

The discharge pipe113may be connected to the discharge cover146, and gas refrigerant introduced into the discharge cover146when the discharge valve144is opened may be guided to the outside of the compressor31through the discharge pipe113.

In addition, the compressor31may further include resonant springs151and152for inducing resonant movement of the piston142so as to reduce vibration and noise occurrence caused by the movement of the piston142.

In one example of the compressor31that does not require an oil supply device, the gas in the compression space S2may be directly introduced into the bearing hole141b, pass through the bearing hole141b, and then flow in between the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142a. In this case, the bearing hole141bmay be formed such that one end thereof faces the compression space S2and the other end thereof faces the piston side bearing surface142a.

In another example of the compressor31that does not require an oil supply device, gas flowing through the discharge pipe113after being compressed in the compression space S2or gas in the discharge cover146may pass through a gas guide unit200and a gas channel120aformed in the frame120sequentially and be then guided to the bearing hole141b, and gas guided to the bearing hole141bmay pass through the bearing hole141band be then introduced to between the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142a.

The gas guide unit200may include a gas pipe for guiding gas of the discharge pipe113or the discharge cover146to the gas channel120a. One end of the gas pipe may be connected to the discharge pipe113, and the other end thereof may be connected to the gas channel120a. In addition, the bearing hole141bmay be formed such that one end of the bearing hole141bfaces the gas channel120aand the other end faces the piston side bearing surface142a.

In the compressor31as described above, when power is applied to the reciprocating motor130, the mover132reciprocates with respect to the stator131. The piston142coupled to the mover132reciprocates linearly inside the cylinder141, the gas refrigerant of the suction pipe112is sucked into the compression space S2through the suction flow path E and compressed, and the compressed gas refrigerant is discharged through the discharge pipe113.

During operation of the compressor31as described above, a part of the gas refrigerant compressed in the compression space S2may pass through the bearing hole141band may be then introduced to between the cylinder side bearing surface141aand the piston side bearing surface142a, thereby minimizing a friction force between the piston142and the cylinder141.

FIG.6is a perspective view showing a drawer supporter and a cooling module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.7is an exploded perspective view of a cooling module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.8is a plan view showing an inside of the cooling module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.9is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a heat radiating part and a storage space according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.10is a longitudinal sectional view showing a heat absorption part and a storage space according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.11is a cross-sectional view showing a storage space in which a drawer supporter is installed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.11, the storage space in which the drawer supporter6is disposed may be divided into a left space S11of the drawer supporter6and a right space S12of the drawer supporter6, with respect to the drawer supporter6.

An inner passage61through which cold air flowed from the heat absorption part A passes may be formed in the drawer supporter6. The drawer supporter6may be formed with a plurality of cold air discharge ports62and63through which cold air of the inner passage61is discharged in opposite directions to each other.

In addition, the drawer supporter6may be formed with at least one communication portion64that communicates the left space S11of the drawer supporter6and the right space S12of the drawer supporter6. The communication portion64may be formed separately from the inner passage61without directly communicating with the inner passage61. The communication portion64may be formed to be opened in the drawer supporter6in the lateral direction X. A plurality of communication portions64may be formed in the drawer supporter6, and the plurality of communication portions64may be spaced apart from one another in the drawer supporter6in the longitudinal direction Z or in the front-rear direction Y.

Cold air in the left space S11of the drawer supporter6may flow to the right space S12of the drawer supporter6through the communication portion64, and cold air in the right space S12of the drawer supporter6may flow to the left space S11of the drawer supporter6through the communication portion64.

The plurality of cold air discharge ports62and63may be formed in a portion other than the communication portion64.

The drawer supporter6may include a plurality of drawer guides65that guide sliding of the drawer8, and the plurality of drawer guides65may be provided to be spaced apart from the drawer supporter6in the longitudinal direction.

Here, one example of the drawer guide65may be configured to be a guide rail portion which is recessed in or protrudes from the drawer supporter6. Another example of the drawer guide65may be configured to be a guide rail connected to the drawer supporter6and formed with a guide groove or a guide rib along which sliding of the drawer8is guided.

The left wall15of the body1may be provided with a left drawer guide facing the drawer guide65provided on the left side of the drawer supporter6, and the right wall16of the body1may be provided with a right drawer guide facing the drawer guide65provided on the right side of the drawer supporter6.

Here, the left drawer guide and the right drawer guide may be configured as a guide rail portion recessed in or protruding from the body1or as a guide rail connected to the body1and formed with a guide groove or guide rib along which the drawer8is slidably guided.

At least one of the plurality of cold air discharge ports61and62may be opened toward between the plurality of drawer guides65.

The plurality of cold air discharge ports61and62may include an upper cold air discharge port opened toward above the uppermost drawer guide among the plurality of drawer guides65. In addition, the plurality of cold air discharge ports61and62may include a lower cold air discharge port opened toward below the uppermost drawer guide among the plurality of drawer guides65. The cold air discharge port opened toward between the plurality of drawer guides65among the plurality of cold air discharge ports61and62may be a center cold air discharge port that is higher than the lower cold air discharge port and lower than the upper cold air discharge port.

The drawer supporter6may be disposed to extend in the front-rear direction in the storage space. In addition, the heat absorption part A may be disposed to extend in the lateral direction, as shown inFIG.7. It is preferable that the drawer supporter6and the heat absorption part A are configured to rapidly suck and cool cold air in the storage space and discharge the cold air after cooling.

As shown inFIG.9, a portion of the drawer supporter6and a portion of the heat absorption part A may overlap each other in the longitudinal direction. A portion of the drawer supporter6may be disposed above or below the cooling module3.

The cooling module3may include a compressor31through which refrigerant circulates, a condenser32, an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator34.

The compressor31may compress refrigerant flowing in the evaporator34. The condenser32may condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor31by perform heat exchange with outdoor air. The expansion device is to decompress the refrigerant condensed in the condenser32, may be composed of an electronic expansion valve such as LEV or EEV, or may be composed of a capillary tube.

The cooling module3may further include a condenser fan35for blowing outdoor air to the condenser32. The compressor31may be located adjacent to the condenser32, and the condenser fan35may blow outdoor air to the condenser32and the compressor31. The outdoor air of the present specification is air outside the refrigerator sucked into the heat radiating part B in a room where the refrigerator is installed.

The evaporator34may evaporate the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion device by performing heat exchange with cool air flowing in the storage space. At least one evaporator34may be provided in the cooling module3.

The cooling module3may further include an evaporator fan36which circulates cold air in the storage space to the evaporator34and the storage space. The compressor31, the condenser32, and the condenser fan35may constitute a heat radiating part B that radiates heat to outdoor air. As shown inFIG.8, the heat radiating part B may be disposed eccentrically on one side of the left and right sides of the cooling module3.

The evaporator34and the evaporator fan36may constitute a heat absorption part A for absorbing heat of air of the storage space. The heat absorption part A may be disposed beside the heat radiating part B, as shown inFIG.8.

The refrigerator may have a hexahedral shape as a whole, and the heat radiating part B and the heat absorbing part A may be disposed left and right. The heat radiating part B and the heat absorption part A may be spaced apart in the lateral direction X.

In the refrigerator of the present embodiment, the compressor31, the condenser32, the expansion device, and the evaporator34, which constitute a refrigerant circulation apparatus, may all constitute the cooling module3, and a refrigerant tubes for guiding the refrigerant may be disposed within only the cooling module3. That is, a refrigerant tube connecting the compressor31and the condenser32, a refrigerant tube connecting the condenser and the expansion device, a refrigerant tube connecting the expansion device and the evaporator, and a refrigerant tube connecting the evaporator and the compressor all may be disposed inside the cooling module3.

When the refrigerant tubes as described above are arranged only in the cooling module3, the refrigerant tubes do not need to be disposed in the body1, in particular, the storage space, and a refrigerant tube through-hole or a refrigerant tube guide through which the refrigerant tubes pass are not required.

When the evaporator is disposed inside the inner case forming the storage space and the refrigerant tube passes through the inner case, the manufacturing process of the body1may be complicated, and the refrigerant tube connecting operation may be complicated.

However, when the evaporator34is positioned outside the inner case forming the storage space as in the present disclosure, the body1does not need to be provided with a refrigerant tube through hole or a refrigerant tube guide and fabrication of the body1and installation of the evaporator34may be easy.

As the present disclosure, when the compressor31, the condenser32, and the evaporator34is arranged close to each other while forming one cooling module3, the length of the refrigerant tube for guiding the refrigerant may be minimized and the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator may be reduced.

On the other hand, in the refrigerator, the heat radiating part B may be located in front of the heat absorption part A. In this case, however, the compressor31, which is a part of the heat radiating part B, may be close to the front of the refrigerator, and the compressor31may be preferably located as far from the front of the refrigerator as possible.

As shown inFIG.8, when the heat radiating part B is positioned beside the heat absorption part A, the compressor31constituting the heat radiating part B may be positioned as far as possible from the front of the refrigerator and the transmission of noise occurring in the compressor31to the front of the body1may be minimized.

That is, the heat radiating part B may be preferably located closer to the rear surface of the body1than the front surface of the body1and the heat absorption part A may be preferably located beside the heat radiating part B to minimize the size of the cooling module3, in particular, a length of the cooling module3in the front-rear direction Y and the length of the cooling module3in the longitudinal direction Z.

As in the present embodiment, when the heat absorption part A is positioned beside the heat radiating part B, at least one of the compressor31, the evaporator34, and the condenser32may face one of the upper wall17, the body barrier11and the lower wall18in the front-rear direction Y. A virtual extending surface extending in the horizontal direction from the rear end of one of the upper wall17, the body barrier11and the lower wall18may meet the compressor31, the evaporator34, and the condenser32, respectively, and the compressor31may overlap one of the upper wall17, the body barrier11and the lower wall18in the horizontal direction.

Since the cool air flowing in the storage space flows to the heat absorption part A, and outdoor air flows to the heat radiating part B, the cooling module3may include a cooling module barrier40which separates the heat radiating part B and the heat absorption part A.

As shown inFIG.8, the cooling module barrier40may divide the inside of the cooling module3into a space S3in which the heat radiating part B is accommodated, and a space S4in which the heat absorption part A is accommodated.

Another example of the cooling module barrier40may be composed of an evaporator housing disposed outside the heat absorption part A to surround the heat absorption part A, or may separate the heat dissipating portion B inside the evaporator housing and the heat absorption part A outside the evaporator housing. In this case, a heat absorption part accommodating space S4in which the heat absorption part A is accommodated may be formed inside the cooling module barrier40. The heat radiating part accommodating space S3in which the heat radiating part B is accommodated may be located outside the cooling module barrier40.

The heat absorption part accommodating space S4may be larger than the heat radiating part accommodating space S3.

The cooling module barrier40may be formed in a substantially hexahedral shape, and a heat absorption part accommodating space S4may be formed therein. The cooling module barrier40may have a long hexahedral shape in the lateral direction X, and the length of the cooling module barrier40in the lateral directions X may be greater than the length of the cooling module barrier40in the front-rear direction Y and the length of the cooling module barrier40in the longitudinal direction Z.

When the cooling module barrier40is formed in a hexahedral shape, the cooling module barrier40may include a barrier housing40A having an open upper surface, and a barrier top cover40B covering the upper surface of the barrier housing40A.

The cooling module3may preferably secure the maximum space for accommodating the evaporator34and the total length L3of the evaporator34the lateral direction X may preferably exceed the half (½) of the length of the body1in the lateral direction X. Here, it is preferable that the total length L3of the evaporator34in the lateral direction X is as long as possible in the lateral direction X as long as sufficient width of the space S3occupied by the heat radiating part B can be secured.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG.10, the height H1of the cooling module3may be higher than the height H2of any one of the upper wall17, the body barrier11and the lower wall18.

When the cooling module3is disposed at the rear side of the lower wall18, the height from the bottom of the body1to the top of the cooling module3may be higher than the height from the bottom of the body1to the top of the lower wall18. In this case, the upper end of the cooling module3does not overlap the upper surface of the lower wall18in the horizontal direction, but only a portion between the upper end and the lower end of the cooling module3may overlap the rear surface of the lower wall18in the horizontal direction.

The cooling module3may further include a cooling module body41. The cooling module body41may form an outer surface of the cooling module3and may be accommodated in the cooling module accommodating space S1. The cooling module body41may be accommodated in the cooling module accommodating space S1together with the heat absorption part A and the heat radiating part B.

The cooling module3may be mounted in the cooling module accommodating space S1in a state in which both the heat absorption part A and the heat radiating part B are mounted in the cooling module body41. On the other hand, in a state in which the cooling module body41of the cooling module41is mounted in the cooling module accommodating space S1, the heat absorption part A and the heat radiating part B may be mounted in the cooling module body41. The assembly of the heat absorption part A, the heat radiating part B, and the cooling module body41may be manufactured separately from the body1and then mounted in the body1.

The cooling module body41may include a lower body45and an upper body46spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, a pair of side bodies47and48spaced apart in the lateral direction, a rear body49connecting the rear portions of the pair of side bodies47and48, and a front body50connecting the front portions of the pair of side bodies47and48.

The heat radiating part B and the heat absorption part A may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other left and right between the pair of side bodies47and48. The overall height H1of the cooling module3may be determined by the height of the cooling module body41.

The cooling module body41may have a portion of the outer surface thereof, which forms a storage space. For example, an opening may be formed in the freezing space inner case13, the cooling module body41may be disposed to block the opening of the freezing space inner case13, and an outer surface of the cooling module body41and the inner surface of the freezing space inner case13may together form the freezing space F. A portion of the cooling module body41may be inserted into the refrigerating space R to protrude into the freezing space F.

As another example, an opening may be formed in the refrigerating space inner case14, the cooling module body41may be disposed to block the opening of the refrigerating space inner case14, and an outer surface of the cooling module body41and the inner surface of the refrigerating space inner case14may together form the freezing space F. The outer surface of the cooling module body41and the inner surface of the refrigerating space inner case14may form the refrigerating space R together. A portion of the cooling module body41may be inserted into the refrigerating space R to protrude into the refrigerating space R.

On the other hand, the body1may further include a separate cooling module cover (not shown) covering a portion protruding toward the refrigerating space R of the cooling module body41or a portion protruding toward the freezing chamber F of the cooling module body41. In this case, the cooling module cover may form the freezing space F together with the inner surface of the freezing space inner case13, and may form the refrigerating space R together with the refrigerating space inner case14.

Hereinafter, the heat absorption part A will be described in detail.

As illustrated inFIG.10, the evaporator34may be spaced apart from the rear end1E of one of the upper wall17, the body barrier11, and the lower wall18in the front-rear direction Y. Here, the rear end1E of one of the upper wall17, the body barrier11, and the lower wall18may be the front-side facing surface1E shown inFIG.3. Hereinafter, for the sake of unification of the terms, the rear end of one of the upper wall17, the body barrier11, and the lower wall18will be referred to as the front-side facing surface1E.

As shown inFIG.10, a distance L1in the front-rear direction between the front-side facing surface1E and the evaporator34may be shorter than the length L2of a component in the front-rear direction, which is located in front of the cooling module3among the upper wall17, the body barrier11, and the lower wall18.

The evaporator34may be arranged to be laid horizontally. The evaporator34may guide the cool air in the horizontal direction. The evaporator34may include a refrigerant tube34A through which refrigerant passes, and at least one heat transfer fin34B coupled to the refrigerant tube34A to guide cold air in the horizontal direction. The heat transfer fin34B may be vertically disposed in a state of being connected to the refrigerant tube34A.

The heat transfer fin34B may guide air in the horizontal direction (that is, in a lateral direction or a front-rear direction) in a state of standing vertically.

When the heat transfer fin34B guides the cold air in the front-rear direction Y, the heat transfer fin34B may include a left guide surface and a right guide surface that guide the cold air in the front-rear direction Y.

When the heat transfer fin34B guides the cold air in the lateral direction X, the heat transfer fin34B may include a front guide surface and a rear guide surface that guide the cold air in the lateral direction X.

The length L3of the evaporator34in the lateral direction may be the half or more of the length of the cooling module3in the lateral direction. The evaporator34may be arranged such that the length L3thereof in the lateral direction is greater than the length thereof in the front-rear direction Y. The evaporator34may be arranged such that the length L3thereof in the longitudinal direction Z is greater than the length thereof in the longitudinal direction Z. The evaporator34may be arranged such that the length L3thereof in the front-rear direction Y is greater than the length thereof in the longitudinal direction Z.

The heat absorption part A may further include a drain pan37(seeFIGS.7and10) disposed below the evaporator34to receive condensed water dropped from the evaporator34.

The evaporator fan36may be a centrifugal fan having a suction port formed in at least one of a lower surface and an upper surface hereof, and a discharge port formed in a portion other than the upper surface and the lower surface. At least a portion of the centrifugal fan may be disposed to overlap the evaporator in the longitudinal direction on the upper side of the evaporator.

The evaporator fan36may be accommodated in the heat absorbing part accommodating space S4together with the evaporator34. The evaporator fan36may be disposed above the evaporator34. The evaporator fan36may be preferably disposed on the opposite side of the drain pan37with respect to the evaporator34, and may be disposed horizontally above the evaporator34.

The evaporator fan36may be disposed closer to any one of the rear body49and the front body50of the cooling module body41in the front-rear direction Y. The evaporator fan36may be disposed below a portion of the drawer supporter6.

The rotational axis of the evaporator fan36may be a vertical center axis, and the evaporator fan36may suck cold air of the evaporator34, positioned under the evaporator fan36, in the upper direction, and discharge the cold air in the horizontal direction. The evaporator fan36may be formed with a discharge port36A for discharging cold air in the upper portion thereof.

The cooling module3may be provided with heat absorption part inlets41A and40C through which cold air of the storage space is sucked into the heat absorption part accommodating space S4. The heat absorption part inlets41A and40C may be in communication with the storage space.

An outer suction hole41A may be formed in the cooling module body41and an inner suction hole40C may be formed in the cooling module barrier40, and the outer suction hole41A and the inner suction hole40C may be the heat absorption part inlets.

The cold air of the storage space may be sucked into the heat absorption part accommodating space S4through the outer suction hole41A in the cooling module body41and the inner suction hole40C in the cooling module barrier40.

The cooling module3may be provided with discharge ports40D and41B through which cold air blown from the evaporator fan36passes to be blown into the drawer supporter6. The discharge ports40D and41B of the cooling module3may be formed in an area of the cooling module3facing the storage space, particularly, the drawer supporter6.

An inner discharge hole40D may be formed in the cooling module barrier40, and an outer discharge hole41B may be formed in the cooling module body41. The discharge port37of the evaporator fan36and the discharge ports40D and41B of the cooling module3may communicate with the suction port67of the drawer supporter6.

The air blown from the evaporator fan36may pass through the inner discharge hole40D of the cooling module barrier40and the outer discharge hole41B of the cooling module body41, and may be then sucked into the suction port of the drawer supporter6.

On the other hand, the heat absorption part A may further include a heat absorption part insulating material39for insulating the evaporator34from the outside. The heat absorption part insulating material39may be installed on the inner surface of the cooling module body41. The heat absorption part insulating material39may be installed on the cooling module barrier40. When the cooling module barrier40has a hexahedral shape, the heat absorption part insulating material39may be installed on at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface of the cooling module barrier40.

The heat absorption part insulating material39may be an insulating material having a higher insulating performance than the insulating material19of the body1. The heat absorption part insulating material39may be thinner than the insulating material19of the body1. The heat absorption part insulating material39may be made of a vacuum insulation panel (VIP), and the insulating material19of the body1may be a conventional insulating material such as polyurethane.

When the heat absorption part insulating material39is a vacuum insulation panel (VIP), it is possible to maximize the heat absorption part accommodating space S4, thus making the cooling module3as compact as possible while maximizing the size of the evaporator34.

Hereinafter, the heat radiating part B will be described in detail.

It is preferable that the heat radiating part B is arranged such that the length thereof in the longitudinal direction Y, that is, the height is low. The compressor31is preferably installed such that the overall height of the heat radiating part B is not high.

A length of the compressor31in a first direction, which is a movement direction of the piston142(seeFIG.4) may be greater than a length of the compressor31in a second direction which is orthogonal to the movement direction of the piston142. The condenser31may be laid to be arranged in the horizontal direction. The compressor31may be disposed to extend in the lateral direction X or may be disposed to extend in the front-rear direction Y. The compressor31is not limited to being disposed to extend in the lateral direction X or the front-rear direction Y, and of course, the compressor31may be disposed to extend in the inclined directions inclined with the lateral direction X and the front-rear direction Y, respectively.

When the compressor31is disposed to extend in the lateral direction X, the piston142may reciprocate in the lateral direction X. When the compressor31may be arranged to extend in the front-back direction X, the piston142may reciprocate in the front-back direction Y. When the compressor31is arranged to extend in the inclined direction, the piston142may reciprocate in the inclined direction.

When the compressor31is laid sideways and arranged horizontally, the height H3of the compressor31may be shorter than the length L5of the compressor31in the horizontal direction as shown inFIGS.8and8.

The height H3of the compressor31may be 0.8 times or less of the length L5of the compressor31in the horizontal direction. The condenser32may be arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the compressor31. The longitudinal direction of the condenser32may be identical to the longitudinal direction of the compressor31. That is, referring toFIGS.8and8, the length L7of the condenser32in the horizontal direction may be greater than the length L8of the condenser32in the vertical direction.

A length of the condenser32in the first direction may be greater than a length of the condenser32in the second direction.

When the piston142of the compressor31reciprocates in the lateral direction X, the length of the condenser32in the lateral direction X may be greater than the length of the condenser32in the longitudinal direction and the length of the condenser32in the front-rear direction Y.

When the piston142of the compressor31reciprocates in the front-rear direction Y, the length of the condenser32the front-rear direction Y may be greater than the length of the condenser32in the longitudinal direction and the length of the condenser32in the lateral direction X.

The condenser fan35may be disposed between the condenser32and the compressor31. The condenser fan35may be disposed in front of the condenser32, and the compressor31may be disposed in front of the condenser fan35.

The condenser fan35may face the condenser32and the compressor31in the front-rear direction Y. The condenser fan35may be arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the compressor31. The longitudinal direction of the condenser fan35may be identical to and the longitudinal direction of the compressor31. A length of condenser fan35in the first direction may be greater than a length of condenser fan35in the second direction.

When the piston142of the compressor31reciprocates in the lateral direction X, the length of the condenser fan35in the lateral direction X may be greater than the length of the condenser fan35in the longitudinal direction and the length of the condenser fan35in the front-rear direction Y. When the piston142of the compressor31reciprocates in the front-rear direction Y, the length of the condenser fan35in the front-rear direction Y may be greater than the length of the condenser32in the longitudinal direction and the length of the condenser fan35in the lateral direction X.

Meanwhile, the cooling module3may be formed with inlets42and43through which outdoor air is sucked into the heat radiating part B, and an outlet44through which air passing through the heat radiating part B is discharged. The inlets42and43and the outlet44may be formed in the cooling module body41.

The cooling module body41may be formed with inlets42and43through which outdoor air is sucked into the heat radiating part B, and an outlet44through which air passing through the heat radiating part B is discharged to the outside of the cooling module3.

The rear body49and the side body47of the cooling module body41may surround the heat radiating part B.

The condenser32may be preferably disposed before the compressor31in the flow direction of the air passing through the heat radiating part B. The condenser32may be preferably disposed closer to the inlets42,43than the outlet44, and the compressor31may be preferably disposed closer to the outlet44than the inlets42,43.

The inlets42and43may include a rear inlet42formed in the rear body49and a side inlet43formed in the side body47. The outlet44may be formed to be spaced apart from the side inlet43in the front-rear direction in front of the side inlet43of the side body47.

The heat radiating part B may be positioned eccentrically on one side of the left and right sides of the cooling module3, and the side inlet43and the outlet44may be formed in only one side body47closer to the condenser32, the condenser fan35and the compressor31among the pair of side bodies. The rear inlet42may be formed only in an area of the rear body49that faces the condenser32in the front-rear direction Y.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG.8, the length L9of the condenser fan35in the horizontal direction may be greater than the length L7of the condenser32in the horizontal direction and the length L5of the compressor31in the horizontal direction.

The condenser fan35may be disposed to extend in the lateral direction X, and the length of the condenser fan35in the lateral direction X may be greater than the length of the condenser32in the lateral direction and the left and the length of the compressor31in the lateral direction individually.

The condenser fan35may include a pair of fan units35A and35B sequentially arranged in the first direction. The pair of fan units35A and35B may be sequentially arranged in the lateral direction of the compressor31.

The condenser fan35may include a pair of fan units35A and35B disposed left and right between the condenser32and the compressor31. The fan units35A and35B may include a shroud for guiding outdoor air, a motor installed in the shroud, and a fan installed on the rotating shaft of the motor. Fans of the fan units35A and35B may be propeller fans.

The length of each of the pair of fan units35A and35B in the lateral direction X may be shorter than the length of the condenser32in the lateral direction X and the length of the compressor31in the lateral direction, individually. However, the sum of length of any one of the pair of fan units35A and35B in the lateral direction and the length of the other of the pair of fan units35A and35B in the lateral direction may be greater than the length of the condenser32in the lateral direction and the length of the compressor31in the lateral direction individually.

The pair of fan units35A and35B may face different areas of the condenser32, and the outdoor air is heat-exchanged with the condenser32and then distributed and sucked to the pair of fan units35A and35B. The air blown from the pair of fan units35A and35B may be blown to the heat exchanger31.

When the condenser fan35is composed of one large fan unit, its overall height is high, while, as in the present embodiment, when the condenser fan35is composed of a pair of fan units35A and35B, the length of the condenser fan35in the longitudinal direction, that is, the height of the condenser fan35may be low and the cooling module3may be lower than the height when one large fan unit is used as the condenser fan35, thereby making it compact.

As described above, the condenser fan35including the pair of fan units35A and35B may cause noise due to a beat phenomenon. In order to reduce such noise, the plurality of fan units35A and35B may preferably operate at the same rotation speed.

The pair of fan units35A and35B may be configured such that their respective flow rates are adjustable, and in this case, it may be preferable to detect the rotation speeds of the pair of fan units35A and35B and then change rotation speeds.

For example, as a result of detection of the rotation speed of each of the pair of fan units35A and35B, when the rotation speed of the first fan unit and the rotation speed of the second fan unit are the same or the difference therebetween is within a set value, the first fan unit and the second fan unit may be controlled to maintain the rotation speeds of the first fan unit and the second fan unit. On the other hand, when a difference between the rotation speed of the first fan unit and the rotation speed of the second fan unit exceeds the set value, the rotation speed of the first fan unit and the rotation speed of the second fan unit may be adjusted to control the first fan unit and the second fan unit such that the rotation speeds are equal to each other or the difference therebetween is within the set value.

Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the drawer supporter6will be described.

The drawer supporter6may include a pair of side bodies71and72facing the side surfaces among the upper surface, lower surface, rear surface and side surfaces of the storage space, and a front body73connecting the front ends of the pair of side bodies71and72.

The inner passage61may be formed between the pair of side bodies71and72. The inner passage61may include a vertical passage formed to extend in the longitudinal direction Z and a plurality of horizontal passages branched from the vertical passage and formed to extend in the front-rear direction Y.

The plurality of cold air discharge ports62and63may include a first side discharge port62which is opened in one of the pair of side bodies71and72and a second side discharge port63which is opened in the other of the pair of side bodies71and72.

The first side discharge port62may be a hole which is opened toward the left side of the storage space to in one of the pair of side bodies71and72. A plurality of first side discharge ports62may be formed in any one of the pair of side bodies71and72, and the plurality of first side discharge ports62may be spaced apart from one another approximately in the front-rear direction along any one of the pair of side bodies71and72. In addition, the plurality of first side discharge ports62may be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. The first side discharge ports62may form a group of holes spaced apart from one another approximately in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of groups of holes may be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction Z.

The second side discharge port63may be a hole which is opened toward the right side of the storage space in the other of the pair of side bodies71and72. A plurality of second side discharge ports63may be formed in the other of the pair of side bodies71and72, and the plurality of second side discharge ports63may be spaced apart from one another approximately in the front-rear direction along the other of the pair of side bodies71and72. In addition, the plurality of second side discharge ports63may be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. The second side discharge ports63may form a group of holes spaced apart from one another approximately in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of groups of holes may be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction Z.

That is, the plurality of first side discharge ports62and the plurality of second side discharge ports63may be entirely evenly disposed from an area close to the rear surface of the storage space to an area close to the door2. The plurality of first side discharge ports62and the plurality of second side discharge ports63may be formed in a plurality of groups in the longitudinal direction Z.

The plurality of first side discharge ports62and the plurality of second side discharge ports63may be formed in a plurality of horizontal passages of the inner passage61, respectively.

The drawer supporter6may be formed with a recessed cooling module accommodating groove66in which a portion of the cooling module3is accommodated.

The drawer supporter6may be formed with a suction port67through which air blown from the heat absorbing part A is introduced into the inner passage61. The suction port67may be formed to be in communication with the heat absorbing part accommodating space S4formed in the cooling module3. The suction port67may be opened in the drawer supporter6in the longitudinal direction or the front-rear direction. When the suction port67is positioned above the heat absorbing part accommodating space S4, the suction port67may be opened in the longitudinal direction. When the suction port67is positioned in front of the heat absorbing part accommodating space S4, the suction port67may be opened in the front-rear direction.

The suction port67, the inner passage61, the first side discharge port62and the second side discharge port63may function as a cold air passage through which air blown from the heat absorbing part A is distributed from the center of the storage space to the left and right and discharged.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present disclosure configured as described above is described as follows.

For convenience, a description will be given by taking, as an example, a case where the freezing space F is a lower storage space positioned below the body barrier11and the refrigerating chamber R is an upper storage space positioned above the body barrier11.

The cooling module3may be inserted into and accommodated in the cooling module accommodating space S1at the rear or the side of the body1and may be used in a state in which the cooling module3is mounted to the body1. When the cooling module3is mounted to the body1, the evaporator fan36may communicate with the suction port67of the drawer supporter6, and the heat absorbing part inlets41A and40C may be operated in a state of being in communication with the storage space in which the drawer supporter6is disposed.

When the compressor31is operated, the compressor31may compress refrigerant, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor31may pass through the condenser32, the expansion device, and the evaporator34, sequentially and be then collected to the compressor31. When the compressor31is operated as described above, the refrigerant may not flow to the body1but may flow only inside the cooling module3.

When the evaporator fan36is operated, cold air of the storage space in which the drawer supporter6is disposed may be sucked into the heat absorption part accommodating space S4through the heat absorption part inlets41A and40C.

The cold air sucked into the heat absorption part accommodating space S4may lose heat to the refrigerant passing through the evaporator34while flowing along the evaporator34in the horizontal direction and may be sucked and blown into the evaporator fan36.

The cold air blown by the evaporator fan36may pass through the inner passage61, which is the inside of the drawer supporter6, through the suction port67of the drawer supporter6, the cool air of the inner passage61may be distributed to the first side discharge port62and the second side discharge port63which are opened in opposite directions to each other in the lateral direction. The cold air passing through the first side discharge port62may be discharged in the left direction with respect to the drawer supporter6, and the cold air passing through the second side discharge port63may be discharged in the right direction with respect to the drawer supporter6.

When discharging the cold air as described above, one drawer supporter6may distribute and discharge cold air in both directions of the left space S11of the drawer supporter6and the right space S12of the drawer supporter6. In addition, when discharging the cold air as described above, the drawer supporter6may discharge the cold air evenly in the front-rear direction over an area close to the door2and an area far from the door2.

The storage space in which the drawer supporter6is disposed may be cooled evenly in the front-rear direction thereof, and the left space S11and the right space S12may be evenly cooled, thus the entire space being evenly cooled in the lateral direction.

In the refrigerator of the present embodiment, the cool air of the storage space formed in the body1may be moved to the heat absorption part accommodating space S4of the cooling module3and cooled and be then evenly distributed and discharged in the longitudinal direction Z, the lateral direction X and the front-rear direction Y on both sides of the drawer supporter6.

Meanwhile, when the condenser fan35is operated, air outside the refrigerator may be sucked into the cooling module3through the rear inlet42and the side inlet43, be heat-exchanged with refrigerant while passing through the condenser32to enable the refrigerant to radiate heat, and then may be blown to the compressor31by passing through the pair of fan units35A and35B. The outdoor air blown to the compressor31may enable the compressor31to radiate heat and then be discharged to the side of the body1through the outlet44.

On the other hand, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and the cooling module3may include a pair of heat absorbing parts A spaced apart from each other, the heat radiating part B may be disposed between the pair of heat absorbing parts A or the inlets42and43and the outlet44of the cooling module3may also be formed on the rear surface of the cooling module3, of course.

Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to explain the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, but not to limit them, so that the spirit and scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments.

The scope of the present disclosure should be construed on the basis of the accompanying claims, and all the technical ideas within the scope equivalent to the claims should be included in the scope of the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawer supporter for supporting the drawer can serve as the cold air discharge duct to minimize the number of parts and maximize the depth of the storage space in the front-rear direction, thus achieving remarkable industrial applicability.