REFRIGERATOR

A refrigerator may include: a body; a storage compartment inside the body; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment; an evaporator configured to evaporate a refrigerant to generate cold air; an evaporator duct at a rear side of the storage compartment and configured to supply cold air generated by the evaporator to the storage compartment; and a thermoelectric cooling device including a thermoelectric element including a heating portion and a cooling portion, wherein the thermoelectric cooling device is configured to heat air from outside of the body with the heating portion and discharge the air heated by the heating portion to outside of the body, and to cool air from the storage compartment with the cooling portion and supply the cooled air to the storage compartment, and the thermoelectric cooling device is disposed on an upper side of the storage chamber.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator including a thermoelectric element for cooling a storage compartment.

BACKGROUND ART

A refrigerator is a home appliance that keeps food fresh by including a main body including a storage compartment and a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

A thermoelectric cooling device that performs heat and cooling functions through the Peltier effect may be used as the cold air supply device for the refrigerator. The thermoelectric cooling device may include a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element includes a heating portion formed on one side and a cooling portion formed on the other side, and when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element, heat generation may occur in the heating portion and heat absorption may occur in the cooling portion.

The thermoelectric cooling device may be equipped with a heat dissipation sink, a cooling sink, a heat dissipation fan, a cooling fan, a heat dissipation duct, and a cooling duct, so as to increase the cooling efficiency of the storage compartment through the thermoelectric cooling device.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator including a thermoelectric cooling device using a thermoelectric element.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator having increased heat dissipation efficiency of a thermoelectric cooling device.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator having increased cooling efficiency of a storage compartment through a thermoelectric cooling device.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of utilizing waste heat generated from a thermoelectric cooling device.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of facilitating assembly, disassembly, replacement, and repair of a thermoelectric cooling device.

Technical Solution

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body; a storage compartment inside the main body; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment; an evaporator configured to evaporate a refrigerant to generate cold air; an evaporator duct at a rear side of the storage compartment and configured to supply cold air generated by the evaporator to the storage compartment; and a thermoelectric cooling device including a thermoelectric element including a heating portion which generates heat and thereby causes air to be heated and a cooling portion which absorbs heat and thereby causes air to be cooled, wherein the thermoelectric cooling device is configured to heat air from an outside of the main body with the heating portion and discharge the air, heated by the heating portion, to the outside of the main body, and to cool air from the storage compartment with the cooling portion and supply the air cooled by the cooling portion to the storage compartment, and the thermoelectric cooling device is disposed on an upper side of the storage chamber.

The heating portion may face above the thermoelectric element and the cooling portion may face below the thermoelectric element.

The thermoelectric cooling device may include a heat dissipation sink. The heat dissipation sink may include a heat dissipation sink base which is in contact with the heating portion, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins protruding from the heat dissipation sink base in a first direction which is perpendicular to an upper surface of the heat dissipation sink base.

The thermoelectric cooling device may include a heat dissipation fan configured to generate a flow of air in a second direction which is parallel to the upper surface of the heat dissipation sink base toward the heat dissipation sink.

The heat dissipation fan may be a centrifugal fan configured to draw air into the centrifugal fan along an axial direction of the centrifugal fan and discharge the flow of air along a radial direction of the centrifugal fan. The heat dissipation sink may be located in the radial direction.

The thermoelectric cooling device may include a fan case in which the heat dissipation fan is accommodated, and which guides the flow of air from the heat dissipation fan toward the heat dissipation sink.

The fan case may include a case bottom on which the heat dissipation fan is rotatably coupled, a case scroll portion extending upward from an edge of the case bottom, and a case guide extending upward from the case bottom and spaced apart from the case scroll portion, and the case bottom, the case scroll portion, and the case guide are configured to guide the flow of air from the heat dissipation fan toward the heat dissipation sink.

The case scroll portion may include a downstream end and an upstream end according to a rotation direction of the heat dissipation fan. A scroll portion opening may be between the downstream end and the upstream end and may be open toward the heat dissipation sink.

The case guide may be configured to guide the flow of air toward the upstream end of the case scroll portion.

The thermoelectric cooling device may include a heat dissipation duct on an upper side of the main body to guide the flow of air to exchange heat with the heat dissipation sink.

The heat dissipation duct may include an outside air intake port to draw air from outside the main body into the heat dissipation duct, and an outside air discharge port to discharge the air, drawn into the heat dissipation duct and which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink, toward the outside of the main body.

The heat dissipation duct may include a fan accommodating portion forming a fan accommodating space to accommodate the heat dissipation fan, and a sink accommodating portion forming a sink accommodating space to accommodate the heat dissipation sink.

The fan accommodating space and the sink accommodating space may be located on a horizontal line.

The heat dissipation duct may include an intake duct portion on an upstream side of the fan accommodating portion forming an intake space to guide air, which is drawn from outside the main body into the heat dissipation duct through the outside air intake port, to the fan accommodating space.

The heat dissipation duct may include a discharge duct portion on a downstream side of the sink accommodating portion forming a discharge space to guide air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink, to the outside air discharge port.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a main body including an upper wall, a lower wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall; a storage compartment formed inside the main body; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment; a thermoelectric element including a heating portion and a cooling portion, and provided on the upper wall to allow the heating portion to face above the thermoelectric element and to allow the cooling portion to face below the thermoelectric element; a heat dissipation sink including a heat dissipation sink base in contact with the heating portion; and a plurality of heat dissipation fins provided to protrude in a first direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the heat dissipation sink base and provided to extend in a second direction parallel to the upper surface of the heat dissipation sink base; a heat dissipation fan provided on the upper wall to blow air in the second direction toward the plurality of heat dissipation fins; and a heat dissipation duct provided on the upper wall to guide air flowing by the heat dissipation fan.

The heat dissipation fan may be a centrifugal fan configured to draw air in an axial direction and discharge the air to radial directions. The heat dissipation fan may be provided on an upper surface of the main body to allow a rotating shaft of the heat dissipation fan to be perpendicular to the upper surface of the main body and to allow the heat dissipation sink to be located in one radial direction of the heat dissipation fan.

The heat dissipation duct may include a sink accommodating portion provided to form a sink accommodating space provided to accommodate the heat dissipating sink. The sink accommodating space may be formed on a lower surface of the sink accommodating portion.

The heat dissipation duct may include a channel blocking protrusion protruding from the lower surface of the sink accommodating portion to be disposed on a heat dissipation channel that is wider than other heat dissipation channels among heat dissipation channels formed between the plurality of heat dissipation fins.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a main body including an upper wall, a lower wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall; a storage compartment formed inside the main body; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment; a thermoelectric element including a heating portion and a cooling portion, and provided on the upper wall to allow the heating portion to face above the thermoelectric element and to allow the cooling portion to face below the thermoelectric element; a heat dissipation sink provided to be in contact with the heating portion; a heat dissipation fan configured to generate a flow of air; and a heat dissipation duct including an outside air intake port provided to draw air outside the main body; and an outside air discharge port provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink, toward the outside of the main body.

Advantageous Effects

Heat dissipation efficiency of a thermoelectric cooling device may be increased.

Further, cooling efficiency of a thermoelectric cooling device may be increased through a natural convection phenomenon of heat.

Further, energy consumption may be reduced by utilizing waste heat generated from a thermoelectric cooling device.

Further, it is possible to facilitate assembly, disassembly, replacement, and repair of a thermoelectric cooling device.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

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

Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary” or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it may refer to that the component may be connected to another component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component.

It will be understood that when the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.

It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” or “over” another component, it can be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

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

The main body may include an insulation. The insulation may insulate inside of the storage compartment from outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation.

The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include the inner case defining the space. One side of the storage compartment may open to enable a user to put food in or take food out. The storage compartment may store “food” therein. The food may include victual which humans eat and drink, and specifically, the food may include meat, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, water, ice, drinks, kimchi, alcoholic beverages such as wine, etc. However, medicines or cosmetics, as well as food, may be stored in the storage compartment, and goods that may be stored in the storage compartment are not limited.

The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperature. To this end, the storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the partition may be one portion of the main body. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the partition may be provided independently from the main body and then assembled into the main body.

The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and/or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as any one of a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an area of the storage compartment may be used as a refrigerating compartment and the remaining area of the storage compartment may be used as a freezing compartment.

The storage compartment may also be called various other terms, such as “vegetable compartment”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below need to be understood to represent storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted on the front of the main body.

The “door” may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door may include an insulation, like the main body, to insulate the storage compartment in the closed state.

According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.

A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forms the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate that forms the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate that forms the rear surface of the door body and faces the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.

The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or One Door Refrigerator depending on the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and/or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cool air to cool the storage compartment.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a cooling cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the cooling cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment where at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

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

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and/or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making device that produces ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray that stores water, an ice-moving device that separates ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice-bucket that stores ice generated in the ice-making tray.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

The “controller” may include a memory for storing and/or memorizing data and/or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the cold air supply device, etc. according to the programs and/or data memorized in the memory.

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

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

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

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

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device according to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately equipped with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface according to the user input.

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

The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.

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

FIG.1is a view illustrating a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a view illustrating a state in which doors of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are open.FIG.3is a bottom view of an upper portion of a storage compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.4is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.5is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I ofFIG.2

Referring toFIGS.1to5, a refrigerator1may include a main body100, storage compartments11,12, and13formed inside the main body100, and doors21,22,23, and24configured to open and close the storage compartments11,12, and13.

The main body100may include an inner case170, an outer case180coupled to the outside of the inner case170, and an insulating material190disposed between the inner case170and the outer case180(refer toFIG.6). The inner case170may form the storage compartments11,12, and13, and the outer case180may form the exterior of the main body100.

Further, the main body100may include an upper wall110, a lower wall120, a left wall130, a right wall140, and a rear wall150. The upper wall110, the lower wall120, the left wall130, the right wall140, and the rear wall150may form an upper surface, a lower surface, a left surface, a right surface and a rear surface of the main body100, respectively.

The upper wall110, the lower wall120, the left wall130, the right wall140, and the rear wall150may each be formed with the inner case170, the outer case180and the insulating material190. For example, an upper surface of the upper wall110may be formed by the outer case180, a lower surface of the upper wall110may be formed by the inner case170, and the insulating material190may be disposed inside the upper wall110.

The storage compartments11,12,13may accommodate goods. The storage compartments11,12, and13may be formed with an open front side to allow goods to be inserted thereinto or withdrawn therefrom. The main body100may include a horizontal partition160provided to divide a first storage compartment11from a second storage compartment12and a third storage compartment13, and a vertical partition161provided to divide the second storage compartment12from the third storage compartment13. The first storage compartment11may be provided in an upper portion of the main body100, and the second storage compartment12and the third storage compartment13may be provided in a lower portion of the main body100. The first storage compartment11may be a refrigerating compartment, the second storage compartment12may be a freezing compartment, and the third storage compartment13may be a variable temperature compartment.

The doors21,22,23, and24may open and close the storage compartments11,12, and13. A first door21and a second door22may open and close the first storage compartment11, a third door23may open and close the second storage compartment12, and a fourth door24may open and close the third storage compartment13. The doors21,22,23, and24may be rotatably coupled to the main body100.

The doors21,22,23, and24may be rotatably coupled to the main body100by a hinge. For example, the first door21and the second door22may be rotatably coupled to the main body100by a hinge31provided in the upper portion of the main body100and a hinge provided in a middle portion of the main body100. The hinge31may include a hinge pin that protrudes in a vertical direction to form a rotation axis of the door. The hinge31may be covered by a top cover300provided to cover a front upper surface of the main body100.

One of the first door21and the second door22may be provided with a rotation bar40provided to cover a gap formed between the first door21and the second door22when the first door21and the second door22are closed. The rotation bar40may be rotatably provided on one of the first door21and the second door22. The rotation bar40may have a bar shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. The rotation bar40may also be referred to as ‘pillar’, ‘mullion’, etc.

A guide protrusion46may be provided at an upper end of the rotation bar40, and a rotation guide119provided to guide a rotation of the guide protrusion46may be provided in the upper portion of the main body100.

The doors21,22,23, and24may include a gasket51. The gasket51may be in close contact with a front surface of the main body100when the doors21,22,23, and24are closed. The doors21,22,23, and24may include a dyke52protruding rearward. The dyke52may be equipped with a door shelf53capable of storing goods. The rotation bar40may be rotatably installed on the dyke52.

The number and arrangement of storage compartments and the number and arrangement of doors are described above, but the number and arrangement of storage compartments and the number and arrangement of doors of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

The refrigerator1may include a thermoelectric cooling device400configured to cool the storage compartment11.

Thermoelectric cooling device400may be disposed on the upper side of the storage compartment11to cool the storage compartment11. That is, the thermoelectric cooling device may be provided on the upper wall110of the main body100.

The thermoelectric cooling device may include a thermoelectric element530. The thermoelectric element530may be a semiconductor element configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy using the thermoelectric effect, and may also be referred to as ‘thermoelectric semiconductor element’, ‘Peltier element’, etc.

The thermoelectric element530includes a heating portion531and a cooling portion532. When a current is applied to the thermoelectric element530, heat generation may occur in the heating portion531and heat absorption may occur in the cooling portion532. The thermoelectric element530may have a thin hexahedral shape. The heating portion531may be disposed on one surface of the thermoelectric element530and the cooling portion532may be disposed on the opposite surface.

The thermoelectric element530may be provided on the upper wall110in such a way that the heating portion531faces above the thermoelectric element530and the cooling portion532faces below the thermoelectric element530. That is, the heating portion531may face the outside of the main body100and the cooling portion532may face the inside of the storage compartment11. Accordingly, air warmed by the heat exchange with the heating portion531may be discharged to the outside of the main body100, and air cooled by the heat exchange with the cooling portion532may be supplied to the storage compartment11.

The thermoelectric cooling device400may include a heat dissipation sink520in contact with the heating portion531to efficiently exchange heat between the heating portion531and the air outside the main body100.

The heat dissipation sink520may be located outside the main body100. The heat dissipation sink520may be in contact with the heating portion531to absorb heat from the heating portion531and emit the heat to the outside of the main body100. The heat dissipation sink520may also be referred to as ‘hot sink’, ‘dissipation heat sink’, ‘hot heat sink’, etc.

The heat dissipation sink520may be formed of a metal material with relatively high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat dissipation sink520may be formed of aluminum or copper.

The heat dissipation sink520may include a heat dissipation sink base521in contact with the heating portion531and a plurality of heat dissipation fins525protruding from the heat dissipation sink base521to increase a heat dissipation area. The plurality of heat dissipation fins525may protrude upward from the heat dissipation sink base521.

The thermoelectric cooling device400may include a cooling sink570in contact with the cooling portion532to efficiently exchange heat between the cooling portion532and the air inside the storage compartment11.

The cooling sink570may be located inside the storage compartment11. The cooling sink570may cool the storage compartment11by absorbing heat from the storage compartment11and transferring the heat to the cooling portion532. The cooling sink570may also be referred to as ‘cold sink’, ‘cooling sink’, ‘cooling heat sink’, ‘cold heat sink’, ‘cooling heat sink’, etc.

The cooling sink570may be formed of a metal material with relatively high thermal conductivity. For example, the cooling sink570may be formed of aluminum or copper.

The cooling sink570may include a cooling sink base571in contact with the cooling portion532and a plurality of cooling fins575protruding from the cooling sink base571to increase a heat transfer area. The plurality of cooling fins525may protrude downward from the cooling sink base571. The cooling sink base571and the plurality of cooling fins575may be formed integrally with each other.

The thermoelectric cooling device400may include a heat dissipation fan600configured to move air to efficiently exchange heat between the heat dissipation sink520and the air outside the main body100.

The heat dissipation fan600may be configured to blow air toward the heat dissipation sink520. The heat dissipation fan600may be positioned in the horizontal direction of the heat dissipation sink520. The heat dissipation fan600may be provided outside the main body100. The heat dissipation fan600may be provided on the upper side of the upper wall110.

The heat dissipation fan600may be a centrifugal fan configured to draw in air in an axial direction and discharge the drawn air to radial directions. The centrifugal fan may include a blower fan. A rotating shaft610of the heat dissipation fan600may be disposed perpendicular to the upper surface of the upper wall110.

The thermoelectric cooling device400may include a heat dissipation duct700configured to guide air flowing by the heat dissipation fan600. The heat dissipation duct700may draw in air outside the main body100and guide the drawn air to exchange heat with the heat dissipation sink520, and discharge the air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, back to the outside of the main body100.

The heat dissipation duct700may draw in air in an external space on the upper side of the main body100. The heat dissipation duct700may discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, to the external space on the upper side of the main body100. The heat dissipation fan600may be located inside the heat dissipation duct700. The heat dissipation sink520may be located inside the heat dissipation duct700. The heat dissipation duct700may be provided on the upper surface of the upper wall110.

The heat dissipation duct700may include an outside air intake port751provided to draw in air outside the main body100to the inside of the heat dissipation duct700, and an outside air discharge port782provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, to the outside of the main body100.

The thermoelectric cooling device400may include a cooling fan800configured to move air to efficiently exchange heat between the cooling sink570and the air inside the storage compartment11.

The cooling fan800may be configured to blow air toward the cooling sink570. The cooling fan800may be located in the horizontal direction of the cooling sink570. The cooling fan800may be provided inside the storage compartment11. The cooling fan800may be provided on the lower side of the upper wall110.

The cooling fan800may be a centrifugal fan configured to draw in air in the axial direction and discharge the drawn air to the radial directions. A rotating shaft810of the cooling fan800may be disposed perpendicular to the lower surface of the upper wall110.

The thermoelectric cooling device400may include a cooling duct900provided to guide air flowing by the cooling fan800. The cooling duct700may draw in air inside the storage compartment11and guide the drawn air to exchange heat with the cooling sink570, and discharge the air, which exchanges heat with the cooling sink570, back into the storage compartment11.

The cooling fan800may be located inside the cooling duct900. The cooling sink570may be located inside the cooling duct900. The cooling duct800may be provided on the lower surface of the upper wall110.

The cooling duct900may include an inside air intake port991provided to draw in air inside the storage compartment11to the inside of the cooling duct900, and an inside air discharge port992provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the cooling sink570, to the inside of the storage compartment11.

Referring toFIG.4, the refrigerator1may include a refrigeration cycle device to cool the storage compartment through a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle device may include a compressor2, a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator3. The evaporator3may be provided at the rear of the storage compartments12and13.

The refrigerator1may include evaporator ducts60and70provided to guide cold air generated in the evaporator3. A first evaporator duct60may be provided at the rear of the second storage compartment12and the third storage compartment13. A second evaporator duct70may be provided at the rear of the first storage compartment11.

Cold air generated in the evaporator3may be drawn into the first evaporator duct60by an evaporator fan80. The cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct60may be discharged into the second storage compartment12or the third storage compartment13through a cold air outlet (not shown) formed on the front surface. Additionally, the cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct60may be guided to an internal flow path78of the second evaporator duct70. The first evaporator duct60may be provided with a damper61provided to control the supply of cold air inside the first evaporator duct60to the second evaporator duct70. A connection duct90may be provided between the first evaporator duct60and the second evaporator duct70to connect the first evaporator duct60and the second evaporator duct70.

The cold air introduced into the internal flow path78of the second evaporator duct70may be supplied to the first storage compartment11through the cold air outlet72formed on the front surface of the second evaporator duct70.

However, unlike the above embodiment, cold air generated in the evaporator3may be supplied directly to the second evaporator duct70without passing through the first evaporator duct60. Alternatively, a separate evaporator3may be provided at the rear of the first storage compartment11, thereby supplying cold air to the second evaporator duct70.

As mentioned above, the refrigerator1according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the thermoelectric cooling device and the refrigeration cycle device for cooling the storage compartment11. Accordingly, a method of supplying cold air to the storage compartment11may include a first method of supplying only cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooling device400, a second method of supplying only cold generated by the refrigeration cycle device, and a third method of supplying both cold generated by the thermoelectric cooling device and cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device.

The refrigerator1may supply cold air to the storage compartment11in an appropriate manner according to external and internal conditions. For example, the refrigerator1may cool the storage compartment11using one method according to a temperature of an indoor space in which the refrigerator1is installed. That is, when an indoor temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, and cooling by the refrigeration cycle device is more efficient than cooling by the thermoelectric cooling device, the storage compartment11may be cooled only with cold generated by the refrigeration cycle device. Conversely, when the indoor temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature and cooling by the thermoelectric cooling device is more efficient than cooling by the refrigeration cycle device, the storage compartment11may be cooled only with the cold generated by the thermoelectric cooling device. The refrigerator1may only operate the thermoelectric cooling device when it is required to reduce noise. When it is required to rapidly cool the storage compartment11, the refrigerator1may simultaneously supply cold air generated through the thermoelectric cooling device and cold air generated through the refrigeration cycle device to the storage compartment11.

As mentioned above, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may include the thermoelectric cooling device and the refrigeration cycle device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the refrigerator may include only the thermoelectric cooling device400.

FIG.6is a view illustrating an inner case, an outer case, and a connection frame according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.7is a view illustrating the connection frame according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.8is a perspective view of a coupling structure between a thermoelectric module and an upper wall of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.9is an exploded view of a heat dissipation fan and the thermoelectric module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.10is a view illustrating a heat dissipation sink according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.11is a view illustrating a cooling sink according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

A configuration of a thermoelectric module and an installation structure of the thermoelectric module of the thermoelectric cooling device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.6to11.

The main body100of the refrigerator1may include the inner case170forming the storage compartment and the outer case180coupled to the outside of the inner case170. The insulating material190provided to insulate the storage compartment may be disposed between the inner case170and the outer case180. The inner case170may include an inner case opening171. The outer case180may include an outer case opening181.

The inner case opening171may be formed larger than the outer case opening181. However, unlike this embodiment, the inner case opening171and the outer case opening181may be formed to have the same size. In this case, a connection frame200, which will be described later, may be composed of only a connection frame body270without a connection frame base210.

The main body100may include the connection frame200disposed between the inner case170and the outer case180to connect the inner case opening171and the outer case opening181so as to form a through-hole115penetrating the upper wall110.

One surface of the connection frame200may be supported on an inner surface of the inner case170(a surface facing the insulating material), and the other surface of the connection frame200may be supported on an inner surface of the outer case180(a surface facing the insulating material).

In a state in which the connection frame200is disposed between the inner case170and the outer case180, an insulating space may be formed by the inner case170, the outer case180, and the connection frame200. By filling and foaming the insulating space with a foamed insulating material, the inner case170, the outer case180, and the connection frame200may be coupled to each other. The connection frame200may be formed of a material with relatively low thermal conductivity. The connection frame200may be formed of a resin material.

The connection frame200may include the frame base210connected to the inner case opening171, and the frame body270protruding from an upper surface of the frame base210and connected to the outer case opening181.

The frame base210may have a size corresponding to a size of the inner case opening171. The frame base210may include a frame base opening211. The frame base opening211may have a size corresponding to a size of the outer case opening181.

The frame body270may have a rectangular frame shape with a predetermined thickness. The frame body270may include a frame body opening271. The frame body opening271may have a size corresponding to a size of the outer case opening181. The frame base opening211and the frame body opening271may form the through-hole115of the upper wall110.

The frame base210and the frame body270may be provided separately and coupled to each other. The frame base210and the frame body270may be coupled through a frame coupling member201. For this, a coupling hole240may be formed in the frame base210and a coupling hole280may be formed in the frame body270. The frame coupling member201may be a coupling mechanical element such as screw, pin, bolt, rivet, etc. However, the frame base210and the frame body270may be formed integrally with each other.

The frame base210may include a base protrusion230protruding upward. An accommodating space may be formed on a lower surface of the base protrusion230to accommodate a portion of the cooling duct900.

The thermoelectric cooling device400may include the thermoelectric module500.

The thermoelectric element530, the heat dissipation sink520, and the cooling sink570described above may be assembled integrally to form the thermoelectric module500. That is, the thermoelectric module500may include the thermoelectric element530, the heat dissipation sink520, the cooling sink570, and a module plate550.

As illustrated inFIG.8, the thermoelectric module500may be coupled to the upper wall110of the main body100through a separate coupling member S. The thermoelectric module500may penetrate the through-hole115of the upper wall110to allow the heat dissipation sink520to be located outside the main body100and to allow the cooling sink570to be located inside the storage compartment11. A sealing member560for sealing may be disposed between the module plate550of the thermoelectric module500and the upper surface of the upper wall110.

The module plate550may serve as a framework for the thermoelectric module. The module plate550may be formed of a resin material with relatively low thermal conductivity. The module plate550may maintain a gap between the heat dissipation sink520and the cooling sink570and support the heat dissipation sink520and the cooling sink570. As shown inFIGS.8and9, the module plate550may be formed integrally with a fan case650, which will be described later. However, the module plate550may be provided separately from the fan case650.

The module plate550may include a heat dissipation sink support portion552provided to support the heat dissipation sink520.

The module plate550may include a module plate opening551. The thermoelectric element530may be disposed inside the module plate opening551. A vertical length of the module plate opening551may be greater than a vertical length of the thermoelectric element530, and the thermoelectric element530may be disposed at an upper end portion of the module plate opening551. The reason why the thermoelectric element530is disposed at the upper end portion inside the module plate opening551is that a heat generation amount of the thermoelectric element530is generally greater than a heat absorption amount, and it is appropriate that the thermoelectric element530is located at the upper end portion of the module plate opening551, in terms of the heat dissipation of the heating portion531.

Because the thermoelectric element530is disposed on the upper end portion of the module plate opening551as mentioned above, the cooling sink570may include a cooling conductive portion574protruding from the cooling sink base571to be in contact with the cooling portion532of the thermoelectric element530.

The thermoelectric module500may include an element insulating material540provided to insulate the module plate550and the thermoelectric element530. The element insulating material540may be disposed in the module plate opening551to prevent a side surface of the thermoelectric device530from being in contact with the module plate550. The element insulating material540may include an element insulating material opening541, and the thermoelectric device530may be accommodated in the element insulating material opening541.

The thermoelectric module500may include a sink insulating material580disposed between the module plate550and the cooling sink570. The sink insulating material580may prevent heat from being transferred between the heat dissipation sink520and the cooling sink570through the module plate550. The sink insulating material580may include a sink insulating material opening581. However, the sink insulating material580may be omitted. In this case, the heat dissipation sink520may be supported on the upper surface of the module plate550and the cooling sink570may be supported on the lower surface of the module plate550.

Referring toFIGS.8to10, the thermoelectric cooling device400may include the fan case650, in which the heat dissipation fan600is installed, and further the fan case650may guide air blown by the heat dissipation fan600. The fan case650may be formed integrally with the above-mentioned module plate550, or may be provided separately.

The fan case650may include a case bottom660on which the heat dissipation fan600is rotatably installed, and a case scroll portion670extending upward from an edge of the case bottom660to guide air, which is blown by the heat dissipation fan600, to the heat dissipation sink520. The heat dissipation fan600may be a centrifugal fan and may be installed on the case bottom660to allow the rotating shaft610to be perpendicular to the case bottom660. Additionally, the heat dissipation sink520may be positioned in one radial direction of the heat dissipation fan600. With this structure, the overall vertical length of the thermoelectric cooling device400may be compact.

The case scroll portion670may be formed to surround the heat dissipation fan600. The case scroll portion670may include a scroll portion opening673provided to open toward the heat dissipation sink520. The case scroll portion670may include a downstream end671with respect to a rotation direction R of the heat dissipation fan600and an upstream end672with respect to the rotation direction R.

The downstream end671and the upstream end672may be spaced apart from each other, and the scroll portion opening673may be formed between the downstream end671and the upstream end672.

Air blown by the heat dissipation fan600may be discharged in the radial directions of the heat dissipation fan600and move toward the heat dissipation sink520along an inner surface of the case scroll portion670. Accordingly, the air blown by the heat dissipation fan600may flow more to a vicinity of the downstream end671of the case scroll portion670than a vicinity of the upstream end672of the case scroll portion670.

The fan case650may include a case guide680provided to guide air that flows from the heat dissipation fan600to the vicinity of the downstream end671of the case scroll portion670.

The case guide680may protrude upward from the case bottom660. The case guide680may be spaced apart from the case scroll portion670. The case guide680may guide air, which flows to the vicinity of the downstream end671of the case scroll portion670, toward the upstream end672of the case scroll portion670. Accordingly, the air blown from the heat dissipation fan600may be evenly distributed to heat dissipation channels528of the heat dissipation sink520by the case guide680, and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat dissipation sink520may be increased.

Referring toFIG.10, the plurality of heat dissipation fins525may protrude from a upper surface522of the heat dissipation sink base521. The plurality of heat dissipation fins525may protrude in a first direction526perpendicular to the upper surface522of the heat dissipation sink base521.

The plurality of heat dissipation fins525may be formed to extend in a second direction527parallel to the upper surface522of the heat dissipation sink base521. The second direction527may be perpendicular to the first direction526. The heat dissipation channels528may be formed between a plurality of heat dissipation fins525adjacent to each other. The heat dissipation channels528may extend in the second direction527in the same as the plurality of heat dissipation fins525. Among the heat dissipation channels528, some heat dissipation channels529may have a larger width than other heat dissipation channels.

Air moving by the heat dissipation fan600may pass through the heat dissipation channels528and exchange heat with the plurality of heat dissipation fins525. An airflow (A) flowing by the heat dissipation fan600may pass through the heat dissipation channels528in a direction parallel to the second direction527.

Referring toFIG.11, the plurality of cooling fins575may protrude from a lower surface572of the cooling sink base571. The plurality of cooling fins575may protrude in the first direction576perpendicular to the lower surface572of the cooling sink base571.

The plurality of cooling fins575may be formed to extend in the second direction577in parallel with the lower surface572of the cooling sink base571. The second direction577may be perpendicular to the first direction576. Cooling channels578may be formed between the plurality of cooling fins575adjacent to each other. Among the cooling channels578, some cooling channels579may have a larger width than other cooling channels578.

Air moving by the cooling fan800may pass through the cooling channels578and exchange heat with the plurality of cooling fins575. An airflow (B) flowing by the cooling fan800may pass through the cooling channels578in a direction parallel to the second direction577.

FIG.12is a view illustrating a top cover separated from a main body of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.13is a view illustrating the top cover and a heat dissipation duct cover separated from the main body of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.14is a view illustrating the top cover, the heat dissipation duct cover, a heat dissipation duct body, and an extension duct separated from the main body of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.15is an exploded view of the heat dissipation duct according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.16is a view illustrating a lower surface of the heat dissipation duct according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.17is an enlarged view of a portion of the heat dissipation duct and the thermoelectric module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The structure of the heat dissipation duct700according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.12to17.

The refrigerator1may include the heat dissipation duct700provided on the upper wall110and configured to draw in air outside the main body100to exchange heat with the heat dissipation sink520, and to allow the air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, to be discharged back to the outside of the main body100.

The heat dissipation duct700may include a heat dissipation duct body720, a heat dissipation duct cover710, and an extension duct740.

The heat dissipation duct body720may be coupled to the upper surface of the main body100. The heat dissipation duct body720may cover the heat dissipation fan600and the heat dissipation sink520. The outside air intake port751may be formed on a front upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body720, and the outside air intake port751may be covered by the top cover300.

The heat dissipation duct cover710may be coupled to an upper portion of the heat dissipation duct body720to cover the upper side of the heat dissipation duct body720. For this, a duct cover coupling portion711may be provided on the heat dissipation duct cover710, and a duct body coupling portion721coupled to the duct cover coupling portion711may be provided on the heat dissipation duct body720. The duct cover coupling portion711and the duct body coupling portion721may be coupled by a hook method or a fitting method.

The extension duct740may be provided in front of the heat dissipation duct body720to be connected to the heat dissipation duct body720. As shown inFIG.15, the extension duct740may be provided separately from the heat dissipation duct body720. Alternatively, the extension duct740may be provided integrally with the heat dissipation duct body720.

The extension duct740may be disposed below the top cover300, and the upper side of the extension duct740may be covered by the top cover300. The extension duct740may be coupled to a lower portion of the top cover300. For this, the extension duct740may be provided with an extension duct coupling portion745, and the top cover300may be provided with a top cover coupling portion380coupled to the extension duct coupling portion745. The extension duct coupling portion745and the top cover coupling portion380may be coupled by a hook method or a fitting method.

The heat dissipation duct700may include the outside air intake port751provided to draw in air outside the main body. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body720may include the outside air intake port751.

The outside air intake port751may be formed on the upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body720. The outside air intake port751may be located closer to the front surface of the main body100than the rear surface of the main body100. The reason that the outside air intake port751is located closer to the front surface of the main body100than the rear surface of the main body100is to prevent heat, which is generated by the compressor2and the condenser located at the rear of the main body100, from being transmitted through the outside air intake port751.

The heat dissipation duct700may include the outside air discharge ports782and794provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, to the outside of the main body100.

The heat dissipation duct body720may include a first outside air discharge port782provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, to the outside of the main body100. The first outside air discharge port782may discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, toward the external space above the main body100.

The extension duct740may include a second outdoor air discharge port794provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, to the rotation bar40. As the air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, is discharged toward the rotation bar40, it is possible to prevent the dew condensation in the rotation bar40.

However, the heat dissipation duct700does not necessarily include the first outside air discharge port782and the second outside air discharge port794. Further, the second outside air discharge port794may be omitted.

The heat dissipation duct700may include a fan accommodating portion760provided to form a fan accommodating space762provided to accommodate the heat dissipating fan600. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body720may include the fan accommodating portion760provided to form the fan accommodating space762provided to accommodate the heat dissipating fan600.

The fan accommodating space762may be formed on a lower surface of the fan accommodating portion760. A lower side of the fan accommodating space762may be open and the open lower side of the fan accommodating space762may be covered by the fan case650. The fan accommodating portion760may include a fan inlet761through which air flows into the fan accommodating space762. The fan inlet761may be formed on an upper side of the fan accommodating space762.

The heat dissipation duct700may include a sink accommodating portion770provided to form a sink accommodating space771provided to accommodate the heat dissipating sink520. The sink accommodating space771may be formed on a lower surface of the sink accommodating portion770. A lower side of the sink accommodating space771may be open. The open lower side of the sink accommodating space771may be covered by the module plate550. The sink accommodating space771may be formed on a downstream side of the fan accommodating space762.

As illustrated inFIGS.16and17, the sink accommodating portion770may include a channel blocking protrusion772protruding from the lower surface of the sink accommodating portion770. The channel blocking protrusion772may be disposed in the heat dissipation channel529that is wider than the other heat dissipation channels among the heat dissipation channels528formed between the plurality of heat dissipation fins525. The channel blocking protrusion772may prevent air from flowing into the wide heat dissipation channel529and induce air to flow into other heat dissipation channels528.

The reason that the channel blocking protrusion772is provided in the wide heat dissipation channel529is that a flow rate or heat exchange efficiency of air flowing through the wide heat dissipation channel529is reduced because a distance between the pair of heat dissipation fins525adjacent to the wide heat dissipation channel529is long.

As illustrated inFIG.16, the sink accommodating portion770may include a duct guide773protruding from the lower surface of the sink accommodating portion770. The duct guide773may have a shape corresponding to the case guide680that protrudes above the fan case650and may be provided at a position corresponding to the case guide680. That is, a lower surface of the duct guide773may be in contact with or adjacent to an upper surface of the case guide680. The duct guide773may guide air blown from the heat dissipation fan600. The duct guide773may allow air, which is blown from the heat dissipation fan600, to be evenly distributed to the heat dissipation channels528of the heat dissipation sink520, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency of the heat dissipation sink520.

The fan accommodating space762and the sink accommodating space771may be located on a horizontal line. The fan accommodating space762and the sink accommodating space771may be arranged in the left and right directions with respect to the main body100. The fan accommodating space762and the sink accommodating space771may be located closer to the rear surface of the main body100than the front surface of the main body100.

In other words, the heat dissipation fan600accommodated in the fan accommodating space762and the heat dissipation sink520accommodated in the sink accommodating space771may be positioned on the horizontal line. The heat dissipation fan600and the heat dissipation sink520may be arranged in the left and right directions with respect to the main body100. The heat dissipation fan600and the heat dissipation sink520may be located closer to the rear surface of the main body100than to the front surface of the main body100.

The heat dissipation duct700may include an intake duct portion750provided to guide air, which is drawn through the outside air intake port751, to the fan accommodating space762. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body720may include the intake duct portion750. The intake duct portion750may extend forward from the fan accommodating portion760. The outside air intake port751may be formed on the upper surface of the intake duct portion750.

An intake space752may be formed on the upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body720. An upper side of the intake space752may be formed to be open, and the open upper side of the intake space752may be covered by the heat dissipation duct cover710. The intake space752may be formed on the upstream side of the fan accommodating space762. The intake space752may be connected to the fan accommodating space762through the fan inlet761.

The heat dissipation duct700may include a first discharge duct portion780provided to guide air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, to the first outside air discharge port782. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body720may include the first discharge duct portion780. The first discharge duct portion780may extend from the sink accommodating portion770. For example, the first discharge duct portion780may be formed to extend by a predetermined length diagonally from the sink accommodating portion770toward one front corner of the main body100and then extend forward.

A first discharge space781may be formed on the upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body720. An upper side of the first discharge space781may be open, and the open upper side of the first discharge space may be covered by the heat dissipation duct cover710. The first discharge space781may be formed on the downstream side of the sink accommodating space771.

The heat dissipation duct700may include a second discharge duct portion790provided to guide air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, to the second outside air discharge port794. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body720may include the second discharge duct portion790. The second discharge duct portion790may branch from the first discharge duct portion780and extend forward.

A second discharge space791may be formed on an upper surface of the second discharge duct portion790. An upper side of the second discharge space791may be open, and the open upper side of the second discharge space791may be covered by the heat dissipation duct cover710. The second discharge space791may be formed on the downstream side of the sink accommodating space771.

As mentioned above, the second discharge duct portion790may be formed by branching from the first discharge duct portion780. Alternatively, the first discharge duct portion780and the second discharge duct portion790may be formed independently of each other.

FIG.18is a view illustrating the top cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.19is a view illustrating a lower surface of the top cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As described above, the refrigerator1may include the top cover300coupled to the front portion of the upper surface of the main body100so as to cover the plurality of hinges31.

The top cover300may include a top cover upper surface310, a top cover front surface311extending downward from a front edge of the top cover upper surface310, a top cover side surface314extending downward from a side edge of the top cover upper surface310, a top cover rear surface315extending downward from a rear edge of the top cover upper surface310, and a top cover inner space320formed by the top cover upper surface310, the top cover front surface311, the top cover side surface314, and the top cover rear surface315. A lower side of the top cover inner space320may be open, and the lower side of the top cover inner space320may be covered by the upper surface of the upper wall110.

The top cover300may include front protrusions313protruding forward from both ends of the top cover so as to cover the plurality of hinges31.

The top cover300may include an intake grille350located above the outside air intake port751. The intake grille350may prevent foreign substances from moving into the inside of the heat dissipation duct700through the outside air intake port751, protect a dust filter390, which will be described later, and guide the air drawn through the outside air intake port751.

The top cover300may be equipped with the dust filter390provided to filter out foreign substances. The dust filter390may be disposed below the intake grille350and configured to filter out fine foreign substances.

The top cover300may include a discharge port forming portion312formed on the top cover front surface311of the top cover300to form the second outside air discharge port794together with the extension duct740. The discharge port forming portion312may protrude forward from the top cover front surface311.

At least a portion of the air discharged from the heat dissipation duct700through the first outside air discharge port782may flow into the top cover inner space320. That is, air warmed by the heat exchange with the heat dissipation sink520may flow into the top cover inner space320. For this, a top cover inlet330may be formed in the top cover300. The top cover inlet330may be formed in the top cover rear surface315.

The first outside air discharge port782may include a top cover outlet784provided to guide the air inside the heat dissipation duct700into the top cover inner space320. The top cover outlet784may be connected to the top cover inlet330. Air discharged through the top cover outlet784may flow into the top cover inner space320through the top cover inlet330.

The first outside air discharge port782may include an external outlet783separated from the top cover outlet784to discharge air from the heat dissipation duct700to the outside of the top cover300. An outlet grille may be formed at the external outlet783to prevent foreign substances from flowing into the inside of the heat dissipation duct700through the external outlet783.

Air flowing into the top cover inner space320may pass through the top cover inner space320and be discharged to the outside of the top cover300. For this, the top cover300may include a top cover discharge port340. The top cover discharge port340may be formed on the front protrusions313of the top cover300. The top cover discharge port340may be formed on the front protrusion313that is farther from the top cover inlet330among the front protrusions313. The top cover discharge port340may be formed on an upper surface of the front protrusion313. As the top cover discharge port340is formed on the front protrusion313, the air discharged through the top cover discharge port340may be prevented as much as possible from being re-drawn into the outside air intake port751.

As air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, passes through the top cover inner space320, the air may heat the upper surface of the main body100. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the dew condensation in the upper portion of the front surface of the main body100.

The top cover300may include a discharge guide portion381formed to guide air discharged to the outside of the heat dissipation duct700through the external outlet783of the first outside air discharge port782. The discharge guide portion381may be formed at an angle on the top cover rear surface315. The air discharged through the external outlet783may be guided to be discharged smoothly without interfering with the top cover300.

FIG.20is a view illustrating a first heat dissipation flow path, a second heat dissipation flow path, and a top cover flow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

A first heat dissipation flow path, a second heat dissipation flow path, and a top cover flow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.20.

By the above-mentioned structure of the heat dissipation duct700and the top cover300, the refrigerator1may include the first heat dissipation flow path401through which air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, is discharged to the outside of the main body100, and the second heat dissipation flow path402through which air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink520, is discharged toward the rotation bar40. The second heat dissipation flow path402may be formed by branching from the first heat dissipation flow path401.

The first heat dissipation flow path401may be formed by the outside air intake port751, the intake space752, the fan inlet761, the fan accommodating space762, the sink accommodating space771, the first discharge space781and the first outside air discharge port782.

The second heat dissipation flow path402may be formed by the outside air intake port751, the intake space752, the fan inlet761, the fan accommodating space762, the sink accommodating space771, the second discharge space791and the second outside air discharge port794.

The refrigerator1may include the top cover flow path388through which air, which is discharged through the first heat dissipation flow path401, flows into the inside of the top cover300, passes through the inner space320of the top cover300, and then is discharged to the outside of the top cover300.

The top cover flow path388may be connected to an end of the first heat dissipation flow path401. That is, the top cover flow path388may be connected to the top cover outlet784of the first outside air discharge port782.

FIG.21is a view illustrating the first heat dissipation flow path and the top cover flow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.22is a view illustrating the first heat dissipation flow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The above-described second heat dissipation flow path402and top cover flow path388are not essential and may be omitted according to embodiments.

For example, as shown inFIG.21, the second heat dissipation flow path402may be omitted and the refrigerator may include only the first heat dissipation flow path401and the top cover flow path388. That is, the second discharge duct portion790forming the second discharge space791may be omitted in the heat dissipation duct700.

Further, as shown inFIG.22, both the second heat dissipation flow path402and the top cover flow path388may be omitted. That is, the second discharge duct portion790forming the second discharge space791may be omitted in the heat dissipation duct700, and the first outside air discharge port782may be composed of only the external outlet783. In this case, the air inside the heat dissipation duct700may not be discharged to the rotation bar40or the inside of the top cover300, but may be discharged to the outside of the main body100.

FIG.23is a view illustrating a positional relationship between the heat dissipation fan and the heat dissipation sink according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to embodiments, the positions of the fan accommodating space762and the sink accommodating space771of the heat dissipation duct700may be changed.

For example, as shown inFIG.23, the sink accommodating space771and the fan accommodating space762may be arranged in the front and rear direction with respect to the main body100. That is, the heat dissipation sink520accommodated in the sink accommodating space771and the heat dissipation fan600accommodated in the fan accommodating space762may be arranged in the front and rear direction with respect to the main body100.

In this case, the heat dissipation sink520may be provided to allow the airflow flowing by the heat dissipation fan600to flow in a direction parallel to the direction in which the heat dissipation fins525extend.

As mentioned above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is sufficient that the heat dissipation sink520and the heat dissipation fan600are disposed horizontally to each other on the upper wall110, and there is no limitation in the position thereof.

As mentioned above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermoelectric cooling device400may be provided on the upper portion of the main body100. Even when the refrigerator1is installed to allow the rear surface of the main body100to be in close contact with the rear wall of an indoor space, the heat dissipation of the thermoelectric cooling device400may be performed smoothly. In addition, when the thermoelectric cooling device400is provided at the rear of the main body100, it may not be easy to access the thermoelectric cooling device400. However, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermoelectric cooling device400may be installed in the upper portion of the main body100, and thus it may be easy to access the thermoelectric cooling device400. Accordingly, it is possible to facilitate assembly, disassembly, replacement, and repair of the thermoelectric cooling device400.

In addition, the cold air generated through the thermoelectric cooling device400falls downward due to high density thereof, and the cold air is efficiently transmitted inside the storage compartment by the convection phenomenon, and thus the cooling efficiency of the storage compartment through the thermoelectric cooling device400may be improved.

In addition, because the cooling sink570is located below the thermoelectric element530, defrost water generated in the cooling sink570may be prevented from penetrating into the thermoelectric element530and it is possible to prevent the failure and malfunction of the thermoelectric element530.

In addition, the heat dissipation fan600may be disposed on the upper wall110to be located in the horizontal direction of the heat dissipation sink520, and the cooling fan800may be disposed on the upper wall110to be located in the horizontal direction of the cooling sink570. Accordingly, the size of the thermoelectric cooling device may be compact and the reduction of the space of the storage compartment11due to installation of the thermoelectric cooling device may be minimized.