Refrigerator with a thermoelectrically powered rapid freeze compartment

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a separate deep-freezing space which is partitioned inside a storage space of the refrigerator. Provided is a refrigerator having a flow path which allows cold air to circulate inside a deep-freezing chamber. According to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, a flow path portion is formed on one part of the inner surface of the housing which forms the inner space of the deep-freezing chamber. The flow path portion is formed in a stepped shape on the inner surface of the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2020/003933, filed on Mar. 23, 2020, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0033075, filed on Mar. 22, 2019 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0105699, filed on Aug. 28, 2019. The disclosures of the prior applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having a deep-freezing portion, and the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having structural improvement for smooth flow of cold air introduced into the deep-freezing portion.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance to store food at a low temperature and includes a refrigerating space to store food in a refrigerated state at about 3° C. and a freezer space to store food in a frozen state at about −20° C.

However, when food such as meat or seafood is stored in the freezer space in the frozen state, moisture in cells of the meat or the seafood is discharged out of the cells while the food is frozen at −20° C. In this case, a cell destruction phenomenon occurs, and during defrosting, a texture change phenomenon occurs.

The temperature condition of the storage space is adjusted to be in a cryogenic state in which a temperature is significantly lower than a current temperature of the freezer space. So, when a state of the food is changed to a frozen state, the food passes through a freezing point temperature range, thereby minimizing the cell destruction. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the quality of meat and the texture of food may be returned to a state closer to a state before freezing even after defrosting. The cryogenic temperature may be understood as referring to a temperature within the range of −40 to −50° C.

For this reason, in recent years, the demand for a refrigerator defining a deep-freezing portion maintaining a temperature lower than that of the freezer space is increasing.

As there is a limitation to cooling using existing refrigerant, there has been an attempt to lower the temperature of the deep-freezing portion to a cryogenic temperature using a thermoelectric module (TEM) to satisfy the demand for the deep-freezing portion.

Related art patent document 1 (10-2013-0049496) discloses a refrigerator capable of maintaining a low storage temperature using a thermoelectric element. Related art patent document 2 (10-2010-0057216) discloses a refrigerator using a thermoelectric element for cooling of an ice-making room instead of using a cold air duct. Related art patent document 3 (10-2018-0045358) discloses a refrigerator to improve an area where heat is not sufficiently exchanged with a heat sink behind a hub of an axial fan. The related art patent documents do not disclose structural changes to the cold air flow inside a deep-freezing portion.

In order to maintain an inner temperature of the deep-freezing portion at a cryogenic temperature, the cold air supplied by a thermoelectric element module has to be circulated smoothly inside the deep-freezing portion and a flow path has to be provided to circulate the cold air. If the flow path is additionally defined in the deep-freezing portion, it is difficult to effectively use the storage space in the deep-freezing portion. Manufacturing thereof is difficult and durability thereof is degraded due to a complicated structure in the deep freezing portion.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Accordingly, one of various objects of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator defining a flow path on an inner surface of a deep-freezing portion to circulate cold air without defining an additional flow path inside the deep-freezing portion.

One of the various objects of the present invention describes a refrigerator in which a basket of the deep-freezing portion is connected to an inner surface of a door and a flow path for the circulation of cold air is defined in a gap between the deep-freezing portion basket and a bottom surface of the deep-freezing portion.

One of the various objects of the present invention describes a refrigerator capable of preventing the cold air supplied from and discharged to a rear surface of the deep-freezing portion from leaking to an outside of the deep-freezing portion when the deep-freezing portion is disposed inside the freezer space.

One of the various objects of the present invention describes a refrigerator in which a flow path is defined to expand an inner space of the deep-freezing portion.

Technical Solution

To address the various problems of the present disclosure, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure describes a refrigerator defining a stepped flow path in an inner surface of housing to provide a movement path of cold air.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure describes a refrigerator in which a basket is coupled to a deep-freezing portion door at a height spaced apart from an inner bottom surface of the deep-freezing portion by a predetermined distance to provide a movement flow of cold air by a gap between the basket and the bottom surface thereof.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure describes a refrigerator in which a flow path includes a bending portion and an inclined portion to smoothly discharge the cold air.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a freezer space defining a storage space; and a deep-freezing portion disposed in the freezer space and defining a deep-freeze space that is partitioned from the storage space thereof a thermoelectric element module including a thermoelectric module having a heat absorbing surface and a heating surface and configured to generate cold air introduced into the deep-freezing portion; a fan facing the heat absorbing surface of the thermoelectric module and configured to introduce the cold air into the deep-freezing portion; and an accommodator configured to accommodate the fan and that protrudes from an inner surface of the freezer space, the deep-freezing portion includes housing having an opening at a front surface thereof and an opening at a rear surface thereof to receive the accommodator, and defining an inner space of the deep-freezing portion; a door configured to open and close the front surface of the housing; and the accommodator includes a guide disposed at one side of the accommodator and configured to guide flow of the cold air, the housing includes a flow path defined at a portion of an inner surface of the housing and the flow path has a step at the inner surface of the housing. In addition, the flow path may flow cold air introduced into the deep-freezing portion by the fan.

Preferably, the housing may define the flow path at a portion of an upper surface thereof and the flow path may expand the deep-freeze space in the housing. Specifically, the flow path has a recess shape, is concaved upward from the portion of the upper surface of the housing, and may expand the deep-freeze space.

The flow path may include vertical portions having a width of the flow path, that are spaced apart from each other, and extend in a longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion; and a horizontal portion connecting the vertical portions at a first side of the vertical portion.

In addition, the width of the flow path may be decreased along the longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion, a second side of the vertical portion may communicate with the guide, and a width of the vertical portion at the second side thereof may be the same as the guide.

The width of the flow path may be decreased along the longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion or may be maintained constantly in a certain section along the longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion and then may be decreased.

Meanwhile, the flow path may be inclined downward from an upper surface of the housing to a rear surface of the housing, the flow path may include a vertical portion having a width of the flow path, that are spaced apart from each other, and extend in a longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion; and a horizontal portion connecting the vertical portions at a first side of the vertical portion.

In addition, the flow path may further include a bending portion that extends in a direction of decreasing the width of the flow path at a second side of the vertical portion, the flow path may have inclination at the bending portion, and the bending portion may extend from the vertical portion to a position corresponding to a width of the guide.

Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a freezer space defining a storage space; a deep-freezing portion disposed in the freezer space and defining a deep-freeze space that is partitioned from the storage space thereof; a thermoelectric element module including a thermoelectric module having a heat absorbing surface and a heating surface and configured to generate cold air introduced into the deep-freezing portion; a fan facing the heat absorbing surface of the thermoelectric module and configured to introduce the cold air into the deep-freezing portion; and an accommodator configured to accommodate the fan and that protrudes from an inner surface of the freezer space, the deep-freezing portion includes: housing having an opening at a front surface thereof and an opening at a rear surface thereof to receive the accommodator, and defining an inner space of the deep-freezing portion; a door configured to open and close the front surface of the housing; and a basket coupled to the door and drawn out to an outside of the deep-freezing portion as the door opens and closes the front surface of the housing, the accommodator includes a guide disposed at one side of the accommodator and configured to guide flow of the cold air, and the housing includes a first flow path defining a step recessed from a portion of the inner surface of the housing; and a second flow path defined in a space between the portion of the inner surface of the housing and the basket. The first flow path and the second flow path flow cold air introduced into the deep-freezing portion by the fan.

Preferably, the first flow path may be defined at a portion of an upper surface of the housing, the second flow path may be defined in a space between a bottom surface of the housing and the basket, the first flow path may be defined in a direction of expanding the deep-freeze space in the housing, and the first flow path may include: a vertical portion having a width of the first flow path, that are spaced apart from each other, and extend in a longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion; a horizontal portion connecting the vertical portions at one side of the vertical portion; and a bending portion that extends from a second side of the vertical portion in a direction of decreasing the width of the first flow path.

In addition, the first flow path may further include an inclined portion that is inclined downward from a portion of an upper surface of the housing toward the rear surface of the housing and the inclined portion may be disposed in the first flow path along the bending portion.

Meanwhile, a height of the basket is smaller than a height of the housing and the basket may be coupled to an inner surface of the door at a position spaced apart from each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing by a predetermined distance, and a grill may be disposed on a surface facing the rear surface of the housing among surfaces of the basket.

In addition, the first flow path may communicate with the guide when the accommodator is inserted into the opening.

The guide includes an upper flow path that communicates with the first flow path, the upper flow path may have a guide inclined portion, and the guide inclined portion may be inclined downward from a lower surface of the upper flow path along a path through which the cold air moves.

Features of the above-described embodiments may be combined with other embodiments unless the features are contradictory or exclusive to other embodiments.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present disclosure, an inner space of a deep-freezing portion may be expanded and a flow path of cold air moving in the deep-freezing portion may be defined.

In addition, when the deep freezer portion is disposed in a refrigerator, the deep-freezing portion is coupled in a state in which a rear surface of the deep-freezing portion contacts an inside of the refrigerator and a flow path defined in the deep-freezing portion communicates with a grill fan assembly, thereby preventing leaking out of cold air.

In addition, the deep-freezing portion defines a step in an upper surface thereof to provide a flow path and a bottom surface thereof is spaced apart from a deep-freezing portion basket by a predetermined distance to define a flow path. As a component to define an additional flow path is not needed, there is an advantage in that a process is simplified, a storage space in a deep-freezing portion may be obtained, durability of the deep-freezing portion may be obtained, and maintenance may be facilitated.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to drawings. The following detailed description is provided to help a comprehensive understanding of a method, an apparatus, and/or a system described herein. However, this is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Description of well-known technology relating to the present disclosure may be omitted if it unnecessarily obscures the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, terms described below are defined in consideration of functions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, which may vary according to intentions or customs of users and operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout the specification. The terminology used in the detailed description is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. Singular expressions used in the present disclosure include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present disclosure, terms such as “including” or “comprising” specify features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and a portion or a combination thereof, but do not preclude a presence or a possibility of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and a portion or a combination thereof in addition to what has been described above.

In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) and the like may be used herein when describing elements of the present disclosure. These terms are intended to distinguish one element from other elements, and the essence, order, or sequence of corresponding elements is not limited by these terms.

FIG.1shows open doors of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2shows a deep-freezing portion inFIG.1.FIG.3shows a thermoelectric element module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.4shows a refrigeration cycle used in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1to4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator1includes a refrigerator body2having a rectangular shape and a refrigerator door to open and close each space of the refrigerator1from the front of the body2. According to the present disclosure, the refrigerator1has a bottom freezer structure in which a refrigerating space20is defined at an upper portion thereof and a freezer space10is defined at a lower portion thereof. The refrigerating space20and the freezer space10each have a side-by-side type door that is opened based on rotation about a hinge8disposed at both ends thereof.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to the refrigerator having the bottom-freezer structure. If the refrigerator has a deep-freezing portion in the freezer space, a side-by-side type refrigerator in which the refrigerating space and a freezer space are arranged horizontally and a top mount-type refrigerator in which a freezer space is defined on the refrigerating space may be used as examples of the refrigerator.

The refrigerator body2includes an outer case3defining an outer appearance and an inner case4that is spaced apart from the outer case3by a predetermined space and defining an inner appearance of the refrigerating space20and the freezer space10. The space between the outer case3and the inner case4is filled with insulating material by foaming to insulate the refrigerating space20and the freezer space10from an indoor space.

The refrigerating space20and the freezer space10accommodate a shelf7and a drawer11in storage spaces thereof to store food by increasing space utilization efficiency. The shelf7and the drawer11may be disposed in the storage spaces thereof and may be guided along rails14disposed at both sides thereof. As shown, the refrigerating space door5and the freezer space door6each include a door basket9to suitably store containers containing beverages.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a deep-freezing portion100is disposed in the freezer space10. The space of the freezer space10is divided into a left portion and a right portion for efficient use by a partition wall12that extends vertically and disposed at a center of the freezer space. Referring toFIG.2, the partition wall12is inserted into the freezer space from a front of the cabinet and may be supported by an installation guide13disposed on a bottom of the refrigerator in the freezer space10.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is exemplified that the deep-freezing portion100is disposed at an upper portion of the right side of the freezer space10. However, the deep-freezing portion100of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to be disposed in the freezer space. That is, the deep-freezing portion100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed in the refrigerating space20. However, if the deep-freezing portion100is disposed in the freezer space10, a temperature difference between an inside of the deep-freezing portion100and an outside (in the atmosphere of the freezer space) of the deep-freezing portion100is smaller. Therefore, the freezer space100may advantageously include the deep-freezing portion100from the viewpoint of preventing leakage of cold air or heat insulation.

Meanwhile, the thermoelectric element module200is an assembly in which a cold sink210, a thermoelectric module230, a heat insulation material220, and a heat sink240are stacked and accommodated in module housing250to form a module.

The thermoelectric module230uses a Peltier effect. The Peltier effect refers to a phenomenon in which, when a DC voltage is applied to both ends of two different materials, heat is absorbed at one side thereof and is emitted at the other side thereof according to a current direction.

The thermoelectric module includes n-type semiconductor material using an electron as a main carrier and p-type semiconductor material using a hole as a carrier that are alternately connected in series. An electrode is disposed on a first surface thereof to flow current from the p-type semiconductor material to the n-type semiconductor material and an electrode is disposed on a second surface thereof to flow current from the n-type semiconductor material to the p-type semiconductor material according to one of current directions. In this case, when the current is supplied in a first direction, a first surface is a heat absorbing surface and the second surface is a heating surface, and when a current is supplied in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the first surface is a heating surface and the second surface is a heat absorbing surface.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the thermoelectric element module200is inserted into a front side of the grill fan assembly15from a rear side thereof, is coupled to the front side of the grill fan assembly15, and the deep-freezing portion100is disposed in front of the thermoelectric element module200, heat absorption may occur at a front surface of the thermoelectric module230, that is, a surface facing the deep-freezing portion100and heat generation may occur on a rear surface of the thermoelectric module, that is, a surface against the deep-freezing portion100or an opposite surface to a surface directing toward the deep-freezing portion100. In addition, when the current is supplied in the first direction in which the heat absorption occurs at the surface of the thermoelectric module230facing the deep-freezing portion100and the heat generation occurs at the opposite surface thereto, the deep-freezing portion100may be frozen.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is exemplified that the thermoelectric module230has a flat plate shape with the front surface and the rear surface, and the front surface thereof is the heat absorbing surface230aand the rear surface thereof is the heating surface230b. The DC power is supplied to the thermoelectric module230and causes the Peltier effect, thereby transferring a heat generated on the heat absorbing surface230aof the thermoelectric module230to the heating surface230b. Therefore, the front surface of the thermoelectric module230becomes a cold surface and the rear surface thereof becomes a heat generating portion. That is, it simplifies that the heat inside the deep-freezing portion100is discharged to an outside of the deep-freezing portion100. Power is supplied to the thermoelectric module230through a conducting wire of the thermoelectric module230.

The cold sink210is stacked in contact with the front surface of the thermoelectric module230, that is, the heat absorbing surface230afacing the deep-freezing portion100. The cold sink210may be made of metal such as aluminum having high thermal conductivity or an alloy and includes a plurality of heat exchange fins211on a front surface thereof. The plurality of heat exchange fins211extend vertically and are spaced apart from one another in a horizontal direction. The heat exchange fin211preferably extends vertically and longitudinally and has a continuous shape without interruption. This shape is configured such that water which has been melted at a time of defrosting the cold sink210easily flows down from the cold sink in the direction of gravity along the heat exchange fin211having the continuous shape and that extends vertically. A distance between the heat exchange fins211is preferably a distance to prevent water formed between the two neighboring heat exchange fins211from flowing down by surface tension.

In the cold sink210attached to the heat absorbing surface of the thermoelectric module, air inside the deep-freezing portion100flows and exchanges heat. In this case, a phenomenon occurs in which food stored in the deep-freezing portion100is cooled and moisture with air is frozen on the surface of the cold sink210, which is colder. To remove the frozen water, power is applied in the above-described current supply direction, that is, in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In this case, the heat absorbing surface and the heating surface of the thermoelectric element module200are changed to each other in contrast to the power applied in the first direction. In this case, the surface of the thermoelectric module contacting the heat sink is a heat absorbing surface and the surface contacting the cold sink210is a heating surface. Therefore, the water frozen on the cold sink210is melted and flows down in the direction of gravity, thereby occurring defrost. That is, according to the present disclosure, when dew condensation occurs on the cold sink210and defrost is required, defrost may occur by applying the current in the second direction opposite to the first direction, which is the direction of the current applied for deep cooling.

The heat sink240is stacked in contact with the rear surface of the thermoelectric module230, that is, the heating surface230bprovided in a direction opposite to an arrangement direction of the deep-freezing portion100. The heat sink240rapidly dissipates or discharges heat generated on the heating surface230bby the Peltier effect and may include an evaporator37of a refrigeration cycle cooling device30used to cool the refrigerator. That is, when low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has passed through an expansion device35in the refrigeration cycle absorbs the heat or evaporates while absorbing the heat in the heat sink240, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle absorbs or evaporates while absorbing the heat generated on the heating surface230bof the thermoelectric module230to immediately cool the heat generated on the heating surface230b.

As the above-described cold sink210and heat sink240are stacked and the thermoelectric module230having the flat shape is disposed between the cold sink210and the heat sink240, it is necessary to isolate heat between them. Therefore, the thermoelectric element module200of this embodiment includes the heat insulating material220that surrounds a circumference of the thermoelectric module230and to fill a gap between the cold sink210and the heat sink240. That is, an area of the cold sink210is larger than that of the thermoelectric module230and is substantially the same as the heat insulating material220. Similarly, an area of the heat sink240is larger than that of the thermoelectric module230and is substantially the same as the heat insulating material220.

Meanwhile, the cold sink210and the heat sink240do not need to have the same size as each other and the size of the heat sink240may be larger to effectively dissipate the heat.

According to this embodiment, for immediate and reliable heat dissipation from the heat sink240, an inlet pipe241and an outlet pipe243pass through the heat sink240to flow the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle cooling device30. The refrigerant evaporates in the heat sink240and rapidly absorbs the heat from the heating surface of the thermoelectric module230as evaporation heat by defining a flow path of the refrigerant over an entire area of the heat sink240. In addition, the module housing250includes a pipe through-hole255to pass the inlet pipe241and the outlet pipe243.

That is, the heat sink240in this embodiment is designed to have a size sufficient to immediately absorb and discharge the heat generated by the thermoelectric module230and the cold sink210may have a smaller size than that of the heat sink240. However, in this embodiment, heat exchange efficiency of the cold sink210is improved by increasing the size of the cold sink210considering that the cold sink210exchanges heat between gas and solid while the heat sink240exchanges heat between liquid and solid. A degree of increasing the size of the cold sink is exemplified as follows. In this embodiment, the cold sink is designed to have a size corresponding to that of the heat sink in consideration of a compact size of the thermoelectric module. However, the size of the cold sink may be larger than that of the heat sink to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the cold sink.

Meanwhile, the module housing250includes an accommodator251and a fixer257. The accommodator251accommodates the cold sink210, the thermoelectric module230, the heat insulating material220, and the heat sink240in the stacked state. The fixer257is disposed on an opposite surface to a surface of the module housing250having the accommodator251and couples the module housing250to the inner case4. In addition, the accommodator251defines a fastening boss253, and the cold sink210, the heat insulating material220, and the heat sink240each include a through-hole at a position corresponding to that of the fastening boss253. When the fastening member213is coupled to the fastening boss253through the through-holes thereof, the cold sink210, the thermoelectric module230, the heat insulating material220, and the heat sink240in the stacked state may be coupled to the accommodator251.

Meanwhile, the refrigeration cycle cooling device30of the refrigerator according to this embodiment discharges heat from the inside of the freezer space to an outside of the refrigerator using refrigerant that circulates in a thermodynamic cycle including evaporation, compression, condensation, and expansion. A compressor31and a condenser33of the cooling device30are disposed in a machine room defined at a lower portion of a rear side of the freezer space100and isolated from the freezer space100. A grill fan assembly15including a grill fan defining the rear wall of the freezer space and a shroud coupled to a rear side of the grill fan to distribute cold air in the freezer space is disposed between the freezer space and the rear wall of the inner case4.

In addition, the evaporator37of the refrigeration cycle cooling device30is disposed in a predetermined space between the grill fan assembly15and the rear wall of the inner case4. When the refrigerant inside the evaporator37is evaporated, the evaporating refrigerant exchanges heat with the air flowing in the inner space of the freezer space10, and the air cooled by the heat exchange is distributed in a cold air distribution space defined by the grill fan and the shroud and flows in the freezer space10, thereby cooling the freezer space10.

The refrigeration cycle cooling device of the present disclosure includes an evaporator37to evaporate by heat exchanging liquid refrigerant in a low-pressure atmosphere with air in the cooling space (the space between the grill fan assembly and the inner housing), a compressor31to pressurize gaseous refrigerant vaporized by the evaporator and discharge high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, a condenser33to heat-exchange the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor with air outside of the refrigerator (the machine room) and condense to discharge heat, and an expansion device35such as a capillary tube to reduce a pressure of the refrigerant condensed by the condenser33in the low-temperature atmosphere. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant with the pressure being lowered by the expansion device35is introduced into the evaporator again.

According to the present disclosure, as the heat of the heat sink240of the thermoelectric element module200has to be rapidly cooled, the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant with the pressure and the temperature being lowered through the expansion device35is introduced into the heat sink240of the thermoelectric element module200before the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant is introduced into the evaporator37.

More specifically, the compressor31pressurizes the high-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant to discharge the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. In addition, the refrigerant generates heat in the condenser33and is condensed, that is, liquefied. As described above, the compressor31and the condenser33are each disposed in the machine room of the refrigerator.

Low-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant liquefied by the condenser33passes through a device such as the expansion valve, for example, the capillary tube and flows into the evaporator37with the pressure being lowered. In the evaporator37, the refrigerant is evaporated while absorbing surrounding heat. According to this embodiment, after the refrigerant passes through the condenser33, the refrigerant is branched into a refrigerating space evaporator37bor a freezer space evaporator37a. In this case, the heat sink240of the thermoelectric element module200is disposed in front of the freezer space evaporator37aand is disposed behind the expansion device35in the flow path of the refrigerant.

The deep-freezing portion100has to maintain a maximum temperature of minus 50 degrees Celsius. When the heating surface230bof the thermoelectric module230maintains a cold state, the heat absorbing surface230aeasily maintains a colder state. Accordingly, a coldest state thereof may be maintained by disposing the heat sink240through which the refrigerant passes in front of the freezer space evaporator37ain the flow path of refrigerant. In particular, as the heat sink240directly contacts the thermoelectric module230and absorbs heat from the thermoelectric module230in a conductive manner using a thermal conductor such as metal, the heating surface230bof the thermoelectric module230may definitely be cooled.

Meanwhile, if a user does not want to cool the deep-freezing portion100to minus 50 degrees Celsius, but want to use it at about minus 20 degrees Celsius like a normal freezer space, the deep-freezing portion100may be used as a general freezer portion by not supplying a power to the thermoelectric module230. If the power is not supplied to the thermoelectric module230as described above, heat absorption and heat generation do not occur in the heat sink240stacked on the thermoelectric module230. Accordingly, the refrigerant passing through the heat sink240does not absorb heat and flows into the freezer space evaporator37ain a state of liquid that is not evaporated.

Hereinafter, in this embodiment, complete opening of the freezer space door6refers that the door basket9of the freezer space door6is disposed outside of a front side of the freezer space10as shown inFIG.1and incomplete opening thereof refers that a portion of the door basket9is disposed at the front side of the freezer space10.

In addition, in various embodiments of the disclosure described below in this document, the front of the deep-freezing portion, the front of the housing, the front of the freezer space, or in the same context, the front refer to a side facing the door of the refrigerator, and the rear of the deep-freezing portion, the rear of the housing, the rear of the freezer space, or in the same context, the rear refers to a side opposite to the front side, that is, a portion facing the refrigerator door.

In addition, some components use the same name, but the components are different from each other and are described differently throughout the specification using different reference numerals. For example, a guide rail16described inFIGS.5,6and12and a guide rail173described inFIGS.15and16are different components and are clearly differently described through the specification as different components using the different reference numerals.

FIG.5shows a deep-freezing portion separated from a freezer space according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. (a) ofFIG.6is an enlarged view of a guide rail disposed on the inner wall of a freezer space. (b) ofFIG.6is a rear view of the deep-freezing portion inFIG.5. (a) and (b) ofFIG.7show a deep-freezing portion coupled to a freezer space.FIGS.8and9are perspective view of the deep-freezing portion inFIG.5.

Referring toFIGS.5to9, the refrigerator of this embodiment includes a refrigerating space20defining an opening at a front side thereof and a freezer space10partitioned from the refrigerating space20and defining an opening at a front side thereof, the freezer space10may include a deep-freezing portion100forming a separated additional space and disposed inside of the freezer space10. The deep-freezing portion100may be detachably provided inside the freezer space10for maintenance.

In detail, an inner portion of the freezer space10may be divided by the partition wall fitted onto the installation guide13and the deep-freezing portion100may be inserted into any one of the partitioned spaces. The guide rail16is disposed on the inner side wall of the freezer space10and a guide member slidable along the guide rail16is disposed on the outer side wall of the housing110. The guide member is moved along the guide rail16to insert and draw out the deep-freezing portion100into and from any one of the partitioned inner spaces of the freezer space10.

A freezing and evaporating space may be disposed at a rear side of the freezer space10, the refrigeration cycle cooling device30may be disposed in the freezing and evaporating space, and the freezing and evaporating space and the freezer space10may be partitioned by the grill fan assembly15and the inner case4.

The grill fan assembly15includes a grill fan defining a rear surface of the freezer space, a shroud and a fan17defining a flow path to supply cold air generated in the freezing and evaporating space to the freezer space10and may define the rear surface of the freezer space10. The grill fan includes an upper flow path18aand a lower flow path18bon and under the fan17to provide a flow path through which air discharged from the fan17and introduced into the deep-freezing portion100circulates inside the deep-freezing portion100. The flow path provided inside the deep-freezing portion100is described below.

Meanwhile, the thermoelectric element module200is disposed between the shroud and the inner case4, the fan17is disposed on the front surface of the thermoelectric element module200, and the deep-freezing portion100is disposed on the front surface of the fan17. Here, the front surface refers to a surface facing the inside of the freezer space10from the inner case4of the freezer space10and the rear surface refers to a surface facing the inner case4of the freezer space10from the inside of the freezer space10.

That is, the fan17supplies, to the deep-freezing portion100, cold air having ‘deep temperature’ by the thermoelectric element module200and may be provided separately from a fan to supply cold air to the freezer space10.

In addition, the housing110defines an opening111F opened and closed by the door130and an opening111R in which the thermoelectric element module200, the fan17, and the like may be disposed. The opening111F is defined on the front surface of the housing110and is described below as an open portion on the front surface of the housing, and the opening111R is described below as an open portion on the rear surface of the housing.

Meanwhile, a conducting wire (L) is drawn out through one side of the housing110to supply power to a heating wire1117disposed along a circumference of the opening111F that is open and defined on the front surface of the housing110. As the housing110has a large temperature difference between an inside of the housing110and an outside of the housing110, a phenomenon in which liquid freezes around the opening111F and the deep-freezing portion door130may occur. The heating wire is provided to melt the frozen liquid. In addition, the deep-freezing portion100may be more tightly closed by supplying an induced current to a portion of the deep-freezing portion door130using the conducting wire (L). That is, the conducting wire (L) may supply power to a load that may be provided in the deep-freezing portion100.

The conducting wire (L) is disposed along the guide rail16and may be guided together when the deep-freezing portion100is inserted and is drawn out along the guide rail16. If the conducting wire (L) is caught in a gap between the housing110and the side surface of the freezer space10, the deep-freezing portion100may be not easily inserted and drawn out, and furthermore, coating of the conducting wire (L) is peeled off, which causes malfunction and exposure to a risk of accident. Therefore, the conducting wire (L) may be guided in a groove of the guide rail16.

Referring to the enlarged view of a side surface of a lower portion of the housing110inFIG.8, a guide member protrudes from the lower portion of the housing110, includes a hole1101at one side thereof, and the conducting wire (L) may be drawn out to the outside of the housing110through the hole1101. To prevent the conducting wire (L) from being caught in the gap between the housing110and the side surface of the freezer space10, a cover1102may be disposed above the hole1101to cover at least a portion of the hole1101and may be spaced apart from the hole1101by a predetermined distance.

Meanwhile, with respect to the structure in which the deep-freezing portion100is separated from the inside of the freezer space10, the freezer space10defines a space with an open front side, includes the guide rail16that extends from a front side thereof to a rear side thereof, and the guide rail16may include a fixing member161inserted into a fitting groove115of the housing110on a rear surface of the freezer space10.

The deep-freezing portion100may be disposed inside the freezer space10by sliding along the guide rail16. When the deep-freezing portion100is disposed in the freezer space10, the fan17and the thermoelectric element module200are each disposed behind the deep-freezing portion100.

When the deep-freezing portion100is disposed in the freezer space10, if the fan17and the thermoelectric element module200are misaligned with the opening111R or a gap is formed, cold air introduced into the deep-freezing portion100may leak. Therefore, the user may check that the deep-freezing portion100is disposed in the freezer space10at a right position by physical coupling between the fitting groove115and the fixing member161.

Meanwhile, the fitting groove115may be defined closer to the rear surface of the housing110and the fixing member161may be disposed closer to the rear surface of the freezer space10on the guide rail16to intuitively notify, to the user, that there is no gap between the rear surface of the deep-freezing portion100and the thermoelectric element module200. However, the fitting groove115and the fixing member161are not limited by the positional limitations. The fitting groove115may be defined at a portion of the outer surface of the housing110and the fixing member161may be provided outside of a movement path of the deep-freezing portion100on the guide rail16.

Accordingly, the fixing member161may be coupled to the fitting groove115when the rear surface of the deep-freezing portion100contacts the rear surface of the freezer space10. In this case, the rear surface of the deep-freezing portion100may refer to a surface defining the opening111R of the housing110and the rear surface of the freezer space10may refer to a surface of the grill fan assembly15.

As described above, the front surface and the rear surface refer to the front surface opened and closed by the door in front of the freezer space with respect to the storage space of the freezer space and the rear surface facing the front surface and the standards are not interpreted differently depending on components.

The fixing member161is elastically supported on the guide rail16, and when the fixing member161is coupled to the fitting groove115, the fixing member161may be elastically deformed and then restored. The elastic deformation and restoration refers that the degree of protrusion of the fixing member161from the upper side of the guide rail16is elastically deformed, and the degree of protrusion may be restored by an elastic force when the fixing member161is coupled to the fitting groove115.

In detail, the fixing member161has a semicircular shape with a curvature and may protrude from the upper surface of the guide rail16at the position close to the rear surface of the freezer space10. A first side of the guide rail16may be disposed at the front surface of the freezer space10, a second side of the guide rail16may be disposed at the rear surface of the freezer space10, the guide rail16may extend from the front surface of the freezer space10to the rear surface of the freezer space10, and the fixing member161may protrude from the upper surface of the second side of the guide rail16.

If the fixing member161is disposed at the first side (a portion facing the front surface of the freezer space) of the guide rail16, interference due to friction may occur when the deep-freezing portion100is inserted into and is drawn out from the freezer space10. The rear surface of the deep-freezing portion100contacts the grill fan assembly15to prevent the cold air generated from the thermoelectric element module200from leaking into the freezer space10. Therefore, the fixing member161is preferably disposed close to the rear surface of the freezer space10.

Furthermore, the fitting groove115may have a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the fixing member161such that the fixing member161is in surface contact with the fitting groove115. The fixing member161of this embodiment has the semicircular shape with the curvature, and accordingly, the fitting groove115may have a semicircular shape corresponding to the curvature.

Therefore, when the user draws out the deep-freezing portion door130, the housing110may be prevented from being drawn out from the freezer space10by the coupling between the fixing member161and the fitting groove115. When the user draws out the housing110, the user has to pull the housing110by elastically deforming the protruding portion of the fixing member161.

That is, when the user draws out the stored material from the housing110by pulling out the deep freezer portion door130to draw out the stored materials from the inside of the deep-freezing portion100, the deep-freezing portion100may be fixed inside the freezer space10.

Referring toFIG.8, a configuration of the deep-freezing portion100is described. The deep-freezing portion100may include housing110defining an opening111F at a front surface thereof and providing a deep-freeze space100S and a deep-freezing portion door130slidable with respect to the housing110and to open and close the opening111F defined on the front surface of the deep-freezing portion.

In more detail, a guide member170is disposed at a lower portion of the deep-freezing portion door130and is movable along a guide rail173of the housing110to slide the deep-freezing portion door130to the inner space of the housing110. The configurations of the guide rail173and the guide member170are described below with reference toFIGS.14to17.

As the door6rotates, the open front portion of the freezer space6may be opened and closed. Based on the opening of the front surface of the freezer space by the rotation of the door6, the deep-freezing portion100is opened. The door130slides to the housing110to open and close the opening111F of the housing. Based on the opening and closing thereof, the basket150may be inserted into and drawn out from the housing110to store or draw out food in or from the deep freezer portion100.

Meanwhile, protrusion members113protrude from a front side of the opening111F and are disposed at both sides of the deep-freezing portion door130to prevent shaking of the deep-freezing portion door130when the deep-freezing portion door130closes the opening in contact with the opening111F.

That is, the deep-freezing portion door130has a width that is smaller than that of the housing110and may be less interfered with the door basket9disposed inside the freezer space door6by a difference between the width of the deep-freezing portion door130and the width of the housing110when the deep-freezing portion door130is drawn out.

Meanwhile, a fastener may be disposed on at least one of the deep-freezing portion door130or the front surface of the housing of this embodiment and may include a first fastener1115and a hook1313disposed on the front surface of the housing and the door130, facing each other, and to provide a magnetic force, and a second fastener including a coupling groove1113into which the hook1313is inserted.

The first fastener1115may include a magnet having magnetism and the deep-freezing portion door130may open and close the front open space111F of the housing by the magnetic force. Further, the deep-freezing portion door130may include the hook1313that protrudes toward the opening111F defined on the front surface thereof and the hook1313may be inserted into the coupling groove1113defined at a portion of the opening111F provided on the front surface thereof to couple the deep-freezing portion door130to the front surface of the housing.

As the inside of the deep-freezing portion100is maintained at ‘deep-temperature’ which is lower than that of the inside of the freezer space, it is necessary to prevent the cold air from leaking from the inside of the deep-freezing portion100. Therefore, as described above, the deep-freezing portion door130may open and close the opening111F in contact with the opening111F. That is, the door130is coupled to the housing110by the first fastener and the second fastener using a multiple fastening structure, thereby effectively preventing the cold air from leaking from the inside of the deep-freezing portion.

Meanwhile, the first fastener1115may be made of material having magnetism by itself, or material having the magnetism when a current flows, and may receive a current by a conducting wire (L) drawn out to the outside of the deep-freezing portion100. The user may adjust the magnetism based on an amount of current supply to adjust a degree of closing thereof by contacting the deep-freezing portion door130with the opening111F.

In addition, the first fastener1115may be disposed on the deep-freezing portion door130or the opening111F as described above or the first fasteners1115may be disposed on the deep-freezing portion door130and the opening111F at positions corresponding to each other and may be coupled by an attraction force. If the first fastener1115is disposed only in either one of the deep-freezing portion door130or the opening111F, the part where the first fastener1115is not disposed has to be made of material such as iron to attach to the magnet. In this case, the weight, the production cost, and the like of the deep-freezing portion100may be increased. Therefore, as described in the above example, when the magnets are disposed in the deep-freezing portion door130and the opening111F and are coupled to each other by the attractive force, there is an advantage in that material of the deep-freezing portion door130or the opening111F may be selected as an optimal material for insulation.

Meanwhile, the hook1313protrudes from the deep-freezing portion door130toward the opening111F. The hook1313is elastically supported by the deep-freezing portion door130in the direction of gravity to elastically deform and restore the position of the hook1313when the hook1313is inserted into the coupling groove1113.

The elastic deformation and restoration refers that, when the hook1313is inserted into the coupling groove1113, the hook1313is moved while receiving an elastic force in an upward direction, and when the hook1313is coupled to the coupling groove1113, the position of the hook1313is restored.

The hook1313may be elastically deformed and then restored as described above, or may be coupled to or uncoupled from the coupling groove1313by a switch and a button disposed on one side of the deep-freezing portion door130.

Meanwhile, in addition to opening and closing of the opening111F by the deep-freezing portion door130based on coupling between the hook1313, the coupling groove1113, and the magnet1115, the door130may include a gasket1311along a circumference of an inner surface thereof to prevent leakage of the cold air in the deep-freezing portion100to outside. The hook1313, the coupling groove1113, and the magnet1115may be disposed in the area out of the circumference formed by the gasket1311. If the hook1313, the coupling groove1113, and the magnet1115are disposed in an area overlapping with the gasket1311, the effect of preventing the outflow of the cold air by the gasket1311may be significantly reduced. Therefore, as described above, the hook1313, the coupling groove1113, and the magnet1115are each preferably disposed in the area out of the circumference of the gasket1311.

Meanwhile, a heating wire1117may be disposed along the circumference of the opening111F and may receive a power from the conducting wire (L) drawn out to an outside of the deep-freezing portion100. The housing110includes a hole1101at one side thereof and the conducting wire (L) may be drawn out to outside through the deep-freezing portion100via the hole1101.

The deep-freezing portion100includes the hole1101at the lower portion thereof as described above and protruding members disposed at both sides of the lower portion of the deep-freezing portion100are provided in a path guided by a guide rail16of the freezer space. Therefore, the deep-freezing portion100may not interfere with the protruding members when the deep-freezing portion100is inserted into and is drawn out from the freezer space. In addition, a cover member1102may be disposed at one side of the hole1101and covers an upper portion of the hole1101to prevent an accident such as peeling off of covering of the conducting wire (L) due to caught of the conducting wire (L) between the deep-freezing portion100and the inner wall of the freezer space10.

FIGS.10and11show a deep-freezing portion door and a basket.

Referring toFIGS.10and11, the deep-freezing portion100may include a basket150that may be inserted into and drawn out from the deep-freezing portion100as the deep-freezing portion door130is opened and closed, the deep-freezing portion basket150includes a fixing member153that protrudes from one side of the deep-freezing portion basket150, and the fixing member153may be inserted into a groove1315defined on an inner surface of the deep-freezing portion door130to couple the deep-freezing portion basket150to the deep-freezing portion door130.

The fixing member153has various shapes such that the fixing member153is inserted into the groove1315, and in this embodiment, the fixing member153has a hook shape.

That is, the deep-freezing portion basket150may be provided separately from the deep-freezing portion door130, include a first surface152facing an inner surface of the deep-freezing portion door130and a second surface151facing the first surface152and on which the grill is placed, and the fixing member153may be disposed on the first surface152.

In addition, a first support member1521protrudes from a lower side of the first surface152to contact the inner surface of the deep-freezing portion door130and a second support member1511protrudes from a lower side of the second surface151to contact a bottom surface112of the housing110.

The fixing member153and the first support member1521each protrude from the first surface152of the basket150, the fixing member153may be disposed on the first surface152, and the first support member1521may be disposed under the first surface152. The fixing member153and the first support member1521have a relative difference in height from the first surface152. The first support member1521contacts the inner surface of the door130to support a rotational moment generated from the basket150with respect to the fixing member153, thereby stably gripping the basket150on the inner surface of the door130.

In addition, the basket150is detachably coupled to the door130and may be provided at a height spaced apart from the guide member170by a predetermined distance. The basket150is directly coupled to the inner surface of the door130to connect the guide member170to the lower side of the door130. Therefore, the inner space of the housing110may be widely used.

If the basket150is not gripped by the door130, the basket150has to be drawn out based on the opening and closing of the door130, so the basket150has to be supported on the guide member170. In this case, the guide member170is inevitably slidable in the inner space of the housing110, which is an element reducing the inner space of the housing110.

To maximize the use of the inner space of the housing110, the guide member170is connected to the lower side of the door130and slides on the housing110at the outside of the inner space of the housing110, the basket150has to be gripped on other configurations than the guide member170and may be drawn out based on the opening and closing of the door130. Therefore, according to the configuration described in this embodiment, the basket150may be stably gripped on the inner surface of the door130at the height spaced apart from the guide member170by the predetermined distance.

Meanwhile, the second surface151may be referred to as the surface on which the grill is disposed, and the grill151may define an inlet through which cold air generated from the thermoelectric element module200disposed at the rear of the deep-freezing portion100is introduced.

In addition, the second support member1511protrudes from the lower surface of the grill151and contacts the bottom surface112of the housing110. The housing110define openings111F and111R at the front surface and the rear surface thereof and has the bottom surface112, an upper surface114, and a side surface. The bottom surface112forms an inner bottom surface of the housing110. The upper surface114forms an inner upper surface of the housing110. The rear surface forms an inner rear surface of the housing110and defines an open space accommodating the fan17to introduce cold air of the thermoelectric element module200into the housing110. The side surface extends from a front side of the housing110to a rear side of the housing110in a depth direction.

In this embodiment, the deep-freezing portion basket150includes the fixing member153disposed on the first surface152and inserted into the groove1315of the deep-freezing portion door and rotates clockwise about the contact portion between the groove1315and the fixing member153. Therefore, the first support member1521may be disposed under the first surface152, that is, at an opposite side to an upper side of the first surface152at which the fixing member153is disposed, protrudes toward the inner surface of the deep temperature portion door130, and contacts the inner surface of the deep-freezing portion door130to fix a horizontal position of the deep-freezing portion basket150and firmly couple to the deep-freezing portion door130.

In addition, the grill151may include a second support member1511that protrudes from a lower surface of the grill151and contacting the bottom surface112of the housing to prevent the deep-freezing portion basket150from contact with the bottom surface112of the housing110as the deep-freezing portion basket150is tilted as described above. In addition, a contact member1513is disposed in the second support member1511and protrudes from the support member1511in the direction of gravity to directly contact the bottom surface112of the housing.

That is, the basket150may include the first support member1521and the second support member1511disposed at the same height. In detail, the first support member1521may be disposed at the lower portion of the basket150to support the rotational moment generated as the fixing member153is disposed at the upper portion of the basket150and the second support member1511may be disposed at the lower portion of the basket150to prevent the basket150from being damaged due to the contact of the basket150with the bottom surface112of the housing110.

Meanwhile, the contact member1513is additionally provided in the second support member1511that protrudes from the second surface151, and for the provision, the second support member1511may include a groove into which the contact member1513is inserted. The contact member1513may be injection molded by a series of processes using the same material as the deep-freezing portion basket150by directly contacting the contact member1513with the bottom surface112of the housing, thereby simplifying a process. The contact member1513is made of additional material having high strength, hardness, and rigidity including POM material and may be fitted into the second support member1511.

FIG.12is a rear perspective view of a deep-freezing portion.FIG.13is a side cross-sectional view ofFIG.12.FIG.14is a state view in which a deep-freezing portion door is inserted.FIG.15shows a structure to limit a withdrawal distance of a deep-freezing portion door and a structure to prevent removal thereof.

Referring toFIGS.12to15, a deep-freezing portion100of this embodiment includes housing110defining an opening at a front side thereof and providing a deep-freeze space100S having a predetermined length from the front side thereof to a rear side thereof, a guide rail173that extends from one side of the housing110in a longitudinal direction of the housing110, a guide member170movable along the guide rail173, and a door130connected to the guide member170to open and close the front side of the housing, and the guide rail173may extend longer than a length of the deep-freeze space100S.

The deep-freeze space100S is defined inside the housing110, is partitioned from the inner storage space of the freezer space, and maintains a temperature lower than that of the storage space. A boundary of the deep-freeze space100S is defined by an inner front surface, an inner rear surface, and an inner side surface of the housing110. A length of the deep-freeze space100S may refer to a length from the inner front surface of the housing110to the inner rear surface of the housing110. In addition, as the inside of the deep-freeze space100S is maintained at a cryogenic temperature, the housing110may have a predetermined thickness for thermal insulation.

In this configuration, the guide rail173may extend longer than the length of the deep-freeze space100S and an extending length of the guide rail173may be close to a distance from an outer front surface of the housing to an outer rear surface of the housing. Referring toFIG.12, the guide rail173of this embodiment may be recessed from the outer lower surface of the housing110along a longitudinal direction of the housing110(may extend from the outer front surface of the housing to the outer rear surface of the housing).

The outer front surface of the housing110may be described as an outer surface defining an opening111F of the housing and the outer rear surface of the housing110refers the outer surface of the housing110in contact with a grill fan assembly15.

Meanwhile, the deep-freezing portion door130is slidably provided on the guide rail173disposed under the housing110and is inserted and is drawn out based on sliding of the guide member170inserted into the guide rail173. A general freezer space maintains a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius, but the deep-freezing portion100of this embodiment maintains a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or less, which is ‘deep-temperature’. The guide rail173is disposed outside of the space where the temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or less is maintained and enables sliding of the deep-freezing portion door130.

If the guide rail is disposed inside the housing110, there is a fear that more cold air may leak to outside when the deep-freezing portion door130is opened and closed, and furthermore, freezing occurs between the guide rail and a guide, thereby degrading sliding of the deep-freezing portion door130and weakening durability thereof. Therefore, the guide rail173of this embodiment is disposed at a lower side of the outer portion of the housing110and the guide member170is connected to a lower side of the deep-freezing portion door130to slide the deep-freezing portion door130.

When the guide member170is connected to the lower side of the deep-freezing portion door130as described above, the deep-freezing portion basket150may not be supported by the guide member170. That is, as the inside of the deep-freezing portion100is maintained at ‘the deep-temperature’, the deep-freezing portion100has the thickness for internal insulation thereof. In addition, the guide rail173is disposed at the lower side of the outer portion of the housing110and the inner bottom surface112of the housing110is spaced apart from the guide rail173by an outer thickness of the housing110. Therefore, the deep-freezing portion basket150has to be fixed at a position spaced apart from the guide member170by a predetermined height.

Therefore, the deep-freezing portion basket150may not be supported by and coupled to the guide member170and has to be coupled to the deep-freezing portion door130at the height spaced apart from the guide member170by the predetermined distance. For the coupling, the deep-freezing portion basket150includes a fixing member153and the deep-freezing portion door130includes a groove1315on an inner surface thereof. Also, the first support member1521protrudes from the first surface152of the deep-freezing portion basket to stably support the deep-freezing portion basket150. In addition, a second support member1511may protrude from under a grill151to prevent wear of the deep-freezing portion basket150due to contact with the bottom surface112of the housing110and application of an external force to food stored in the deep-freezing portion basket150by friction on the deep-freezing portion basket150.

Meanwhile, a first side of the guide member170is connected to the door130, and when the door130closes the front opening111F of the housing110, a second side of the guide member170may be disposed behind the deep-freeze space100S. In addition, the guide rail173may communication a front side thereof with a rear side thereof, and when the door130closes the front surface of the housing110, the guide member170may protrude from a rear end of the guide rail173.

The rear surface of the housing110is disposed inside a freezer space in contact with a grill fan assembly15defining the rear surface of the storage space of the freezer space in the freezer space. If the second side of the guide member170protrudes from the rear side of the guide rail173, the door130may not completely close the front surface of the housing110due to the contact with the grill fan assembly15.

The grill fan assembly15may include a recess15ato accommodate the guide rail173. A sliding movement distance of the guide member170is increased based on a recessed depth of the recess15aand the length of the guide rail173, thereby obtaining a longer withdrawal distance of the door130.

That is, the guide rail173extends from the front side of the outer lower surface of the housing110to the rear side of the outer lower surface of the housing110to obtain the withdrawal distance of the guide member170, and the guide member170extends longer than the length of the deep-freezing portion basket150in the longitudinal direction of the housing and may be inserted into the guide rail173.

If a rail defines a plurality of steps such as two or three steps to obtain the withdrawal distance of the deep-freezing portion basket150, the durability of the guide rail may be weakened. In addition, a guide rail has to be disposed under the deep-freezing portion to accommodate the rail having the plurality of steps and occupies larger volume than that of the guide rail173to accommodate the guide member170of this embodiment, thereby reducing space utilization of the deep-freeze space.

Therefore, the guide rail173is disposed below the housing110to obtain the withdrawal distance of the one-step guide member170in this embodiment and extends from the outer front surface of the housing110to the outer rear surface of the housing110to obtain the withdrawal distance of the deep-freezing portion door130.

In addition, the guide member170includes a roller171at one end thereof to slide the guide member170inside the guide rail173while minimizing friction.

Meanwhile, the guide member170includes an engaging member172to limit a sliding distance of the deep-freezing portion door130and the guide rail173includes a stopper1731disposed at one side thereof. The sliding distance of the deep-freezing portion door130may be limited by contacting the engaging member172with the stopper1731.

More specifically, the engaging member172is disposed in front of the roller171in the guide member170, and the front refers to a portion toward the door130with respect to the housing110as described above. That is, a first end of the guide member170is connected to the door130and the roller171is disposed at a second end thereof. Therefore, the engaging member172may be disposed in front of the roller171in the guide member170.

The stopper1731is disposed close to the opening111F of the housing110in the guide rail173and the engaging member172may be disposed in front of the roller171provided at one side of the guide member170. That is, the guide rail173may include the stopper1731at the front side of the outer lower surface of the housing110and the engaging member172may be provided at a portion of the guide member170that extends further from the deep-freezing portion basket150.

When the deep-freezing portion basket150is removed from the deep-freezing portion door130and is drawn out to outside, to obtain a distance corresponding to a depth direction (a direction toward an inner space of the housing from the deep-freezing portion door) of the deep-freezing portion basket150in the housing110, a sliding distance of the deep-freezing portion door130may be limited by contacting the engaging member172with the stopper1731. If the sliding distance of the deep-freezing portion door130is not limited, there is a risk in that the deep-freezing portion door130is separated from and fall down from the housing110.

In addition, when the engaging member172contacts the stopper1731and the deep-freezing portion door130is drawn out at a maximum level, a rotational moment is generated based on the withdrawal distance of the deep-freezing portion door130. In this case, there is a risk in that the deep-freezing portion door130is separated from and falls down from the housing110. The guide rail173further includes a rib1733that protrudes from one side thereof to prevent separation of the deep-freezing portion door120by contact with the guide member170when the deep-freezing portion door120is rotated in the direction of gravity.

In detail, the rib1733may be disposed at an inner portion of the guide rail173than the stopper1731, and when the deep-freezing portion door120rotates by receiving the moment, the rib1733may contact the upper surface of the guide member170. In this case, the guide member170may include the roller171at the lower portion thereof and an upper portion of the guide member170may extend shorter than the lower portion of the guide member170.

That is, the guide member170may have a rod shape, the upper portion thereof and the lower portion thereof are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and extend. The engaging member172is disposed at the upper side of the guide member170and contacts the stopper1731disposed between the upper side and the lower side of the guide member170to limit the withdrawal distance of the deep-freezing portion door130. The lower side of the guide member170extends further than the upper side of the guide member170in the length (depth) direction of the housing110from the deep-freezing portion door130and the roller171may be disposed at the extending portion thereof.

In addition, the guide rail173may provide a slidable space of the guide member170under the housing110and support the guide member170, or is recessed from the outer surface of the housing110. A rail cover174is connected to the guide rail173to support the guide member170and may move and support the guide member170simultaneously.

That is, when the guide rail173is recessed from the lower surface of the housing and defines an opening at one side thereof, the rail cover174covers the open portion thereof to define a path with four surfaces, support the load of the guide member170, and moves the guide member170along the guide rail173.

If the guide rail173is disposed under the lower surface of the housing110as the path with the four surfaces, a thickness of the housing110is increased, thereby reducing one of the storage space in the freezer space or the deep-freeze space of the deep-freezing portion or not facilitating the injection molding during the manufacturing of the housing110.

In addition, the housing110may be made of insulating material to maintain the inside thereof at the cryogenic temperature, but it is not easy to manufacture the guide rail173having all surfaces made of the insulating material and defining a path with the four surfaces.

Therefore, the housing110may be easily manufactured by disposing, under the housing110, the guide rail173defining the opening at one side thereof and having the recessed shape and covering, by the rail cover174, the open portion of the guide rail173.

In addition, the rail cover174includes a fixer1741. The fixer1741may couple the rail cover174to the housing110and may include various shapes such that the rail cover174is coupled to the housing110.

Meanwhile, as described above, the rail cover174is connected to the guide rail173to form the path through which the guide member170may move and in which a front side thereof communicates with a rear side thereof. When the door130closes the front opening111F of the housing110, the second end of the guide member170may be disposed behind the rear end of the rail cover174. Therefore, the rail cover174does not need to have a length corresponding to that of the guide rail173and may have a length shorter than that of the guide rail173.

Meanwhile, the deep-freezing portion basket150may define a space to store food and include an additional shelf155to partition the storage space inside the deep freezer space basket150.

FIG.16is a cross-sectional view of a flow of cold air inside a deep-freezing portion. (a) ofFIG.17is a side cross-sectional view of a deep-freezing portion. (b) ofFIG.17is an inner top view of a deep-freezing portion. (a) ofFIG.18is a side cross-sectional view of a freezer space. (b) ofFIG.18is a side cross-sectional view of a grill fan assembly.FIG.19is a cross-sectional view of air flow inside a deep-freezing portion.

Referring toFIGS.16to19, a thermoelectric element module200of this embodiment includes a thermoelectric module230having a heat absorbing surface230aand a heating surface230b. In addition, a fan17faces the heat absorbing surface230aof the thermoelectric module and introduces cold air into the deep-freezing portion100. An accommodator19accommodates the fan17, protrudes from an inner surface of the freezer space and includes a guide18disposed at one side of the accommodator19and to guide flow of the cold air. The housing110provides a flow path1141defined at a portion of an inner surface of the housing and stepped from the inner surface of the housing.

The guide18may include an upper path18adefined at an upper portion of the accommodator19and a lower path18bdefined at a lower portion of the accommodator19.

As described above, the housing110defines the openings111F and111R on the front surface and the rear surface, respectively, and an inner space of the housing110may include a bottom surface112facing a lower side of the deep-freezing portion basket150and defining the bottom surface of the housing110, an upper surface114facing the bottom surface112, and side surfaces connecting the upper surface114, the bottom surface112, a front surface, and a rear surface to divide the inner space thereof to have a cube shape.

In addition, the upper surface114of the housing110may define a stepped flow path1141at a portion thereof. The flow path1141may extend in direction of expanding the deep-freeze space110S in the housing110. Specifically, the flow path1141has a recess shape and is concaved upward from a portion of an upper surface114of the housing110to expand the deep-freeze space110S.

The flow path1141includes vertical portions1141ahaving a width of the flow path and spaced apart from each other, and that extends in a longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion and a horizontal portion1141bconnecting one sides of the vertical portions. The flow path1141may be defined on the upper surface114and may have a U-shape.

The vertical portion1141amay extend in a direction of decreasing the width of the flow path1141along the longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion. In this case, the width between one sides of the vertical portions1141acorresponds to a length of the horizontal portion114band a width (W) of second sides of the vertical portions1141amay be shorter than that of the horizontal portion1141b.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vertical portion1141awith the width of the flow path1141may have a shape as described in an embodiment in (b) ofFIG.17. Specifically, the width of the flow path1141is maintained constantly in a certain section in the longitudinal direction of the deep-freezing portion (in a direction from a side of the vertical portion1141ato a second side of the vertical portion1141a) and is decreased at a portion defining the second side of the vertical portion1141a.

In addition, the second side of the vertical portion1141amay communicate with the guide18and the width (W) between the second sides of the vertical portions1141amay be the same as the guide18.

In addition, the flow path1141may be inclined downward from the upper surface114of the housing toward the rear surface of the housing.

That is, the cold air introduced into the housing110through the flow path1141having the various shapes may be guided toward the guide18and may be discharged to the outside of the housing110.

Meanwhile, the vertical portions1141aextend in parallel while maintaining the width of the horizontal portion1141bat one side thereof and then extend in a direction of decreasing the width of the vertical portions at a predetermined area of the second side of the vertical portion1141a. A bending portion1145may decrease the width of the vertical portions. The flow path1141may have inclination at the bending portion1145. The step of the flow path1141defines a flow path through which cold air flows inside the housing. The bending portion1145and an inclined portion1143may be disposed at the second side of the vertical portion1141ato obtain an area of the flow path and guide the cold air to the guide18.

Meanwhile, the deep-freezing portion basket150is spaced apart from the bottom surface112by a predetermined height and a second flow path1121may be defined in a space between the bottom surface112and the basket150. When the flow paths are respectively defined on the upper surface114and the bottom surface112of the housing110as described above, the flow path1141defined on the upper surface of the housing refers to a first flow path.

A height of the basket150is smaller than that of the housing110and the basket150may be coupled to the inner surface of the door130at a position spaced apart from each of the upper surface114and the bottom surface112of the housing.

The movement path of cold air by the above configuration is described. The cold air is introduced into the housing by a thermoelectric module and a fan accommodated in the accommodator19and the introduced cold air passes through a grill disposed on the rear surface of the basket150. That is, the cold air moves from the rear surface of the housing110to the front surface of the housing and a flow of the cold air from the front surface of the housing110to the rear surface of the housing110is divided into an upper flow of the housing110and a lower flow of the housing110at the front surface thereof.

In detail, referring toFIG.16, a flow (f1) of cold air flowing into the housing through the thermoelectric element module and the fan directs the front surface of the housing from the rear surface of the housing, and the flow circulating to the rear surface of the housing from the front surface of the housing may be divided into a flow (f2) guided along the first flow path1141of the housing and a flow (f3) guided along the second flow path1121.

The first flow path1141communicates with the upper flow path18a, may provide a space sufficient to move the cold air by the horizontal portion1141band the vertical portion1141aas described above and may easily introduce the cold air to the upper flow path18aby the bending portion1145and the inclined portion1143.

Meanwhile, the upper flow path18amay include a guide inclined portion181ato guide flow of the cold air to minimize an element that may act as a resistance to the flow of the cold air moving along the bending portion1145and the inclined portion1143. The guide inclined portion181amay be inclined downward from the lower portion of the upper flow path18aalong the flow path through which the cold air moves and may prevent interruption of flow that may occur at the communication portion between the first flow path1141and the upper flow path18a.

The second flow path1121communicates with the lower flow path18b. In this case, the second flow path1121and the lower flow path18bdo not form a step. Preferably, the second flow path1121and the lower flow path18bmay form a parallel surface and communicate with each other. That is, a height of the lower flow path18bmay correspond to a height between the lower surface of the basket150and the bottom surface112.

In addition, the flow path and the guide communicate with each other when the housing110is coupled to the inner side of the freezer space, that is, when the accommodator19is inserted into and coupled to the opening111R defined on the rear surface of the housing110.

Meanwhile, as the bending portion1145is defined at the second side of the vertical portion1141aand is bent in the direction of decreasing the width of the first flow path1141, the inclined portion1143may be defined radially along the boundary surface of the bending portion1145. Even in this case, a width (W) determined by the bending portions1145has to correspond to the width of the upper flow path18a.

Hereinabove, representative embodiments of the present disclosure are described. However, a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will understand that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments within the scope that does not deviate from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined based on claims described below and equivalents to the claims.