REFRIGERATION MODULE AND BATHROOM MANAGEMENT APPARATUS

Disclosed are a refrigeration module capable of reducing a temperature of a storage room within a short time and a bathroom management apparatus including the same. A refrigeration module may include an outer case, a thermoelectric module, a first heat sink provided on a first surface of the thermoelectric module to produce heat and second heat sink provided on a second surface of the thermoelectric module to absorb heat, and a blowing fan.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2017-0028632 filed on Mar. 7, 2017, whose entire disclosures is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

A refrigeration module and a bathroom management apparatus including the same are disclosed.

Bathroom management apparatuses and refrigeration modules are known. However, they suffer from various disadvantages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a bathroom management apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In general, a bathroom is a place that allows users to wash his/her clothes, face, hands, shower, or the like. Since the bathroom is a very humid place, molds and bacteria may easily breed and may result in unwanted odors.

Most bathrooms dry and deodorize depending on a ventilation fan. However, since an operation of the ventilation fan may not suitable or inadequate to dry the whole bathroom even with constant operation, unhealthy molds and the bacteria may become an issue. Accordingly, it is important to prevent the bathroom from becoming a habitat of the molds and the bacteria by removing moisture early on, particular at low lying areas of the bathroom, as well as promptly drying wet bath and toilet appliances such as wet towels.

Further, various facilities such as washstand, toilet, mirror, towel rack, toothbrush holder as well as a storage room for storing various bath and toilet appliances including towels may be installed in the bathroom. Meanwhile, a user may use various types of electronic products such as hair dryers and shavers in the bathroom.

Hence, if a bathroom management apparatus can integrate multiple functions such as a toothbrush sterilizer, a cosmetics refrigerator, a charging function for electronic products, as well as drying or dehumidifying functions to address the numerous needs in the bathroom, the space utility of the bathroom can be increased.

Further, if a bath management apparatus can be customized to select only desired functions among various function modules including a storage module having a function for storage, an air conditioning module having a function dry objects in the bathroom, a sterilizing module having a function of a toothbrush sterilizer, a refrigerating module having a function of a cosmetics refrigerator, and a charging module having a charging function of the electronic products, or the like, the effectiveness and usability of the bathroom management apparatus may be improved.

In addition, an installation position of the function modules may be freely changed by taking into consideration storage convenience and usability of the user. Since a toilet, a washstand, and a mirror are installed in different positions in the bathroom according to users, the installation position of the function module may be freely changed according to an environment of the bathroom.

Meanwhile, when a small refrigeration module is configured, a thermoelectric module may be used to generate cold air. When power is supplied to the thermoelectric module, one surface of the thermoelectric module generates hot air and an opposite surface of the thermoelectric module generates cold air. However, if the thermoelectric module radiates the generated hot air, an efficiency generating cold air is increased. If the generated cold air is rapidly moved to a storage room, a temperature of the storage room may be reduced within a short time.

The bathroom management apparatus as broadly described and embodied herein addresses these as well as other aspects.

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a bathroom management apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 2is an exploded perspective view showing a bathroom management apparatus ofFIG. 1. The bathroom management apparatus may include a cabinet100, a frame200installed inside the cabinet100, a plurality of function modules300,400,500,600,700, and800, and a door900disposed in a forward direction of the cabinet100.

The cabinet100may have a hollow structure and may have a square shape of which a front surface and a rear surface are open. The cabinet100may form an upper external appearance, a lower external appearance, a left external appearance, and a right external appearance.

The cabinet100may include an upper panel110forming an upper side, a lower panel120forming a lower side, a left side panel130forming a left side, and a right side panel140forming a right side. The upper panel110connects a top end of the left side panel130with a top end of the right side panel140. The lower panel120connects a bottom end of the left side panel130with a bottom end of the right side panel140.

A left end of the upper panel110may be coupled with a top end of the left side panel130and a right end of the upper panel110may be coupled with a top end of the right side panel130. Further, a left end of the lower panel120may be coupled with a lower end of the left side panel130, and a right end of the lower panel120may be coupled with a bottom end of the right side panel140.

The frame200may include frame bodies210and220having a square shape corresponding to the cabinet100of which a front surface and a rear surface are open, and back brackets240disposed in a rearward direction of the frame bodies201and220to be coupled with rear surfaces of the frame bodies210and220. The frame bodies210and220reinforce stiffness of the cabinet100. The bracket240may be thicker than the frame bodies210and220to reinforce the stiffness of the frame bodies210and220.

The towel care module300may be installed with a function division plate303. The function division plate303divides an inner space of the towel care module300. The towel care module300may include a first storage space301for storing towels at a top side of the function division plate303and a second storage space302for storing the towels at a bottom side of the function division plate303, and configured to dry and warm the stored towels. The towel care module300may include a first independent towel care module having only the first storage space301without the function division plate303and a second independent towel care module having only the second storage space302.

The sterilizing module400may be used as a toothbrush sterilizer. The sterilizing module400may be installed therein with toothbrushes, and may be installed therein with a lamp for irradiating ultra violet ray to the toothbrushes. A blower module800may be installed at a bottom side of the sterilizing module400. An air conditioning module810(or dryer) including a blower for sucking and blowing air to the blower module800and a heater for heating the air blown from the blower is installed at a rearward direction of the sterilizing module400corresponding to a top side of the blower module800so that the sterilizing module400and the air conditioning module810may be integrally formed. The blower module800may exhaust the air blown from the blower into an inside of the bathroom.

The secret box module500may be used as storage for storing objects to prohibit children and customers to see or touch. The secret box module500may be a lock box, or the like, and may be secured.

The refrigerating module600may be used as usage for refrigerating medicines and cosmetics. The refrigerating module600may be installed with a thermoelectric module for supplying cold air into the refrigerating module600and for emitting warm air to an outside of the refrigerating module600.

The charging module700may be used as usage for charging electronic devices such as a hair dryer and an electric shaver. The charging module700may be installed therein with a holder for holding the hair dryer and with a receptacle in which a power plug of the electronic device or a power plug of a charger for charging the electronic device.

Two frame bodies210and220may be provided and include a first frame body210and a second frame body220disposed at one side of the first frame body210. The first frame body210and the second frame body220have the same structure. Desired ones among the towel care module300, the sterilizing module400, the secret box module500, the refrigerating module600, the charging module700, and the blower module800may be selected and installed according to a need of a consumer. For example, only a plurality of towel care modules300may be installed, or alternatively, two towel care modules300and one refrigerating module600may be installed in the frame bodies210and220. According to the number of towel care modules300, the sterilizing modules400, the secret box modules500, the refrigerating modules600, and the charging modules700installed in the frame bodies210and220, one or more frame bodies210and220may be provided.

The door900may form a front external appearance of the bathroom management apparatus. The door900opens/closes an open front surface of the cabinet100. The same number of doors900is provided by the corresponding number of the frame bodies210and220. Since the two frame bodies210and220are provided, two doors900are provided to include a first door910and a second door920. The first door910may be disposed in a forward direction of the first frame body210and opens a left side of an open front surface of the cabinet100, and the second door920may be disposed in a forward direction of the second frame body220and opens a right side of an open front surface of the cabinet100.

Mirrors911and912may be provided at front surfaces of the first door910and the second door920, respectively. The mirrors911and921may be used instead of a mirror inside the bathroom. The mirrors911and921include a first mirror911provided at a front surface of the first door910and a second mirror921provided at a front surface of the second door920.

A hinge930may be installed at a rear surface of the door900. The hinge930may include a first hinge member of which one end is coupled with a rear surface of the door and a second hinge member of which one end is rotatably coupled with an opposite end of the first hinge member and an opposite end is rotatably coupled with the frame bodies210and220. The hinges930may be installed at a top side and a lower side of a rear surface of the first door910, respectively, and may be installed at a top side and a bottom side of a rear side of the second door910.

FIG. 3is a view illustrating a coupled state between the cabinet and the frame shown inFIG. 3, andFIG. 4is an exploded perspective view ofFIG. 3. Top surfaces and bottom surfaces of frame bodies210and220may be spaced apart from the cabinet100. That is, the top surfaces of the frame bodies210and220may be vertically spaced apart from the upper panel110of the cabinet100, and the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies210and220may be vertically spaced apart from the lower panel110of the cabinet100.

An upper cover150may be disposed at a space between the upper panel110of the cabinet100and the top surfaces of the frame bodies210and220. The upper cover150may be inserted into the space between the upper panel110of the cabinet100and the top surfaces of the frame bodies210and220to be coupled with the upper panel110of the cabinet100and the top surfaces of the frame bodies210and220.

When a door900is closed, the upper cover150covers the space between the upper panel110of the cabinet100and the top surfaces of the frame bodies210and220, a hinge930installed at a rear top side of the door900is not viewable from a rear direction of the bathroom management apparatus through a space between the upper panel110and top surfaces of the frame bodies210and220. When the door900is open, the upper cover150prevents the bathroom wall from being viewed from the forward direction of the bathroom management apparatus through a space between the upper panel110and the top surface of the frame bodies210and220. The upper cover150may have a shape in which a top surface and a rear surface are open to include a bottom surface, a front surface, a left surface, and a right surface.

A concave groove151for receiving a hinge930when the door900is closed is formed at the front surface of the upper cover150so that a space for receiving the hinge930may be formed between the upper panel110and the top surfaces of the frame bodies210and220.

Further, a control panel160may be inserted between the lower panel120of the cabinet100and bottom surfaces of the frame bodies210and220. The control panel160may be inserted between the lower panel120of the cabinet100and bottom surfaces of the frame bodies210and220to be coupled with the lower panel120of the cabinet100and the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies210and220.

Remaining regions of the control panel160except for a top side coupled with the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies210and220may be spaced apart from the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies210and220. Air exhausted from the blower module800may be moved into a first air outlet2through a space between bottom surfaces of the frame bodies210and220and a top side of the control panel160. A user may quickly dry off after a shower using air exhausted into the bathroom through the first air outlet2.

A user interface as well as an input unit for controlling function modules300,400,500,600,700,800, and810may be installed at the control panel160. The input unit may include at least one of a button and a touch screen, and the user pushes or touches the input unit to operate or stop the function modules300,400,500,600,700,800, and810. An installed region of the input unit of the control panel160may be exposed below the door900when the door900is closed.

Meanwhile, the cabinet100may include decoration members171,172, and173coupled with a front end of the upper panel110, a front end of the left side panel130, and a front end of the right side panel140, respectively. The decoration members171,172, and173include a first decoration member171coupled with a front end of the upper panel100, a second decoration member172coupled with a front end of the left side panel130, and a third decoration member173coupled with a front end of the right side panel140. The decoration members171,172, and173are not installed at a front end of the lower panel120. Instead, the front end of the lower panel120may be covered by a front end of the control panel160. That is, the control panel160may function as a decoration members by covering the front end of the lower panel120. The control panel160may be formed with the same color and material as those of the decoration members171,172, and173. The frame bodies210and220may include an upper frame211forming an upper side, a lower frame212forming a lower side, and a left side frame213forming a left side, and a right side frame214forming a right side.

A left end of the upper frame211may be coupled with a top end of the left side frame213, and a right end of the upper frame211may be coupled with a top end of the right side frame214. Further, a left end of the lower frame212may be coupled with a bottom end of the left side frame213, and a right end of the lower frame212may be coupled with a bottom end of the right side frame214.

The upper frame211may have a shape in which a top surface and a front surface are open and may include a bottom surface, a left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface. Further, the lower frame212has a shape that is upside down relative to the upper frame211and may include a bottom surface and a front surface which are open. That is, the lower frame212may include a left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface.

First opening portions216having a square shape may be formed in the left side frame213and the right side frame214, respectively. The first opening portion216may form a path through which wires of the function modules300,400,500,600,700, and800may pass. A same number of first opening portions216may be formed corresponding to the number of function modules300,400,500,600,700, and800installed inside the frame bodies210and220.

Inner ribs215may be formed at inner sides of the left side frame213and the right side frame214, respectively. The inner ribs215protrudes inward from the frame bodies210and220at a top side and a bottom side of the first opening portion216.

Outer ribs217may be formed at outer sides of the left side frame213and the right side frame214, respectively. The outer ribs217may protrude to outer sides of the frame bodies210and220from a front side and a rear side of the first opening portion216, respectively.

The outer ribs217may be spaced a part from each other in forward and reward directions while interposing the first opening portion216therebetween to form a path through which wires of the function modules300,400,500,600,700, and800pass after the wires of the function modules300,400,500,600,700, and800pass through the first opening portion216.

Cut lines218having a square shape are formed at a bottom surface of the upper frame211and a top surface of the lower frame212, respectively. The cut lines218may be formed by partially cutting a bottom surface of the upper frame211and a top surface of the lower frame212so that a worker may easily separate an inner region divided by the cut lines218from a bottom surface of the upper frame211an a top surface of the lower frame212.

When the sterilizing module400is installed close to the upper frame, a worker may cut the cut line218formed at the upper frame211among the cut line218formed at the upper frame211and the cut line218formed at the lower frame212to separate an inner region of the upper frame211divided by the cut line218. When the sterilizing module400is installed close to the lower frame, the worker may cut the cut line218formed at the lower frame211among the cut line218formed at the upper frame211and the cut line218formed at the lower frame212to separate an inner region of the lower frame212divided by the cut line218.

The second opening portions219may be formed at the upper frame211and the lower frame212when the inner region divided by the cut line218is separated by the worker. Further, a third opening portion161may be formed at a lower side of the second opening portion219in a lower side of the control panel160. Further, a fourth opening portion121may be formed at a lower side of the third opening portion161in a lower panel120of the cabinet100.

A blower louver181may be installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion121or a lower cover182may be installed in the top surface of the lower panel120. When the fourth opening portion121is located under the sterilizing module400, the lower louver181is installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion121in the lower panel120. Otherwise, a lower cover182is installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion121in the lower panel120so that the fourth opening portion121is shielded by the lower cover182.

The blower louver181may include a discharge grill183, and may be installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion121in the lower panel120to guide air from the blower module800into the fourth opening portion121. When the blower louver182is installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion121in the lower panel120, the fourth opening portion121becomes the second air outlet121. That is, in the cabinet100, the first air outlet2is spaced apart from a lower frame212being a bottom surface of the frame200, and a second air outlet121may be formed at a bottom surface of the frame200.

The blower module800may be disposed inside the control panel160between the lower panel120and the lower frame212. Further, a top end of the blower module800may be inserted into the second opening portion219so that air blown from the blower flows though the blower module800, and a bottom end of the blower module800is connected to the blower louver181through the third opening portion161. Moreover, a front opening portion communicating with the first air outlet2may be formed at a front surface of the blower module800.

Since the blower module800may be installed with a motor and a fluid path switching vane rotated by a driving force of the motor, the fluid path switching vane is rotated by the driving force of the motor to open the front opening portion and close a bottom end, such that air flowing from an air conditioning module810passes through the front opening portion and is discharged into the bathroom through the first air outlet2. When the front opening portion is closed and the bottom end is open, the air flowing from the blower passes through the blower louver181and is discharged into the bathroom through the second air outlet121. That is, the blower module800switches the direction of air blown from the air conditioning module810to one of the first air outlet2and the second air outlet121.

A user may control a rotation position of the fluid path switching vane of the blower module800by operating the input unit installed at the control panel160to discharge air into the bathroom through the first air outlet2or to discharge the air into the bathroom through the second air outlet121. The air discharged into the bathroom through the first air outlet2may be used to dry the user's body. The air discharged into the bathroom through the second air outlet121may be used to dry an inside of the bathroom.

Meanwhile, when a plurality of frame bodies210and220are provided, a center cover184may be further installed at front surfaces of adjacent side frames214and213of the plurality of frame bodies210and220. That is, in the present embodiment, two frame bodies210and220are provided, center covers184may be installed at a front surface of the right side frame214of the first frame body210and a front surface of a left side frame213of the second frame body220, respectively. The center cover184may cover the right side frame214of the first frame body210and the left side frame213of the second frame body220in a forward direction. In addition, after the function modules300,400,500,600, and700are inserted into the frame bodies210and220, the center cover184may protrude to both sides of the function modules300,400,500,600, and700to cover a module locking rib which is locked at a front surface of the both side frames213and214of the frame bodies210and220.

FIG. 5is a perspective view illustrating a refrigeration module shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 6is an exploded perspective view ofFIG. 5,FIG. 7is a view illustrating an outer case shown inFIG. 5,FIG. 8is a rear perspective view illustrating a part of the refrigeration module shown inFIG. 5,FIG. 9is a rear perspective view projecting an inside of the refrigeration module shown inFIG. 5, andFIG. 10is a view illustrating a state of a thermoelectric module shown inFIG. 6mounted on a mounting bracket.

The refrigeration module600may include an outer case620and an inner door630disposed at a front surface of the outer case620. The outer case620may have a square shape of which a left region of a front surface is open. Guide ribs610supported by an inner rib215formed at an inner side of the frame200may be formed at both sides of the outer case620. When the refrigeration module600is inserted into a mounting space in the frame200, insertion is guided by the guide ribs610formed at both sides of the outer case310, and the guide ribs610is supported by the inner rib215. When the refrigeration module600is completely mounted in a mounting space of the frame200, the guide ribs610are supported by the inner rib215so that the refrigeration module600may be supported while also guiding insertion of the refrigeration module600into the mounting space in the frame200.

The outer case620may include a storage room621(or storage space/area) for storing products requiring refrigeration storage and a machine room622(or utility space/area) at one side of the storage room621. The outer case620may include a partition wall623, a storage room621may be formed at one side based on the partition wall623, and a machine room622may be formed at another side based on the partition wall. That is, an inner space of the outer case620may be divided into a storage room621and a machine room622by a partition wall623so that the outer case620includes the machine room622divided to be separate from the storage room621.

A front surface of the storage room621and the open storage room621may be opened/closed by an inner door630. One side of the inner door630may be rotatably coupled with a region of the machine room622at the outer case620so that the inner door630may be rotated to open/close an open front surface of the storage room621.

The machine room622may be installed therein with a thermoelectric module640. The thermoelectric module640may be installed at a partition wall623and may be disposed in the machine room622. When power is supplied to the thermoelectric module640, one surface of the thermoelectric module640generates heat and an opposite surface of the thermoelectric module640absorbs heat. In this manner, the thermoelectric module640may supply cold air to the storage room621and to discharge hot air to the machine room622.

The outer case620may include an air inlet624and an air outlet625in communication with the machine room622. The air inlet624may face the thermoelectric module640in a side surface of the machine room622. The air outlet625faces the thermoelectric module640in a rear surface of the machine room622in the outer case620. Air introduced into the machine room622through the air inlet624may be heat-exchanged with the thermoelectric module640and the heat-exchanged air may be exhausted to an outside of the machine room622through the air outlet625.

A suction grill601may be installed in the air inlet624at one side of the machine room622in the outer case620. The suction grill601prevents foreign materials from being introduced into the machine room622through the air inlet624.

The partition wall623may be formed therein with a first fluid path626in which air from the thermoelectric module640may flow into the storage room621and a second fluid path627in which air from the storage room621flows into the thermoelectric module640.

A plurality of second fluid paths627may be provided. In one embodiment, two second fluid paths627may be spaced apart from each other. The fluid path626may be disposed between a plurality of second fluid paths627. One fluid path626may be formed at a center point between two second fluid paths627.

Decoration members602may be installed at the first fluid path626and the second fluid path627on the partition wall623, respectively. A blowing fan603may be installed at a region of the thermoelectric module640corresponding to the first fluid path626. The blowing fan603blows air cooled by the thermoelectric module640into the storage room621through the first fluid path626.

The thermoelectric module640may be installed at the partition wall623through the mounting bracket640. That is, the mounting bracket650mounts the thermoelectric module640to be coupled with the partition wall623. A mounting part651for mounting the thermoelectric module640protrudes from a front surface of the mounting bracket650, and an air flow space652may be formed at a rear surface of the mounting bracket650making contact with the partition wall623.

When the mounting bracket650is installed at a partition wall, the first fluid path626and the second fluid path627formed at the partition wall623may be in communication with the air flow space652which may be formed at a rear surface of the mounting bracket650.

A plurality of first fins641may protrude from one surface of the thermoelectric module640and a plurality of second fins642protrude from another surface of the thermoelectric module640. The plurality of first fins641spreads hot air generated from one surface of the thermoelectric module640. The plurality of second fins642spreads cold air generated from another surface of the thermoelectric module640.

The plurality of first fins641is formed horizontally relative to the direction of air flow from the air outlet625. The plurality of second fins642is formed vertically relative to the plurality of first fins641. That is, the plurality of first fins641may be horizontally disposed and the plurality of second fins642may be vertically disposed.

Two mounting parts651may be vertically spaced apart from each other on the mounting bracket650. A top mounting part651supports a top surface of a first fin641disposed at the upper most side among the plurality of first fins641. A bottom mounting part651supports a bottom surface of a first fin641disposed at the lower most side among the plurality of first fins641.

Further, the mounting bracket650may be formed therein with a through hole653into which the plurality of second fins642is inserted. That is, if the thermoelectric module640is inserted between the mounting parts651disposed at upper and lower sides of a front surface of the mounting bracket650to be mounted by the mounting parts651, the plurality of second fins642is inserted into the through hole653to protrude to the air flow space652.

The blowing fan603may be coupled with the plurality of second fins642in the air flow space652to face the first fluid path626. The blowing fan603blows the cold air spread from the plurality of second fins642into the storage room621through the first fluid path626.

The air inlet624may be formed at a lateral surface of the outer case620facing a protruding direction of the plurality of first fins641. The air outlet625may be formed at a rear surface of the outer case620perpendicular to the air inlet624. Accordingly, air introduced into the machine room622through the air inlet624passes a direction horizontal to a gap between the plurality of first fins641to be heat-exchanged with hot air spread from the plurality of first fins641so that the heat-exchanged air is moved forward and rearward. In this case, the air moved rearward is discharged through the air outlet625.

Furthermore, the first fluid path626may be formed at a region of the partition wall623facing the blowing fan603. The second fluid path627may be vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path626to be disposed at outer sides of the plurality of second fins642. Accordingly, the air in the storage room621may be introduced into the air flow space652through the second fluid path627and passes a direction perpendicular to a gap between the plurality of second fins642(e.g., flow parallel to the heat sink fins) to be heat-exchanged with the cold air spread from the plurality of second fins642to maximize heat exchange and airflow. Then, the heat-exchanged air is blown into the first fluid path626by the blowing fan603to be again introduced into the storage room621.

A rear surface of the outer case620corresponding to a region of the machine room622may be open. In this case, the open rear surface the outer case620is shielded by the back cover604. That is, the back cover604shields the open rear surface of the outer case620and is coupled with the outer case620. The air outlet625is formed at the back cover604.

Storage room light sources661and662may be further installed in the storage room621. The storage room light sources661and662may include a light emitting diode (LED). When the inner door630is open, the storage room light sources661and662are turned-on to produce light. When the inner door630is closed, the storage room light sources661and662are turned-off. Since the storage room light sources661and662create the light when the inner door630is open, the user may easily find cooling products stored in the storage room621.

The storage room light sources661and662include a first storage room light source661disposed at one side of a rear surface of the storage room621and a second storage room light source662disposed at another side of the rear surface of the storage room621. A first corner opening portion605(or opening) may be formed at a corner of the outer case620in which one side of a rear surface of the storage room621is formed and a second corner opening portion606(or opening) may be formed at a corner of the outer case620in which another side of the rear surface of the storage room621is formed.

The first corner opening portion605is shielded by a first storage room light source cover663. That is, the first storage room light source cover663shields the first corner opening portion605and is coupled with the outer case620. the first light source cover663may be mounted over the opening605at the rear surface of the outer case620. After the first storage room light source661is mounted on the first storage room light source cover663, the first storage room light source cover663may be coupled with the outer case620to cover the first corner opening portion605.

The second corner opening portion606is shielded by a second storage room light source cover664. That is, the second storage room light source cover664shields the second corner opening portion606and is coupled with the outer case620. After the second storage room light source661is mounted on the second storage room light source cover663, the second storage room light source cover664is coupled with the outer case620to cover the second corner opening portion605.

Meanwhile, a first protrusion guide hole628communicating with the machine room622may be formed at a front surface of the outer case620corresponding to a region of the machine room622. Further, a first switch607for operating a thermoelectric module640may be mounted at a region of the machine room622corresponding to the first protrusion guide hole628.

Moreover, the first protrusion guide hole628may be inserted into a rear surface of the inner door630to form a first switch protrusion631for pressing the first switch607. When the first switch607is pressed by the first switch protrusion631, the switch607is turned-on. When the first switch607is not pressed by the first switch protrusion631, the switch607is turned-off.

When the inner door630is closed, the first switch protrusion631is inserted into the first protrusion guide hole628to press the first switch607to be turned-on so that the thermoelectric module640is operated. When the inner door630is open, the first switch protrusion631is separated from the first protrusion guide hole628not to press the first switch607so that the first switch607is turned-off to stop the thermoelectric module640. As described above, since the thermoelectric module640stops when the inner door630is open, unnecessary power consumption may be prevented when the inner door630is open due to carelessness.

FIG. 11is a view illustrating a state where an inner door body of an inner door shown inFIG. 5is closed and a mirror door is open,FIG. 12is a view illustrating a mirror door plate by removing a mirror from a mirror door shown inFIG. 11,FIG. 13is a view illustrating an inner door shown inFIG. 5, andFIG. 14is a view illustrating an open state of a mirror door where a refrigeration module shown inFIG. 5is mounted in a frame. The inner door630may include two doors637and638. That is, the inner door630may include an inner door body637of which one side is rotatably installed at the outer case620to open/close an open front surface of the storage room621. The inner door630also may include a mirror door638configured to form a front surface of the inner door630and of which one side is rotatably installed at the inner door body637.

When the mirror door638is rotated, the mirror door638protrudes forward of the inner door body637and a mirror635is provided at a front surface of the mirror door638. The user may rotate the mirror door638to protrude forward of the inner door body637while the storage room621is kept closed by the inner door body637. This prevents cold air from escaping while allowing the user to move the mirror635at various angles when using the mirror635.

Moreover, when the mirror door638is rotated to the highest degree by the user to protrude forward of the inner door body637, the mirror door638protrudes to a lateral surface of the open door920. In this case, the user may have a side view of herself through a mirror921included on a front surface of the open door920while looking at frontal view through a mirror921included in the front surface of the open door920.

The inner door body637includes an inner door body plate633and an inner door body frame634coupled with an edge of the inner door body plate363. The inner door body plate633includes a square shaped plate. The lateral side of the inner door body frame634may be rotatably installed at the outer case620. First hinge holes609may be formed at a front top end and a front bottom end of the outer case620corresponding to a region of the machine room622and the inner door body frame634may be rotatably installed at the first hinge holes609. The inner door body frame634may be rotatably installed in the first hinge hole609formed at the outer case620so that one side of the inner door body637may be rotatably installed at the outer case620.

The mirror door638may include a mirror door plate coupled with a rear surface of the mirror635to support the mirror635. The mirror door plate636includes a square shaped plate and a mirror635is coupled with a front surface of the mirror door plate636. One side of the mirror door plate636may be rotatably installed at the inner door body frame634. The one side of the mirror door plate636may be rotatably installed at another side of the inner door body frame634. That is, one side of the inner door body frame634may be rotatably installed at the outer case620, and another side of the inner door body frame634may be rotatably installed at one side of the mirror door plate636. Second hinge holes639rotatably installed at the mirror door plate636may be formed at a top end and a bottom end of another side of the inner door body frame634. Since the mirror door plate636is rotatably installed at the second hinge hole639formed at the inner door body frame634, one side of the mirror door638may be rotatably installed at the inner door body637.

A second protrusion guide hole629in communication with the machine room622may be formed at a front surface of the outer case620corresponding to a region of the machine room622. Moreover, a second switch608may be mounted at a region of the machine room622corresponding to the second protrusion guide hole629.

In addition, a third protrusion guide hole633A communicating with the second protrusion guide hole629may be formed at the inner door body637. When the inner door body637is closed, the third protrusion guide hole633A is in communication with the second protrusion guide hole629. The third protrusion guide hole633A may be formed at an inner door body plate633of the inner door body637.

Further, the mirror door638may be disposed therein with a mirror door light source670which is turned-on by the second switch608to irradiate light to the mirror635. The mirror door light source670may include an LED. Second switch protrusion632may be formed at a rear surface of the mirror door638and are inserted into the second protrusion guide hole629and the third protrusion guide hole633A to press the second switch608. Only when the mirror door638is completely attached to the inner door body637, the second switch protrusion632presses the second switch608. The second switch door632may be formed at a rear surface of the mirror door plate636of the mirror door638.

A mirror door light source mounting part636A may be formed at a front surface of the mirror door plate636and the mirror door light source670may be inserted and mounted into the mirror door light source mounting part636A. The mirror door light source mounting parts636A are longitudinally formed rightward and leftward at a top side and a bottom side of a front surface of the mirror door plate636, respectively. The mirror door light sources670may be inserted and mounted in the mirror door light source mounting parts636A, respectively. After the mirror door light source670is inserted and mounted in the mirror door light source mounting part636A, the mirror635may be coupled with an inside of the mirror door plate636so that the mirror door light source670is disposed inside the mirror door638.

The second switch protrusion632protrudes from a rear surface of the mirror door plate636.

When the second switch608is not pressed by the second switch protrusion632, the second switch608is turned-on. When the second switch608is pressed by the second switch protrusion632, the second switch608is turned-off.

When the mirror door638is completely attached on a front surface of the inner door body637, the second switch protrusion632presses to turn-off the second switch608to turn-off the mirror door light source670. When the mirror door638is rotated to protrude forward of the inner door body637, the second switch protrusion632does not press the second switch608to turn-on the second switch608so that the mirror door light source670is turned-on. The mirror door light source670is turned-on to irradiate light to the mirror635to softly emit light to improve visibility through the mirror635.

An electric wire of the mirror door light source670may be separated from one side of the mirror door638rotatably installed at the inner door body637between the mirror635and the mirror door plate636. The wire may be inserted inside the inner door body637from another side of the inner door body637at which the mirror door638is rotatably installed between the inner door body plate633and the inner door body frame634. The wire may be provided along an inside of the inner door body frame634to be separated from an outside of the inner door body637from one side of the inner door body637rotatably installed at the outer case620between the inner door body plate633and the inner door body frame634. The wire is introduced into the inside of the machine room622formed at the outer case620. Accordingly, when at least one of the inner door body637and the mirror door638is open, an electric wire671of the mirror door light source670is not viewed from the outside.

Meanwhile, in order to obtain an effect where the user may have a side view through the mirror635provided at a front surface of the mirror door638while looking at a frontal view through a mirror921of an open door920, an inner door630includes an inner door body637of which one side is rotatably installed at an outer case620to open/close the storage room621and a mirror door638of which one side is rotatably installed at an inner door body637to protrude forward from the inner door body637upon rotation. The inner door may be installed at a thermoelectric module600. However, although the storage room is installed at a front surface of an outer case forming an open front surface of a storage room of the other function modules300,400,500, and700, by allowing the inner door630to include the inner door body637and the mirror door638, the same effect may be represented.

As described above, according to the refrigeration module and the bathroom management apparatus including the same according to the present disclosure, since an air inlet624and an air outlet625may be formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of first fins641, and a first fluid path626and a second fluid path627are formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of second fins642, hot air generated from a thermoelectric module640is easily discharged to an outside of a machine room622so that the thermoelectric module640may easily generate cold air. Since the cold air generated from the thermoelectric module640may be easily introduced into an inside of the storage room, a temperature of the storage room621may be reduced within a short time.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a refrigeration module which may include: an outer case including a partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage room and a machine room; a thermoelectric module installed at the partition wall and disposed at the machine room, a plurality of first fins for spreading hot air horizontally protruding from one surface of the thermoelectric module, and a plurality of second fins for spreading cold air vertically protruding from another surface of the thermoelectric module toward the storage room; and a blowing fan installed at the plurality of second fins to blow the cold air spread from the plurality of second fins to the storage room, wherein an air inlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a lateral side of the outer case facing a protruding direction of the plurality of first fins of the outer case, and an air outlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a rear surface of the outer case perpendicular to the air inlet, and the partition wall comprises a first fluid path communicating with the storage room formed at a region of the partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second fluid path vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and disposed at an outer side of the plurality of second fins to communicate with the storage room.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bathroom management apparatus which may include: a cabinet of which a front surface is open; a frame installed in the cabinet to reinforce stiffness of the cabinet; and a refrigeration module mounted in the frame, wherein the refrigeration module includes: an outer case including a partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage room and a machine room; a thermoelectric module installed at the partition wall and disposed at the machine room, a plurality of first fins for spreading hot air horizontally protruding from one surface of the thermoelectric module, and a plurality of second fins for spreading cold air vertically protruding from another surface of the thermoelectric module toward the storage room; and a blowing fan installed at the plurality of second fins to blow the cold air spread from the plurality of second fins to the storage room, wherein an air inlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a lateral side of the outer case facing a protruding direction of the plurality of first fins of the outer case, and an air outlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a rear surface of the outer case perpendicular to the air inlet, and the partition wall comprises a first fluid path communicating with the storage room formed at a region of the partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second fluid path vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and disposed at an outer side of the plurality of second fins to communicate with the storage room.

According to one objective of the present disclosure, since an air inlet and an air outlet are formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of first fins, and a first fluid path and a second fluid path are formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of second fins, hot air generated from a thermoelectric module is easily discharged to an outside of a machine room so that the thermoelectric module may easily generate cold air. Since the cold air generated from the thermoelectric module may be easily introduced into an inside of the storage room, a temperature of the storage room may be reduced within a short period of time.