Patent Description:
In general, in a cooling device to which a refrigeration cycle is applied, a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator to generate cold air.

A refrigerant compressed in the compressor is transferred to the condenser through a refrigerant pipe and then condensed, and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is transferred to the expansion device and expanded. The refrigerant expanded in the expansion device is transferred to the evaporator, and may generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator.

In the case of a refrigerator, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is transferred to the expansion device through the refrigerant pipe, and particularly, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is directly transferred to the expansion device or is transferred to the expansion device by passing through a hot pipe through a branch pipe branched from the refrigerant pipe.

The hot pipe is a pipe installed to prevent formation of dew on a gasket portion of a refrigerator door, which is a temperature-vulnerable portion of the refrigerator. That is, a high-temperature refrigerant in a high-pressure portion of the refrigeration cycle passes through the hot pipe to prevent formation of dew on the gasket portion of the refrigerator door. The hot pipe only needs to maintain a temperature greater than or equal to a dew point according to humidity of the outside air, but when the temperature is maintained to be greater than or equal to the dew point in the refrigerator, it acts as a heat load inside the refrigerator, thereby increasing the power consumption of the refrigerator.

Therefore, according to operation conditions, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is transferred to the expansion device through the hot pipe or directly transferred to the expansion device without passing through the hot pipe. When there is no need to transfer the refrigerant to the hot pipe, energy efficiency may be increased by preventing the refrigerant from being transferred to the branch pipe connected to the hot pipe. For this, a three-way valve is installed at a portion branched from the refrigerant pipe to the branch pipe.

However, a portion of the refrigerant, which is transferred directly to the expansion device by the three-way valve without passing through the hot pipe, is introduced into the branch pipe at the junction of the branch pipe and the refrigerant pipe, and then transferred to the hot pipe. That is, at the junction of the branch pipe and the refrigerant pipe, a portion of the refrigerant flows back into the hot pipe. In order to prevent this, a check valve may be installed between the hot pipe and the junction of the branch pipe and the refrigerant pipe, or a three-way valve may be additionally installed at the junction of the branch pipe and the refrigerant pipe, which may cause an additional cost. Further, it is difficult for the check valve to completely prevent the backflow, and thus the check valve may be less effective. In addition, when the three-way valve is additionally installed, a difficulty, such as securing an installation space of the three-way valve, and a complicated pipe connection may occur.

In addition, a capillary tube, which is an expansion device, may be provided with a plurality of different inner diameters and different lengths in order to respond to a cooling load that varies according to an external temperature, a set temperature, an input load, and the like. In this case, it is required to control the refrigerant to flow into an appropriate capillary tube among a plurality of capillary tubes according to the cooling load.

<CIT> discloses a valve device for a refrigerator including a recess to selectively connect two refrigerant inlet and outlet holes among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes. <CIT> discloses a valve device.

The present invention is directed to providing a valve device including an improved structure configured to, when a refrigerant, which is condensed in a condenser, is directly transferred to an expansion device without passing through a hot pipe, prevent the refrigerant from flowing back to the hot pipe.

Further, the present invention is directed to providing a valve device capable of being improved to allow a refrigerant, which is condensed in a condenser, to flow to an appropriate capillary tube among a plurality of capillary tubes according to a cooling load.

The present invention provides a valve device including a case including an open lower portion and an accommodation space provided therein, a base plate to cover the open lower portion of the case, an inlet pipe connected to the base plate and through which a refrigerant is introduced into the accommodation space, a boss installed to the base plate and including a plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes through which the introduced refrigerant from the accommodation space is introduced and discharged, a plurality of inlet and outlet pipes respectively connected to the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, and through which the refrigerant is introduced from the boss or discharged to the boss, and a pad including an open cavity provided to selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, and a connection cavity formed therein to selectively connect two refrigerant inlet and outlet holes among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes. The open cavity includes a first region formed on one side of the open cavity and a second region formed on an other side of the open cavity and provided at a position rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from the first region with respect to a center of the pad, the first region is a portion adjacent to a left end and the second region is a portion adjacent to a right end when the pad is viewed from the top; and wherein the open cavity has a size that allows the first region or the second region to selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes.

The open cavity may selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes according to a rotation of the pad, and in response to the pad being rotated <NUM> degrees or less when the one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened, the open state of the one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be maintained.

The open cavity and the connection cavity may be formed in a shape of a groove which is recessed from a bottom surface of the pad.

The open cavity may extend to an edge of the pad in a radial direction of the pad, and the open cavity may have a size of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the center of the pad in a circumferential direction of the pad.

The connection cavity may selectively connect two refrigerant inlet and outlet holes adjacent to each other among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes.

The plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes may include a first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, a second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole formed at a position rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole with respect to a center of the boss, a third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole formed at a position rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole with respect to the center of the boss, and a fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole formed at a position rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole with respect to the center of the boss.

The plurality of inlet and outlet pipes may include a first inlet and outlet pipe connected to the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, a second inlet and outlet pipe connected to the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, a third inlet and outlet pipe connected to the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, and a fourth inlet and outlet pipe connected to the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole.

The inlet pipe may be connected to an outlet pipe of a condenser to receive a refrigerant from the condenser therethrough, the first inlet and outlet pipe and the third inlet and outlet pipe may be connected to a hot pipe, the fourth inlet and outlet pipe may be connected to a first capillary tube, and the second inlet and outlet pipe may be connected to a second capillary tube.

In response to the second region of the open cavity being located in the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, the valve device is in a closed state so that only the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be opened by the open cavity while the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, and the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole are closed, and the refrigerant from the accommodation space may be discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe through the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and then introduced into the hot pipe.

In response to the first region of the open cavity being located in the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole as the pad is rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the center of the boss, the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be opened, the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be closed, and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be connected by the connection cavity.

The refrigerant from the accommodation space may be discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe through the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, introduced into the third inlet and outlet pipe through the hot pipe, discharged to the fourth inlet and outlet pipe through the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole connected to the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole by the connection cavity, and then introduced into the first capillary tube.

In response to the second region of the open cavity being located in the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole as the pad is rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the center of the boss, the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be opened, and thus the refrigerant from the accommodation space may be discharged to the second inlet and outlet pipe through the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, and introduced into the second capillary tube, and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be closed to prevent the refrigerant being discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe and the third inlet and outlet pipe.

In response to the first region of the open cavity being located in the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole as the pad is rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the center of the boss, the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be opened, the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be closed, and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be connected by the connection cavity.

The refrigerant from the accommodation space may be discharged to the third inlet and outlet pipe through the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, introduced into the first inlet and outlet pipe through the hot pipe, and may be discharged to the second inlet and outlet pipe through the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole connected to the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole by the connection cavity, and then introduced into the second capillary tube.

In response to the second region of the open cavity being located in the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole as the pad is rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the center of the boss, the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be opened, and thus the refrigerant from the accommodation space may be discharged to the fourth inlet and outlet pipe through the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, and introduced into the first capillary tube, and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole may be closed to prevent the refrigerant from being discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe and the third inlet and outlet pipe.

It is possible to prevent backflow of a refrigerant by using a single valve device without additionally installing a check valve or other valve device, and thus there is no need to secure a space for additionally installing the valve device and it is possible to minimize additional increase in cost.

Further, according to the cooling load, it is possible to allow a refrigerant to flow an appropriate capillary tube among a plurality of capillary tubes having different inner diameters and lengths, and thus it is possible to efficiently operate various cooling load regions.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Embodiments described in the invention and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the invention, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the invention.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs shown in the drawings of the invention indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.

Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or restrict the invention. The singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this invention, the terms "including", "having", and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of "and / or" includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

Hereinafter embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to drawings. In the following detailed description, the terms of "front end", "rear end", "upper portion", "lower portion", "upper end", "lower end" and the like may be defined by the drawings, but the shape and the location of the component is not limited by the term.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which a pad gear is coupled to a pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the pad is arranged in an upper side of a boss according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a view illustrating a lower surface of the boss according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of the valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a valve device includes a case <NUM>, a base plate <NUM> provided to cover an open lower portion of the case <NUM>, an inlet pipe <NUM> to which a refrigerant is introduced, a plurality of inlet and outlet pipes <NUM> through which a refrigerant is introduced and discharged, a boss <NUM> including a plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> through which a refrigerant is introduced and discharged, and a pad <NUM> rotatably arranged in an upper side of the boss <NUM>.

The case <NUM> may be provided such that a lower portion thereof is opened, and an accommodation space <NUM> is formed therein.

A rotor <NUM> may be provided in the accommodation space <NUM> inside the case <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> may include a rotor shaft <NUM>.

In addition, a pinion gear <NUM> may be provided in the accommodation space <NUM>. The pinion gear <NUM> may be connected to the rotor <NUM>. The pinion gear <NUM> may be connected to the rotor shaft <NUM> so as to be rotatable together with the rotor <NUM>.

Further, a pad gear <NUM> may be arranged in the accommodation space <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> may be arranged on a lateral side of the pinion gear <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> may be engaged with the pinion gear <NUM> so as to be interlocked with the pinion gear <NUM>. Therefore, in response to the rotation of the pinion gear <NUM> by the rotor <NUM>, the pad gear <NUM> may be rotated by the pinion gear <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> may include a pad valve shaft <NUM> that is a rotation shaft. The pad valve shaft <NUM> may be connected to the pad <NUM> to allow the pad <NUM> to be rotated together with the pad gear <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> may include a pad coupling protrusion <NUM> coupled to the pad <NUM>. The pad coupling protrusion <NUM> may be provided in plural. The pad coupling protrusion <NUM> may be provided on a lower surface of the pad gear <NUM>. The pad coupling protrusion <NUM> may be coupled to a pad gear coupling hole <NUM> formed on an upper surface of the pad <NUM>.

Further, an elastic support spring <NUM> may be provided in the accommodation space <NUM>. The elastic support spring <NUM> may be fixed to the case <NUM> in the accommodation space <NUM>. The elastic support spring <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape. The elastic support spring <NUM> may elastically support an upper central portion of the pad gear <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> may be rotatably mounted to the elastic support spring <NUM>.

Further, a rotor support plate spring <NUM> may be provided in the accommodation space <NUM>. The rotor support plate spring <NUM> may be fixed to the case <NUM> in the accommodation space <NUM>. The rotor support plate spring <NUM> may elastically support the rotor <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> may be rotatably supported by the rotor support plate spring <NUM>.

The base plate <NUM> covers the open lower portion of the case <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> may include a rotor shaft support hole <NUM> by which the rotor shaft <NUM> is rotatably supported. The base plate <NUM> may include a refrigerant inlet hole <NUM> to which the inlet pipe <NUM>, to which the refrigerant is introduced, is connected. The base plate <NUM> may include a boss hole <NUM> in which the boss <NUM> is installed.

The boss <NUM> may be installed in the boss hole <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. An upper portion of the boss <NUM> may be arranged in the accommodation space <NUM>. A lower portion of the boss <NUM> may be arranged outside the accommodation space <NUM>. The boss <NUM> may include a pad valve shaft hole <NUM> into which the pad valve shaft <NUM> is rotatably inserted. The boss <NUM> includes a plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> through which the refrigerant is introduced or discharged. The plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> are connected to the plurality of inlet and outlet pipes <NUM> through which the refrigerant is introduced or discharged. The plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> may be provided as four. The plurality of inlet and outlet pipes <NUM> connected to the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> may be provided as four. The boss <NUM> may include a plurality of insertion holes 82a into which the plurality of inlet and outlet pipes <NUM> is inserted. The plurality of insertion holes 82a may be provided in four to correspond to the number of the plurality of inlet and outlet pipes <NUM>. The plurality of insertion holes 82a may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM>.

The pad <NUM> may be rotatably arranged in the upper side of the boss <NUM>. The pad <NUM> may include a pad valve shaft coupling hole <NUM> to which the pad valve shaft <NUM> is coupled. The pad <NUM> may include a pad gear coupling hole <NUM> to which the pad coupling protrusion <NUM> of the pad gear <NUM> is coupled. Accordingly, the pad <NUM> may be rotated together with the pad gear <NUM>.

The pad <NUM> includes an open cavity <NUM> provided to selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> formed in the boss <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> may be formed in a lower portion of the pad <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> may be provided in a shape in which a groove is recessed upward on a lower surface of the pad <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> may be provided to extend to an edge of the pad <NUM> in a radial direction of the pad <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> may have a size of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees with respect to the center of the pad <NUM> in a circumferential direction of the pad <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> includes a first region 95a formed on one side of the open cavity <NUM>, and a second region 95b formed on the other side of the open cavity <NUM>. (Refer to <FIG>) The first region 95a is a portion adjacent to a left end when the pad <NUM> is viewed from the top. The second region 95b is a portion adjacent to a right end when the pad <NUM> is viewed from the top. The second region 95b is formed in a position rotated <NUM> degrees from the first region 95a with respect to the center of the pad <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> has a size that allows the first region 95a or the second region 95b to selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> may have a size that prevents two refrigerant inlet and outlet holes from being opened simultaneously among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM>. That is, one of the refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> may be located in the first region 95a and then opened or one of the refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> may be located in the second region 95b and then opened. The pad <NUM> may be rotated together with the pad gear <NUM> to selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> of the refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> formed in the boss <NUM>.

The pad <NUM> includes a connection cavity <NUM> provided to selectively connect two refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> formed in the boss <NUM>. The connection cavity <NUM> may be formed in the lower portion of the pad <NUM>. The connection cavity <NUM> may be provided in the shape in which a groove is recessed upward on the lower surface of the pad <NUM>. The connection cavity <NUM> may connect two refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> adjacent to each other among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM>.

The valve device may further include a stator (not shown). The stator may be provided to surround a portion, in which the rotor <NUM> is arranged, from the outside of the case <NUM>.

The valve device may further include a bracket (not shown). The bracket may allow the case <NUM> and the stator to be coupled to each other. The bracket may allow the valve device to be fixed to an external device.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which among a plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, a first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened and remaining refrigerant inlet and outlet holes are closed by the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened and remaining refrigerant inlet and outlet holes are closed by the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened and a third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is connected to a fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole by the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is connected to the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole by the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, a second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole are closed by the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole are closed by the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened by the pad and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is connected to the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole by a connection cavity according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened by the pad and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is connected to the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole by the connection cavity according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole are closed by the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the state in which among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole is opened and the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole are closed by the pad according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a refrigerant compressed in a compressor (not shown) may be transferred to the condenser C and then condensed. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be transferred to the capillary tube CA, which is an expansion device, and then expanded. The refrigerant expanded in the capillary tube CA may be transferred to an evaporator E and may generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E.

In a refrigerator, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be transferred to the capillary tube CA, particularly, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be directly transferred to the capillary tube CA or may be transferred to the capillary tube CA through a hot pipe H.

The hot pipe H is a pipe installed to prevent formation of dew on a gasket portion of a refrigerator door, which is a temperature-vulnerable portion of the refrigerator. That is, a high-temperature refrigerant in a high-pressure portion of the refrigeration cycle passes through the hot pipe H to prevent formation of dew on the gasket portion of the refrigerator door.

The hot pipe H only needs to maintain a temperature greater than or equal to a dew point according to humidity of the outside air, but when the temperature is maintained to be greater than or equal to the dew point in the refrigerator, it acts as a heat load inside the refrigerator, thereby increasing the power consumption of the refrigerator. Accordingly, according to operation conditions, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be transferred to the capillary tube CA through the hot pipe H or may be directly transferred to the capillary tube CA without passing through the hot pipe H. For this, a valve device may be installed an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C is discharged.

Basically, in response to turning on the compressor, the hot pipe H may be bypassed, and thus the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be directly transferred to the capillary tube CA without passing through the hot pipe H. In response to a predetermined period of time elapsing after the compressor is turned on, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be transferred to the capillary tube CA through the hot pipe H. When the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C is transferred to the capillary tube CA through the hot pipe H, a time, in which the refrigerant passes through the hot pipe H, may be operated at once or operated by dividing the number of times.

The capillary tube CA may include a first capillary tube CA1 and a second capillary tube CA2. The first capillary tube CA1 and the second capillary tube CA2 may have different inner diameters and different lengths. The first capillary tube CA1 may have a large inner diameter and a short length. That is, when the cooling load is high, the refrigerant may be introduced into the first capillary tube CA1 having a low refrigerant flow resistance and then expanded. The second capillary tube CA2 may have a smaller inner diameter and a longer length than that of the first capillary tube CA1. That is, when the cooling load is low, the refrigerant may be introduced into the second capillary tube CA2 having a high refrigerant flow resistance and then expanded.

When the capillary tube CA is composed of a single capillary tube, it may be difficult to satisfy all the cooling loads of various region, and thus it may be difficult to efficiently perform the operation. That is, in a region in which the cooling load is quite high, it is difficult for the capillary tube CA to transmit the refrigerant as much as a flow rate of the compressor. Accordingly, a refrigerant shortage may occur, and thus it may be difficult to efficiently perform the operation. In addition, in a region in which the cooling load is low, the capillary tube CA may transmit the refrigerant, which is greater than the flow rate of the compressor. Accordingly, refrigerant excess may occur and thus it may be difficult to efficiently perform the operation.

The cooling load may vary according to the outside temperature, set temperature, input load, and the like. That is, when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the cooling load may be high. In addition, when a temperature of a storage compartment is greater than or equal to a set temperature, the cooling load may be high. In addition, when an opening time of a door for opening and closing the storage compartment is greater than or equal to a predetermined time or when the number of times of opening the door is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times, the cooling load may be high. Further, when a temperature drop speed of the storage compartment is less than or equal to a set speed due to the load increase inside the refrigerator, the cooling load may be high.

As described above, when the cooling load is high, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be transferred to the first capillary tube CA1 having a relatively low refrigerant flow resistance and expanded. That is, because the refrigerant shortage occurs when the cooling load is high, the refrigerant may be transferred to the first capillary tube CA1 having a relatively low flow resistance, thereby preventing the refrigerant shortage.

When the cooling load is low, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be transferred to the second capillary tube CA2 having a relatively high refrigerant flow resistance and expanded. That is, because the refrigerant excess occurs when the cooling load is low, the refrigerant may be transferred to the second capillary tube CA2 having a relatively high flow resistance, thereby preventing the refrigerant excess.

That is, by controlling the valve device to allow the refrigerant to be introduced into the first capillary tube CA1 or the second capillary tube CA2 according to the cooling load, it is possible to efficiently perform the operation in a wider cooling load region.

The inlet pipe <NUM> may be connected to an outlet pipe of the condenser C. The inlet pipe <NUM> may be connected to the accommodation space <NUM> inside the case <NUM> through the refrigerant inlet hole <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>).

The plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM> may include a first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, a second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> provided at a position rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> with respect to the center of the boss <NUM>, a third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> provided at a position rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> with respect to the center of the boss <NUM>, and a fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> provided at a position rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> with respect to the center of the boss <NUM>.

The plurality of inlet and outlet pipes <NUM> may include a first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> connected to the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, a second inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> connected to the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, a third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> connected to the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, and a fourth inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> connected to the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>.

The first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> and the third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be connected to the hot pipe H. A refrigerant may be introduced into the first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> and discharged to the third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the hot pipe H. In addition, the refrigerant may be introduced into the third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> and discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the hot pipe H. The fourth inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be connected to the first capillary tube CA1. The second inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be connected to the second capillary tube CA2.

In response to the second region 95b of the open cavity <NUM> of the pad <NUM> being located in the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, only the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be opened by the open cavity <NUM>. The remaining refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> except for the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be closed by the pad <NUM>. Accordingly, the refrigerant introduced into the accommodation space <NUM> through the inlet pipe <NUM> may be discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> and then introduced into the hot pipe. However, because the refrigerant inlet and outlet holes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> except for the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> are closed by the pad <NUM>, the valve device may be in a closed state in which the refrigerant no longer flows.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be transferred to the first capillary tube CA1 through the hot pipe H, and then expanded. The refrigerant expanded in the first capillary tube CA1 may be transferred to the evaporator E and may generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E.

In response to the pad <NUM>, which is in the closed state, being rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the center of the boss <NUM>, the first region 95a of the open cavity <NUM> may be located in the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>. In response to the first region 95a being located in the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be opened by the open cavity <NUM>. The second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be closed by the pad <NUM>. The third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> and the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be connected by the connection cavity <NUM>.

The refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipe <NUM> from the condenser C may be introduced into the accommodation space <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>) through the refrigerant inlet hole <NUM>. The introduced refrigerant may be discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> opened by the open cavity <NUM> of the pad <NUM>. The refrigerant discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be introduced into the third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the hot pipe H. The refrigerant introduced into the third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be discharged to the fourth inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> connected to the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> by the connection cavity <NUM>. The refrigerant discharged to the fourth inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be introduced into the first capillary tube CA1. The refrigerant introduced into the first capillary tube CA1 and expanded may be transferred to the evaporator E and generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E. On the drawings, it is illustrated that a single evaporator E is connected to the first capillary tube CA1 and the second capillary tube CA2, but is not limited thereto. That is, two evaporators E may be provided. When two evaporators E are provided, the first capillary tube CA1 and the second capillary tube CA2 may be connected to the different evaporator E, respectively.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be introduced into the second capillary tube CA2 and then expanded without passing through the hot pipe H. The refrigerant expanded in the second capillary tube CA2 may be transferred to the evaporator E and may generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E.

In response to the pad <NUM>, which is in the closed state, being rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the center of the boss <NUM>, the second region 95b of the open cavity <NUM> may be located in the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>. In response to the second region 95b being located in the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be opened by the open cavity <NUM>. The first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be closed by the pad <NUM>.

The refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipe <NUM> from the condenser C may be introduced into the accommodation space <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>) through the refrigerant inlet hole <NUM>. The introduced refrigerant may be discharged to the second inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> opened by the open cavity <NUM> of the pad <NUM>. The refrigerant discharged to the second inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be introduced into the second capillary tube CA2. The refrigerant introduced into the second capillary tube CA2 and expanded may be transferred to the evaporator E and may generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E. On the drawings, it is illustrated that a single evaporator E is connected to the first capillary tube CA1 and the second capillary tube CA2, but is not limited thereto. That is, two evaporators E may be provided. When two evaporators E are provided, the first capillary tube CA1 and the second capillary tube CA2 may be connected to the different evaporator E, respectively. In this case, because the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> are closed, the refrigerant may be blocked from being discharged to the first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> and the third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be transferred to the second capillary tube CA2 by passing through the hot pipe H, and then expanded. The refrigerant expanded in the second capillary tube CA2 may be transferred to the evaporator E and may generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E.

In response to the pad <NUM>, which is in the closed state, being rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the center of the boss <NUM>, the first region 95a of the open cavity <NUM> may be located in the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>. In response to the first region 95a being located in the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be opened by the open cavity <NUM>. The fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be closed by the pad <NUM>. The first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> and the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be connected by the connection cavity <NUM>.

The refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipe <NUM> from the condenser C may be introduced into the accommodation space <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>) through the refrigerant inlet hole <NUM>. The introduced refrigerant may be discharged to the third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> opened by the open cavity <NUM> of the pad <NUM>. The refrigerant discharged to the third inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be introduced into the first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the hot pipe H. The refrigerant introduced into the first inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be discharged to the second inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> through the second refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> connected to the first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> by the connection cavity <NUM>. The refrigerant discharged into the second inlet and outlet pipe <NUM> may be introduced into the second capillary tube CA2. The refrigerant introduced into the second capillary tube CA2 and expanded may be transferred to the evaporator E and may generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E. On the drawings, it is illustrated that a single evaporator E is connected to the first capillary tube CA1 and the second capillary tube CA2, but is not limited thereto. That is, two evaporators E may be provided. When two evaporators E are provided, the first capillary tube CA1 and the second capillary tube CA2 may be connected to the different evaporator E, respectively.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be introduced into the first capillary tube CA1 and then expanded without passing through the hot pipe H. The refrigerant expanded in the first capillary tube CA1 may be transferred to the evaporator E and may generate cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E.

In response to the pad <NUM>, which is in the closed state, being rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the center of the boss <NUM>, the second region 95b of the open cavity <NUM> may be located in the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>. In response to the second region 95b being located in the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM>, the fourth refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be opened by the open cavity <NUM>. The first refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> and the third refrigerant inlet and outlet hole <NUM> may be closed by the pad <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A valve device comprising:
a case (<NUM>) comprising an open lower portion and an accommodation space (<NUM>) formed therein;
a base plate (<NUM>) to cover the open lower portion of the case (<NUM>);
an inlet pipe (<NUM>) connected to the base plate (<NUM>) and formed to introduce a refrigerant to the accommodation space (<NUM>) therethrough;
a boss (<NUM>) installed to the base plate (<NUM>) and comprising a plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes (<NUM>) through which the introduced refrigerant from the accommodation space (<NUM>) is introduced and discharged;
a plurality of inlet and outlet pipes (<NUM>) respectively connected to the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes (<NUM>), and through which the refrigerant is introduced from the boss (<NUM>) or discharged to the boss (<NUM>); and
a pad (<NUM>) comprising an open cavity (<NUM>) formed therein to selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes (<NUM>), and a connection cavity (<NUM>) formed therein to selectively connect two refrigerant inlet and outlet holes (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes (<NUM>),
wherein the open cavity (<NUM>) comprises a first region (95a) formed on one side of the open cavity (<NUM>) and a second region (95b) formed on an other side of the open cavity (<NUM>) and provided at a position rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise from the first region (95a) with respect to a center of the pad (<NUM>); the first region (95a) is a portion adjacent to a left end and the second region (95b) is a portion adjacent to a right end when the pad (<NUM>) is viewed from the top; and
wherein the open cavity (<NUM>) has a size that allows the first region (95a) or the second region (95b) to selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) among the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes (<NUM>).