Patent Description:
Refrigerators are apparatuses for storing products such as foods received in the refrigerator at a low temperature including sub-zero temperatures. As a result of this action, there is an advantage that user's intake with respect to the products may be improved, or a storage period of the products may be lengthened.

Refrigerators are classified into indoor refrigerators using a commercial power source or outdoor refrigerator using a portable power source. In addition, in recent years, a refrigerator for a vehicle, which is used after fixedly mounted on the vehicle, is increasing in supply. The refrigerator for the vehicle is more increasing in demand due to an increase in supply of vehicles and an increase in premium-class vehicle.

A conventional configuration of the refrigerator for the vehicle will be described.

First, there is an example in which heat in the refrigerator is forcibly discharged to the outside of the refrigerator by using a thermoelement. However, there is a limitation in that a cooling rate is slow due to low thermal efficiency of the thermoelement to deteriorate user's satisfaction.

For another example, there is an example in which a refrigerant or cold air is drawn from an air conditioning system installed for air-conditioning an entire interior of the vehicle and used as a cooling source for the refrigerator for the vehicle.

In this example, there is a disadvantage that a separate flow path of air or refrigerant is required to draw the air or refrigerator from the air conditioning system of the vehicle. Also, there is a limitation that low-temperature energy is lost during the movement of the air or refrigerant through the flow path. Also, there is a limitation that a position at which the refrigerator for the vehicle is installed is limited to a position that is adjacent to the air conditioning system of the vehicle due to the above-described limitations.

For another example, there is an example in which a refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant is applied.

However, in this example, since a part constituting the refrigeration cycle is large in size, most of the parts are mounted on a trunk, and only a door of a door of the refrigerator is opened to the inside of the vehicle. In this case, there is a limitation that a position for installing the refrigerator for the vehicle is limited. Also, there is a limitation that the trunk is significantly reduced in volume to reduce an amount of cargo that is capable of being loaded in the trunk.

<CIT> presents a vacuum adiabatic body according to the preamble of claim <NUM> including a first plate member defining at least part of a wall for a first space; a second plate member defining at least part of a wall for a second space at a temperature different from that of the first space; a sealing part which seals the first and second plate members to provide a third space being at temperatures between the temperature of the first space and the temperature of the second space and in a vacuum; a supporting unit supporting the third space; a thermal resistance unit reducing the amount of heat transfer between the first and second plate members; and an exhaust port discharging gas in the third space. The vacuum adiabatic body further includes a peripheral adiabatic part provided at an outer side of an edge portion of the third space to improve adiabatic performance of the third space for the edge portion, wherein the peripheral adiabatic part is provided as a separate insulation member.

<CIT> presents a vacuum adiabatic body, fabrication method for the vacuum adiabatic body, porous substance package, and refrigerator.

<CIT> presents a lightweight, insulated chest and method for transportation and storage of perishable and other items which require a temperature-controlled environment. The chest includes insulated side walls, bottom and a hinged cover which is pneumatically sealed to prevent tampering and for thermal security. The chest includes a fluid conduit within the cover for air evacuation and depressurization of the interior and also includes a conduit to provide a vacuum between the walls of the sides and bottom which contain a rigid polymeric foam insulation.

<CIT> relates to an air conditioning module which includes: a compressor compressing a refrigerant; a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; a housing storing a blower to supply air to the evaporator and the condenser; air supply parts formed in a side of the housing to take the air; and an air discharge part formed in the other side of the housing to discharge the air heated through the evaporator or the air cooled through the condenser. The housing is combined in an installation space to be detachable.

<CIT> presents a center console structure that comprises a console body, a storage portion which is provided inside the console body so as to extend longitudinally having a specified height vertically and has an upper opening and a rear opening, an armrest which is provided so as to open and close the upper opening and has a rear vent at its rear portion, and a blower provided in front of the storage portion of the console body. The armrest connects to an air-conditioning air duct which is provided so as to connect to the blower and extends upward in front of the storage portion, and it has an inside duct inside.

<CIT> presents a heat insulating box of a refrigerator, including a inflammable heat-insulator particularly a vacuum heat-insulator made of a board-shape molded inorganic fiber.

<CIT> relates to refrigerators in which a vacuum space is formed between an outer case and an inner case of a body.

Further relevant prior art is disclosed in documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

The conduit does not pass through the vacuum adiabatic body having the high vacuum degree according to the vacuum adiabatic body including the conduit connecting the first space to the second space by passing through the sealing part outside the third space. According to this configuration, the air leakage of the vacuum adiabatic body is prevented, and the vacuum adiabatic body may be used for a long time even though the vacuum adiabatic body is mounted in the vehicle having the large vibration.

The conduit used in the refrigerating or warming apparatus to which the vacuum adiabatic body is applied may include at least two tubes through which the refrigerant having temperatures different from each other flows, and the heat exchanger may be provided in each of the first space and the second space. Thus, the single regeneration adiabatic member may surround the at least two tubes to perform the heat exchange. According to the above-described configuration, the refrigerating or warming apparatus applied to the vehicle may be quickly cooled or heated and thus operate with high time-efficiency.

According to the vehicle-mount type refrigerating or warming apparatus including the cavity which is provided in the side facing the driver and of which at least a portion of the wall is provided as the vacuum adiabatic body and the machine room provided in the side facing the assistant driver, the driver that is the main user may more easily use the refrigerating or warming apparatus.

The refrigerant conduit may extend along the wall of the cavity to secure the space in which the refrigerant flows even in the narrow space and contribute to the heat exchange with the refrigerant and the integration of the machine room.

The console cover which covers the entire upper portion of the console of the vehicle and by which the upper end edge of the cavity is sealed is provided to prevent the machine room of the refrigerating or warming apparatus from be contaminated due to the introduction of the foreign substances and prevent the machine from being broken down due to the penetration of the liquid.

<FIG> and <FIG> show embodiments being useful for understanding the invention, which are outside the subject-matter of the claims. <FIG> show embodiments according to the present invention, which disclose a refrigerator according to claim <NUM>.

In the following description according to embodiments with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to different drawings in the case of the same constituents to clarify the description.

Also, in the description of each drawing, the description will be made with reference to the direction in which the vehicle is viewed from the front of the vehicle, rather than the front viewed by the driver based on the traveling direction of the vehicle. For example, the driver is on the right, and the assistant driver is on the left.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a seat <NUM> on which a user is seated is provided in a vehicle <NUM>. The seat <NUM> may be provided in a pair to be horizontally spaced apart from each other. A console is disposed between the seats <NUM>, and a driver places items that are necessary for driving or components that are necessary for manipulating the vehicle in the console. Front seats on which the driver and the assistant driver are seated may be described as an example of the seats <NUM>.

It should be understood that the vehicle includes various components, which are necessary for driving the vehicle, such as a moving device such as a wheel, a driving device such as an engine, and a steering device such as a steering wheel.

The refrigerator for the vehicle according to an embodiment may be preferably placed in the console. However, an embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle refrigerator may be installed in various spaces. For example, the vehicle refrigerator may be installed in a space between rear seats, a door, a globe box, and a center fascia. This is one of factors that the vehicle refrigerator according to an embodiment is capable of being installed only when power is supplied, and a minimum space is secured. However, it is a great advantage of the embodiment in that it may be installed in the console between the seats, which is limited in space due to limitations in vehicle design.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the console of the vehicle.

Referring to <FIG>, a console <NUM> may be provided as a separate part that is made of a material such as a resin. A steel frame <NUM> may be further provided below the console <NUM> to maintain strength of the vehicle, and a sensor part <NUM> such as a sensor may be disposed in a spacing part between the console <NUM> and the steel frame <NUM>. The sensor part <NUM> may be a part that is necessary for accurately sensing an external signal and measuring a signal at a position of the driver. For example, an airbag sensor that is directly connected to the life of the driver may be mounted.

The console <NUM> may have a console space <NUM> therein, and the console space <NUM> may be covered by a console cover <NUM>. The console cover <NUM> may be fixed to the console <NUM> in a fixed type. Thus, it is difficult that external foreign substances are introduced into the console through the console cover <NUM>. A vehicle refrigerator <NUM> is seated in the console space <NUM>.

A suction port <NUM> may be provided in a right surface of the console <NUM> to introduce air within the vehicle into the console space <NUM>. The suction port <NUM> may face the driver. An exhaust port <NUM> may be provided in a left surface of the console <NUM> to exhaust warmed air while the vehicle refrigerator operates from the inside of the console space <NUM>. The exhaust port <NUM> may face the assistant driver. A grill may be provided in each of the suction port <NUM> and the exhaust port <NUM> to prevent user□s hand from being inserted and thereby to provide safety, prevent an object, which falls from an upper side, from being introduced, and allow air to be exhausted to flow downward so as not to be directed to the person.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view illustrating the inside of the vehicle refrigerator.

Referring to <FIG>, the vehicle refrigerator <NUM> includes a refrigerator bottom frame <NUM> supporting parts, a machine room <NUM> provided in a left side of the refrigerator bottom frame <NUM>, and a cavity <NUM> provided in a right side of the refrigerator bottom frame <NUM>. The machine room <NUM> may be covered by a machine room cover <NUM>, and an upper side of the cavity <NUM> may be covered by the console cover <NUM> and a door <NUM>.

The machine room cover <NUM> may not only guide a passage of the cooling air, but also prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the machine room <NUM>.

A controller <NUM> may be disposed on the machine room cover <NUM> to control an overall operation of the vehicle refrigerator <NUM>. Since the controller <NUM> is installed at the above-described position, the vehicle refrigerator <NUM> may operate without problems in a proper temperature range in a narrow space inside the console space <NUM>. That is to say, the controller <NUM> may be cooled by air flowing through a gap between the machine room cover <NUM> and the console cover <NUM> and separated from an inner space of the machine room <NUM> by the machine room cover <NUM>. Thus, the controller <NUM> may not be affected by heat within the machine room <NUM>.

The console cover <NUM> may not only cover an opened upper portion of the console space <NUM>, but also cover an upper end edge of the cavity <NUM>. In more detail, the console cover <NUM> may cover a sealing part <NUM> to reduce a heat loss due to heat transfer. A door <NUM> may be further installed on the console cover <NUM> to allow the user to cover an opening through which products are accessible to the cavity <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be opened by using rear portions of the console cover <NUM> and the cavity <NUM> as hinge points. Here, the opening of the console cover <NUM>, the door <NUM>, and the cavity <NUM> may be performed by conveniently manipulating the door <NUM> by the user because the console cover <NUM>, the door <NUM>, and the cavity <NUM> are horizontally disposed when viewed from the user and also disposed at a rear side of the console. For example, the driver may conveniently open the door by using a rear hinge point as a support point through a driver's right hand.

A condensation module <NUM>, a dryer <NUM>, and a compressor <NUM> may be successively installed in the machine room <NUM> in a flow direction of the cooling air. A refrigerant conduit <NUM> for allowing the refrigerant to smoothly flow is provided in the machine room <NUM>. A portion of the refrigerant conduit <NUM> may extend to the inside of the cavity <NUM> to supply the refrigerant. The refrigerant conduit <NUM> may extend to the outside of the cavity <NUM> through the upper opening through which the products are accessible to the cavity <NUM>.

The cavity <NUM> has an opened top surface and five surfaces that are covered by a vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> may be thermally insulated by an individual vacuum adiabatic body or at least one or more vacuum adiabatic bodies communicating with each other. The cavity <NUM> may be provided by the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>. Also, the cavity <NUM> through which the products is accessible through one surface opened by the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> may be provided.

The vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> may include a first plate member <NUM> providing a boundary of a low-temperature inner space of the cavity <NUM>, a second plate member <NUM> providing a boundary of a high-temperature outer space, and a conductive resistance sheet <NUM> blocking heat transfer between the plate members <NUM> and <NUM>. Since the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> has a thin adiabatic thickness to maximally obtain adiabatic efficiency, the cavity <NUM> having large capacity may be realized.

An exhaust and getter port for the exhaust of the inner space of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> and for installing a getter that maintains the vacuum state may be provided on one surface. The exhaust and getter port <NUM> may provide the exhaust and getter together to more contribute to miniaturization of the vehicle refrigerator <NUM>.

An evaporation module <NUM> may be installed in the cavity <NUM>. The evaporation module <NUM> may evaporate the refrigerant introduced into the cavity <NUM> through the refrigerant conduit <NUM> and forcibly blow cold air into the cavity <NUM>. The evaporation module may be disposed at a rear side within the cavity <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a connection relationship between the machine room and the cavity.

Referring to <FIG>, the evaporation module <NUM> is accommodated into the cavity <NUM>. That is to say, the evaporation module <NUM> is disposed in the inner space of the cavity <NUM> having the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> as an outer wall. Thus, the machine room may be improved in space efficiency, and the cavity <NUM> may increase in inner space.

The refrigerant conduit <NUM> guiding the refrigerant into the evaporation module <NUM> is guided to the evaporation module <NUM> by passing over the top surface of the cavity <NUM>. It may be considered that the refrigerant conduit <NUM> passes through the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> to reduce a volume thereof. However, since the vehicle has many vibration, and the inside of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> is maintained in considerably high vacuum state, the sealing of the contact portion between the refrigerant conduit <NUM> and the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> may be damaged. Thus, it is not preferable that the refrigerant conduit <NUM> passes through the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>.

For this, the refrigerant conduit <NUM> may include a first conduit disposed in the cavity <NUM>, a second conduit disposed outside the cavity <NUM>, and a third conduit passing over an end of the cavity.

The evaporation module <NUM> may be preferably installed at the hinge point of the door within the cavity <NUM>, i.e., a rear surface within the cavity <NUM>. This is because a path that is necessary to allow the refrigerant conduit <NUM> to extend up to the evaporation module <NUM> is as short as possible for ensuring the internal volume of the cavity <NUM>. It is more preferable that the refrigerant conduit <NUM> passing over the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> passes through the hinge point of the door. If the evaporation module <NUM> is out of the hinge point of the door, the capacity of the cavity and the low-temperature energy may be lost due to the extension of the refrigerant conduit <NUM> and the adiabatic demands of the refrigerant conduit <NUM>.

The condensation module <NUM> may be coupled by a rear coupling unit of the machine room bottom frame <NUM>. Air suctioned through the condensation module <NUM> may cool the compressor <NUM> and then be discharged downward from the compressor <NUM>.

The machine room cover <NUM> may be coupled to a left side of the cavity <NUM> to cover the machine room <NUM>. An air flow for cooling may occur in an upper side of the machine room cover <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may be provided on the cooling passage to perform sufficient cooling action.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cavity and peripheral portions related to sealing of the cavity.

Referring to <FIG>, the cavity providing an adiabatic function to the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> is disposed on each of five surfaces on the right side of the refrigerator bottom plate except for the top surface. The exhaust and getter port is disposed on one surface of the cavity <NUM> to allow the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> to generate vacuum.

A boss <NUM> may be mounted on an outer surface of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> to fix the console cover <NUM> and the machine room cover <NUM>. The boss <NUM> may be coupled to the second plate member <NUM> defining an outer surface of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> through welding or caulking to prevent a problem in vacuum maintenance of a vacuum space part <NUM> within the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> from occurring.

The evaporation module <NUM> is seated on a rear side within the cavity <NUM>. The evaporation module <NUM> communicates with an expansion valve and the compressor in the machine room.

A refrigerant introduced into or discharged from the evaporation module <NUM> may have a different temperature. Thus, a refrigerant line inserted into the evaporation module <NUM> and a refrigerant line withdrawn from the evaporation module <NUM> may be heat-exchanged with each other. The heat-exchange action may be called heat regeneration. The outsides of the two conduits may be insulated by a regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> to prevent the refrigerant from being heat-exchanged between only the two conduits during the heat regeneration.

The regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> may pass through the rearmost portion of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> defining the left wall of the cavity as described above. Also, the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> may pass over the upper end of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>. In detail, the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> may pass over the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> in the shortest direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the sealing part <NUM> disposed on the upper end of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>.

Thus, the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> may be directly guided to the evaporation module <NUM>. Therefore, the inner space of the machine room may be efficiently used to maximize the internal capacity of the cavity <NUM>. Also, since the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> does not pass through the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>, vacuum breakdown may be prevented even in the case of the vehicle having large vibration.

A plurality of parts may exist in the peripheral portion over which the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> passes, and parts having temperatures different from each other may be spaced apart from each other to increase in possibility of a loss of the cold air. Also, since a hinge of the door <NUM> is provided, the possibility of the loss of the cold air may more increase.

To solve the above-described limitations, a hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> is disposed on an upper portion of the evaporation module <NUM> to cover the upper portion of the evaporation module <NUM> in addition to an entrance of the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM>. An inner support <NUM> and an outer support <NUM>, which are supports serving as an acting point of the hinge for the door, are provided in the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM>. The inner support <NUM> and the outer support <NUM> may be connected to each other by a connection bar <NUM> to form one body. The inner support <NUM> may function as a conduit accommodation part accommodating the refrigerant conduit to more reliably perform an adiabatic action.

The inner support <NUM> and the outer support <NUM> may be inserted into an inner bearing part <NUM> and an outer bearing part <NUM>, which are provided in the console cover <NUM>, respectively. That is to say, a portion supporting the hinge may extend up to the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> and the evaporation module <NUM> to completely perform a strong the supporting action with respect to a hinge shaft of the door.

The hinge shaft <NUM> of the door <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to the inner bearing part <NUM> and the outer bearing part <NUM> to perform an opening/closing of the door with respect to the hinge shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the hinge part adiabatic member.

Referring to <FIG>, the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> includes the inner support <NUM> covering the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> and inserted into the inner bearing part <NUM>, the outer support inserted into the outer bearing part <NUM>, and the connection bar <NUM> connecting the supports <NUM> and <NUM> to each other and thermally insulating an upper portion of the evaporation module <NUM>.

Since the supports <NUM> and <NUM> are inserted into the bearing parts <NUM> and <NUM>, the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> and the console cover <NUM> may be integrated with each other. Also, since the console cover <NUM> is installed, the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> may be fixed to relative and absolute position with respect to the peripheral parts including the cavity <NUM>. That is to say, the supports <NUM> and <NUM> may allow the parts in a rear space within the cavity <NUM> to come into closely contact with each other while supporting the evaporation module <NUM>. Thus, the parts may come into strongly contact with each other to prevent the cold air from leaking. Also, the hinge action of the door <NUM> may be more confirmed.

Each of the supports <NUM> and <NUM> may have a structure that gradually decreases in cross-sectional area toward an end thereof so that the supports <NUM> and <NUM> are inserted into the bearing parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

The inner support <NUM> may have a thickness greater than that of the outer support <NUM>. This is because the inner support <NUM> is a portion surrounding the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> to cause a heat loss due to the heat exchange to the outside of the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM>.

A regeneration adiabatic member seating part <NUM> having a shape properly matches an outer appearance of the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> is disposed on an inner surface of the inner support <NUM>. For example, the inner support <NUM> may be curved in a smooth arc shape like the outer appearance of the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM>. A lower end surface of the regeneration adiabatic member seating part <NUM> may be placed on the upper end of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>. Thus, a vertical position relationship between the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> and the cavity <NUM> may be clear, and a gap between the parts may not occur. The lower end surface of the regeneration adiabatic member seating part <NUM> may further extend outward from the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>. Thus, the adiabatic action may be performed from an inlet of the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> to more improve the adiabatic effect.

An inner fitting part <NUM> further extending downward from a rear portion of the regeneration adiabatic member seating part <NUM> may be further provided. The inner fitting part <NUM> may correspond to an inner surface of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>, and thus, the position relationship in a front and rear direction between the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> and the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> may be more clearly maintained. The outer fitting part <NUM> corresponding to the inner fitting part <NUM> may also be provided on the outer support <NUM>.

A part on which the evaporation module <NUM> is seated to be fitted is provided on the connection bar <NUM>. Particularly, a cover seating part <NUM>, a fan housing seating part <NUM>, and a second compartment seating part <NUM> may be provided. The position relationship in a left and right direction with respect to the cavity of the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> may be cleared by the cover seating part <NUM>. Each of the fan housing seating part <NUM> and the second compartment seating part <NUM> has an arc shape corresponding to an upper shape of the evaporation module <NUM> to prevent the cold air from leaking through the contact part between the evaporation module and the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM>.

According to the above-described constituents, leakage of external air through the contact parts with various constituents coming into contact with the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> may be prevented to enhance the adiabatic performance with respect to the portion that is vulnerable to heat leakage.

<FIG> are plan, front, bottom, and left views of the hinge part adiabatic member.

Referring to <FIG>, the configuration of the hinge part adiabatic member and an action of each constituent may be more clearly understood.

An outer fitting groove <NUM> and an inner fitting groove <NUM> are defined in inner portions of the supports <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The fitting groove <NUM> may be configured to support a support portion of the console cover in which each of the bearing parts <NUM> and <NUM> is thicker to accommodate the hinge shaft of the door.

The second compartment seating part <NUM> may have a recessed structure and may not only be seated to correspond to a compartment, but also provide a path through which a structure such as a wire that is led out of the evaporation module <NUM> passes to the outside.

A skirt <NUM> further extends downward to the inside of the regeneration adiabatic member seating part <NUM>. The skirt <NUM> may be a portion that further extends downward to help the perforation of the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> that enters into the cavity <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the evaporation module.

Referring to <FIG>, the evaporation module <NUM> includes a rear cover <NUM> disposed at a rear side to accommodate the parts and a front cover <NUM> disposed at a front side of the rear cover <NUM> to face the cavity <NUM>. A space may be provided in the evaporation module <NUM> by the front cover <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> to accommodate the parts in the space.

In the space defined by the front cover <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM> is disposed at a lower side, and an evaporation fan <NUM> is disposed at an upper side. A centrifugal fan that is capable of being mounted in a narrow space may be used as the evaporation fan <NUM>. More particularly, a sirocco fan including a fan inlet <NUM> having a large area to suction air and a fan outlet <NUM> blowing the air at a high rate in a predetermined discharge direction in a narrow space may be used as the evaporation fan <NUM>.

The air passing through the evaporator <NUM> is suctioned into the fan inlet <NUM>, and the air discharged from the fan outlet <NUM> is discharged to the cavity <NUM>. To guide a flow of the introduced into the evaporation fan <NUM>, a predetermined space may be provided between the evaporation fan <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>.

A plurality of compartments may be provided in the rear cover <NUM> to accommodate the parts. Particularly, the evaporator <NUM> and the evaporation fan <NUM> are disposed in a first compartment <NUM> to guide a flow of air within the evaporation module <NUM>. A lamp <NUM> may be disposed in a second compartment to brighten the inside of the cavity <NUM> so that the user looks the inside of the cavity <NUM>. A temperature sensor <NUM> is disposed in a fourth compartment <NUM> to measure an inner temperature of the cavity <NUM> and thereby to control a temperature of the vehicle refrigerator.

When the temperature sensor <NUM> disposed in the fourth compartment <NUM> measures the inner temperature of the cavity <NUM>, the flow in the cavity and the cold air in the evaporator may not have a direct influence on the temperature sensor <NUM>. That is to say, the cold air of the evaporator <NUM> may not have a direct influence on the third compartment <NUM>. Also, to minimize an effect of the air flow within the cavity <NUM> on the fourth compartment <NUM>, the fourth compartment <NUM> may be disposed at a corner of the evaporation module <NUM>.

Although the third compartment <NUM> is removed in some cases, the third compartment <NUM> may be provided to prevent an error in measurement of the inner temperature of the cavity <NUM> from occurring by conductive heat.

The fourth compartment <NUM> and the temperature sensor <NUM> are disposed at left upper end of the evaporation module <NUM>, which is farthest from the evaporator <NUM>. This is for prevent the cold air from having an influence on the evaporator <NUM>. That is to say, to prevent the cold air of the evaporator from having a direct influence on the fourth compartment <NUM> through the conduction, the fourth compartment <NUM> and the temperature sensor <NUM> may be isolated from the first compartment <NUM> by other compartments <NUM> and <NUM>.

An inner structure of the first compartment <NUM> will be described in detail. A fan housing <NUM> on which the evaporation fan <NUM> is disposed is provided at an upper side, and an evaporator placing part <NUM> on which the evaporator <NUM> is placed is provided at a lower side.

A conduit passage <NUM> is provided in a left side of the fan housing <NUM>. The conduit passage <NUM> may be a portion through which a refrigerant conduit <NUM> passing over the upper end of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> is guided into the evaporation module <NUM> and be provided in a left corner portion of the evaporation module <NUM>. The refrigerant conduit <NUM> may include two conduits that are surrounded by the adiabatic member so that the two conduits through which the evaporation module <NUM> is inserted and withdrawn are heat-exchanged with each other. Thus, the conduit passage <NUM> may have a predetermined volume. The conduit passage <NUM> may vertically extend from a left side of the evaporation module <NUM> to improve space density inside the evaporation module <NUM> and directly guide the evaporation module <NUM> to the evaporator <NUM>.

As described above, the evaporator <NUM> and the evaporation fan <NUM> are provided in the rear cover <NUM> to perform the cooling of air within the cavity and the circulation of air within the cavity.

The front cover <NUM> has an approximately rectangular shape like the rear cover <NUM>. A cold air inflow hole <NUM> guiding the air inflow to the lower side of the evaporator <NUM> is defined in the front cover <NUM>. A cold air discharge hole <NUM> aligned with the fan outlet <NUM> is defined in the front cover <NUM>. The cold air discharge hole <NUM> may have a shape of which an inner surface is smoothly rounded to discharge air, which is discharged downward from the evaporation fan <NUM>, forward.

A portion of the front cover <NUM> aligned with the second compartment <NUM> may be opened, or a window may be provided on the portion of the front cover <NUM> so that light of the lamp <NUM> is irradiated into the cavity <NUM>.

A air vent hole <NUM> is defined in the front cover <NUM> aligned with the fourth compartment <NUM>. The air discharged from the cold air discharge hole <NUM> circulates inside the cavity <NUM> and then is introduced into the air vent hole <NUM>. Thus, the inner temperature of the cavity <NUM> may be more accurately detected. For example, the inner temperature of the cavity <NUM> may be erroneously measured by a large amount of cold air discharged from the cold air discharge hole <NUM>.

According to the above-described constituents, the evaporation module <NUM> may cool the evaporator <NUM> by using the refrigerant introduced through the conduit passage <NUM> as a cooling source. The air disposed in the lower portion of the cavity <NUM> is introduced through the cold air inflow hole <NUM> and then more cooled by passing through the evaporator <NUM>. The cooled air may be suctioned through a central portion of the evaporation fan <NUM> that is the centrifugal fan and be discharged downward by centrifugal force.

The discharge direction of the air discharged from the evaporation fan is changed into a front side via the cold air discharge hole <NUM> to cool an entire space within the cavity <NUM>. The discharged air may cool the products within the cavity <NUM> and then be suctioned through the cold air inflow hole <NUM> to circulate.

<FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating portions of two parts in a state in which a support is inserted into the bearing part.

Referring to <FIG>, since the supports <NUM> and <NUM> are inserted to be fitted into the bearing parts <NUM> and <NUM>, it is seen that the parts using the hinge part adiabatic member <NUM> as a medium are stably supported.

Since the hinge shaft of the door is stably and strongly supported, the position between the door and the cavity may be accurately aligned with each other, and a gap between the door and the cavity may be perfectly aligned without generating any gap.

<FIG> is a plan view of the console cover, and <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of the console cover.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the console cover <NUM> includes a cover edge <NUM> covering an opened top surface of the console space <NUM> and a skirt <NUM> extending downward within the cover edge <NUM>. The cover edge <NUM> may define the outer frame <NUM> together with the skirt <NUM>.

The cover edge <NUM> may be placed on a edge portion of the top surface of the console space <NUM> to seal the inside of the console space <NUM>, thereby preventing foreign substances from being introduced into the console space <NUM> from the outside. The skirt <NUM> may reinforce strength of the console cover <NUM> and increase in accommodation space for the products to be placed inside the console cover <NUM>.

The inside of the outer frame <NUM> may be divided into two sections including a product accommodation part <NUM> in which products that are necessary for the driving or other products are accommodated and an entrance <NUM> on which the door of the vehicle refrigerator is disposed and through which the products are accessible to the refrigerator. A separator <NUM> may protrude upward between the two sections.

The separator <NUM> may prevent dew, which may occur due to a temperature difference at an edge of the door <NUM>, from flowing to the side of the product accommodation part <NUM>. Thus, contamination of the product accommodation part due to moisture may be prevented. The door <NUM> may be disposed at a side of the driver, i.e., at a right side. Thus, the driver may more easily dispense the products.

Although the product accommodation part <NUM> is advantageous in terms of capacity for accommodating products as the bottom surface descends a lot, since an air passage of a spacing part between a top surface of the machine room cover <NUM> and the product accommodation part <NUM> is narrow, the bottom surface may not descend a lot. However, the number of products that are accommodated at the lowest position of the positions within the console cover <NUM> may increase.

An auxiliary device port part <NUM> to which an auxiliary device such as a USB is connected and a cigar jack part <NUM> may be provided at a front side of the product accommodation part <NUM>.

A storage room opening part <NUM> is provided in the entrance <NUM> so that the user's hand is accessible to the inside of the cavity <NUM>. A door hook part <NUM> on which a door hook <NUM> is installed and a door switch part <NUM> on which a door switch for recognizing an opening/closing of the door may be provided at a front side of the storage room opening part <NUM>.

The inner bearing part <NUM> and the outer bearing part <NUM> may be provided at a rear side of the entrance <NUM> to support the hinge shaft <NUM>. Since the hinge shaft is disposed at the rear side of the console cover <NUM>, the user, i.e., the driver may conveniently open or close the door while driving.

At least one console coupling part <NUM> may be provided on the bottom surface of the console cover <NUM> in each direction. The console coupling part <NUM> may be coupled to each of portions corresponding to the boss <NUM> of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> and the machine room cover <NUM> and then integrated with the vehicle refrigerator.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the door.

Referring to <FIG>, the door <NUM> includes an upper cover <NUM>, a lower cover <NUM>, and a door adiabatic member <NUM> inserted between the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM>.

The upper cover includes a covering part <NUM> having a wide rectangular area that is enough to open and close the entrance <NUM>, a hinge part <NUM> disposed at a rear side of the covering part <NUM>, and a handle groove <NUM> disposed at a front side of the covering part <NUM>.

The hinge shaft <NUM> may protrude from left and right sides of the hinge part <NUM> and then be inserted into the inner bearing part <NUM> and the outer bearing part <NUM>, which are provided in the console cover <NUM>. When the hinge shaft <NUM> is inserted into the bearing parts <NUM> and <NUM>, the hinge shaft <NUM> may serve as a center of a hinge rotation motion of the door <NUM>.

The door adiabatic member <NUM> may be filled into an inner space defined by the upper cover <NUM> and the lower cover <NUM> to improve adiabatic performance of the door. A magnet <NUM> may be installed at a predetermined position of the door adiabatic member <NUM> or the covers <NUM> and <NUM>, which corresponds to the door switch <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may measure magnetic force as the door switch <NUM> and the magnet <NUM> approach each other or are spaced apart from each other to determine a distance therebetween and thereby to recognize an opened state of the door through the distance.

A protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the lower cover <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may maintain a closed state of the door by acting with the door hook <NUM> or selectively allow the door to be opened. The opened state and the closed state of the door may be selected according to the number of pressing of the door <NUM>. Here, when the door is opened, the door may move in a direction to open itself by an action of the spring.

A door sealer <NUM> may be disposed on a bottom surface of the lower cover <NUM> to seal the opening part <NUM> at the outside of an opening part edge of the storage room opening part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a left view of a vehicle refrigerator, and <FIG> is a front view of the vehicle refrigerator.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, which show a refrigerator according to claim <NUM>, the console cover <NUM> may be coupled to the machine room cover <NUM> and the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> by the console coupling part <NUM>. The console coupling part may be coupled to the console cover <NUM>, the machine room cover <NUM>, and the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> at once. That is to say, the coupling between the parts may be performed at once by the console cover <NUM> to form one body to prevent air from leaking without generating a gap between the parts and prevent vibration noise due to the gap between the parts from occurring.

The door hook <NUM> and the door switch <NUM> may be fixed to the bottom surface of the console cover <NUM> and be provided at positions that are respectively aligned with the protrusion <NUM> and the magnet <NUM>.

A wire hook <NUM> may be disposed at a predetermined position of the console cover <NUM> at which a necessary wire for the door switch <NUM> is placed in a path that is directed to the controller <NUM>. The wire may be fixed by the wire hook <NUM> even through vibration of the vehicle during the driving of the vehicle or vibration of the compressor occurs.

<FIG> is a left view of the vehicle refrigerator.

Referring to <FIG>, which shows a refrigerator according to claim <NUM>, air introduced into the suction port <NUM> moves to the machine room <NUM> through the spacing part between an outer surface of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM>, which corresponds to the front side of the cavity, and an inner surface of the console space <NUM>. That is, the air moves to a left direction.

Thereafter, the air moves backward through the spacing part between the top surface of the machine room cover <NUM> and the bottom surface of the console cover <NUM> and then move downward to be introduced into the machine room cover <NUM>. For this, a large opening may be defined in a rear side of the machine room cover <NUM>.

The air may successively cool the condensation module <NUM>, the dryer <NUM>, and the compressor <NUM> in the machine room cover <NUM> and then be discharged to the outside of the vehicle refrigerator <NUM> through a passage guide <NUM> provided below the compressor <NUM>. The exhaust port <NUM> may be disposed close to the passage guide <NUM> to allow the air discharged through the passage guide <NUM> to circulate without staying in the console space <NUM>. Thus, the cooling efficiency may be improved.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the machine room, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view when each of parts in the machine room is viewed with respect to a flow of the refrigerant, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating only the machine room and the cavity. Some of the drawings are not shown for the sake of convenience.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the condensation module <NUM> is fixed in a manner in which the condenser <NUM> is coupled to the machine room bottom frame <NUM>, a condenser spacer (see reference numeral <NUM> of <FIG>) is coupled to the condenser <NUM>, and the condensation fan (see reference numeral <NUM> of <FIG>) is coupled to the condenser spacer <NUM>. The parts may be installed in the narrow space by the condensation module <NUM> having the above-described structure, and an occurrence of noise due to the condensation fan <NUM> may be reduced by the condenser spacer <NUM>.

The condensation fan <NUM> may not increase infinitely in rotation rate due to the influence of the noise. Here, the noise is undesirable because the noise makes the person boarding in the vehicle to be uncomfortable. According to experiments, it is confirmed that noise having a level of about <NUM>,<NUM> rpm does not affect the driver or passenger.

The condenser spacer <NUM> may solve limitations of noise due to rotation of fan blades, slip of air, and shock waves propagating through the air, secure a flow rate of the air, and achieve the compact inside of the machine room.

An operation in the machine room with respect to a flow or air will be described below.

The suctioned air in the condensation fan <NUM> may pass through the condenser <NUM> to condense the refrigerant. The air suctioned into the machine room <NUM> may pass through the dryer <NUM> and the expansion valve <NUM> and then cool the compressor <NUM> finally and be discharged to the outside. Here, the flow of the air may be a flow that proceeds forward from a rear side of the machine room <NUM>.

To secure sufficient condensation performance in the condensation module, the air introduced into the machine room <NUM> cools the condenser <NUM> first. Also, since operation conditions of the compressor are permissible even at a relatively high temperature, the introduced air of the machine room cools the compressor <NUM> finally. The dryer <NUM> and the expansion valve <NUM> may be disposed between the condenser <NUM> and the compressor <NUM> to correspond to a use temperature of each part.

The air cooling the compressor <NUM> may be discharged through a machine room discharge hole <NUM> provided in the machine room bottom frame <NUM>. The air discharged through the machine room discharge hole <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the vehicle refrigerator <NUM> through the passage guide <NUM> of the refrigerator bottom frame <NUM>.

A terminal supplying power to the compressor is disposed at a front side of the compressor, i.e., a front side of the machine room, in which an influence of the air flow is less, in the machine room. This is for improving reliability of the product by making it difficult for dusts caused by the air flow to approach an electric system as much as possible. The compressor terminal may be covered from the outside by a compressor terminal cover <NUM>.

An operation in the machine room with respect to a flow or a refrigerant will be described below.

A refrigerant compressed in the compressor <NUM> is introduced to an upper side of the condenser <NUM> through a first passage <NUM> and then condensed by external air. Compression and condensation efficiency of the refrigerant is a major factor that determines overall cooling performance of the refrigeration cycle.

In the vehicle refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment, the compressor <NUM> operates at an operation frequency of maximum <NUM> to suppress the occurrence of excessive noise. Also, to prevent problems in oil supply due to the vibration while the vehicle is driven, oil may be supplied at the highest level into the compressor <NUM>. The operation frequency of the compressor <NUM> is preferably as high as possible, but may be uncomfortable to the passenger, so it is preferable to limit the operation frequency as described above. In the same manner, the condensation fan <NUM> is limited to the number of revolutions to about <NUM>,<NUM> rpm to suppress the excessive noise.

In this embodiment, it is confirmed that sufficient cooling performance is exhibited even under the operation conditions of the refrigeration cycle.

The condensed refrigerant is introduced into the dryer <NUM> through a second passage <NUM>. The dryer may be a receiver dryer in which a function of a dryer and a function of a receiver are performed together. Thus, the inner space of the machine room <NUM> may be more reduced.

The refrigerant supplied from the dryer <NUM> may be supplied to the evaporation module <NUM> by passing through the expansion valve <NUM>. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporation module is introduced again into the compressor <NUM> through a fourth passage.

The expansion valve <NUM> and the fourth passage <NUM> may regenerate heat through heat exchange. For this, the two conduits <NUM> and <NUM> are bent with the same shape to come into contact with each other. Also, the regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> may surround the two conduits <NUM> and <NUM> together to insulate the conduits <NUM> and <NUM> from the outside. The regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> may extend from an inlet end of the compressor up to the evaporation module so that sufficient heat regeneration occurs between the two conduits <NUM> and <NUM>.

The regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> may further extend up to the inside of the evaporation module <NUM>. Thus, dew formed by the heat exchange action between the two conduits <NUM> and <NUM> and the cold air is prevented from leaking to the outside of the cavity <NUM>. Thus, failure in the machine room may be prevented from occurring.

The parts within the machine room <NUM> are primarily supported by the machine room bottom frame <NUM>. The machine room bottom frame <NUM> is coupled to the refrigerator bottom frame <NUM>. The machine room bottom frame <NUM> includes a foaming part for reinforcing strength and reducing vibration.

The foaming part includes a second foaming part <NUM> disposed between a portion on which the condensation module <NUM> is disposed and a portion on which the compressor <NUM> is disposed and foamed at a relatively deep depth to prevent different operation frequencies from being affected with respect to each other and a first foaming part <NUM> for reducing the vibration generated in each part and the vehicle. The foaming parts <NUM> and <NUM> may increase an inertia moment of the machine room bottom frame <NUM> to improve strength.

The compressor <NUM> is coupled to the machine room bottom frame <NUM> in a state of being fixed to the compressor bottom frame <NUM>. A damper <NUM> is interposed in the contact part between the compressor bottom frame <NUM> and the machine room bottom frame <NUM> to prevent the vibration of the compressor from being transmitted to other parts and the outside as far as possible.

<FIG> is a schematic left view of the vehicle refrigerator.

Referring to <FIG>, which showa a refrigerator according to claim <NUM>, the condensation module <NUM> is disposed at the rear side of the machine room <NUM>, and the compressor <NUM> is disposed at the front side of the machine room <NUM>. A suction-side conduit of the compressor <NUM> may be disposed at the front side of the machine room <NUM> by adjusting the position of the compressor <NUM>. Thus, the heat regeneration path of the fourth passage <NUM> and the expansion valve <NUM> may be maximized in length.

In details, it is difficult to make a separate roofing for the heat regeneration in the narrow machine room <NUM>. To overcome this limitation, in this embodiment, the suction side of the compressor may be disposed farthest from the suction side of the evaporation module <NUM> so that the conduit in which the heat regeneration is performed may be provided as long as possible. In the drawing, L represents the distance.

Also, the fourth passage and the expansion valve may increase in length to maximally suppress the transmission of the vibration of the compressor to the evaporation module <NUM>.

The regeneration adiabatic member <NUM> extends along an outer wall of the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> defining the cavity <NUM>. Since the conduit does not occupy the inner space of the machine room, the gap between the machine room cover <NUM> and the console cover <NUM> is made as large as possible to prevent the air flow from being obstructed.

The condensation module <NUM> has a structure in which the condenser spacer <NUM> may be interposed between the condenser <NUM> and the condensation fan <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to achieve effects of ensuring the sufficient air volume and reducing the noise generation.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an internal configuration of a vacuum adiabatic body according to various embodiments.

First, referring to <FIG>, a vacuum space part <NUM> is provided in a third space having a different pressure from first and second spaces, preferably, a vacuum state, thereby reducing adiabatic loss. The third space may be provided at a temperature between the temperature of the first space and the temperature of the second space. A constituent that resists heat transfer between the first space and the second space may be referred to as a heat resistance unit. Hereinafter, all various constituents may be applied, or the various constituents may be selectively applied. In a narrow sense, a constituent that resists heat transfer between the plate members may be referred to as a heat resistance unit.

The third space is provided as a space in the vacuum state Thus, the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM> receive a force contracting in a direction in which they approach each other due to a force corresponding to a pressure difference between the first and second spaces. Therefore, the vacuum space part <NUM> may be deformed in a direction in which it is reduced. In this case, adiabatic loss may be caused due to an increase in amount of heat radiation, caused by the contraction of the vacuum space part <NUM>, and an increase in amount of heat conduction, caused by contact between the plate members <NUM> and <NUM>.

A supporting unit <NUM> may be provided to reduce the deformation of the vacuum space part <NUM>. The supporting unit <NUM> includes bars <NUM>. The bars <NUM> may extend in a direction substantially vertical to the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM> so as to support a distance between the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM>. A support plate <NUM> may be additionally provided to at least one end of the bar <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> connects at least two bars <NUM> to each other, and may extend in a direction horizontal to the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM>.

The support plate <NUM> may be provided in a plate shape, or may be provided in a lattice shape such that its area contacting the first or second plate member <NUM> or <NUM> is decreased, thereby reducing heat transfer. The bars <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> are fixed to each other at at least one portion, to be inserted together between the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> contacts at least one of the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby preventing deformation of the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM>. In addition, based on the extending direction of the bars <NUM>, a total sectional area of the support plate <NUM> is provided to be greater than that of the bars <NUM>, so that heat transferred through the bars <NUM> may be diffused through the support plate <NUM>.

A material of the supporting unit <NUM> may include a resin selected from the group consisting of PC, glass fiber PC, low outgassing PC, PPS, and LCP so as to obtain high compressive strength, low outgassing and water absorption, low thermal conductivity, high compressive strength at high temperature, and excellent machinability.

A radiation resistance sheet <NUM> for reducing heat radiation between the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM> through the vacuum space part <NUM> will be described. The first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM> may be made of a stainless material capable of preventing corrosion and providing a sufficient strength. The stainless material has a relatively high emissivity of <NUM>, and hence a large amount of radiation heat may be transferred. In addition, the supporting unit <NUM> made of the resin has a lower emissivity than the plate members, and is not entirely provided to inner surfaces of the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM>. Hence, the supporting unit <NUM> does not have great influence on radiation heat. Therefore, the radiation resistance sheet <NUM> may be provided in a plate shape over a majority of the area of the vacuum space part <NUM> so as to concentrate on reduction of radiation heat transferred between the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM>.

A product having a low emissivity may be preferably used as the material of the radiation resistance sheet <NUM>. In an embodiment, an aluminum foil having an emissivity of <NUM> may be used as the radiation resistance sheet <NUM>. Also, at least one sheet of radiation resistance sheet <NUM> may be provided at a certain distance so as not to contact each other. At least one radiation resistance sheet may be provided in a state in which it contacts the inner surface of the first or second plate member <NUM> or <NUM>. Even when the vacuum space part <NUM> has a low height, one sheet of radiation resistance sheet may be inserted. In case of the vehicle refrigerator <NUM>, one sheet of radiation resistance sheet may be inserted so that the vacuum adiabatic body <NUM> has a thin thickness, and the inner capacity of the cavity <NUM> is secured.

Referring to <FIG>, the distance between the plate members is maintained by the supporting unit <NUM>, and a porous substance <NUM> may be filled in the vacuum space part <NUM>. The porous substance <NUM> may have a higher emissivity than the stainless material of the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM>. However, since the porous substance <NUM> is filled in the vacuum space part <NUM>, the porous substance <NUM> has a high efficiency for resisting the radiation heat transfer.

In this embodiment, the vacuum adiabatic body may be fabricated without using the radiation resistance sheet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the supporting unit <NUM> maintaining the vacuum space part <NUM> is not provided. Instead of the supporting unit <NUM>, the porous substance <NUM> is provided in a state in which it is surrounded by a film <NUM>. In this case, the porous substance <NUM> may be provided in a state in which it is compressed so as to maintain the gap of the vacuum space part <NUM>. The film <NUM> is made of, for example, a PE material, and may be provided in a state in which holes are formed therein.

In this embodiment, the vacuum adiabatic body may be fabricated without using the supporting unit <NUM>. In other words, the porous substance <NUM> may simultaneously serve as the radiation resistance sheet <NUM> and the supporting unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view of a conductive resistance sheet and a peripheral portion of the conductive resistance sheet.

Referring to <FIG>, the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM> are to be sealed so as to vacuum the interior of the vacuum adiabatic body. In this case, since the two plate members have different temperatures from each other, heat transfer may occur between the two plate members. A conductive resistance sheet <NUM> is provided to prevent heat conduction between two different kinds of plate members.

The conductive resistance sheet <NUM> may be provided with sealing parts <NUM> at which both ends of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> are sealed to defining at least one portion of the wall for the third space and maintain the vacuum state. The conductive resistance sheet <NUM> may be provided as a thin foil in unit of micrometer so as to reduce the amount of heat conducted along the wall for the third space. The sealing parts <NUM> may be provided as welding parts. That is, the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> and the plate members <NUM> and <NUM> may be fused to each other. In order to cause a fusing action between the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> and the plate members <NUM> and <NUM>, the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> and the plate members <NUM> and <NUM> may be made of the same material, and a stainless material may be used as the material. The sealing parts <NUM> are not limited to the welding parts, and may be provided through a process such as cocking. The conductive resistance sheet <NUM> may be provided in a curved shape. Thus, a heat conduction distance of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> is provided longer than the linear distance of each plate member, so that the amount of heat conduction may be further reduced.

A change in temperature occurs along the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>. Therefore, in order to block heat transfer to the exterior of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>, a shielding part <NUM> may be provided at the exterior of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> such that an adiabatic action occurs. In other words, in the vehicle refrigerator <NUM>, the second plate member <NUM> has a high temperature and the first plate member <NUM> has a low temperature. In addition, heat conduction from high temperature to low temperature occurs in the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>, and hence the temperature of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> is suddenly changed. Therefore, when the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> is opened to the exterior thereof, heat transfer through the opened place may seriously occur.

In order to reduce heat loss, the shielding part <NUM> is provided at the exterior of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>. For example, when the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> is exposed to any one of the low-temperature space and the high-temperature space, the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> does not serve as a conductive resistor as well as the exposed portion thereof, which is not preferable.

The shielding part <NUM> may be provided as a porous substance contacting an outer surface of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>, may be provided as an adiabatic structure, e.g., a separate gasket, which is placed at the exterior of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>, or may be provided as the console cover <NUM> disposed at a position facing the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>.

A heat transfer path between the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM> will be described. Heat passing through the vacuum adiabatic body may be divided into surface conduction heat ① conducted along a surface of the vacuum adiabatic body, more specifically, the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>, supporter conduction heat ② conducted along the supporting unit <NUM> provided inside the vacuum adiabatic body, gas conduction heat ③ conducted through an internal gas in the vacuum space part, and radiation transfer heat ④ transferred through the vacuum space part.

The transfer heat may be changed depending on various depending on various design dimensions. For example, the supporting unit may be changed such that the first and second plate members <NUM> and <NUM> may endure a vacuum pressure without being deformed, the vacuum pressure may be changed, the distance between the plate members may be changed, and the length of the conductive resistance sheet may be changed. The transfer heat may be changed depending on a difference in temperature between the spaces (the first and second spaces) respectively provided by the plate members. In the embodiment, a preferred configuration of the vacuum adiabatic body has been found by considering that its total heat transfer amount is smaller than that of a typical adiabatic structure formed by foaming polyurethane. In a typical refrigerator including the adiabatic structure formed by foaming the polyurethane, an effective heat transfer coefficient may be proposed as about <NUM> mW/mK.

By performing a relative analysis on heat transfer amounts of the vacuum adiabatic body of the embodiment, a heat transfer amount by the gas conduction heat ③ may become smallest. For example, the heat transfer amount by the gas conduction heat ③ may be controlled to be equal to or smaller than <NUM>% of the total heat transfer amount. A heat transfer amount by solid conduction heat defined as a sum of the surface conduction heat ① and the supporter conduction heat ② is largest. For example, the heat transfer amount by the solid conduction heat may reach <NUM>% of the total heat transfer amount. A heat transfer amount by the radiation transfer heat ④ is smaller than the heat transfer amount by the solid conduction heat but larger than the heat transfer amount of the gas conduction heat ③. For example, the heat transfer amount by the radiation transfer heat ④ may occupy about <NUM>% of the total heat transfer amount.

According to such a heat transfer distribution, effective heat transfer coefficients (eK: effective K) (W/mK) of the surface conduction heat ①, the supporter conduction heat ②, the gas conduction heat ③, and the radiation transfer heat ④ may have an order of Math <FIG>.

Here, the effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) is a value that may be measured using a shape and temperature differences of a target product. The effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) is a value that may be obtained by measuring a total heat transfer amount and a temperature at least one portion at which heat is transferred. For example, a calorific value (W) is measured using a heating source that may be quantitatively measured in the refrigerator, a temperature distribution (K) of the door is measured using heats respectively transferred through a main body and an edge of the door of the refrigerator, and a path through which heat is transferred is calculated as a conversion value (m), thereby evaluating an effective heat transfer coefficient.

The effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) of the entire vacuum adiabatic body is a value given by k=QL/A△T. Here, Q denotes a calorific value (W) and may be obtained using a calorific value of a heater. A denotes a sectional area (m2) of the vacuum adiabatic body, L denotes a thickness (m) of the vacuum adiabatic body, and △T denotes a temperature difference.

For the surface conduction heat, a conductive calorific value may be obtained through a temperature difference (△T) between an entrance and an exit of the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>, a sectional area (A) of the conductive resistance sheet, a length (L) of the conductive resistance sheet, and a thermal conductivity (k) of the conductive resistance sheet (the thermal conductivity of the conductive resistance sheet is a material property of a material and may be obtained in advance). For the supporter conduction heat, a conductive calorific value may be obtained through a temperature difference (△T) between an entrance and an exit of the supporting unit <NUM>, a sectional area (A) of the supporting unit, a length (L) of the supporting unit, and a thermal conductivity (k) of the supporting unit. Here, the thermal conductivity of the supporting unit is a material property of a material and may be obtained in advance. The sum of the gas conduction heat ③, and the radiation transfer heat ④ may be obtained by subtracting the surface conduction heat and the supporter conduction heat from the heat transfer amount of the entire vacuum adiabatic body. A ratio of the gas conduction heat ③, and the radiation transfer heat ④ may be obtained by evaluating radiation transfer heat when no gas conduction heat exists by remarkably lowering a vacuum degree of the vacuum space part <NUM>.

When a porous substance is provided inside the vacuum space part <NUM>, porous substance conduction heat ⑤ may be a sum of the supporter conduction heat ② and the radiation transfer heat ④. The porous substance conduction heat ⑤ may be changed depending on various variables including a kind, an amount, and the like of the porous substance.

In the second plate member, a temperature difference between an average temperature of the second plate and a temperature at a point at which a heat transfer path passing through the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> meets the second plate may be largest. For example, when the second space is a region hotter than the first space, the temperature at the point at which the heat transfer path passing through the conductive resistance sheet meets the second plate member becomes lowest. Similarly, when the second space is a region colder than the first space, the temperature at the point at which the heat transfer path passing through the conductive resistance sheet meets the second plate member becomes highest.

This means that the amount of heat transferred through other points except the surface conduction heat passing through the conductive resistance sheet should be controlled, and the entire heat transfer amount satisfying the vacuum adiabatic body may be achieved only when the surface conduction heat occupies the largest heat transfer amount. To this end, a temperature variation of the conductive resistance sheet may be controlled to be larger than that of the plate member.

Physical characteristics of the parts constituting the vacuum adiabatic body will be described. In the vacuum adiabatic body, a force by vacuum pressure is applied to all of the parts. Therefore, a material having strength (N/m<NUM>) of a certain level may be used.

Referring to <FIG>, this configuration is the same as that of <FIG> except that portions at which the first plate member <NUM>, the second plate member <NUM> are coupled to the conductive resistance sheet <NUM>. Thus, the same part omits the description and only the characteristic changes are described in detail.

Ends of the plate members <NUM> and <NUM> may be bent to the second space having a high temperature to form a flange part <NUM>. A welding part <NUM> may be disposed on a top surface of the flange part <NUM> to couple the conductive resistance sheet <NUM> to the flange part <NUM>. In this embodiment, the worker may perform welding while facing only any one surface. Thus, since it is unnecessary to perform two processes, the process may be convenient.

It is more preferable to apply the case in which welding of the inside and the outside are difficult as illustrated in <FIG> because a space of the vacuum space part <NUM> is narrow like the vehicle refrigerator <NUM>.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating results obtained by observing a time and a pressure in a process of exhausting the inside of the vacuum adiabatic body when a supporting unit is used.

Referring to <FIG>, in order to create the vacuum space part <NUM> to be in the vacuum state, a gas in the vacuum space part <NUM> is exhausted by a vacuum pump while evaporating a latent gas remaining in the parts of the vacuum space part <NUM> through heating. However, if the vacuum pressure reaches a certain level or more, there exists a point at which the level of the vacuum pressure is not increased any more (△t1). After that, the getter is activated by disconnecting the vacuum space part <NUM> from the vacuum pump and applying heat to the vacuum space part <NUM> (△t2). If the getter is activated, the pressure in the vacuum space part <NUM> is decreased for a certain period of time, but then normalized to maintain a vacuum pressure of a certain level. The vacuum pressure that maintains the certain level after the activation of the getter is approximately <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> Torr.

In the embodiment, a point at which the vacuum pressure is not substantially decreased any more even though the gas is exhausted by operating the vacuum pump is set to the lowest limit of the vacuum pressure used in the vacuum adiabatic body, thereby setting the minimum internal pressure of the vacuum space part <NUM> to <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> Torr.

<FIG> is a graph obtained by comparing a vacuum pressure with gas conductivity.

Referring to <FIG>, gas conductivities with respect to vacuum pressures depending on sizes of a gap in the vacuum space part <NUM> are represented as graphs of effective heat transfer coefficients (eK). Effective heat transfer coefficients (eK) were measured when the gap in the vacuum space part <NUM> has three sizes of <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The gap in the vacuum space part <NUM> is defined as follows. When the radiation resistance sheet <NUM> exists inside vacuum space part <NUM>, the gap is a distance between the radiation resistance sheet <NUM> and the plate member adjacent thereto. When the radiation resistance sheet <NUM> does not exist inside vacuum space part <NUM>, the gap is a distance between the first and second plate members.

It may be seen that, since the size of the gap is small at a point corresponding to a typical effective heat transfer coefficient of <NUM> W/mK, which is provided to an adiabatic material formed by foaming polyurethane, the vacuum pressure is <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> Torr even when the size of the gap is <NUM>. Meanwhile, it may be seen that the point at which reduction in adiabatic effect caused by gas conduction heat is saturated even though the vacuum pressure is decreased is a point at which the vacuum pressure is approximately <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> Torr. The vacuum pressure of <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> Torr may be defined as the point at which the reduction in adiabatic effect caused by gas conduction heat is saturated. Also, when the effective heat transfer coefficient is <NUM> W/mK, the vacuum pressure is <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> Torr.

When the vacuum space part <NUM> is not provided with the supporting unit but provided with the porous substance, the size of the gap ranges from a few micrometers to a few hundreds of micrometers. In this case, the amount of radiation heat transfer is small due to the porous substance even when the vacuum pressure is relatively high, i.e., when the vacuum degree is low. Therefore, an appropriate vacuum pump is used to adjust the vacuum pressure. The vacuum pressure appropriate to the corresponding vacuum pump is approximately <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> Torr. Also, the vacuum pressure at the point at which the reduction in adiabatic effect caused by gas conduction heat is saturated is approximately <NUM>×<NUM>-<NUM> Torr. Also, the pressure where the reduction in adiabatic effect caused by gas conduction heat reaches the typical effective heat transfer coefficient of <NUM> W/mK is <NUM> Torr.

When the supporting unit and the porous substance are provided together in the vacuum space part, a vacuum pressure may be created and used, which is middle between the vacuum pressure when only the supporting unit is used and the vacuum pressure when only the porous substance is used.

Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described.

In above-described embodiment, the refrigerator applied to the vehicle has been mainly described. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the ideas of the present disclosure may be applied to a warming apparatus and a refrigerating or warming apparatus. Of course, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to a vehicle, but may be applied to any apparatus that generates a desired temperature of a product. However, it would be preferable for the vehicle refrigerator.

Particularly, in the case of the warming apparatus, a direction of the refrigerant may be configured to be opposite to that of the refrigerator. In the case of the refrigerating or warming apparatus, four sides that reverse the direction of the refrigerant may be installed on the refrigerant passage according to whether the refrigerant operates as a refrigerator or a warming apparatus.

The condensation module may be referred to as a first heat exchange module, and the evaporation module may be referred to as a second heat exchange module regardless of the change of the refrigerator and the warming apparatus. Here, the first and second meanings denote the division of the heat exchange module and may be exchanged with each other.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator comprising:
a vacuum adiabatic body, the vacuum adiabatic body (<NUM>) providing a cavity (<NUM>), and comprising:
a first plate (<NUM>) defining at least a portion of a wall of a first space;
a second plate (<NUM>) defining at least a portion of a wall of a second space having a temperature different from the first space;
a sealing part sealing the first plate (<NUM>) and the second plate (<NUM>) to provide a third space (<NUM>) that has a temperature between the temperature of the first space and the temperature of the second space and is in a vacuum state;
a supporting unit (<NUM>) maintaining the third space (<NUM>);
a heat resistance unit (<NUM>) for reducing a heat transfer amount between the first plate (<NUM>) and the second plate (<NUM>);
a port (<NUM>) through which air of the third space (<NUM>) is exhausted; and
a refrigerant conduit (<NUM>);
the refrigerator further comprising:
a first heat exchange module (<NUM>) disposed in the cavity (<NUM>) to evaporate a refrigerant; and
a second heat exchange module (<NUM>) disposed in the second space (<NUM>) to condense the refrigerant;
wherein the refrigerant conduit (<NUM>) connects the first heat exchange module (<NUM>) to the second heat exchange module (<NUM>) and in which the refrigerant flows,
wherein the refrigerant conduit (<NUM>) passes outside the third space (<NUM>) to connect the first space to the second space, characterized in that
the refrigerant conduit (<NUM>) extends to an outside of the cavity (<NUM>) through an upper opening configured to access the cavity (<NUM>); wherein the refrigerator further comprises a console cover (<NUM>) covering at least a portion of an opening of the first space being the cavity (<NUM>) provided by the first plate (<NUM>) and the second plate (<NUM>),
wherein the refrigerant conduit (<NUM>) comprises a first conduit disposed in the first space, a second conduit disposed in the second space (<NUM>), and third conduit passing between the third space (<NUM>) and the console cover (<NUM>) to connect the first space to the second space without directly passing through the third space (<NUM>).