Patent Description:
Generally, a refrigerator is a household appliance which stores various foods or beverages for a long time with cold air produced by circulation of refrigerant according to a refrigeration cycle.

Such a refrigerator may be divided into a refrigerator which can commonly store goods irrespective of the kinds of the goods such as food or beverages to be stored, and each dedicated refrigerator having a structure or function different from each other according to the kinds of goods to be stored.

Recently, a dedicated refrigerator which has one storage compartment and performs freezing or refrigerating operation for the storage compartment has been provided.

That is, one storage compartment may be operated (refrigeration or freezing operation) by the operation of the refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator.

Particularly, the dedicated refrigerator may be divided into a refrigerator for refrigerating stored goods and a refrigerator for freezing stored goods.

Accordingly, a user may use one of the refrigerator for freezing and the refrigerator for refrigeration, or may use the refrigerator for freezing and the refrigerator for refrigeration which are placed side by side, or may use a plurality of refrigerators for freezing or a plurality of refrigerators for refrigeration which are placed side by side. Accordingly, the dedicated refrigerator may be variously used according to the needs of a user.

The dedicated refrigerator described above may include the type of refrigerators disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

However, in the conventional dedicated refrigerator described above, a machine room is built-in under a casing. Accordingly, the entire height of the refrigerator is required to be increased as much as the height of the machine room, and the refrigerator has storage space smaller than a refrigerator having the same height.

In addition, in the conventional dedicated refrigerator described above, the machine room is configured such that external air is introduced to the opposite wall surfaces of a portion at which the machine room is located. Accordingly, when the refrigerator is not built-in, but is installed indoor, the structure of the portion to which the air is introduced is exposed to the outside, which deteriorates the beauty of the refrigerator.

Furthermore, in the conventional dedicated refrigerator described above, cold air to be introduced to a blower fan assembly through the evaporator may not sufficiently pass through the evaporator and some of the cold air may deviate from the evaporator. Due to this, the cooling efficiency of the evaporator is inevitably low.

<CIT> presents a refrigerator including: a refrigerator compartment, a convertible compartment, an evaporator disposed in the convertible compartment; and a grill pan assembly forming a space where the evaporator is disposed by dividing the inside of the convertible compartment. The grill pan assembly includes an insulating member, a convertible compartment fan, a refrigerator compartment fan, and an opening device formed at the insulating member from the convertible compartment channel to the refrigerator compartment channel to prevent air from flowing backward to the evaporator.

<CIT> presents a refrigerator having a main body cabinet comprising an outside cabinet and an inside cabinet formed with a freezer and a cooler, a freezer evaporator and a cooler evaporator, a freezer fan and a cooler fan ventilating cold air formed from the freezer evaporator and the cooler evaporator toward the freezer and the cooler, includes: a cooler duct forming a cold air pathway between the cooler evaporator and the cooler, and having at least one inlet and an outlet formed at an upper side of the cooler evaporator; an airing duct provided to communicate with the cooler duct and a lower area of the cooler to make the cold air go in and out; wherein the cold air of the cooler is introduced into the cooler evaporator through the inlet and the air duct when the cooler fan turns on, the cold air formed from the cooler evaporator flows out to the cooler via the airing duct when the cooler fan turns off.

<CIT> relates to a refrigerated cabinet. The evaporator of the cold unit is mounted in an auxiliary box which is situated outside the enclosure to be refrigerated and which is connected to the latter via two pipes, one for bringing the cold air to the box to be refrigerated and the other for recycling the relatively warm air in the auxiliary box. The cabinet also comprises an air circulator to draw the air in a cyclic movement from the auxiliary box to the enclosure to be refrigerated, and a second regulation system intended to regulate the air flow supplied by the circulator to the enclosure to be refrigerated.

<CIT> presents a refrigerator that includes a cabinet, an evaporator, an evaporator cover module, a cold air supply module to communicate with an upper end of the evaporator cover module, the cold air supply module including a discharge port, and a blower fan. The cold air supply module includes a lower passage to communicate with the evaporator cover module, and an upper passage to communicate with the discharge port. The cold air supply module defines a communication hole at a position where the upper passage and the lower passage overlap each other, and the blower fan is located at the communication hole to cause suction of cold air from the heat-exchange space and discharge of cold air to the discharge port.

<CIT> relates to an refrigerator comprising a body, a door, and an air channel system applied to the heat insulation rear wall. Said air channel system comprises a covering plate provided with air outlets, an evaporator arranged between the air channel covering plate and the heat insulation rear wall, and a ventilator. The ventilator is applied horizontally above the evaporator, the air outlets are applied obliquely to the air channel covering plate, and the air flow generated by the ventilator is blown obliquely at an angle to the air channel covering plate, upwards or downwards in the inner receiving compartment.

<CIT> provides an air-cooled refrigerator. The air-cooled refrigerator comprises a box provided with at least one storage chamber in a limited mode, a chamber air supply duct arranged on the at least storage chamber, and a defrosting device.

<CIT> presents an apparatus for storing food includes a food storage chamber, a cooling device, a scroll-type fan housing with a fan, and a duct to guide cool air from the scroll-type fan housing to the food storage chamber. The scroll-type fan housing is located to the left or right of the cooling device, and the duct is located above or below the cooling device and the scroll-type fan housing. In other example, the scroll-type fan housing is located above or below the cooling device, and the duct is located on a left or right side of the cooling device and the scroll-type fan housing.

<CIT> discloses a refrigerator according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, which includes a rear duct including a first guide passage configured to guide cold air generated in an evaporator and a cooling discharge port through which the cold air is discharged from the first guide passage to the inside of a storage compartment to cool the storage compartment, an upper duct including a second guide passage coupled with the first guide passage and an air curtain discharge port through which the cold air is discharged from the second guide passage to a front opening of the storage compartment to form an air curtain at the front opening of the storage compartment, and a blade to close or open the air curtain discharge port.

<CIT> relates to a refrigerator, which comprises: a storage chamber divided into an upper space and a lower space by a division member; an evaporator formed inside the storage chamber; an air blowing fan configured to blow cold air of the evaporator; an upper flow path and a lower flow path configured to supply the cold air to the upper space and the lower space; and a damper configured to open and close the upper flow path and the lower flow path. Moreover, the damper enables the cold air to be selectively supplied to keep the upper space and the lower space at different temperatures.

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present disclosure is intended to propose a new type of refrigerator which may be provided as an indoor-installed structure as well as a built-in structure to further secure storage space in the refrigerator.

Furthermore, the present disclosure is intended to propose a new type of refrigerator in which the structures of a machine room and a refrigeration cycle related to the machine room may be improved such that cold air stably flows.

In addition, the present disclosure is intended to propose a new type of refrigerator in which cold air passing through an evaporator by the operation of a blower fan may sufficiently pass through the entire portion of the evaporator such that cooling efficiency by the evaporator may be improved.

One or more of the objects of the present technique are achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments are defined by the appended dependant claims.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

In the present technique, references to 'vertical', 'up', 'down', 'up and down', 'upper', 'upper side', 'lower', 'lower side', 'upward', 'downward', 'under', 'above' and like phrases, unless otherwise expressly stated, are to be understood with respect to an upright position of the refrigerator, i.e. a direction extending from a base or bottom of the refrigerator to a top of the refrigerator, for example when the refrigerator is installed for use. Similarly, references to 'front', 'back', 'rear', 'behind', 'forward', 'rearward', 'to-and-fro', 'front and back', 'back and forth' direction and like phrases, unless otherwise expressly stated, are to be understood with respect to a direction when viewed from a front side of the refrigerator towards the storage compartment of the refrigerator, i.e. a direction extending from a door of the refrigerator inwards towards the storage compartment of the refrigerator. Similarly, references to 'horizontal', 'lateral', 'left', 'right', 'left side', 'right side', 'opposite sides' and like phrases, unless otherwise expressly stated, are to be understood with respect to a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and to the front and back direction of the refrigerator, for example when viewed from a front side of the refrigerator in a direction towards the storage space of the refrigerator.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrated to describe the exterior structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the open state of a door to describe the inside of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

In addition, <FIG> is a front view illustrated to describe the exterior structure of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a front view illustrating the omitted state of the door to describe the inside of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, <FIG> is a sectional view illustrated to describe the structure of guiding the flow of cold air in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in these drawings, the refrigerator of the present disclosure according to the embodiment may be provided as a single refrigerator or a convertible refrigerator in which at least two refrigerators may be arranged freely.

Furthermore, in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a structure for improving the installation positions of an evaporator <NUM> and a blower fan <NUM> may be provided, so the efficient supply of cold air may be performed.

In addition, in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the improved structures of duct assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided, so the efficient supply of cold air may be performed.

Each configuration of such a refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described further in detail.

First, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may be configured to constitute the exterior of the refrigerator and to have a storage compartment <NUM> defined therein.

The cabinet <NUM> may be configured as a casing open forward.

Such a cabinet <NUM> may include an outer casing <NUM> constituting an outer wall of the cabinet <NUM> and an inner casing <NUM> constituting an inner wall of the cabinet <NUM>.

In this case, the storage compartment <NUM>, which is a space in which goods are stored, may be located at the front of an evaporator <NUM> and at the front of each of first and second duct assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM> and the first and second duct assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> being located in the inner space of the inner casing <NUM>.

Although not shown, an insulator or foam may be filled between the outer casing <NUM> and the inner casing <NUM>.

Of course, the outer casing <NUM> and the inner casing <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> may be configured to be integrated with each other.

In addition, a door <NUM> may be installed at the open front surface of the cabinet <NUM> and may be configured to open and close the storage compartment. In this case, the door <NUM> may be a rotary door or a drawer-type door.

The storage compartment <NUM> may be provided as one storage compartment. In this case, the one storage compartment may be provided with a plurality of shelves <NUM> or drawer-type storage boxes (not shown), and thus may be used by being divided into multiple storage spaces.

Next, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a machine room <NUM>.

A compressor <NUM> and a condenser (not shown) constituting the refrigeration cycle may be provided in the machine room <NUM>.

Such a machine room <NUM> may be located at a rear bottom portion of space between the outer casing <NUM> and the inner casing <NUM> constituting the cabinet <NUM>.

In this case, the lower edge of the rear side of the inner casing <NUM> constituting the cabinet <NUM> may be configured by inclining to avoid interference with space in which the machine room <NUM> is provided.

Next, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the evaporator <NUM>.

The evaporator <NUM> may be configured to cool cold air by exchanging heat between a refrigerant flowing inside a refrigerant tube and the cold air flowing outside the refrigerant tube.

The evaporator <NUM> may be located at the rear portion of the inside of the inner casing <NUM> and at the upper side of the machine room <NUM> i.e. above the machine room.

In this case, in each portion of the inner casing <NUM>, a portion facing the evaporator <NUM> may be bent to be in close contact with the evaporator <NUM>. Accordingly, cold air may be prevented from flowing to a portion between the evaporator <NUM> and the inner casing <NUM>.

In addition, the evaporator <NUM> may vary in size depending on the intended use of the refrigerator.

For example, an evaporator used in a refrigerator for refrigeration may be configured to be smaller than an evaporator used in a refrigerator for freezing.

Meanwhile, a structure for cooling the cold air may not be limited to the evaporator <NUM>.

That is, it may be possible to cool cold air by various other structures without cooling the cold air by using the heat exchange operation of the evaporator <NUM>.

For example, it may also be possible to cool cold air by using a thermoelectric element.

Next, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a blower fan assembly <NUM>.

The blower fan assembly <NUM> may be a device configured to blow cold air passing through the evaporator <NUM>. For example, the blower fan assembly <NUM> may cause or generate a flow of air from the storage compartment through the evaporator back into the storage compartment.

The blower fan assembly <NUM> may be located at the upper side of the evaporator <NUM> i.e. at a position above the evaporator <NUM>.

A cold air introduction hole 311a of the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be located behind the front surface of the evaporator <NUM>.

That is, while cold air passing through the evaporator <NUM> flows upward, the cold air may pass through the cold air introduction hole 311a as efficiently as possible without the rapid change of the flowing direction of the cold air to be introduced into the blower fan assembly <NUM>.

Of course, although not shown, the cold air introduction hole 311a of the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be located behind the rear surface of the evaporator <NUM>. However, in this case, the flowing direction of cold air passing through the evaporator <NUM> may be bent at a large angle such that the cold air reaches the cold air introduction hole 311a of the blower fan assembly <NUM>, so the loss of the cold air may occur. In addition, due to the position of the blower fan assembly <NUM> located behind the rear surface of the evaporator <NUM>, the front-to-rear width of the inner casing <NUM> (or, the front-to-rear width of the outer casing) may be increased.

In consideration of this, the cold air introduction hole of the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be located behind the front surface of the evaporator <NUM> and at the front side of the rear surface of the evaporator <NUM>.

Furthermore, the flow of cold air produced at the upper side of the evaporator <NUM> by the operation of the blower fan <NUM> may be directed in a direction from the front of the evaporator <NUM> toward the rear thereof. Accordingly, the cold air flowing upward from the lower portion of the evaporator <NUM> may be gradually directed to the front as the cold air flows toward the upper portion of the evaporator <NUM>.

In consideration of this, the cold air introduction hole of the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be located between the front surface of the evaporator <NUM> and the rear surface thereof (for example, a center portion between the front surface of the evaporator and the rear surface thereof) such that the change of the flowing direction of cold air may be minimized and the flow resistance of the cold air may be reduced.

<FIG> is a front view illustrating the state of the inside of the refrigerator in a state in which the second duct assembly is omitted in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is a rear perspective view illustrating the coupled state of the first duct assembly and the blower fan assembly to each other constituting the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is a front exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the blower fan constituting the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and <FIG> is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the blower fan constituting the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the blower fan assembly <NUM> may include a fan housing <NUM> and the blower fan <NUM>.

The fan housing <NUM> may protect the blower fan <NUM> and may function to guide the introduction of cold air to the blower fan <NUM> and the discharge of the cold air from the blower fan <NUM>.

The fan housing <NUM> may include a front housing <NUM> constituting a front wall surface of the fan housing <NUM> and a rear housing <NUM> constituting a rear wall surface thereof.

In this case, the front housing <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM> may be coupled or hooked to each other.

Of course, although not shown, the front housing <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM> may be coupled to each other in various methods such as screwing or bonding.

One installation hook <NUM> or at least two installation hooks <NUM> may be formed at the outer surface or circumferential surface of the fan housing <NUM> such that a power line withdrawn outside of the blower fan <NUM> is held in the installation hook.

The cold air introduction hole 311a may be formed in the front housing <NUM>. That is, the cold air introduction hole 311a of the fan housing <NUM> may be open forward. Accordingly, cold air flowing upward after passing through the evaporator <NUM> may be immediately introduced into the fan housing <NUM> through the cold air introduction hole 311a.

In addition, a cold air exit hole <NUM> may be formed in the upper surface of the fan housing <NUM>.

The cold air exit hole <NUM> may be configured by spacing the front housing <NUM> apart from a portion of the upper end of the rear housing <NUM>.

A condensate water discharge hole <NUM> may be formed in the lower surface of the fan housing <NUM>.

A wire withdrawal hole 312a may be formed in the rear housing <NUM>. In this case, the power line of the blower fan <NUM> withdrawn outside of the rear housing <NUM> through the wire withdrawal hole 312a may be arranged at the installation hook <NUM> by being held therein.

In addition, the fan housing <NUM> may be coupled to a flow duct <NUM> of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

For example, with the upper end of the front housing <NUM> constituting the fan housing <NUM> located to overlap the lower end of the flow duct <NUM>, the front housing <NUM> and the flow duct <NUM> may be screwed to each other.

The rear housing <NUM> may be fixed to the front housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the rear housing <NUM> and the front housing <NUM> may together be screwed to the flow duct <NUM>.

The coupling structure of the fan housing <NUM> and the flow duct <NUM> to each other will be described again in the description of the structure of the flow duct <NUM> to be described later.

The blower fan <NUM> constituting the fan housing <NUM> may be a normal centrifugal fan that introduces cold air in an axial direction thereof and discharges the cold air in a radial direction thereof.

A fan motor <NUM> operating the blower fan <NUM> may be configured to be integrated with the blower fan <NUM>.

Particularly, the blower fan <NUM> may be fixed to the front surface of the rear housing <NUM>.

A mounting groove 312b may be formed at the front surface of the rear housing <NUM> by being recessed therefrom, and may be configured such that a portion of the blower fan <NUM> is received and seated in the mounting groove 312b to be held therein.

Next, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the first duct assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view illustrating a coupled state between the first duct assembly and the second duct assembly and the blower fan constituting the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is an enlarged view of a "B" part of <FIG>; <FIG> is a rear view illustrating the coupled state between the first duct assembly and the second duct assembly and the blower fan constituting the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and <FIG> is a front perspective view illustrating the coupled state between the first duct assembly and the second duct assembly and the blower fan constituting the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first duct assembly <NUM> may constitute a portion of the rear wall surface at the inside of the storage compartment <NUM>.

In addition, the first duct assembly <NUM> may function to receive cold air supplied from the blower fan assembly <NUM> and to supply the cold air to the inside of the storage compartment.

The first duct assembly <NUM> may be located in front of the inner casing <NUM>. In this case, the first duct assembly <NUM> and the inner casing <NUM> may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other or to be in contact with each other.

The first duct assembly <NUM> may include a multi duct <NUM> and the flow duct <NUM>.

The multi duct <NUM> may be provided as a wall surface exposed to the inside of the storage compartment, and a plurality of cold air discharge holes <NUM> may be formed in the wall surface. The cold air discharge holes <NUM> may be configured to discharge cold air to each storage space inside the storage compartment <NUM> (space between a shelf and a shelf, or space between a shelf and the storage box).

The flow duct <NUM> may be a part in which a cold air flow path <NUM> for guiding the flow of cold air is formed.

The cold air flow path <NUM> may be formed at the rear surface of the flow duct <NUM> by being recessed therefrom, and may be formed from the lower end surface of the flow duct <NUM> to the upper end surface thereof.

Communication holes <NUM> configured to discharge cold air flowing along the cold air flow path <NUM> to the storage compartment may be formed in the flow duct <NUM>.

The communication holes <NUM> may be configured to correspond to the cold air discharge holes <NUM> of the multi duct <NUM>.

That is, cold air flowing along the cold air flow path <NUM> may pass through the communication holes <NUM> and the cold air discharge holes <NUM>, and may be discharged to the storage compartment.

A blocking member <NUM> may be provided at the rear surface of the flow duct <NUM>, and thus may be configured to cover the cold air flow path <NUM>.

In this case, the blocking member <NUM> may be configured as an insulator.

An upper discharge tube <NUM> discharging cold air upward may be formed at the center of the upper end of the multi duct <NUM>.

The upper discharge tube <NUM> may be configured such that some portion of cold air flowing along the cold air flow path <NUM> of the flow duct <NUM> is discharged through the upper discharge tube <NUM>.

In addition, a front guide duct <NUM> may be connected to the upper discharge tube <NUM>.

The front guide duct <NUM> may be a duct which guides the direct supply of cold air supplied from the upper discharge tube <NUM> to the front space of the inside of the storage compartment i.e. to a location or position forward of the rear surface defining the storage compartment.

Such a front guide duct <NUM> may be provided along the outer wall surface of the upper surface (a ceiling) constituting the inner casing <NUM>. The rear end of the front guide duct <NUM> may be connected to the upper discharge tube <NUM>, and the front end of the front guide duct <NUM> may be configured such that cold air passes through the front upper surface of the storage compartment and is discharged toward the bottom of the inside of the storage compartment. This is illustrated in <FIG>.

An upper discharge part <NUM> discharging cold air toward a front thereof may be formed at each of the opposite sides of the upper discharge tube <NUM> of the upper end of the multi duct <NUM>.

The two upper discharge parts <NUM> may be configured to be open such that the remaining portion of the cold air flowing along the cold air flow path <NUM> of the flow duct <NUM> is discharged through the two upper discharge parts <NUM>.

The upper surface of the upper discharge part <NUM> may be configured to be round.

That is, the cold air flowing upward toward a part at which the upper discharge part <NUM> is located may be discharged toward the front of the upper discharge part <NUM> by the guidance of the round upper surface of the upper discharge part <NUM> in the process of passing through the upper discharge part <NUM>.

A plurality of dam parts <NUM> may be formed in the cold air flow path <NUM>.

Each of the dam parts <NUM> may guide the discharge of cold air flowing upward along the cold air flow path <NUM> to each of the communication holes <NUM> and may prevent the sagging of a portion of the upper end of the blower fan assembly <NUM> connected to the cold air flow path <NUM>.

According to the embodiment, as illustrated in the drawings, the dam part <NUM> may be configured as a rhombic structure.

Of course, although not shown, the dam part may be configured to have various shapes such as circular, semicircular, oval, triangular, polygonal, and round shapes according to the condition of the cold air flow path.

Meanwhile, the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the lower end of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

Specifically, the cold air flow path <NUM> of the flow duct <NUM> may be configured to be open downward, and with the cold air exit hole <NUM> of the fan housing <NUM> constituting the blower fan assembly <NUM> located to correspond to the open lower portion of the cold air flow path <NUM>, the fan housing <NUM> may be screwed to the lower end of the multi duct <NUM>.

Furthermore, a seating groove <NUM> may be formed at the lower end portion of the rear surface of the first duct assembly <NUM> by being recessed therefrom. The seating groove <NUM> may be formed at the lower end of the flow duct <NUM>.

In addition, a seating end <NUM> may be formed at the upper end of the fan housing <NUM> constituting the blower fan assembly <NUM> such that seating end <NUM> is seated in the seating groove <NUM>. The seating end <NUM> may extend upward from the upper end of the rear housing <NUM>.

In this case, a resting protrusion <NUM> may be formed on the seating end <NUM> such that the lower end of the blocking member <NUM> rests on the resting protrusion <NUM>. Due to the resting protrusion <NUM>, the blocking member <NUM> may be installed at a precise position and the lower end of the blocking member <NUM> may be prevented from sagging.

Meanwhile, at least one dam part <NUM> formed in the cold air flow path <NUM> may be configured to support the center portion of the seating end <NUM>. Accordingly, the center portion of the seating end <NUM> may be prevented from sagging.

Next, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the second duct assembly <NUM>.

The second duct assembly <NUM> may be configured to constitute the remaining wall surface except for the first duct assembly <NUM> in the rear wall surface of the inside of the storage compartment. Simply put, front surfaces of the first and the second duct assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> may together define a rear surface or rear wall surface of the storage compartment i.e. inside rear surface or rear wall surface of the storage compartment.

More specifically, the second duct assembly <NUM> may function to block portions at which the blower fan assembly <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM> are located.

Of course, although not shown, the second duct assembly <NUM> may be configured to block only the front of the blower fan assembly <NUM>, and the evaporator <NUM> may be configured to be blocked by a separate duct assembly.

The second duct assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the lower end portion of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

Particularly, a support part <NUM> may be formed at the lower end of the first duct assembly <NUM> by protruding downward therefrom, and the upper end of the second duct assembly <NUM> may be installed to be supported by the front surface of the support part <NUM>.

In this case, the support part <NUM> may be formed to incline.

In addition, at least one restraining protrusion <NUM> held and restrained by the support part <NUM> may be formed at the rear surface of the second duct assembly <NUM>.

That is, due to the coupled structure of the support part <NUM> and the restraining protrusion <NUM>, the second duct assembly <NUM> may be prevented from being spaced apart from the first duct assembly <NUM>. This is illustrated in <FIG>.

In addition, a receiving groove <NUM> may be formed at the front surface of the lower end of the first duct assembly <NUM> by being recessed therefrom, and a receiving protrusion <NUM> received in the receiving groove <NUM> may be formed at the upper end of the second duct assembly <NUM> by protruding therefrom.

In this case, the receiving protrusion <NUM> may be configured to be bent in the receiving groove <NUM>.

That is, after the receiving protrusion <NUM> is first inserted to the receiving groove <NUM> and the second duct assembly <NUM> is bent, the restraining protrusion <NUM> of the second duct assembly <NUM> may be held and restrained by the support part <NUM> of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

The second duct assembly <NUM> may include a first part <NUM> and a second part <NUM>.

The first part <NUM> may be located to block the front of the blower fan assembly <NUM>, and may be configured to gradually incline forward from the lower end of the first duct assembly <NUM> downward.

That is, cold air passing through the evaporator <NUM> may efficiently flow to the cold air introduction hole 311a of the fan housing <NUM> constituting the blower fan assembly <NUM> by the guidance of the first part <NUM> described above.

In addition, the second part <NUM> may be configured to be bent from the first part <NUM>.

The boundary portion between the first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM> may be configured to be located at a portion at which cold air is introduced into the blower fan assembly <NUM>.

That is, due to the structure of the second duct assembly <NUM> described above, the cold air passing through the evaporator <NUM> may efficiently flow to the cold air introduction side (the cold air introduction hole of the fan housing) of the blower fan assembly <NUM>.

In addition, an adjacent protrusion part <NUM> protruding toward the evaporator <NUM> may be formed on the surface of the second part <NUM> facing the evaporator <NUM>.

Due to such an adjacent protrusion part <NUM>, the portion of the second part <NUM> facing the evaporator <NUM> may be located to be more adjacent to the evaporator <NUM> than a portion of the second part <NUM> blocking the blower fan assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, cold air may completely pass through the evaporator <NUM>, so the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator <NUM> may be improved.

In this case, the upper end of the adjacent protrusion part <NUM> may be configured to be round forward. Accordingly, cold air may be introduced to the cold air introduction hole 311a not only from a lower side of the cold air introduction hole 311a, but also may be evenly introduced to the cold air introduction hole 311a from other directions thereof.

An insulating member <NUM> may be provided between the adjacent protrusion part <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM>. The insulating member <NUM> may function to prevent the temperature of the evaporator <NUM> from being directly conducted to the second duct assembly <NUM>.

In this case, the insulating member <NUM> may be configured to a boundary portion between the second part <NUM> and the first part <NUM>. For example, the insulating member <NUM> may form an inner lining of the second part <NUM> and the first part <NUM>. Accordingly, cold air passing through the evaporator <NUM> may be prevented from being influenced by the temperature of the second duct assembly <NUM>, or the evaporator <NUM> may be prevented from being influenced by the temperature of the second duct assembly <NUM>.

In addition, an introduction duct <NUM> may be formed at the lower end of the second duct assembly <NUM>.

The introduction duct <NUM> may be a part which guides the flow of cold air recovered after flowing in the storage compartment toward the cold air introduction side of the evaporator <NUM>.

Such an introduction duct <NUM> may be configured by protruding toward the inside of the storage compartment, or may be configured to gradually incline forward in downward direction and/or be curved forward in downward direction.

Particularly, the introduction duct <NUM> may be configured to have an inclination or curve similar to or the same inclination or curve as the inclination or curve of the rear lower edge of the bottom of the inner casing <NUM>, which is configured for the machine room <NUM>.

Furthermore, a filtering member <NUM> may be provided in the introduction duct <NUM>.

The filtering member <NUM> may be located in the flow path between the introduction duct <NUM> and the bottom of the inner casing <NUM> by passing through the introduction duct <NUM>, and thus may function to filter odor components or foreign matter contained in cold air flowing toward the evaporator <NUM> after the cold air passes through the flow path. Simply put, the filtering member <NUM> may be located in the flow path defined by the introduction duct <NUM> or at an end of the introduction duct <NUM> facing the storage compartment <NUM>.

In this case, the filtering member <NUM> may be installed in the introduction duct <NUM> to be detached forward. Accordingly, the filtering member may be replaced or cleaned periodically by a user.

Next, in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling process of the blower fan assembly <NUM> and each of the duct assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> to each other will be described more in detail.

First, the first duct assembly <NUM> and the second duct assembly <NUM>, and the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be prepared.

The first duct assembly <NUM> may be provided by coupling the multi duct <NUM> and the flow duct <NUM> to each other.

In this case, the cold air flow path <NUM> may be arranged to be located at the rear surface of the flow duct <NUM>, and with the communication holes <NUM> of the flow duct <NUM> arranged to correspond to the cold air discharge holes <NUM> of the multi duct <NUM>, the flow duct <NUM> may be coupled to the multi duct <NUM>.

In addition, the blocking member <NUM> may be provided at the rear surface of the flow duct <NUM>, and may be configured to block the cold air flow path <NUM>. Of course, after the blower fan assembly <NUM> is coupled to the first duct assembly <NUM>, the blocking member <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the flow duct <NUM>.

In the blower fan assembly <NUM>, the front housing <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM> may be provided by being coupled to each other, with the blower fan <NUM> placed therebetween.

In this case, the front housing <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM> may be hooked to each other to be integrated with each other.

In addition, the power line (not shown) connected to the blower fan <NUM> may be withdrawn through the wire withdrawal hole 312a formed in the rear housing <NUM> and then may be connected to the power supply of the refrigerator.

In addition, the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the prepared first duct assembly <NUM>.

In the blower fan assembly <NUM>, the cold air exit hole <NUM> of the fan housing <NUM> may match the cold air flow path <NUM> formed in the flow duct <NUM> of the first duct assembly <NUM>, and the seating end <NUM> formed on the upper end of the fan housing <NUM> may be seated in the seating groove <NUM> formed at the lower end of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

In this state, the fan housing <NUM> and the first duct assembly <NUM> may be screwed to each other to be integrated with each other.

In this case, the resting protrusion <NUM> formed on the seating end <NUM> may be configured such that the lower end of the blocking member <NUM> is placed on the resting protrusion <NUM>. Accordingly, the lower end of the blocking member <NUM> may be prevented from sagging.

Of course, after the blower fan assembly <NUM> is coupled to the first duct assembly <NUM>, the blocking member <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the flow duct <NUM>.

In addition, the first duct assembly <NUM> to which the blower fan assembly <NUM> is coupled may be installed in rear space inside the storage compartment.

The first duct assembly <NUM> and the inner casing <NUM> constituting the storage compartment may be hooked to each other. Of course, the first duct assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the inner casing <NUM> in various methods such as bonding or screwing.

In this case, the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be located at the upper side of the evaporator <NUM> located in lower space at a rear side inside the storage compartment.

In addition, when the installation of the first duct assembly <NUM> is completed, the second duct assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the first duct assembly <NUM>.

The second duct assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the lower end of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

That is, after the receiving protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper end of the second duct assembly <NUM> may be correspondingly inserted to the receiving groove <NUM> formed in the front surface of the lower end of the first duct assembly <NUM>, the second duct assembly <NUM> may be bent downward. This is illustrated in <FIG>.

Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, the upper end of the second duct assembly <NUM> may be located to be supported by the support part <NUM> formed at the lower end of the first duct assembly <NUM>, and the restraining protrusion <NUM> formed on the rear surface of the second duct assembly <NUM> may be restrained by the rear surface of the support part <NUM>, so the two duct assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

Accordingly, the blower fan assembly <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM> exposed to the lower portion of the first duct assembly <NUM> may be blocked from the inside of the storage compartment by the second duct assembly <NUM>.

When a user performs the maintenance of the evaporator <NUM> or the blower fan assembly <NUM>, the second duct assembly <NUM> may be decoupled from the first duct assembly <NUM>.

In this case, when the second duct assembly <NUM> is forcibly bent upward by the user, the state of the restraining protrusion <NUM> restrained by the support part <NUM> may be released. Next, the receiving protrusion <NUM> of the second duct assembly <NUM> may be decoupled from the receiving groove <NUM> of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

Next, the process of the cold air flow caused by the refrigeration operation of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above will be described with reference to <FIG>. The arrows shown in <FIG> schematically depict a flow of air (or gas) and cold air (or gas) in the refrigerator.

The refrigeration operation may be performed by the operations of the blower fan <NUM> and the compressor <NUM>.

That is, the rotation of the blower fan <NUM> by the supply of power to the blower fan <NUM> and the temperature control of the storage compartment by heat exchange operation of the evaporator <NUM> by the operation of the compressor <NUM> may be performed.

In addition, when the blower fan <NUM> rotates, air may be blown by the rotation.

That is, the cold air of the inside of the storage compartment may be introduced to the cold air introduction side of the evaporator <NUM> through the introduction duct <NUM> of the second duct assembly <NUM> by the blowing force of air caused by the rotation of the blower fan <NUM>.

In this case, while the cold air passes through the introduction duct <NUM>, the cold air may pass through the filtering member <NUM> installed through the introduction duct <NUM>. In this case, various odor components and foreign matter contained in the cold air may be filtered.

In addition, while passing through the evaporator <NUM> located between the second part <NUM> of the second duct assembly <NUM> and the inner casing <NUM>, cold air introduced to the cold air introduction side of the evaporator <NUM> may be cooled by heat exchange with refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant tube of the evaporator <NUM>.

In this case, cold air introduced to the cold air introduction side of the evaporator <NUM> while passing through the introduction duct <NUM> may flow to the rear surface of the inside of the evaporator <NUM> due to the speed of the cold air flowing in the direction of the cold air introduced to the cold air introduction side, and may flow upward.

In addition, the flow of the cold air flowing upward from the lower portion of the evaporator <NUM> may be gradually directed to the front of the inside of the evaporator <NUM> toward the upper side of the evaporator <NUM> by the operation of the blower fan <NUM> located at the upper side of the evaporator <NUM> and introducing air from the front of the blower fan <NUM> to the rear thereof.

Furthermore, the front surface of the evaporator <NUM> may be located to be adjacent to the adjacent protrusion part <NUM> (or the insulating member of the rear surface of the second part <NUM>) formed at the second part <NUM>, and the rear surface of the evaporator <NUM> may be located to be adj acent to the inner casing <NUM>, so cold air which passes through the evaporator <NUM> may not be deviated to the outside of the evaporator <NUM> while passing through the evaporator <NUM>, but may efficiently flow through the evaporator <NUM> to the upper end thereof.

Accordingly, the cold air may flow evenly across the entire portion of the evaporator <NUM>, and may sufficiently be heat-exchanged while flowing from the lower end of the evaporator <NUM> to the upper end thereof, so the maximum heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator <NUM> may be realized.

Particularly, the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be located directly above the evaporator <NUM>, and a portion at which the cold air introduction hole 311a of the fan housing <NUM> is located may be located between the front surface and rear surface of the evaporator <NUM>, so cold air passing through the evaporator <NUM> may be prevented from hitting the circumferential surface of the lower end of the fan housing <NUM>, and may flow toward the inner wall surface (the rear surface) of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

Furthermore, the cold air flowing upward on the second part <NUM> of the second duct assembly <NUM> located at the front of the cold air introduction hole 311a may flow such that the flowing direction of the cold air is gradually inclined rearward by the guidance of the first part <NUM> of the second duct assembly <NUM>, and may efficiently flow toward the cold air introduction hole 311a.

Next, cold air introduced into the blower fan assembly <NUM> (more specifically, the fan housing) through the cold air introduction hole 311a after passing through the evaporator <NUM> may pass through the cold air exit hole <NUM> located in a direction perpendicular to the cold air introduction hole 311a, and may be supplied into the cold air flow path <NUM> of the first duct assembly <NUM>.

In addition, the cold air introduced into the cold air flow path <NUM> may flow upward by the guidance of the cold air flow path <NUM>. In this process, some portion of the cold air may pass through each of the communication holes <NUM> formed in the cold air flow path <NUM> and may pass through the cold air discharge holes <NUM> corresponding to the communication holes <NUM>, and may be supplied to each space inside the storage compartment.

In addition, the remaining portion of the cold air flowing upward along the cold air flow path <NUM> may be discharged to the upper discharge tube <NUM> provided at the upper end of the cold air flow path <NUM> and the upper discharge part <NUM> located at each of the opposite sides of the upper discharge tube <NUM>.

In this case, cold air discharged through the upper discharge tube <NUM> may be guided by the front guide duct <NUM> and be supplied to the inside of the storage compartment from the upper surface at a front side inside the storage compartment.

In addition, the cold air discharged to the upper discharge part <NUM> may be efficiently discharged toward the inside of the storage compartment located at the front of the upper discharge part <NUM> by the guidance of the round upper surface of the upper discharge part <NUM>.

In addition, the cold air supplied into the storage compartment may cool goods stored inside the storage compartment, and may pass through the introduction duct <NUM> of the second duct assembly <NUM> due to blowing force caused by the rotation of the blower fan <NUM>, and may be introduced to the cold air introduction side of the evaporator <NUM>. Accordingly, this circulation of the cold air may repeat.

Finally, due to the repetition of the cold air circulation described above, the inside of the storage compartment may constantly be maintained at constant temperature.

As described above, in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the cold air introduction hole of the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be located behind the front surface of the evaporator <NUM>, so cold air may be efficiently introduced into the blower fan assembly <NUM> through the evaporator <NUM> without the rapid change of the flowing direction of the cold air.

Accordingly, the flow resistance of the cold air may be reduced, so noise caused by the flow resistance may be prevented and consumption efficiency may be improved.

Particularly, in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the cold air introduction hole of the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be configured to be located between the front surface and rear surface of the evaporator <NUM>, the flow resistance of cold air may be reduced.

In addition, in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the second part <NUM> of the second duct assembly <NUM> may be configured to block the entire portion of the front surface of the evaporator <NUM>, so cold air to pass through the evaporator <NUM> may sufficiently pass through the evaporator <NUM>, and thus the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator <NUM> may be improved.

Furthermore, in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the second duct assembly <NUM> may be configured to be coupled to or decoupled from the first duct assembly <NUM> by bending, so the removal of the second duct assembly from the first duct assembly and the maintenance of the blower fan assembly <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM> may be facilitated.

Additionally, in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, a machine room <NUM> may be configured to be located at the lower portion of a rear side inside the cabinet <NUM>, so the entire height of the refrigerator may be decreased and more storage space than a refrigerator having the same height may be secured.

Furthermore, in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the bent portion of the second duct assembly <NUM> may be located to be adjacent to a portion through which cold air is introduced into the blower fan assembly <NUM>, so the flow of the cold air passing through the evaporator <NUM> to the cold air introduction hole of the blower fan assembly <NUM> may be facilitated.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) having a storage compartment (<NUM>);
an evaporator (<NUM>) located inside the cabinet (<NUM>) and configured to cool air passing therethrough to generate cold air;
a blower fan assembly (<NUM>) configured to generate a flow of air to pass through the evaporator (<NUM>), and including a blower fan (<NUM>);
a first duct assembly (<NUM>) located in the cabinet (<NUM>) and configured to receive the cold air from the blower fan assembly (<NUM>) and to guide the received cold air into the storage compartment (<NUM>); and
a second duct assembly (<NUM>) located below the first duct assembly (<NUM>) and configured to guide the cold air having passed through the evaporator (<NUM>) to the blower fan assembly (<NUM>);
wherein the blower fan assembly (<NUM>) comprises a cold air introduction hole (311a) configured to allow the cold air into the blower fan assembly (<NUM>); and
wherein the cold air introduction hole (311a) is located above the evaporator (<NUM>) and behind a plane defined by a front surface of the evaporator (<NUM>), wherein the plane is perpendicular to a forward-rearward direction of the refrigerator;
wherein the blower fan assembly (<NUM>) comprises: a front housing (<NUM>) having the cold air introduction hole (311a) formed therein, and a rear housing (<NUM>) coupled to the front housing (<NUM>), wherein the blower fan (<NUM>) is located between the front housing (<NUM>) and the rear housing (<NUM>); characterized in that the second duct assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a first part (<NUM>) located at a front of the blower fan assembly (<NUM>) and formed to gradually incline forward from a lower end of the first duct assembly (<NUM>); and
a second part (<NUM>) formed by being bent from the first part (<NUM>) and located at a front of the evaporator (<NUM>);
wherein a boundary portion between the first part (<NUM>) and the second part (<NUM>) is located in front of the cold air introduction hole (311a) of the blower fan assembly (<NUM>), and a protrusion part (<NUM>) protruding toward the front surface of the evaporator (<NUM>) is formed on the second part (<NUM>).