Patent Description:
Refrigerators are devices having storerooms for storing groceries and a cold air supply for supplying cold air into the storerooms to keep the groceries fresh. The storerooms include a fridge maintained at temperatures of about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees Celsius for keeping groceries cool, and a freezer maintained at temperatures of about <NUM> to -<NUM> degrees Celsius for keeping groceries frozen.

The refrigerators may be classified by the position of fridge and freezer and the type of door. Specifically, the refrigerator may be classified into a bottom mounted freezer (BMF) type in which the fridge is positioned on the upper side and the freezer is positioned on the lower side, a top mounted freezer (TMF) type in which the fridge is positioned on the lower side and the freezer is positioned on the upper side, and a side-by-side type in which the freezer is positioned on the left side and the fridge is positioned on the right side. Furthermore, the BMF type refrigerator includes a French door refrigerator equipped with a pair of fridge doors to open or close the fridge, and a four-door type refrigerator equipped with a pair of fridge doors to open or close the fridge and a pair of freezer doors to open or close the freezer.

The refrigerator may include a cold air supply port through which to supply cold air to keep the groceries fresh.

Conventional refrigerators are disclosed by <CIT>.

The disclosure provides a refrigerator having an enhanced design.

The disclosure also provides a refrigerator having an enhanced design such that a storeroom has a uniform temperature distribution.

The disclosure also provides a refrigerator having reduced production costs.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, a refrigerator having an enhanced design may be provided.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, a refrigerator having a reduced production cost may be provided.

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

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing example embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure.

The terms including ordinal numbers like "first" and "second" may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or room discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term "~ and/or ~," or the like.

The terms "forward (or front)", "rearward (or rear)", "upward (or upper)", "left", and "right" as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shape and position of the respective components.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, a direction in which a door <NUM> is pulled open is defined as a forward direction, with respect to which, rearward, left, right, up and down are defined.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout.

<FIG> shows a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a refrigerator <NUM> may include a main body <NUM> having storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, doors <NUM> and <NUM> arranged to open or close the storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and a cold air supply device (not shown) for supplying cold air to the storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> includes an inner case <NUM> that defines the storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, an outer case <NUM> coupled onto the outer side of the inner case <NUM>, and insulation <NUM> arranged between the inner case <NUM> and the outer case <NUM>. The inner case <NUM> may be formed of a plastic substance through injection molding, and the outer case <NUM> may be formed of a metal substance. The outer case <NUM> may also be referred to as a cabinet <NUM>. For the insulation <NUM>, a urethane foam insulation may be used, and a vacuum insulation panel may also be used along with the urethane foam insulation as required. The main body <NUM> may include middle walls <NUM> that vertically divide the storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be divided into first, second, and third storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The inner case <NUM> may further include a top side 11a, a rear side 11b, both sides (i.e., left and right sides), and a front side 11c.

The storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be used as a fridge maintained at temperatures of about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees Celsius for keeping groceries cool, and a freezer maintained at temperatures of about minus <NUM> to <NUM> degrees Celsius for keeping groceries frozen.

The storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are formed to have an open front through which to take out or put in groceries, and the open front may be opened or closed by the doors <NUM> and <NUM>. The storerooms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have shelves <NUM> to put groceries thereon.

There may be a plurality of shelves <NUM>. The shelves <NUM> may include a first shelf 27a arranged uppermost in the storeroom <NUM>, a second shelf 27b arranged under the first shelf 27a, and a third shelf 27c arranged under the second shelf 27b. In other words, the second shelf 27b may be arranged between the first shelf 27a and the third shelf 27c. However, the number of the shelves is not limited to three, and there may be four or more or two or less of the shelves.

The first storeroom <NUM> may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces. The plurality of spaces may include a first space 21a, a second space 21b, a third space 21c, and a fourth space 21d. The first space 21a may be formed between a top wall that makes up the storeroom <NUM> and the first shelf 27a. The second space 21b may be arranged under the first space 21a and between the first shelf 27a and the second shelf 27b. The third space 21c may be arranged under the second space 21b and formed between the second shelf 27b and the third shelf 27c. In other words, the second space 21b may be arranged between the first space 21a and the third space 21c. The fourth space 21d may be arranged underneath the third shelf 27c. In other words, it may be the lowest of the plurality of spaces. A drawer <NUM> may be provided in the storeroom <NUM>, for example below shelf 27c, as shown in <FIG>.

The door <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM> to be rotated to the left or right. Door guards <NUM> may be provided on the rear surface of the door <NUM> to store groceries.

The door <NUM> may be provided to slide into or out of the storeroom <NUM> or <NUM>, and may include a door part <NUM> covering the open front of the storeroom <NUM> or <NUM> and a basket <NUM> coupled to the rear surface of the door part <NUM>. The basket <NUM> may be supported by a rail <NUM> to slide. A handle 41a may be formed on the door part <NUM>.

The cold air supply device may generate cold air by using latent heat of a refrigerant through a cooling cycle. The cold air supply device may include a compressor <NUM>, a condenser, an expansion device, evaporators <NUM> and <NUM>, and blower fans <NUM> and <NUM>. The evaporators <NUM> and <NUM> may also be referred to as heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM>.

The evaporator <NUM> may be arranged behind the storeroom <NUM> to produce cold air. The evaporator <NUM> may be accommodated in a cooling room 3a formed by an evaporator cover <NUM>. A suction port 5a may be formed at the evaporator cover <NUM> and air may be sucked from the storeroom <NUM> into the cooling room 3a through the suction port 5a.

The blower fan <NUM> may be provided in the cooling room 3a to circulate air. The cooling room 3a is connected to a cold air guide assembly <NUM> for guiding cold air of the cooling room 3a. With this structure, when the blower fan <NUM> is operating, the air is sucked into the cooling room 3a from the storeroom <NUM> through the suction port 5a, and the air sucked in is cooled down by the evaporator <NUM> and then guided to the cold air guide assembly <NUM>.

The cold air guide assembly <NUM> includes a rear guide <NUM> arranged behind the storeroom <NUM> and a top guide <NUM> arranged on top of the storeroom <NUM>.

The rear guide <NUM> includes a rear fluid path <NUM> for guiding the cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM>, and a cold air supply port 62a and 63a for supplying the cold air into the storeroom <NUM> from the rear fluid path <NUM> to cool down the storeroom <NUM>. The cold air supply port 62a and 63a may supply the cold air into the first space 21a. The air sucked in through the suction port 5a may pass through the evaporator <NUM> and the blower fan <NUM> and is then be supplied into the storeroom <NUM> through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a. The rear guide <NUM> serves as a cold air supply device <NUM>.

In <FIG>, it is shown that the suction port 5a is arranged on the bottom while the cold air supply port 62a and 63a is provided on the top, so that the air flows from bottom to top in the storeroom <NUM>. That is, it is shown that air is sucked from the fourth space 21d and supplied to the first space 21a. It is not, however, limited thereto, and the air may be sucked from the first space 21a and supplied to the fourth space 21d.

The top guide <NUM> may include a top fluid path <NUM> connected to the rear fluid path <NUM>, a discharge port <NUM> for forming an air curtain across the open front of the storeroom <NUM> or for discharging cold air into the storeroom <NUM> from the top fluid path <NUM>, and a damper <NUM> for controlling an amount of cold air supplied to the discharge port <NUM>.

A cold air guide <NUM> may be arranged across the discharge port <NUM> to control an opening or closing of the discharge port <NUM>. The cold air guide <NUM> may be arranged to be adjacent to the top wall of the inner case <NUM>. In other words, the cold air guide <NUM> may be arranged on one wall of the storeroom <NUM>. The cold air guide <NUM> and the discharge port <NUM> may be arranged to be adjacent to the door <NUM>. Specifically, the cold air guide <NUM> and the discharge port <NUM> may be arranged to be adjacent to the open front. The cold air guide <NUM> and the discharge port <NUM> are not, however, limited to these positions, but may be arranged in many different positions.

With this structure, when the blower fan <NUM> is operating and the cold air guide <NUM>, arranged to be adjacent to the top wall of the inner case <NUM>, opens the discharge port <NUM>, the cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM> may sequentially pass through the rear fluid path <NUM> and the top fluid path <NUM> and may be discharged down into the storeroom <NUM> through the discharge port <NUM>, and may cause a direction of the cold air discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a of the storeroom <NUM> to be changed.

For example, the cold air discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may flow to an area adjacent to the door <NUM> or the open front, and the cold air may be discharged through the discharge port <NUM> arranged on the top wall of the inner case <NUM> adjacent to the door <NUM>. As the cold air is discharged down through the discharge port <NUM>, it may be discharged toward the cold air supplied through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a, directing the cold air that has reached the area adjacent to the door <NUM> downwards.

In this case, an angle at which and a direction in which the cold air is discharged down through the discharge port <NUM> may be controlled by rotating a blade <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the cold air guide <NUM>. A direction toward which the cold air supplied through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a flows may be changed depending on the discharging angle and direction of the cold air from the discharge port <NUM>.

Accordingly, the discharge port <NUM> and the cold air guide <NUM> may send the cold air supplied through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a to the second space 21b, third space 21c, and fourth space 21d. With this structure, groceries in the second space 21b, third space 21c, and fourth space 21d may be kept fresh. Furthermore, when the cold air guide <NUM> is used, temperature differences between the first, second, third, and fourth spaces 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d may be reduced.

When the blower fan <NUM> is operating and the cold air guide <NUM> blocks the discharge port <NUM>, the cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM> may be discharged into the storeroom <NUM> through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a to cool down the storeroom <NUM>.

The top guide <NUM> may be equipped with the damper <NUM> for regulating an amount of the cold air supplied to the discharge port <NUM>. The damper <NUM> may be able to regulate an amount of the cold air supplied to the discharge port <NUM>, so when much of the cold air needs to be supplied into a lower one of the plurality of spaces 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d in the storeroom <NUM>, the damper <NUM> may be opened altogether.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a guide of the refrigerator of <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the rear side of the guide of the refrigerator of <FIG>. The damper <NUM> is omitted in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cold air guide assembly <NUM> may include a rear guide <NUM> arranged behind the storeroom <NUM> and a top guide <NUM> arranged on top of the storeroom <NUM>. The rear guide <NUM> and the top guide <NUM> may be integrally formed, but in the embodiment of the disclosure, the rear guide <NUM> and the top guide <NUM> may be separately provided and assembled together to form the cold air guide assembly <NUM>.

For this, the rear guide <NUM> and the top guide <NUM> may each include a coupling portion (not shown). The coupling portions may be coupled together through various fitting structures and various coupling structures including a structure coupled with a separate fastening member such as a pin, a screw, a bolt, a rivet, or the like. Further, the rear guide <NUM> and the top guide <NUM> may be provided to be detachable from each other.

As such, the rear guide <NUM> and the top guide <NUM> may be provided to be attachable to and detachable from each other instead of being integrally formed.

The rear guide <NUM> may include the rear fluid path <NUM> for guiding the cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM>, and the cold air supply port 62a and 63a for discharging the cold air into the storeroom <NUM> from the rear fluid path <NUM> to cool down the storeroom <NUM>. Cold air discharged through a discharge port <NUM> of a blower fan case <NUM> may flow into an inlet 61a of the rear fluid path <NUM>.

The rear guide <NUM> may include a front cover <NUM> facing the storeroom <NUM>, a middle cover <NUM> coupled onto the rear surface of the front cover <NUM>, a pair of middle guide walls <NUM> arranged to protrude from the middle cover <NUM> and face each other to form the rear fluid path <NUM>, and a rear cover <NUM> arranged behind the middle cover <NUM> and coupled to correspond to the middle guide walls <NUM> to form the rear fluid path <NUM>.

The rear guide <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the storeroom <NUM>, and the rear fluid path <NUM> may be surrounded by the middle cover <NUM>, the middle guide walls <NUM>, and the rear cover <NUM>.

The top guide <NUM> may include the top fluid path <NUM> connected to the rear fluid path <NUM>, and the discharge port <NUM> through which to discharge the cold air down into the storeroom <NUM> from the top fluid path <NUM> to supply the cold air to the second, third, and fourth spaces 21b, 21c and 21d of the storeroom <NUM>.

The top guide <NUM> may include a cover top <NUM> that separates the storeroom <NUM> from the top fluid path <NUM>, and a pair of top guide walls <NUM> arranged to protrude from the cover top <NUM> and face each other to form the top fluid path <NUM>. The top guide walls <NUM> may guide the cold air to the cold guide <NUM>, which will be described later. The top fluid path <NUM> may guide the cold air to the cold air guide <NUM>.

The top guide <NUM> may be coupled onto the top side 11a of the inner case <NUM>, and the top fluid path <NUM> may be formed by the cover top <NUM>, the pair of top guide walls <NUM>, and the inner case <NUM>. Alternatively, there may be an extra cover member (not shown) arranged between the top guide <NUM> and the inner case <NUM>, in which case the top fluid path <NUM> may be surrounded by the top guide <NUM>, the pair of top guide walls <NUM>, and the cover member.

The top guide <NUM> may cause the cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM> to flow to the cold air guide <NUM>. Specifically, the cold air may flow to the cold air guide <NUM> and the discharge port <NUM> through the top fluid path <NUM> of the top guide <NUM>.

As described above, the cold air discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may flow to an area adjacent to the door <NUM> or the open front, and the cold air may be discharged through the discharge port <NUM> arranged on the top wall of the inner case <NUM> adjacent to the door <NUM>. As the cold air is discharged down through the discharge port <NUM>, it may be discharged toward the cold air supplied through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a, directing the cold air that has reached the area adjacent to the door <NUM> downwards.

Accordingly, the direction of the cold air discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be controlled so that the cold air flows to the second space 21b, third space 21c, and fourth space 21d. The blower fan <NUM> may be arranged on the bottom between the front cover <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. This may enable the cold air flowing between the middle guide walls <NUM> formed on the middle cover <NUM> to be sent to the top guide <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the rear guide of the refrigerator of <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded view of the rear guide of the refrigerator of <FIG>, which is viewed from behind.

Referring to <FIG>, the rear guide <NUM> may include the front cover <NUM>, the middle cover <NUM>, the rear cover <NUM>, and the cold air supply port 62a and 63a.

The cold air supply port 62a and 63a may include the front cold air supply port 62a and the middle cold air supply port 63a. The front cover <NUM> may include the front cold air supply port 62a. The middle cover <NUM> may include the middle cold air supply port 63a.

The front cover <NUM> may have a surface facing the storeroom <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> may include a top end 62b, both side ends 62c, a bottom end 62e, and a bending part 62d. The front cover <NUM> may include a cut 62a formed inwards from the top end 62b of the front cover <NUM>. The cut 62a may serve as a front cold air supply port 62a. In other words, the top end 62b may be cut inwards to form the front cold air supply port 62a. The front cold air supply port 62a may be arranged to be adjacent to the top wall of the storeroom <NUM>. It is not, however, limited thereto. For example, the front cold air supply port 62a may be formed by being cut inwards from both side ends 62c or from the bottom end 62e of the front cover <NUM>. Also, the front cover <NUM> may include a recess 62f. The recess 62f may be recessed from one end 62b, 62c and 62e of the front cover <NUM>. The recess 62f may form a cold air supply port 62a.

The front cold air supply port 62a is recessed inwards from each of the ends 62b, 62c, and 62e of the front cover <NUM>. Accordingly, there is no need for extra perforation to form the cold air supply port.

The cut 62a is made inwards from the top end 62b of the front cover <NUM>, wherein a plurality of cuts 62a may be formed.

The cut 62a is connected to the middle cold air supply port 63a when the front cover <NUM> is coupled to the middle cover <NUM>, which will be described later and then the cut 62a performs the function of the front cold air supply port 62a.

As the front cold air supply port 62a is to be connected to the middle cold air supply port 63a, the front cold air supply port 62a and the middle cold air supply port 63a may be formed to have a matching shape. For example, the front cold air supply port 62a and the middle cold air supply port 63a may be formed to be long in the horizontal direction and short in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the front cold air supply port 62a and the middle cold air supply port 63a may be formed in the same size.

As the front cold air supply port 62a is formed by being cut inwards from the end 62b of the front cover <NUM>, no extra post-processing is required after the cover is formed. Accordingly, processing and production costs may be reduced. In a case that the front cover <NUM> is formed of a glass material, if the cold air supply port 62a was formed by perforating the inside glass after the front cover <NUM> has been formed, strength of the front cover <NUM> would be significantly reduced.

According to the invention, however, the cold air supply port 62a is formed by being cut from an end of the front cover <NUM>, so there is no need for extra perforation and the strength of the front cover <NUM> may be maintained.

The middle cover <NUM> may be arranged between the front cover <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. The middle cover <NUM> may include a top end 63b, both side ends 63c, and a bending part 63d, and a bottom end 63e.

The middle cover <NUM> may also include the middle cold air supply port 63a, deformation relief grooves 63fe, middle guide walls <NUM>, and communication holes <NUM>.

The middle cold air supply port 63a may be formed at an end of the middle cover <NUM>. In other words, it may be formed at an edge of the middle cover <NUM>. The middle cold air supply port 63a receives cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM> and sends the cold air to the front cold air supply port 62a. Furthermore, the front cold air supply port 62a and the middle cold air supply port 63a may be connected.

The deformation relief grooves 63fe may be formed on the inner side of the middle cover <NUM> (i.e., a side facing the storeroom <NUM>). The deformation relief grooves 63fe may be provided to prevent the middle cover <NUM> from being destroyed when the size of the middle cover <NUM> is changed due to changes in temperature in the refrigerator <NUM>. That is, the deformation relief grooves 63fe may relieve shock from the change in size.

The middle guide walls <NUM> may guide the cold air to flow in between the top guide walls <NUM>. The air that has passed through the middle guide walls <NUM> may flow to the middle cold air supply port 63a and the communication hole <NUM>.

The middle guide walls <NUM> may form the communication hole <NUM>. The communication hole <NUM> may allow the cold air to flow from the middle guide walls <NUM> to the top guide walls <NUM>. The communication hole <NUM> may be arranged to be adjacent to the middle cold air supply port 63a. For example, the communication hole <NUM> may be arranged farther up than the middle cold air supply port 63a. Hence, some of the cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM> may be supplied to the middle cold air supply port 63a and some others may be supplied to the communication hole <NUM>. The cold air flowing to the communication hole <NUM> may be supplied to the cold air guide <NUM>.

The communication hole <NUM> may allow the cold air flowing to the rear guide <NUM> to flow to the top guide <NUM>. That is, the communication hole <NUM> may connect the rear fluid path <NUM> to the top fluid path <NUM>. With this, the cold air that has passed through the top fluid path <NUM> may be supplied to the cold air guide <NUM>.

Although the communication hole <NUM> is shown to have a plurality of holes, it is not limited thereto and it may be formed as a single hole, which is formed to be longer in one direction.

A longer side of the middle cold air supply port 63a may be greater than the longer side of the communication hole <NUM>. It is not, however, limited thereto, and the longer side of the communication hole <NUM> may be greater than the longer side of the middle cold air supply port 63a.

As described above, the damper <NUM> may be arranged in the downstream of the communication hole <NUM> to regulate the cold air flowing to the top guide walls <NUM> and the cold air guide <NUM>.

The rear cover <NUM> may be arranged behind the middle cover <NUM>. The rear cover <NUM> may have a size and a shape matching the middle guide wall <NUM>. The middle cover <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> may be coupled to form a duct that allows the cold air to flow therein. Furthermore, the middle guide walls <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> may form the rear fluid path <NUM> in which the cold air flows. Although the rear cover <NUM> is shown to correspond to the shape of the middle guide walls <NUM>, it is not limited thereto and the rear cover <NUM> may be formed to cover the entire middle cover <NUM>.

The cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be formed to be longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the cold air supply port 62a and 63a is hardly noticeable to the user, thereby improving aesthetic properties.

The front cover <NUM> is formed to supply cold air into the storeroom <NUM> through the front cold air supply port 62a. Other components than the cold air supply port 62a may not supply the cold air into the storeroom <NUM>. In other words, no multiple supply ports or holes are formed on inner portions of the front cover <NUM>, and the cold air may be supplied into the storeroom <NUM> through the front cold air supply port 62a formed at the respective end 62b.

Furthermore, without perforating the front cover <NUM>, the multiple cold air supply ports 62a may be formed by being cut from the respective end 62b. Accordingly, the beauty of an area visible to the user may increase.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation of a cold air guide of the refrigerator of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates an operating state of the cold air guide when the door of the refrigerator of <FIG> is opened. <FIG> illustrates an operating state of the cold air guide when the door of the refrigerator of <FIG> is closed.

Referring to <FIG>, the cold air guide <NUM> may be rotationally coupled to the discharge port <NUM> to open or close the discharge port <NUM>. The discharge port <NUM> may be formed on the top wall of the storeroom <NUM>. The cold air guide <NUM> may include a cold air guide body <NUM> and a rotation shaft <NUM>, and the rotation shaft <NUM> may be coupled to a motor <NUM> from which to receive a rotational force. The top guide <NUM> may be coupled to the motor <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be the blade <NUM>. In another embodiment of the disclosure, some of the components may be omitted. For example, the cold air guide <NUM> may be comprised of the rotation shaft <NUM> and the body <NUM> without the motor <NUM>. Furthermore, the blade <NUM> may be replaced by a blower fan (not shown). It is not, however, limited thereto, and an extra blower fan (not shown) may be arranged in an upstream of the cold air flowing to the blade <NUM> to regulate a rate of flow of the cold air.

As shown in <FIG>, the cold air guide <NUM> may perform an air curtain function. The cold air guide <NUM> may be rotated between a first position P1 at which to open the discharge port <NUM> to form the air curtain when the door <NUM> is opened, and a second position P2 at which to send the cold air supplied through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a to the second, third, and fourth spaces 21b, 21c, and 21d by controlling a degree of opening or closing of the discharge port <NUM> when the door <NUM> is closed.

As shown in <FIG>, when the blower fan <NUM> is rotated when the cold air guide <NUM> is in the first position P1, the cold air cooled by the evaporator <NUM> in the cooling room 3a may be discharged down through the discharge port <NUM> via the rear fluid path <NUM> and the top fluid path <NUM>, forming an air curtain across the open front of the storeroom <NUM>.

In this case, to increase an amount of cold air discharged through the discharge port <NUM> by minimizing an amount of cold air discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a, the blower fan <NUM> may be rotated at a higher speed than for cooling the storeroom <NUM>.

In the storeroom cooling mode in which the blower fan <NUM> is rotated while the cold air guide <NUM> blocks the discharge port <NUM>, the blower fan <NUM> may be rotated at a first speed, and in the air curtain mode in which the blower fan <NUM> is rotated while the cold air guide <NUM> opens the discharge port <NUM>, the blower fan <NUM> may be rotated at a second speed higher than the first speed.

The cold air guide <NUM> may form an air curtain by discharging cold air to the open front of the storeroom <NUM> through the discharge port <NUM>. In the air curtain mode, the cold air may be prevented from leaking out of the storeroom <NUM> and air outside the storeroom <NUM> may be prevented from flowing into the storeroom <NUM> when the door <NUM> is opened.

Using the cold air guide <NUM> may not only allow uniform temperature distribution in the storeroom <NUM> but also enable the storeroom <NUM> to be cooled faster.

When the user opens the door <NUM>, wet air may flow into the storeroom <NUM>, forming water vapor on the front cover <NUM>. When the cold air guide <NUM> is used, cold air is uniformly distributed in the storeroom <NUM>, thereby reducing an amount of water vapor formed on the front cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cold air guide <NUM> may be in the second position P2 to control the degree of opening or closing of the discharge port <NUM>. In this case, when the blower fan <NUM> is rotated, the cold air cooled by the evaporator <NUM> in the cooling room 3a may pass through the rear fluid path <NUM> and the top fluid path <NUM> and may then be discharged into the storeroom <NUM> through the discharge port <NUM>. Accordingly, the cold air supplied through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be distributed or circulated throughout the second space 21b, third space 21c, and fourth space 21d.

The discharge port <NUM> is opened all the time, and the cold air guide <NUM> may control the degree of opening or closing of the discharge port <NUM> to form an air curtain or to supply the cold air into a space in which the cold air supply port 62a and 63a is not formed. Accordingly, the cold air guide <NUM> may perform various functions.

For example, the blade <NUM> of the cold air guide <NUM> may make the discharge port <NUM> open all the time. It may be in the position P1 to form the air curtain when the door <NUM> is opened and in the position P2 to distribute the cold air in the storeroom when the door <NUM> is closed.

However, the blade <NUM> is not fixed only in the position P1 when the door is opened, nor fixed only in the position P2 when the door is closed. The blade <NUM> may be rotated at regular intervals to prevent formation of ice due to the cold air and moisture in the storeroom <NUM> and may then return to the original position P1 or P2. Furthermore, the blade <NUM> may be rotated to prevent the formation of ice even when the user opens the door <NUM> for a long time. As the blade <NUM> returns to the original position after being rotated at regular intervals, it may return to the original position from a position other than P1 and P2.

<FIG> is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator, not according to the invention.

The same features as in the aforementioned embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the overlapping description will not be repeated.

Referring to <FIG>, the cold air guide <NUM> may not be provided. The cold air supplied into the first space 21a through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be circulated throughout the second space 21b, third space 21c, and fourth space 21d without the cold air guide <NUM>.

Specifically, as the air velocity of the cold air supplied into the storeroom <NUM> may increase the higher the rotation speed of the blower fan <NUM> is, the cold air may be supplied into the second, third, and fourth spaces 21b, 21c, and 21d by increasing the rate of the cold air coming out of the cold air supply port 62a and 62b. With this structure, groceries not only in the first space 21a but also in the second space 21b, third space 21c, and fourth space 21d may be kept fresh.

<FIG> is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator, not according to the invention. <FIG> illustrates an operating state of a cold air guide when a door of the refrigerator of <FIG> is opened. <FIG> illustrates an operating state of the cold air guide when the door of the refrigerator of <FIG> is closed. The same features as in the aforementioned example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the overlapping description will not be repeated.

Referring to <FIG>, the rear guide <NUM> may include the evaporator cover <NUM>. Furthermore, the suction port 5a may be provided in a top portion of the storeroom <NUM>, and the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be provided in a bottom portion of the storeroom <NUM>. In this case, air may flow to the evaporator <NUM> through the suction port 5a provided to suck air from the first space 21a, and cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM> may be discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a connected to the fourth space 21d and supplied to the storeroom <NUM>.

The cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be arranged at the bottom end of the evaporator cover <NUM>. The cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be formed by being cut from the bottom end of the evaporator cover <NUM>. Specifically, the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be recessed inwards from the bottom end of the evaporator cover <NUM>. Accordingly, the cold air may be supplied to the fourth space 21d. As described above, as the cold air supply port 62a and 63a is formed by being cut at an end, extra post-processing is not required after the cover is formed. Accordingly, processing and production costs may be reduced.

The discharge port <NUM> and the cold air guide <NUM> may also be arranged on the bottom of the storeroom <NUM>. Accordingly, the cold air coming through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a formed at the bottom of the evaporation cover <NUM> may be distributed or circulated throughout the first space 21a, second space 21b, and third space 21c.

However, the cold air guide <NUM> is not an essential component to regulate cold air supplied into the storeroom through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a. Even without the cold air guide <NUM>, the cold air may be supplied into the first space 21a, second space 21b, and third space 21c by regulating the amount of cold air coming through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a. This may keep groceries in the storeroom fresh.

The cold air guide assembly <NUM> may further include a bottom guide <NUM>. The cold air in the rear cover <NUM> may flow to the bottom guide <NUM>. The cold air flowing to the bottom guide <NUM> may pass through a third guide fluid path <NUM> and may then be supplied to a discharge port <NUM>. The third guide fluid path <NUM> may be a bottom fluid path <NUM>.

The bottom guide <NUM> may include the third guide fluid path <NUM> connected to the rear fluid path <NUM>, and the discharge port <NUM> through which to discharge the cold air up into the storeroom <NUM> from the third guide fluid path <NUM> to supply the cold air to the first, second, and third spaces 21a, 21b and 21c of the storeroom <NUM>.

The bottom guide <NUM> may also include a cover bottom <NUM> that separates the storeroom <NUM> from the third guide fluid path <NUM>, and a pair of bottom guide walls <NUM> arranged to protrude down from the cover bottom <NUM> and face each other to form the third guide fluid path <NUM>.

The bottom guide <NUM> may be coupled onto the bottom side of the inner case <NUM> that defines the storeroom <NUM>, and the third guide fluid path <NUM> may be surrounded by the cover bottom <NUM>, the pair of bottom guide walls <NUM>, and the inner case <NUM>. Alternatively, there may be an extra cover member (not shown) arranged between the bottom guide <NUM> and the inner case <NUM>, in which case the third guide fluid path <NUM> may be surrounded by the bottom guide <NUM>, the pair of bottom guide walls <NUM>, and the cover member.

As shown in <FIG>, when the blower fan <NUM> is rotated after the rotation shaft <NUM> and the body <NUM> of the cold air guide <NUM> are rotated into the first position P1 (see <FIG>), i.e., the degree of opening is large, the cold air cooled by the evaporator <NUM> in the cooling room 3a may be discharged up through the discharge port <NUM> via the rear fluid path <NUM> and the third guide fluid path <NUM> to form an air curtain across the open front of the storeroom <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the blower fan <NUM> is rotated after the rotation shaft <NUM> and the body <NUM> of the cold air guide <NUM> are rotated into the second position P2 (see <FIG>), i.e., the degree of opening is small, the cold air cooled by the evaporator <NUM> in the cooling room 3a may be discharged into the storeroom <NUM> through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a from the rear fluid path <NUM> and be sent into the first, second, and third spaces 21a, 21b, and 21c.

<FIG> illustrates a rear cover in a refrigerator, not according to the invention. <FIG> illustrates an operating state of a rear guide when the door of the refrigerator of <FIG> is closed.

The same features as in the aforementioned example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the overlapping description will not be repeated.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the middle cover <NUM> may further include extension guide walls <NUM>. The extension guide walls <NUM> may protrude backwards from the middle cover <NUM>. The extension guide walls <NUM> may be connected to the middle guide walls <NUM>. The extension guide walls <NUM> may extend to both sides from the middle guide walls <NUM>. The extension guide walls <NUM> may allow the cold air supply port 62a and 63a to be formed at both side ends of the middle cover <NUM>. Although not shown, as the middle cold air supply port 63a is formed at the side end of the middle cover <NUM>, the front cold air supply port 62a is, of course, formed at the corresponding side end of the front cover <NUM>.

The extension guide walls <NUM> may form an extension fluid path <NUM> to supply the cold air to the side ends of the rear guide <NUM>.

The suction port 5a may be provided in a bottom portion of the storeroom <NUM>, and the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may discharge the cold air near to the sides of the storeroom <NUM>. Specifically, air may flow to the evaporator <NUM> through the suction port 5a formed on the bottom of the storeroom <NUM>, and cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM> may be discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a formed at side ends of the rear guide <NUM> and supplied to the storeroom <NUM>.

It is not, however, limited thereto. For example, the suction port 5a may be arranged on the top of the storeroom <NUM> so that the cold air may be discharged into the storeroom <NUM> through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a formed at sides of the rear guide <NUM>. In this case, unlike what is shown in <FIG>, the evaporator <NUM> and the blower fan <NUM> may be arranged in an upper portion behind the storeroom <NUM>.

The cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be arranged at the side ends of the rear guide <NUM>. The cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be formed by being cut from the both side ends of the rear guide <NUM>. That is, the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be recessed inwards from the both side ends of the rear guide <NUM>.

Although it is shown that the cold air guide <NUM> is not operating, it is not limited thereto but the cold air guide <NUM> may be used to circulate the cold air in the storeroom <NUM>.

Furthermore, as described above, as the cold air supply port 62a and 63a is formed by being cut at an end, extra post-processing is not required after the cover is formed. Accordingly, processing and production costs may be reduced.

Although it is shown that the cold air supply port 62a and 63a are formed as a plurality of ports at either side end, it is not limited thereto but may be formed as a single port into which a plurality of ports are connected at either side end. In this case, the cold air supply port 62a and 63a may be formed to have a longer size in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction.

<FIG> illustrates an operating state of a rear guide when a door is closed in a refrigerator, not according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the cold air guide assembly <NUM> may include a rear guide <NUM> arranged behind the storeroom <NUM> and a top guide <NUM> arranged on top of the storeroom <NUM>.

The rear guide <NUM> may include the rear fluid path <NUM> for guiding the cold air produced from an evaporator, and the cold air supply port 62a and 63a for supplying the cold air into the storeroom <NUM> from the rear fluid path <NUM> to cool down the storeroom <NUM>.

The rear guide <NUM> may include the front cover <NUM> facing the storeroom <NUM>, the middle cover <NUM> coupled onto the rear surface of the front cover <NUM>, and the pair of middle guide walls <NUM> arranged to protrude from the middle cover <NUM> and face each other to form the rear fluid path <NUM>.

The top guide <NUM> may also include the cover top <NUM> that separates the storeroom <NUM> from the top fluid path <NUM>, and the pair of top guide walls <NUM> arranged to protrude upwards from the cover top <NUM> and face each other to form the top fluid path <NUM>.

Furthermore, the top guide <NUM> may include a cooling discharge port <NUM> through which to discharge cold air into the storeroom <NUM> from the top fluid path <NUM> to cool down the storeroom <NUM>. Accordingly, in the embodiment of the disclosure, in the mode to cool down the storeroom <NUM>, cold air may be discharged through both the cold air supply port 62a and 63a of the rear guide <NUM> and the cooling discharge port <NUM> of the top guide <NUM>, thereby increasing cooling efficiency of the storeroom <NUM>.

The top guide <NUM> may include a detour part <NUM> formed by cutting off the top guide walls <NUM> on the cover top <NUM> for the cold air flowing into the top fluid path <NUM> to detour to the cooling discharge port <NUM>.

There may be a plurality of detour parts <NUM>. For example, there may be two detour parts <NUM> on the left and right to partition the top fluid path <NUM> into a center portion 71b to which the cold air flows from the rear fluid path <NUM>, a left portion 71a formed on the left of the center portion 71b, and a right portion 71c formed on the right of the center portion 71b.

The cooling discharge port <NUM> may be arranged in at least one of the left portion 71a or the right portion 71c. The cold air flowing into the top fluid path <NUM> detours to the detour part <NUM> to be discharged through the cooling discharge ports <NUM>.

In this case, even when the cold air guide <NUM> is not operating, the temperature in the whole storeroom may be maintained due to the cold air supplied through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a and the cooling discharge port <NUM>. Accordingly, the refrigerator may keep the groceries fresh and have an aesthetically enhanced appearance because the cooling discharge port <NUM> is hardly noticeable to the user.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of a side cross-section of a refrigerator, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates section E of the refrigerator shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator may further include a plurality of door guards <NUM>. Cold air discharged from the cold air guide <NUM> may flow toward the door guards <NUM>. Each of the plurality of door guards <NUM> may include door guard holes 31a and 31b. The door guard holes 31a and 31b may include a rear hole 31a and a bottom hole 31b.

The rear hole 31a may be formed on the rear portion of the door guard <NUM>. The rear hole 31a may allow the cold air discharged from the cold air guide <NUM> to flow onto the shelf <NUM> arranged behind the door guard <NUM>.

The bottom hole 31b may be formed on the bottom portion of the door guard <NUM>. The bottom hole 31b may allow the cold air discharged from the cold air guide <NUM> to flow to another one of the plurality of door guards <NUM> arranged below.

Although it is shown that there are the rear hole 31a and the bottom hole 31b, it is not limited to the holes but there may be a fluid path formed in an inner portion of the door guard <NUM>.

With the rear hole 31a and the bottom hole 31b, the cold air may be uniformly distributed or circulated in the storeroom <NUM>, thereby keeping groceries stored in the storeroom <NUM> fresh.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of a side cross-section of a refrigerator, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, each of the plurality of door guards <NUM> may include a cold air direction guide 31c. The cold air direction guide 31c may cause the cold air discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a and the discharge port <NUM> to be distributed in the storeroom <NUM>.

The cold air direction guide 31c may cause the cold air discharged through the cold air supply port 62a and 63a and the discharge port <NUM> to flow onto the shelf <NUM>.

The cold air direction guide 31c may have a curved shape so that the cold air flows onto the shelf <NUM>. That is, the cold air direction guide 31c is formed as a curve for the cold air to flow onto the shelf <NUM>. Accordingly, the groceries stored on the shelf <NUM> may be kept fresh.

Although it is shown that the cold air direction guide 31c is formed at the door guard <NUM> near a first shelf 27a, it is not limited thereto and the cold air direction guide 31c may be formed at each of the plurality of door guards <NUM>. Depending on the shape of the cold air direction guide 31c, some of the cold air flows onto the shelf <NUM> and some of the cold air may flow down the storeroom <NUM>. With this structure, the cold air may be distributed or circulated in the second space 21b, third space 21c, and fourth space 21d.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator may further include a plurality of shelves <NUM>. Each of the plurality of shelves <NUM> may be provided as a duct that forms a fluid path in which the cold air flows. That is, they may be formed as shelf ducts <NUM>. In the embodiment of the disclosure, there may be a plurality of cold air supply ports 162a.

Each of the shelves <NUM> may include a cold air supply hole <NUM> and a shelf fluid path <NUM>.

The shelf <NUM> may be connected to the cold air supply port 162a to receive the cold air. Specifically, the cold air produced from the evaporator <NUM> may flow into the shelf fluid path <NUM> through the rear fluid path <NUM> and the cold air supply port 162a. The cold air flowing into the shelf fluid path <NUM> may flow into the storeroom <NUM> through the cold air supply hole <NUM>. The cold air supply hole <NUM> may be formed at the bottom of the shelf <NUM>. The position at which the cold air supply hole <NUM> is formed is not limited thereto, and the cold air supply hole <NUM> may be formed on the top or front of the shelf <NUM> to supply the cold air.

Specifically, the first shelf 127a may supply the cold air that has passed through a first shelf fluid path 129a to the second space 21b. The second shelf 127b may supply the cold air that has passed through a second shelf fluid path 129b to the third space 21c. The third shelf 127c may supply the cold air that has passed through a third shelf fluid path 129c to the fourth space 21d. Furthermore, the cold air supply port 162a formed uppermost may supply the cold air into the first space 21a. In this case, the cold air may be circulated in the entire storeroom <NUM> without using the cold air guide <NUM>. This may save unnecessary material costs and operation costs but may keep the groceries fresh. Furthermore, the cold air supply port 162a and the cold air supply hole <NUM> are hardly visible to the user, giving better aesthetic appearance.

<FIG> illustrates shelves and a rear guide in a refrigerator, not according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a front cover <NUM> may include a plurality of parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Specifically, the front cover <NUM> may include a first cover part <NUM>, a second cover part <NUM>, and a third cover part <NUM>. The cover parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be detachably coupled to one another.

The first cover part <NUM> may include a bottom recess 161f recessed upwards from the bottom end of the first cover part <NUM>. The second cover part <NUM> may include a top recess <NUM> recessed downwards from the top end of the second cover part <NUM>, and a bottom recess 162f recessed upwards from the bottom end of the second cover part <NUM>. The third cover part <NUM> may include a top recess <NUM> recessed downwards from the top end of the third cover part <NUM>.

The bottom recess 161f of the first cover part <NUM> and the top recess <NUM> of the second cover part <NUM> may form the cold air supply port 162a. The bottom recess 162f of the second cover part <NUM> and the top recess <NUM> of the third cover part <NUM> may also form the cold air supply port 162a. That is, in the embodiment of the disclosure, there may be a plurality of cold air supply ports 162a formed at the front cover <NUM>.

Although it is shown that the cold air supply ports 162a are formed between the top recesses <NUM> and <NUM> and the bottom recesses 161f and 162f, it is not limited thereto. For example, the cold air supply ports 162a may include cuts formed on the outer circumference of each of the cover parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Specifically, the cold air supply ports 162a may be formed by being recessed upwards from the bottom ends of the respective cover parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Furthermore, the cold air supply ports 162a may be formed by being recessed downwards from the top ends of the respective cover parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

With this structure, the cold air supply ports 162a are hardly visible to the user as described above, so the refrigerator may maintain the aesthetic appearance while keeping the groceries in the storeroom <NUM> fresh with the cold air discharged through the cold air supply ports 162a.

Furthermore, although it is shown that the front cover <NUM> has three parts and there may be two cold air supply ports 162a, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto and there are no limitations on the number.

Claim 1:
<NUM>. A refrigerator (<NUM>), comprising:
an outer case;
an inner case (<NUM>) coupled to the outer case;
a storeroom (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) formed in the inner case (<NUM>);
a heat exchanger (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed adjacent to the storeroom (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to supply cold air; and
a cold air guide assembly (<NUM>) to guide the cold air from the heat exchanger (<NUM>, <NUM>) to storeroom (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the cold air guide assembly (<NUM>) includes:
a top guide (<NUM>) arranged on top of the storeroom (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and
a rear guide (<NUM>) arranged behind the storeroom (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and
the rear guide (<NUM>) includes:
a front cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) defining a rear side of the storeroom (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and including a recessed portion recessed from a top end (62b) of the front cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) to form a cold air supply port (62a, 62b, 63a, 162a) to supply the cold air supplied from the heat exchanger (<NUM>, <NUM>) into the storeroom (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that
the rear guide (<NUM>) is coupled with the top guide (<NUM>) at top of the rear guide (<NUM>) to guide the cold air to the top guide (<NUM>).