REFRIGERATOR AND COOLING APPARATUS

Abstract

Provided is a cooling apparatus that quickly cools beverages such as drinks or alcohols, can be installed on a refrigerator or a freezer, and reduces cooling time.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cooling apparatus and a refrigerator including the cooling apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

A refrigerator is a home appliance providing a low-temperature storage that can be opened and closed by a door for storing foods at a low temperature. To this end, the storage of the refrigerator is cooled by using air which is cooled by heat exchange with refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle.

Along with the change of people's eating patterns and preference, large and multifunctional refrigerators have been introduced, and various comfortable structures have been added to refrigerators.

For example, the consumer's needs for a cooling apparatus that can quickly cool beverages such as drinks or alcohols which exist at room temperature are being increased. For this, various types of cooling apparatuses disposed at a side in a refrigerator to quickly cool drinks or alcohols are proposed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a cooling apparatus, in which a driving motor is connected to an agitating member to convert a rotation of the driving motor into a reciprocation, thereby swinging the agitating member and agitating a beverage in a beverage container.

Embodiments also provide a cooling apparatus, in which at least one beverage container having an arbitrary size is placed on an agitating member.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator including a cooling apparatus therein, in which closing of a cover of the cooling apparatus is linked with closing of a door of the refrigerator.

Embodiments also provide a cooling apparatus including a driving assembly that includes a single driving motor to drive a suction fan and an agitating member.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a cooling apparatus includes: a case including a cool air introduction opening and a cool air discharge opening; a drawer drawable from the case; a swingable agitating member installed on the drawer, a beverage container being placed on the agitating member; and a driving assembly disposed in the case, and providing power to swing the agitating member, wherein the driving assembly includes a driving motor providing torque, and a transmission unit connecting the driving motor to the agitating member, and swinging the agitating member with the torque from the driving motor.

In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet, which is provided with a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and a heat exchanging compartment provided with an evaporator; a door opening and closing the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment; and a cooling apparatus disposed in the refrigerator, and receiving cool air from the heat exchanging compartment to cool a beverage container therein, wherein the cooling apparatus includes: a case including a cool air introduction opening and a cool air discharge opening; a drawer drawable from the case; a swingable agitating member installed on the drawer, and inclined to obliquely install the beverage container; a driving assembly, which includes a driving motor disposed on the case, and providing torque, and a transmission unit connecting the driving motor to the agitating member to swing the agitating member; and a suction fan rotated by a fan motor disposed at an outside of the case, and sucking air from the case.

Advantageous Effect

The cooling apparatus configured as described above and the refrigerator including the cooling apparatus have the following effects.

First, the driving assembly of the refrigerator swings the agitating member on which the beverage container is placed. Thus, a beverage is agitated in the beverage container to reduce a temperature variation of the beverage and quickly cool the beverage.

Secondly, the refrigerator includes the suction fan to increase a flow rate of cool air, thus, improving heat exchange between the beverage container and the cool air. Accordingly, heat exchange efficiency is improved.

Cool air supplied into the case has a high flow rate, and perpendicularly collides with the beverage container, so as to increase the amount of heat exchange per unit time, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

Thirdly, when the cover is opened, the upper end of the cover is disposed at the upper outside of the rotation shaft of the cover. Thus, in this state, the cover is closed in conjunction with the door of the refrigerator by closing the door without separate manipulation, thereby conveniently using the refrigerator.

Fourthly, since the refrigerator includes the single driving motor to drive the suction fan and the agitating member, when the cooling apparatus is driven, a heat load in the refrigerator can be minimized, thereby reducing power consumption.

Fifthly, the agitating member includes the neck holder supported by the elastic member. Thus, a beverage container having an arbitrary size or a plurality of beverage containers can be stably placed on the agitating member, and the agitating member can stably operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating refrigerator doors when being opened according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an inner structure of a refrigerator including a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3′ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5′ of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away perspective view taken along line 6-6′ of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the front part of the cooling apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the agitating member.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the agitating member of the cooling apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a beverage container placed on the agitating member.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating two beverage containers placed on the agitating member.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a bottle placed on the agitating member.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic views illustrating a swing of the agitating member.

FIG. 15 is perspective view illustrating a state in which the cover of the cooling apparatus is opened.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are side views illustrating a process in which the cover and a door of a refrigerator are closed according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inner configuration of a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a front part of a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the rear part of the cooling apparatus.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cooling apparatus.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing of a gear assembly of the cooling apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of the cooling apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating refrigerator doors when being opened according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an inner structure of a refrigerator including a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3′ of FIG. 2.

A cooling apparatus according to an embodiment may be disposed in a storing space of a refrigerator for storing a food at low temperature.

In detail, the cooling apparatus is disposed in the refrigerator to perform a quick cooling operation with cool air generated in the refrigerator.

Although the cooling apparatus is disposed in the refrigerator in the following embodiment, the cooling apparatus may be installed on any apparatus for generating cool air, as well as the refrigerator.

A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment includes an outer case 102 constituting the appearance, an inner case 101 installed on the inner portion of the outer case 102 and forming an inner storing space, and an insulating member filling a space between the inner case 101 and the outer case 102, thereby forming a main body.

The inner storing space may include a refrigerator compartment 103 for refrigerating a food, and a freezer compartment 104 for freezing a food. The refrigerator compartment 103 is opened and closed by rotations of a pair of refrigerator compartment doors, and the freezer compartment 104 is opened and closed by sliding of a freezer compartment door. In the current embodiment, the storing space is divided into upper and lower portions by a partition 105, and the refrigerator compartment 103 is disposed over the freezer compartment 104 to form a bottom freezer type refrigerator.

Furthermore, the cooling apparatus may be installed on a top mount type refrigerator in which a freezer compartment is disposed over a refrigerator compartment, a side-by-side type refrigerator in which a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment are disposed side by side, and a refrigerator having one of a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment.

In detail, an evaporating compartment 107 is formed on the rear surface of the freezer compartment 104 by an evaporating compartment wall 106, and the evaporating compartment 107 accommodates an evaporator 108. The evaporating compartment wall 106 may be provided with a cool air discharge opening 106a for discharging cool air into the freezer compartment 104, and a cool air suction opening 106b disposed in a rear surface of the bottom of the freezer compartment 104 to return cool air from the freezer compartment 104 to the evaporating compartment 107.

A refrigerator compartment duct 109 vertically extends on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 103, and the lower end of the refrigerator compartment duct 109 communicates with the evaporating compartment 107. The front surface of the refrigerator compartment duct 109 may be provided with cool air discharge openings 109a to supply cool air from the evaporating compartment 107 to the refrigerator compartment 103. An upper surface of the partition 105 may be provided with a cool air suction opening (not shown) to return cool air from the freezer compartment 103 to the evaporating compartment 107.

A cooling apparatus 10 for quickly cooling a beverage or alcohol may be disposed at a side on the top surface of the partition 105. The cooling apparatus 10 may include a passage connecting to the evaporating compartment 107 and/or the freezer compartment 104 to fluidly communicate with the evaporating compartment 107 and/or the freezer compartment 104. For example, the cool air generated in the evaporating compartment 107 may be supplied into the cooling apparatus 10. A beverage container 2 received in the cooling apparatus 10 may be cooled by the cool air supplied into the cooling apparatus 10. The cool air which is increased in temperature by heat-exchanging with the beverage container 2 in the cooling apparatus 10 may return to the evaporating compartment 107. Here, the fluidic communication may represent that the cool air can be circulated between the evaporating compartment 107 and the cooling apparatus 10 by a passage structure such as a duct. Also, the beverage container 2 used in the current embodiment may include various containers including bottles or cans in which water, a beverage, or alcohol is contained. Also, the cooling apparatus 10 may include a cooling compartment defining a space for receiving the beverage container 2 and/or a passage connecting the cooling compartment, the freezer compartment 104, and the evaporating compartment 107 to each other.

Hereinafter, a configuration, an operation, and a function of the cooling apparatus 10 will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cooling apparatus 10 receives cool air from the evaporating compartment 107 through the separate passage, and discharges cool air to the freezer compartment 104. A more detailed description will be made with reference to other accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5′ of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cut-away perspective view taken along line 6-6′ of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the front part of the cooling apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the cooling apparatus 10 may include a cooling compartment and a cool air passage connected to the cooling compartment.

In detail, the cooling compartment may include: a case 20 forming a storing space for the beverage container 2; a cover 60 opening and closing an inlet of the case 20; an agitating member 50 selectively accommodated in the case 20, the beverage container 2 being placed on the agitating member 50; a fan motor assembly 30 installed on the case 20 to forcibly move cool air; and a driving assembly 40 coupled to the case 20 to drive the agitating member 50.

In more detail, the case 20 has front and rear openings, and has a space accommodating the agitating member 50 and the beverage container 2. The rear opening of the case 20 may be provided with the driving assembly 40, and the driving assembly 40 may close the rear opening of the case 20.

The front surface of the case 20 is provided with an inlet 21 for receiving the beverage container 2. The inlet 21 is inclined to increase in length downward, thereby more facilitating access with the beverage container 2. The inlet 21 is opened and closed by the cover 60 having a corresponding shape to the inlet 21. A gasket 61 may be disposed at the edge of the cover 60 or the front end of the case 20. When the cover 60 is closed, the gasket 61 prevents leakage of cool air from the case 20.

Cover fixing parts 211 are disposed at the front end of the case 20 provided with the inlet 21. Fixing members 62 provided to the cover 60 are inserted in and fixed to the cover fixing parts 211 to maintain closing of the cover 60. The cover fixing parts 211 and the fixing members 62 are disposed at the left and right sides of the cooling apparatus 10 to stably maintain closing of the cover 60.

The lower end of the inlet 21 is provided with cover coupling parts 212. The cover coupling part 212 is coupled to the lower end of the cover 60 through a shaft. Thus, the cover 60 may rotate about the cover coupling part 212 as an axis, to open and close the inlet 21.

An opening 22 is disposed in the top surface of the case 20 to check the inside of the case 20 and assemble and repair inner parts. The opening 22 may be covered by an opening cover 221. The position of the opening 22 may be varied on the case 20.

A suction grill 23 may be removably attached to the bottom surface of the case 20, and be disposed at an outlet of a suction duct 11. The suction grill 23 is installed on a cool air introduction opening 24 in the bottom surface of the case 20.

The cool air introduction opening 24 is disposed at a set position of the case 20. In this case, the set position of the cool air introduction opening 24 may be a position corresponding to the position of one beverage container 2 placed on the agitating member 50. Accordingly, cool air passing through the suction grill 23 is entirely directed to the outer surface of the beverage container 2 to cool the beverage container 2.

The bottom surface of the suction grill 23 may be provided with a plurality of air holes 231. In detail, since the air holes 231 have a small diameter, a flow rate of cool air quickly increases, passing through the outlet of the suction duct 11, that is, the suction grill 23. Thus, since cool air passing through the air holes 231 forms a jet stream, the air holes 231 may be called jet holes. The air holes 231 are spaced a constant distance from one another, and uniformly distributed in a surface of the suction grill 23.

The upper end of the suction grill 23 is bent outward and extends to be hung on the bottom of the case 20, so that the suction grill 23 can be removably attached to the bottom of the case 20. In this case, a locking structure may be provided to prevent a removal of the suction grill 23 from the bottom of the case 20 due to sucked air.

Cool air is vertically discharged from the air holes 231 of the suction grill 23 to a large area of the beverage container 2 placed on the agitating member 50, that is, to a side surface thereof. When cool air discharged from the air holes 231 perpendicularly contacts the beverage container 2, cooling efficiency for the beverage container 2 is maximized.

The agitating member 50 is disposed in the case 20, and is installed on an agitating member support 25 disposed in the bottom of the case 20. The agitating member 50 can swing left and right about the agitating member support 25 as an axis in the case 20, and is connected to the driving assembly 40 to repeatedly and continuously swing a predetermined angle, thereby agitating a beverage in the beverage container 2. A detailed configuration of the agitating member 50 will be described later.

The cooling compartment may include the driving assembly 40 to provide driving force to the agitating member 50 that repeatedly rotates left and right in the case 20.

The fan motor assembly 30 may include: a suction fan 31 for forcibly moving air; a fan housing 32 accommodating the suction fan 31 and installed on the rear surface of the case 20; and a fan motor 33 disposed behind the fan housing 32 and providing torque to the suction fan 31.

In detail, cool air generated from the evaporating compartment 107 is sucked with great suction force by the suction fan 31. Air introduced along the cool air passage into the case 20 is moved at high speed to the rear side of the case 20 by great suction force of the suction fan 31. At this point, the air contacts the outer surface of the beverage container 2 disposed in the case 20, to exchange heat. A flow rate of air sucked by the suction fan 31 is higher than that of air blown by a blower. This is because pressure difference between the front and rear sides of the suction fan 31 is quickly increased. In addition, since the flow rate of the air sucked by the suction fan 31 increases, the amount of heat exchange between the beverage container 2 and the air increases. Accordingly, heat exchange efficiency is improved.

Cool air sucked by the suction fan 31 exchanges heat with the beverage container 2 in the case 20 before the fan motor 33 driving the suction fan 31. Accordingly, the amount of heat exchange between the cool air and the beverage container 2 relatively increases, and thus, heat exchange efficiency is improved. If a blower blows air, the air blown by the blower passes through a fan motor for driving the blower, and then, exchanges heat with the beverage container 2. That is, the blown cool air absorbs heat, passing through the fan motor, and then, exchanges heat with the beverage container 2. Thus, heat exchange efficiency of the suction fan 31 is higher than that of a blower.

The suction fan 31 may be a centrifugal fan that axially sucks air to radially discharge the air. Air passing through the case 20 horizontally flow as a whole, and should moves downward to return to the evaporating compartment 107. That is, the direction of the air passing through the case 20 crosses the direction of the air discharged from the suction fan 31. Thus, a centrifugal fan is appropriated to a passage in which the directions of air cross each other.

Pneumatic resistance of the suction fan 31 is smaller than that of a blower. For example, air blown by a blower cannot pass through a narrow gap or an obstacle in an air passage, and is spread or flows back. On the contrary, the suction fan 31 sucks air at the inlet thereof to cause pressure difference. Thus, air at the front side of a narrow gap or an obstacle can easily pass through the narrow gap or the obstacle by pressure difference between the front and rear sides thereof. As a result, under the same condition, pneumatic resistance of air sucked by the suction fan 31 is smaller than that of air blown by a blower, and a flow rate of air sucked by the suction fan 31 is larger than that of air blown by a blower.

In addition, although the suction fan 31 is a centrifugal fan, the structure of the suction fan 31 is different from that of a typical centrifugal fan. In detail, the suction fan 31 includes: a back plate 311 having a circular plate shape; blades 312 disposed on the front surface of the back plate 311; and a suction guide 143 disposed on the upper end of the blades 312. The blades 312 having a predetermined width protrude forward from the front surface of the back plate 311, and are rounded with a predetermined curvature in a radial direction from the center of the back plate 311. The suction guide 313 functions as a combination of a typical bell mouth and a typical orifice. That is, the suction guide 313 smoothly guides an air flow from the front side of the fan housing 32 into the suction fan 31, and prevents a backflow of air discharged in the radial direction along the surfaces of the blades 312.

In detail, the suction guide 313 protrudes forward from a circular bottom, and gradually decreases in diameter. In other words, a vertical cross section of the suction guide 313 may have a rounded structure where the suction guide 313 gradually decreases in diameter on a horizontal cross-section from the bottom to the upper end, and has a constant diameter on a horizontal cross-section at a predetermined position. As such, since the outer surface of the suction guide 313 is smoothly rounded, pneumatic resistance applied on sucked air can be minimized, thereby providing a function of an orifice. In addition, the suction guide 313 has a barrel shape extending a predetermined length from the bottom of the suction guide 313 to minimize a back flow of air sucked through an inlet of the suction guide 313, thereby providing a function of a bell mouth. A grill 314 may be disposed at the front side of the suction guide 313 to prevent introduction of a foreign substance.

The cool air passage may include the suction duct 11 for supplying cool air from the evaporating compartment 107 to the case 20, and a return duct 12 for discharging cool air from the case 20 to the freezer compartment 104. In detail, an inlet (or suction opening) of the suction duct 11 may communicate with the evaporating compartment 107, and the outlet (or discharge opening) thereof may communicate with the bottom of the case 20. An inlet of the return duct 12 may be connected to the bottom of the fan housing 32, an outlet (or discharge opening) 121 thereof may be connected to the freezer compartment 104. Referring to FIG. 2, the discharge opening 121 of the return duct 12 may be disposed on the rear surface of the freezer compartment 104.

The driving assembly 40 may include a driving motor 41 generating torque, and a transmission unit 42 connecting the driving motor 41 to the agitating member 50 to rotate the agitating member 50, which will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the agitating member. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the agitating member of the cooling apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 9, the agitating member 50 accommodates the beverage container 2 to shake the beverage container 2. In detail, the agitating member 50 may include: a front support 51 forming a front surface of the agitating member 50; a rear support 52 forming a rear surface of the agitating member 5; and a plurality of the holder shafts 53 connecting the front support 51 to the rear support 52, the beverage container 2 being placed on the holder shafts 53.

The front support 51 and the rear support 52 have the same shape, and are coupled to the holder shafts 53. The front support 51 and the rear support 52 may be installed on the bottom of the case 20 to swing left and right. Since the front support 51 and the rear support 52 have the same shape, the front support 51 will be mainly described hereinafter.

The front support 51 may include a coupling portion 511 coupled to a coupling member 513, and extensions 512 extending upward from the left and right sides of the coupling portion 511 and coupled to the holder shafts 53.

The coupling portion 511 is disposed in the middle of the front support 51, and extends downward. The coupling member 513 has a shaft shape, and is coupled to the coupling portion 511 to cross the coupling portion 511. The coupling member 513 passes through the coupling portion 511 and the agitating member support 25 of the case 20, so that the front support 51 can rotate left and right about the coupling member 513 as an axis.

The extensions 512 are disposed at the upper end of the coupling portion 511. The extensions 512 are disposed at the left and right sides of the front support 51, and each of the extensions 512 is coupled to two of the holder shafts 53, so that the beverage container 2 can be placed on the holder shafts 53.

The holder shaft 53 horizontally extends in the form of a shaft or a bar, and is connected to the front support 51 and the rear support 52. The holder shafts 53 are provided in a pair on the upper and lower portions of the extension 512, and are spaced a predetermined distance from each other, so that the beverage container 2 can be accommodated in a space defined by the holder shafts 53. Cool air can efficiently flow into the space defined by the holder shafts 53. Since a distance between the holder shafts 53 at the lower side is smaller than a distance between the holder shafts 53 at the upper side, the beverage container 2 can be more stably placed on the holder shafts 53. The holder shafts 53 may be disposed at edges of the front support 51 and the rear support 52.

A neck holder 54 may be installed on the holder shafts 53 to support the neck of a beverage container such as a wine bottle. The neck holder 54 can move along the holder shafts 53 according to the size of a bottle.

The neck holder 54 is installed on the holder shafts 53 at the lower side, and includes a first member 541 and a second member 542 spaced apart from each other, and elastic members 543 disposed between the first and second members 541 and 542. Thus, when the second member 542 moves with the first member 541 fixed, the elastic members 543 are compressed.

In detail, the elastic members 543 are disposed between the first and second members 541 and 542, and are provided to the holder shafts 53 on which the first and second members 541 and 542 are installed. Thus, when the second member 542 is moved, the elastic members 543 may be compressed according to the size of the beverage container 2 placed on the agitating member 50. The holder shafts 53 pass through the elastic members 543, so that the elastic members 542 can be compressed in the longitudinal direction of the holder shafts 53.

The first member 541 has a plate shape, and the central portion thereof is lower than the left and right portions thereof to form a rounded shape. Thus, when a bottle having a long neck as the beverage container 2 is placed on the agitating member 50, the neck can be placed on the first member 541. The first member 541 is behind the second member 542, and may be adjacent to the rear support 52 and be fixed to the holder shafts 53.

The second member 542 is disposed before the first member 541, and is installed on the holder shafts 53 passing through the second member 542. When the elastic members 543 are not compressed, the second member 542 is disposed at a position corresponding to the rear end of the suction grill 23. Thus, when the beverage container 2 is placed on the agitating member 50, the beverage container 2 contacts the second member 542, and the suction grill 23 is disposed at a position corresponding to the beverage container 2, thereby effectively cooling the beverage container 2.

When a long bottle as the beverage container 2 is placed on the agitating member 50, or when two cans as the beverage container 2 are placed thereon, the second member 542 moves along the holder shafts 53 to dispose the beverage container 2 at an appropriate position. When the elastic members 543 are compressed, the second member 542 may press and fix the beverage container 2. Accordingly, the beverage container 2 can be stably fixed to the agitating member 50. When one of two cans placed on the agitating member 50 is removed, the second member 542 is moved forward by the elasticity of the elastic members 543, and the other can placed on the agitating member 50 is also moved forward, so that the other one can be easily taken out.

The central portion of the second member 542 may be lower than their left and right portions fixed by the holder shafts 53, so as to form a rounded shape. The second member 542 has a predetermined thickness, and a seat guide 542a is disposed on a rounded top of the second member 542. The front or rear side of the seat guide 542a with respect to the top center of the second member 542 may be rounded or inclined. That is, a cross-section of the second member 542 increases in height toward the center thereof. Thus, when a bottle as the beverage container 2 is put into the case 20 through the inlet 21, even when the beverage container 2 contacts the seat guide 542a of the second member 542, the beverage container 2 can smoothly slide over the seat guide 542a, and be placed on the neck holder 54. The upper end of the seat guide 542a may be disposed out of the center of the second member 542, and have a slope or a curved surface that decreases in height forward.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a beverage container placed on the agitating member. FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating two beverage containers placed on the agitating member. FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating two bottles placed on the agitating member.

Hereinafter, installation states according to the shapes of beverage containers will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

Referring to FIG. 10, a can as the beverage container 2 is disposed in the case 20. In detail, the cover 60 is opened, and the beverage container 2 is inserted through the inlet 21 of the case 20. At this point, the second member 542 may contact the rear end of the beverage container 2, to thereby efficiently cool the beverage container 2. While the beverage container 2 is placed, the second member 542 may be slightly moved rearward (left side of FIG. 10), but returns its initial position by the elasticity of the elastic members 543, and is disposed at its set position.

When one can as the beverage container 2 is placed on the agitating member 50, the rear end of the can corresponds to the rear end of the suction grill 23. Thus, the entire or most part of the beverage container 2 is disposed at the vertical upper side of the suction grill 23, and the beverage container 2 is maximally exposed to cool air discharged from the suction grill 23. Thus, the beverage container 2 can be quickly cooled.

Referring to FIG. 11, two cans as the beverage container 2 are disposed in the case 20. In detail, the cover 60 is opened, and the beverage container 2 is inserted through the inlet 21 of the case 20. One of the beverage containers 2 is placed on the agitating member 50, and then, the other is placed.

At this point, the beverage container 2 placed first may be moved forward to push the second member 542 rearward, thereby compressing the elastic members 543. After the two beverage containers 2 are placed, the beverage containers 2 contact the second member 542 and the front support 51. Since the beverage containers 2 closely contact the front support 51 and the second member 542 by the elasticity of the elastic members 543, the beverage containers 6 are stably placed during a swing of the agitating member 50.

At this point, the middle of the suction grill 23 is disposed between the beverage containers 2. Thus, cool air discharged through the suction grill 23 can be uniformly supplied to the beverage containers 2, and a contact area between the cool air and the beverage containers 2 can be maximized.

Referring to FIG. 12, the beverage container 2 put in the case 20 has a bottle shape. In detail, the cover 60 is opened, and the beverage container 2 is inserted through the inlet 21 of the case 20.

At this point, the neck of the beverage container 2 is directed rearward, and is placed on the neck holder 54. While the beverage container 2 is placed on the agitating member 50, the neck may contact the seat guide 542a, and be placed on the neck holder 54 over the seat guide 542a. At this point, the second member 542 is disposed between the neck and the body of the beverage container 2 to stably support and fix the beverage container 2.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic views illustrating a swing of the agitating member.

The driving assembly will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

The driving assembly 40 may include the driving motor 41 generating torque, and the transmission unit 42 transmitting the torque from the driving motor 41 to rotate the agitating member 50

In detail, the driving motor 41 has the same structure as that of a typical electric motor, and may be disposed on the outside of the case 20. A rotation shaft 411 of the driving motor 41 may extend into the case 20, and be coupled to the transmission unit 42 in the case 20. Although the driving motor 41 may be disposed in the case 20, the driving motor 41 is disposed out of the case 20 to prevent degradation of cooling efficiency of the cooling apparatus 10 due to heat from the driving motor 41.

The driving motor 41 may be a typical DC motor. Torque from the driving motor 41 is converted by the transmission unit 42 to swing the agitating member 50. The driving motor 41 may be a stepping motor that can rotate forward and reverse by a constant angle. Thus, the driving motor 41 can repeatedly rotate forward and reverse by a constant angle, so that the agitating member 50 can swing.

The transmission unit 42 is installed on the driving motor 41. The transmission unit 42 includes a rotation member 421 connected to the rotation shaft 411 of the driving motor 41, and a connecting rod 422 connecting the rotation member 421 to the holder shafts 53. The rotation shaft 411 of the driving motor 41 is parallel to an extension line of the holder shafts 53.

In detail, the rotation member 421 is coupled to the rotation shaft 411 of the driving motor 41, and rotates together with the rotation shaft 411 when the rotation shaft 411 rotates. The rotation member 421 and the rotation shaft 411 extend in the same direction. The rotation member 421 may include a shaft coupler 421a coupled to the rotation shaft 411, and an extension 42 lb extending in a direction crossing the shaft coupler 421a from an end of the shaft coupler 421a.

The inner portion of the shaft coupler 421a has a shape corresponding to the rotation shaft 411 to couple to the rotation shaft 411 and transmit power from the rotation shaft 411. Thus, when the rotation shaft 411 rotates, the rotation member 421 also rotates. The extension 421b extends from a side of the shaft coupler 421a. A connecting rod coupler 421c to which the connecting rod 422 is rotatably coupled is disposed at a side of the extension 421b spaced apart from the shaft coupler 421a. Thus, when the shaft coupler 421a rotates, the connecting rod coupler 421c rotates along a predetermined trajectory about the shaft coupler 421a, and thus, the connecting rod 422 reciprocates with a constant displacement.

The connecting rod 422 crosses extension directions of the rotation shaft 411 and the holder shafts 53, and may have a rod shape with a predetermined length. Coupling holes 422a are disposed at both ends of the connecting rod 422 to receive shafts. Thus, the coupling hole 422a disposed at an end of the connecting rod 422 is rotatably coupled to the connecting rod coupler 421c, and the other of the coupling holes 422a is connected to the holder shaft 53.

The connecting rod 422 may be directly connected to the holder shaft 53, or be connected to a connection 423 provided to the holder shaft 53. The connection 423 through which the holder shaft 53 passes may be disposed on an end of the holder shaft 53. The connection 423 may be rotatably coupled to the coupling hole 422a of the connecting rod 422. The connection 423 may be formed of a plastic material to prevent wear and noise due to friction generated during a rotation of the connecting rod 422.

The connecting rod 422 is adjacent to the rear support 52, and is coupled to the holder shaft 53. Thus, the transmission unit 42 is disposed a position to minimize the length of the rotation shaft 412 passing through the transmission unit 42 from the rear side of the transmission unit 42.

Thus, when the driving motor 41 rotates, the rotation member 421 also rotates, and the connecting rod 422 reciprocates. While the connecting rod 422 reciprocates, the agitating member 50 repeatedly rotates, that is, swings through a predetermined angle.

In detail, when the driving motor 41 rotates, the rotation member 421 rotates together with the rotation shaft 411 of the driving motor 41. As illustrated in FIG. 13, when the extension 421b of the rotation member 421 is disposed at the right side, the connecting rod 422 pushes the holder shaft 53 to the right side. The holder shaft 53 is disposed over the coupling member 513, and the coupling member 513 is shaft-coupled for rotating the agitating member 50. Thus, when the connecting rod 422 pushes the holder shaft 53 to the right side, the agitating member 50 rotates clockwise about the coupling member 513 as an axis, and leans to the right side.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, when the extension 421b of the rotation member 421 is disposed at the left side, the connecting rod 422 pulls the holder shaft 53 to the left side. Thus, the agitating member 50 rotates counterclockwise about the coupling member 513 as an axis, and leans to the left side.

As such, torque from the driving motor 41 is transmitted to the agitating member 50 by the transmission unit 42. Thus, when the driving motor 41 continually rotates, the agitating member 50 repeatedly rotates clockwise and counterclockwise in a set angle range, and thus, the agitating member 5o swings left and right. Hereinafter, an operation of a cooling apparatus configured as described above will now be described.

An discharge end of the suction duct 11 is connected to the bottom of the cooling compartment, particularly, to the bottom of the case 20. The suction grill 23 is disposed on the bottom of the case 20 connected to the discharge end of the suction duct 11, and the speed of air sucked through the suction duct 11 increases while passing through the suction grill 23. As described above, this is because the air holes 231 are disposed in the suction grill 23.

The cool air passing through the suction grill 23 at high speed may be discharged in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the beverage container 2. Since the beverage container 2 has a cylindrical shape, when the cool air passing through the suction grill 23 perpendicularly collides with the outer surface of the beverage container 2, heat exchange efficiency is maximized. When a flow direction of cool air passing through the suction grill 23 is not perpendicular to the outer surface of the beverage container 2, a portion of the cool air may be discharged out of the case 20, without colliding with the beverage container 2. That is, cool air sucked through the suction grill 23 may perpendicularly collide with the outer surface of the beverage container 2 to minimize the amount of cool air discharged without heat exchange.

The suction fan 31 axially sucks the cool air to radially discharge the cool air, and the fan housing 32 guides the cool air to the freezer compartment 104 through the return duct 12.

While the suction fan 31 rotates, the agitating member 50 swings. To this end, the driving motor 41 is rotated. The driving motor 41 may be continuously rotated, or be rotated forward and reverse by a constant angle. The agitating member 50 repeatedly swings according to an operation of the transmission unit 42 connected to the rotation shaft 412 of the driving motor 41.

When the suction fan 31 sucks the cool air, and the agitating member 50 swings to agitate the beverage in the beverage container 2, thereby quickly cooling the beverage. Due to the air guide 55, the cool air discharged from the suction grill 23 effectively cools the outer surface of the beverage container 2, thereby more quickly and effectively cooling the beverage in the beverage container 2.

FIG. 15 is perspective view illustrating a state in which the cover of the cooling apparatus is opened. FIGS. 16 and 17 are side views illustrating a process in which the cover and a door of a refrigerator are closed according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, the cover 60 is manipulated to open the inlet 21 of the case 20, so that the beverage container 2 can be accommodated in the case 20. When the cover 60 is manipulated to close the case 20, leakage of cool air from the case 20 is prevented.

The lower end of the inlet 21 of the case 20 further protrudes than the upper end thereof. A protrusion length of the inlet 21 increases from the upper side to the lower side, and thus, the inlet 21 is inclined downward. Thus, when the cover 60 is opened, the agitating member 50 and the beverage container 2 are exposed from the case 20 through the inlet 21, and thus, can be easily perceived and manipulated.

When the cover 6 is closed, the fixing members 62 provided to the cover 60 are inserted in and fixed to the cover fixing parts 211. The fixing members 62 are elastically deformed, and thus, can be selectively fixed to the cover fixing parts 211 according to a manipulation of the cover 60.

The cover 60 has a shape to open and close the inlet 21. Thus, when the cover 60 is closed, the rear edge of the cover 60 contacting the inlet 21 has an inclination corresponding to an inclination of the inlet 21, and the rear surface of the cover 60 is recessed inward to form a predetermined space with the case 20.

The cover 60 includes a first surface 64 constituting the top surface of the cover 60 and inclined forward and downward, and a second surface 65 constituting the front surface of the cover 60 and inclined forward and downward from the front end of the first surface 64.

In detail, the first surface 64 extends from the rear end of the top surface of the cover 60 to the rear end of the second surface 65. The level of the rear end of the first surface 64 is equal to or less than the level of the upper end of the case 20. The first surface 64 extends downward and forward.

The second surface 65 extends from the front end of the first surface 64 to the front lower end of the cover 60. The rear end of the second surface 65 is disposed behind a cover rotation shaft 66, and the front end thereof constitutes the front end of the cooling apparatus 10. The second surface 65 extends in a direction crossing the first surface 64 to constitute the front surface of the cover 60.

A contact portion between the first surface 64 and the second surface 65 is disposed behind a rotation center of the cover 60. The contact portion between the first surface 64 and the second surface 65 may be rounded. Thus, when a door 3 of a refrigerator is closed, a contact point between the cover 60 and the rear surface of the door 3 can smoothly move from the first surface 64 to the second surface 65.

The first surface 64 is provided with a handle 67 for a user to hold. Thus, a user can hold the handle 67 to open and close the cover 60.

In detail, when the cover 60 is closed, the cover 60 is rotated counterclockwise (with respect to FIG. 16) with the handle 67 held by a user, and the fixing members 62 are inserted and hook the cover fixing parts 211. On the contrary, when the cover 60 is opened, the cover 60 is rotated clockwise with the handle 67 held by a user, and the fixing members 62 are removed from the cover fixing parts 211.

When the cover 60 and the door 3 are completely opened as illustrated in FIG. 16, the upper end of the first surface 64 becomes the front end of the cooling apparatus 10. The upper end of the first surface 64 is disposed out of the refrigerator, and contacts the door 3 when the door 3 is closed. At this point, the upper end of the first surface 64 is disposed at the upper and front sides of the cover rotation shaft 66. In this state, the beverage container 2 can be taken out or put in the cooling apparatus 10.

In this state, the door 3 can be closed without manipulating the cover 60. In this state, when the door 3 is closed, the rear surface of the door 3 contacts the upper end of the first surface 64. Then, when the door 3 is further closed to push the upper end of the first surface 64, the cover 60 rotates counterclockwise about the cover rotation shaft 66. Accordingly, the cover 60 is naturally closed.

While the cover 60 is closed, the rear surface of the door 3 sequentially contacts the upper end of the first surface 64 and the lower end of the second surface 65. When the door 3 is completely closed, the rear surface of the door 3 contacts the lower end of the second surface 65 as illustrated in FIG. 17. Accordingly, the cover 60 completely closes the inlet 21 of the case 20.

That is, since the cover 60 can be closed just by closing the door 3 without a separate process for closing the cover 60, breakage of the cover 60 due to carelessness can be prevented. In addition, the refrigerator can be conveniently used.

The rear surface of the door 3 may be formed by a door liner, a door dike, a separate accommodation member installed on the door 3, or an arbitrary structure disposed on the door 3.

A refrigerator according to the present disclosure may be described according to various embodiments. Hereinafter, a refrigerator will now be described according to another embodiment.

In the current embodiment, the cover is provided with a locking unit that is manipulated by a user, so that the cover can be fixed to the case.

Thus, in the current embodiment, the rest parts except for a cover holder shaft are the same as those of the previous embodiments, and thus, a description thereof will be omitted, and like reference numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inner configuration of a cooling apparatus according to the current embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, a cooling apparatus 10 according to the current embodiment includes a case 20 forming an appearance of the cooling apparatus 10, and an agitating member 50 is disposed in the case 20 to accommodate a beverage container 2. A suction grill 23 provided with a passage for introducing cool air is disposed on the bottom of the case 20. A fan motor assembly 30 is disposed at the rear side of the case 20 to forcibly suck and discharge cool air. A driving assembly 70 is provided to the case 20 to repeatedly swing the agitating member 50 during the driving of the fan motor assembly 30, thereby cooling and agitating a beverage in the beverage container 2.

The front surface of the case 20 is provided with an inlet 21 that is opened and closed by a rotatable cover 60. Thus, the cover 60 is opened, and then, the beverage container 2 can be taken out or put in through the inlet 21.

In detail, the cover 60 has a size to correspond to the inlet 21 of the case 20, and constitutes the front appearance of the cooling apparatus 10. The lower end of the cover 60 is rotatably coupled through a shaft member to the lower end of the open front surface of the case 20.

The top and front surfaces of the cover 60 may be constituted by a first surface 64 and a second surface 65, which are inclined. The first surface 64 may be provided with a handle 67 that is held for a user to rotate the cover 60.

The cover 60 may be provided with a locking unit 68. The locking unit 68 is coupled to the case 20 to maintain closing of the cover 60. The locking unit 68 is disposed in the cover 60, and is exposed from a side of the handle 67 and the rear surface of the cover 60 (the right side of FIG. 18).

In more detail, the locking unit 68 extends in the back-and-forth direction of the cover 60, and the front end of the locking unit 68 (the left side of FIG. 18) is provided with a manipulation part 681 that is manipulated by a user. The manipulation part 681 is exposed to the handle 67 that is recessed. Thus, a user can hold the handle 67 and the manipulation part 681 to rotate the cover 60.

The locking unit 68 is supported by an elastic member 682 in the cover 60. Thus, when the locking unit 68 is manipulated, the elastic member 682 can be compressed or stretched. When the manipulation of the locking unit 68 is completed, the locking unit 68 returns to its original position by the elasticity of the elastic member 682.

The front end of the locking unit 68 protrudes through the rear surface of the cover 60. The front end of the locking unit 68 is provided with a catching portion 683. The catching portion 683 has a hook shape. When the cover 60 is closed, the catching portion 683 is inserted and locked in a locking unit coupling hole 213 that is recessed in the front end of the case 20 or passes through the front end.

When the cover 60 is closed, a user holds the handle 67 to open the cooling apparatus 10. At this point, when the user also holds and pulls the manipulation part 681 exposed to the handle 67, the locking unit 68 is moved forward, and thus, the catching portion 683 is released from the locking unit coupling hole 213.

When the locking unit 68 is removed from the locking unit coupling hole 213, the cover 60 can freely rotate. Accordingly, the cover 60 can be rotated counterclockwise, and be completely opened. Then, the beverage container 2 can be put in or taken out of the case 20.

The cover 60 is rotated clockwise to close the cover 60. When the cover 60 is rotated by a set angle, the catching portion 683 of the locking unit 68 is inserted into the locking unit coupling hole 213. At this point, the catching portion 683 contacts the locking unit coupling hole 213, and the locking unit 68 can be smoothly inserted along slopes of the catching portion 683 when the cover 60 is further rotated. When the cover 60 is completely closed, stepped parts of the catching portion 683 are locked to the locking unit coupling hole 213 to maintain the closing of the cover 60.

A gasket 61 may be disposed at the edge of the rear surface of the cover 60 or the edge of the open surface of the case 20. Thus, when the cover 60 is completely closed, the gasket 61 prevents leakage of cool air from the case 20.

A refrigerator according to the present disclosure may be described according to various embodiments. Hereinafter, a refrigerator will now be described according to another embodiment.

In the current embodiment, a single driving motor drives a suction fan and an agitating member such that suction of cool air and agitation of a beverage are simultaneously performed during driving of a cooling apparatus.

Thus, in the current embodiment, the rest parts except for a driving assembly are the same as those of the previous embodiments, and thus, a description thereof will be omitted, and like reference numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a front part of a cooling apparatus according to the current embodiment. FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the rear part of the cooling apparatus. FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cooling apparatus. FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing of a gear assembly of the cooling apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 19 to 22, a cooling apparatus 10 according to the current embodiment includes a case 20 forming an appearance of the cooling apparatus 10, and an agitating member 50 is disposed in the case 20. A suction grill 23 connected to a suction duct 11 is disposed in the bottom surface of the case 20 to supply cool air into the case 20.

A suction fan 31 may be disposed behind the case 20 to form an air flow in the case 20. A transmission unit 73 may be disposed in the case 20 to swing the agitating member 50. A driving assembly 70 may be disposed behind the case 20 to simultaneously drive the suction fan 31 and the transmission unit 73.

The driving assembly 70 may include a driving motor 71 generating torque, and a gear assembly 72 transmitting the torque from the driving motor 71 to the suction fan 31 and the transmission unit 73. The driving motor 71 and the gear assembly 72 will be described in detail later.

A fan housing 32 includes a main body 321 forming a space accommodating the suction fan 31, the gear assembly 72, and a damping member 74; and a cover 322 covering a side of the main body 321.

The main body 321 has a side opening covered by the cover 322, and forms a predetermined space with the cover 322. The cover 322 includes a suction opening 322a that may be provided with a grill 322b for preventing introduction of a foreign substance.

The main body 321 has a bottom opening that communicates with a return duct 12. The damping member 74 selectively opens and closes the bottom opening of the main body 321. The damping member 74 operates in conjunction with the driving motor 71, and thus, is opened when the driving motor 71 is driven, so that cool air can circulate between the cooling apparatus 10 and a freezer compartment 104 or an evaporating compartment 107. The damping member 74 is closed when the driving motor 71 is stopped, so that cool air is prevented from circulating between the cooling apparatus 10 and a freezer compartment 104 or an evaporating compartment 107.

Thus, when the damping member 74 is opened by driving of the driving motor 71, cool air, which is sucked through the suction duct 11 and the suction grill 23 by the suction fan 31, cools the beverage container 2 in the case 20, then, passes through the suction fan 31, then, is guided by the fan housing 32, and then, is discharged through the return duct 12.

The driving motor 71 is disposed behind the fan housing 32 and is disposed in a motor housing 721. A rotation shaft 711 of the driving motor 71 passes through the fan housing 32, and is disposed in the fan housing 32. The rotation shaft 711 is coupled to the gear assembly 72 disposed in the fan housing 32 to drive the gear assembly 72. The gear assembly 72 is coupled to the suction fan 31 and the transmission unit 73 to operate the suction fan 31 and the transmission unit 73.

In detail, the gear assembly 72 includes a housing 721 accommodating a plurality gears, and a mounting plate 722 for closing the housing 721 and mounting the gears. A driving shaft 723 is disposed at a side of the mounting plate 722. The driving shaft 723 passes through the mounting plate 722, and is coupled to the rotation shaft 711 of the driving motor 71 to rotate when the driving motor 71 is driven.

The front surface of the mounting plate 722 is provided with a first fan gear 724 that is coupled to a rotation shaft 411 of the suction fan 31 to rotate together with the rotation shaft of the suction fan 31. A second fan gear 725 is disposed on the driving shaft 723 at the front side of the mounting plate 722. The second fan gear 725 engages with the first fan gear 724 to transmit torque from the driving motor 71. Thus, when the driving motor 71 is driven, the first and second fan gears 724 and 725 rotate. The suction fan 31 rotates according to the rotation of the second fan gear 725. At this point, the number of rotations of the suction fan 31 is determined according to a gear ratio of the first fan gear 724 to the second fan gear 725.

Another side of the mounting plate 722 is provided with a transmission shaft 726 for transmitting power to the transmission unit 73. The transmission shaft 726 passes through the mounting plate 722, and an end thereof is coupled to the rotation member 421 of the transmission unit 73 in the case 20.

A transmission shaft gear 726a is disposed behind the mounting plate 722, and is formed on the transmission shaft 726. A driving shaft gear 723a is disposed behind the mounting plate 722, and is formed on the driving shaft 723. The rear surface of the mounting plate 722 is provided with one or more speed changer gears 727 such that the transmission shaft gear 726a moves in conjunction with the driving shaft gear 723a. The number of the speed changer gears 727 and a gear ratio thereof may be varied.

Since the frequency of rotations of the suction fan 31 may be higher than that of driving of the transmission unit 42, the speed changer gears 727 may be configured such that the number of rotations of the transmission shaft 726 is smaller than the number of rotations of the driving shaft 723. Thus, unlike the suction fan 31 that rotates at high speed in the case 20, the agitating member 50 can by swung at a stable frequency by the transmission unit 73.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of the cooling apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 23 when a signal for operating the cooling apparatus 10 is input according to a user's operation, the driving assembly 70 operates the suction fan 31 and the agitating member 50 at the same time.

In detail, when the driving motor 71 is operated, the rotation shaft 711 of the driving motor 71 rotates the driving shaft 723. Torque from the driving shaft 723 is transmitted to the driving shaft gear 723a, the speed changer gears 727, and the transmission shaft gear 726a, which engage with one another, and thus, the transmission shaft 726 rotates. Accordingly, the transmission shaft 726 rotates the rotation member 421 of the transmission unit 73. Then, the transmission unit 73 swings the agitating member 50 to agitate a beverage in the beverage container 2 placed on the agitating member 50. Since the transmission unit 73 in the current embodiment is the same in configuration as that of the previous embodiment except that the transmission unit 73 is coupled to the transmission shaft 726, a description thereof will be omitted.

Torque from the driving shaft 723 is transmitted to the first fan gear 724 and the second fan gear 725, which engage with each other, to rotate the suction fan 31. Thus, the suction fan 31 is driven simultaneously with swing of the agitating member 50 to cool the beverage in the beverage container 2.

When the suction fan 31 rotates, suction force is generated. Then, cool air from the evaporating compartment 107 sequentially passes through the suction duct 11 and the suction grill 23, and is sucked into the case 20 by the suction force. The suction fan 31 axially sucks the cool air from the case 20 to radially discharge the cool air, and the fan housing 32 guides the cool air to the freezer compartment 104 through the return duct 12.

When the suction fan 31 sucks the cool air, and the agitating member 50 swings to agitate the beverage in the beverage container 2, thereby quickly cooling the beverage.

The driving motor 71 simultaneously drives the suction fan 31 and the transmission unit 73 to provide a simple structure, and thus the possibility of defects and malfunctions is minimized. In addition, the amount of heat generated in the refrigerator is minimized to improve cooling efficiency of the refrigerator.

The damping member 74 in the fan housing 32 is opened during an operation of the driving motor 71, and is closed during stopping of the driving motor 71, thereby preventing a loss of cool air.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a refrigerator body;

a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment being configured to maintain operating temperatures that differ, with the freezing compartment having an operating temperature that is lower than an operating temperature of the refrigerating compartment;

a cooling apparatus that is positioned in the refrigerating compartment and that is configured to cool liquid held by a container positioned in the cooling apparatus to a refrigerated temperature faster than the refrigerating compartment; and

a controller configured to detect a condition of the refrigerator and control operation of the cooling apparatus based on the detected condition of the refrigerator.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1:

wherein the controller is configured to detect the condition of the refrigerator by detecting opening of the refrigerator door; and

wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the cooling apparatus based on the detected condition of the refrigerator by stopping operation of the cooling apparatus based on detecting the opening of the refrigerator door.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to detect closing of the refrigerator door and resume operation of the cooling apparatus based on detecting the closing of the refrigerator door.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to resume operation of the cooling apparatus conditioned on the controller determining that user input stopping the cooling apparatus has not been received.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1:

wherein the controller is configured to detect the condition of the refrigerator by detecting a defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator; and

wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the cooling apparatus based on the detected condition of the refrigerator by preventing operation of the cooling apparatus during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator based on detecting the defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to control a display unit to display an interface indicating that operation of the cooling apparatus is prevented based on the defrosting operation.

7. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to detect completion of the defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator, determine when a threshold period of time has passed after detecting completion of the defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator, prevent operation of the cooling apparatus during the threshold period of time, and allow operation of the cooling apparatus based on a determination that the threshold period of time has passed after detecting completion of the defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to control a display unit to display an interface indicating that operation of the cooling apparatus is prevented based on the defrosting operation and indicating a time remaining until operation of the cooling apparatus is allowed.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to prevent a defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator during operation of the cooling apparatus, determine when operation of the cooling apparatus has completed, allow the defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator based on a determination that operation of the cooling apparatus has completed, and prevent operation of the cooling apparatus during the defrosting operation performed by the refrigerator.

10. The refrigerator of claim 1:

wherein the controller is configured to detect the condition of the refrigerator by detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operating for more than a threshold amount; and

wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the cooling apparatus based on the detected condition of the refrigerator by preventing operation of the cooling apparatus for a threshold period of time based on detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operating for more than the threshold amount.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10:

wherein detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operating for more than the threshold amount comprises determining a number of times the cooling apparatus has operated during a reference period of time, comparing the number of times the cooling apparatus has operated during the reference period of time to a threshold number of times, determining whether the number of times the cooling apparatus has operated during the reference period of time meets the threshold number of times based on the comparison, and detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operated for more than the threshold number of times during the reference period of time based on a determination that the number of times the cooling apparatus has operated during the reference period of time meets the threshold number of times, and

wherein preventing operation of the cooling apparatus for the threshold period of time based on detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operating for more than the threshold amount comprises preventing operation of the cooling apparatus for the threshold period of time based on detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operated for more than the threshold number of times during the reference period of time.

12. The refrigerator of claim 10:

wherein detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operating for more than the threshold amount comprises determining an amount of time the cooling apparatus has operated during a reference period of time, comparing the amount of time the cooling apparatus has operated during the reference period of time to a threshold amount of time, determining whether the amount of time the cooling apparatus has operated during the reference period of time meets the threshold amount of time based on the comparison, and detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operated for more than the threshold amount of time during the reference period of time based on a determination that the amount of time the cooling apparatus has operated during the reference period of time meets the threshold amount of time, and

wherein preventing operation of the cooling apparatus for the threshold period of time based on detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operating for more than the threshold amount comprises preventing operation of the cooling apparatus for the threshold period of time based on detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operated for more than the threshold amount of time during the reference period of time.

13. The refrigerator of claim 10:

wherein detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operating for more than the threshold amount comprises determining a temperature of at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, comparing the determined temperature to a threshold temperature, determining whether the determined temperature meets the threshold temperature based on the comparison, and detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operated for more than the threshold amount based on a determination that the determined temperature meets the threshold temperature, and

wherein preventing operation of the cooling apparatus for the threshold period of time based on detecting that the cooling apparatus has been operating for more than the threshold amount comprises preventing operation of the cooling apparatus for the threshold period of time based on a determination that the determined temperature meets the threshold temperature.

14. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive an input signal to start operation of the cooling apparatus;

start operation of the cooling apparatus based on the input signal to start operation of the cooling apparatus;

monitor a time during which the cooling apparatus has been operating;

determine whether the time during which the cooling apparatus has been operating meets a set time based on the monitoring;

based on a determination that the time during which the cooling apparatus has been operating does not meet the set time, continue operation of the cooling apparatus and monitoring the time during which the cooling apparatus has been operating; and

based on a determination that the time during which the cooling apparatus has been operating meets the set time, stop operation of the cooling apparatus.

15. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising:

a compressor;

a first fan configured to promote movement of cool air to the refrigerating compartment;

a second fan configured to promote movement of cool air to the cooling apparatus; and

a damper configured to open and close a duct that guides air for the cooling apparatus,

wherein the controller is configured to start operation of the cooling apparatus by controlling the compressor to operate at maximum power, stopping the first fan configured to promote movement of cool air to the refrigerating compartment, starting the second fan configured to promote movement of cool air to the cooling apparatus, and opening the damper.

16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to stop operation of the cooling apparatus by controlling the compressor to reduce power from the maximum power, restarting the first fan configured to promote movement of cool air to the refrigerating compartment, stopping the second fan configured to promote movement of cool air to the cooling apparatus, and closing the damper.

17. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:

a compressor;

a single evaporator configured to produce cool air used in cooling the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment, and the cooling apparatus;

a fan configured to promote movement of cool air to the freezing compartment;

a first damper configured to open and close a duct that guides air for the refrigerating compartment;

a second damper configured to open and close a duct that guides air for the cooling apparatus;

an agitating member that is configured to agitate the container holding the liquid; and

a power generator configured to generate a driving force that causes the agitating member to agitate the container holding the liquid,

wherein the controller is configured to start operation of the cooling apparatus by controlling the compressor to operate, controlling the fan to operate, closing the first damper, opening the second damper, and starting the power generator.

18. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:

a compressor;

a first evaporator configured to produce cool air used in cooling the refrigerating compartment based on refrigerant supplied by the compressor;

a second evaporator configured to produce cool air used in cooling the freezing compartment based on refrigerant supplied by the compressor;

a valve configured to control flow of refrigerant from the compressor to the first evaporator and the second evaporator;

a fan configured to promote movement of cool air to the freezing compartment;

a damper configured to open and close a duct that guides air for the cooling apparatus;

an agitating member that is configured to agitate the container holding the liquid; and

a power generator configured to generate a driving force that causes the agitating member to agitate the container holding the liquid,

wherein the controller is configured to start operation of the cooling apparatus by controlling the compressor to operate, controlling the fan to operate, controlling the valve to direct all refrigerant from the compressor to the second evaporator, opening the damper, and starting the power generator.

19. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the cooling apparatus based on the detected condition of the refrigerator by determining that the cooling apparatus is operating after detecting the condition and stopping operation of the cooling apparatus based on the determination that the cooling apparatus is operating after detecting the condition.

20. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the cooling apparatus based on the detected condition of the refrigerator by determining that the cooling apparatus is off after detecting the condition and preventing operation of the cooling apparatus until the detected condition has been resolved based on the determination that the cooling apparatus is off after detecting the condition.

21. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the cooling apparatus based on the detected condition of the refrigerator by determining that the cooling apparatus is operating after detecting the condition and modifying operational parameters of the cooling apparatus without stopping operation of the cooling apparatus based on the determination that the cooling apparatus is operating after detecting the condition.

22. A method comprising:

detecting a condition of a refrigerator that includes a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a cooling apparatus, the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment being configured to maintain operating temperatures that differ, with the freezing compartment having an operating temperature that is lower than an operating temperature of the refrigerating compartment, and the cooling apparatus being positioned in the refrigerating compartment and being configured to cool liquid held by a container positioned in the cooling apparatus to a refrigerated temperature faster than the refrigerating compartment; and

controlling, by a controller, operation of the cooling apparatus based on the detected condition of the refrigerator.