REFRIGERATION MODULE AND BATHROOM MANAGEMENT APPARATUS

Disclosed are a refrigeration module capable of reducing a temperature of a storage room within a short time and a bathroom management apparatus including the same. A refrigeration module may include an outer case, a thermoelectric module, a first heat sink provided on a first surface of the thermoelectric module to produce heat and second heat sink provided on a second surface of the thermoelectric module to absorb heat, and a blowing fan.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2017-0028632 filed on Mar. 7, 2017, whose entire disclosures is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

A refrigeration module and a bathroom management apparatus including the same are disclosed.

2. Background

Bathroom management apparatuses and refrigeration modules are known. However, they suffer from various disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a combined perspective view showing a bathroom management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a bathroom management apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a coupled state between the cabinet and the frame shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigeration module shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an outer case shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating a part of the refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view projecting an inside of the refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a state of a thermoelectric module shown in FIG. 6 mounted on a mounting bracket;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state where an inner door body of an inner door shown in FIG. 5 is closed and a mirror door is open;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a mirror door plate by removing a mirror from a mirror door shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an inner door shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an open state of a mirror door where a refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5 is mounted in a frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a bathroom management apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In general, a bathroom is a place that allows users to wash his/her clothes, face, hands, shower, or the like. Since the bathroom is a very humid place, molds and bacteria may easily breed and may result in unwanted odors.

Most bathrooms dry and deodorize depending on a ventilation fan. However, since an operation of the ventilation fan may not suitable or inadequate to dry the whole bathroom even with constant operation, unhealthy molds and the bacteria may become an issue. Accordingly, it is important to prevent the bathroom from becoming a habitat of the molds and the bacteria by removing moisture early on, particular at low lying areas of the bathroom, as well as promptly drying wet bath and toilet appliances such as wet towels.

Further, various facilities such as washstand, toilet, mirror, towel rack, toothbrush holder as well as a storage room for storing various bath and toilet appliances including towels may be installed in the bathroom. Meanwhile, a user may use various types of electronic products such as hair dryers and shavers in the bathroom.

Hence, if a bathroom management apparatus can integrate multiple functions such as a toothbrush sterilizer, a cosmetics refrigerator, a charging function for electronic products, as well as drying or dehumidifying functions to address the numerous needs in the bathroom, the space utility of the bathroom can be increased.

Further, if a bath management apparatus can be customized to select only desired functions among various function modules including a storage module having a function for storage, an air conditioning module having a function dry objects in the bathroom, a sterilizing module having a function of a toothbrush sterilizer, a refrigerating module having a function of a cosmetics refrigerator, and a charging module having a charging function of the electronic products, or the like, the effectiveness and usability of the bathroom management apparatus may be improved.

In addition, an installation position of the function modules may be freely changed by taking into consideration storage convenience and usability of the user. Since a toilet, a washstand, and a mirror are installed in different positions in the bathroom according to users, the installation position of the function module may be freely changed according to an environment of the bathroom.

Meanwhile, when a small refrigeration module is configured, a thermoelectric module may be used to generate cold air. When power is supplied to the thermoelectric module, one surface of the thermoelectric module generates hot air and an opposite surface of the thermoelectric module generates cold air. However, if the thermoelectric module radiates the generated hot air, an efficiency generating cold air is increased. If the generated cold air is rapidly moved to a storage room, a temperature of the storage room may be reduced within a short time.

The bathroom management apparatus as broadly described and embodied herein addresses these as well as other aspects.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bathroom management apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a bathroom management apparatus of FIG. 1. The bathroom management apparatus may include a cabinet 100, a frame 200 installed inside the cabinet 100, a plurality of function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800, and a door 900 disposed in a forward direction of the cabinet 100.

The cabinet 100 may have a hollow structure and may have a square shape of which a front surface and a rear surface are open. The cabinet 100 may form an upper external appearance, a lower external appearance, a left external appearance, and a right external appearance.

The cabinet 100 may include an upper panel 110 forming an upper side, a lower panel 120 forming a lower side, a left side panel 130 forming a left side, and a right side panel 140 forming a right side. The upper panel 110 connects a top end of the left side panel 130 with a top end of the right side panel 140. The lower panel 120 connects a bottom end of the left side panel 130 with a bottom end of the right side panel 140.

A left end of the upper panel 110 may be coupled with a top end of the left side panel 130 and a right end of the upper panel 110 may be coupled with a top end of the right side panel 130. Further, a left end of the lower panel 120 may be coupled with a lower end of the left side panel 130, and a right end of the lower panel 120 may be coupled with a bottom end of the right side panel 140.

The frame 200 may include frame bodies 210 and 220 having a square shape corresponding to the cabinet 100 of which a front surface and a rear surface are open, and back brackets 240 disposed in a rearward direction of the frame bodies 201 and 220 to be coupled with rear surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220. The frame bodies 210 and 220 reinforce stiffness of the cabinet 100. The bracket 240 may be thicker than the frame bodies 210 and 220 to reinforce the stiffness of the frame bodies 210 and 220.

The frame bodies 210 and 220 provide a space for multiple function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800. The function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 include a towel care module 300 (or towel warmer), a sterilizing module 400 (or sterilizer), a secret box module 500 (or lock box), a refrigerating module 600 (or refrigerator), a charging module 700 (or charger), and a blower out module 800 (or blower module, vane assembly). The towel care module 300, the sterilizing module 400, the secret box module 500, the refrigerating module 600, the charging module 700, and the blower module 800 may be independently provided and installed inside the frame bodies 210 and 220 as module units. Ribs protrude from upward, downward, left and right sides of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800, respectively. The ribs protrude from left and right sides of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 may be supported by an inner rib 215 to be described later protruding in the frame bodies 210 and 220.

The towel care module 300 may be installed with a function division plate 303. The function division plate 303 divides an inner space of the towel care module 300. The towel care module 300 may include a first storage space 301 for storing towels at a top side of the function division plate 303 and a second storage space 302 for storing the towels at a bottom side of the function division plate 303, and configured to dry and warm the stored towels. The towel care module 300 may include a first independent towel care module having only the first storage space 301 without the function division plate 303 and a second independent towel care module having only the second storage space 302.

The sterilizing module 400 may be used as a toothbrush sterilizer. The sterilizing module 400 may be installed therein with toothbrushes, and may be installed therein with a lamp for irradiating ultra violet ray to the toothbrushes. A blower module 800 may be installed at a bottom side of the sterilizing module 400. An air conditioning module 810 (or dryer) including a blower for sucking and blowing air to the blower module 800 and a heater for heating the air blown from the blower is installed at a rearward direction of the sterilizing module 400 corresponding to a top side of the blower module 800 so that the sterilizing module 400 and the air conditioning module 810 may be integrally formed. The blower module 800 may exhaust the air blown from the blower into an inside of the bathroom.

The secret box module 500 may be used as storage for storing objects to prohibit children and customers to see or touch. The secret box module 500 may be a lock box, or the like, and may be secured.

The refrigerating module 600 may be used as usage for refrigerating medicines and cosmetics. The refrigerating module 600 may be installed with a thermoelectric module for supplying cold air into the refrigerating module 600 and for emitting warm air to an outside of the refrigerating module 600.

The charging module 700 may be used as usage for charging electronic devices such as a hair dryer and an electric shaver. The charging module 700 may be installed therein with a holder for holding the hair dryer and with a receptacle in which a power plug of the electronic device or a power plug of a charger for charging the electronic device.

Two frame bodies 210 and 220 may be provided and include a first frame body 210 and a second frame body 220 disposed at one side of the first frame body 210. The first frame body 210 and the second frame body 220 have the same structure. Desired ones among the towel care module 300, the sterilizing module 400, the secret box module 500, the refrigerating module 600, the charging module 700, and the blower module 800 may be selected and installed according to a need of a consumer. For example, only a plurality of towel care modules 300 may be installed, or alternatively, two towel care modules 300 and one refrigerating module 600 may be installed in the frame bodies 210 and 220. According to the number of towel care modules 300, the sterilizing modules 400, the secret box modules 500, the refrigerating modules 600, and the charging modules 700 installed in the frame bodies 210 and 220, one or more frame bodies 210 and 220 may be provided.

The door 900 may form a front external appearance of the bathroom management apparatus. The door 900 opens/closes an open front surface of the cabinet 100. The same number of doors 900 is provided by the corresponding number of the frame bodies 210 and 220. Since the two frame bodies 210 and 220 are provided, two doors 900 are provided to include a first door 910 and a second door 920. The first door 910 may be disposed in a forward direction of the first frame body 210 and opens a left side of an open front surface of the cabinet 100, and the second door 920 may be disposed in a forward direction of the second frame body 220 and opens a right side of an open front surface of the cabinet 100.

Mirrors 911 and 912 may be provided at front surfaces of the first door 910 and the second door 920, respectively. The mirrors 911 and 921 may be used instead of a mirror inside the bathroom. The mirrors 911 and 921 include a first mirror 911 provided at a front surface of the first door 910 and a second mirror 921 provided at a front surface of the second door 920.

A hinge 930 may be installed at a rear surface of the door 900. The hinge 930 may include a first hinge member of which one end is coupled with a rear surface of the door and a second hinge member of which one end is rotatably coupled with an opposite end of the first hinge member and an opposite end is rotatably coupled with the frame bodies 210 and 220. The hinges 930 may be installed at a top side and a lower side of a rear surface of the first door 910, respectively, and may be installed at a top side and a bottom side of a rear side of the second door 910.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a coupled state between the cabinet and the frame shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3. Top surfaces and bottom surfaces of frame bodies 210 and 220 may be spaced apart from the cabinet 100. That is, the top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 may be vertically spaced apart from the upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100, and the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 may be vertically spaced apart from the lower panel 110 of the cabinet 100.

An upper cover 150 may be disposed at a space between the upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100 and the top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220. The upper cover 150 may be inserted into the space between the upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100 and the top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 to be coupled with the upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100 and the top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220.

When a door 900 is closed, the upper cover 150 covers the space between the upper panel 110 of the cabinet 100 and the top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220, a hinge 930 installed at a rear top side of the door 900 is not viewable from a rear direction of the bathroom management apparatus through a space between the upper panel 110 and top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220. When the door 900 is open, the upper cover 150 prevents the bathroom wall from being viewed from the forward direction of the bathroom management apparatus through a space between the upper panel 110 and the top surface of the frame bodies 210 and 220. The upper cover 150 may have a shape in which a top surface and a rear surface are open to include a bottom surface, a front surface, a left surface, and a right surface.

A concave groove 151 for receiving a hinge 930 when the door 900 is closed is formed at the front surface of the upper cover 150 so that a space for receiving the hinge 930 may be formed between the upper panel 110 and the top surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220.

Further, a control panel 160 may be inserted between the lower panel 120 of the cabinet 100 and bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220. The control panel 160 may be inserted between the lower panel 120 of the cabinet 100 and bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 to be coupled with the lower panel 120 of the cabinet 100 and the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220.

Remaining regions of the control panel 160 except for a top side coupled with the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 may be spaced apart from the bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220. Air exhausted from the blower module 800 may be moved into a first air outlet 2 through a space between bottom surfaces of the frame bodies 210 and 220 and a top side of the control panel 160. A user may quickly dry off after a shower using air exhausted into the bathroom through the first air outlet 2.

A user interface as well as an input unit for controlling function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 810 may be installed at the control panel 160. The input unit may include at least one of a button and a touch screen, and the user pushes or touches the input unit to operate or stop the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 810. An installed region of the input unit of the control panel 160 may be exposed below the door 900 when the door 900 is closed.

Meanwhile, the cabinet 100 may include decoration members 171, 172, and 173 coupled with a front end of the upper panel 110, a front end of the left side panel 130, and a front end of the right side panel 140, respectively. The decoration members 171, 172, and 173 include a first decoration member 171 coupled with a front end of the upper panel 100, a second decoration member 172 coupled with a front end of the left side panel 130, and a third decoration member 173 coupled with a front end of the right side panel 140. The decoration members 171, 172, and 173 are not installed at a front end of the lower panel 120. Instead, the front end of the lower panel 120 may be covered by a front end of the control panel 160. That is, the control panel 160 may function as a decoration members by covering the front end of the lower panel 120. The control panel 160 may be formed with the same color and material as those of the decoration members 171, 172, and 173. The frame bodies 210 and 220 may include an upper frame 211 forming an upper side, a lower frame 212 forming a lower side, and a left side frame 213 forming a left side, and a right side frame 214 forming a right side.

The upper frame 211 connects a top end of the left side frame 213 with a top end of the right side frame 214. The lower frame 212 connects a bottom end of the left side frame 213 with a bottom end of the right side frame 214.

A left end of the upper frame 211 may be coupled with a top end of the left side frame 213, and a right end of the upper frame 211 may be coupled with a top end of the right side frame 214. Further, a left end of the lower frame 212 may be coupled with a bottom end of the left side frame 213, and a right end of the lower frame 212 may be coupled with a bottom end of the right side frame 214.

The upper frame 211 and the lower frame 212 may have the same structure. The left side frame 213 and the right side frame 214 may have the same structure. Accordingly, the frame body 210 and the second frame body 220 may be installed inside the cabinet 100 regardless of upper and lower sides and regardless of left and right sides.

The upper frame 211 may have a shape in which a top surface and a front surface are open and may include a bottom surface, a left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface. Further, the lower frame 212 has a shape that is upside down relative to the upper frame 211 and may include a bottom surface and a front surface which are open. That is, the lower frame 212 may include a left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface.

First opening portions 216 having a square shape may be formed in the left side frame 213 and the right side frame 214, respectively. The first opening portion 216 may form a path through which wires of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 may pass. A same number of first opening portions 216 may be formed corresponding to the number of function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 installed inside the frame bodies 210 and 220.

Inner ribs 215 may be formed at inner sides of the left side frame 213 and the right side frame 214, respectively. The inner ribs 215 protrudes inward from the frame bodies 210 and 220 at a top side and a bottom side of the first opening portion 216.

The inner rib 215 may guide insertion of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 when the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are individually inserted into the frame bodies 210 and 220. After the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are inserted into the frame bodies 210 and 220, the inner rib 215 may support the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800.

Outer ribs 217 may be formed at outer sides of the left side frame 213 and the right side frame 214, respectively. The outer ribs 217 may protrude to outer sides of the frame bodies 210 and 220 from a front side and a rear side of the first opening portion 216, respectively.

The outer ribs 217 may be spaced a part from each other in forward and reward directions while interposing the first opening portion 216 therebetween to form a path through which wires of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 pass after the wires of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 pass through the first opening portion 216.

Cut lines 218 having a square shape are formed at a bottom surface of the upper frame 211 and a top surface of the lower frame 212, respectively. The cut lines 218 may be formed by partially cutting a bottom surface of the upper frame 211 and a top surface of the lower frame 212 so that a worker may easily separate an inner region divided by the cut lines 218 from a bottom surface of the upper frame 211 an a top surface of the lower frame 212.

When the sterilizing module 400 is installed close to the upper frame, a worker may cut the cut line 218 formed at the upper frame 211 among the cut line 218 formed at the upper frame 211 and the cut line 218 formed at the lower frame 212 to separate an inner region of the upper frame 211 divided by the cut line 218. When the sterilizing module 400 is installed close to the lower frame, the worker may cut the cut line 218 formed at the lower frame 211 among the cut line 218 formed at the upper frame 211 and the cut line 218 formed at the lower frame 212 to separate an inner region of the lower frame 212 divided by the cut line 218.

The second opening portions 219 may be formed at the upper frame 211 and the lower frame 212 when the inner region divided by the cut line 218 is separated by the worker. Further, a third opening portion 161 may be formed at a lower side of the second opening portion 219 in a lower side of the control panel 160. Further, a fourth opening portion 121 may be formed at a lower side of the third opening portion 161 in a lower panel 120 of the cabinet 100.

A blower louver 181 may be installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion 121 or a lower cover 182 may be installed in the top surface of the lower panel 120. When the fourth opening portion 121 is located under the sterilizing module 400, the lower louver 181 is installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion 121 in the lower panel 120. Otherwise, a lower cover 182 is installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion 121 in the lower panel 120 so that the fourth opening portion 121 is shielded by the lower cover 182.

The blower louver 181 may include a discharge grill 183, and may be installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion 121 in the lower panel 120 to guide air from the blower module 800 into the fourth opening portion 121. When the blower louver 182 is installed at a region corresponding to the fourth opening portion 121 in the lower panel 120, the fourth opening portion 121 becomes the second air outlet 121. That is, in the cabinet 100, the first air outlet 2 is spaced apart from a lower frame 212 being a bottom surface of the frame 200, and a second air outlet 121 may be formed at a bottom surface of the frame 200.

The blower module 800 may be disposed inside the control panel 160 between the lower panel 120 and the lower frame 212. Further, a top end of the blower module 800 may be inserted into the second opening portion 219 so that air blown from the blower flows though the blower module 800, and a bottom end of the blower module 800 is connected to the blower louver 181 through the third opening portion 161. Moreover, a front opening portion communicating with the first air outlet 2 may be formed at a front surface of the blower module 800.

Since the blower module 800 may be installed with a motor and a fluid path switching vane rotated by a driving force of the motor, the fluid path switching vane is rotated by the driving force of the motor to open the front opening portion and close a bottom end, such that air flowing from an air conditioning module 810 passes through the front opening portion and is discharged into the bathroom through the first air outlet 2. When the front opening portion is closed and the bottom end is open, the air flowing from the blower passes through the blower louver 181 and is discharged into the bathroom through the second air outlet 121. That is, the blower module 800 switches the direction of air blown from the air conditioning module 810 to one of the first air outlet 2 and the second air outlet 121.

A user may control a rotation position of the fluid path switching vane of the blower module 800 by operating the input unit installed at the control panel 160 to discharge air into the bathroom through the first air outlet 2 or to discharge the air into the bathroom through the second air outlet 121. The air discharged into the bathroom through the first air outlet 2 may be used to dry the user's body. The air discharged into the bathroom through the second air outlet 121 may be used to dry an inside of the bathroom.

Meanwhile, when a plurality of frame bodies 210 and 220 are provided, a center cover 184 may be further installed at front surfaces of adjacent side frames 214 and 213 of the plurality of frame bodies 210 and 220. That is, in the present embodiment, two frame bodies 210 and 220 are provided, center covers 184 may be installed at a front surface of the right side frame 214 of the first frame body 210 and a front surface of a left side frame 213 of the second frame body 220, respectively. The center cover 184 may cover the right side frame 214 of the first frame body 210 and the left side frame 213 of the second frame body 220 in a forward direction. In addition, after the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 are inserted into the frame bodies 210 and 220, the center cover 184 may protrude to both sides of the function modules 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 to cover a module locking rib which is locked at a front surface of the both side frames 213 and 214 of the frame bodies 210 and 220.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigeration module shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an outer case shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating a part of the refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view projecting an inside of the refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a state of a thermoelectric module shown in FIG. 6 mounted on a mounting bracket.

The refrigeration module 600 may include an outer case 620 and an inner door 630 disposed at a front surface of the outer case 620. The outer case 620 may have a square shape of which a left region of a front surface is open. Guide ribs 610 supported by an inner rib 215 formed at an inner side of the frame 200 may be formed at both sides of the outer case 620. When the refrigeration module 600 is inserted into a mounting space in the frame 200, insertion is guided by the guide ribs 610 formed at both sides of the outer case 310, and the guide ribs 610 is supported by the inner rib 215. When the refrigeration module 600 is completely mounted in a mounting space of the frame 200, the guide ribs 610 are supported by the inner rib 215 so that the refrigeration module 600 may be supported while also guiding insertion of the refrigeration module 600 into the mounting space in the frame 200.

The outer case 620 may include a storage room 621 (or storage space/area) for storing products requiring refrigeration storage and a machine room 622 (or utility space/area) at one side of the storage room 621. The outer case 620 may include a partition wall 623, a storage room 621 may be formed at one side based on the partition wall 623, and a machine room 622 may be formed at another side based on the partition wall. That is, an inner space of the outer case 620 may be divided into a storage room 621 and a machine room 622 by a partition wall 623 so that the outer case 620 includes the machine room 622 divided to be separate from the storage room 621.

A front surface of the storage room 621 and the open storage room 621 may be opened/closed by an inner door 630. One side of the inner door 630 may be rotatably coupled with a region of the machine room 622 at the outer case 620 so that the inner door 630 may be rotated to open/close an open front surface of the storage room 621.

The machine room 622 may be installed therein with a thermoelectric module 640. The thermoelectric module 640 may be installed at a partition wall 623 and may be disposed in the machine room 622. When power is supplied to the thermoelectric module 640, one surface of the thermoelectric module 640 generates heat and an opposite surface of the thermoelectric module 640 absorbs heat. In this manner, the thermoelectric module 640 may supply cold air to the storage room 621 and to discharge hot air to the machine room 622.

The outer case 620 may include an air inlet 624 and an air outlet 625 in communication with the machine room 622. The air inlet 624 may face the thermoelectric module 640 in a side surface of the machine room 622. The air outlet 625 faces the thermoelectric module 640 in a rear surface of the machine room 622 in the outer case 620. Air introduced into the machine room 622 through the air inlet 624 may be heat-exchanged with the thermoelectric module 640 and the heat-exchanged air may be exhausted to an outside of the machine room 622 through the air outlet 625.

A suction grill 601 may be installed in the air inlet 624 at one side of the machine room 622 in the outer case 620. The suction grill 601 prevents foreign materials from being introduced into the machine room 622 through the air inlet 624.

The partition wall 623 may be formed therein with a first fluid path 626 in which air from the thermoelectric module 640 may flow into the storage room 621 and a second fluid path 627 in which air from the storage room 621 flows into the thermoelectric module 640.

A plurality of second fluid paths 627 may be provided. In one embodiment, two second fluid paths 627 may be spaced apart from each other. The fluid path 626 may be disposed between a plurality of second fluid paths 627. One fluid path 626 may be formed at a center point between two second fluid paths 627.

Decoration members 602 may be installed at the first fluid path 626 and the second fluid path 627 on the partition wall 623, respectively. A blowing fan 603 may be installed at a region of the thermoelectric module 640 corresponding to the first fluid path 626. The blowing fan 603 blows air cooled by the thermoelectric module 640 into the storage room 621 through the first fluid path 626.

The thermoelectric module 640 may be installed at the partition wall 623 through the mounting bracket 640. That is, the mounting bracket 650 mounts the thermoelectric module 640 to be coupled with the partition wall 623. A mounting part 651 for mounting the thermoelectric module 640 protrudes from a front surface of the mounting bracket 650, and an air flow space 652 may be formed at a rear surface of the mounting bracket 650 making contact with the partition wall 623.

When the mounting bracket 650 is installed at a partition wall, the first fluid path 626 and the second fluid path 627 formed at the partition wall 623 may be in communication with the air flow space 652 which may be formed at a rear surface of the mounting bracket 650.

A plurality of first fins 641 may protrude from one surface of the thermoelectric module 640 and a plurality of second fins 642 protrude from another surface of the thermoelectric module 640. The plurality of first fins 641 spreads hot air generated from one surface of the thermoelectric module 640. The plurality of second fins 642 spreads cold air generated from another surface of the thermoelectric module 640.

The plurality of first fins 641 is formed horizontally relative to the direction of air flow from the air outlet 625. The plurality of second fins 642 is formed vertically relative to the plurality of first fins 641. That is, the plurality of first fins 641 may be horizontally disposed and the plurality of second fins 642 may be vertically disposed.

Two mounting parts 651 may be vertically spaced apart from each other on the mounting bracket 650. A top mounting part 651 supports a top surface of a first fin 641 disposed at the upper most side among the plurality of first fins 641. A bottom mounting part 651 supports a bottom surface of a first fin 641 disposed at the lower most side among the plurality of first fins 641.

Further, the mounting bracket 650 may be formed therein with a through hole 653 into which the plurality of second fins 642 is inserted. That is, if the thermoelectric module 640 is inserted between the mounting parts 651 disposed at upper and lower sides of a front surface of the mounting bracket 650 to be mounted by the mounting parts 651, the plurality of second fins 642 is inserted into the through hole 653 to protrude to the air flow space 652.

The blowing fan 603 may be coupled with the plurality of second fins 642 in the air flow space 652 to face the first fluid path 626. The blowing fan 603 blows the cold air spread from the plurality of second fins 642 into the storage room 621 through the first fluid path 626.

The air inlet 624 may be formed at a lateral surface of the outer case 620 facing a protruding direction of the plurality of first fins 641. The air outlet 625 may be formed at a rear surface of the outer case 620 perpendicular to the air inlet 624. Accordingly, air introduced into the machine room 622 through the air inlet 624 passes a direction horizontal to a gap between the plurality of first fins 641 to be heat-exchanged with hot air spread from the plurality of first fins 641 so that the heat-exchanged air is moved forward and rearward. In this case, the air moved rearward is discharged through the air outlet 625.

Furthermore, the first fluid path 626 may be formed at a region of the partition wall 623 facing the blowing fan 603. The second fluid path 627 may be vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path 626 to be disposed at outer sides of the plurality of second fins 642. Accordingly, the air in the storage room 621 may be introduced into the air flow space 652 through the second fluid path 627 and passes a direction perpendicular to a gap between the plurality of second fins 642 (e.g., flow parallel to the heat sink fins) to be heat-exchanged with the cold air spread from the plurality of second fins 642 to maximize heat exchange and airflow. Then, the heat-exchanged air is blown into the first fluid path 626 by the blowing fan 603 to be again introduced into the storage room 621.

A rear surface of the outer case 620 corresponding to a region of the machine room 622 may be open. In this case, the open rear surface the outer case 620 is shielded by the back cover 604. That is, the back cover 604 shields the open rear surface of the outer case 620 and is coupled with the outer case 620. The air outlet 625 is formed at the back cover 604.

Storage room light sources 661 and 662 may be further installed in the storage room 621. The storage room light sources 661 and 662 may include a light emitting diode (LED). When the inner door 630 is open, the storage room light sources 661 and 662 are turned-on to produce light. When the inner door 630 is closed, the storage room light sources 661 and 662 are turned-off. Since the storage room light sources 661 and 662 create the light when the inner door 630 is open, the user may easily find cooling products stored in the storage room 621.

The storage room light sources 661 and 662 include a first storage room light source 661 disposed at one side of a rear surface of the storage room 621 and a second storage room light source 662 disposed at another side of the rear surface of the storage room 621. A first corner opening portion 605 (or opening) may be formed at a corner of the outer case 620 in which one side of a rear surface of the storage room 621 is formed and a second corner opening portion 606 (or opening) may be formed at a corner of the outer case 620 in which another side of the rear surface of the storage room 621 is formed.

The first corner opening portion 605 is shielded by a first storage room light source cover 663. That is, the first storage room light source cover 663 shields the first corner opening portion 605 and is coupled with the outer case 620. the first light source cover 663 may be mounted over the opening 605 at the rear surface of the outer case 620. After the first storage room light source 661 is mounted on the first storage room light source cover 663, the first storage room light source cover 663 may be coupled with the outer case 620 to cover the first corner opening portion 605.

The second corner opening portion 606 is shielded by a second storage room light source cover 664. That is, the second storage room light source cover 664 shields the second corner opening portion 606 and is coupled with the outer case 620. After the second storage room light source 661 is mounted on the second storage room light source cover 663, the second storage room light source cover 664 is coupled with the outer case 620 to cover the second corner opening portion 605.

Meanwhile, a first protrusion guide hole 628 communicating with the machine room 622 may be formed at a front surface of the outer case 620 corresponding to a region of the machine room 622. Further, a first switch 607 for operating a thermoelectric module 640 may be mounted at a region of the machine room 622 corresponding to the first protrusion guide hole 628.

Moreover, the first protrusion guide hole 628 may be inserted into a rear surface of the inner door 630 to form a first switch protrusion 631 for pressing the first switch 607. When the first switch 607 is pressed by the first switch protrusion 631, the switch 607 is turned-on. When the first switch 607 is not pressed by the first switch protrusion 631, the switch 607 is turned-off.

When the inner door 630 is closed, the first switch protrusion 631 is inserted into the first protrusion guide hole 628 to press the first switch 607 to be turned-on so that the thermoelectric module 640 is operated. When the inner door 630 is open, the first switch protrusion 631 is separated from the first protrusion guide hole 628 not to press the first switch 607 so that the first switch 607 is turned-off to stop the thermoelectric module 640. As described above, since the thermoelectric module 640 stops when the inner door 630 is open, unnecessary power consumption may be prevented when the inner door 630 is open due to carelessness.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state where an inner door body of an inner door shown in FIG. 5 is closed and a mirror door is open, FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a mirror door plate by removing a mirror from a mirror door shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an inner door shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an open state of a mirror door where a refrigeration module shown in FIG. 5 is mounted in a frame. The inner door 630 may include two doors 637 and 638. That is, the inner door 630 may include an inner door body 637 of which one side is rotatably installed at the outer case 620 to open/close an open front surface of the storage room 621. The inner door 630 also may include a mirror door 638 configured to form a front surface of the inner door 630 and of which one side is rotatably installed at the inner door body 637.

When the mirror door 638 is rotated, the mirror door 638 protrudes forward of the inner door body 637 and a mirror 635 is provided at a front surface of the mirror door 638. The user may rotate the mirror door 638 to protrude forward of the inner door body 637 while the storage room 621 is kept closed by the inner door body 637. This prevents cold air from escaping while allowing the user to move the mirror 635 at various angles when using the mirror 635.

Moreover, when the mirror door 638 is rotated to the highest degree by the user to protrude forward of the inner door body 637, the mirror door 638 protrudes to a lateral surface of the open door 920. In this case, the user may have a side view of herself through a mirror 921 included on a front surface of the open door 920 while looking at frontal view through a mirror 921 included in the front surface of the open door 920.

The inner door body 637 includes an inner door body plate 633 and an inner door body frame 634 coupled with an edge of the inner door body plate 363. The inner door body plate 633 includes a square shaped plate. The lateral side of the inner door body frame 634 may be rotatably installed at the outer case 620. First hinge holes 609 may be formed at a front top end and a front bottom end of the outer case 620 corresponding to a region of the machine room 622 and the inner door body frame 634 may be rotatably installed at the first hinge holes 609. The inner door body frame 634 may be rotatably installed in the first hinge hole 609 formed at the outer case 620 so that one side of the inner door body 637 may be rotatably installed at the outer case 620.

The mirror door 638 may include a mirror door plate coupled with a rear surface of the mirror 635 to support the mirror 635. The mirror door plate 636 includes a square shaped plate and a mirror 635 is coupled with a front surface of the mirror door plate 636. One side of the mirror door plate 636 may be rotatably installed at the inner door body frame 634. The one side of the mirror door plate 636 may be rotatably installed at another side of the inner door body frame 634. That is, one side of the inner door body frame 634 may be rotatably installed at the outer case 620, and another side of the inner door body frame 634 may be rotatably installed at one side of the mirror door plate 636. Second hinge holes 639 rotatably installed at the mirror door plate 636 may be formed at a top end and a bottom end of another side of the inner door body frame 634. Since the mirror door plate 636 is rotatably installed at the second hinge hole 639 formed at the inner door body frame 634, one side of the mirror door 638 may be rotatably installed at the inner door body 637.

A second protrusion guide hole 629 in communication with the machine room 622 may be formed at a front surface of the outer case 620 corresponding to a region of the machine room 622. Moreover, a second switch 608 may be mounted at a region of the machine room 622 corresponding to the second protrusion guide hole 629.

In addition, a third protrusion guide hole 633A communicating with the second protrusion guide hole 629 may be formed at the inner door body 637. When the inner door body 637 is closed, the third protrusion guide hole 633A is in communication with the second protrusion guide hole 629. The third protrusion guide hole 633A may be formed at an inner door body plate 633 of the inner door body 637.

Further, the mirror door 638 may be disposed therein with a mirror door light source 670 which is turned-on by the second switch 608 to irradiate light to the mirror 635. The mirror door light source 670 may include an LED. Second switch protrusion 632 may be formed at a rear surface of the mirror door 638 and are inserted into the second protrusion guide hole 629 and the third protrusion guide hole 633A to press the second switch 608. Only when the mirror door 638 is completely attached to the inner door body 637, the second switch protrusion 632 presses the second switch 608. The second switch door 632 may be formed at a rear surface of the mirror door plate 636 of the mirror door 638.

A mirror door light source mounting part 636A may be formed at a front surface of the mirror door plate 636 and the mirror door light source 670 may be inserted and mounted into the mirror door light source mounting part 636A. The mirror door light source mounting parts 636A are longitudinally formed rightward and leftward at a top side and a bottom side of a front surface of the mirror door plate 636, respectively. The mirror door light sources 670 may be inserted and mounted in the mirror door light source mounting parts 636A, respectively. After the mirror door light source 670 is inserted and mounted in the mirror door light source mounting part 636A, the mirror 635 may be coupled with an inside of the mirror door plate 636 so that the mirror door light source 670 is disposed inside the mirror door 638.

The second switch protrusion 632 protrudes from a rear surface of the mirror door plate 636.

When the second switch 608 is not pressed by the second switch protrusion 632, the second switch 608 is turned-on. When the second switch 608 is pressed by the second switch protrusion 632, the second switch 608 is turned-off.

When the mirror door 638 is completely attached on a front surface of the inner door body 637, the second switch protrusion 632 presses to turn-off the second switch 608 to turn-off the mirror door light source 670. When the mirror door 638 is rotated to protrude forward of the inner door body 637, the second switch protrusion 632 does not press the second switch 608 to turn-on the second switch 608 so that the mirror door light source 670 is turned-on. The mirror door light source 670 is turned-on to irradiate light to the mirror 635 to softly emit light to improve visibility through the mirror 635.

An electric wire of the mirror door light source 670 may be separated from one side of the mirror door 638 rotatably installed at the inner door body 637 between the mirror 635 and the mirror door plate 636. The wire may be inserted inside the inner door body 637 from another side of the inner door body 637 at which the mirror door 638 is rotatably installed between the inner door body plate 633 and the inner door body frame 634. The wire may be provided along an inside of the inner door body frame 634 to be separated from an outside of the inner door body 637 from one side of the inner door body 637 rotatably installed at the outer case 620 between the inner door body plate 633 and the inner door body frame 634. The wire is introduced into the inside of the machine room 622 formed at the outer case 620. Accordingly, when at least one of the inner door body 637 and the mirror door 638 is open, an electric wire 671 of the mirror door light source 670 is not viewed from the outside.

Meanwhile, in order to obtain an effect where the user may have a side view through the mirror 635 provided at a front surface of the mirror door 638 while looking at a frontal view through a mirror 921 of an open door 920, an inner door 630 includes an inner door body 637 of which one side is rotatably installed at an outer case 620 to open/close the storage room 621 and a mirror door 638 of which one side is rotatably installed at an inner door body 637 to protrude forward from the inner door body 637 upon rotation. The inner door may be installed at a thermoelectric module 600. However, although the storage room is installed at a front surface of an outer case forming an open front surface of a storage room of the other function modules 300, 400, 500, and 700, by allowing the inner door 630 to include the inner door body 637 and the mirror door 638, the same effect may be represented.

As described above, according to the refrigeration module and the bathroom management apparatus including the same according to the present disclosure, since an air inlet 624 and an air outlet 625 may be formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of first fins 641, and a first fluid path 626 and a second fluid path 627 are formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of second fins 642, hot air generated from a thermoelectric module 640 is easily discharged to an outside of a machine room 622 so that the thermoelectric module 640 may easily generate cold air. Since the cold air generated from the thermoelectric module 640 may be easily introduced into an inside of the storage room, a temperature of the storage room 621 may be reduced within a short time.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a refrigeration module which may include: an outer case including a partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage room and a machine room; a thermoelectric module installed at the partition wall and disposed at the machine room, a plurality of first fins for spreading hot air horizontally protruding from one surface of the thermoelectric module, and a plurality of second fins for spreading cold air vertically protruding from another surface of the thermoelectric module toward the storage room; and a blowing fan installed at the plurality of second fins to blow the cold air spread from the plurality of second fins to the storage room, wherein an air inlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a lateral side of the outer case facing a protruding direction of the plurality of first fins of the outer case, and an air outlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a rear surface of the outer case perpendicular to the air inlet, and the partition wall comprises a first fluid path communicating with the storage room formed at a region of the partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second fluid path vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and disposed at an outer side of the plurality of second fins to communicate with the storage room.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bathroom management apparatus which may include: a cabinet of which a front surface is open; a frame installed in the cabinet to reinforce stiffness of the cabinet; and a refrigeration module mounted in the frame, wherein the refrigeration module includes: an outer case including a partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage room and a machine room; a thermoelectric module installed at the partition wall and disposed at the machine room, a plurality of first fins for spreading hot air horizontally protruding from one surface of the thermoelectric module, and a plurality of second fins for spreading cold air vertically protruding from another surface of the thermoelectric module toward the storage room; and a blowing fan installed at the plurality of second fins to blow the cold air spread from the plurality of second fins to the storage room, wherein an air inlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a lateral side of the outer case facing a protruding direction of the plurality of first fins of the outer case, and an air outlet communicating with the machine room is formed at a rear surface of the outer case perpendicular to the air inlet, and the partition wall comprises a first fluid path communicating with the storage room formed at a region of the partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second fluid path vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and disposed at an outer side of the plurality of second fins to communicate with the storage room.

According to one objective of the present disclosure, since an air inlet and an air outlet are formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of first fins, and a first fluid path and a second fluid path are formed in an air flow direction of a plurality of second fins, hot air generated from a thermoelectric module is easily discharged to an outside of a machine room so that the thermoelectric module may easily generate cold air. Since the cold air generated from the thermoelectric module may be easily introduced into an inside of the storage room, a temperature of the storage room may be reduced within a short period of time.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A refrigeration module comprising:

an outer case including a partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage room and a machine room;
a thermoelectric module installed at the partition wall and disposed at the machine room,
a first heat sink provided on a first surface of the thermoelectric module to produce heat and second heat sink provided on a second surface of the thermoelectric module to absorb heat, wherein a plurality of first fins of the first heat sink extend horizontally and protrude into the machine room and a plurality of second fins of the second heat sink extend vertically and protrude toward the storage room; and
a blowing fan installed at the plurality of second fins to blow cold air from the plurality of second fins into the storage room,
wherein an air inlet in communication with the machine room is formed at a lateral side of the outer case facing the plurality of first fins, and an air outlet in communication with the machine room is formed at a rear surface of the outer case perpendicular to the air inlet, and
wherein the partition wall includes a first fluid path in communication with the storage room formed at a region of the partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second fluid path vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and disposed at an outer side of the plurality of second fins and in communication with the storage room.

2. The refrigeration module of claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket to mount the thermoelectric module to the partition wall,

wherein the mounting bracket includes an air flow space in communication with the first fluid path and the second fluid path at a surface in contact with the partition wall, and a through hole in which the plurality of second fins are inserted to protrude to the air flow space, and
wherein the blowing fan is disposed in the air flow space.

3. The refrigeration module of claim 1, wherein a plurality of second fluid paths are provided, and

wherein the first fluid path is disposed between the plurality of second fluid paths.

4. The refrigeration module of claim 1, wherein a rear surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine room is open, and

wherein a back cover is coupled with the outer case to cover the open rear surface of the outer case, the air outlet being formed on the back cover.

5. The refrigeration module of claim 1, wherein a front surface of the storage room is open, and

wherein an inner door is rotatably installed to open and close the open front surface of the storage room.

6. The refrigeration module of claim 5, wherein a first protrusion guide hole communicating with the machine room is provided at a front surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine room, a first switch for operating the thermoelectric module is mounted at the machine room corresponding to the first protrusion guide hole, and a first switch protrusion is configured to be inserted into the first protrusion guide hole at a rear surface of the inner door to press the first switch.

7. The refrigeration module of claim 5, wherein the inner door includes

an inner door body in which one side is rotatably installed at the outer case to open and close the open front surface of the storage room; and
a mirror door in which one side is rotatably installed at the inner door body to protrude forward from the inner door body upon rotation and including a mirror at a front surface.

8. The refrigeration module of claim 7, wherein

a second protrusion guide hole communicating with the machine room is formed at a front surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine room,
a second switch for operating the thermoelectric module is mounted at the machine room corresponding to the second protrusion guide hole,
the inner door body is formed therein with a third protrusion guide hole communicating with the second protrusion guide hole, and
a mirror door light source is disposed at an inside of the mirror door and is turned-on by the second switch to irradiate light to the mirror, and a second switch protrusion is configured to be inserted into the second protrusion guide hole and the third protrusion guide hole at the surface of the mirror door to press the second switch.

9. The refrigeration module of claim 7, wherein the inner door body includes an inner door body plate and an inner door body frame coupled with an edge of the inner door body plate, one side of the inner door body being rotatably installed at the outer case, and

wherein the mirror door includes a mirror door plate coupled with a rear surface of the mirror and one side of the mirror door is rotatably installed at the inner door body frame.

10. The refrigeration module of claim 5, further comprising a storage room light source installed inside the storage room to produce light when the inner door is open.

11. A bathroom management apparatus comprising:

a cabinet having an open front side;
a frame installed in the cabinet to reinforce stiffness of the cabinet; and
a refrigeration module mounted in the frame,
wherein the refrigeration module includes an outer case including a partition wall to divide an inner space into a storage room and a machine room; a thermoelectric module installed at the partition wall and disposed at the machine room, a first heat sink provided on a first surface of the thermoelectric module to produce heat and second heat sink provided on a second surface of the thermoelectric module to absorb heat, wherein a plurality of first fins of the first heat sink extend horizontally and protrude into the machine room and a plurality of second fins of the second heat sink extend vertically and protrude toward the storage room; and a blowing fan installed at the plurality of second fins to blow the cold air from the plurality of second fins into the storage room,
wherein an air inlet in communication with the machine room is formed at a lateral side of the outer case facing the plurality of first fins, and an air outlet in communication with the machine room is formed at a rear surface of the outer case perpendicular to the air inlet, and
wherein the partition wall includes a first fluid path in communication with the storage room formed at a region of the partition wall facing the blowing fan, and a second fluid path vertically spaced apart from the first fluid path and disposed at an outer side of the plurality of second fins to communicate with the storage room.

12. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a mounting bracket to mount the thermoelectric module to the partition wall,

wherein the mounting bracket includes an air flow space in communication with the first fluid path and the second fluid path at a surface in contact with the partition wall, and a through hole in which the plurality of second fins are inserted to protrude to the air flow space, and
wherein the blowing fan is disposed in the air flow space.

13. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 11, wherein a plurality of second fluid paths are provided, and

wherein the first fluid path is disposed between the plurality of second fluid paths.

14. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 11, wherein a rear surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine room is open, and

wherein a back cover is coupled with the outer case to cover the open rear surface of the outer case, the air outlet being formed on the back cover.

15. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 11, wherein a front surface of the storage room is open, and

wherein an inner door is rotatably installed to open and close the open front surface of the storage room.

16. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 15, wherein a first protrusion guide hole communicating with the machine room is provided at a front surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine room, a first switch for operating the thermoelectric module is mounted at the machine room corresponding to the first protrusion guide hole, and a first switch protrusion is configured to be inserted into the first protrusion guide hole at a rear surface of the inner door to press the first switch.

17. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 15, wherein the inner door includes

an inner door body in which one side is rotatably installed at the outer case to open and close the open front surface of the storage room; and
a mirror door in which one side is rotatably installed at the inner door body to protrude forward from the inner door body upon rotation and including a mirror at a front surface.

18. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 17, wherein

a second protrusion guide hole communicating with the machine room is formed at a front surface of the outer case corresponding to a region of the machine room,
a second switch for operating the thermoelectric module is mounted at the machine room corresponding to the second protrusion guide hole,
the inner door body is formed therein with a third protrusion guide hole communicating with the second protrusion guide hole,
a mirror door light source is disposed at an inside of the mirror door and is turned-on by the second switch to irradiate light to the mirror, and a second switch protrusion is inserted into the second protrusion guide hole and the third protrusion guide hole at the surface of the mirror door to press the second switch.

19. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 17, wherein the inner door body includes an inner door body plate; and an inner door body frame coupled with an edge of the inner door body plate, one side of the inner door body being rotatably installed at the outer case, and

wherein the mirror door includes a mirror door plate coupled with a rear surface of the mirror and one side of the mirror door is rotatably installed at the inner door body frame.

20. The bathroom management apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a storage room light source installed inside the storage room to produce light when the inner door is open.

Patent History
Publication number: 20180259204
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 7, 2018
Publication Date: Sep 13, 2018
Inventors: Jinhyeon JEON (Seoul), Seongho KIM (Seoul), Jeongyun KIM (Seoul)
Application Number: 15/914,145
Classifications
International Classification: F24F 5/00 (20060101); F25B 21/02 (20060101); F24F 1/02 (20060101);