REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

A refrigerator may include a cabinet defining a low-temperature storage space and a machine chamber in which a compressor and a condenser are disposed; and an evaporator disposed in rear of the storage space, wherein air flows upwards along the evaporator and thus cools down to lower a temperature of the storage space. The evaporator may include a cooling pipe in and along which refrigerant flows; and a plurality of cooling fins surrounding an outer face of the cooling pipe. The cooling pipe may be constructed so that the refrigerant flows downward along and in the cooling pipe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2020-0094432, filed in Korea on Jul. 29, 2020, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

2. Background

A refrigerator is a home appliance that stores foods at low temperatures in an internal storage space that is shielded by a door. The refrigerator is configured to store the stored food in an optimal state by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat-exchange with refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle.

In a structure of a refrigerator, a machine chamber that defines a space in which a compressor, a condenser, etc., which constitute a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage space may be disposed separately from the storage space. An evaporator for cooling the storage space may be disposed in rear of the storage space.

The refrigerant passes through the compressor and the condenser, reaches the evaporator, and is evaporated in the evaporator. In this connection, heat of the circulating cold air circulating inside the storage space is absorbed via absorption of heat of vaporization due to the evaporation. Accordingly, the circulating cold air cools down the storage space. Further, the circulating cold air which has become hot while circulating along the storage space passes through the evaporator again such that the heat is removed from the air. This heat-exchange operation is repeated.

In order to improve the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator, heat-exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant passing through the evaporator and the high-temperature circulating cold air circulating through the storage space must be efficiently performed. In order to improve the heat-exchange efficiency of the evaporator and the circulating cooling air, the evaporator of the refrigerator may be embodied as a fin-tubular heat-exchange device in which a multiple of cooling fins surround the refrigerant pipe.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an evaporator. FIG. 2 is a view showing a cooling pipe of the evaporator. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the evaporator 100 may include a cooling pipe 110 in and along which refrigerant flows and a cooling fin 120 installed on the cooling pipe 110. The cooling pipe 110 includes horizontal extending portions 111 arranged and spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction and a bent portion 112 connecting vertically adjacent horizontal extending portions 111 to each other. The horizontal extending portions 111 include first horizontal extending portions 111a arranged in a first column and second horizontal extending portions 111b arranged in a second column. The bent portions 112 may include a first bent portion 112a connecting vertically adjacent first horizontal extending portions 111a to each other, and a second bent portion 112b connecting vertically adjacent second horizontal extending portion 111b to each other.

However, in the evaporator 100, flow directions of the refrigerant in the first bent portion 112a and the second horizontal extending portion 111b are different from each other. More specifically, the refrigerant flow in the first bent portion 112a at one end in a longitudinal direction of the horizontal extending portion 111 is downward, and the refrigerant flow in the second bent portion 112b at one end in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal extending portion 111 is upward. Thus, the heat-exchange efficiency decreases between the refrigerant and the air passing, in an upward direction, through the evaporator 100.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view showing an evaporator;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cooling pipe of the evaporator;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an evaporator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cooling pipe in a state in which cooling fins are separated from the cooling pipe in the evaporator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a first bent state of a cooling pipe before second bending according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cooling fin according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a cooling fin according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of a cooling fin according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described in detail based on exemplary drawings. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements, and as such perform similar functionality. Descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

Examples of various embodiments are illustrated and described further below. It will be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

A refrigerator 1 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The refrigerator 1 may include a cabinet 10 forming (and/or defining) a storage space, and a door 20 for opening and closing the storage space.

The storage space may be vertically or horizontally divided into multiple spaces which may be cooled to have different temperatures and may be used as a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber. The storage space may include a first storage chamber 11 and a second storage chamber 12 that are partitioned vertically. The first storage chamber 11 may be configured as the freezing chamber. The second storage chamber 12 may be configured as a refrigerating chamber. The first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12 may be distinguished from each other via a partitioning wall 13.

The door 20 may be configured to open and close each of the multiple storage spaces. For example, the door 20 may include a first door 21 that opens and closes the first storage chamber 11 and a second door 22 that opens and closes the second storage chamber 12.

The door 20 is located at a front face of the cabinet 10 to open and close the storage space. The door 20 may be mounted on the cabinet 10 so as to be able to pivot or slidably extend or retract. Each storage space may be opened and closed independently by each door.

The refrigerator 1 may include a compressor 30, a condenser (not shown) and an evaporator 100 that constitute one refrigeration cycle.

The compressor 30 and the condenser may be disposed in a machine chamber 15 formed at a bottom of a rear portion of the cabinet 10. The machine chamber 15 may define a space in which a number of electrical components including components constituting a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage space are received therein, and may define an independent space partitioned from the storage space. The machine chamber 15 communicates with an outer space so that the components inside the machine chamber 15 may be cooled or heat-exchanged.

The evaporator 100 may be disposed in a rear of the storage space (or at the storage space). In one embodiment, the evaporator 100 may be disposed behind the first storage chamber 11. Alternatively, the evaporator 100 may be disposed in a rear of the second storage chamber 12, or a plurality of the evaporators 100 may be disposed in rear of the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12, respectively. The evaporator 100 may be disposed in rear of the storage space. Air may flow upwards along the evaporator 100 and thus cool down to cool the storage space.

In a rear area of the first storage chamber 11 (and/or at the first storage chamber) in which the evaporator 100 is installed, a shroud member 51 defining an air flow path may be provided. The shroud member 51 may be spaced, by a predefined distance, from an inner wall of the cabinet 10 to define the air channel. In front of the shroud member 51, a first grill member 52 having a plurality of openings defined therein may be spaced apart from the shroud member 51. In a rear area of the second storage chamber 12, a second grill member 53 having a plurality of openings defined therein may be installed at a location spaced, by a predefined distance, from the inner wall of the cabinet 10.

The partitioning wall 13 may have a first return channel 13a defined therein to return air in the first storage chamber 11, and a second return channel 13b defined therein to return air in the second storage chamber 12. The first return channel 13a and the second return channel 13b may be formed in both opposite faces of the partitioning wall 13 and communicate with the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12, respectively.

A storage chamber fan 54 may be installed adjacent to one end of the evaporator 100. The storage chamber fan 54 and the evaporator 100 be disposed between the cabinet 10 and the shroud member 51. When the storage chamber fan 54 operates, the air that has passed through the evaporator 100 may flow into the first storage chamber 11 or the second storage chamber 12.

More specifically, when the storage chamber fan 54 rotates, the air inside the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12 flows into a bottom of the evaporator 100 through the first and/or second return channels 13a and 13b, respectively. The air introduced into the bottom of the evaporator 100 flows upward and is cooled while passing through the evaporator 100. The cooled air is again supplied to the inside of the first storage chamber 11 and/or the second storage chamber 12.

The machine chamber 15 is formed in a rear bottom area of the cabinet 10. Inside the machine chamber 15, the compressor 30 and the condenser are disposed to compress the refrigerant delivered from the evaporator 100.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an evaporator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cooling pipe in a state in which a cooling fin is separated from the pipe in the configuration of an evaporator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first bent state of a cooling pipe before second bending according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the evaporator 100 includes a cooling pipe 110 in and along which refrigerant flows and a cooling fin(s) 120 installed around the cooling pipe 110. The cooling pipe 110 has an inlet 110a through which refrigerant inflows and an outlet 110b through which refrigerant is discharged out. In one example, the inlet 110a may be positioned at a top of the evaporator 100. Accordingly, the refrigerant introduced through the inlet 110a may flow downward along the cooling pipe 110 and may be discharged out through the outlet 110b.

The refrigerant circulates inside the cooling pipe 110. The refrigerant may exchange heat with outside air through the cooling pipe 110. The cooling pipe 110 may have multiple bent portions to increase heat-exchange efficiency.

A plurality of the cooling fins 120 may be installed around on an outer face of the cooling pipe 110 to increase the heat-exchange efficiency. The cooling fins 120 may allow the heat-exchange area to be enlarged, so that the heat-exchange of the refrigerant may be rapidly achieved.

The cooling pipe 110 may be repeatedly bent multiple times to form multiple columns. Each column may be repeatedly bent to form a plurality of stages. For example, the cooling pipe 110 may have two columns spaced from each other in a front-rear direction.

The cooling pipe 110 may include a plurality of the horizontal extending portions 111 and bent portions 112, each connecting two adjacent horizontal extending portions 111 to each other.

The horizontal extending portions 111 may be arranged vertically and spaced apart from each other by a predefined spacing to form a plurality of stages. The horizontal extending portions 111 may include opposite first A and second ends B at both opposite ends of the evaporator 100.

A plurality of the horizontal extending portions 111 may define a plurality of columns spaced apart in the anteroposterior direction. For example, as shown, the horizontal extending portions 111 may define two columns. The horizontal extending portions 111 may include the first horizontal extending portions 111a arranged in a first column and the second horizontal extending portions 111b arranged in a second column. The first horizontal extending portions 111a and the second horizontal extending portions 111b may be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction by a predefined spacing.

The first horizontal extending portions 111a are arranged vertically and spaced apart from each other by a predefined spacing to form a plurality of first stages. The second horizontal extending portions 111b are arranged vertically and spaced apart from each other by a predefined spacing to form a plurality of second stages. Each of the first horizontal extending portions 111a and the second horizontal extending portions 111b may include opposite first A and second ends B at both opposite ends of the evaporator 100.

In one embodiment, the inlet 110a may be connected to a topmost first horizontal extending portion 111a among the plurality of the first horizontal extending portions 111a spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The outlet 110b may be connected to a lowermost first horizontal extending portion 111a of the plurality of the first horizontal extending portions 111a spaced apart in the vertical direction.

The bent portions 112 may include the first bent portion 112a connecting two adjacent first horizontal extending portions 111a to each other, the second bent portion 112b connecting two adjacent second horizontal extending portions 111b to each other, and a third bent portion 112c connecting the first horizontal extending portion 111a and the second horizontal extending portion 111b at a same vertical level to each other.

The first bent portion 112a may connect two adjacent first horizontal extending portions 111a to each other. The first bent portion 112a may connect, in a vertical direction, one first horizontal extending portion 111a to another adjacent first horizontal extending portion 111a.

The first bent portion 112a may extend from the first end A of one first horizontal extending portion 111a, and may extend to the first end A of another first horizontal extending portion 111a adjacent thereto in a vertical direction. That is, the first bent portion 112a may connect the first ends A of two first horizontal extending portions 111a adjacent to each other in a vertical direction.

The second bent portion 112b may connect two adjacent second horizontal extending portions 111b to each other. The second bent portion 112b may connect one second horizontal extending portion 111b to another second horizontal extending portion 111b adjacent thereto in a vertical direction.

More specifically, the second bent portion 112b may extend from the first end A of one second horizontal extending portion 111 b, and may extend to the first end A of another second horizontal extending portion 111b adjacent thereto in a vertical direction. That is, the second bent portion 112b may connect the first ends A of two second horizontal extending portions 111b adjacent to each other in a vertical direction.

The third bent portion 112c may connect the first horizontal extending portion 111a and the second horizontal extending portion 111b at the same vertical level. The third bent portion 112c may connect the first horizontal extending portion 111a and the second horizontal extending portion 111b adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction.

More specifically, the third bent portion 112c may extend from the second end B of the first horizontal extending portion 111a, and extend horizontally to the second end B of the second horizontal extending portion 111b horizontally adjacent to the first horizontal extending portion 111a. The third bent portion 112c may connect the second end B of the first horizontal extending portion 111a and the second end B of the second horizontal extending portion 111b.

In summary, one first horizontal extending portion 111a (of the cooling pipe 110) may extend from the inlet 110a located at a top of the evaporator 100. The pipe may then extend from the second end B of the first horizontal extending portion 111a to the third bent portion 112c, and may extend from the third bent portion 112c to the second end B of the second horizontal extending portion 111b which is horizontally adjacent to the first horizontal extending portion 111a.

The pipe may extend from the first end A of the second horizontal extending portion 111b to the second bent portion 112b, and may then extend from the second bent portion 112b to the first end A of another second horizontal extending portion 111b spaced therefrom in the vertical direction.

The pipe may extend from the second end B of the second horizontal extending portion 111b to the third bent portion 112c, and may then extend from the third bent portion 112c to the second end B of the first horizontal extending portion 111a horizontally adjacent to the second horizontal extending portion 111b.

The pipe may extend from the first end A of the first horizontal extending portion 111a to the first bent portion 112a, and may then extend from the first bent portion 112a to the second end B of another first horizontal extending portion 111a spaced therefrom in the vertical direction. The pipe may subsequently extend from the first horizontal extending portion 111a located at the lowermost level to the outlet 110b.

Therefore, from the viewpoint of the flow of air passing through the evaporator 100 and the flow of the refrigerant, as described above, the air passing through the evaporator 100 flows into the bottom of the evaporator 100, flows upward and thereby passes through the evaporator 100.

The refrigerant passing through the evaporator 100 flows downward through the cooling pipe 110. The refrigerant is introduced into the cooling pipe 110 through the inlet 110a located at a top of the evaporator 100, passes through the horizontal extending portion(s) 111 and the bent portion(s) 112, flows downward, and is discharged through the outlet 110b. More specifically, based on the structure of the cooling pipe 110, both the refrigerant passing through the first bent portion 112a and the refrigerant passing through the second bent portion 112b flow downward. The refrigerant passing through the third bent portion 112c flows forward or backward, and flows into the first bent portion 112a and/or the second bent portion 112b. The refrigerant passing through the cooling pipe 110 flows downward.

That is, air passing through the evaporator 100 flows upward and passes through the evaporator 100, while the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 100 flows downward along the entire cooling pipe 110. Thus, the air passing through the evaporator 100 and the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 100 may exchange heat with each other in an opposite flow manner, resulting in increased (and/or maximized) heat-exchange efficiency.

As one example, the cooling pipe 110 may have an integral structure. That is, the horizontal extending portions 111 and the bent portions 112 of the cooling pipe 110 may be integrally formed with each other. The cooling pipe 110 may be formed by bending a straight cooling pipe 110 a plurality of times to form a plurality of the horizontal extending portions 111 and a plurality of the bent portions 112.

For example, the cooling pipe 110 may be formed by bending a straight cooling pipe 110 a plurality of times after the cooling fin(s) 120 is installed around the pipe. The cooling pipe 110 may be formed by installing the cooling fin 120 around the straight cooling pipe 110, and then bending the straight cooling pipe 110 a plurality of times to form a plurality of the horizontal extending portions 111 and a plurality of the bent portions 112.

The cooling fins 120 may be installed around the straight cooling pipe 110 by passing the straight cooling pipe 110 through the plurality of the cooling fins 120. After the cooling fins 120 are installed around the straight cooling pipe 110, the straight cooling pipe 110 may be expanded. Accordingly, the cooling fins 120 may be closely fixed to the outer face of the straight cooling pipe 110, so that the cooling fins 120 may be more rigidly installed on the cooling pipe 110.

The straight cooling pipe 110 may be first bent after the cooling fin(s) 120 is installed thereon. FIG. 6 shows the cooling pipe in a first bent state. For convenience of description, FIG. 6 shows the first bent cooling pipe 110 while the cooling fins 120 are removed therefrom. The first bent cooling pipe 110 may have a plurality of first-bent horizontal extending portions 111 and first-bent bent portions 112, each connecting adjacent first-bent horizontal extending portions 111 to each other.

The first-bent cooling pipe 110 may have a second bent (or second bent process). The first horizontal extending portions 111a and the second horizontal extending portions 111b may be formed by bending a center portion in a left-right direction of each of the first-bent horizontal extending portions 111. In this connection, the first-bent bent portions 112 may include the first bent portion 112a connecting the first horizontal extending portions 111a to each other, and the second bent portion 112b connecting the second horizontal extending portions 111b to each other. In one example, the center portion in the left-right direction of the first-bent horizontal extending portion 111 which is bent during the second bending process may define the third bent portion 112c.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing configuration of a cooling fin according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a front view of the cooling fin according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a side view of the cooling fin according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the cooling fin 120 according to the example embodiment(s) may be installed on the cooling pipe 110 in order to increase the heat-exchangeable area. A number of the cooling fins 120 may be arranged and spaced apart from each other by a predefined spacing along a longitudinal direction of the cooling pipe 110. The refrigerant passing through the inside of the cooling pipe 110 may perform heat-exchange more efficiently with the air passing through the evaporator 100 through the surface of the cooling pipe 110 and a plurality of surfaces of the cooling fins 120.

A plurality of the cooling fins 120 may be arranged and spaced apart from each other by a predefined spacing along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal extending portion 111.

The cooling fin 120 may be formed in an approximately circular shape. The cooling fin 120 may be formed in a circular shape such that adjacent cooling fins 120 spaced apart from each other may not interfere with each other.

Since the cooling fin 120 is formed in a circular shape, the cooling fin 120 installed on the first horizontal extending portion 111a, and the cooling fin 120 installed on the second horizontal extending portion 111b spaced apart from the first horizontal extending portion 111a in the front-rear direction may be prevented from interfering with each other. Further, since the cooling fin 120 is formed in a circular shape, the cooling fin 120 installed on one of the horizontal extending portions 111 and the cooling fin 120 installed on another one of the horizontal extending portions 111 spaced vertically apart therefrom may be prevented from interfering with each other. That is, since the cooling fin 120 is formed in a circular shape, interference between the cooling fins 120 spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction may be prevented.

The cooling fin 120 may include a body portion 121 having peak portions 123 and valley portions 124 alternately arranged and spaced from a predefined angular spacing around a center O of the body portion 121, and a through-hole 122 passing through the center O of the body portion 121.

The body portion 121 (of the cooling fin 120) may include the peak portions 123 and the valley portions 124 alternately repeatedly arranged and spaced from each other by a predefined angular spacing 8 around the center O in order to increase the heat transfer efficiency. The peak portion 123 may protrude in one direction, while the valley portion 124 may be recessed in an opposite direction thereto. The peak portion 123 may protrude in one direction along the length direction of the horizontal extending portion 111, while the valley portion 124 may be recessed in the opposite direction thereto. That is, the peak portion 123 and the valley portion 124 may be spaced from each other by a predefined distance L in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal extending portion 111.

In one example embodiment, the cooling fin 120 may be made of aluminum. In this example, the distance L may be set within 2 mm in consideration of 20% of the elongation of the aluminum material.

Each of the peak portions 123 and the valley portions 124 may be separately curved. Thus, the heat transfer area of the cooling fin 120 may be increased due to the corrugation shape in which the peak portions 123 and the valley portions 124 are alternately and repeatedly arranged with respect to each other.

The peak portion 123 may be formed to protrude in a direction away from the center O. The valley portion 124 may be formed to be depressed in a direction away from the center O. That is, the distance between the peak portion 123 and the valley portion 124 may be larger as the portion extends toward the end of the body portion 121.

In one example, the peak portion 123 and the valley portion 124 may be alternately repeatedly arranged and spaced from each other by a predefined angular spacing 8 around the center O. Therefore, the angle θ may equal to twice the value obtained by dividing 360° by the number of peak portions or the number of valley portions.

The angle θ may be set to maximize the effect of improving the area of the cooling fin 120 in consideration of elongation of the material. In one example embodiment, the cooling fin 120 may be made of aluminum. In this example, the angle θ may be set to approximately 15° in consideration of 20% of the elongation of the aluminum material.

The through-hole 121 may pass through the center of the body portion 121. The cooling pipe 110 may pass through the through-hole 121. Accordingly, the cooling fin 120 may be installed around the cooling pipe 110.

After the straight cooling pipe 110 has passed through the through-hole 121, the pipe may be expanded such that the outer face of the cooling pipe 110 is in close contact with an inner face of the through-hole 121 so that the fin(s) may be fixed more firmly to the pipe.

The evaporator 100 has the cooling fin 120 as a single fin in which the through-hole 121 is formed in the center of the body portion 121 thereof. When the pipe is inserted into the cooling fin 120, the straight cooling pipe 110 may be first bent and then second bent to form the horizontal extending portion 111 and the bent portion 112.

In one example, the cooling fin 120 may include a fastening portion 122a protruding from the body portion 121 around the through-hole 121 so that the fin may be closely fixed to and around the cooling pipe 110. An inner face of the fastening portion 122a may be formed in a shape conforming to an outer face of the cooling pipe 110 so that the cooling fin 120 is firmly fixed to the cooling pipe 110. An inner face of the fastening portion 122a may be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer face of the horizontal extending portion 111 so as to be firmly fixed to the horizontal extending portion 111.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure constituting the same configuration, a refrigerator may be provided having a cooling pipe constructed such that refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe disposed in an evaporator and air passing through the evaporator exchange heat with each other in an opposite flow manner.

A refrigerator may be provided in which the cooling pipe is constructed so that the refrigerant flows downwards in the entire cooling pipe, and thus the refrigerant flowing downwards and the air flowing through the evaporator upwards exchange heat with each other in an opposite flow manner to improve heat-exchange efficiency.

A refrigerator may be provided in which a cooling fin including a body portion having peak portions and valley portions alternately arranged and spaced from each other by a predefined angular spacing around a center thereof and a through hole formed in the center of the body portion is installed around the cooling pipe to further increase the heat-exchange efficiency.

The present disclosure is intended to solve at least the above-described problem. At least one purpose of an example embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator having a cooling pipe constructed such that refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe disposed in an evaporator and air passing through the evaporator exchange heat with each other in an opposite flow manner.

At least one purpose of an example embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator in which the cooling pipe is constructed so that the refrigerant flows downwards in the entire cooling pipe, and thus the refrigerant flowing downwards and the air flowing through the evaporator upwards exchange heat with each other in an opposite flow manner to improve heat-exchange efficiency.

At least one purpose of an example embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator in which a cooling fin including a body portion having peak portions and valley portions alternately arranged and spaced from each other by a predefined angular spacing around a center thereof and a through hole formed in the center of the body portion is installed around the cooling pipe to further increase the heat-exchange efficiency.

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining a low-temperature storage space and a machine chamber in which a compressor and a condenser are disposed; and an evaporator disposed in rear of the storage space, wherein air flows upwards along the evaporator and thus cools down to lower a temperature of the storage space, wherein the evaporator includes: a cooling pipe in and along which refrigerant flows; and a plurality of cooling fins surrounding an outer face of the cooling pipe, wherein the cooling pipe is constructed so that the refrigerant flows downward along and in the cooling pipe.

In one example implementation, the cooling pipe includes: horizontal extending portions arranged and spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction; and bent portions, each connecting adjacent horizontal extending portions to each other, wherein the horizontal extending portions include: a plurality of first horizontal extending portions arranged along a first column; and a plurality of second horizontal extending portions arranged along a second column and spaced from the first horizontal extending portions, wherein the first and second columns are arranged in a front-rear direction, wherein the bent portions include: a first bent portion connecting two adjacent first horizontal extending portions spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction to each other; a second bent portion connecting two adjacent second horizontal extending portions spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction to each other; and a third bent portion connecting first and second horizontal extending portions positioned at the same vertical level and spaced apart in a horizontal direction to each other.

In one example implementation, each horizontal extending portion includes opposite first and second ends, wherein each of the first bent portion and the second bent portion extends from the first end, wherein the third bent portion extends from the second end.

In one example implementation, the first and second bent portions and the third bent portion are vertically and alternately arranged with each other.

In one example implementation, each of the first horizontal extending portion and the second horizontal extending portion includes the first end and the second end, wherein the first bent portion extends between the first ends of the two adjacent first horizontal extending portions spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction; wherein the second bent portion extends between the first ends of the two adjacent second horizontal extending portions spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction; wherein the third bent portion extends between the second ends of the first and second horizontal extending portions positioned at the same vertical level and spaced apart in a horizontal direction.

In one example implementation, the cooling pipe has an integral structure.

In one example implementation, each cooling fin includes: a body portion; and a through-hole passing through a center of the body portion so that the cooling pipe is inserted into the through-hole.

In one example implementation, the cooling fins are arranged and spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the horizontal extending portion by a predefined spacing.

In one example implementation, the body portion has peak portions and valley portions extending in a radial direction and alternately arranged along a circular direction at a predefined angular spacing from the center.

In one example implementation, each of the peak portion and the valley portion is curved.

In one example implementation, the peak portion protrudes in one direction along a length direction of the horizontal extending portion, wherein the valley portion protrudes in an opposite direction to one direction along the length direction of the horizontal extending portion.

In one example implementation, the peak portion protrudes in a direction away from the center of the body portion, wherein the valley portion is recessed in a direction away from the center of the body portion.

In one example implementation, the cooling fin further includes a fastening portion protruding from the body portion and around the through-hole so that the cooling pipe is fastened to the fastening portion.

In one example implementation, the fastening portion has an inner face conforming to an outer face of the cooling pipe.

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. In addition, it will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present “on” a second element or layer, the first element may be disposed directly on the second element or may be disposed indirectly on the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

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 to 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 invention. 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 invention 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. 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 refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet configured to define a storage space and a machine chamber; and

an evaporator disposed at the storage space, wherein the evaporator is configured such that air is to flow upwards through the evaporator and thus to lower a temperature of the storage space,

wherein the evaporator includes: a cooling pipe configured to allow refrigerant to flow from an inlet to an outlet; and a plurality of cooling fins surrounding an outer face of the cooling pipe, wherein the cooling pipe is configured such that the refrigerant is to flow downward in the cooling pipe from the inlet to the outlet.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the cooling pipe includes:

a plurality of horizontal extending portions configured such that the horizontal extending portions are arranged and spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction; and

a plurality of bent portions configured such that each of the bent portions is separately connecting adjacent horizontal extending portions to each other,

wherein the plurality of horizontal extending portions include: a plurality of first horizontal extending portions configured such that the first horizontal extending portions are arranged in a first column; and a plurality of second horizontal extending portions configured such that the second horizontal extending portions are arranged in a second column and are spaced from the first horizontal extending portions, wherein the first column is spaced apart from the second column in a front-rear direction, wherein the plurality of bent portions include: a first bent portion connecting two adjacent first horizontal extending portions, of the plurality of first horizontal extending portions, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction; a second bent portion connecting two adjacent second horizontal extending portions, of the plurality of second horizontal extending portions, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction; and a third bent portion connecting one of the first horizontal extending portions and one of the second horizontal extending portions positioned at a same vertical level and spaced apart in a horizontal direction.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein each of the horizontal extending portions separately includes a first end and a second end,

wherein the first bent portion extends from the first end of one of the first horizontal extending portions to the first end of another one of the first horizontal extending portions, and the second bent portion extends from the first end of one of the second horizontal extending portions to the first end of another one of the second horizontal extending portions,

wherein the third bent portion extends from the second end of the one of the first horizontal extending portions to the second end of the another one of the second horizontal extending portions.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the first bent portions are vertically arranged with each other, the second bent portions are vertically arranged with each other, and the third bent portions are vertically arranged with each other.

5. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein each of the first horizontal extending portions separately includes the first end and the second end, and each of the second horizontal extending portion separately includes the first end and the second end,

wherein the first bent portion extends between the first ends of the two adjacent first horizontal extending portions spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction;

wherein the second bent portion extends between the first ends of the two adjacent second horizontal extending portions spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction;

wherein the third bent portion extends between the second ends of the first and second horizontal extending portions positioned at the same vertical level and spaced apart in the horizontal direction.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the cooling pipe is an integral structure.

7. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein each of the cooling fins separately includes:

a body portion; and

a through-hole passing through a center of the body portion. and configured such that the cooling pipe is to be inserted into the through-hole.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the cooling fins are arranged and spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the horizontal extending portion.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the body portion has a plurality of peak portions radially extending away from the center of the body portion and a plurality of valley portions radially extending away from the center of the body portion, and the peak portions and the valley portions are alternately arranged along a circular direction at a predefined angular spacing from the center of the body portion.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein each of the peak portions is curved, and each of the valley portions is curved.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein each of the peak portions separately protrudes in a first direction corresponding to a first length direction of the horizontal extending portion.

wherein each of the valley portions separately protrudes in a second direction corresponding to a second length direction of the horizontal extending portion.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein each of the peak portions protrudes in a separate radial direction away from the center of the body portion,

wherein each of the valley portions is recessed in a separate radial direction away from the center of the body portion.

13. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein each of the cooling fins separately includes a fastening portion protruding from the body portion and around the through-hole, and configured such that the cooling pipe is to fasten to the fastening portion.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the fastening portion has an inner face to connect to the outer face of the cooling pipe.

15. A refrigerator comprising:

a storage space; and

an evaporator disposed at the storage space, wherein the evaporator includes: a cooling pipe having an inlet at a top end of the evaporator and an outlet at a bottom end of the evaporator, and configured to allow refrigerant to flow from the inlet at the top end of the evaporator to the outlet at the bottom end of the evaporator; and a plurality of cooling fins configured such that each of the fins to contact a surface of the cooling pipe, wherein the cooling pipe is configured such that the refrigerant is to flow in a first direction in the cooling pipe from the inlet to the outlet without flowing in an second direction opposite to the first direction.

16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the evaporator is configured such that air is to flow in the second direction through the cooling pipe and to cool based on the cooling pipe.

17. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the cooling pipe includes:

a plurality of horizontal extending portions configured such that the horizontal extending portions are arranged and spaced apart from each other in the first direction; and

a plurality of bent portions configured such that each of the bent portions is separately connecting adjacent horizontal extending portions to each other,

wherein the plurality of horizontal extending portions include: a plurality of first horizontal extending portions configured such that the first horizontal extending portions are arranged in a first column; and a plurality of second horizontal extending portions configured such that the second horizontal extending portions are arranged in a second column and are spaced from the first horizontal extending portions, wherein the first column is spaced apart from the second column.

18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the plurality of bent portions include:

a first bent portion connecting two adjacent first horizontal extending portions, of the plurality of first horizontal extending portions, spaced apart from each other in the first direction;

a second bent portion connecting two adjacent second horizontal extending portions, of the plurality of second horizontal extending portions, spaced apart from each other in the first direction; and

a third bent portion connecting one of the first horizontal extending portions and one of the second horizontal extending portions positioned at a same vertical level and spaced apart in a third direction transverse to the first direction and traverse to the second direction.

19. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein each of the cooling fins separately includes:

a body portion; and

a through-hole passing through a center of the body portion, and configured such that the cooling pipe is to be inserted into the through-hole.

20. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein the cooling fins are arranged and spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the horizontal extending portion, wherein the body portion has a plurality of peak portions radially extending away from the center of the body portion and a plurality of valley portions radially extending away from the center of the body portion.