CENTRIFUGAL FAN MODULE, COOLING DEVICE, AND REFRIGERATOR INCLUDING THE SAME

- Samsung Electronics

A centrifugal fan module including: an impeller rotating around a rotation axis to intake air through an intake port and discharge air toward an exhaust port; an intake guide channel having an inclined section with a height that decreases toward the intake port; and an exhaust guide channel including: a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port; a cut-off area; an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port; a wedge area below the inclined section between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction; a first transition area between the cut-off wedge areas, the first transition area having a cross-section that changes from a quadrilateral cross-section to a wedge cross-section; and a second transition area between the wedge and exhaust areas, the second transition area having a cross-section that changes from a wedge cross-section to a quadrilateral cross-section.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a by-pass continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2025/018390, filed on November 10, 2025, which is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0014711, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on February 5, 2025, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to a centrifugal fan module, a cooling device, and a refrigerator including the same.

2. Description of Related Art

A refrigerator includes a storage space that stores food and the like and a cooling device that supplies cold air to the storage space. The cooling device may be classified into a refrigeration cycle device using a refrigeration cycle and a cooling device using a cooling element, depending on the method of generating cold air used by the device.

Refrigeration cycle devices use a method of obtaining cold air by circulating a refrigerant along a closed circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The cooling device using the cooling element uses a method of obtaining cold air by using a cooling element. For example, a Peltier element may be used as a cooling element. A Peltier effect, caused by the Peltier element, refers to a phenomenon in which, when a potential difference is applied to both sides of an object, heat flows along with a current, heating one side and cooling the other side.

The cooling device using the cooling element may include a heat sink that dissipates heat from a high temperature portion of the cooling element. The heat sink may include a heat sink member that comes into contact with the high temperature portion of the cooling element, and a fan module that supplies outside air to the heat sink member. The fan module of the heat sink may be located on an outer side of a body of a refrigerator.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a centrifugal fan module includes: an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis, to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port; an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel including an inclined section including a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port

The exhaust guide channel includes: a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port; a cut-off area including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area includes a wedge cross-sectional shape; a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a cooling device includes: a cooling element including a plate shape, the cooling element including a first surface configured to dissipate heat and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and that is configured to absorb heat from an outside; a heat sink above the cooling element and configured to dissipate heat from the first surface; and a heat absorption portion below the cooling element and configured to transfer cold air from the second surface to surrounding air.

The heat sink includes a heat sink member on the first surface and a centrifugal fan module configured to transfer outside air to the heat sink member.

The centrifugal fan module includes: an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port; an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel including an inclined section including a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port, and wherein the exhaust guide channel includes: a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port.

The exhaust guide channel includes a cut-off area including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area includes a wedge cross-sectional shape; a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator includes: a cooling device including: a cooling element including a plate shape, the cooling element including a first surface configured to dissipate heat and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and that is configured to absorb heat from an outside; a heat sink above the cooling element and configured to dissipate heat from the first surface; and a heat absorption portion below the cooling element and configured to transfer cold air from the second surface to surrounding air; and a storage area configured to receive the cold air provided by the cooling device.

The heat sink includes a heat sink member on the first surface and a centrifugal fan module configured to transfer outside air to the heat sink member.

The centrifugal fan module includes: an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port; an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel including an inclined section including a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port, and wherein the exhaust guide channel includes: a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port.

The exhaust guide channel includes a cut-off area including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area includes a wedge cross-sectional shape; a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a refrigerator according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a front view of a refrigerator with a door open according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an upper portion of the refrigerator of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view showing a first cooling device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a first cooling device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan module according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the centrifugal fan module of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a heat sink according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan module of the heat sink of FIG. 8 taken along line O-A;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal fan module of the heat sink of FIG. 8 taken along line O-C';

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan module according to a comparative example;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a centrifugal fan module according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are cross-sectional views of the centrifugal fan module of FIG. 12 taken along lines IA-IB, IIA-IIB, and IIIA-IIIB, respectively;

FIG. 14 shows simulations of a flow rate in an intake guide channel of a centrifugal fan module according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 shows simulations of a flow rate of an intake guide channel and an exhaust guide channel in sections A-A', B-B', and C-C' of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows simulations of a flow rate in an intake guide channel of a centrifugal fan module according to a comparative example; and

FIG. 17 shows simulations of a flow rate of an intake guide channel and an exhaust guide channel in sections A-A', B-B', and C-C' of FIG. 16.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It needs to understood that certain embodiments of the present disclosure, and terms used in this document to describe said embodiments, are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

With regard to a description of drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this document, each of the phrases “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

The terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, or “first” or “second” may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the component may be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

The terms “comprise (include)” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in this document, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only a case in which the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also a case in which the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

When a component is said to be “on” another component, this includes not only a case in which the component is in contact with the other component, but also a case in which there is another component between the two components.

The term “and/or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described components or any one of the plurality of related described components.

The operating principle and embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings below.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a body.

The “body” may include an inner compartment, an outer compartment located on an outer side of the inner compartment, and an insulation provided between the inner compartment and the outer compartment.

The “inner compartment” may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner, which forms a storage area. The inner compartment may be formed as a single body or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The “outer compartment” may form an outer appearance of the body and may be coupled to an outer side of the inner compartment such that the insulation is located between the inner compartment and the outer compartment.

The “insulation” may insulate an inner side and outer side of the storage area such that a temperature inside the storage area may be maintained at a set appropriate temperature without being affected by an environment outside the storage area. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foam insulation. The foam insulation may be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, which is a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer compartments.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may further include a vacuum insulation in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may include only the vacuum insulation instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and an envelope material that accommodates the core material and seals the inside to a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation described above and may include various materials that may be used for insulation.

The “storage area” may include a space defined by the inner compartment. The storage area may further include the inner compartment that limits a space corresponding to the storage area. The storage area may store various items such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage area may be formed such that at least one side is open to receive and withdraw the items.

The refrigerator may include one or more storage areas. When the refrigerator has two or more storage areas, the respective storage areas may have different uses and be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the respective storage areas may be separated from each other by a barrier rib including the insulation.

The storage area may be provided to maintain an appropriate temperature range depending on the use and may include a “refrigerating chamber,” a “freezing chamber” or a “variable temperature chamber” which are distinguished by a use and/or a temperature range. The refrigerating chamber may be maintained at an appropriate temperature for refrigerating items, and the freezer may be maintained at an appropriate temperature for freezing items. The “refrigeration” may mean keeping items cold without freezing, and for example, a refrigerator may be kept at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may mean cooling an item such that the item is frozen or remains frozen, and for example, a freezing chamber may be kept in the range of -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. The variable temperature chamber may be used as either a refrigerating chamber or a freezing chamber with or without the user’s choice.

In addition to being called by names such as “refrigerating chamber”, “freezing chamber”, and “variable temperature chamber”, the storage area may also be called by various names such as “vegetable room”, “freshness room”, “cooling room”, and “ice room”. The terms “refrigerating chamber”, “freezing chamber”, and “variable temperature chamber” used hereinafter need to be understood to encompass storage areas having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of the storage area. The door may be provided to open and close each of one or more storage areas, or one door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage areas. The door may be rotatably or slidably installed on a front surface of the body.

The “door” may be configured to seal the storage area when the door is closed. The door may include an insulation, like the body, to insulate the storage area when the door is closed.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door may include a door outer panel that forms the front surface of the door, a door inner panel that forms a rear surface of the door and faces the storage area, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided inside these.

An edge of the door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage area by coming into close contact with the front surface of the body when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearwardly to accommodate a door basket that stores items.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to a front side of the door body and forms a front surface of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel that forms the front surface of the door body, a door inner panel that forms a rear surface of the door body and faces the storage area, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided inside these.

Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage area, refrigerators may be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or 1-door refrigerator.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a cooling device provided to supply cold air to the storage area.

The “cooling device” may include a machine, a device, an electronic device, and/or a system obtained via a combination thereof that generates and guides cold air to cool the storage area.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cooling device may generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle including compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation processes of a refrigerant. To this end, the cooling device may include a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator which drive a refrigeration cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cooling device may include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage area by a heating and cooling operation through the Peltier effect.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cooling device are arranged.

The “machine room” may be separated and insulated from the storage area to prevent heat generated from components located in the machine room from being transferred to the storage area. The inside of the machine room may communicate with the outside of the body to dissipate heat from the component located in the machine room.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided in the door to provide water and/or ice. The dispenser may be mounted on the door such that a user is accessible to the refrigerator without having to open the door.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include an ice making device configured to produce ice. The ice making device may include an ice making tray that stores water, an ice separating device that separates ice from the ice making tray, and an ice bucket that stores ice produced in the ice making tray.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a controller configured to control the refrigerator.

The “controller” may include memory that stores or records a program and/or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor that outputs a control signal for controlling a cooling device, and the like according to the program and/or data stored in the memory.

The memory stores or records various information, data, instructions, programs, and the like necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated during generation of the control signal for controlling the components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

The processor is configured to control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may be configured to execute the program stored in the memory to control the components of the refrigerator. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an operation of an artificial intelligence model. The processor may include a central processor and a graphics processing unit (GPU). The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of a cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage area from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control the operation of the cooling device based on the temperature information of the storage area.

The processor may process user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface based on the program and/or data recorded/stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. The processor may transfer, to the user interface, a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input.

The processor and the memory may be integrated or provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all of the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories that separately control the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of the cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. The refrigerator may separately include the processor and memory that control the operation of the user interface according to user input.

A communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device, and other home appliances through surrounding access points (APs). The access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN), to which a refrigerator or user device is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via a wide area network (WAN).

The input interface may include a key, a touchscreen, and a microphone. The input interface may receive user input and transmit the user input to the processor.

The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like that are generated by the processor.

Hereinafter, refrigerators according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Hereinafter, refrigerators according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A is a front view of a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 1B is a front view of the refrigerator 1 with a door 6 open according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an upper portion of the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1C. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the refrigerator 1 according to an example may cool a stored item contained in a storage area 8. To cool the stored item contained in the storage area 8, the refrigerator 1 may include one or more cooling devices 10 and 30, for example, a first cooling device 10 and a second cooling device 30.

The first cooling device 10 according to an example may be installed in a body portion 5 and may supply cooling air to the storage area 8 provided in the body portion 5. For example, the first cooling device 10 is formed to cool air in the storage area 8 provided in the body portion 5 by using a cooling element 103 and then discharge the cooling air into the storage area 8.

The second cooling device 30 according to an example may implement a refrigeration cycle that cools the storage area 8 provided in the body portion 5 by using a thermodynamic process that uses a refrigerant, which is a substance that is sensitive to temperature and pressure, and generally absorbs heat at low temperature and low pressure and dissipates heat at high temperature and high pressure. For example, the second cooling device 30 may include an evaporator 33 configured to supply cooling air to the storage area 8, a condenser 35 configured to convert a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant, an expander configured to convert a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant, and a compressor 36 configured to convert a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant.

To supply the cooling air to the storage area 8 provided in the body portion 5, the refrigerator 1 according to an example may use the cooling element 103 as described with regard to the first cooling device 10 or may use a refrigerant that performs a refrigeration cycle process including compression and expansion, such as in the second cooling device 30. Although the disclosure describes a hybrid refrigerator 1 in which the two types of cooling devices 10 and 30 are combined, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the refrigerator 1 may be any refrigerator 1, such as an air conditioner, a refrigerator, or a freezer, which may include only a single cooling device, for example, the first cooling device 10, or may include the plurality of cooling devices 10 and 30, for example, both the first cooling device 10 and the second cooling device 30, which may supply cooling air to the storage area 8 provided in the body portion 5 by using the cooling element 103. Hereinafter, the disclosure is described in terms of an example in which the refrigerator 1 according to an example includes the plurality of cooling devices 10 and 30, for example, the first cooling device 10 and the second cooling device 30.

According to an example, the body portion 5 may form an outer appearance of the refrigerator 1. The body portion 5 may include the storage area 8 formed by vertically dividing the inside of the body portion 5 and a plurality of doors 6 that open and close the storage area 8.

The storage area 8 may be divided by a partition 15, and a plurality of shelves and storage containers may be arranged inside the storage area 8 to store food and the like. The storage area 8 may be divided into a plurality of storage areas 8 by the partition 15. The partition 15 may include a first partition 15-1 that is horizontally coupled to the inside of the storage area 8 to divide the storage area 8 into an upper storage area 8-1 and lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3, and a second partition 15-2 that is vertically coupled to the lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3 to divide the lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3.

The partition 15 having a T shape formed by coupling the first partition 15-1 and the second partition 15-2 to each other may divide the storage area 8 into three spaces. From among the upper storage area 8-1 and the lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3 that are divided by the first partition 15-1, the upper storage area 8-1 may be used as a refrigerator, and the lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3 may be used as a freezing chamber.

The division of the storage area 8 as described above is an example, and each storage area 8 may be used differently from the above description.

The storage area 8 may be opened and closed by the plurality of doors 6. The plurality of doors 6 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with a certain interval therebetween. For example, the plurality of doors 6 may be arranged on a front surface portion of the body portion 5 and may open and close an opening provided in the body portion 5.

The upper storage area 8-1 may be opened and closed by an upper door 6 that is rotatably coupled to the body portion 5 in which the storage area 8 is provided. The lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3 may be opened and closed by a lower door 6 that is rotatably coupled to the body portion 5 in which the storage area 8 is provided.

According to an example, air in the storage area 8 may move to the evaporator 33 through a return duct 32 of the storage area 8 by a blower fan. The air that moves through the return duct 32 of the storage area 8 may be cooled while performing heat exchange with the evaporator 33. The cooling air may be repeatedly discharged to the storage area 8 through a cooling air discharge port of cooling air ducts 34-1 and 34-2.

According to an example, the upper storage area 8-1 and the lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3 may be set to different temperatures. Therefore, when the cooling air cooled by the second cooling device 30 is supplied equally to the upper storage area 8-1 and the lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3, the target temperatures of the upper storage area 8-1 and the lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3, which are set differently, may not be satisfied.

For example, the first cooling device 10 may have a smaller cooling capacity than the second cooling device 30 that implements a refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant, but may relatively precisely control the temperature of the cooling air. For example, the first cooling device 10 may be located in some storage areas 8, for example, the upper storage area 8-1, and accordingly, the cooling temperatures of the upper storage area 8-1 and the lower storage areas 8-2 and 8-3 may be adjusted differently.

The first cooling device 10 may be located at an upper portion of the body portion 5 and may supply cooling air to the upper storage area 8-1. The first cooling device 10 may include the cooling element 103, a heat sink 102 disposed above the cooling element 103 and dissipating heat to the outside, and a heat absorption portion 101 disposed below the cooling element 103 and absorbing heat from air in the upper storage area 8-1. The heat absorption portion 101 needs to cool the air in the upper storage area 8-1, while the heat sink 102 may dissipate heat to outside air placed outside.

Considering the location and design convenience of the first cooling device 10, the height of the heat sink 102 that dissipates heat to the outside air may be limited to a certain range. For example, referring to FIGS. 1A and 2, the refrigerator 1 may include a hinge 7 that rotatably supports the door 6. The hinge 7 may protrude from an upper portion of the body portion 5. When the first cooling device 10 in the refrigerator 1 is located at an upper portion of the body portion 5, an upper surface 1021 of the first cooling device 10 may be located below or at the same layer level as an upper surface 701 of the hinge 7 that rotatably supports the door 6 of the refrigerator 1. When the upper surfaces 1021 and 701 of the heat sink 102 and the hinge 7 of the first cooling device 10 are not flat, the uppermost surface of the heat sink 102 may be located below or at the same layer level as the uppermost surface of the hinge 7. For example, a height to the upper surface of the heat sink 102 of the first cooling device 10 may be equal to or less than a height H to the upper surface of the hinge 7. For example, the height to the upper surface of the first cooling device 10 may be 15 cm or less. Here, the height to the upper surface may be defined as a height of a portion protruding from the body portion 5.

When the upper surface of the first cooling device 10 is disposed above the upper surface of the hinge 7, the height of the entire refrigerator 1 may increase. When the height of the refrigerator 1 increases, the height of the refrigerator 1 becomes greater than the height of the existing refrigerator 1 or the height of a space in which the refrigerator 1 is generally installed. Due to this, an installation space of the refrigerator 1 may be limited. For example, it may be impossible to install the refrigerator 1 in a space in which the existing refrigerator 1 is installed due to a height difference. The limitation of the installation space of the refrigerator 1 may be an important factor in consumers’ product selection.

To prevent an increase in the height of the refrigerator 1, the first cooling device 10 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be designed such that the height of the heat sink 102 is equal to or less than the protruding height H of the hinge 7. As such, when the height of the heat sink 102 is limited, the size of a component of the heat sink 102 is limited, and thus the heat dissipation efficiency may be limited.

In FIG. 1B, the arrangement of the first cooling device 10 is described in terms of an example in which the first cooling device 10 is located at an upper center of the refrigerator 1, but may vary depending on the shape of the refrigerator 1, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a refrigerator 1A is of a side-by-side type, the first cooling device 10 may be located at one side of an upper portion, for example, at the right side.

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view showing the first cooling device 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the first cooling device 10 (hereinafter referred to as “cooling device 10”) according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the centrifugal fan module 100 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cooling device 10 may include the cooling element 103, the heat sink 102 disposed above the cooling element 103, and the heat absorption portion 101 disposed below the cooling element 103.

The cooling element 103 may have a first surface 1031 that dissipates heat and a second surface that faces the first surface 1031 and absorbs heat from the outside. The cooling element 103 may be a Peltier element. The first surface 1031 of the cooling element 103 may be a high temperature portion, and the second surface may be a low temperature portion.

The heat absorption portion 101 may transfer a low temperature of the second surface of the cooling element 103 to the surrounding air. The heat absorption portion 101 may include a second heat sink member 108 that is in contact with the second surface of the cooling element 103 and a fan module 109 that generates a flow passing through the second heat sink member 108. Through an operation of the fan module 109, the surrounding air, for example, air of the upper storage area 8 (see FIG. 1C), may pass through the second heat sink member 108, thereby supplying cooling air to the upper storage area 8.

The heat sink 102 may dissipate heat from the first surface 1031 of the cooling element 103. The heat sink 102 may include a first heat sink member 107 that is in contact with the first surface 1031 of the cooling element 103, and the centrifugal fan module 100 configured to supply outside air to the first heat sink member 107. The first heat sink member 107 may be in contact with the first surface 1031 of the cooling element 103, which is exposed through an opening 1611. Through the operation of the centrifugal fan module 100, outside air may pass through the first heat sink member 107, thereby quickly dissipating heat from the first heat sink member 107 and the first surface 1031 of the cooling element 103 in contact therewith.

The first heat sink member 107 may have a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape in a perpendicular direction to a direction of movement of air passing through the first heat sink member 107. A cross-sectional shape of the first heat sink member 107 may be a rectangle with a wider width than a height thereof.

The first heat sink member 107 may include a plurality of heat sink fins 1071. The plurality of heat sink fins 1071 may extend in a blowing direction of air discharged through an exhaust port 1521. Accordingly, outside air supplied by the centrifugal fan module 100 may move between the heat sink fins 1071.

The centrifugal fan module 100 may induce rapid dissipation of heat from the first heat sink member 107 by rotating an impeller 110 to compress the air by centrifugal force and moving the air toward the first heat sink member 107 through the exhaust port 1521. The centrifugal fan module 100 may be located at one side of the first heat sink member 107. By the centrifugal fan module 100, a flow moving from one side of the first heat sink member 107 to the other side may be generated.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the centrifugal fan module 100 may include an impeller 110, an intake guide channel 130, and an exhaust guide channel 150. The centrifugal fan module 100 accommodates the impeller 110 and includes a housing 160 forming the intake guide channel 130 and the exhaust guide channel 150.

The impeller 110 may draw in air from an upper region thereof and discharge the air toward a side region thereof. The impeller 110 may rotate around a rotation axis AX to draw in air through an intake port 1621 located at the upper region (or top) and discharge the air toward the exhaust port 1521 located at the side region. The impeller 110 may include a hub 111 and a blade 112 located on an outer circumference of the hub 111.

The rotation axis AX of the impeller 110 may be located to match the center of the intake port 1621. A diameter of the impeller 110 may be greater than a diameter of the intake port 1621. The hub 111 and a portion of the blade 112 may overlap the intake port 1621, and the remaining portion of the blade 112 may not overlap the intake port 1621.

The housing 160 may include a base housing 161 that rotatably supports the impeller 110 around a certain rotation axis AX, an intermediate housing 162 provided with the intake port 1621 through which air is drawn into the impeller 110, and an upper housing 163 that is arranged to be spaced apart from the intermediate housing 162 in an extension direction of the rotation axis AX. The impeller 110 may be supported by a support area 1610 of the base housing 161.

The intake guide channel 130 may be formed or defined by the intermediate housing 162 and the upper housing 163, and the exhaust guide channel 150 may be formed or defined by the intermediate housing 162 and the base housing 161. The base housing 161, the intermediate housing 162, and the upper housing 163 may be separate structures, but are not limited thereto and may also be an integrated structure.

The intake guide channel 130 may guide air in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis AX of the impeller 110 toward the intake port 1621. The intake guide channel 130 may guide air introduced through an inlet 1311 to move toward the intake port 1621. The inlet 1311 and the intake port 1621 may be located at different locations in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis AX of the impeller 110. The air introduced through the inlet 1311 may move in a direction intersecting the rotation axis AX to move toward the intake port 1621.

The intake guide channel 130 may include an inlet area 131 through which air is introduced from the outside, and an intake guide area 132 connected to the inlet area 131 and guiding movement of air toward the intake port 1621.

The inlet area 131 may be connected to the inlet 1311 and may guide the air introduced through the inlet 1311 to move to the intake guide area 132. The inlet area 131 may extend in a certain direction. For example, both side walls 1312 and 1313 defining the inlet area 131 may extend in a certain direction. The intake port 1621 may be located to be spaced apart from the inlet area 131 in an extension direction.

The intake guide area 132 may guide air moving in the extension direction of the inlet area 131 to be drawn into the intake port 1621. Referring to FIG. 7, the intake port 1621 and the impeller 110 may be arranged to overlap in a direction of the rotation axis AX of the impeller 110. Due to the limitation of the height of the heat sink 102, a height h1 of the intake guide area 132 around the intake port 1621 may be limited. The height of the intake guide area 132 around the intake port 1621 may be low. A section of the intake guide area 132 with a low height, which is around the intake port 1621, may be defined as a lowest height section 1322. The height h1 of the lowest height section 1322 may be 20 mm or less. For example, the height h1 of the lowest height section 1322 may be 15 mm or less.

Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the centrifugal fan module 100, the blade 112 of the impeller 110 is located below a partial area of the intake guide area 132, and thus the height of the intake guide area 132 is limited, but the impeller 110 is not located below the remaining area of the intake guide area 132. Considering the flow resistance of intake air, the intake guide area 132 may include an inclined section 1321 having a height that decreases in a direction toward the impeller 110. The intake guide area 132 may include the lowest height section 1322, a low height of which is maintained, and the inclined section 1321, a height of which decreases in a direction toward the lowest height section 1322. Here, the height of the intake guide area 132 means a width in a vertical direction of a passage through which air moving toward the intake port 1621 passes.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the heat sink 102 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal fan module 100 of the heat sink 102 of FIG. 8 taken along line O-A. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal fan module 100 of the heat sink 102 of FIG. 8 taken along line O-C’. In FIG. 8, boundaries of respective areas of the exhaust guide channel 150 are indicated with dashed double dotted lines for convenience.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the exhaust guide channel 150 may guide air drawn in through the intake port 1621 to move toward the exhaust port 1521 in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis AX of the impeller 110. The exhaust guide channel 150 may be arranged on an edge of the impeller 110. The exhaust guide channel 150 may be arranged to surround a side region of the impeller 110.

At least a portion of the exhaust guide channel 150 may be located a lower region of (or below) the intake guide channel 130. The exhaust guide channel 150 may be located below the intake guide area 132. The exhaust guide channel 150 may be located below the inclined section 1321 and the lowest height section 1322 of the intake guide area 132.

The exhaust guide channel 150 may have a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port 1521. As the impeller 110 rotates, an air pressure increases while air moves along the exhaust guide channel 150 in which a spiral radius increases. Accordingly, high-pressure air may be discharged toward the first heat sink member 107 through the exhaust port 1521.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the exhaust guide channel 150 may include a cut-off area 151 having a quadrilateral cross-section, and an exhaust area 152 connected to the exhaust port 1521 and having a quadrilateral cross-section.

The cut-off area 151 may be an area in which the spiral shape begins. The cut-off area 151 may, along a spiral direction, have an increasing cross-sectional area and maintain a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape. The cut-off area 151 may, along the spiral direction, have an increasing hydraulic diameter and maintain a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape. Here, the spiral direction may be defined as a direction that surrounds the impeller 110 in one direction, for example, clockwise.

The exhaust area 152 may be an area in which the spiral shape ends. The exhaust area 152 may, along a spiral direction, have an increasing cross-sectional area and maintain a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape. The exhaust area 152 may, along the spiral direction, have an increasing hydraulic diameter and maintain a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape.

The first heat sink member 107 may be located on the outer side of the exhaust area 152. The exhaust area 152 may have the same cross-sectional shape as the first heat sink member 107.

The cross-section of each of the cut-off area 151 corresponding to the beginning of the spiral shape and the exhaust area 152 corresponding to the end of the spiral shape of the exhaust guide channel 150 may have a quadrilateral shape, and thus it may be considered that the cross-sectional shape of the entire area of the exhaust guide channel 150 is maintained as a quadrilateral shape along a spiral direction.

Referring to FIG. 8, assuming that the cross-sectional shape of the entire area of the exhaust guide channel 150 is maintained as a quadrilateral shape along a spiral direction, an outer line of the exhaust guide channel 150 may have a spiral radius that gradually increases from the cut-off area 151 to the exhaust area 152, as indicated by dashed lines. The dashed line in FIG. 8 may be defined as an imaginary spiral reference line RS (also referred to herein as spiral reference line RS).

When the cross-sectional shape of the entire area of the exhaust guide channel 150 is maintained as a quadrilateral shape, the air resistance of the exhaust guide channel 150 may be low, and the structure of the exhaust guide channel 150 itself may be simple. However, in the centrifugal fan module 100 including the exhaust guide channel 150, air resistance may increase in the intake guide channel 130 due to the limitation of the height of the exhaust portion.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan module 1000 according to a comparative example, and in the centrifugal fan module 1000 according to the comparative example, a quadrilateral cross-section may be maintained only with the left and right widths varying in the entire area of an exhaust guide channel 1500.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the cross-sectional shape of the entire area of the exhaust guide channel 1500 is maintained as a quadrilateral shape, a portion of an intake guide channel 1300 located above the exhaust guide channel 1500, i.e., the intake guide area 132 adjacent to the intake port 1621 is maintained in a low height, and the length of an intake guide area 132 that is maintained in a low height increases as the spiral diameter of the exhaust guide channel 1500 increases. An increase in the length of the intake guide area 132 (for example, the lowest height section 1322) with a low height may result in increased resistance of intake air. That is, when the cross-sectional shape of the entire area of the exhaust guide channel 1500 is maintained as a quadrilateral shape in consideration of the air resistance and structural simplification of the exhaust guide channel 1500, the air resistance may increase in the intake guide channel 1300. Due to this, the overall performance of the centrifugal fan module 1000 may be degraded.

To reduce the air resistance of the intake guide channel 130, it is necessary to reduce the length of the lowest height section 1322, which is a section with a low height adjacent to the intake port 1621 in the intake guide area 132. When the length of the lowest height section 1322 in the intake guide channel 130 is reduced, an area having a cross-sectional shape different from the quadrilateral shape, which is the cross-sectional shape of the exhaust area 152, may be present in the exhaust guide channel 150 located below the intake guide channel 130. When the cross-sectional shape of the exhaust guide channel 150 changes, the air resistance of the exhaust guide channel 150 may increase.

Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, in consideration of this point, the centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a structure that may reduce a pressure loss of the exhaust guide channel 150 while reducing the length of the lowest height section 1322 in the intake guide area 132.

For example, the intake guide area 132 may have a structure in which the cross-sectional shape of the exhaust guide channel 150 disposed below the intake guide area 132 gradually changes while partially reducing the area of the lowest height section 1322.

For example, the length of the lowest height section 1322 may vary in a circumferential direction of the intake port 1621. For example, a length L1 of the lowest height section 1322 located between the inclined section 1321 and the intake port 1621 in the intake guide area 132 may be less than a length L2 of the lowest height section 1322 disposed in an area of the intake guide area 132, in which the inclined section 1321 is not located, for example, in the intake guide area 132 located above the exhaust area 152. The lowest height section 1322 may surround the intake port 1621 and may be maintained in the minimum height of the inclined section 1321.

The inclined section 1321 may be partially arranged in the intake guide area 132. For example, in the intake guide area 132, the inclined section 1321 may be located in an area close to the inlet area 131 based on the intake port 1621. For example, the inclined section 1321 may be located in an area close to the inlet area 131 in an extension direction thereof based on the intake port 1621 in the intake guide area 132. In other words, in the intake guide area 132, the inclined section 1321 may be located in an area closer to the inlet area 131 in the extension direction thereof than the intake port 1621, and in the intake guide area 132, the inclined section 1321 may not be located in an area farther from the inlet area 131 in the extension direction thereof than the intake port 1621.

Among portions of air that has passed through the inlet area 131 in the intake guide channel 130, air close to the intake port 1621 is directly drawn into the intake port 1621, and thus may have the highest speed among portions of air moving toward the intake port 1621. As such, among portions of the air moving along the intake guide channel 130, air at a high speed may have significant air resistance when the height of the intake guide channel 130 is lowered. In consideration of this point, the intake guide channel 130 may be designed to have the smallest length in the lowest height section 1322 having a lowest height in a section with a high flow rate. In the intake guide channel 130, the length of the lowest height section 1322 in the section with a high flow rate may correspond to a width by which the blade 112 of the impeller 110 and the intermediate housing 162 overlap each other. Here, the length of the lowest height section 1322 may be defined as a length in a radial direction of the intake port 1621.

Among portions of the air that has passed through the inlet area 131 of the intake guide channel 130, air that is far from the intake port 1621 may not be directly drawn into the intake port 1621 but may be drawn in via a bypass path. Accordingly, among the portions of the air toward the intake port 1621, the air that is far from the intake port 1621 may have the smallest velocity. The air at a low speed has less air resistance than air at a high speed even though the height of the intake guide channel 130 is lowered. In consideration of this point, the length of the lowest height section 1322 in the intake guide channel 130 does not need to be small. In the intake guide channel 130, the length of the lowest height section 1322 in the section with a low flow rate may be greater than a width by which the blade 112 of the impeller 110 and the intermediate housing 162 overlap each other.

The exhaust guide channel 150 disposed below the intake guide area 132 may have a structure in which the cross-sectional shape gradually changes along a spiral direction in some areas. The exhaust guide channel 150 may have a structure in which the cross-sectional shape of some areas is not a quadrilateral but is smoothly connected to each of the cut-off area 151 and the exhaust area 152 that each have a quadrilateral cross-section. To this end, for example, the exhaust guide channel 150 may further include a first transition area 154, a wedge area 153, and a second transition area 155.

FIG. 12 is a plan view for explaining the centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 13A to 13C are cross-sectional views of the centrifugal fan module 100 of FIG. 12 taken along lines IA-IB, IIA-IIB, and IIIA-IIIB. For convenience of explanation, the cross-sectional shape of the exhaust guide channel 150 is indicated by a dotted line in FIGS. 13A, 13B, and FIG. 13C.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13A to 13C, the exhaust guide channel 150 may further include the wedge area 153 located between the cut-off area 151 and the exhaust area 152 along a spiral direction, the first transition area 154 located between the cut-off area 151 and the wedge area 153 along a spiral direction, and the second transition area 155 located between the wedge area 153 and the exhaust area 152 along a spiral direction.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13A, the wedge area 153 may have a wedge-shaped cross-section. For example, the wedge area 153 may have a cross-section in which an inner surface 153i facing the impeller 110 and an outer surface 153o facing the inclined section 1321 meet at an acute angle. In other words, the wedge area 153 may have a cross-section with a pointed top. The outer surface 153o of the wedge area 153 may have a height that decreases away from the impeller 110. The outer surface 153o of the wedge area 153 may have a cross-section that meets a lower surface 153b facing the base housing 161 at an acute angle. For example, the wedge area 153 may have a cross-section of a right triangle. In the wedge area 153, the inner surface 153i may be parallel to the rotation axis AX (or up-down direction), the lower surface 153b may be perpendicular to the rotation axis AX, and the outer surface 153o may be inclined with the rotation axis AX. The outer surface 153o of the wedge area 153 may correspond to a lower surface of the inclined section 1321. In FIG. 13A, an angle at which the outer surface 153o and the lower surface 153b meet is illustrated as an acute angle, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and unlike the drawing, the angle at which the outer surface 153o and the lower surface 153b meet may be an obtuse angle.

The wedge area 153 may have a height that decreases away from the impeller 110. The wedge area 153 may have a height that increases in a direction toward the impeller 110. The maximum height of the wedge area 153 may be the height of the inner surface 153i of the wedge area 153. The maximum height of the wedge area 153 may be equal to the height of the cut-off area 151. The maximum height of the wedge area 153 may be equal to the height of the exhaust area 152.

The wedge area 153 may have a cross-sectional area that increases and a cross-sectional shape that is maintained as a wedge shape, along a spiral direction. The wedge area 153 may have a hydraulic diameter that increases and a cross-sectional shape that is maintained as a wedge shape, along a spiral direction.

The wedge area 153 may be located below a section with a high air flow rate in the intake guide channel 130. For example, the wedge area 153 may be located below the inclined section 1321 of the intake guide area 132. The inclined section 1321 may be located within a certain angle range based on an imaginary line RL1 (also referred to herein as line RL1) formed by connecting the center of the intake port 1621 in the intake guide area 132 in a straight line to a side wall 1312 closest to the intake port 1621 in the inlet area 131. The inclined section 1321 may be located within 330 degrees in a direction of movement of air, for example, clockwise, based on the imaginary line RL1. In other words, the wedge area 153 may be located below the inclined section 1321 located within a certain angle range based on the imaginary line RL1 formed by connecting the center of the intake port 1621 in the intake guide area 132 to the side wall 1312 close to the intake port 1621 in the inlet area 131. For example, the wedge area 153 may be located below the inclined section 1321 located within 330 degrees based on the imaginary line RL1 formed by connecting the center of the intake port 1621 in the intake guide area 132 to the side wall 1312 close to the intake port 1621 in the inlet area 131. For example, the wedge area 153 may be located below the inclined section 1321 located between the imaginary line RL1, formed by connecting the center of the intake port 1621 in the intake guide area 132 to the side wall 1312 close to the intake port 1621 in the inlet area 131, and an imaginary line RL2, formed by connecting the center of the intake port 1621 in a straight line to another side wall 1313 far from the intake port 1621 in the inlet area 131.

As described above, the cross-sectional shape of the wedge area 153 may be a wedge shape and may not be a quadrilateral shape, which is the cross-sectional shape of each of the cut-off area 151 and the exhaust area 152. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the wedge area 153 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of each of the cut-off area 151 and the exhaust area 152. When the cross-sectional shape of the exhaust guide channel 150 changes abruptly along a spiral direction, the flow resistance of air moving along the exhaust guide channel 150 may increase. In other words, a pressure loss of air moving along the exhaust guide channel 150 may increase.

The exhaust guide channel 150 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the first and second transition areas 154 and 155 in which a cross-sectional shape between the cut-off area 151 and the wedge area 153 and between the wedge area 153 and the exhaust area 152 gradually changes such that the cross-sectional shape does not change abruptly.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13B, the first transition area 154 may be located between the cut-off area 151 and the wedge area 153 along a spiral direction, and the cross-sectional shape may gradually change from a quadrilateral shape to a wedge shape along the spiral direction.

The first transition area 154 may have a hydraulic diameter that gradually increases even though the shape thereof changes. The first transition area 154 may have a hydraulic diameter that increases along a spiral direction and a cross-sectional shape that gradually changes from a quadrilateral shape to a wedge shape.

The maximum height of the first transition area 154 may be equal to the maximum height of the cut-off area 151. The maximum height of the first transition area 154 may be equal to the maximum height of the wedge area 153. The first transition area 154 may have a trapezoidal shape with an upper and lower surfaces being parallel. The width of an upper surface 154u may decrease and the width of a lower surface 154b may increase toward the wedge area 153.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13C, the second transition area 155 may be located between the wedge area 153 and the exhaust area 152, and may have a cross-sectional shape that gradually changes from a wedge shape to a quadrilateral shape.

The maximum height of the second transition area 155 may be equal to the maximum height of the exhaust area 152. The second transition area 155 may have a trapezoidal shape with an upper surface 155u and a lower surface 155b that are parallel. The width of the upper surface 155u may increase and the width of the lower surface 155b may increase toward the exhaust area 152. The width of the upper surface 155u may increase faster than the width of the lower surface 155b, and thus may become more similar to a quadrilateral shape toward the exhaust area 152.

As described above, the exhaust guide channel 150 may include an area having a cross-sectional shape that is not a quadrilateral shape through the wedge area 153, the first transition area 154, and the second transition area 155, thereby allowing the exhaust guide channel 150 to extend below the inclined section 1321 of the intake guide channel 130. In particular, the wedge area 153 may be located below a section with the highest flow rate of air in the intake guide channel 130.

Referring back to FIG. 8, an outer line 1531 of the wedge area 153 may be located outside a spiral reference line RS. The outer line 1531 of the wedge area 153 may be a line formed by connecting the outermost ends of the wedge area 153 along a spiral direction.

An outer line 1541 of the first transition area 154 may be located outside the spiral reference line RS. The first transition area 154 may change from a quadrilateral shape to a wedge shape along a spiral direction, and a distance between the outer line 1541 and the spiral reference line RS may increase along the spiral direction. The outer line 1541 of the first transition area 154 may be a line formed by connecting the outermost ends of the first transition area 154 along a spiral direction.

An outer line 1551 of the second transition area 155 may be located outside the spiral reference line RS. The second transition area 155 may change from a wedge shape to a quadrilateral shape along a spiral direction, and a distance between the outer line 1551 and the spiral reference line RS may decrease along the spiral direction. The outer line 1551 of the second transition area 155 may be a line formed by connecting the outermost ends of the second transition area 155 along a spiral direction.

FIG. 14 shows simulations of a flow rate in the intake guide channel 130 of the centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 15 shows simulations of the intake guide channel 130 and the exhaust guide channel 150 in sections A-A', B-B', and C-C' of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 shows simulations of a flow rate in the intake guide channel 1300 of the centrifugal fan module 1000 according to a comparative example. FIG. 17 shows simulations of a flow rate of the intake guide channel 1300 and the exhaust guide channel 1500 in sections A-A', B-B', and C-C' of FIG. 16.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, in the centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the exhaust guide channel 150 disposed below the intake guide channel 130 includes an area having a cross-section that does not have a quadrilateral shape, and accordingly, the length of the lowest height section 1322 of the intake guide area 132 is less than the length of the lowest height section 1322 of the intake guide area 132 of FIG. 16. In contrast, referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, in the centrifugal fan module 1000 according to a comparative example, the exhaust guide channel 1500 disposed below the intake guide area 132 is maintained to have a quadrilateral cross-section, and accordingly, the length of the lowest height section 1322 of the intake guide area 132 is greater than the length of the lowest height section 1322 of the intake guide area 132 of FIG. 15.

As seen from FIGS. 14 and 16, in the centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the length of the lowest height section 1322 is relatively small, and thus an area with a high flow rate is narrow. On the other hand, it may be seen that, in the centrifugal fan module 1000 according to the comparative example, the length of the lowest height section 1322 is relatively great, and thus an area with high flow rate is wide.

As seen from FIGS. 15 and 17, an air flow rate in the exhaust guide channel 150 of the centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure is almost the same as an air flow rate in the exhaust guide channel 1500 of the centrifugal fan module 1000 according to the comparative example, even though the cross-sectional shape of the exhaust guide channel 150 includes a wedge shape or a trapezoidal shape.

From this, in the centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, compared to the centrifugal fan module 1000 according to the comparative example, a pressure loss around the intake port 1621 in the intake guide channel 130 may be reduced without a pressure loss in the exhaust guide channel 150. Accordingly, it may be seen that the centrifugal fan module 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure increase a wind volume of the centrifugal fan module 100 or reduce noise compared to the centrifugal fan module 1000 according to the comparative example.

The above examples are merely exemplary, and those of skill in the art may make various modifications and equivalent other embodiments therefrom. Therefore, the true technical scope of the disclosure needs to be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

One aspect of the disclosure may provide a centrifugal fan module, a cooling device, and a refrigerator including the same, which may increase airflow or reduce noise without increasing a height thereof.

A centrifugal fan module includes: an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis, to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port; an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel including an inclined section including a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port.

The exhaust guide channel includes: a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port; a cut-off area including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area includes a wedge cross-sectional shape; a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

Along the spiral direction, the cut-off area may maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and may include an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the wedge area may maintain a wedge cross-sectional shape and may include an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the exhaust area may maintain a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and may include an increasing hydraulic diameter.

Along the spiral direction, the first transition area may include an increasing hydraulic diameter, and along the spiral direction, the second transition area may include an increasing hydraulic diameter.

An entire area of the exhaust guide channel may include a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape, an outer line of the exhaust guide channel may include a spiral radius forming a spiral reference line that increases from the cut-off area to the exhaust area, an outer line of the first transition area may be outside the spiral reference line, an outer line of the wedge area may be outside the spiral reference line, and an outer line of the second transition area may be outside the spiral reference line.

In the first transition area, a distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line may increase along the spiral direction, and in the second transition area, a distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line may decrease along the spiral direction.

The intake port may be at an upper region of the impeller, the exhaust port may be at a side region of the impeller, and the exhaust channel may be on the side region of the impeller. In the intake guide channel, the inclined section may be at least partially located on an edge of the intake port.

The intake guide channel may further include: an inlet area into which the air is introduced from an outside and which is configured to guide the air; and an intake guide area connected to the inlet area. The intake guide area may include the inclined section and may be configured to guide the air toward the intake port. The intake guide area may include the inclined section and a lowest height section at least partially surrounding the intake port and maintaining a minimum height of the inclined section.

The inlet area may include side walls, and the inclined section may be within at least a predetermined angle range with respect to a line connecting a center of the intake port to the side wall, among the side walls, closest to the intake port in the inlet area.

The inclined section may be within 330 degrees with respect to the line.

The height of the lowest height section may be 20 mm or less.

A cooling device includes: a cooling element including a plate shape, the cooling element including a first surface configured to dissipate heat and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and that is configured to absorb heat from an outside; a heat sink above the cooling element and configured to dissipate heat from the first surface; and a heat absorption portion below the cooling element and configured to transfer cold air from the second surface to surrounding air.

The heat sink may include a heat sink member disposed on the first surface and a centrifugal fan module configured to transfer outside air to the heat sink member.

The centrifugal fan module includes: an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port; an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel including an inclined section including a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port, and wherein the exhaust guide channel includes: a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port.

The exhaust guide channel includes a cut-off area including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area includes a wedge cross-sectional shape; a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

Along the spiral direction, the cut-off area may maintain a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and may include an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the first transition area may include an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the wedge area may maintain a wedge cross-sectional shape and may include an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the second transition area may include an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the exhaust area may maintain a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and may include an increasing hydraulic diameter.

An entire area of the exhaust guide channel may include a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape, an outer line of the exhaust guide channel may include a spiral radius forming a spiral reference line that increases from the cut-off area to the exhaust area, an outer line of the first transition area may be outside the spiral reference line, an outer line of the wedge area may be outside the spiral reference line, and an outer line of the second transition area may be outside the spiral reference line.

In the first transition area, a distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line may increase along the spiral direction, and in the second transition area, the distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line may decrease along the spiral direction.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator includes: a cooling device including: a cooling element including a plate shape, the cooling element including a first surface configured to dissipate heat and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and that is configured to absorb heat from an outside; a heat sink above the cooling element and configured to dissipate heat from the first surface; and a heat absorption portion below the cooling element and configured to transfer cold air from the second surface to surrounding air; and a storage area configured to receive the cold air provided by the cooling device.

The heat sink includes a heat sink member on the first surface and a centrifugal fan module configured to transfer outside air to the heat sink member.

The centrifugal fan module includes: an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port; an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel including an inclined section including a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port, and wherein the exhaust guide channel includes: a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port.

The exhaust guide channel includes a cut-off area including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and including a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area includes a wedge cross-sectional shape; a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area including a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

Along the spiral direction, the cut-off area maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and includes an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the first transition area includes an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the wedge area maintains a wedge cross-sectional shape and includes an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the second transition area includes an increasing hydraulic diameter. Along the spiral direction, the exhaust area maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and includes an increasing hydraulic diameter.

An entire area of the exhaust guide channel may include a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape, an outer line of the exhaust guide channel may include a spiral radius forming a spiral reference line that increases from the cut-off area to the exhaust area, an outer line of the first transition area may be outside the spiral reference line, an outer line of the wedge area may be outside the spiral reference line, and an outer line of the second transition area may be outside the spiral reference line.

In the first transition area, a distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line may increase along the spiral direction, and in the second transition area, the distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line may decrease along the spiral direction.

In the intake guide channel, the inclined section may be at least partially located on an edge of the intake port.

The intake guide channel may further include: an inlet area into which the air is introduced from an outside and which is configured to guide the air; and an intake guide area connected to the inlet area, wherein the intake guide area may include the inclined section and may be configured to guide the air toward the intake port, and wherein the intake guide area may include the inclined section and a lowest height section at least partially surrounding the intake port and maintaining a minimum height of the inclined section.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a centrifugal fan module, a cooling device, and a refrigerator including the same may increase airflow or reduce noise without changing a height by reducing a pressure loss of intake air and minimizing a pressure loss of an exhaust guide channel due to a change in cross-sectional shape.

The effects that are achievable by the disclosure are not limited to what has been particularly described hereinabove and other advantages not described herein will be more clearly understood by persons skilled in the art from the following description.

Claims

1. A centrifugal fan module comprising:

an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis, to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port;
an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel comprising an inclined section comprising a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and
an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port,
wherein the exhaust guide channel comprises:
a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port;
a cut-off area comprising a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape;
an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and comprising a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape;
a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area comprises a wedge cross-sectional shape;
a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area comprising a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and
a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area comprising a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

2. The centrifugal fan module of claim 1, wherein, along the spiral direction, the cut-off area maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, wherein, along the spiral direction, the wedge area maintains a wedge cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, and wherein, along the spiral direction, the exhaust area maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter.

3. The centrifugal fan module of claim 1, wherein, along the spiral direction, the first transition area comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, and wherein, along the spiral direction, the second transition area comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter.

4. The centrifugal fan module of claim 1, wherein an entire area of the exhaust guide channel comprises a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape, wherein an outer line of the exhaust guide channel comprises a spiral radius forming a spiral reference line that increases from the cut-off area to the exhaust area, wherein an outer line of the first transition area is outside the spiral reference line, wherein an outer line of the wedge area is outside the spiral reference line, and wherein an outer line of the second transition area is outside the spiral reference line.

5. The centrifugal fan module of claim 4, wherein, in the first transition area, a distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line increases along the spiral direction, and wherein, in the second transition area, the distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line decreases along the spiral direction.

6. The centrifugal fan module of claim 1, wherein the intake port is at an upper region of the impeller, the exhaust port is at a side region of the impeller, and the exhaust channel is on the side region of the impeller, and wherein, in the intake guide channel, the inclined section is at least partially located on an edge of the intake port.

7. The centrifugal fan module of claim 6, wherein the intake guide channel further comprises:

an inlet area into which the air is introduced from an outside and which is configured to guide the air; and
an intake guide area connected to the inlet area, wherein the intake guide area comprises the inclined section and is configured to guide the air toward the intake port, and
wherein the intake guide area comprises the inclined section and a lowest height section at least partially surrounding the intake port and maintaining a minimum height of the inclined section.

8. The centrifugal fan module of claim 7, wherein the inlet area comprises side walls, and wherein the inclined section is within at least a predetermined angle range with respect to a line connecting a center of the intake port to the side wall, among the side walls, closest to the intake port in the inlet area.

9. The centrifugal fan module of claim 8, wherein the inclined section is within 330 degrees with respect to the line.

10. The centrifugal fan module of claim 7, wherein a height of the lowest height section is 20 mm or less.

11. A cooling device comprising: a cooling element comprising a plate shape, the cooling element comprising a first surface configured to dissipate heat and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and that is configured to absorb heat from an outside; a heat sink above the cooling element and configured to dissipate heat from the first surface; and a heat absorption portion below the cooling element and configured to transfer cold air from the second surface to surrounding air, wherein the heat sink comprises a heat sink member on the first surface and a centrifugal fan module configured to transfer outside air to the heat sink member, wherein the centrifugal fan module comprises:

an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port;
an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel comprising an inclined section comprising a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and
an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port, and
wherein the exhaust guide channel comprises:
a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port;
a cut-off area comprising a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape;
an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and comprising a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape;
a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area comprises a wedge cross-sectional shape;
a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area comprising a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and
a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area comprising a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

12. The cooling device of claim 11, wherein, along the spiral direction, the cut-off area maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, wherein, along the spiral direction, the first transition area comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, wherein, along the spiral direction, the wedge area maintains a wedge cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, wherein, along the spiral direction, the second transition area comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, and wherein, along the spiral direction, the exhaust area maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter.

13. The cooling device of claim 11, wherein an entire area of the exhaust guide channel comprises a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape, wherein an outer line of the exhaust guide channel comprises a spiral radius forming a spiral reference line that increases from the cut-off area to the exhaust area, wherein an outer line of the first transition area is outside the spiral reference line, wherein an outer line of the wedge area is outside the spiral reference line, and wherein an outer line of the second transition area is outside the spiral reference line.

14. The cooling device of claim 13, wherein, in the first transition area, a distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line increases along the spiral direction, and wherein, in the second transition area, the distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line decreases along the spiral direction.

15. A refrigerator comprising:

a cooling device comprising: a cooling element comprising a plate shape, the cooling element comprising a first surface configured to dissipate heat and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and that is configured to absorb heat from an outside; a heat sink above the cooling element and configured to dissipate heat from the first surface; and a heat absorption portion below the cooling element and configured to transfer cold air from the second surface to surrounding air; and a storage area configured to receive the cold air provided by the cooling device, wherein the heat sink comprises a heat sink member on the first surface and a centrifugal fan module configured to transfer outside air to the heat sink member, wherein the centrifugal fan module comprises: an impeller configured to rotate around a rotation axis to draw in air through an intake port, and to discharge the air toward an exhaust port; an intake guide channel configured to guide the air toward the intake port, the intake guide channel comprising an inclined section comprising a height that decreases in a direction toward the intake port; and an exhaust guide channel configured to guide the air toward the exhaust port, and wherein the exhaust guide channel comprises: a spiral radius that increases along a spiral direction toward the exhaust port; a cut-off area comprising a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; an exhaust area connected to the exhaust port and comprising a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape; a wedge area between the cut-off area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, wherein the wedge area is below the inclined section in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and wherein the wedge area comprises a wedge cross-sectional shape; a first transition area between the cut-off area and the wedge area along the spiral direction, the first transition area comprising a cross-sectional shape that changes from a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape to a wedge cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction; and a second transition area between the wedge area and the exhaust area along the spiral direction, the second transition area comprising a cross-sectional shape that changes from a wedge cross-sectional shape to a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape along the spiral direction.

16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein, along the spiral direction, the cut-off area maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, wherein, along the spiral direction, the first transition area comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, wherein, along the spiral direction, the wedge area maintains a wedge cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, wherein, along the spiral direction, the second transition area comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter, and wherein, along the spiral direction, the exhaust area maintains a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape and comprises an increasing hydraulic diameter.

17. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein an entire area of the exhaust guide channel comprises a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape, wherein an outer line of the exhaust guide channel comprises a spiral radius forming a spiral reference line that increases from the cut-off area to the exhaust area, wherein an outer line of the first transition area is outside the spiral reference line, wherein an outer line of the wedge area is outside the spiral reference line, and wherein an outer line of the second transition area is outside the spiral reference line.

18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein, in the first transition area, a distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line increases along the spiral direction, and wherein, in the second transition area, the distance between the outer line and the spiral reference line decreases along the spiral direction.

19. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein, in the intake guide channel, the inclined section is at least partially located on an edge of the intake port.

20. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein the intake guide channel further comprises:

an inlet area into which the air is introduced from an outside and which is configured to guide the air; and
an intake guide area connected to the inlet area, wherein the intake guide area comprises the inclined section and is configured to guide the air toward the intake port, and
wherein the intake guide area comprises the inclined section and a lowest height section at least partially surrounding the intake port and maintaining a minimum height of the inclined section.
Patent History
Publication number: 20260226918
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 13, 2025
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2026
Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. (Suwon-si)
Inventors: Hyunjoo KIM (Suwon-si), Dongbum LEE (Suwon-si), Seungjin LEE (Suwon-si), Sejin YUN (Suwon-si)
Application Number: 19/388,296
Classifications
International Classification: F04D 29/42 (20060101); F04D 17/16 (20060101); F25B 21/02 (20060101);