REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator. Wherein a cool air passage for a freezing compartment, the cool air passage guiding the flow of cool air to the freezing compartment, and a cool air passage for an ice-making compartment, the cool air passage guiding the flow of cool air to the ice-making compartment, partially share the cool air thereof. Through the sharing of cool air, the amount of cool air supplied to the freezing compartment is increased and sufficient cool air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment. Accordingly, sufficient cool air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment, and the ice-making compartment even with a single evaporator.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment that respectively provide storage spaces and having an ice-making compartment provided in a refrigerating compartment door.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a refrigerator is a home appliance that is provided to store various foods or beverages for a long time by cool air generated by circulation of a refrigerant according to a refrigeration cycle.

The refrigerator is configured of one or a plurality of partitioned storage compartments for cooling an object to be stored. Each of the storage compartments may be opened or closed by a rotary type door, or may be ejected and retracted or store in a drawer manner.

In particular, the storage compartments may include a freezing compartment for freezing the object to be stored and a refrigerating compartment for refrigerating the object to be stored. In addition, the storage compartments may include at least two freezing compartments or at least two refrigerating compartments.

In recent refrigerators, an ice-making compartment is provided in a refrigerating compartment door so that a user can take out ice without opening the freezing compartment.

That is, cool air has passed through an evaporator in a cabinet is delivered to the refrigerating compartment door through a cool air duct for the ice-making compartment, and when the refrigerating compartment door is closed, the cool air is supplied to the ice-making compartment through a connection passage provided in the refrigerating compartment door by the cool air duct for the ice-making compartment.

The above refrigerator is proposed in various related art, such as Korean Patent No. 10-1639443, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2009-0101525, and Korean Patent No. 10-1659622.

In particular, the above-described refrigerator having the ice-making compartment at the refrigerating compartment door is configured to selectively supply cool air to the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment, and the ice-making compartment by using a single evaporator.

However, the refrigerator according to the above related art has a problem in that sufficient cool air is not supplied to the freezing compartment due to the configuration in which cool air is supplied to the three compartments using the single evaporator.

Even though the freezing compartment having an inside space larger than that of the ice-making compartment should receive sufficient cool air than the ice-making compartment, cool air is not sufficiently provided to the freezing compartment.

Further, in the above related art, the refrigerator is configured such that cool air that has passed through the ice-making compartment provided in the refrigerating compartment door is recovered to the freezing compartment.

However, since the recovered cool air has a temperature higher than the temperature in the freezing compartment, temperature difference between a portion where the cool air is recovered and other portions in the freezing compartment should occur. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately control the temperature in the freezing compartment.

In particular, as interference generated in the process in which the cool air recovered from the ice-making compartment flows into the freezing compartment acts on the flow of the cool air in the freezing compartment, there is a problem in that sufficient cool air is not supplied to a specific portion in the freezing compartment.

Meanwhile, in the refrigerator having the ice-making compartment at the refrigerating compartment door, a freezing fan module and an ice-making fan module are provided separately and then coupled to a shroud.

In particular, the ice-making fan module includes a passage for guiding cool air to the ice-making compartment.

However, a grille fan assembly provided by coupling the separate ice-making fan module to the shroud as described above has a problem in assembling in that the ice-making fan module should be additionally assembled. Further, in the process of installing the ice-making module in the grille fan assembly, there is a problem in that a fan duct does not match with a cool air duct for the ice-making compartment due to a coupling error between the ice-making fan module and the grille fan assembly.

Further, in the refrigerator having the ice-making compartment at the refrigerating compartment door, a large amount of condensed water is generated in the ice-making fan module due to humid air flowing back from the refrigerating compartment through the cool air duct for the ice-making compartment during the freezing operation. The generated condensed water freezes to cause a malfunction of the ice-making fan.

Conventionally, various efforts have been carried out for removing condensed water in a portion where the ice-making fan module is located or for preventing the freezing of the condensed water.

However, despite the above efforts, a structure that prevents the back flow of cool air from the cool air duct for the ice-making compartment or a structure for quickly removing the condensed water flowing into the ice-making fan module is not provided in the refrigerator, so the above problems still remain.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator in which a cool air passage for a freezing compartment guiding a cool air flow to a freezing compartment and the cool air passage for an ice-making compartment guiding a cool air flow to the ice-making compartment partially share cool air with each other. Whereby, when an ice-making fan and a freezing fan are operated at the same time, part of the cool air supplied through the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment is supplied to the freezing compartment through the cool air passage for the freezing compartment, and even when only the ice-making fan is operated, the cool air in the freezing compartment is prevented from flowing back into the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator capable of minimizing the interference in which of part of the cool air supplied to the cool air passage for the freezing compartment by the ice-making fan interferes with the flow of cool air flowing in the cool air passage for the freezing compartment by the freezing fan.

A further objective of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator in which a condensed water discharge structure is provided in a portion where an ice-making fan module is located. Accordingly, even when condensed water is generated around the ice-making fan module, the ice-making fan module is prevented from freezing.

Technical Solution

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure in order to achieve the above objectives, cool air is supplied to a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and an ice-making compartment by a single evaporator, a cool air passage for the freezing compartment supplying cool air to the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment and a cool air passage for the ice-making compartment supplying cool air to the ice-making compartment share the cool air with each other through a shared passage. Thus, the amount of the cool air supplied to the freezing compartment is increased, and when only an ice-making fan is operated, the cool air in the freezing compartment is prevented from flowing back.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, an open portion at a cool air outlet side of the shared passage may be configured not to face a freezing fan. Thus, the cool air supplied to the cool air passage for the freezing compartment from the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment through the shared passage is smoothly supplied without interference with the cool air flowing along the cool air passage for the freezing compartment.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the cool air passage for the freezing compartment and the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment may be provided at one surface of facing surfaces of a grille panel and a shroud. Whereby, inconvenience in assembling or poor assembly is prevented.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, a refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly may be configured to receive cool air from a freezing compartment side grille fan assembly through a connection duct. Whereby, the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment, and the ice-making compartment are cooled by the single evaporator.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, a cool air outlet may be configured to be positioned at a portion in an upper surface of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly, the portion being directly above the freezing fan. Whereby, sufficient cool air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, an upper guide may be provided on the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly. Whereby, the flow of cool air due to the operation of the freezing fan smoothly flows into the cool air outlet and an upper space of the cool air passage for the freezing compartment.

A passage opening and closing module may be provided in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the passage opening and closing module selectively blocking the cool air supplied to the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly through the connection duct. Whereby, the refrigerating operation and the freezing operation are performed separately by the single evaporator.

A passage rib may be included in the refrigerator of the present disclosure. Whereby, the cool air passage for the freezing compartment and the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment are separated from each other.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, an upper shared passage may be formed on one port ion of the passage rib. Whereby, the upper shared passage is provided.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure may include a first circumferential passage rib surrounding an upper circumference of an ice-making fan module, and a second circumferential passage rib surrounding a lower circumference of the ice-making fan module. Whereby, the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment is provided.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, a lower end of the first circumferential passage rib and an upper end of the second circumferential passage rib may be configured to be spaced apart from each other. Whereby, the upper shared passage is provided.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib may be configured to surround an outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the first circumferential passage rib. Whereby, the upper shared passage may discharge cool air to an upper surface at one side in the cool air passage for the freezing compartment.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib may be configured to be located higher than a center height of the freezing fan. Whereby, the cool air blown in a radial direction of the freezing fan due to the operation of the freezing fan is prevented from interfering the cool air discharge while flowing back to the upper shared passage through a cool air outlet side of the upper shared passage.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib may be configured to be gradually further spaced apart from the lower end of the first circumferential passage rib as the second circumferential passage rib goes upward. Whereby, the discharge flow rate of the cool air supplied to the cool air passage for the freezing compartment may be reduced, and interference with the flow of the cool air flowing along the cool air passage for the freezing compartment is prevented.

A lower shared passage may be included in the refrigerator of the present disclosure. Thus, part of cool air generated in the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment is provided to an extension passage.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the lower shared passage may be configured such that a lower end of the second circumferential passage rib is spaced apart from a wall surface of the cool air passage for the freezing compartment. Thus, the cool air supplied through the lower shared passage may flow along the wall surface of the cool air passage for the freezing compartment.

A recovery duct for the refrigerating compartment may be included in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the recovery duct being configured to recover the cool air in the refrigerating compartment to a cool air inlet side of the evaporator. Thus, the load of the evaporator may be reduced.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the upper guide may be included on an upper wall surface of the cool air passage for the freezing compartment. Thus, the cool air may be smoothly discharged through the cool air outlet.

Advantageous Effects

As described above, the shared passages are provided in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, so that the cool air passage for the freezing compartment and the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment are shared with each other. Accordingly, even when the freezing fan and the ice-making fan are operated at the same time, sufficient cool air can be supplied to the freezing compartment, and when only the ice-making fan is operated, the back flow of cool air from the freezing compartment can be prevented.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure is configured such that the open portion of the cool air outlet side of the shared passage does not face the freezing fan module. Accordingly, there is an effect that the cool air provided from the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment through the shared passage does not interfere with the flow of the cool air flowing in the cool air passage for the freezing compartment.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure is configured such that the lower shared passage is formed in a lower surface (the second circumferential passage rib) of the installation portion of the ice-making fan module, and the extension passage extended to the lower compartment of the freezing compartment is additionally formed in the shroud. Therefore, sufficient cool air can be supplied to the lower compartment of the freezing compartment.

In particular, the drainage hole is additionally formed in the extension passage, and the lower shared passage is formed by penetrating between the second circumferential passage rib and the wall surface of the shroud.

Accordingly, there is an effect that condensed water or moisture in the installation portion of the ice-making fan module can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the freezing compartment.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure is configured to have the guide formed on each wall surface in the cool air passage for the freezing compartment, so that the cool air flowing in the cool air passage for the freezing compartment can be supplied differently for each portion in the freezing compartment. Accordingly, there is an effect that the freezing efficiency can be improved.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure is configured to supply the cool air to the cool air passage for the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly through the cool air outlet formed in the upper wall surface of the cool air passage for the freezing compartment and the connection duct connected to the cool air outlet. Accordingly, there is an effect that the single evaporator can selectively supply cool air to the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment, and the ice-making compartment.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a refrigerating compartment door with an ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is opened;

FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing an inner structure of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the inner structure of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure in a state in which two refrigerating compartment doors and two freezing compartment doors are omitted;

FIG. 5 is a side section view showing the inner structure of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a passage opening and closing module of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from a rear surface of the refrigerator, the view showing a state in which an outer casing is removed for showing an installation structure of a cool air duct for the ice-making compartment, a recovery duct for the ice-making compartment, a connection duct, and a recovery duct for the refrigerating compartment;

FIG. 9 is a main-part perspective view showing a state of either side wall surface in a freezing compartment for showing a connection structure of the recovery duct for the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure in a state in which the outer casing is removed for showing an installation structure of the connection duct and the recovery duct for the refrigerating compartment:

FIG. 1I is a side view showing the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure in a state in which the outer casing is removed for showing the installation structure of the cool air duct for the ice-making compartment, the recovery duct for the ice-making compartment, the connection duct, and the recovery duct for the refrigerating compartment;

FIG. 12 is a state view schematically showing a passage structure for supply and recovery cool air to the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an inside state of the freezing compartment for showing a freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a state in which a shroud is removed from a state in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is an exploded-perspective view from a front side of the refrigerator, the view showing the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is an exploded-perspective view from a rear side of the refrigerator, the view showing the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a front view showing the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a front view showing the shroud of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a rear view showing the shroud of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a front view showing a grille panel of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a rear view showing the grille panel of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a section view taken along line I-I in FIG. 18;

FIG. 25 is a section view taken along line II-II in FIG. 18;

FIG. 26 is a rear view of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly for showing a flow of cool air when the temperature in the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is controlled;

FIG. 27 is a side section view showing a flow of cool air when the temperature in the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is controlled;

FIG. 28 is a state view showing flows of cool air of the connection duct and the recovery duct for the refrigerating compartment when the temperature in the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is controlled;

FIG. 29 is a state view from a front side of the shroud, the view showing a flow of cool air when the temperature in the freezing compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is control led;

FIG. 30 is a side section view showing a flow of cool air when the temperature in the freezing compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is controlled;

FIG. 31 is a state view from the front side of the shroud, the view showing a flow of cool air when the freezing compartment and the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure are operated at the same time;

FIG. 32 is a main-part enlarged view from the front side of the shroud, the view showing the flow of cool air when the freezing compartment and the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure are operated at the same time;

FIG. 33 is a state view from the front side of the shroud, the view showing a flow of cool air when the temperature in the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is control led;

FIG. 34 is a main-part enlarged view from the front side of the shroud, the view showing the flow of cool air when the temperature in the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is controlled;

FIG. 35 is a side view showing the flow of cool air when the temperature in the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is controlled; and

FIG. 36 is a state view schematically showing the flow of cool air in the ice-making compartment when the temperature in the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is controlled.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinbelow, an exemplary embodiment with respect to a refrigerator of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying FIGS. 1 to 36.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a refrigerating compartment door at an ice-making compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view schematically shown for showing an inner structure of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the inner structure of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure in a state in which two refrigerating compartment doors and two freezing compartment doors are omitted. FIG. 5 is a side section view showing the inner structure of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in the drawings, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a refrigerating compartment 11, a freezing compartment 12, and an ice-making compartment 21. The refrigerating compartment 11 is configured to receive cool air from a refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1. The ice-making compartment 21 is configured to be located in any one refrigerating compartment door 20a and to receive cool air from a freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 together with the freezing compartment 12.

In addition, the cool air is generated from a single evaporator 40 and then supplied into the refrigerating compartment 11, the freezing compartment 12, and the ice-making compartment 21 through the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 and the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2. The freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 is configured such that a cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and a cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment are integrally formed and share the cool air with each other through a shared passage 215a, 215b.

That is, as the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment share the cool air with each other, the cool air may be selectively supplied from the single evaporator 40 to the refrigerating compartment 11, the freezing compartment 12, and the ice-making compartment 21. Further, as the cool air supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 may be supplied to the freezing compartment 12, enough cool air may be supplied to the freezing compartment 12.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail as follows.

First, the refrigerating compartment 11 is a storage compartment provided to refrigerate the object to be stored, and the freezing compartment 12 is a storage compartment provided to freeze the object to be stored.

The refrigerating compartment 11 is provided in an upper space in a cabinet 10, and the freezing compartment 12 is provided in a lower space in the cabinet 10.

The cabinet 10 may consist of an outer casing 10a forming an external surface of the refrigerator and two inner casings 10b and 10c forming an inner surface of the refrigerator.

In the two inner casings 10b and 10c, an upper inner casing 10b (Hereinbelow, upper inner casing refers to “inner casing for refrigerating compartment”) is a portion providing the refrigerating compartment 11, and a lower inner casing 10c (Hereinbelow, lower inner casing refers to “inner casing for freezing compartment”) is a portion providing the freezing compartment 12.

That is, an inside space of the inner casing 10b for the refrigerating compartment is used as the refrigerating compartment 11, and an inside space of the inner casing 10c for the freezing compartment is used as the freezing compartment 12.

The inner casing 10b for the refrigerating compartment and the inner casing 10c for the freezing compartment is formed in a box shape with an open front surface, and is formed to be spaced apart from each other.

A partition wall 10d (referring to FIGS. 4 and 5) may be provided in a space between the two inner casings 10b and 10c. The partition wall 10d may be a separate frame placed between the two inner casings 10b and 10c, may be a filling material filling between the two inner casings 10b and 10c, or may be configured as a void.

Further, the refrigerating compartment 11 is configured to be opened and closed by a refrigerating compartment door 20a, 20b, and the freezing compartment 12 is configured to be opened and closed by a freezing compartment door 30a, 30b.

The refrigerating compartment door 20a. 20b is configured as two doors, and configured as double-door type rotary doors (a door installed to be horizontally rotatable) that may respectively open and close opposite sides of the refrigerating compartment 11. The freezing compartment door 30a, 30b may be configured as two doors, and configured as double-door type rotary doors (a door installed to be horizontally rotatable) that may respectively open and close opposite sides of the freezing compartment 12.

In particular, the ice-making compartment 21 is provided at an inside (a side located in the refrigerating compartment when the refrigerating compartment door is closed) of either refrigerating compartment door 20a (Hereinbelow, the door refers to a “first refrigerating compartment door”) of the two refrigerating compartment doors 20a and 20b. The ice-making compartment 21 is a storage compartment having an ice tray (not shown) for making ice at a refrigerating compartment door 20a. The ice-making compartment 21 is configured to have a space partitioned from the refrigerating compartment 11. The first refrigerating compartment door 20a is a refrigerating compartment door located on the left side when the refrigerator is viewed from the front.

Although not shown in the drawings, the ice-making compartment 21 may be additionally provided in another refrigerating compartment door 20b (a refrigerating compartment door is located on the right side when the refrigerator is viewed from the front. Hereinbelow, the refrigerating compartment door refers to “second refrigerating compartment door”) of the refrigerating compartment doors 20a and 20b. The ice-making compartment 21 may be configured to be provide in only the second refrigerating compartment door 20b.

Further, the freezing compartment 12 is configured to have seated portions of an upper compartment, a middle compartment, and a lower compartment.

In addition, a separation wall 13 is provided in the freezing compartment 12. The separation wall 13 is a wall built for dividing the freezing compartment 12 into left and right spaces, and is configured to vertically cross a center portion in the freezing compartment 12.

The left and right spaces in the freezing compartment 12 divided by the separation wall 13 are respectively configured as seated portions of the upper, middle, and lower compartments. In each of the seated portions of the upper, middle, and lower compartments, a drawer box (not shown) may be provided to store the objects to be stored.

The drawer box may be installed to be ejected and retracted in a drawer manner. The drawer box in each of the compartments may be configured such that an upper end of the drawer box is spaced apart from a lower surface of another drawer box that is located on an upper side thereof. That is, through the space between the drawer boxes, cool air may pass between the drawer boxes of the compartments.

The two freezing compartment doors 30a and 30b are configured to open and close the opposite spaces in the freezing compartment 12 divided by the separation wall 13, respectively. That is, one freezing compartment door 30a (Hereinbelow, the door refers to “first freezing compartment door”) is configured to open and close one side space in the freezing compartment (the left side space viewed from the front). Further, another freezing compartment door 30b (Hereinbelow, the door refers to “second freezing compartment door”) is configured to open and close another side space in the freezing compartment (the right-side space viewed from the front).

Further, the evaporator 40 is provided in the cabinet 10.

The evaporator 40 may be located in the rear side (the rear side in the freezing compartment) in the inner casing 10c for the freezing compartment. In more detail, the evaporator 40 may be located above a machine room 15.

The machine room 15 is provided in a lower rear portion outside the inner casing 10c for the freezing compartment and provides a space in which a compressor and a condenser are installed.

The lower rear portion in the freezing compartment 12 has a freezing space that is narrower than an upper rear port ion in the freezing compartment 12 by the size of the machine room 15. That is, the upper portion in the freezing compartment 12 is formed by protruding rearward more than the lower portion in the freezing compartment 12, and the evaporator 40 is located in the upper rear portion in the freezing compartment 12.

Further, a recovery duct 53 for the refrigerating compartment is provided in the cabinet 10.

The recovery duct 53 for the refrigerating compartment is provided to recover the cool air flowing in the refrigerating compartment 11 toward a cool air inlet side of the evaporator 40.

A first end of the recovery duct 53 for the refrigerating compartment is configured to be connected to a lower end of a rear surface of the inner casing 10b for the refrigerating compartment constituting the cabinet 10. A second end of the recovery duct 53 for the refrigerating compartment is configured to be connected to the cool air inlet side (a lower portion of the evaporator) of the evaporator 40 of a rear surface of the inner casing 10c for the freezing compartment constituting the cabinet 10.

The first end of the recovery duct 53 for the refrigerating compartment is configured to be connected to a side portion of a connect ion duct 54. The connection duct 54 is a configuration provided in the cabinet 10 to provide cool air generated from the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 to the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1.

The connection duct 54 may be provided in the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 or in the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2. The connection duct 54 may be formed separately from the cabinet 10 and the two grille fan assemblies 1 and 2 and then may be connected to the two grille fan assemblies 1 and 2.

Further, the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 is provided in front of the evaporator 40.

The freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 is configured to selectively supply cool air to the freezing compartment 12 and the ice-making compartment 21 while two fan modules 230 and 240 are simultaneously installed therein.

That is, the two fan modules 230 and 240 are simultaneously provided in the single freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2, and a structure for guiding a flow of cool air blown by the two fan modules 230 and 240 allows the two fan modules 230 and 240 to be integrally formed in the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2.

Further, a cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment is provided in a gap between the outer casing 10a and any one side wall of the two inner casings 10b and 10c constituting the cabinet 10.

The cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment is a duct that guides the cool air provided from the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 to be supplied to the ice-making compartment 21.

A first end 51a of the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment is installed by penetrating any one side surface (a side where the refrigerating compartment door with the ice-making compartment is located, the right side in the drawing when viewed from the rear surface) of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2. That is, an outlet from which the cool air of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment flows out is configured to be opened toward any one side portion between a grille panel 220 and a shroud 210 constituting the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2, so that the cool air blown by an ice-making fan 241 may flow smoothly without sudden change of direction. The above structure is as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.

In addition, a second end 51b of the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment is configured to penetrate a side wall of the inner casing 10b for the refrigerating compartment to be exposed into the refrigerating compartment 11.

The second end 51b of the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment is configured to supply the cool air to a supply guide duct 21a while matching with the supply guide duct 21a provided in the first refrigerating compartment door 20a when the first refrigerating compartment door 20a having the ice-making compartment 21 is operated to be closed. The supply guide duct 21a is formed to be extended to the ice-making compartment 21 and configured to supply the cool air to the ice-making compartment 21.

In addition, a recovery guide duct 21b is provided in the first refrigerating compartment door 20a. A first end of the recovery guide duct 21b is connected to the ice-making compartment 21 and a second end thereof is formed to be extended to a lower portion of a side wall of the first refrigerating compartment door 20a, thereby guiding a recovery flow of the cool air passing through the ice-making compartment 21. The above structure is as shown in FIG. 12.

Further, a recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is provided in a gap between the outer casing 10a and any one side wall of the inner casing 10b, 10c of the cabinet 10.

The recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is a duct for guiding the cool air passing through the ice-making compartment 21 to be recovered to the freezing compartment 12.

A first end 52a of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is configured to penetrate the side wall of the inner casing 10b for the refrigerating compartment to be exposed into the refrigerating compartment 11. The first end 52a of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is configured to match with the second end of the recovery guide duct 21b when the first refrigerating compartment door 20a having the ice-making compartment 21 is operated to be closed. The above structure is as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11.

In addition, a second end 52b of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is configured to pass through a penetration hole 12a (referring to FIGS. 5 and 9) provided in a side wall of the inner casing 10c for the freezing compartment to be exposed into the freezing compartment 12.

The second end 52b of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is configured to be located at the rearmost side of the lower compartment in the freezing compartment 12.

In particular, it is preferable that the penetration hole 12a where the second end 52b of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is located is located as close to a cool air suction side (a side where cool air recovered from the freezing compartment to the evaporator is suctioned) of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 as possible. That is, the cool air recovered from the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment should flow directly toward the evaporator 40 without affecting the temperature and humidity in the freezing compartment 12 as little as possible.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the penetration hole 12a, in which the second end 52b of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is located, is located in parallel with a side portion of a first suction guide 224a provided in the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 of any one side wall of the inner casing 10c for the freezing compartment.

In particular, the second end 52b (or, the penetration hole 12a where the second end is located) of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is formed in a triangular structure that gradually narrows toward a lower portion thereof, and the second end 52b being configured to be opened to the lower compartment in the freezing compartment 12.

That is, when a cool air discharge portion (or, the penetration hole) of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is formed to have a long structure in the transverse direction, the temperature in the freezing compartment 12 may be affected by the structure. However, as shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the cool air discharge portion (or, penetration hole) of the triangular structure of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment has a vertically long structure while considering the shape of the machine room 15, so that the effect on the temperature in the freezing compartment 12 may be minimal.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 of the refrigerator is configured to supply the cool air, which is provided from the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 through the connection duct 54, to each portion in the refrigerating compartment 11. The freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 is configured to selectively supply the cool air, which is heat-exchanged by passing through the evaporator 40, to the refrigerating compartment 11, the freezing compartment 12, or the ice-making compartment 21.

The connection duct 54 is configured to connect the center of a lower portion of the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 to the center of an upper portion of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2. The above structure is as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.

The refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 is configured to supply the cool air, which is supplied from the connection duct 54, to each portion in the refrigerating compartment 11 through a cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment. The refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 may have a plurality of cool air outlets 111, 112, and 113, so that the cool air flowing along the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment is discharged into the refrigerating compartment 11.

In addition, a passage opening and closing module 60 is provided in at least one portion of the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 or the connection duct 54. The passage opening and closing module 60 is a configuration that is provided to selectively block the cool air of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment introduced through the connection duct 54.

That is, by the passage opening and closing module 60, the selective cool air supply may be performed in the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1.

The passage opening and closing module 60 may be provided in a cool air inlet side of the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment.

That is, the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 and the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 are respectively formed in separate bodies and then are configured to communicate with each other through the connection duct 54. In particular, since the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 does not have any special operating element, it is preferable to install the passage opening and closing module 60 in the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 rather than in the connection duct 54 or the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2.

A mounting end 101 extended more than the connection duct 60 is provided in the cool air inlet side of the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment. The passage opening and closing module 60 is configured to be provided in the mounting end 101 and to selectively block the flow of the cold air passing through the mounting end 101. The above structure is as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The passage opening and closing module 60 includes a damper casing 61, an opening and closing damper 62, and a damper operation part 63.

The damper casing 61 is configured to block the inside of the mounting end 101 and is formed in a rectangular frame structure in which a through hole 61a is provided. The opening and closing damper 62 is configured to be provided in the damper casing 61 and to open and close the through hole 61a. The damper operation part 63 is configured to operate the opening and closing damper 62.

The damper operation part 63 may be a motor, the opening and closing damper 62 may be formed in a plate that rotates while being coupled to the motor by a shaft to close or open the through hole 61a.

Although not shown in the drawings, the passage opening and closing module 60 may be configured to forcibly close or open a passage through which the cool air passes by a solenoid or cylinder, or may be configured in various structures other than that.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 has the two cool air passages 213 and 214 that guide the flow of the cool air by operations of the two fan modules 230 and 240.

That is, the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 has the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment that guides the flow of cool air blown by a freezing fan 231 of a freezing fan module 230, and the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 has the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment that guides the flow of cool air blown by the ice-making fan 241 of an ice-making fan module 240.

In particular, the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment share cool air with each other through the shared passage 215a, 215b. However, an open port ion of a cool air outlet side of the shared passage 215a. 215b is formed not to face the freezing fan module 230.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, by sharing cool air between the two cool air passages 213 and 214 by the shared passage 215a, 215b, the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 of the refrigerator may supply more cool air to the freezing compartment 12. In addition, when only the ice-making fan 241 is operated, the cool air in the freezing compartment 12 may be prevented from flowing backward.

Hereinbelow, the embodiment with respect to a detailed structure of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 to 25.

The freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 includes the shroud 210.

The shroud 210 is a portion forming a rear wall surface of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2.

The evaporator 40 is located in the rear of the freezing compartment 12 of a rear wall surface in the cabinet 10 (a rear wall surface in the inner casing). The shroud 210 is located at front of the evaporator 40.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing the shroud 210 of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a rear view showing the shroud 210 of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in the drawings, the shroud 210 has a first inlet hole 211a and a second inlet hole 211b that are formed by penetrating the shroud 210.

The two inlet holes 211a and 211b are holes provided to allow the cool air, which is heat-exchanged while passing through the evaporator 40 located at the rear in the freezing compartment 12, to flow into a gap between the grille panel 220 for the freezing compartment and the shroud 210.

In a front surface of the shroud 210, the freezing fan module 230 is installed in a portion where the first inlet hole 211a is formed, and the ice-making fan module 240 is installed in a portion where the second inlet hole 211b is formed.

The freezing fan module 230 is located to face the first inlet hole 211a, and the ice-making fan module 240 is located to face the second inlet hole 211b.

In particular, the first inlet hole 211a is located at a center portion between the upper compartment and the middle compartment constituting the freezing compartment 12. The second inlet hole 211b is located at either side of the first inlet hole 211a. That is, the freezing fan module 230 is located at the center portion between the upper compartment and the middle compartment constituting the freezing compartment 12 in each portion of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2, and the ice-making fan module 240 is located at either side of the freezing fan module 230. Therefore, the cool air blown in a radial direction of the freezing fan 231 by the operation of the freezing fan module 230 may be smoothly supplied to all of the upper, middle, and lower compartments in the freezing compartment 12. Further, the cool air blown in a radial direction of the ice-making fan 241 by the operation of the ice-making fan module 240 may be conveyed with a directionality toward the side of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2.

The first inlet hole 211a is designed in consideration of the amount of cool air supplied to the freezing compartment 12 through the freezing fan module 230. The second inlet hole 211b is designed in consideration of the pressure of cool air supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 through the ice-making fan module 240.

That is, the freezing fan module 230 is configured to supply a sufficient amount of cool air, since the freezing fan module 230 supplies the cool air to the freezing compartment 12 located at front of the freezing fan module 230 and the refrigerating compartment 11 located directly above the freezing fan module 230. However, the ice-making fan module 240 supplies the cool air to the ice-making compartment 21 located in the first refrigerating compartment door 20a, so the ice-making fan module 240 should be configured to supply a sufficient amount of cool air over a long distance.

In addition, the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment and the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment are respectively formed at the front surface of the shroud 210 (referring to FIGS. 19 and 20).

The cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is a passage that guides the cool air passing through the second inlet hole 211b and flowing into a gap between the shroud 210 and the grille panel 220 to flow into a connection portion with the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment. The cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is a passage that guides the cool air blown by the freezing fan 231 to each of the upper compartment, the middle compartment, and the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12.

The cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is formed by recessing the front surface of the shroud 210. The cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is formed in either side of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment in the front surface of the shroud 210.

Outer edge portions of the front surface of the shroud 210 constitute inner wall surfaces of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. That is, the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is formed to have an upper wall surface 214a located at the upper side on the basis of the first inlet hole 211a, a lower wall surface 214b located at the lower side on the basis of the first inlet hole 211a, a first side wall surface 214c at the side where the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is located, and a second side wall surface 214d facing the first side wall surface 214c.

In addition, the upper wall surface 214a has a cool air outlet 214e.

The cool air outlet 214e is an open portion to communicate with a part of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment, the cool air outlet 214e being located at a directly upper portion of the freezing fan 231. The cool air outlet 214e is connected to a first end of the connection duct 54.

The cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment are formed to be separated from each other by passage rib 213a, 213b (shown in FIG. 20). That is, the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment separated from the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment by the passage rib 213a. 213b is provided on the front surface of the shroud 210.

The passage rib 213a. 213b protrudes from the front surface of the shroud 210 and forms a circumferential wall surface of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment. That is, the cool air introduced through the second inlet hole 211b is guided to the connection portion with the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment by flowing along the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment formed by the passage rib 213a, 213b.

The passage rib 213a, 213b includes a first circumferential passage rib 213a and a second circumferential passage rib 213b that are formed along a circumference of the second inlet hole 211b.

The port ion where the second inlet hole 211b is provided may be partitioned from the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment by the two circumferential passage ribs 213a and 213b. The cool air passing through the second inlet hole 211b may be blown along the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment formed by the passage rib 213a, 213b into the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment.

The first circumferential passage rib 213a is configured to cross between the first inlet hole 211a and the second inlet hole 211b in the front surface of the shroud 210. That is, as the first circumferential passage rib 213a is configured to block between the ice-making fan module 240 and the freezing fan module 230, the cool air provided from the freezing fan module 230 is prevented from being directly discharged to a cool air outlet of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

In addition, the first circumferential passage rib 213a is rounded to surround a part of a circumference at one side (a side of the freezing fan module is located) of the ice-making fan module 240. Accordingly, the cool air blown in the radial direction of the ice-making fan 241 by the operation of the ice-making fan 241 may flow in a circumferential direction of the ice-making fan 241 by guidance of the first circumferential passage rib 213a, and may flow toward the communication portion with the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment.

The second circumferential passage rib 213b is configured to surround a lower circumference of a portion where the ice-making fan module 240 is installed, in the front surface of the shroud 210. That is, the second circumferential passage rib 213b divides the lower portion of the ice-making fan module 240 from the center portion between the ice-making fan module 240 and the freezing fan module 230.

In addition, the second circumferential passage rib 213b is rounded to surround the lower circumference of the ice-making fan module 240.

The passage rib 213a. 213b has the shared passage 215a. 215b.

The shared passage 215a, 215b includes an upper shared passage 215a.

That is, the upper shared passage 215a allows the cool air in the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment blown by the ice-making fan module 240 to be partially supplied into the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

In particular, when the freezing fan 231 and the ice-making fan 241 are operated at the same time, the upper shared passage 215a is configured such that part of the cool air blown by the ice-making fan 241 is additionally supplied into the freezing compartment 12 through the upper shared passage 215a. Accordingly, the amount of cool air supplied to the freezing compartment 12, whereby it is possible to quickly control the temperature in the freezing compartment 12.

When the freezing fan 231 is not operated and only the ice-making fan 241 is operated, the pressure at the side of the second inlet hole 211b where the ice-making fan 241 is located is relatively lower than the pressure at the side of the first inlet hole 211a. Therefore, there is concern that the cool air in the freezing compartment 12 passes through the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and flows through the first inlet hole 211a into the portion where the evaporator 40 is located, and then the cool air is suctioned through the second inlet hole 211b into the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

However, by the provision of the upper shared passage 215a, even when only the ice-making fan 241 is operated, the pressure difference between the two passages 213 and 214 is reduced by sharing the cool air between the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment. Accordingly, the cool air in the freezing compartment 12 is prevented from flowing back into the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

In addition, the first circumferential passage rib 213a is formed to be spaced apart from the second circumferential passage rib 213b. That is, as the first circumferential passage rib 213a and the second circumferential passage rib 213b are spaced apart from each other, the upper shared passage 215a through which the cool air flows is provided.

In particular, an upper end of the second circumferential passage rib 213b is formed to surround an outer circumferential surface of a lower end of the first circumferential passage rib 213a. That is, the structure of the two circumferential passage ribs 213a and 213b forms the upper shared passage 215a to face an upper surface of either side (the upper surface of the side where the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment is provided, the side where a cool air outlet for the upper compartment is provided) in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. The above structure is as shown in FIG. 16.

A cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment is located in a portion facing the upper shared passage 215a. Through cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment, part of the cool air flowing in the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is supplied to an upper portion of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment, and then may be supplied through the cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment to the upper compartment of the freezing compartment 12.

That is, even when the cool air passing through the upper shared passage 215a is supplied into the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment, the cool air is directly discharged to the freezing compartment 12 through the cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment, so that the flow of the cool air flowing in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is not affected.

In particular, the open portion at the cool air outlet side of the upper shared passage 215a is formed not to face the freezing fan module 230 located in the first inlet hole 211a.

That is, the discharge direction of the cool air provided from the upper shared passage 215a and the direction of the cool air blown by the freezing fan module 230 are configured not to coincide with each other, thereby preventing flow interference between two cool air flows.

Therefore, the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib 213b is configured to be located higher than the first inlet hole 211a (referring to FIG. 15). That is, the cool air flowing in the circumferential direction of the freezing fan 231 by the rotation of the freezing fan 231 is prevented from being directly blowing toward the open portion at the cool air outlet side of the upper shared passage 215a.

However, when the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib 213b is located lower than the first inlet hole 211a, while the cool air blowing from the freezing fan 231 is provided into the upper shared passage 215a between the first circumferential passage rib 213a and the second circumferential passage rib 213b, interference between the cool air blowing from the freezing fan 231 and the cool air discharged from the upper shared passage 215a may occur. Therefore, the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib 213b is configured to be located higher than the first inlet hole 211a, so that collision between the cool air discharged from the upper shared passage 215a and the cool air blown by the freezing fan 231 may be prevented (or minimized).

In addition, the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib 213b is configured to be gradually spaced apart from the lower end of the first circumferential passage rib 213a the second circumferential passage rib 213b goes upward.

That is, the upper shared passage 215a is configured to be gradually increased as the upper shared passage 215a goes from a cool air inlet side (a side communicating with the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment) to the cool air outlet side (a side communicating with the cool air passage for the freezing compartment).

Accordingly, the discharge flow rate of the cool air supplied to the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment through the upper shared passage 215a may be reduced, so that the flow of the cool air flowing along the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment by the operation of the freezing fan module 230 is not impeded (or the interference between the two air flows is minimized).

In addition, the shroud 210 may have a third circumferential passage rib 213c.

The third circumferential passage rib 213c is formed from a lower end of the second circumferential passage rib 213b (an end opposite to the side where the first circumferential passage rib is located) and penetrates the first side wall surface 214c of the shroud 210 to protrude outward.

That is, the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment has a predetermined length passage by the third circumferential passage rib 213c and the protruding structure thereof. Accordingly, the cool air flowing in the circumferential direction along the two circumferential passage ribs 213a and 213b may be conveyed with the straightness toward the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment connected to the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2.

The third circumferential passage rib 213c may be formed by bending (recessing or protruding) an edge portion of the shroud 210. The third circumferential passage rib 213c may be formed in a rib protruding from a surface of the shroud 210, as described above, the two circumferential passage ribs 213a and 213b.

In addition, the shroud 210 has an extension part 218.

The extension part 218 is a portion that is extended downward from a lower surface of each of opposite sides of the shroud 210 to the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12.

In particular, an extension passage 218a communicating with the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is provided at a front surface of the extension part 218, so that the part of the cool air flowing in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is guided to the portion where the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12 is located.

The extension passage 218a (or the extension part) is formed to be extended downward from each of two facing portions of a cool air outlet 222 for the middle compartment in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment to each of two facing portions of a cool air outlet 223 for the lower compartment.

That is, the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment formed in the shroud 210 guides the supply of cool air with respect to the upper and middle compartments of the freezing compartment 12. The extension passage 218a guides part of the cool air flowing in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment to be supplied to the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12.

Further, the shared passage 215a. 215b formed in the shroud 210 may include a lower shared passage 215b.

The lower shared passage 215b is a passage provided to guide the supply of the cool air to a lower surface side in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. When only the ice-making fan 241 is operated, the lower shared passage 215b supplies the cool air to the freezing compartment 12 to solve the pressure difference between the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment (or freezing compartment) and the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

The lower shared passage 215b may be formed by spacing the lower end of the second circumferential passage rib 213b apart from a side wall surface 214c at the side where the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is provided, in the opposite side wall surfaces 214c and 214d of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

That is, as the lower shared passage 215b is formed on a wall surface in the extension passage 218a, when the cool air is supplied into the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment 214 (or the extension passage) by passing through the lower shared passage 215b, the cool air may affect the cool air flowing from the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment to the extension passage 218a.

In particular, the lower end 213d (referring to FIG. 16) of the second circumferential passage rib 213b is formed by being bent in a direction parallel to a direction of the first side wall surface 214c at the side where the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is provided, in the opposite side wall surfaces of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. That is, as the lower shared passage 215b is formed to have a predetermined length, the cool air passing through the lower shared passage 215b may flow along wall surfaces of the first side wall surface 214c and the extension passage 218a.

The lower end 213d of the second circumferential passage rib 213b may be formed parallel to the first side wall surface 214c. Alternately, as the second circumferential passage rib 213b goes downward, the lower end 213d of the second circumferential passage rib 213b may be formed to be gradually adjacent toward the first side wall surface 214c.

Although not shown in the drawings, the lower shared passage 215b may be formed in a separate passage penetrating the second circumferential passage rib 213b.

In addition, a drainage hole 218d is formed by penetrating a lower end of the extension part 218.

That is, the inside of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is configured to communicate with the refrigerating compartment 11 through the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment. Because of the above structure, condensed water may be generated in the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment due to the temperature difference with the outside air, and the condensed water may flow back to the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment while flowing along the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment.

Considering the above structure, the refrigerator is configured such that, the condensed water flowing back to the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment flows down into the extension passage 218a through the lower shared passage 215b provided in the second circumferential passage rib 213b, and then the condensed water is discharged to the outside of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 through the drainage hole 218d.

Meanwhile, a cool air inlet side portion (a circumferential portion of the first inlet hole) of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment may be divided into a plurality of areas 216a, 216b, and 216c for inflow of cool air (referring to FIG. 20).

That is, the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is configured as three areas as follow. A first area 216a is commonly located between the first circumferential passage rib 213a and the ice-making fan module 240 and between the second circumferential passage rib 213b and the ice-making fan module 240. A second area 216b is located between a lower surface of the ice-making fan module 240 and the second circumferential passage rib 213b. A third area 216c is located between an upper surface of the ice-making fan module 240 and the first circumferential passage rib 213a and communicates with a cool air outlet side portion of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

In particular, the first area 216a communicates with the upper shared passage 215a, the second area 216b communicates with the lower shared passage 215b, and the third area 216c communicates with the cool air outlet side of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

In addition, the third area 216c is configured to supply the amount of cool air that is approximately equal to the sum of the supply amounts of cool air of the first area 216a and the second area 216b. The second area 216b is configured to supply a relatively larger amount of cool air than the first area 216a. That is, approximately half of the entire cool air blown by the operation of the ice-making fan 241 is supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 through the third area 216c, and the other half is supplied to the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment through the first area 216a and the second area 216b.

The cool air supplied to the first area 216a is discharged toward an upper space in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment through the upper shared passage 215a. The cool air supplied to the second area 216b is discharged toward the lower space (the extension passage) in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment through the lower shared passage 215b.

In addition, each of the above-described passage ribs 213a, 213b, and 213c are in close contact with a rear surface the grille panel 220, which will be described below, thereby closing the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment formed by the passage ribs 213a, 213b, and 213c from the external environment of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2.

Although now shown in the drawings, the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment may be formed by protruding from the rear surface of the grille panel 220 toward the front surface of the shroud 210.

Further, a plurality of guides 217a, 217b, and 217c is formed on the front surface of the shroud 210.

That is, on the front surface of the shroud 210, the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment and the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment are separately formed by the passage ribs 213a. 213b, and 213c. The cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is configured to uniformly or selectively supply the cool air to each port ion of the shroud 210 (or the grille fan) by the guides 217a, 217b, and 217c.

The guides 217a, 217b, and 217c may include a first guide 217a guiding an upper flow of the cool air that passes through the first inlet hole 211a of the shroud 210 and flows into the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

That is, when the cool air blown by the rotation of the freezing fan 231 in an upper direction of the freezing fan 231 hits the upper wall surface 214a of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment, turbulence of the air flow occurs in the hit portion and the flow of the cool air is not smoothly performed. Considering the above problem, the first guide 217a is provided so that the cool air blown toward the upper wall surface 214a of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment may flow toward the cool air outlet 214e formed on the upper wall surface 214a.

The first guide 217a may be formed in an inclined or rounded inverted triangular structure that is gradually expanded to opposite sides thereof, as the first guide 217a goes upward from a portion adjacent to the first inlet hole 211a to the upper wall surface 214a of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

A lower end (lower vertex portion) of the first guide 217a is located on one side (a side opposite to the side where the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment is located) of the first inlet hole 211a. Therefore, more cool air that is rotatably blown in the circumferential direction of the freezing fan 231 may be supplied to a portion connected to the second end 52b of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment, in the opposite side spaces in the freezing compartment 12.

Further, the guides 217a. 217b, and 217c may include a second guide 217b that guides a lower flow of the cool air flowing into the space between the grille panel 220 and the shroud 210 by passing through the first inlet hole 211a of the shroud 210.

That is, when the cool air blown by the rotation of the freezing fan 231 in a lower direction of the freezing fan 231 hits the lower wall surface 214b of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment, turbulence of the air flow occurs in the hit portion and the flow of the cool air is not smoothly performed. Considering the above problem, the second guide 217b is provided so that the cool air blown toward the lower wall surface 214b of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment may flow smoothly toward the opposite sides of the lower wall surface 214b.

The second guide 217b may be formed in an inclined or rounded triangular structure that is gradually expanded to opposite sides thereof, as the second guide 217b goes downward from a portion adjacent to the first inlet hole 211a to the lower wall surface 214b of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

An upper end (an upper vertex portion) of the second guide 217b is located on another side (the side where the cool air passage for the ice-making compartment is located) of the first inlet hole 211a.

In particular, the lower vertex portion of the first guide 217a and the upper vertex portion of the second guide 217b may be located symmetrically with each other around the center of the first inlet hole 211a. Therefore, half of the cool air blown while rotating in the circumferential direction of the freezing fan 231 may be supplied to one side space (the right side space of the partition wall when viewed from the front) in the freezing compartment 12, and another half may be supplied to another side space (the left side space of the partition wall when viewed from the front) in the freezing compartment 12 and to the refrigerating compartment 11.

Further, the guides 217a, 217b, and 217c may include a third guide 217c that guides upper and lower flows of the cool air flowing into the space between the grille panel 220 and the shroud 210 by passing through the first inlet hole 211a of the shroud 210.

That is, when the cool air blown toward the second side wall surface 214d of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment by the rotation of the freezing fan 231 hits the second side wall surface 214d of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment, turbulence of air flow occurs in the hit portion and the flow of the cool air is not smoothly performed. Considering the above problem, the third guide 217c is provided so that the cool air blown toward the second side wall surface 214d of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment may flow smoothly toward the upper and lower sides of the second side wall surface 214d.

The third guide 217c may be formed in an inclined or rounded triangular structure that is gradually expanded upward and downward, as the third guide 217c goes from the side portion (the portion opposite to the side where the ice-making fan is located) of the first inlet hole 211a to the second side wall surface 214d of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

The freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 includes the grille panel 220.

The grille panel 220 constitutes a front wall surface of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2, and is located in front of the shroud 210.

Further, the grille panel 220 has a plurality of cool air outlets 221, 222, and 223.

The cool air outlets 221, 222, and 223 includes the cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment discharging the cool air to the upper compartment of the freezing compartment 12, the cool air outlet 222 for the middle compartment discharging the cool air to the middle compartment of the freezing compartment 12, and the cool air outlet 223 for the lower compartment discharging the cool air to the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12. The cool air outlets are as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24.

The cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment is configured as two cool air outlets that are respectively formed at opposite upper sides of the portion where the freezing fan 231 is located. The cool air out let 222 for the middle compartment is configured as two cool air outlets that are respectively formed at opposite lower sides of the portion where the freezing fan 231 is located. The cool air outlet 223 for the lower compartment is configured as two cool air outlets that are respectively formed below the two cool air outlets 222 for the middle compartment.

In addition, the cool air out let 221 for the upper compartment and the cool air outlet 222 for the middle compartment are formed in tube bodies protruding into the freezing compartment 12.

Further, the cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment and the cool air outlet 222 for the middle compartment have a plurality of grilles 221a and 222a guiding the discharge direction of the cool air.

Further, the grille panel 220 has suction guides 224a and 224b guiding the recovery flow of the cool air flowing through the freezing compartment 12. The suction guides 224a and 224b are provided in lower ends of the grille panel 220 and are configured to allow the cool air recovered after circulating in the freezing compartment 12 to flow into a lower end of the evaporator 40.

Each of the suction guides 224a and 224b is formed to be inclined (or rounded) at an angle the same (or similar) to a wall constituting the rear side bottom of the freezing compartment 12, as the suction guide goes to the lower end thereof. That is, the cool air flowing along a lower surface of the freezing compartment 12 may be guided by the suction guides 224a and 224b to smoothly flow to the lower end of the evaporator 40.

In particular, the suction guides 224a and 224b includes the first suction guide 224a, which is provided in one side in the lower ends of the grille panel 220 on the basis of the center portion of the grille panel 220, the side where the second end 52b of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is located. The suction guides 224a and 224b includes a second suction guide 224b, which is provided another side in the lower ends of the grille panel 220 on the basis of the center portion of the grille panel 220, the side opposite to the first suction guide 224a. That is, cool air flowing through one space (a space communicating with the second end of the recovery duct for the ice-making compartment) in the freezing compartment 12 is recovered through the first suction guide 224a, and cool air flowing through another space in the freezing compartment 12 is recovered through the second suction guide 224b.

The freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 includes the freezing fan module 230.

The freezing fan module 230 is a configuration that blows cool air passing through the evaporator 40 to the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

The freezing fan module 230 is located in the first inlet hole 211a.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the freezing fan module 230 includes the freezing fan 231 and a first installation frame 232.

The freezing fan 231 may be formed in a slim centrifugal fan, so that the thickness (width in the front to rear direct ion) of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 may be reduced.

Further, the first installation frame 232 is a portion where the freezing fan 231 is installed.

The first installation frame 232 is configured to be coupled to a plurality of fastening ribs 212a formed in the shroud 210. The fastening ribs 212a may be respectively formed at positions considering the size and wind direction of the freezing fan 231.

The freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 includes the ice-making fan module 240.

The ice-making fan module 240 is a configuration that blows the cool air passing through the evaporator 40 to the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the ice-making fan module 240 includes a blowing fan 241 (Hereinbelow, the fan refers to “the ice-making fan”) and a second installation frame 242.

The ice-making fan 241 may be formed in a slim centrifugal fan, so that the thickness (width in the front to rear direction) of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 may be reduced.

Further, the second installation frame 242 is a portion where the ice-making fan 241 is installed.

The second installation frame 242 is configured to be coupled to the plurality of the fastening ribs 212a formed in the shroud 210. The fastening ribs 212a may be respectively formed at the positions considering the size and wind direction of the ice-making fan 241.

Meanwhile, the ice-making fan module 240 is configured to be located closer to the freezing fan module 230 in comparison to the cool air outlet side of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment (referring to FIGS. 13 and 18). That is, as the ice-making fan 241 of the ice-making fan module 240 is located to be spaced apart from the cool air outlet side (open portion) of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment at a sufficient distance, the cool air passing through the cool air outlet side of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment may be prevented from un-passing smoothly through the cool air outlet side, and the cool air may be prevented from becoming turbulent due to the resistance caused by the flow of the cool air rotating along the rotation direction of the ice-making fan 241.

In addition, the ice-making fan 241 constituting the ice-making fan module 240 may be configured to rotate at a higher rotational speed than that of the freezing fan 231 constituting the freezing fan module 230.

That is, in the case of the freezing fan 231, since the freezing fan 231 supplies the cool air to the freezing compartment 12 in the front of the freezing fan 231, the freezing fan rotates at a rotation speed sufficient to provide a high air volume. However, in the case of the ice-making compartment 21, since the ice-making compartment 21 is located relatively father than the freezing compartment 12, the ice-making fan 241 is operated at a higher rotational speed than the freezing fan 231 so that the cool air is conveyed to the ice-making compartment 2.

In addition, the center of the ice-making fan module 240 is located lower than the center of the open portion at the cool air outlet side of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

That is, based on the center portion of the ice-making fan 241, the cool air discharged upward is guided to be supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 through the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment. Considering the above structure, the center portion of the ice-making fan 241 is located lower than the center at the cool air outlet side (preferably, the lower surface of the cool air discharge portion) of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment, it is possible to allow the cool air blown from the ice-making fan 241 to be flow smoothly along the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

Hereinbelow, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the temperature control process for the freezing compartment 12 and the ice-making compartment 21 of the refrigerator will be described in detail.

The temperature control process of the refrigerating compartment 11 may be described with respect to FIGS. 26 to 28.

The temperature control of the refrigerating compartment 11 is performed by the operations of the freezing fan module 230, the compressor (not shown), and the passage opening and closing module 60.

That is, the passage opening and closing module 60 is operated, so that the connection duct 54 and the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment are opened to each other (referring to FIG. 16). Then, when the freezing fan 231 rotates and the compressor is operated by power supply to the freezing fan module 230, the heat exchange of the evaporator 40 is performed, and thus the operation for controlling the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 11 is performed.

When the freezing fan 231 of the freezing fan module 2:30 is operated, air in the freezing compartment 12 flows to pass through the evaporator 40 by a blowing force of the freezing fan 231, thereby being heat-exchanged while passing through the evaporator 40.

Further, the heat exchanged air (cool air) passes through the first inlet hole 211a of the shroud 210 and then flows into the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

The cool air flowing into and blown to the upper space in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is discharged through the cool air outlet 214e by guidance of the first guide 217a. Continuously, the connection duct 54 guides the cool air to be supplied into the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment.

Among the cool air blown in the radial direction of the freezing fan 231 while rotating along the circumferential direction of the freezing fan 231 by the operation of the freezing fan 231, remaining cool air that is not discharged through the cool air outlet 214e flows to portions in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment, the portions where the two cool air out lets 221 for the upper compartment are located, and remaining cool air flowing along the two extension passages 218a to portions where the two cool air outlets 223 for the lower compartment are located. Then, the cool air is discharged into the upper compartment and lower compartment through the two cool air outlets 221 for the upper compartment and the two cool air outlets 223 for the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12.

Further, the cool air supplied to the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment is supplied into the refrigerating compartment 11 through the cool air outlets 111, 112, and 113 while flowing along the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment, thereby refrigerating the object to be stored in the refrigerating compartment 11.

After the cool air refrigerates the object to be stored in the refrigerating compartment 11, the cool air flowing into a lower portion in the refrigerating compartment 11 repeats a circulation in which the cool air is recovered to the cool air inlet side of the evaporator 40 through the recovery duct 53 for the refrigerating compartment connected to the cool air inlet side thereof.

Meanwhile, when the inside of the refrigerating compartment 11 reaches a preset temperature by the above-described operation, the passage opening and closing module 60 is operated to block between the connection duct 54 and the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment. As a result, additional cool air supply to the refrigerating compartment 11 is not performed.

Hereinbelow, the process of controlling the temperature of the freezing compartment 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 to 32.

The temperature control of the freezing compartment 12 is performed by the operations of the freezing fan module 230 and the compressor (not shown). That is, when the freezing fan 231 rotates and the compressor is operated by power supply to the freezing fan module 230, the heat exchange of the evaporator 40 is performed, and thus the operation for the temperature control of the freezing compartment 12 is performed. The passage opening and closing module 60 is operated to block between the connection duct 54 and the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment.

When the freezing fan 231 of the freezing fan module 230 is operated, air in the freezing compartment 12 flows to pass through the evaporator 40 the air blowing force of the freezing fan 231, thereby passing through the evaporator 40 and being heat-exchanged.

The heat exchanged air (cool air) passes through the first inlet hole 211a of the shroud 210 and then flows into the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

The cool air flowing into the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and blown to the upper space in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment flows into the portions in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment, the portion where the two cool air outlets 221 for the upper compartment are located, by guidance of the first guide 217a, and then the cool air is discharged to the upper compartment of the freezing compartment 12 through the cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment.

The cool air blown to the lower side in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment flows into the port ions where the two cool air outlets 222 for the middle compartment are located, by guidance of the second guide 217b. Then, the cool air is discharged to the middle compartment of the freezing compartment 12 through the two cool air outlets 222 for the middle compartment. Among the cool air flowing by the guidance of the second guide 217b, cool air flowing into a portion where either cool air outlet 222 for the middle compartment is located (the side opposite to the side where the ice-making fan is located) is guided in an up and down direction by guidance of the third guide 217c at the side, part of the cool air flows into the cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment at the side, and the remaining of the cool air flows into the cool air outlet 222 for the middle compartment at the side.

In addition, the cool air flowing into the two cool air outlets 222 for the middle compartment by the guidance of the second guide 217b and the third guide 217c is partially discharged to the middle compartment of the freezing compartment 12 through the two cool air outlets 222 for the middle compartment. The remaining cool air flows into the sides where the two cool air outlets 223 for the lower compartment are located by guidance of the extension passage 218a, and then is discharged to the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12 through the two cool air outlets 223 for the lower compartment.

Therefore, the cool air is evenly supplied to all of the upper, middle, and lower compartments of both sides in the freezing compartment 12.

Further, the cool air supplied into the two freezing compartments 12 by passing through the cool air outlets 221, 222, and 223 flows in the freezing compartment 12, and then the two suction guides 224a and 224b formed in the grille panel 220 guides the cool air to be recovered to the cool air inlet side of the evaporator 40.

Meanwhile, during the temperature control of the freezing compartment 12, the ice-making fan 241 may also be operated.

That is, in the case of the ice-making operation, the ice-making fan 241 is set to be always operated except for special conditions (e.g., when ice is in full in the ice-making compartment). Considering the above state, the ice-making operation may be continuously performed during the freezing operation.

However, when the ice-making operation is performed when the freezing operation is performed, the flow of cool air flowing through the second inlet hole 211b and the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment in order is generated by the operation of the ice-making fan 241.

In particular, part of the cool air generated by the operation of the ice-making fan 241 is supplied into the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment through the upper shared passage 215a. The remaining cool air is supplied into the ice-making compartment 21 through the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment connected to the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

That is, cool air passing through the second inlet hole 211b and blown to the first area 216a of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment passes through the upper shared passage 215a to be supplied to the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. Cool air passing through the second inlet hole 211b and blown to the second area 216b of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment passes through the lower shared passage 215b to be supplied to the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. Cool air passing through the second inlet hole 211b and blown to the third area 216c of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment is supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 through the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment connected to the cool air outlet side of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

Therefore, in the freezing compartment 12, not only the cool air blown by the operation of the freezing fan 231 but also the cool air blown by the operation of the ice-making fan 241 are supplied, so that sufficient cool air may be supplied. The above structure is as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

In particular, the cool air supplied through the upper shared passage 215a is provided to the upper compartment of one space in the both side spaces in the freezing compartment 12, the space at a side communicating with the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment. Whereby, sufficient cool air may be supplied to the freezing compartment 12.

In addition, the cool air supplied through the lower shared passage 215b is provided to a lower compartment of one space in the both side spaces of the freezing compartment 12, the space at a side communicating with the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment. Therefore, even when the cool air passing through the ice-making compartment 21 through the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment is recovered, a sudden change of the temperature in the space is prevented. In addition, the opposite spaces in the freezing compartment 12 may be maintained within the same (or similar) temperature range.

Further, when the freezing operation (or ice-making operation) is performed or each operation is stopped, condensed water is generated due to temperature difference between the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment and the refrigerating compartment 11, or the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment and the refrigerating compartment 11. The generated condensed water flows down the second circumferential passage rib 213b of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment along the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment.

Then, the condensed water flows down the extension passage 218a through the lower shared passage 215b formed in the second circumferential passage rib 213b. Continuously, the condensed water flows along the extension passage 218a and is discharged to the outside of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly 2 through the drainage hole 218d formed in the extension passage 218a where the condensed water flows.

Accordingly, a malfunction of the ice-making fan 241 due to the condensed water freezing in the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment without being drained may be prevented.

Hereinbelow, the operation for controlling the temperature in the ice-making compartment 21 (ice-making operation) will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 36.

The temperature control of the ice-making compartment 21 is performed by the operation of the ice-making fan 241 due to power supply to the ice-making fan module 240. At this time, the compressor may be operated or stopped in response to the operating conditions of the freezing compartment 12.

When the ice-making fan 241 is operated, air in the freezing compartment 12 passes through the evaporator 40 and passes through the second inlet hole 211b of the shroud 210 by the air blowing force of the ice-making fan 241, and then flows into the first area 216a, the second area 216b, and the third area 216c of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment. Continuously, the air is discharged from the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment through the communication portions with the areas 216a, 216b, and 216c. The above operation is as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34.

The cool air flowing into the first area 216a by the operation of the ice-making fan 241 passes through the upper shared passage 215a to be supplied to the upper surface side of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. The cool air blown to the second area 216b passes through the lower shared passage 215b to be supplied to the extension passage 218a. The cool air blown to the third area 216c passes through the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment to be supplied to the ice-making compartment 21.

In addition, the cool air passing through the upper shared passage 215a and supplied to the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is supplied to the freezing compartment 12 through the cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment while being blown toward the cool air outlet 221 for the upper compartment in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. The cool air passing through the lower shared passage 215b and supplied to the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment is supplied to the freezing compartment 12 through the cool air outlet 223 for the lower compartment while flowing along the side wall surface of the extension passage 218a. The above operations are as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36.

In particular, the cool air passing through the second inlet hole 211b and supplied to the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment by the air blowing force of the ice-making fan 241 is discharged to the third area 216c, which is the upper portion of the ice-making fan 241, and then the cool air flows along the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment into the cool air outlet side. At this time, since the cool air flows along a sufficient distance from the third area 216c to the cool air outlet side, the flow resistance caused by the third area 216c and the cool air outlet side adjacent to each other may be reduced.

Accordingly, the inside of the freezing compartment 12 maintains a pressure state similar to a pressure state of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment by the cool air supplied through the upper shared passage 215a and the lower shared passage 215b. That is, since the pressures of the freezing compartment 12 and the ice-making compartment 21 are roughly balanced, even when only the ice-making fan 241 is operated for the ice-making operation, the cool air in the freezing compartment 12 may be prevented from (or, be minimized in) passing through the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and the first inlet hole 211a in reverse and flowing into the second inlet hole 211b and the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

Meanwhile, when the cool air heat-exchanged while passing through the evaporator 40 passes through the second inlet hole 211b and is discharged in the radial direction of the ice-making fan 241, the cool air may pass through the second inlet hole 211b in reverse due to the flow resistance.

However, the second inlet hole 211b is configured to cover each impeller 241c of the ice-making fan 241 (or, to cover at least half of each impeller), so that the cool air blown from the ice-making fan 241 is prevented from a back flow in which the cool air is discharged through the second inlet hole 211b. Further, the cool air may be blown to the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment with a blowing pressure higher than a blowing pressure of the cool air passing through the first inlet hole 211a and blown along the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

By the high blowing pressure, the cool air is smoothly supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 through the cool air duct 51 for the ice-making compartment connected to the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

In addition, the cool air discharged to the third area 216c flows toward the second area 216b located in the rotating direction of the ice-making fan 241. However, considering that the third area 216c and the second area 216b are partitioned from each other by the ice-making fan module 240, the whole cool air discharged to the third area 216c flows toward the cool air outlet side of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment by the guidance of the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment.

Accordingly, the amount of the cool air supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 is less than that of the cool air supplied to the freezing compartment 12, but the cool air supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 may be smoothly conveyed to the ice-making compartment 21 by the high blowing pressure.

Further, the cool air supplied to the ice-making compartment 21 freezes water (or other beverages) in an ice tray (not shown) while flowing in the ice-making compartment 21.

The cool air flowing in the ice-making compartment 21 flows into the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment, and continuously, the cool air is recovered to the freezing compartment 12 by guidance of the recovery duct 52 for the ice-making compartment.

Then, the cool air recovered to the freezing compartment 12 is directly suctioned into the first suction guide 224a located opposite to the freezing compartment 12 and is recovered to the cool air inlet side of the evaporator 40.

Accordingly, the temperature in the ice-making compartment 21 is controlled by the above-described repeated circulation of air (cool air).

As a result, the shared passages 215a and 215b are provided in the refrigerator of the present disclosure, so that the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment are shared with each other. Accordingly, even when the freezing fan 231 and the ice-making fan 241 are operated at the same time, sufficient cool air may be supplied to the freezing compartment 12, and when only the ice-making fan 241 is operated, the back flow of cool air from the freezing compartment 12 is prevented.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure is configured such that the open portion of the cool air outlet side of the shared passage 215a, 215b does not face the freezing fan module 230. Accordingly, the cool air provided from the cool air passage 213 for the ice-making compartment through the shared passage 215a. 215b does not interfere with the flow of the cool air flowing in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure is configured such that the lower shared passage 215b is formed in a lower surface (the second circumferential passage rib) of the installation port ion of the ice-making fan module 240, and the extension passage 215a, 215b extended to the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12 is additionally formed in the shroud 210, so that sufficient cool air may be supplied to the lower compartment of the freezing compartment 12. In particular, the drainage hole 218d is additionally formed in the extension passage 218a, and the lower shared passage 215b is formed by penetrating between the second circumferential passage rib 213b and the wall surface of the shroud 210, so that condensed water or moisture in the installation portion of the ice-making fan module 240 may be smoothly discharged to the outside of the freezing compartment 12.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure is configured to have the guide 217a, 217b, 217c formed on each wall surface 214a, 214b, 214c, 214d in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment. Accordingly, the cool air flowing in the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment may be supplied differently for each portion in the freezing compartment 12, thereby improving the freezing efficiency.

The refrigerator of the present disclosure is configured to supply the cool air to the cool air passage 121 for the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly 1 through the cool air outlet 214e formed in the upper wall surface 214a of the cool air passage 214 for the freezing compartment and the connection duct 54 connected to the cool air out let 214e. Accordingly, the single evaporator 40 may selectively supply cool air to the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment, and the ice-making compartment.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment;a refrigerating compartment door having an ice-making compartment;an evaporator located at the freezing compartment and configured to cool air; anda freezing compartment side grille fan assembly located at a front of the evaporator, the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly including: a freezing fan and an ice-making fan,a first cool air passage configured to guide air blown by the freezing fan,a second cool air passage configured to guide air blown by the ice-making fan,extended passages that are defined at opposite end portions of a lower side of the first cool air passage, respectively, each of the extended passages extending to a lower portion of the freezing compartment, anda shared passage configured to communicate the air blown by the freezing fan or the ice-making fan between the first cool air passage and the second cool air passage, the shared passage including a lower shared passage configured to supply a part of the air to any one of the extension passages.

22. The refrigerator of claim 21, wherein the freezing fan is located at a center portion of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly, wherein the ice-making fan is located at one side of the freezing fan, andwherein the shared passage has a cool air outlet side having an open portion that is not oriented toward the freezing fan.

23. The refrigerator of claim 22, wherein the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly further comprises: a grille panel that defines a front wall surface of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly; anda shroud that faces the grille panel and defines a rear wall surface of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly, the shroud supporting the freezing fan and the ice-making fan, andwherein the first cool air passage and the second cool air passage are defined at at least one surface among facing surfaces of the grille panel and the shroud.

24. The refrigerator of claim 23, further comprising: a refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly connected to the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly; anda connection duct that connects the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly to the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly and is configured to transfer air from the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly to the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly,wherein the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly has a cool air outlet that is in fluid communication with a part of the first cool air passage and is connected to the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly through the connection duct.

25. The refrigerator of claim 24, wherein the cool air outlet of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly is defined at a portion of an upper surface of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly above the freezing fan.

26. The refrigerator of claim 25, wherein the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly further comprises an upper guide located at the upper surface of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly and configured to guide the air blown by the freezing fan to the cool air outlet and an upper space of the first cool air passage.

27. The refrigerator of claim 21, wherein the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly further comprises a first guide located in the first cool air passage, the first guide including a second guide configured to guide the air in the first cool air passage to opposite sides of the first cool air passage.

28. The refrigerator of claim 27, wherein the second guide is configured to guide the air in the first cool air passage toward each of the extension passages.

29. The refrigerator of claim 21, wherein the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly further comprises a passage rib that separates the first cool air passage and the second cool air passage from each other, and wherein the shared passage further includes an upper shared passage that is defined by the passage rib and configured to supply a part of the air blown by the ice-making fan from the second cool air passage to an upper portion of the first cool air passage.

30. The refrigerator of claim 29, wherein the passage rib comprises: a first circumferential passage rib that surrounds an upper circumference of the ice-making fan; anda second circumferential passage rib that surrounds a lower circumference of the ice-making fan.

31. The refrigerator of claim 30, wherein a lower end of the first circumferential passage rib and an upper end of the second circumferential passage rib are spaced apart from each other, and wherein the upper shared passage includes a space defined between the first and second circumferential passage ribs.

32. The refrigerator of claim 31, wherein an upper portion of the second circumferential passage rib surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the first circumferential passage rib and further extends upward relative to the lower end of the first circumferential passage rib such that the upper shared passage faces an upper side of the first cool air passage.

33. The refrigerator of claim 32, wherein the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib is located higher than a center height of the freezing fan.

34. The refrigerator of claim 32, wherein a horizontal distance between the upper end of the second circumferential passage rib and the lower end of the first circumferential passage rib increases as the second circumferential passage rib extends upward.

35. The refrigerator of claim 21, wherein one of the extension passages is located at a lower portion of the second cool air passage and configured to receive the air from the lower shared passage.

36. The refrigerator of claim 30, wherein the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly further comprises opposing wall surfaces that face each other, the first cool air passage being defined between the opposing wall surfaces, and wherein the lower shared passage includes a space defined between a lower end of the second circumferential passage rib and one of the opposite wall surfaces that is positioned closer to the ice-making fan than to the freezing fan.

37. The refrigerator of claim 21, further comprising a recovery duct configured to guide air from the refrigerating compartment to a cool air inlet side of the evaporator.

38. The refrigerator of claim 37, wherein the recovery duct has: a first end connected to a lower end of the refrigerating compartment and located at a rear surface of the cabinet; anda second end connected to the cool air inlet side of the evaporator and located at the rear surface of the cabinet.

39. The refrigerator of claim 38, further comprising: a refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly connected to the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly; anda connection duct that connects the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly to the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly and is configured to transfer air from the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly to the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly.

40. The refrigerator of claim 39, wherein the connection duct connects a center portion of a lower portion of the refrigerating compartment side grille fan assembly to a center portion of an upper portion of the freezing compartment side grille fan assembly, and wherein the first end of the recovery duct is located at a side of the connection duct and connected to the lower end of the refrigerating compartment.