Patent Application
20250102198
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator including a thermoelectric element for cooling a storage compartment.
A refrigerator is a home appliance that keeps food fresh by including a main body including a storage compartment and a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.
A thermoelectric cooling device that performs heat and cooling functions through the Peltier effect may be used as the cold air supply device for the refrigerator. The thermoelectric cooling device may include a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element includes a heating portion formed on one side and a cooling portion formed on the other side, and when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element, heat generation may occur in the heating portion and heat absorption may occur in the cooling portion.
The thermoelectric cooling device may be equipped with a heat dissipation sink, a cooling sink, a heat dissipation fan, a cooling fan, a heat dissipation duct, and a cooling duct, so as to increase the cooling efficiency of the storage compartment through the thermoelectric cooling device.
The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator including a thermoelectric cooling device using a thermoelectric element.
Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of utilizing waste heat generated from a thermoelectric cooling device.
Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator having increased heat dissipation efficiency of a thermoelectric cooling device.
Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of facilitating assembly, disassembly, replacement, and repair of a thermoelectric cooling device.
In an aspect of the present disclosure a refrigerator may include: a main body including an upper wall; a storage compartment formed inside the main body; a first door and a second door configured to open and close the storage compartment; a rotation bar coupled to one of the first door and the second door and being rotatable so as to cover a gap between the first door and the second door when the first door and the second door are closed; a thermoelectric element on the upper wall and including: a heating portion which generates heat, and a cooling portion which absorbs heat and is configured to cool the storage compartment; a heat dissipation sink in contact with the heating portion so that the heat dissipation sink is heated by the heat generated by the heating portion; a heat dissipation fan configured to generate a flow of air toward the heat dissipation sink so that the flow of air exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink; and a heat dissipation duct including: a first discharge duct portion configured to guide a first portion of the flow of air, which exchanged heat with the heat dissipation sink, to be discharged to an outside of the main body; and a second discharge duct portion configured to guide a second portion of the flow of air, which exchanged heat with the heat dissipation sink, to be discharged to the rotation bar to prevent dew from condensing on the rotation bar.
The second discharge duct portion may branch from the first discharge duct portion.
The heat dissipation duct may further include a fan accommodating portion accommodating the heat dissipation fan, and a sink accommodating portion on a downstream side of the fan accommodating portion accommodating the heat dissipation sink, and the first discharge duct portion may be on a downstream side of the sink accommodating portion.
The heat dissipation duct may further include an intake duct portion disposed on an upstream side of the fan accommodating portion to guide air to the fan accommodating portion.
The heat dissipation duct may further include an outside air intake port on an upper surface of the intake duct portion so that air from outside the main body is drawn into the intake duct portion by the flow of air generated by the heat dissipation fan.
The heat dissipation duct may further include a first outside air discharge port to discharge air, which is guided by the first discharge duct portion, to an outside of the first discharge duct portion; and a second outside air discharge port to discharge air, which is guided by the second discharge duct portion, to an outside of the second discharge duct portion.
The second outside air discharge port may be on an upper side of an upper end of the rotation bar so that air, which is discharged through the second outside air discharge port, flows from the upper end of the rotation bar toward a lower end of the rotation bar along a front surface of the rotation bar.
The heat dissipation duct may further include an airflow guide which is inclined downward as the heat dissipation duct approaches the second outside air discharge port so that air, which is discharged through the second outside air discharge port, descends toward the rotation bar.
The heat dissipation duct may further include an acceleration portion having a narrowed cross-sectional area as the heat dissipation duct approaches the second outside air discharge port so as to increase a speed of air which is discharged through the second outside air discharge port.
The refrigerator may further include a plurality of hinges configured to rotatably connect the first door and the second door to the main body; and a top cover coupled to a front portion of an upper surface of the main body so as to cover the plurality of hinges.
The heat dissipation duct may further include a heat dissipation duct body, a heat dissipation duct cover coupled to an upper side of the heat dissipation duct body, and an extension duct below the top cover and between the heat dissipation duct body and the rotation bar to form the second outside air discharge port together with the top cover.
The top cover may include a top cover inner space, and at least a portion of air, which is discharged through the first outside air discharge port, may flow into the top cover inner space.
The first outside air discharge port may include a top cover outlet to discharge a first portion of air, which is discharged through the first outside air discharge port, toward the top cover inner space, and an external outlet separated from the top cover outlet to discharge a second portion of air, which is discharged through the first outside air discharge port, toward an outside of the top cover.
The top cover may include a top cover inlet so that at least a portion of air, which is discharged through the first outside air discharge port, flows into the top cover inner space, and a top cover discharge port so that air, which flows to the top cover inner space through the top cover inlet, is discharged to the outside of the top cover.
The top cover may include a discharge guide portion to guide air discharged through the external outlet.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a main body including an upper wall, a lower wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall; a storage compartment formed inside the main body; a plurality of doors configured to open and close the storage compartment; a rotation bar configured to be rotatable in one of the plurality of doors so as to cover a gap between the plurality of doors; a thermoelectric element including a heating portion and a cooling portion, and disposed on the upper wall to cool the storage compartment; a heat dissipation sink provided to be in contact with the heating portion; a heat dissipation fan configured to generate a flow of air; and a heat dissipation duct configured to draw air outside the main body so to exchange heat with the heat dissipation sink, and configured to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink, downward toward an upper end of the rotation bar.
The heat dissipation duct may include an external outlet provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink, to an outside of the heat dissipation sink. The external outlet may be disposed on an upper side of the rotation bar and provided to open downward.
The heat dissipation duct may include an airflow guide formed to be inclined gently downward as approaching the external outlet.
The heat dissipation duct may include an acceleration portion formed to have a narrower cross-sectional area as approaching the external outlet, so as to increase a speed of an airflow discharged through the external outlet.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a main body including an upper wall, a lower wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall; a storage compartment formed inside the main body; a plurality of doors configured to open and close the storage compartment; a plurality of hinges configured to rotatably connect the plurality of doors to the main body; a top cover coupled to a front portion of an upper surface of the main body so as to cover the plurality of hinges; a thermoelectric element including a heating portion and a cooling portion, and disposed on the upper wall to cool the storage compartment; a heat dissipation sink provided to be in contact with the heating portion; a heat dissipation fan configured to generate a flow of air; and a heat dissipation duct configured to draw air outside the main body so to exchange heat with the heat dissipation sink, and configured to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink, to a top cover inner space so as to heat the top cover inner space.
It is possible to prevent dew condensation on a rotation bar and a front upper portion of a main body by using waste heat generated from a thermoelectric cooling device.
Further, it is possible to reduce energy consumption by using waste heat generated from a thermoelectric cooling device.
Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.
In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.
The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.
In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.
Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary” or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).
Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component.
When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it may refer to that the component may be connected to another component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.
It will be understood that when the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.
It will be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.
It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” or “over” another component, it can be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.
A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body.
The “main body” may include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.
The “inner case” may include a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment (also referred to as a storage room). The inner case may be formed as one body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The “outer case” may form an appearance of the main body, and be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is positioned between the inner case and the outer case.
The “insulation” may insulate inside of the storage compartment from outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation. The foaming insulation may be molded by fixing the inner case and the outer case with jigs, etc. and then injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. The vacuum insulation may further include an adsorbent for adsorbing a gas and water to stably maintain a vacuum state. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the storage compartment provided inside the main body to store food.
The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include the inner case defining the space. One side of the storage compartment may open to enable a user to put food in or take food out. The storage compartment may store “food” therein. The food may include victual which humans eat and drink, and specifically, the food may include meat, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, water, ice, drinks, kimchi, alcoholic beverages such as wine, etc. However, medicines or cosmetics, as well as food, may be stored in the storage compartment, and goods that may be stored in the storage compartment are not limited.
The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperature. To this end, the storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the partition may be one portion of the main body. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the partition may be provided independently from the main body and then assembled into the main body.
The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and/or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as any one of a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an area of the storage compartment may be used as a refrigerating compartment and the remaining area of the storage compartment may be used as a freezing compartment.
The storage compartment may also be called various other terms, such as “vegetable compartment”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below need to be understood to represent storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted on the front of the main body.
The “door” may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door may include an insulation, like the main body, to insulate the storage compartment in the closed state.
According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.
A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.
According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forms the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate that forms the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate that forms the rear surface of the door body and faces the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.
The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or One Door Refrigerator depending on the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.
The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and/or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cool air to cool the storage compartment.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a cooling cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the cooling cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment where at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.
The “machine compartment” may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated from the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed inside the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the main body.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and/or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making device that produces ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray that stores water, an ice-moving device that separates ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice-bucket that stores ice generated in the ice-making tray.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.
The “controller” may include a memory for storing and/or memorizing data and/or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the cold air supply device, etc. according to the programs and/or data memorized in the memory.
The memory may store or record various information, data, commands, programs, and the like necessary for operations of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.
The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an operation of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor, and generate a cooling control signal for controlling an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.
Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface according to the programs and/or data memorized/stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.
The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device according to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately equipped with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface according to the user input.
A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.
The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.
The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.
Hereinafter exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The main body 100 may include an inner case 170, an outer case 180 coupled to an outside of the inner case 170, and an insulating material 190 disposed between the inner case 170 and the outer case 180 (refer to
In other words, the main body 100 may include an upper wall 110, a lower wall 120, a left wall 130, a right wall 140, and a rear wall 150. The upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140, and the rear wall 150 may form an upper surface, a lower surface, a left surface, a right surface and a rear surface of the main body 100, respectively.
The upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140, and the rear wall 150 may each be formed with the inner case 170, the outer case 180 and the insulating material 190. For example, an upper surface of the upper wall 110 may be formed by the outer case 180, a lower surface of the upper wall 110 may be formed by the inner case 170, and the insulating material 190 may be disposed inside the upper wall 110.
The storage compartments 11, 12, 13 may accommodate goods. The storage compartments 11, 12, and 13 may be formed with an open front side to allow goods to be inserted thereinto or withdrawn therefrom. The main body 100 may include a horizontal partition 160 provided to divide a first storage compartment 11 from a second storage compartment 12 and a third storage compartment 13, and a vertical partition 161 provided to divide the second storage compartment 12 from the third storage compartment 13. The first storage compartment 11 may be provided in an upper portion of the main body 100, and the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13 may be provided in a lower portion of the main body 100. The first storage compartment 11 may be a refrigerating compartment, the second storage compartment 12 may be a freezing compartment, and the third storage compartment 13 may be a variable temperature compartment.
The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may open and close the storage compartments 11, 12, and 13. A first door 21 and a second door 22 may open and close the first storage compartment 11, a third door 23 may open and close the second storage compartment 12, and a fourth door 24 may open and close the third storage compartment 13. The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100.
The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100 by a hinge. For example, the first door 21 and the second door 22 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100 by a hinge 31 provided in the upper portion of the main body 100 and a hinge provided in a middle portion of the main body 100. The hinge 31 may include a hinge pin that protrudes in a vertical direction to form a rotation axis of the door. The hinge 31 may be covered by a top cover 300 provided to cover a front upper surface of the main body 100.
One of the first door 21 and the second door 22 may be provided with a rotation bar 40 provided to cover a gap formed between the first door 21 and the second door 22 when the first door 21 and the second door 22 are closed. The rotation bar 40 may be rotatably provided on one of the first door 21 and the second door 22. The rotation bar 40 may have a bar shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. The rotation bar 40 may also be referred to as ‘pillar’, ‘mullion’, etc.
A guide protrusion 46 may be provided at an upper end of the rotation bar 40, and a rotation guide 119 provided to guide a rotation of the guide protrusion 46 may be provided in the upper portion of the main body 100.
The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include a gasket 51. The gasket 51 may be in close contact with a front surface of the main body 100 when the doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 are closed. The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include a dyke 52 protruding rearward. The dyke 52 may be equipped with a door shelf 53 capable of storing goods. The rotation bar 40 may be rotatably installed on the dyke 52.
The number and arrangement of storage compartments and the number and arrangement of doors are described above, but the number and arrangement of storage compartments and the number and arrangement of doors of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
The refrigerator 1 may include a thermoelectric cooling device 400 configured to cool the storage compartment 11.
Thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be disposed on the upper side of the storage compartment 11 to cool the storage compartment 11. That is, the thermoelectric cooling device may be provided on the upper wall 110 of the main body 100.
The thermoelectric cooling device may include a thermoelectric element 530. The thermoelectric element 530 may be a semiconductor element configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy using the thermoelectric effect, and may also be referred to as ‘thermoelectric semiconductor element’, ‘Peltier element’, etc.
The thermoelectric element 530 includes a heating portion 531 and a cooling portion 532. When a current is applied to the thermoelectric element 530, heat generation may occur in the heating portion 531 and heat absorption may occur in the cooling portion 532. The thermoelectric element 530 may have a thin hexahedral shape. The heating portion 531 may be disposed on one surface of the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooling portion 532 may be disposed on the opposite surface.
The thermoelectric element 530 may be provided on the upper wall 110 in such a way that the heating portion 531 faces above the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooling portion 532 faces below the thermoelectric element 530. That is, the heating portion 531 may face the outside of the main body 100 and the cooling portion 532 may face the inside of the storage compartment 11. Accordingly, air warmed by the heat exchange with the heating portion 531 may be discharged to the outside of the main body 100, and air cooled by the heat exchange with the cooling portion 532 may be supplied to the storage compartment 11.
The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat dissipation sink 520 in contact with the heating portion 531 to efficiently exchange heat between the heating portion 531 and the air outside the main body 100.
The heat dissipation sink 520 may be located outside the main body 100. The heat dissipation sink 520 may be in contact with the heating portion 531 to absorb heat from the heating portion 531 and emit the heat to the outside of the main body 100. The heat dissipation sink 520 may also be referred to as ‘hot sink’, ‘dissipation heat sink’, ‘hot heat sink’, etc.
The heat dissipation sink 520 may be formed of a metal material with relatively high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat dissipation sink 520 may be formed of aluminum or copper.
The heat dissipation sink 520 may include a heat dissipation sink base 521 in contact with the heating portion 531 and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 protruding from the heat dissipation sink base 521 to increase a heat dissipation area. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 may protrude upward from the heat dissipation sink base 521.
The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a cooling sink 570 in contact with the cooling portion 532 to efficiently exchange heat between the cooling portion 532 and the air inside the storage compartment 11.
The cooling sink 570 may be located inside the storage compartment 11. The cooling sink 570 may cool the storage compartment 11 by absorbing heat from the storage compartment 11 and transferring the heat to the cooling portion 532. The cooling sink 570 may also be referred to as ‘cold sink’, ‘cooling sink’, ‘cooling heat sink’, ‘cold heat sink’, ‘cooling heat sink’, etc.
The cooling sink 570 may be formed of a metal material with relatively high thermal conductivity. For example, the cooling sink 570 may be formed of aluminum or copper.
The cooling sink 570 may include a cooling sink base 571 in contact with the cooling portion 532 and a plurality of cooling fins 575 protruding from the cooling sink base 571 to increase a heat transfer area. The plurality of cooling fins 525 may protrude downward from the cooling sink base 571. The cooling sink base 571 and the plurality of cooling fins 575 may be formed integrally with each other.
The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat dissipation fan 600 configured to move air to efficiently exchange heat between the heat dissipation sink 520 and the air outside the main body 100.
The heat dissipation fan 600 may be configured to blow air toward the heat dissipation sink 520. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be positioned in the horizontal direction of the heat dissipation sink 520. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be provided outside the main body 100. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be provided on the upper side of the upper wall 110.
The heat dissipation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan configured to draw in air in an axial direction and discharge the drawn air to radial directions. The centrifugal fan may include a blower fan. A rotating shaft 610 of the heat dissipation fan 600 may be disposed perpendicular to the upper surface of the upper wall 110.
The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat dissipation duct 700 configured to guide air flowing by the heat dissipation fan 600. The heat dissipation duct 700 may draw in air outside the main body 100 and guide the drawn air to exchange heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, and discharge the air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, back to the outside of the main body 100.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may draw in air in an external space on the upper side of the main body 100. The heat dissipation duct 700 may discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to the external space on the upper side of the main body 100. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be located inside the heat dissipation duct 700. The heat dissipation sink 520 may be located inside the heat dissipation duct 700. The heat dissipation duct 700 may be provided on the upper surface of the upper wall 110.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include an outside air intake port 751 provided to draw in air outside the main body 100 to the inside of the heat dissipation duct 700, and an outside air discharge port 782 provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to the outside of the main body 100.
The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a cooling fan 800 configured to move air to efficiently exchange heat between the cooling sink 570 and the air inside the storage compartment 11.
The cooling fan 800 may be configured to blow air toward the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be located in the horizontal direction of the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be provided inside the storage compartment 11. The cooling fan 800 may be provided on the lower side of the upper wall 110.
The cooling fan 800 may be a centrifugal fan configured to draw in air in the axial direction and discharge the drawn air to the radial directions. A rotating shaft 810 of the cooling fan 800 may be disposed perpendicular to the lower surface of the upper wall 110.
The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a cooling duct 900 provided to guide air flowing by the cooling fan 800. The cooling duct 700 may draw in air inside the storage compartment 11 and guide the drawn air to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570, and discharge the air, which exchanges heat with the cooling sink 570, back into the storage compartment 11.
The cooling fan 800 may be located inside the cooling duct 900. The cooling sink 570 may be located inside the cooling duct 900. The cooling duct 800 may be provided on the lower surface of the upper wall 110.
The cooling duct 900 may include an inside air intake port 991 provided to draw in air inside the storage compartment 11 to the inside of the cooling duct 900, and an inside air discharge port 992 provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the cooling sink 570, to the inside of the storage compartment 11.
Referring to
The refrigerator 1 may include evaporator ducts 60 and 70 provided to guide cold air generated in the evaporator 3. A first evaporator duct 60 may be provided at the rear of the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13. A second evaporator duct 70 may be provided at the rear of the first storage compartment 11.
Cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 by an evaporator fan 80. The cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be discharged into the second storage compartment 12 or the third storage compartment 13 through a cold air outlet (not shown) formed on the front surface. Additionally, the cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be guided to an internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70. The first evaporator duct 60 may be provided with a damper 61 provided to control the supply of cold air inside the first evaporator duct 60 to the second evaporator duct 70. A connection duct 90 may be provided between the first evaporator duct 60 and the second evaporator duct 70 to connect the first evaporator duct 60 and the second evaporator duct 70.
The cold air introduced into the internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 may be supplied to the first storage compartment 11 through a cold air outlet 72 formed on the front surface of the second evaporator duct 70.
However, unlike the above embodiment, cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be supplied directly to the second evaporator duct 70 without passing through the first evaporator duct 60. Alternatively, a separate evaporator 3 may be provided at the rear of the first storage compartment 11, thereby supplying cold air to the second evaporator duct 70.
As mentioned above, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the thermoelectric cooling device and the refrigeration cycle device for cooling the storage compartment 11. Accordingly, a method of supplying cold air to the storage compartment 11 may include a first method of supplying only cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooling device 400, a second method of supplying only cold generated by the refrigeration cycle device, and a third method of supplying both cold generated by the thermoelectric cooling device and cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device.
The refrigerator 1 may supply cold air to the storage compartment 11 in an appropriate manner according to external and internal conditions. For example, the refrigerator 1 may cool the storage compartment 11 using one method according to a temperature of an indoor space in which the refrigerator 1 is installed. That is, when an indoor temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, and cooling by the refrigeration cycle device is more efficient than cooling by the thermoelectric cooling device, the storage compartment 11 may be cooled only with cold generated by the refrigeration cycle device. Conversely, when the indoor temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature and cooling by the thermoelectric cooling device is more efficient than cooling by the refrigeration cycle device, the storage compartment 11 may be cooled only with the cold generated by the thermoelectric cooling device. The refrigerator 1 may only operate the thermoelectric cooling device when it is required to reduce noise. When it is required to rapidly cool the storage compartment 11, the refrigerator 1 may simultaneously supply cold air generated through the thermoelectric cooling device and cold air generated through the refrigeration cycle device to the storage compartment 11.
As mentioned above, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may include the thermoelectric cooling device and the refrigeration cycle device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the refrigerator may include only the thermoelectric cooling device 400.
The structure of the heat dissipation duct 700 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to
The refrigerator 1 may include the heat dissipation duct 700 provided on the upper wall 110 and configured to draw in air outside the main body 100 to exchange heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, and to allow the air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to be discharged back to the outside of the main body 100.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include a heat dissipation duct body 720, a heat dissipation duct cover 710, and an extension duct 740.
The heat dissipation duct body 720 may be coupled to the upper surface of the main body 100. The heat dissipation duct body 720 may cover the heat dissipation fan 600 and the heat dissipation sink 520. The outside air intake port 751 may be formed on a front upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body 720, and the outside air intake port 751 may be covered by the top cover 300.
The heat dissipation duct cover 710 may be coupled to an upper portion of the heat dissipation duct body 720 to cover the upper portion of the heat dissipation duct body 720. For this, a duct cover coupling portion 711 may be provided on the heat dissipation duct cover 710, and a duct body coupling portion 721 coupled to the duct cover coupling portion 711 may be provided on the heat dissipation duct body 720. The duct cover coupling portion 711 and the duct body coupling portion 721 may be coupled by a hook method or a fitting method.
The extension duct 740 may be provided in front of the heat dissipation duct body 720 to be connected to the heat dissipation duct body 720. As shown in
The extension duct 740 may be disposed below the top cover 300, and the upper side of the extension duct 740 may be covered by the top cover 300. The extension duct 740 may be coupled to a lower portion of the top cover 300. For this, the extension duct 740 may be provided with an extension duct coupling portion 745, and the top cover 300 may be provided with a top cover coupling portion 380 coupled to the extension duct coupling portion 745. The extension duct coupling portion 745 and the top cover coupling portion 380 may be coupled by a hook method or a fitting method.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include the outside air intake port 751 provided to draw in air outside the main body. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body 720 may include the outside air intake port 751.
The outside air intake port 751 may be formed on the upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body 720. The outside air intake port 751 may be located closer to the front surface of the main body 100 than the rear surface of the main body 100. The reason that the outside air intake port 751 is located closer to the front surface of the main body 100 than the rear surface of the main body 100 is to prevent heat, which is generated by the compressor 2 and the condenser located at the rear of the main body 100, from being transmitted through the outside air intake port 751.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include the outside air discharge ports 782 and 794 provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to the outside of the main body 100.
The heat dissipation duct body 720 may include a first outside air discharge port 782 provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to the outside of the main body 100. The first outside air discharge port 782 may discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, toward the external space on the upper side of the main body 100.
The extension duct 740 may include a second outside air discharge port 794 provided to discharge air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to the rotation bar 40. As the air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, is discharged toward the rotation bar 40, it is possible to prevent dew condensation in the rotation bar 40.
However, the heat dissipation duct 700 does not necessarily include the first outside air discharge port 782 and the second outside air discharge port 794. Further, the second outside air discharge port 794 may be omitted.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include a fan accommodating portion 760 provided to form a fan accommodating space 762 provided to accommodate the heat dissipation fan 600. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body 720 may include the fan accommodating portion 760 provided to form the fan accommodating space 762 provided to accommodate the heat dissipation fan 600.
The fan accommodating space 762 may be formed on a lower surface of the fan accommodating portion 760. A lower side of the fan accommodating space 762 may be open and the open lower side of the fan accommodating space 762 may be covered by the fan case 650. The fan accommodating portion 760 may include a fan inlet 761 through which air flows into the fan accommodating space 762. The fan inlet 761 may be formed on an upper side of the fan accommodating space 762.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include a sink accommodating portion 770 provided to form a sink accommodating space 771 provided to accommodate the heat dissipation sink 520. The sink accommodating space 771 may be formed on a lower surface of the sink accommodating portion 770. A lower side of the sink accommodating space 771 may be open. The open lower side of the sink accommodating space 771 may be covered by the module plate 550. The sink accommodating space 771 may be formed on a downstream side of the fan accommodating space 762.
The fan accommodating space 762 and the sink accommodating space 771 may be located on a horizontal line. The fan accommodating space 762 and the sink accommodating space 771 may be arranged in the left and right directions with respect to the main body 100. The fan accommodating space 762 and the sink accommodating space 771 may be located closer to the rear surface of the main body 100 than the front surface of the main body 100.
In other words, the heat dissipation fan 600 accommodated in the fan accommodating space 762 and the heat dissipation sink 520 accommodated in the sink accommodating space 771 may be positioned on the horizontal line. The heat dissipation fan 600 and the heat dissipation sink 520 may be arranged in the left and right directions with respect to the main body 100. The heat dissipation fan 600 and the heat dissipation sink 520 may be located closer to the rear surface of the main body 100 than to the front surface of the main body 100. The heat dissipation duct 700 may include an intake duct portion 750 provided to guide air, which is drawn through the outside air intake port 751, to the fan accommodating space 762. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body 720 may include the intake duct portion 750. The intake duct portion 750 may extend forward from the fan accommodating portion 760. The outside air intake port 751 may be formed on the upper surface of the intake duct portion 750.
An intake space 752 may be formed on the upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body 720. An upper side of the intake space 752 may be formed to be open, and the open upper side of the intake space 752 may be covered by the heat dissipation duct cover 710. The intake space 752 may be formed on the upstream side of the fan accommodating space 762. The intake space 752 may be connected to the fan accommodating space 762 through the fan inlet 761.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include a first discharge duct portion 780 provided to guide air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to the first outside air discharge port 782. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body 720 may include the first discharge duct portion 780. The first discharge duct portion 780 may extend from the sink accommodating portion 770. For example, the first discharge duct portion 780 may be formed to extend by a predetermined length diagonally from the sink accommodating portion 770 toward one front corner of the main body 100 and then extend forward.
A first discharge space 781 may be formed on the upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body 720. An upper side of the first discharge space 781 may be open, and the open upper side of the first discharge space may be covered by the heat dissipation duct cover 710. The first discharge space 781 may be formed on the downstream side of the sink accommodating space 771.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include a second discharge duct portion 790 provided to guide air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to the second outside air discharge port 794. Particularly, the heat dissipation duct body 720 may include the second discharge duct portion 790. The second discharge duct portion 790 may branch from the first discharge duct portion 780 and extend forward.
A second discharge space 791 may be formed on an upper surface of the second discharge duct portion 790. An upper side of the second discharge space 791 may be open, and the open upper side of the second discharge space 791 may be covered by the heat dissipation duct cover 710. The second discharge space 791 may be formed on the downstream side of the sink accommodating space 771.
The second discharge duct portion 790 may be formed by branching from the first discharge duct portion 780. Alternatively, the first discharge duct portion 780 and the second discharge duct portion 790 may be formed independently of each other.
As described above, the refrigerator 1 may include the top cover 300 coupled to the front portion of the upper surface of the main body 100 so as to cover the plurality of hinges 31.
The top cover 300 may include a top cover upper surface 310, a top cover front surface 311 extending downward from a front edge of the top cover upper surface 310, top cover side surfaces 314 extending downward from both side edges of the top cover upper surface 310, a top cover rear surface 315 extending downward from a rear edge of the top cover upper surface 310, and a top cover inner space 320 formed by the top cover upper surface 310, the top cover front surface 311, the top cover side surfaces 314, and the top cover rear surface 315. A lower side of the top cover inner space 320 may be open, and the lower side of the top cover inner space 320 may be covered by the upper surface of the upper wall 110.
The top cover 300 may include front protrusions 313 protruding forward from both ends of the top cover so as to cover the plurality of hinges 31.
The top cover 300 may include an intake grille 350 located above the outside air intake port 751. The intake grille 350 may prevent foreign substances from moving into the inside of the heat dissipation duct 700 through the outside air intake port 751, protect a dust filter 390, which will be described later, and guide the air drawn through the outside air intake port 751.
The top cover 300 may be equipped with the dust filter 390 provided to filter out foreign substances. The dust filter 390 may be disposed below the intake grille 350 and configured to filter out fine foreign substances.
The top cover 300 may include a discharge port forming portion 312 formed on the top cover front surface 311 of the top cover 300 to form the second outside air discharge port 794 together with the extension duct 740. The discharge port forming portion 312 may protrude forward from the top cover front surface 311.
At least a portion of the air discharged from the heat dissipation duct 700 through the first outside air discharge port 782 may flow into the top cover inner space 320. That is, air warmed by the heat exchange with the heat dissipation sink 520 may flow into the top cover inner space 320. For this, a top cover inlet 330 may be formed in the top cover 300. The top cover inlet 330 may be formed in the top cover rear surface 315.
The first outside air discharge port 782 may include a top cover outlet 784 provided to guide the air inside the heat dissipation duct 700 into the top cover inner space 320. The top cover outlet 784 may be connected to the top cover inlet 330. Air discharged through the top cover outlet 784 may flow into the top cover inner space 320 through the top cover inlet 330.
The first outside air discharge port 782 may include an external outlet 783 separated from the top cover outlet 784 to discharge air of the heat dissipation duct 700 to the outside of the top cover 300. An outlet grille may be formed at the external outlet 783 to prevent foreign substances from flowing into the inside of the heat dissipation duct 700 through the external outlet 783.
Air flowing into the top cover inner space 320 may pass through the top cover inner space 320 and be discharged to the outside of the top cover 300. For this, the top cover 300 may include a top cover discharge port 340. The top cover discharge port 340 may be formed on the front protrusions 313 of the top cover 300. The top cover discharge port 340 may be formed on the front protrusion 313 that is farther from the top cover inlet 330 among the front protrusions 313. The top cover discharge port 340 may be formed on an upper surface of the front protrusion 313. As the top cover discharge port 340 is formed on the front protrusion 313, the air discharged through the top cover discharge port 340 may be prevented as much as possible from being re-drawn into the outside air intake port 751.
As air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, passes through the top cover inner space 320, the air may heat the upper surface of the main body 100. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the dew condensation in the upper portion of the front surface of the main body 100.
The top cover 300 may include a discharge guide portion 381 formed to guide air discharged to the outside of the heat dissipation duct 700 through the external outlet 783 of the first outside air discharge port 782. The discharge guide portion 381 may be formed at an angle on the top cover rear surface 315. The air discharged through the external outlet 783 may be guided to be discharged smoothly without interfering with the top cover 300.
A first heat dissipation flow path, a second heat dissipation flow path, and a top cover flow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to
By the above-mentioned structure of the heat dissipation duct 700 and the top cover 300, the refrigerator 1 may include the first heat dissipation flow path 401 through which air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, is discharged to the outside of the main body 100, and the second heat dissipation flow path 402 through which air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, is discharged toward the rotation bar 40. The second heat dissipation flow path 402 may be formed by branching from the first heat dissipation flow path 401.
The first heat dissipation flow path 401 may be formed by the outside air intake port 751, the intake space 752, the fan inlet 761, the fan accommodating space 762, the sink accommodating space 771, the first discharge space 781 and the first outside air discharge port 782.
The second heat dissipation flow path 402 may be formed by the outside air intake port 751, the intake space 752, the fan inlet 761, the fan accommodating space 762, the sink accommodating space 771, the second discharge space 791 and the second outside air discharge port 794.
The refrigerator 1 may include the top cover flow path 388 through which air, which is discharged through the first heat dissipation flow path 401, flows into the inside of the top cover 300, passes through the inner space 320 of the top cover 300, and then is discharged to the outside of the top cover 300.
The top cover flow path 388 may be connected to an end of the first heat dissipation flow path 401. That is, the top cover flow path 388 may be connected to the top cover outlet 784 of the first outside air discharge port 782.
The rotation bar according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to
The rotation bar 40 may be rotatably coupled to the first door 21.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
That is, as the first door 21 rotates, the rotation bar 40 may rotate between the cover position P1 and the avoidance position P2. As the guide protrusion 46 provided at the upper end of the rotation bar 40 is rotated by the rotation guide 119 (
The rotation bar 40 may have a vertically extending bar shape. The rotation bar 40 may include a rotation bar body 41 and a rotation bar cover 42 coupled to the front surface of the rotation bar body 41. The rotation bar 40 may include a connection bracket 45 to be rotatably coupled to the door.
Because a rear surface of the rotation bar 40 is cooled by cold air from the storage compartment and has a low temperature, moisture in the air may condense on the front surface 43 of the rotation bar 40 and thus the dew condensation may occur. The rotation bar 40 may include a heater 44 to prevent the dew condensation by increasing the temperature of the front portion of the rotation bar 40 to be greater than or equal to the dew point temperature.
The heat dissipation duct 700 may include the second discharge space 791 formed on the downstream side of the sink accommodating space 771 to guide air, which exchanges heat with the heat dissipation sink 520, to the second outside air discharge port 794. The second discharge space 791 may include a second discharge space upstream portion 792 and a second discharge space downstream portion 793.
The heat dissipation duct body 720 may include the second discharge space upstream portion 792. The second discharge space upstream portion 792 may be formed on the upper surface of the heat dissipation duct body 720. An upper side of the second discharge space upstream portion 792 may be open, and the open upper side of the second discharge space upstream portion 792 may be covered by the heat dissipation duct cover 710.
The extension duct 740 may include the second discharge space downstream portion 793. The second discharge space downstream portion 793 may be formed on the upper surface of the extension duct 740. An upper side of the second discharge space downstream portion 793 may be open, and the open upper side of the second discharge space downstream portion 793 may be covered by the top cover 300.
The extension duct 740 may include an extension duct bottom 741 and an extension duct side surface 744 extending upward from both edges of the extension duct bottom 741. The extension duct coupling portion 745 may be formed on the extension duct side surface 744 to be coupled to the top cover coupling portion 380 of the top cover 300. The extension duct coupling portion 745 and the top cover coupling portion 380 may be coupled using a hook method or a fitting method.
Alternatively, unlike the embodiment, the extension duct 740 may be coupled to the heat dissipation duct body 720, or may be formed integrally with the heat dissipation duct body 720.
The extension duct 740 may include an airflow guide 742 provided to guide an airflow to allow a descending airflow to be smoothly formed through the second outside air discharge port 794. The airflow guide 742 may be formed to be inclined gently downward as approaching the second outside air discharge port 794.
The second outside air discharge port 794 may be formed by the extension duct 740 and the top cover 300. The top cover 300 may include the discharge port forming portion 312 located in front of the extension duct 740 to form the second outside air discharge port 794. The discharge port forming portion 312 may extend in the vertical direction.
The second outside air discharge port 794 may be located above the upper end of the rotation bar 40. The second outside air discharge port 794 may be provided to discharge air to a downward direction. Accordingly, the air discharged through the second outside air discharge port 794 may flow from the upper end of the rotation bar 40 toward the lower end of the rotation bar 40 along the front surface of the rotation bar 40.
The extension duct 740 may include an acceleration portion 743 provided to increase a speed of the airflow discharged through the second outside air discharge port 794. The acceleration portion 743 may be formed to have a narrower cross-sectional area as approaching the second outside air discharge port 794. That is, the acceleration portion 743 may include a pair of inclined portions formed on both sides of the second outside air discharge port 794. As the acceleration portion 743 approaches the second outside air discharge port 794, a gap between the pair of inclined portions may narrow.
With the above structure, waste heat generated from the thermoelectric cooling device may be smoothly guided toward the rotation bar 40 and the dew condensation may be prevented on the rotation bar 40. Accordingly, the use of the heater 44 inside the rotation bar 40 may be reduced and energy consumption may be reduced.
As shown in
That is, instead of the extension duct 740, the heat dissipation duct body 720 and the heat dissipation duct cover 710 may extend to the front end of the main body 100, and the second outside air discharge port 794 may be formed by the heat dissipation duct body 720 and the heat dissipation duct cover 710.
In addition, when the top cover 300 is omitted, the outside air discharge port 782 may be composed of the external outlet 783, and air guided by the first discharge duct portion 780 may be all discharged to the outside of the main body 100.
Referring to
The hot pipe 195 may not be disposed on the entire front surface of the main body 100, but may be provided only in a portion of the front surface of the main body 100. Particularly, the hot pipe 195 may be omitted from an upper portion of the front surface of the main body 100 and may be disposed only in a lower portion of the front surface of the main body 100. For example, the hot pipe 195 may be disposed in the entire front surface of the lower wall 120, the entire front surface of the vertical partition 161, the entire front surface of the horizontal partition 160, a portion of the lower portion of the front surface of the left wall 130, and a portion of the lower portion of the front surface of the right wall 140.
As mentioned above, the reason why it is possible to omit the hot pipe 195 from the upper portion of the front surface of the main body 100 is that waste heat discharged from the heat dissipation duct 700 heats the upper surface of the main body 100 by passing through the top cover inner space 320 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
As mentioned above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a part of the hot pipe 195 may be omitted, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and energy consumption.
While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0127485 | Sep 2023 | KR | national |
| 10-2024-0002514 | Jan 2024 | KR | national |
This is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of International Application PCT/KR2024/096127, filed Aug. 30, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0127485, filed Sep. 22, 2023 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0002514, filed Jan. 5, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/096127 | Aug 2024 | WO |
| Child | 18895733 | US |
