REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

A refrigerator including an inner case having an inner case opening, an outer case having an outer case opening, a mounting frame having a passage between the inner case opening and the outer case opening, an insulation in an insulating space where one end of the passage of the mounting frame is at the inner case opening of the inner case and another end of passage of the mounting frame is at the outer case opening, a thermoelectric element including a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-generating surface, a cooling sink in contact with the heat-absorbing surface so as to exchange heat with the heat-absorbing surface, and a heat sink in contact with the heat-generating surface so as to exchange heat with the heat-generating surface, wherein the cooling sink and the heat sink are respectively coupled to the mounting frame.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator that cools a storage compartment using a thermoelectric element.

Description of the Related Art

In general, a refrigerator, an appliance for keeping food fresh, includes a main body having a storage compartment and a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

The refrigerator may use a thermoelectric element as the cold air supply device, the thermoelectric element generating heat and cooling by means of the Peltier effect. The thermoelectric element has a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-generating surface, and when an electric current is applied to the thermoelectric element, heat may be transferred from the heat-absorbing surface to the heat-generating surface, resulting in a temperature difference between the heat-absorbing surface and the heat-generating surface. In other words, heat may be generated on the heat-generating surface side and absorbed on the heat-absorbing surface side.

A cooling sink may be attached to the heat-absorbing surface for efficient heat absorption, and a heat sink may be attached to the heat-generating surface for efficient heat generation.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a main body including a plurality of insulating walls, and a storage compartment within the main body, wherein at least one of the plurality of insulating walls includes an inner case having an inner case opening, an outer case couplable to the inner case, and having an outer case opening, a mounting frame, arrangeable between the inner case and the outer case, having a passage so that while the mounting frame is arranged between the inner case and the outer case, the passage is between the inner case opening and the outer case opening, an insulation arrangeable in an insulating space between the inner case and the outer case so that while the insulation is arranged in the insulating space, one end of the passage of the mounting frame is at the inner case opening of the inner case and another end of passage of the mounting frame, opposite the one end of the passage, is at the outer case opening, a thermoelectric element, to cool the storage compartment, and including a heat-absorbing surface on one side facing the storage compartment and a heat-generating surface on another side opposite the one side, a cooling sink to exchange heat with the heat-absorbing surface while in contact with the heat-absorbing surface, and a heat sink to exchange heat with the heat-generating surface while in contact with the heat-generating surface, wherein the cooling sink and the heat sink are respectively coupled to the mounting frame.

The refrigerator may further include a first fastening member configured to pass through the cooling sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the cooling sink to the mounting frame, and a second fastening member configured to pass through the heat sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the heat sink to the mounting frame.

The cooling sink may include a cooling plate outside a path of the passage and a cooling block inside the path of the passage, and the heat sink may include a heat dissipation plate outside the path of the passage.

A size of one surface of the cooling plate facing the passage and a size of one surface of the heat dissipation plate facing the passage may be larger than a size of the cross-section of the passage, respectively.

The cooling block may be in contact with the heat-absorbing surface, and the heat dissipation plate may be in contact with the heat-generating surface.

The one end of the passage may a front inlet on one side of the mounting frame facing the storage compartment and the other end of the passage is a rear inlet, and the thermoelectric element may be closer to the rear inlet than to the front inlet.

The refrigerator may further include an insulating member configured to insulate the thermoelectric element and the mounting frame.

The mounting frame may include a recess along an inner surface of the mounting frame to allow the insulating member to be mounted.

The cooling sink may include a first through hole through which a first fastening member passes, the heat sink may include a second through hole through which a second fastening member passes, and the mounting frame may include a first fastening hole to which the first fastening member is fastened, and a second fastening hole to which the second fastening member is fastened.

The refrigerator may further include g a fastening member configured to pass through the mounting frame and one of the cooling sink and the heat sink to be fastened to another one of the cooling sink and the heat sink.

One of the cooling sink and the heat sink may include a first through hole through which the fastening member passes, the mounting frame may include a second through hole through which the fastening member passes, and another one of the cooling sink and the heat sink may include a fastening hole to which the fastening member is fastened.

The passage may be a first passage having a first cross-section and the mounting frame includes a second passage having a second cross-section larger than the first cross-section, and the cooling block may be a first cooling block disposed in the first passage and the cooling sink includes a second cooling block disposed in the second passage.

The refrigerator may further include a first fastening member configured to pass through the cooling plate and the first cooling block to be fastened to the second cooling block so as to couple the cooling sink to the mounting frame, and a second fastening member configured to pass through the heat sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the heat sink to the mounting frame.

The cooling plate may include a first through hole through which the first fastening member passes, the first cooling block may include a second through hole through which the first fastening member passes, the second cooling block may include a first fastening hole to which the first fastening member is fastened, the heat sink may include a third through hole through which the second fastening member passes, and the mounting frame may include a second fastening hole to which the second fastening member is fastened.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes an inner case forming a storage compartment and having an inner case opening, an outer case couplable to an outside of the inner case and having an outer case opening, a mounting frame, arrangeable between the inner case and the outer case, having a passage so that while the mounting frame is arranged between the inner case and the outer case, the passage is between the inner case opening and the outer case opening, an insulation within an insulating space formed by the inner case, the outer case, and the mounting frame, a thermoelectric element configured to cool the storage compartment and including a heat-absorbing surface formed on one side facing the storage compartment and a heat-generating surface on another side opposite the one side, a cooling sink in contact with the heat-absorbing surface so as to exchange heat with the heat-absorbing surface, and a heat sink in contact with the heat-generating surface so as to exchange heat with the heat-generating surface, wherein the cooling sink and the heat sink are each coupled to the mounting frame.

The refrigerator may further include a first fastening member configured to pass through the cooling sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the cooling sink to the mounting frame, and a second fastening member configured to pass through the heat sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the heat sink to the mounting frame.

The cooling sink may include a cooling plate outside a path of the passage and a cooling block inside the path of the passage, and the heat sink may include a heat dissipation plate outside the path of the passage.

A size of one surface of the cooling plate facing the passage and a size of one surface of the heat dissipation plate facing the passage may be larger than a size of a cross-section of the passage, respectively.

The refrigerator may further include g a fastening member configured to pass through one of the cooling sink and the heat sink and the mounting frame to be fastened to the other one of the cooling sink and the heat sink.

The passage may be a first passage having a first cross-section and the mounting frame includes a second passage having a second cross-section larger than the first cross-section and the cooling block may be a first cooling block in the first passage and the cooling sink includes a second cooling block in the second passage, and the refrigerator may further include a first fastening member configured to pass through the cooling plate and the first cooling block to be fastened to the second cooling block so as to couple the cooling sink to the mounting frame and a second fastening member configured to pass through the heat sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the heat sink to the mounting frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a plurality of insulating walls of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a rear insulating wall according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from another direction illustrating the mounting frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which a thermoelectric module is coupled to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from another direction illustrating a structure in which the thermoelectric module is coupled to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the thermoelectric module coupled to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view from another direction illustrating the mounting frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which a thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view in another direction illustrating a structure in which the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to an insulating wall.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating the method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view from another direction illustrating the mounting frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view from another direction illustrating a structure in which the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating the method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating the method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating an inner case, an outer case, and the mounting frame of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a thermoelectric module having a thermoelectric element having a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-generating surface, and a cooling sink in contact with the heat-absorbing surface and a heat sink in contact with the heat-generating surface.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having a mounting structure for a thermoelectric module that improves the efficiency of cooling action through the thermoelectric module.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having a mounting structure for a thermoelectric module having improved ease of assembly, bonding strength, and bonding durability.

Technical tasks to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

According to the present disclosure, the efficiency of the cooling action through the thermoelectric module may be improved by sufficiently securing the pressing force between the heat-absorbing surface and the cooling sink and the pressing force between the heat-generating surface and the heat sink.

According to the present disclosure, the efficiency of the cooling action through the thermoelectric module may be improved by stably maintaining the pressing force between the heat-absorbing surface and the cooling sink and the pressing force between the heat-generating surface and the heat sink despite the thermal deformation of the insulating wall or the like due to the low temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the storage compartment.

According to the present disclosure, the cooling plate of the cooling sink and the heat dissipation plate of the heat sink may have a larger area than the passage through the main body, so that the efficiency of the cooling action through the thermoelectric module may be improved.

According to the present disclosure, the cooling sink is coupled to the insulating wall through an inlet facing the storage compartment of the passage through the insulating wall and the heat sink is coupled to the insulating wall through an opposite inlet, so that the ease of assembly of the thermoelectric module may be improved.

According to the present disclosure, the cooling sink and the heat sink are directly coupled to a mounting frame secured to the inner case and the outer case by urethane foam, so that the bonding strength and bonding durability between the thermoelectric module and the main body may be improved.

The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be apparent to those of skilled in the art from the following description.

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

The main body may include an insulation. The insulation may insulate inside of a 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 such as a polyurethane foam. 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 storage compartment may store a variety of items, such as foods, medicines, cosmetics, and the like, and the storage compartment may be formed to be open on at least one side for storing or removing items.

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.

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.

The storage compartment may also be called various other terms, such as “vegetable compartment (also referred to as room)”, “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 cold 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, various embodiments according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a plurality of insulating walls of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a rear insulating wall according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator 1 may include a main body 10 including a plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, a storage compartment 20 formed inside the main body 10, a door 21 provided to open or close the storage compartment 20, and a thermoelectric module 22 provided to cool the storage compartment 20.

The plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 may be assembled together to form the main body 10. The plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 may be coupled together in a variety of ways according to known methods. For example, each of the plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 may include a concave-convex structure or a hook structure that may be engaged with each other.

The plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 may include an upper insulating wall 11, a left insulating wall 12, a right insulating wall 13, a lower insulating wall 14, and a rear insulating wall 15. The upper insulating wall 11, the left insulating wall 12, the right insulating wall 13, the lower insulating wall 14, and the rear insulating wall 15 may be provided separately from each other and assembled together. However, at least a portion of the upper insulating wall 11, the left insulating wall 12, the right insulating wall 13, the lower insulating wall 14, and the rear insulating wall 15 may be formed integrally.

The storage compartment 20 may store items (e.g. a food item). The storage compartment 20 may be formed with an open front to allow items to be placed in or removed from the storage compartment 20.

The thermoelectric module 22 may cool the storage compartment 20 using the Peltier effect. The thermoelectric module 22 may be disposed in any one of the plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the thermoelectric module 22 is provided on the rear insulating wall 15 of the plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the thermoelectric module 22 may be provided on any other insulating wall. Furthermore, although one thermoelectric module 22 is shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator is not limited thereto and may include a plurality of thermoelectric modules.

Each of the plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 may have an inner case 31, an outer case 34, and an insulation 39 (also referred to as a thermal insulation) (see FIG. 9) provided in an insulating space 38 formed between the inner case 31 and the outer case 34.

The inner case 31 may form the storage compartment 20. The inner case 31 may be formed of a resin material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The outer case 34 may form an exterior of the main body 10. The outer case 34 may be formed of a metallic material, such as stainless steel.

The insulation 39 may include urethane foam. After the inner case 31 and the outer case 34 are joined, the urethane foaming liquid is foamed and cured between the inner case 31 and the outer case 34 to form the urethane foam.

As shown in FIG. 3, among the plurality of insulating walls 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, an insulating wall (e.g., the rear insulating wall) on which the thermoelectric module 22 is installed may include a mounting frame 60. The thermoelectric module 22 may be installed on the mounting frame 60.

The inner case 31 of the insulating wall may include an inner case opening 32, and the outer case 34 of the insulating wall may include an outer case opening 35. The mounting frame 60 may have a passage 61 connected to the inner case opening 32 and the outer case opening 35. In other words, the mounting frame 60 may penetrate the insulating wall. The passage 61 may penetrate the insulating wall.

The mounting frame 60 is disposed between the inner case 31 and the outer case 34 so that the passage 61 of the mounting frame 60 connects the inner case opening 32 and the outer case opening 35, and then the urethane foaming liquid is foamed and cured in the insulating space 38 formed by the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 60, the inner outer case 31, so that the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 60 may be firmly coupled to each other.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a perspective view in another direction illustrating the mounting frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which the thermoelectric module is coupled to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view in another direction illustrating a structure in which the thermoelectric module is coupled to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall.

The mounting frame 60 may include the passage 61 formed inside the mounting frame 60. The passage 61 may connect the inner case opening 32 and the outer case opening 34. The passage 61 may include a front inlet 64 formed on one side of the mounting frame 60 facing the storage compartment, and a rear inlet 65 formed on the opposite side. The passage 61 may be formed by an inner surface 66 of the mounting frame 60.

A cooling sink 80 and a heat sink 90 may be coupled to the mounting frame 60. The cooling sink 80 may be coupled to one side of the mounting frame 60 facing the storage compartment 20. The heat sink 90 may be coupled to the opposite side of the mounting frame 60. Hereinafter, the one side of the mounting frame 60 facing the storage compartment 20 may be referred to as a front side of the mounting frame 60, and the opposite side of the mounting frame 60 may be referred to as a rear side of the mounting frame 60.

The mounting frame 60 may include a fastening hole 73 formed on the front side of the mounting frame 60 so as to be coupled to the cooling sink 80. The mounting frame 60 may include fastening holes 74 formed on the rear side of the mounting frame 60 so as to be coupled to the heat sink 90. The mounting frame 60 may be formed from a material with low thermal conductivity.

The thermoelectric module 22 may include a thermoelectric element 40, the cooling sink 80, and the heat sink 90.

The thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed within the passage 61. The thermoelectric element 40 may include a heat-absorbing surface 41 formed on one surface and a heat-generating surface 42 formed on the opposite surface. The thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed on the interior of the passage 61 such that the heat-absorbing surface 41 faces the side of the storage compartment 20 and the heat-generating surface 42 faces the opposite side.

The thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed closer to the rear inlet 65 of the passage 60 than to the front inlet 64 of the passage 60. For example, as shown in the drawings, the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at a rear end of the passage 61. As such, the thermoelectric element 40 is disposed at the rear end of the passage 61 is because: the heat generation amount of the thermoelectric element 40 is typically higher than the heat absorption amount, the positioning of the thermoelectric element 40 at the rear end of the passage 61 may be advantageous for heat dissipation on the heat-generating surface 42, and the overall operating efficiency of the thermoelectric element 40 may be increased.

Since the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at the rear end of the passage 61, the thermoelectric element 40 may be in direct contact with a heat dissipation plate 91 disposed outside the rear side of the passage 60. Whereas, since the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at the rear end of the passage 61, the thermoelectric element 40 may be spaced apart from a cooling plate 81 disposed outside the front side of the passage 60. As a result, the cooling sink 80 may include a cooling block 83 disposed on the inside of the passage 61 so as to contact the thermoelectric element 40.

In other words, the cooling sink 80 may include the cooling plate 81 disposed on the outside of the passage 60, and the cooling block 83 disposed on the inside of the passage 60 so that one side of the cooling block 83 is in contact with the cooling plate 81 and the other side is in contact with the heat-generating surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40. The cooling plate 81 and the cooling block 83 may be provided separately, or may be formed integrally with each other. The cooling sink 80 may be formed of a metallic material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or the like.

The cooling plate 81 may have a flat shape. A plurality of cooling fins 82 may protrude from a surface of the cooling plate 81 facing the storage compartment 20.

The cooling block 83 may be inserted into the inside of the passage 60 through the front inlet 64. To allow the cooling block 83 to be inserted into the interior of the passage 60, the cross-section of the cooling block 83 may be smaller than a cross-section 61a of the passage 61 or have a corresponding size.

The cooling plate 81 may have a size larger than the cross-section 61a of the passage 61. In other words, a surface 81a (see FIG. 7) of the cooling plate 81 facing the passage 61 may have a size larger than the cross-section 61a of the passage 61.

As such, since the cooling plate 81 may have a size larger than the cross-section 61a of the passage 61, a heat transfer area of the cooling plate 81 may be enlarged. In addition, more cooling fins 82 may be formed on the cooling plate 81, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency between the cooling sink 80 and air.

The heat sink 90 may include a heat dissipation plate 91 disposed outside the passage 60. The heat sink 90 may be formed of a metallic material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or the like.

The heat dissipation plate 91 may have a flat shape. A plurality of heat dissipation fins 92 may protrude from a surface of the heat dissipation plate 91 facing the outside of the insulating wall. The heat dissipation plate 91 may have a size larger than the cross-section 61a of the passage 61. In other words, the size of one surface 91a (see FIG. 6) of the heat dissipation plate 91 facing the passage 61 may be larger than the cross-section 61a of the passage 61.

As such, since the heat dissipation plate 91 may have a larger size than the cross-section 61a of the passage 61, the heat transfer area of the heat dissipation plate 91 may be increased. In addition, more cooling fins 92 may be formed on the heat dissipation plate 91, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency between the heat sink 90 and air.

In such a way, the cooling plate 81 and the heat dissipation plate 91 may have a size larger than the cross-section 61a of the passage 61 because the cooling sink 80 and the heat sink 90 are separately coupled to the mounting frame 60. In other words, the cooling sink 80 may be coupled to the front side of the mounting frame 60 independently of the heat sink 90, and the heat sink 90 may be coupled to the rear side of the mounting frame 60 independently of the cooling sink 80, so that the cooling plate 81 and the heat dissipation plate 91 may have a size larger than the cross-section 61a of the passage 61.

The thermoelectric module 22 may include an insulating member 50 that insulates the mounting frame 60 and the thermoelectric element 40. The insulating member 50 may prevent the mounting frame 60 and the thermoelectric element 40 from contacting each other. The insulating member 50 may have a receiving hole 51 in which the thermoelectric element 40 is accommodated.

The thermoelectric element 40 may have side surfaces connecting the heat-absorbing surface 41 and the heat-generating surface 42. Since the thermoelectric element 40 is accommodated in the receiving hole 51 of the insulating member 50, the insulating member 50 may surround the side surfaces of the thermoelectric element 40.

The mounting frame 60 may have a recess 67 that receives the insulating member 50. The recess 67 may be configured to be recessed in the inner surface 66 of the mounting frame.

Such a configuration may cause the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the cooling sink 80, the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the heat sink 90, and the side surfaces of the element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the insulating member 50. The thermoelectric element 40 may not be in contact with the mounting frame 60.

As described above, the cooling sink 80 and the heat sink 90 may be coupled to the mounting frame 60.

The cooling sink 80 may be coupled to the front side of the mounting frame 60 facing the storage compartment, and the heat sink 90 may be coupled to the rear side of the mounting frame 60 opposite to the front side.

The cooling sink 80 may be fixedly coupled to the mounting frame 60 by a fastening member S1. The fastening member S1 may include a screw. The screw may include a screw body and a screw head formed at one end of the screw body to have a diameter greater than the diameter of the screw body. A male thread may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the screw body.

The fastening member S1 may pass through the cooling sink 80 to be fastened to the mounting frame 60. To this end, a through hole 86 through which the fastening member S1 passes may be formed in the cooling sink 80. In particular, the through hole 86 through which the fastening member S1 passes may be formed in the cooling plate 81. The fastening hole 73 to which the fastening member S1 is fastened may be formed in the mounting frame 60. A female thread may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 73 to correspond to the male thread formed on the fastening member S1. The through hole 86 and the fastening hole 73 may be provided in a plurality.

The heat sink 90 may be firmly coupled to the mounting frame 60 by a fastening member S2. The fastening member S2 may include a screw. The screw may include a screw body and a screw head formed at one end of the screw body to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the screw body. A male thread may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the screw body.

The fastening member S2 may pass through the heat sink 90 to be fastened to the mounting frame 60. To this end, a through hole 96 through which the fastening member S2 passes may be formed in the heat sink 90. In particular, the through hole 96 through which the fastening member S2 passes may be formed in the heat dissipation plate 91. A fastening hole 74 to which the fastening member S2 is fastened may be formed in the mounting frame 60. A female thread may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 74 to correspond to the male thread formed on the fastening member S2. The through hole 96 and the fastening hole 74 may be provided in a plurality.

As such, the cooling sink 80 and the heat sink 90 may each be coupled to the mounting frame 60 with the cooling sink 80 in contact with the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 and the heat sink 90 in contact with the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40. As a result, a pressing force between the cooling sink 80 and the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 and a pressing force between the heat sink 90 and the heat-generating surfaces 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be ensured. By sufficiently ensuring the pressing force between the cooling sink 80 and the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 and the pressing force between the heat sink 90 and the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40, the efficiency of the cooling action through the thermoelectric module 22 may be increased.

Conversely, when the cooling sink and the heat sink are attached to the thermoelectric element and then accommodated in a separate frame or housing to form a thermoelectric module, and such s thermoelectric module is coupled to the insulating wall, it may be difficult to sufficiently ensure the pressing force between the cooling sink and the thermoelectric element and the pressing force between the heat sink and the thermoelectric element.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressing force between the cooling sink 80 and the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 and the pressing force between the heat sink 90 and the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be stably maintained despite a low temperature in the storage compartment 20 or a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the storage compartment 20.

Conversely, when the cooling sink and the heat sink are attached to the thermoelectric element and then accommodated in a separate frame or housing to form a thermoelectric module, and such s thermoelectric module is coupled to the insulating wall, the pressing force between the cooling sink and the thermoelectric element and the pressing force between the heat sink and the thermoelectric element may not be stably maintained due to thermal deformation of the frame or housing. The thermal deformation of the frame or housing may cause the contact thermal resistance between the cooling sink and the thermoelectric element and between the heat sink and the thermoelectric element to gradually increase and the efficiency of the thermoelectric module to decrease. In other words, the pressing force between the cooling sink and the thermoelectric element may weaken, resulting in a small gap between the cooling sink and the thermoelectric element, and the pressing force between the heat sink and the thermoelectric element may weaken, resulting in a small gap between the heat sink and the thermoelectric element. As a result, an air layer may form between the cooling sink and the thermoelectric element and between the heat sink and the thermoelectric element, thereby reducing the heat exchange efficiency.

However, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the cooling sink 80 and the heat sink 90 are each directly coupled to the mounting frame 60 disposed in the insulating wall, and no separate frame or housing is interposed between the cooling sink 80 and the mounting frame 60 and between the heat sink 90 and the mounting frame 60, the pressing force between the cooling sink 80 and the thermoelectric element 40 may be stably maintained and the pressing force between the heat sink 90 and the thermoelectric element 40 may be stably maintained despite the low temperature in the storage compartment or the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the storage compartment.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9 at (a), the mounting frame 60 may be positioned between the inner case 31 and the outer case 34 to allow the passage 61 of the mounting frame 60 to connect the inner case opening 32 and the outer case opening 35. The inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 60 may be temporarily secured by a separate jig. In this state, the insulating space 38 may be formed by the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 60.

As shown in FIG. 9 at (b), the insulating space 38 formed between the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 60 may be filled with urethane foaming liquid, foamed, and cured. In the process of foaming and curing the urethane foaming liquid, the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 60 may be firmly coupled together. Once the urethane foaming liquid is cured, the insulation 39 may be formed. As the urethane foaming liquid cures, the insulating wall including the inner case 31, the outer case 34, the mounting frame 60, and the insulation 39 may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 9 at (c), the cooling sink 80 may be coupled to the mounting frame 60. The cooling block 83 of the cooling sink 80 may be received into the interior of the passage 61 through the front inlet 64 of the passage 61. With the cooling block 83 accommodated in the passage 61, the cooling sink 80 and the mounting frame 60 may be coupled together by the fastening members S1. The fastening members S1 may each penetrate the cooling sink 80 and be fastened to the fastening hole 73 of the mounting frame 60.

As shown in FIG. 10 at (d), the insulating member 50 may be accommodated in the recess 67 of the mounting frame 60.

As shown in FIG. 10 at (e), the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed in the receiving hole 51 of the insulating member 50. The heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be supported by the cooling block 83 of the cooling sink 80. The side surfaces connecting the heat-absorbing surface 41 and the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be in contact with and supported by the inner surface of the insulating member 50. The thermoelectric element 40 may not be in contact with the mounting frame 60.

As shown in FIG. 10 at (f), the heat sink 90 may be coupled to the mounting frame 60. The heat dissipation plate 91 of the heat sink 90 may be in contact with the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40. The fastening members S2 may each penetrate the heat sink 90 and be fastened to the fastening hole 74 of the mounting frame 60.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a perspective view in another direction illustrating the mounting frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which a thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to an insulating wall. FIG. 14 is a perspective view in another direction illustrating a structure in which the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall.

With reference to FIGS. 11 to 15, a structure in which a mounting frame and a thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure are coupled to an insulating wall will be described. The same reference numerals may be assigned to the same configurations as the embodiment described above. For the same configurations or structures as the embodiment described above, the description may be omitted.

A mounting frame 260 may include a passage 261 formed inside the mounting frame 260. The passage 261 may connect an inner case opening 232 and an outer case opening 234. The passage 261 may include a front inlet 264 formed on one side of the mounting frame 260 facing the storage compartment, and a rear inlet 265 formed on the opposite side. The passage 261 may be formed by an inner surface 266 of the mounting frame 260.

A cooling sink 280 and a heat sink 290 may be coupled to the mounting frame 260. The cooling sink 280 may be coupled to one side of the mounting frame 260 facing the storage compartment 20. The heat sink 2290 may be coupled to the opposite side of the mounting frame 260.

The mounting frame 260 may include a fastening hole 273 formed on the mounting frame 260 so as to be coupled to the cooling sink 280 and the heat sink 290. The fastening hole 273 may be formed to penetrate a front and rear sides of the mounting frame 260.

The thermoelectric module 22 may include the thermoelectric element 40, the cooling sink 280, and the heat sink 290.

The thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed closer to the rear inlet 265 of the passage 261 than to the front inlet 264 of the passage 261. For example, as shown in the drawings, the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at a rear end of the passage 261.

Since the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at the rear end of the passage 261, the thermoelectric element 40 may be in direct contact with a heat dissipation plate 291 disposed outside the rear side of the passage 261. Whereas, since the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at the rear end of the passage 261, the thermoelectric element 40 may be spaced apart from a cooling plate 281 disposed outside the front side of the passage 261. As a result, the cooling sink 280 may include a cooling block 283 disposed on the inside of the passage 261 so as to contact the thermoelectric element 40.

In other words, the cooling sink 280 may include the cooling plate 281 disposed on the outside of the passage 261, and the cooling block 283 disposed on the inside of the passage 261 so that one side of the cooling block 283 is in contact with the cooling plate 281 and the other side is in contact with the heat-generating surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40. The cooling plate 281 and the cooling block 283 may be provided separately, or may be formed integrally with each other. The cooling sink 280 may be formed of a metallic material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or the like.

The cooling plate 281 may have a flat shape. A plurality of cooling fins 282 may protrude from a surface of the cooling plate 281 facing the storage compartment 20.

The cooling block 283 may be inserted into the inside of the passage 261 through the front inlet 264. To enable the cooling block 283 to be inserted into the passage 261, the cross-section of the cooling block 283 may be smaller than a cross-section 261a of the passage 261, or have a corresponding size.

The cooling plate 281 may have a size larger than the cross-section 261a of the passage 261. In other words, a surface 281a (see FIG. 14) of the cooling plate 281 facing the passage 261 may have a size larger than the cross-section 261a of the passage 261.

As such, since the cooling plate 281 may have a size larger than the cross-section 261a of the passage 261, the heat transfer area of the cooling plate 281 may be increased. In addition, more cooling fins 282 may be formed on the cooling plate 281, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency between the cooling sink 280 and air.

The heat sink 290 may include the heat dissipation plate 291 disposed outside the passage 261. The heat sink 290 may be formed of a metallic material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or the like.

The heat dissipation plate 291 may have a flat shape. A plurality of heat dissipation fins 292 may protrude from a surface of the heat dissipation plate 291 facing the outside of the insulating wall. The heat dissipation plate 291 may have a size larger than the cross-section 261a of the passage 261. In other words, the size of one surface 291a (see FIG. 13) of the heat dissipation plate 291 facing the passage 261 may be larger than that of the cross-section 261a of the passage 261.

As such, since the heat dissipation plate 291 may have a larger size than the cross-section 261a of the passage 261, the heat transfer area of the heat dissipation plate 291 may be increased. In addition, more cooling fins 292 may be formed on the heat dissipation plate 291, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency between the heat sink 290 and air.

The mounting frame 260 may have a recess 267 that receives the insulating member 50. The recess 267 may be formed to be recessed in the inner surface 266 of the mounting frame.

Such a configuration may cause the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the cooling sink 280, the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the heat sink 290, and the side surfaces of the thermoelectric element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the insulating member 50. The thermoelectric element 40 may not be in contact with the mounting frame 260.

As described above, the cooling sink 280 and the heat sink 290 may be coupled together to the mounting frame 260. The cooling sink 280 may be coupled to the front side of the mounting frame 260 facing the storage compartment, and the heat sink 290 may be coupled to the rear side of the mounting frame 260 opposite to the front side. In another aspect, the cooling sink 280 and the heat sink 290 may be coupled together by a fastening member S.

In particular, the cooling sink 280 and the heat sink 290 may be fixedly coupled to the mounting frame 260 by the fastening member S. The fastening member S may include a screw. The screw may include a screw body and a screw head formed at one end of the screw body to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the screw body. A male thread may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the screw body.

As shown in the drawings, the fastening member S may pass through the heat sink 290 and the mounting frame 260 to be fastened to the cooling sink 280. To this end, a through hole 296 through which the fastening member S passes may be formed in the heat sink 290, the through hole 273 through which the fastening member S passes may be formed in the mounting frame 260, and a fastening hole 286 to which the fastening member S is fastened may be formed in the cooling sink 280.

In particular, the through hole 296 may be formed in the heat dissipation plate 291 of the heat sink 290, the through hole 273 may be formed in the mounting frame 260, and the fastening hole 286 may be formed in the cooling plate 281 of the cooling sink 280.

A female thread may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 286 to correspond to the male thread formed on the fastening member S. The through hole 296 and the fastening hole 286 may be provided in a plurality.

However, in contrast to the embodiment described above, the fastening member S may pass through the cooling sink 280 and the mounting frame 260 to be fastened to the heat sink 290. To this end, a through hole through which the fastening member S passes may be formed in the cooling sink 280, the through hole 273 through which the fastening member S passes may be formed in the mounting frame 260, and a fastening hole to which the fastening member S is fastened may be formed in the heat sink 290.

In particular, a through hole may be formed in the cooling plate 281 of the cooling sink 280, the through hole 273 may be formed in the mounting frame 260, and a fastening hole may be formed in the heat dissipation plate 281 of the heat sink 290.

As such, the cooling sink 280 and the heat sink 290 may be directly coupled with each other through the fastening member S, so that a pressing force between the cooling sink 280 and the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 and a pressing force between the heat sink 290 and the heat-generating surfaces 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be maintained more stably. In other words, the pressing force between the cooling sink 280 and the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 and the pressing force between the heat sink 290 and the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be stably maintained despite the low temperature in the storage compartment 20 or the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the storage compartment 20.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described.

As shown in FIG. 16 at (a), the mounting frame 260 may be positioned between the inner case 31 and the outer case 34 to allow the passage 261 of the mounting frame 260 to connect the inner case opening 32 and the outer case opening 35. The inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 260 may be temporarily secured by a separate jig. In this state, the insulating space 38 may be formed by the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 260.

As shown in FIG. 16 at (b), the insulating space 38 formed between the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 260 may be filled with urethane foaming liquid, foamed, and cured. In the process of foaming and curing the urethane foaming liquid, the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 260 may be firmly coupled together. Once the urethane foaming liquid is cured, the insulation 39 may be formed. As the urethane foaming liquid cures, the insulating wall including the inner case 31, the outer case 34, the mounting frame 260, and the insulation 39 may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 16 at (c), the cooling sink 280 may be temporarily coupled to the mounting frame 260 using the separate jig. The cooling block 283 of the cooling sink 280 may be received into the interior of the passage 261 through the front inlet 264 of the passage 261.

As shown in FIG. 17 at (d), the insulating member 50 may be accommodated in the recess 267 of the mounting frame 260.

As shown in FIG. 17 at (e), the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed in the receiving hole 51 of the insulating member 50. The heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be supported by the cooling block 283 of the cooling sink 280. The side surfaces connecting the heat-absorbing surface 41 and the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be in contact with and supported by the inner surface of the insulating member 50. The thermoelectric element 40 may not be in contact with the mounting frame 260.

As shown in FIG. 17 at (f), the cooling sink 280 and the heat sink 290 may be coupled to the mounting frame 260 by the fastening member S. In another aspect, the cooling sink 280 and the heat sink 290 may be directly coupled by the fastening member S. The fastening member S may penetrate the heat sink 290 and the mounting frame 260 to be fastened to the cooling sink 280. However, depending on the embodiment, the fastening member S may pass through the cooling sink 280 and the mounting frame 260 to be fastened to the heat sink 290.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is a perspective view in another direction illustrating the mounting frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a structure in which a thermoelectric module is coupled to an insulating wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is a perspective view in another direction illustrating a structure in which the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the insulating wall.

Referring to FIGS. 18 to 22, a structure in which a mounting frame and the thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure are coupled to the insulating wall will be described. The same reference numerals may be assigned to the same configurations as the embodiment described above. For the same configurations or structures as the embodiment described above, the description may be omitted.

A mounting frame 360 may include a passage 361 formed inside the mounting frame 360. The passage 361 may connect the inner case opening 32 and the outer case opening 34. The passage 361 may include a front inlet 364 formed on one side of the mounting frame 360 facing the storage compartment, and a rear inlet 365 formed on the opposite side. The passage 361 may be formed by an inner surface 366 of the mounting frame 360.

The passage 361 may include a first passage 362 having a first cross-section 362a and a second passage 363 having a second cross-section 363a which is larger than the first cross-section 362a.

A cooling sink 380 and a heat sink 390 may be coupled to the mounting frame 360. The cooling sink 380 may be coupled to one side of the mounting frame 360 facing the storage compartment 20. The heat sink 390 may be coupled to the opposite side of the mounting frame 360.

The mounting frame 360 may include a fastening hole 373 formed on a rear side of the mounting frame 360 so as to be coupled to the heat sink 390. The mounting frame 360 may be formed of a material with low thermal conductivity.

The thermoelectric module 22 may include the thermoelectric element 40, the cooling sink 380, and the heat sink 390.

The thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed closer to the rear inlet 365 of the passage 360 than to the front inlet 364 of the passage 360. For example, as shown in the drawings, the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at a rear end of the passage 361.

Since the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at the rear end of the passage 361, the thermoelectric element 40 may be in direct contact with a heat dissipation plate 391 disposed outside the rear side of the passage 360. Whereas, since the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed at the rear end of the passage 361, the thermoelectric element 40 may be spaced apart from a cooling plate 381 disposed outside the front side of the passage 360. As a result, the cooling sink 380 may include a cooling block 383 disposed on the inside of the passage 361 so as to contact the thermoelectric element 40.

In other words, the cooling sink 380 may include the cooling plate 381 disposed on the outside of the passage 361, and the cooling block 383 disposed on the inside of the passage 360 so that one side of which is in contact with the cooling plate 381 and the other side is in contact with the heat-generating surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40.

The cooling block 383 may include a first cooling block 384 disposed in the first passage 362 of the passage 361, and a second cooling block 386 disposed in the second passage 363 of the passage 361.

The first cooling block 384 may be inserted into the first passage 362 through the front inlet 364. To enable the first cooling block 384 to be inserted into the first passage 362, the cross-section of the first cooling block 384 may be smaller than the cross-section 362a of the first passage 362 or may have a corresponding size.

The second cooling block 386 may be inserted into the second passage 363 through the rear inlet 365. To enable the second cooling block 386 to be inserted into the second passage 363, the cross-section of the second cooling block 386 may be smaller than the cross-section 363a of the second passage 363 or may have a corresponding size.

The cooling plate 381 and the first cooling block 384 may be provided separately, or may be formed integrally with each other. In the present drawing, an example in which the cooling rate 381 and the first cooling block 384 are formed integrally is shown.

However, the first cooling block 384 and the second cooling block 386 may be provided separately. This is because, as described above, the first cooling block 384 may be inserted into the first passage 362 through the front inlet 364, and the second cooling block 386 may be inserted into the second passage 363 through the rear inlet 365. The first cooling block 384 and the second cooling block 386 may be in contact with each other.

The cooling sink 380 may be formed of a metallic material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or the like. The cooling plate 381 may have a flat plate shape. A plurality of cooling fins 382 may protrude from a surface of the cooling plate 381 facing the storage compartment 30. The cooling plate 381 may have a size that is larger than the cross-section 362a of the first passage 362 and the cross-section 363a of the second passage 363. In other words, a surface 381a (see FIG. 21) of the cooling plate 381 facing the passage 361 may have a size larger than the cross-section 362a of the first passage 362 and the cross-section 363a of the second passage 363.

As such, since the cooling plate 381 may have a size larger than the cross-section 362a of the first passage 362 and the cross-section 363a of the second passage 363, the heat transfer area of the cooling plate 381 may be increased. In addition, more cooling fins 382 may be formed on the cooling plate 381, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency between the cooling sink 380 and air.

The heat sink 390 may include the heat dissipation plate 381 disposed outside the passage 360. The heat sink 390 may be formed of a metallic material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or the like.

The heat dissipation plate 391 may have a flat shape. A plurality of heat dissipation fins 392 may protrude from a surface of the heat dissipation plate 391 facing the outside of the insulating wall. The heat dissipation plate 391 may have a size larger than the cross-section 362a of the first passage 362 and the cross-section 363a of the second passage 363. In other words, the size of one surface 391a (see FIG. 20) of the heat dissipation plate 391 facing the passage 361 may be larger than that of the cross-section 362a of the first passage 362 and that of the cross-section 363a of the second passage 363.

As such, since the heat dissipation plate 391 may have a size larger than the cross-section 361a of the passage 361, the heat transfer area of the heat dissipation plate 391 may be increased. In addition, more cooling fins 392 may be formed on the heat dissipation plate 391, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency between the heat sink 390 and air.

The mounting frame 360 may have a recess 367 that receives the insulating member 50. The recess 367 may be formed to be recessed in the inner surface 366 of the mounting frame.

The mounting frame 360 may include a first inner surface 366a forming the first passage 362, a second inner surface 366b forming the second passage 363, and a stepped surface 368 connecting the first inner surface 366a and the second inner surface 366b (see FIG. 23). The second cooling block 386 disposed in the second passage 363 may be supported on the stepped surface 368.

Such a configuration may cause the heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the cooling sink 380, the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the heat sink 390, and the side surfaces of the thermoelectric element 40 to be in contact with and supported by the insulating member 50. The thermoelectric element 40 may not be in contact with the mounting frame 360.

As described above, the cooling sink 380 and the heat sink 390 may be coupled to the mounting frame 360.

The cooling sink 380 may be coupled to the front side of the mounting frame 360 facing the storage compartment, and the heat sink 390 may be coupled to the rear side of the mounting frame 360 opposite to the front side.

The cooling sink 380 may be fixedly coupled to the mounting frame 360 by a fastening member S3. The fastening member S3 may include a screw. The screw may include a screw body and a screw head formed at one end of the screw body to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the screw body. A male thread may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the screw body.

The fastening member S3 may pass through the cooling plate 381 and the first cooling block 384 to be fastened to the second cooling block 386. To this end, a through hole through which the fastening member S3 passes may be formed in the cooling plate 381, a through hole 385 through which the fastening member S3 passes may be formed in the first cooling block 384, and a fastening hole 387 to which the fastening member S3 is fastened may be formed in the second cooling block 386. A female thread may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 387 to correspond to the male thread formed on the fastening member S3.

As such, the fastening member S3 may penetrate the cooling plate 381 and the first cooling block 384 to be fastened to the second cooling block 386, so that the cooling sink 380 may be coupled to the mounting frame 360. In this case, the second cooling block 386 may be supported by the stepped surface 368 connecting the first inner surface 366a of the mounting frame 360 and the second inner surface 366b of the mounting frame 360.

Such a configuration may cause the mounting frame 360 to not need a through hole or fastening hole for fixing the cooling sink 380. In addition, heat conduction through the fastening member may be prevented.

The heat sink 390 may be fixedly coupled to the mounting frame 360 by a fastening member S4. The fastening member S4 may include a screw. The screw may include a screw body and a screw head formed at one end of the screw body to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the screw body. A male thread may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the screw body.

The fastening member S4 may pass through the heat sink 390 to be fastened to the mounting frame 360. To this end, a through hole 396 through which the fastening member S4 passes may be formed in the heat sink 390. In particular, the through hole 396 through which the fastening member S4 passes may be formed in the heat dissipation plate 91. The fastening hole 373 to which the fastening member S4 is fastened may be formed in the mounting frame 360. A female thread may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 373 to correspond to the male thread formed on the fastening member S4. The through hole 396 and the fastening hole 373 may be provided in a plurality.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 25 is a view illustrating the method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 23 to 25, a method of coupling the thermoelectric module to the insulating wall, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The same reference numerals may be assigned to the same configurations as the embodiment described above. For the same configurations or structures as the embodiment described above, the description may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 23 at (a), the mounting frame 360 may be positioned between the inner case 31 and the outer case 34 to allow the passage 361 of the mounting frame 360 to connect the inner case opening 32 and the outer case opening 35. The inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 360 may be temporarily fixed by a separate jig. In this state, the insulating space 38 may be formed by the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 360.

As shown in FIG. 23 at (b), the insulating space 38 formed between the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 360 may be filled with urethane foaming liquid, foamed, and cured. In the process of foaming and curing the urethane foaming liquid, the inner case 31, the outer case 34, and the mounting frame 360 may be firmly coupled together. Once the urethane foaming liquid is cured, the insulation 39 may be formed. As the urethane foaming liquid cures, the insulating wall including the inner case 31, the outer case 34, the mounting frame 360, and the insulation 39 may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 23 at (c), the second cooling block 386 may be disposed in the second passage 363 of the mounting frame 360. The second cooling block 386 may be accommodated in the second passage 363 through the rear inlet 385 of the passage 361. The second cooling block 386 may be supported by the stepped surface 368 of the mounting frame 360 connecting the first inner surface 366a of the mounting frame 360 and the second inner surface 366b of the mounting frame 360.

As shown in FIG. 24 at (d), the first cooling block 384 may be disposed in the first passage 362 of the mounting frame 360. The first cooling block 384 may be accommodated in the first passage 362 through the front inlet 384 of the passage 361.

As such, the cooling plate 381, the first cooling block 384, and the second cooling block 386 may be coupled by the fastening member S3 while the first cooling block 384 and the second cooling block 386 are received in the first passage 362 and the second passage 636, respectively. The fastening member S3 may pass through the cooling plate 381 and the first cooling block 384 to be fastened to the second cooling block 386. The cooling plate 381, the first cooling block 384, and the second cooling block 386 may be coupled by the fastening member S3, so that the cooling sink 380 may be coupled to the mounting frame 360.

As shown in FIG. 24 at (e), the insulating member 50 may be accommodated in the recess 367 of the mounting frame 360.

As shown in FIG. 24 at (f), the thermoelectric element 40 may be disposed in the receiving hole 51 of the insulating member 50. The heat-absorbing surface 41 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be supported by the second cooling block 386 of the cooling sink 380. The side surfaces connecting the heat-absorbing surface 41 and the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40 may be in contact with and supported by the inner surface of the insulating member 50. The thermoelectric element 40 may not be in contact with the mounting frame 360.

As shown in FIG. 25 at (g), the heat sink 390 may be coupled to the mounting frame 360. The heat dissipation plate 391 of the heat sink 390 may be in contact with the heat-generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element 40. The fastening member S4 may pass through the heat sink 390 to be fastened to the fastening hole 373 of the mounting frame 360.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating the inner case, the outer case, and the mounting frame of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A coupling structure of the inner case, the outer case, and the mounting frame of the main body of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. For the same configurations and structures as the aforementioned embodiment, the description may be omitted.

A main body 410 of the refrigerator may include an integral inner case 431. A storage compartment 420 may be formed by the integral inner case 431. In other words, the integral inner case 431 may form an upper, left, right, lower, and rear surfaces of the storage compartment 420. An outer case 434 may be coupled to the outer side of the inner case 431. An inner case opening 432 may be formed in the inner case 431 and an outer case opening 435 may be formed in the outer case 434.

A mounting frame 460 may have a passage connecting to the inner case opening 432 and the outer case opening 435. The mounting frame 460 may be disposed between the inner case 431 and the outer case 434 to allow the passage of the mounting frame 460 to connect the inner case opening 432 and the outer case opening 435, and then the urethane foaming liquid may be foamed and cured in the insulating space formed by the inner case 431, the outer case 434, and the mounting frame 460, so that the inner case 431, the outer case 434, and the mounting frame 460 may be fixedly coupled to each other.

Although the above technical ideas of the disclosure have been described by way of specific embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications and variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical ideas of the disclosure as set forth in the claims of the patent will be deemed to be within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body including a plurality of insulating walls; anda storage compartment within the main body;wherein at least one of the plurality of insulating walls comprises: an inner case having an inner case opening;an outer case, couplable to the inner case, having an outer case opening;a mounting frame, arrangeable between the inner case and the outer case, having a passage so that while the mounting frame is arranged between the inner case and the outer case, the passage is between the inner case opening and the outer case opening;an insulation arrangeable in an insulating space between the inner case and the outer case so that while the insulation is arranged in the insulating space, one end of the passage of the mounting frame is at the inner case opening of the inner case and another end of passage of the mounting frame, opposite the one end of the passage, is at the outer case opening;a thermoelectric element, to cool the storage compartment, including a heat-absorbing surface on one side facing the storage compartment and a heat-generating surface on another side opposite the one side;a cooling sink to exchange heat with the heat-absorbing surface while in contact with the heat-absorbing surface; anda heat sink to exchange heat with the heat-generating surface while in contact with the heat-generating surface;wherein the cooling sink and the heat sink are respectively coupled to the mounting frame.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a first fastening member configured to pass through the cooling sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the cooling sink to the mounting frame, anda second fastening member configured to pass through the heat sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the heat sink to the mounting frame.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the cooling sink includes a cooling plate outside a path of the passage and a cooling block inside the path of the passage, andthe heat sink includes a heat dissipation plate outside the path of the passage.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein a size of one surface of the cooling plate facing the passage and a size of one surface of the heat dissipation plate facing the passage are larger than a size of a cross-section of the passage, respectively.

5. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the cooling block is in contact with the heat-absorbing surface, and the heat dissipation plate is in contact with the heat-generating surface.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the one end of the passage is a front inlet on one side of the mounting frame facing the storage compartment and the other end of the passage is a rear inlet, andthe thermoelectric element is closer to the rear inlet than to the front inlet.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising an insulating member configured to insulate the thermoelectric element and the mounting frame.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the mounting frame includes a recess along an inner surface of the mounting frame to allow the insulating member to be mounted.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the cooling sink includes a first through hole through which a first fastening member passes,the heat sink includes a second through hole through which a second fastening member passes, andthe mounting frame includes a first fastening hole to which the first fastening member is fastened, and a second fastening hole to which the second fastening member is fastened.

10. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a fastening member configured to pass through the mounting frame and one of the cooling sink and the heat sink to be fastened to another one of the cooling sink and the heat sink.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein one of the cooling sink and the heat sink includes a first through hole through which the fastening member passes,the mounting frame includes a second through hole through which the fastening member passes, andanother one of the cooling sink and the heat sink includes a fastening hole to which the fastening member is fastened.

12. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the passage is a first passage having a first cross-section and the mounting frame includes a second passage having a second cross-section larger than the first cross-section, andthe cooling block is a first cooling block disposed in the first passage and the cooling sink includes a second cooling block disposed in the second passage.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, further comprising a first fastening member configured to pass through the cooling plate and the first cooling block to be fastened to the second cooling block so as to couple the cooling sink to the mounting frame, anda second fastening member configured to pass through the heat sink to be fastened to the mounting frame so as to couple the heat sink to the mounting frame.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the cooling plate includes a first through hole through which the first fastening member passes,the first cooling block includes a second through hole through which the first fastening member passes,the second cooling block includes a first fastening hole to which the first fastening member is fastened,the heat sink includes a third through hole through which the second fastening member passes, andthe mounting frame includes a second fastening hole to which the second fastening member is fastened.