REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a freezing compartment located at a lower portion of the refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment located at an upper portion of the refrigerator, a fresh compartment disposed at one side of the refrigerating compartment, and an ice making compartment disposed at a door configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment, wherein cold air is conveyed from the fresh compartment to the ice making compartment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2016-21475, filed on Feb. 23, 2016, Korean Patent Application No. 2016-31616, filed on Mar. 16, 2016, Korean Patent Application No. 2017-18810, filed on Feb. 10, 2017, Korean Patent Application No. 2017-23073, filed on Feb. 21, 2017, and Korean Patent Application No. 2017-23074, filed on Feb. 21, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a refrigerator.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Generally, a refrigerator is a home appliance for keeping foods and drinks in a refrigerated state or a frozen state. A compressor, a condenser, and an expansion member, which configure a freezing cycle, are provided inside a refrigerator, and an evaporator is provided at a refrigerator body.

In recent years, various types and kinds of refrigerators are on the market, and as examples, there are a side-by-side type refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are respectively disposed at left and right sides, a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment is provided at an upper side of a freezing compartment, a top mount type refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment is provided at a lower side of a freezing compartment, and the like.

Also, an ice making assembly is disposed inside a refrigerator. The ice making assembly may be disposed inside a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment, or at a freezing compartment door or a refrigerating compartment door. Further, a product, with which a dispenser structure for drawing ice made in the ice making assembly is disposed at the freezing compartment door or the refrigerating compartment door, is on the market. Therefore, a user can freely take out ice without opening a refrigerator door so that there is an advantage in which a loss of cold air may be prevented.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to supply cold air to an ice making compartment through a fresh compartment so as to improve efficiency of the ice making compartment disposed at a refrigerator.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a refrigerator including a freezing compartment located at a lower portion of the refrigerator; a refrigerating compartment located at an upper portion of the refrigerator; a fresh compartment disposed at one side of the refrigerating compartment; and an ice making compartment disposed at a door configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment, wherein cold air is conveyed from the fresh compartment to the ice making compartment.

The cold air may be generated at an evaporator which is located at the fresh compartment.

The evaporator may be disposed across the fresh compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

The evaporator may be disposed across the fresh compartment and the freezing compartment.

The refrigerating compartment may be cooled down in a direct-cooling manner.

An evaporator configured to cool down the fresh compartment may be disposed at the fresh compartment, and the refrigerating compartment may be cooled down by the evaporator.

An evaporator, which is separate from the evaporator of the fresh compartment, may be disposed at the refrigerating compartment.

The evaporator of the fresh compartment may further supply cold air to at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

The evaporator cooling down the refrigerating compartment may be the same as the evaporator of the fresh compartment.

An evaporator cooling down the freezing compartment may be the same as the evaporator of the fresh compartment.

Cold air generated at the evaporator, which is located at the freezing compartment, may be supplied to the fresh compartment.

The evaporator, which is located at the freezing compartment, may further supply the cold air to the refrigerating compartment.

The refrigerating compartment may be cooled down in a direct-cooling manner.

The fresh compartment may be cooled down in a direct-cooling manner.

The cold air generated at the evaporator, which is located at the freezing compartment, may be supplied to the refrigerating compartment.

A supply duct and a return duct, which are configured to circulate the cold air, may be formed between the fresh compartment and the ice making compartment.

An evaporator configured to cool down the fresh compartment may be disposed at the fresh compartment.

The evaporator may further cool down the refrigerating compartment.

The evaporator may further cool down the freezing compartment.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, cold air may be supplied to an ice making compartment through a fresh compartment, thereby improving efficiency of the ice making compartment disposed at a refrigerator.

Also, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, cold air, which is formed by an evaporator disposed at a fresh compartment or exists in the fresh component, may be supplied to an ice making compartment, thereby improving ice making capability of the ice making compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an ice making system of a refrigerator according to a first example of one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating an ice making system of a refrigerator according to a second example of one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an ice making system of a refrigerator according to a third example of one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an ice making system of a refrigerator according to a fourth example of one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a refrigerator in which evaporators are disposed according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8 to 13 are diagrams illustrating a refrigerator including evaporators according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a connection between evaporators according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a connection between evaporators according to the embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a connection between evaporators according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, concrete embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these are merely illustrative embodiments, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the following description of the present disclosure, if a detailed description of the known related art is determined to obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, all terms used hereinafter are defined by considering functions in the present disclosure, and meanings thereof may be different according to a user, the intent of an operator, or custom. Therefore, the definitions of the terms used herein should follow contexts disclosed herein.

The technical spirit of the present disclosure is determined by the appended claims, and an embodiment described hereinafter is merely a means for efficiently describing the technical spirit of the progressive present disclosure to those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure.

Hereinafter, when a component is described as being “coupled” to another component, the two components can be directly connected and fixed to each other, but it should be construed to include that the two components are connected to each other in a state in which they are able to perform a relative movement.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an ice making system of a refrigerator according to a first example of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, a refrigerator 100 may include a freezing compartment 120 located at a lower portion of the refrigerator 100, and a refrigerating compartment 110 located at an upper portion of the refrigerator 100. In the refrigerator 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fresh compartment 130 may be disposed between the refrigerating compartment 110 and the freezing compartment 120. An inner temperature of the fresh compartment 130 may be between a temperature of the refrigerating compartment 110 and a temperature of the freezing compartment 120.

An ice making compartment 150 configured to make ice may be disposed at a door 115 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 110. An ice maker (not shown) configured to make ice may be disposed inside the ice making compartment 150. Cold air for making ice should be supplied inside the ice making compartment 150, and such cold air may be conveyed from the fresh compartment 130.

As shown in FIG. 1A, cold air supplied to the ice making compartment 150 may be generated at an evaporator 230 which is located at the fresh compartment 130. Further, an evaporator 220 configured to cool down an inside of the freezing compartment 120 may be disposed at the freezing compartment 120, and the refrigerating compartment 110 may be cooled down through a direct-cooling system 210 in a direct-cooling manner. As shown in FIG. 1B, an evaporator 230a configured to supply cold air to the ice making compartment 150 may be disposed across the fresh compartment 130 and the refrigerating compartment 110. As shown in FIG. 1C, an evaporator 230b configured to supply cold air to the ice making compartment 150 may be disposed across the fresh compartment 130 and the freezing compartment 120.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating an ice making system of a refrigerator according to a second example of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2C, in a refrigerator 100a according to the present embodiment, a refrigerating compartment 110 may be cooled down by evaporators 210a and 230 instead of a direct-cooling manner.

As shown in FIG. 2A, an evaporator 230c configured to cool down a fresh compartment 130 may be disposed at the fresh compartment 130, and the evaporator 210a, which is separate from the evaporator 230c of the fresh compartment 130, may be disposed at the refrigerating compartment 110. The evaporator 230c of the fresh compartment 130 may supply cold air to at least one of the refrigerating compartment 110 and a freezing compartment 120.

As shown in FIG. 2B, an evaporator 230a of the fresh compartment 130 may be disposed to extend up to the refrigerating compartment 110 to supply cold air thereto. Therefore, the evaporator 230a cooling down the refrigerating compartment 110 may be the same as the evaporator 230a cooling down the fresh compartment 130.

As shown in FIG. 2C, an evaporator 230b of the fresh compartment 130 may be disposed to extend up to the freezing compartment 120 to supply cold air thereto. Therefore, the evaporator 230b cooling down the freezing compartment 120 may be the same as the evaporator 230b cooling down the fresh compartment 130.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an ice making system of a refrigerator according to a third example of one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, in a refrigerator 100b according to the present embodiment, cold air inside a fresh compartment 130 may be supplied to an ice making compartment 150 in a state in which an evaporator is not disposed at the fresh compartment 130.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, in the refrigerator 100b according to the present embodiment, cold air, which is generated at evaporators 220a, 220b, and 220c disposed at a freezing compartment 120, may be supplied to the fresh compartment 130.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the evaporator 220a, which is disposed at the freezing compartment 120, may supply cold air to not only the fresh compartment 130 but also a refrigerating compartment 110. As shown in FIG. 3B, the refrigerating compartment 110 may be cooled down through a direct-cooling system in a direct-cooling manner.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the fresh compartment 130 may be cooled down through a direct-cooling system 230c in a direct-cooling manner. Further, cold air, which is generated at the evaporator 220c disposed at the freezing compartment 120, may be supplied to the refrigerating compartment 110.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an ice making system of a refrigerator according to a fourth example of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, in a refrigerator 100c according to the present embodiment, a supply duct and return duct 300 may be formed to circulate cold air between a fresh compartment 130 and an ice making compartment 150. Further, evaporators 230, 230a, and 230d configured to cool down the fresh compartment 130 may be disposed at the fresh compartment 130.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a freezing compartment 120 may be cooled down by an evaporator 220c, and a refrigerating compartment 110 may be cooled down by the evaporator 220c of the freezing compartment 120. As shown in FIG. 4B, the evaporator 230a cooling down the fresh compartment 130 may also cool down the refrigerating compartment 110. As shown in FIG. 4C, the evaporator 230d cooling down the fresh compartment 130 may also cool down the freezing compartment 120.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an ice maker 3 may be disposed at an ice making compartment which is disposed at one side of a refrigerator, thereby making ice. Particularly, the ice maker 3 may be disposed at one side of a first space portion or a second space portion. The ice making compartment may be an insulation space which is formed by an insulation case and an insulation cover. To insulate the ice making compartment, an insulation member forming the insulation space may be disposed.

The ice making compartment may include a cold air suction inlet configured to suction cold air, and the cold air suction inlet may be connected to a duct 5 to suction cold air inside the ice making compartment. Ice, which is made at the ice maker 3, may be discharged through a dispenser.

FIGS. 7A to 7B are diagrams illustrating a refrigerator 100 in which a first evaporator 41 and a second evaporator 42 are disposed according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7B, an ice maker 3 may be disposed at a first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be entirely or partially disposed at an outer wall of at least one of the first space portion 1 and a second space portion 2. Also, the second evaporator 42 may be disposed at the remaining one, at which the first evaporator 41 is not disposed, of the first space portion 1 and the second space portion 2.

The first and second evaporators 41 and 42 may include a refrigerant pipe and the like.

For example, the first evaporator 41 may be entirely or partially disposed at an outer wall of the first space portion 1. The second evaporator 42 may be disposed at one side of the first space portion 1 or the second space portion 2.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the first evaporator 41 which is partially disposed at an outer wall surface of the first space portion 1, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the first evaporator 41 which is entirely disposed at the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be entirely or partially disposed at the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1.

A refrigerant pipe of the first evaporator 41 may be entirely or partially disposed along the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1. Therefore, the refrigerant pipe may be immediately disposed at the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1, thereby directly supplying cold air to the first space portion 1. Consequently, the cold air may be supplied to the first space portion 1 in a direct-cooling manner.

Cold air generated at the second evaporator 42 may be circulated through an air blower. A duct 5 configured to communicate the second evaporator 42 with the ice maker 3 may be included. The cold air generated at the second evaporator 42 may be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.

The refrigerator 100 may include at least one among the evaporators 41, 42, and 43 which cool down air inside a food and drink storage compartment, and at least one air blower capable of circulating the air, which is cooled down through the evaporator 41, 42, or 43, and the duct 5 capable of supplying the cold air to the ice maker 3 may be disposed in the refrigerator 100.

The first evaporator 41 may be entirely or partially disposed at the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be mounted on a roof surface and a rear surface of the first space portion 1. When the first evaporator 41 is built in the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1, it may directly cool down the first space portion 1, thereby providing the cold air thereto in a direct-cooling manner. The cold air generated by the first evaporator 41 may be supplied to the first space portion 1 and the ice maker 3.

Also, the second evaporator 42 may be disposed at one side of the first space portion 1 or the second space portion 2. The second evaporator 42 may be connected to the duct 5 which is configured to supply the cold air to the ice maker 3. The duct 5 may be formed to communicate the second evaporator 42 with a cold air suction inlet of the ice making compartment, thereby enabling the cold air, which is generated at the second evaporator 42, to be supplied to the ice maker 3. Also, the cold air generated at the second evaporator 42 may be further supplied to the second space portion 2.

To convey the cold air generated at the second evaporator 42 to the second space portion 2 and the ice maker 3, an air blower may be disposed near a position at which the second evaporator 42 is disposed. The second evaporator 42 may generate the cold air, and the air blower may circulate the cold air. The cold air generated at the second evaporator 42 may be conveyed to the duct 5 using the air blower. The cold air may be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.

Since the air blower should supply the cold air through the duct 5, a high static pressure fan may be used as the air blower. Such a high static pressure fan may uniformly discharge the cold air in a high pressure, thereby increasing an air volume which is capable of reducing a temperature difference between the discharged cold air and the second space portion 2.

When the second evaporator 42 is disposed at the second space portion 2, the cold air may be discharged to not only the ice maker 3 but also the second space portion 2 through the second evaporator 42 and the air blower.

The cold air generated by the second evaporator 42 may be conveyed to the first space portion 1 such that a temperature of the first space portion 1 may be maintained. The cold air generated at the second evaporator 42 may be discharged to the ice maker 3 through ON/OFF operations of a discharge valve. Alternatively, a capillary may be used instead of the discharge valve.

Therefore, in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, the cold air may be supplied to the first space portion 1 through the first evaporator 41 in a direct-cooling manner, and alternatively, the second evaporator 42 may supply the cold air to the second space portion 2 and the ice maker 3 through the duct 5 in an indirect-cooling manner. At this point, the second evaporator 42 may circulate the cold air through the air blower, and may convey the cold air to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.

However, as described above, it is not limited that the first evaporator 41 is formed at the first space portion 1 and the second evaporator 42 is formed at the second space portion 2, and alternatively, the first evaporator 41 may be disposed at the second space portion 2 and the second evaporator 42 may be disposed at the first space portion 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator 100 in which a first evaporator 41, a second evaporator 42, and a third evaporator 43 are disposed according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the first evaporator 41 and the third evaporator 43 may be respectively disposed at outer walls of a first space portion 1 and a second space portion 2 such that cold air may be supplied to the first space portion 1 and the second space portion 2 in a direct-cooling manner. Also, the second evaporator 42 may supply cold air to an ice maker 3 through a duct 5 in an indirect-cooling manner.

The first evaporator 41 may be disposed at the outer wall of the first space portion 1. The second evaporator 42 may be disposed at one side of the first space portion 1 or the second space portion 2. Also, the third evaporator 43 may be disposed at the outer wall of the second space portion 2.

A refrigerant pipe of the first evaporator 41 may be entirely or partially disposed at an outer wall surface of the first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be built in a roof surface and a rear surface of the first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be attached to the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1 to directly form cold air at the first space portion 1, thereby supplying the cold air thereto in a direct-cooling manner. The cold air generated by the first evaporator 41 may be conveyed to the first space portion 1 and the ice maker 3.

Also, the second evaporator 42 may be disposed at one side of the first space portion 1 or the second space portion 2. The second evaporator 42 may be connected to the duct 5 which is configured to supply cold air to the ice maker 3. The duct 5 may be formed to communicate the second evaporator 42 with a cold air suction inlet of the ice making compartment, thereby enabling cold air, which is generated at the second evaporator 42, to be supplied to the ice maker 3.

The third evaporator 43 may be disposed at the outer wall of the second space portion 2. The third evaporator 43 may be built in a bottom surface and a rear surface of the second space portion 2. The third evaporator 43 may be disposed at the outer wall of the second space portion 2, thereby supplying cold air to the second space portion 2 in a direct-cooling manner. The cold air generated at the third evaporator 43 may be conveyed to the second space portion 2.

Therefore, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first evaporator 41 may supply the cold air to at least one of the first space portion 1 and the ice maker 3 in a direct-cooling manner. The second evaporator 42 may supply the cold air to the ice maker 3 or the second space portion 2 through the duct 5 in an indirect-cooling manner. The third evaporator 43 may supply the cold air to at least one of the second space portion 2 and the ice maker 3 in a direct-cooling manner.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the refrigerator 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first evaporator 41 may be entirely or partially disposed at the outer wall of the first space portion 1. The second evaporator 42 may be entirely or partially disposed at the outer wall of the second space portion 2. The duct 5 may communicate the second space portion 2 with the ice maker 3.

The first evaporator 41, which is entirely or partially disposed at the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1, may directly cool down the first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be mounted on the outer wall surface of the first space portion 1 to cool down a wall surface of the first space portion 1 using a cooling pipe and the like. Therefore, cold air may be formed in the first space portion 1 by the first evaporator 41 in a direct-cooling manner.

The second evaporator 42, which is entirely or partially disposed at the outer wall surface of the second space portion 2, may cool down a wall surface of the second space portion 2. Therefore, cold air may be formed in the second space portion 2 by the second evaporator 42 in a direct-cooling manner.

The duct 5 may be formed to communicate the second space portion 2 with the ice maker 3. The cold air, which is formed inside the second space portion 2 by the second evaporator 42, may be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, the cold air may be supplied to the first space portion 1 and the second space portion 2 in a direct-cooling manner, and the cold air formed in the second space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the refrigerator 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, evaporators 42 may be respectively disposed at one side of each of the first space portion 1 and the second space portion 2. The duct 5 may communicate the second space portion 2 with the ice maker 3.

The evaporators 42, which are respectively disposed at the one side of each of the first space portion 1 and the second space portion 2, may supply cold air to the first space portion 1 and the second space portion 2. The evaporators 42 may circulate the cold air through an air blower.

The duct 5 may be formed to communicate the second space portion 2 with the ice maker 3. The evaporator 42, which is disposed at the second space portion 2, may supply the cold air to the second space portion 2, and the cold air formed in the second space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the cold air may be formed in the first space portion 1 and the second space portion 2 by the evaporators 42, and the cold air formed in the second space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the refrigerator 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the first evaporator 41 disposed at an outer wall surface of at least one of the first space portion 1 and the second space portion 2, and the second evaporator 42 disposed at the remaining one thereof may be included such that cold air may be formed in the refrigerator 100.

The duct 5 configured to communicate the second space portion 2 with the ice maker 3 may be disposed.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the second evaporator 42 may be disposed at the first space portion 1. The first evaporator 41 may be disposed at the second space portion 2. Cold air is formed in the first space portion 1 by the second evaporator 42, and in the second space portion 2 by the first evaporator 41.

The cold air may be formed in the second space portion 2 by the first evaporator 41 in a direct-cooling manner. The cold air, which is formed in the second space portion 2, may be supplied to the ice maker 3 through the duct 5. Through the duct 5, the cold air formed in the second space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice maker 3.

Referring to FIG. 11B, the first evaporator 41 may be disposed at the first space portion 1. The second evaporator 42 may be disposed at the second space portion 2. Cold air is formed in the first space portion 1 by the first evaporator 41, and in the second space portion 2 by the second evaporator 42.

The cold air, which is formed in the second space portion 2 by the second evaporator 42, may be supplied to the ice maker 3. Through the duct 5, the cold air formed in the second space portion 2 may be supplied to the ice maker 3.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the refrigerator 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a through-hole 6 communicating with the ice making compartment may be formed at one side of the refrigerator 100.

A through-hole 6 formed at one side of the ice making compartment, which is disposed at a door 7, may abut onto a through-hole 6 formed at an inner surface of the first space portion 1, and the two through-holes 6 may be formed to be coupled to each other in a size and a shape. Therefore, through such two through-holes 6, cold air formed by the first evaporator 41 or the second evaporator 42, or in the duct 5 may be supplied to the ice maker 3.

Consequently, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, a defrosting phenomenon may be reduced using a direct-cooling manner, and the cold air may be supplied to the ice maker 3 using a single duct 5.

FIGS. 14 to 17 are diagrams illustrating a refrigerator according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, a refrigerator 100 may include a refrigerating compartment 1, a freezing compartment 2, a door 3, an ice making compartment 4, an evaporator 5, an insulation space 6, a duct 7, and an air blowing fan 8. The refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2 may be vertically or horizontally divided and disposed at the refrigerator 100. For example, the refrigerating compartment 1 may be formed at an upper side of the refrigerator 100, and the freezing compartment 2 may be disposed at a lower side thereof.

The door 3 configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2 may be included. A door 3 configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment 1, and a door 3 configured to open and close the freezing compartment 2 may be respectively disposed.

The ice making compartment 4 may be disposed at one side of the door 3. Particularly, the ice making compartment 4 may be disposed at one side of the door 3 configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment 1. The ice making compartment 4, which is disposed at the one side of the door 3 configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment 1, may be in a freezing temperature condition, and may include an insulation member for the purpose of insulation against the refrigerating compartment 1.

The ice making compartment 4 may include an ice maker 41, an ice storage part 42, a water supplier (not shown), an ice flocculation prevention device (not shown), a discharge opening (not shown), and an opening (not shown).

The ice maker 41 may be disposed inside the ice making compartment 4 and make ice. The water supplier may be formed to supply water to the ice maker 41.

The ice storage part 42 may be disposed inside the ice making compartment 4 and at a lower side of the ice maker 41. The ice storage part 42 may store ice generated at the ice maker 41. A dispenser (not shown) configured to supply the ice stored in the ice storage part 42 to the outside of the refrigerator 100 may be disposed at one side of the door 3.

The ice flocculation prevention device may be disposed inside the ice storage part 42. The ice flocculation prevention device may be a device configured to prevent the ice stored in the ice storage part 42 from flocculating with one another. Also, the discharge opening capable of discharging the ice stored in the ice storage part 42 may be formed at one side of the ice storage part 42.

The opening configured to receive cold air supplied from the evaporator 5 may be formed at the ice making compartment 4. The opening configured to enable the ice making compartment 4 to receive the cold air supplied from the evaporator 5, which is disposed at one side of the refrigerator 100, may be formed.

The refrigerator 100 may be utilized as a device configured to keep foods and drinks fresh or freeze them during a predetermined period by repeating a freezing cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation by a refrigerant to cool down an inside of the refrigerator 100. A compressor, a condenser, an expansion member, and the like, which configure the freezing cycle, may be provided, and the evaporator 5 may be disposed at one side surface of the refrigerator 100 configured to keep foods and drinks. The evaporator 5 may include a refrigerant pipe and the like.

The evaporator 5 may include an evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment, an evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment, and an evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment.

The evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment may be disposed at one side of the refrigerating compartment 1. The evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment may be disposed and tightly contacted to a liner forming the refrigerating compartment 1. The evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment may be disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the refrigerating compartment 1, thereby cooling down the refrigerating compartment 1 in a direct-cooling manner. Since the refrigerating compartment 1 is cooled down in the direct-cooling manner, the duct 7 may not be disposed.

The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may cool down the freezing compartment 2 in an indirect-cooling manner or a direct-cooling manner. The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may be disposed and tightly contacted to a liner of the freezing compartment 2. The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may be disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the freezing compartment 2, thereby cooling down the freezing compartment 2 in the direct-cooling manner. Alternatively, the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may cool down the freezing compartment 2 in the indirect-cooling manner without being disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the freezing compartment 2. When the freezing compartment 2 is cooled down in the indirect-cooling manner, the duct 7 may be disposed. The duct 7 may include a cold air supply duct configured to supply cold air, and a return duct configured to collect used cold air.

The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be connected to the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment which operates in the direct-cooling manner. Alternatively, the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be connected to the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment which operates in the direct-cooling manner or the indirect-cooling manner.

The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be separately disposed from the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment and the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment.

The separate insulation space 6, which is spaced apart from the refrigerating compartment 1, may be formed at the refrigerator 100. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed at the insulation space 6. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed at the insulation space 6 which is located at an outer side of the refrigerating compartment 1. The insulation space 6 may be a space in which the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment configured to cool down the ice making compartment 4 is disposed. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may communicate with the ice making compartment 4 through the duct 7. Also, the insulation space 6 may be formed to protrude toward the refrigerating compartment 1.

The duct 7 may communicate between the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment and the ice making compartment 4, thereby supplying or collecting cold air. The duct 7 may include a cold air supply duct 71 and a return duct 72. The cold air supply duct 71 and the return duct 72 may be disposed and isolated from at least one of the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2. Therefore, since heat exchange and cold air exchange do not occur between the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2, the cold air, which is generated at the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment, may be supplied to the ice making compartment 4 while a temperature of the cold air is maintained. On the other hand, used cold air may be collected to the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment without being discharged to the refrigerating compartment 1 or the freezing compartment 2 such that a temperature of the used cold air may be dropped again.

The cold air supply duct 71 may be a passage configured to supply the cold air generated at the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment to the ice making compartment 4. The return duct 72 may be a passage configured to collect the cold air which is used for making ice at the ice making compartment 4. The used cold air, which is collected through the return duct 72, may be transformed again into cold air at the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment. To supply the cold air generated at the evaporator 5 in the indirect-cooling manner, the air blowing fan 8 may be disposed.

The air blowing fan 8 may discharge the cold air, and may suction the used cold air. The air blowing fan 8 may be disposed at a passage of each of the cold air supply duct 71 and the return duct 72.

The cold air may be supplied to the ice making compartment 4 by the air blowing fan 8 through the cold air supply duct 71. Also, the cold air used at the ice making compartment 4 may be collected again to the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment by the air blowing fan 8 through the return duct 72.

Referring to FIG. 14, the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment may be disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the refrigerating compartment 1, thereby cooling down the refrigerating compartment 1 in a direct-cooling manner. Since the refrigerating compartment 1 is cooled down in the direct-cooling manner, the duct 7 may not be disposed.

The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may cool down the freezing compartment 2 in an indirect-cooling manner or a direct-cooling manner. The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may be disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the freezing compartment 2. The evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may be disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the freezing compartment 2, thereby cooling down the freezing compartment 2 in the direct-cooling manner. Alternatively, the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may cool down the freezing compartment 2 in the indirect-cooling manner without being disposed and tightly contacted to the liner of the freezing compartment 2. When the freezing compartment 2 is cooled down in the indirect-cooling manner, the duct 7 may be disposed.

The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed at the outer side of the refrigerating compartment 1. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed to supply cold air to the ice making compartment 4. The insulation space 6 may be formed at the outer side of the refrigerating compartment 1 through an insulation member. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed at the insulation space 6 which is located at the outer side of the refrigerating compartment 1. Alternatively, the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed at the insulation space 6 protruding toward the refrigerating compartment 1.

The duct 7 may be disposed to communicate between the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment and the ice making compartment 4. Cold air formed at the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be supplied to the ice making compartment 4 through the cold air supply duct 71. The cold air, which is supplied to the ice making compartment 4, may be used for making ice at the ice making compartment 4. The used cold air may be collected again to the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment through the return duct 72.

To supply the cold air from the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment to the ice making compartment 4, the air blowing fan 8 may be disposed at one side, which is near the cold air supply duct 71, inside the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment.

Also, to collect the cold air used at the ice making compartment 4 to the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment, the air blowing fan 8 may be disposed at one side, which is near the return duct 72, inside the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment.

The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be separately disposed from the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment and the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment.

Alternatively, the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed and connected to the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment which is disposed at the refrigerating compartment 1 and operates in a direct-cooling manner.

Referring to FIG. 15, the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be connected to the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment and the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment may supply cold air in an indirect-cooling manner. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed in a state of being connected to or extending from the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment.

Referring to FIG. 16, the insulation space 6, at which the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment is located, may be formed inside a partition wall which is located between the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2. At this point, a side of the insulation space 6 against the freezing compartment 2 may be isolated therefrom by a cover 9 which is formed of at least one among metal, resin, and an insulation member.

At this point, the insulation space 6 may include an evaporator compartment which is formed of metal or resin and is isolated from the outside. The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed at the evaporator compartment.

The evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment, which is disposed at the insulation space 6 between the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2, may supply cold air through the cold air supply duct 71 and collect used cold air through the return duct 72.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, an evaporator configured to cool down in an indirect-cooling manner may include a defrosting heater. Frost may be filled in the evaporator 5 and may be frozen therein. To melt or prevent the frost, the defrosting heater may be disposed.

A separate defrosting heater may be disposed at the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment. A defrosting heater may be disposed at the insulation space 6 at which the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment is disposed.

Also, when the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment cools down the freezing compartment 2 in an indirect-cooling manner, it may include a defrosting heater.

Referring to FIG. 17, a defrosting heater may be disposed at one side of the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment. The insulation space 6, at which the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment is located, may be formed inside a partition wall which is located between the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2. At this point, a side of the insulation space 6 against the freezing compartment 2 may be isolated therefrom by the cover 9 which is formed of at least one among metal, resin, and an insulation member. For example, the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be disposed at the insulation space 6 between the refrigerating compartment 1 and the freezing compartment 2, and the defrosting heater may be disposed at one side of the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, an ice crusher (not shown) configured to crush ice may be additionally disposed at the ice making compartment 4.

A motor (not shown) configured to drive the ice crusher and the ice flocculation prevention device may be disposed. Each of the ice crusher and the ice flocculation prevention device may include a power link connector configured to receive power of the motor.

The motor may be disposed inside the ice making compartment 4. Alternatively, the motor may be disposed at one side of the refrigerator 100. The motor may include a power connector.

Also, a water purification module configured to purify and supply water may be additionally disposed at the refrigerator 100. Moreover, an additive supply device, which is capable of keeping and supplying additives such as carbonated water and the like which are addable to purified water or drinking water, may be disposed.

FIGS. 18 to 20 are diagrams illustrating a connection between evaporators according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be connected in series to or in parallel with the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment. Also, the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be connected in series to or in parallel with the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment.

A line L of the evaporator 53 for an ice making compartment may be connected to a line L of the evaporator 51 for a refrigerating compartment and a line L of the evaporator 52 for a freezing compartment. For example, since the lines L, through which a refrigerant pass, are the same as one another, the evaporators 51, 52, and 53 may operate through a single circulation cycle. At this point, the lines L may be connected in series to or in parallel with one another. Also, the evaporators 51, 52, and 53 may be connected through a single circulation cycle so that each of them may operate as necessary.

The lines L of the evaporators 51, 52, and 53 may not be connected to one another. The evaporators 51, 52, and 53 may respectively operate through a separate circulation cycle.

Although the present disclosure has been described by way of representative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous modifications with respect to the described embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, and it should be determined by not only the appended claims but also equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: a freezing compartment located at a lower portion of the refrigerator;a refrigerating compartment located at an upper portion of the refrigerator;a fresh compartment disposed at one side of the refrigerating compartment; andan ice making compartment disposed at a door configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment,wherein cold air is conveyed from the fresh compartment to the ice making compartment.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the cold air is generated at an evaporator which is located at the fresh compartment.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein an evaporator configured to cool down the fresh compartment is disposed at the fresh compartment, and the refrigerating compartment is cooled down by the evaporator.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein cold air generated at an evaporator, which is located at the freezing compartment, is supplied to the fresh compartment.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fresh compartment is cooled down in a direct-cooling manner.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a supply duct and a return duct, which are configured to circulate the cold air, are formed between the fresh compartment and the ice making compartment.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein an evaporator configured to cool down the fresh compartment is disposed at the fresh compartment.

8. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerating compartment disposed at one side of the refrigerator;a freezing compartment disposed at the other side of the refrigerator; andan ice making compartment disposed at a door of the refrigerating compartment,wherein at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment is cooled down in a direct-cooling manner, andan evaporator is disposed at one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the direct-cooling manner is such that a refrigerant pipe is partially or entirely disposed along an outer wall surface of one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, thereby directly supplying cold air to one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the evaporator supplies cold air to the ice making compartment through a duct.

11. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerating compartment disposed at one side of the refrigerator;a freezing compartment disposed at the other side of the refrigerator; andan ice making compartment disposed at a door of the refrigerating compartment,wherein the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are cooled down in a direct-cooling manner, andthe freezing compartment and the ice making compartment communicate with each other through a duct.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the direct-cooling manner is such that a refrigerant pipe is partially or entirely disposed along an outer wall surface of each of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, thereby directly supplying cold air to the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, and the cold air of the freezing compartment is supplied to the ice making compartment through the duct.

13. A refrigerator including a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, comprising: an ice making compartment disposed at a door configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment, and being in a freezing temperature condition;wherein the ice making compartment, which is disposed at the door, includes an opening configured to receive cold air supplied from an evaporator;the refrigerating compartment is cooled down by an evaporator for a refrigerating compartment, which is located at a liner forming the refrigerating compartment, in a direct-cooling manner;a separate insulation space, which is spaced apart from the refrigerating compartment, is formed at a cabinet,an evaporator for an ice making compartment, which is configured to cool down the ice making compartment, is disposed at the separate insulation space,a cold air supply duct and a return duct, which are configured to communicate between the insulation space and the ice making compartment, are formed therebetween, andan air blowing fan is formed to facilitate conveyance of cold air inside the cold air supply duct and the return duct.

14. (canceled)

15. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the evaporator for an ice making compartment is connected to the evaporator for a refrigerating compartment which operates in a direct-cooling manner.

16. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the freezing compartment is cooled down by an evaporator for a freezing compartment which operates in an indirect-cooling manner or in a direct-cooling manner, and the evaporator for an ice making compartment is connected to the evaporator for a freezing compartment.

17. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the evaporator for an ice making compartment is separately disposed from the evaporator for a refrigerating compartment and an evaporator for a freezing compartment.

18. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the insulation space, at which the evaporator for an ice making compartment is located, is formed inside a partition wall located between the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

19. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the insulation space is formed to protrude toward the refrigerating compartment.

20. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein a defrosting heater is disposed at the evaporator for an ice making compartment.

21. A refrigerator including a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, comprising: an ice making compartment disposed at a door configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment, and being in a freezing temperature condition,wherein the ice making compartment, which is disposed at the door, includes an opening configured to receive cold air supplied from a separate insulation space,the refrigerating compartment is cooled down by an evaporator for a refrigerating compartment, which is located at a liner forming the refrigerating compartment, in a direct-cooling manner, anda cold air supply duct, which is configured to communicate between the insulation space and the ice making compartment, is formed therebetween.