REFRIGERATOR

Description

[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0002287, filed 08, JANUARY 2021.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator including a grill assembly in which a discharge flow path and an absorption flow path for supplying and retrieving cool air into a storage compartment are provided together.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Usually, refrigerators are a household appliance that is configured to store various foodstuffs and drinks for a long period of time using cool air that is generated by circulating refrigerant with a freezing cycle.

[0004] Refrigerators are categorized into top freezer type refrigerators in which a freezing compartment is arranged over a refrigerating compartment, bottom freezer type refrigerators in which the freezing compartment is arranged under the refrigerating compartment, and side-by-side type refrigerators in which the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are arranged side by side in the leftward-rightward direction.

[0005] In the top freezer type refrigerators, an evaporator is positioned in a rear side space inside the freezing compartment, and a freezing-compartment grill assembly in which a blowing fan for supplying and circulating cool air toward the freezing compartment is mounted is positioned in front of the evaporator.

[0006] In addition, in the top freezer type refrigerators, a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly is positioned in a rear side space inside the refrigerating compartment.

[0007] One portion of the cool air, supplied by the freezing-compartment grill assembly, is supplied to the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly through a connection flow path. The cool air supplied through the connection flow path is supplied into the refrigerating compartment.

[0008] The top freezer type refrigerators are as disclosed in Korean Patent No.10-0160419 and Korean Patent Application Publication Nos.10-1999-0060433, 10-2016-0100548, and 10-2017-0006995.

[0009] The above-described top freezer type refrigerators in the related art are configured in such a manner that a retrieval flow path is formed in a partition wall by which division into the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment is realized and that the cool air circulating through the inside of the refrigerating compartment is retrieved into the evaporator behind the freezing compartment.

[0010] Accordingly, in the top freezer type refrigerators in the related art, the cool air discharged from an upper portion of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly is discharged directly to the retrieval flow path without being sufficiently supplied all the way up to the front side of the refrigerating compartment that has the same height as the upper portion. Due to this phenomenon, the efficiency of refrigerating is decreased.

[0011] Particularly, the above-described retrieval flow path makes it very difficult to form another flow path in the partition wall. For this reason, various design changes do not have been made using the partition wall. That is, selection of the retrieval flow path is limited when forming a new flow path in the partition wall.

[0012] In addition, the partition wall needs to provide sufficient thermal insulation in order to maintain predetermined temperatures inside the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment. However, the insulation performance of the partition is decreased due to the above-described retrieval flow path.

[0013] The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and is not intended to mean that the present disclosure falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

Document of Related Art:

[0014] 

(Patent Document 1) Korean Patent No.10-0160419

(Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-1999-0060433

(Patent Document 3) Korean Patent Application Publication No.10-2016-0100548

(Patent Document 4) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2017-0006995.

US 2004/107724 A1 relates to a cool air supplying apparatus of refrigerator, and more particularly, to a cool air supplying apparatus of refrigerator capable of fast and uniformly distributing temperature inside of a refrigerating chamber by controlling a discharge direction of cool air discharged into the refrigerating chamber according to temperature of each position inside of the refrigerating chamber. DE 199 56 998 A1 relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator in which a circulation path of the cold air in the refrigerator is simplified to increase a usable space of the refrigerator and improve efficiency of the refrigerator. DE 196 41 498 A1 relates to a refrigerator assembly, and more particularly, to a refrigerator with improved cooling air circulation strength capable of producing a uniform cooling air flow in a refrigerator by providing a vertically disposed duct unit in one of its cooling compartments and integrally forming air supply and return paths in the duct unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator including a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly in which a refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path for supplying cool air to a refrigerating compartment and a freezing-compartment retrieval flow path for retrieving the cool air circulating through a freezing compartment are provided together.

[0016] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator including a new type of refrigerating-compartment grill assembly capable of causing cool air supplied into an upper space inside a refrigerating compartment to flow sufficiently through the inside of the refrigerating compartment and then discharging the cool air, thereby increasing the efficiency of refrigerating.

[0017] Still another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator including a new type of refrigerating-compartment grill assembly in which a refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path is formed in a partition wall by which division into a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment is realized, thereby preventing the occurrence of insulation loss caused in the related art

[0018] The object is solved by the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0019] According to the present invention, there is a refrigerator in which a flow path for discharging cool air to a refrigerating compartment and a flow path for discharging the cool air to a freezing compartment are formed together in a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.

[0020] According to the present invention, a flow path guiding discharging of the cool air supplied from a freezing-compartment grill assembly into the refrigerating compartment is formed in a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, a refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path guiding flowing of the cool air retrieved from the refrigerating compartment into the freezing compartment may be formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, a flow path may be formed in a partition wall.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the flow path formed in the partition wall may include a flow path that is provided with the cool air from the freezing-compartment grill assembly.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the flow path may supply the provided cool air to a refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the flow path formed in the partition wall may include a first transfer flow path that passes through a rear side center portion of the partition wall from top to bottom.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, a cool-air inlet of the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path may be positioned more downward in a backward direction than a bottom end of the first transfer flow path.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, a rear side branch flow path connected to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path and a front side branch flow path extending up to a front side bottom surface of the partition wall may be both formed on the bottom end of the first transfer flow path.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the rear side branch flow path may be formed in a manner that is gradually inclined downward from the first transfer flow path toward the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path.

[0029] According to the claimed invention, a second transfer flow path that is provided with the cool air from the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly and guides flowing of the provided cool air to a position where an evaporator is positioned is formed in the partition wall.

[0030] According to the claimed invention, the second transfer flow path is formed in a rear surface of the partition wall in a recessed manner.

[0031] According to the claimed invention, a blocking covering the second transfer flow path, e.g., in such a manner as to be blocked from an external environment, is provided on the rear surface of the partition wall.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the blocking cover may be detachably mounted on the rear surface of the partition wall.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, a cool-air outlet of the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path may be formed in each of the opposite sides of an upper surface of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, a communication groove may be formed in each of the opposite sides of the second transfer flow path in a manner that passes through each of the opposite sides thereof and reaches a position where the cool-air outlet is positioned.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, a guidance flow path guiding flowing of the cool air in the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path transferred through the two communication grooves in the second transfer flow path to above an upper center portion of the blocking cover may be formed in the blocking cover.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly may include a first duct unit and a second duct unit.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the first duct unit may be formed to be positioned in a manner that is exposed to the inside of the refrigerating compartment.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the first duct unit may have a plurality of refrigerating-compartment discharge openings.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the refrigerating-chamber discharge flow path may be formed in the second duct unit.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the first duct unit may be formed in such a manner as to have a greater width in a leftward-rightward direction than the second duct unit.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the first duct unit may have lateral walls on opposite sides thereof.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, a front surface of the second duct unit may be brought into close contact with one portion of the rear surface of the first duct unit.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, rear surfaces of the first duct unit and the second duct unit may be covered by a blocking plate.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path may be formed in the rear surface of the second duct unit in a recessed manner.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path may be formed as a path that is blocked by the blocking plate from an outside environment.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the blocking plate may be formed of an insulating material.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the second duct unit may be positioned in a center portion of the rear surface of the first duct unit.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path may be formed between one lateral wall of the first duct unit and one lateral wall of the second duct unit and between the other lateral wall of the first duct unit and the other lateral wall of the second duct unit.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, a communication discharge opening may be formed in the second duct unit in a manner that communicates with each of the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings in the first duct unit and thus discharges the cool air.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path may be formed in such a manner as to pass through each of the communication discharge openings.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings may be formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the first duct unit.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, the communication discharge openings may be formed in portions, respectively, of the first duct unit that correspond to the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings when the second duct unit is combined with the rear surface of the first duct unit.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow paths may be formed in such a manner as to branch off from a cool-air inlet into opposite sides, respectively, of the second duct unit, to pass through the communication discharge openings, respectively, and to reach bottoms, respectively, of the opposite sides of the second duct unit.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the cool-air inlet of the refrigerating-component discharge flow path may be formed in a center portion of an upper surface of the second duct unit in a manner that passes therethrough.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the first duct unit may be formed in such a manner as to be open at opposite sides bottom surfaces and opposite sides upper surfaces, and the cool air inside the refrigerating compartment may flow into each of the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow paths through openings in the opposite sides bottom surfaces and then may be discharged through openings in the opposite side upper surfaces.

[0056] As described above, in the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, the discharge flow path for supplying the cool air to the refrigerating compartment and the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path for retrieving the cool air circulating through the refrigerating compartment are formed together in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly. Thus, the effect of simplifying an overall structure of the refrigerator without the need to provide a separate duct for retrieving the cool air can be achieved.

[0057] In the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, the cool-air inlet of the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path for retrieving the cool air inside the refrigerating compartment is formed in a bottom surface of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly. Thus, the cool air supplied into an upper space inside the refrigerating compartment can flow sufficiently through the inside of the refrigerating compartment and then can be discharged. Thus, the effect of improving the efficiency of refrigerating can be achieved.

[0058] The refrigerator according to the present invention is configured in such a manner that the cool air retrieved through the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly is transferred to the evaporator through the second transfer flow path formed in the rear surface of the partition wall without passing through the inside of the partition wall. Thus, the effect of reducing insulation loss can be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The above and other objectives, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mounted state of each grill assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an internal state of the refrigerator of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I on FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion indicated by a circle "A" on FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views each illustrating essential components, respectively, that are differently cross-sectioned to describe an internal structure of a partition wall of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a rear view illustrating the refrigerator of the embodiment of the present disclosure from which an outer casing is removed to describe a rear side structure of the inside of the refrigerator;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating essential components of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from which the outer casing is removed to describe the rear side structure of the inside of the refrigerator;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating essential components of the refrigerator of the embodiment of the disclosure from which a block cover is removed to describe a second transfer flow path in a rear surface of the partition wall in the rear side structure of the inside of the refrigerator;

FIG. 11 is a rear view illustrating the essential components in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a first duct unit and a second duct unit of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly are combined with each other in the rear of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a blocking plate is mounted on the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly of the refrigerator of the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where cool air circulates through a freezing compartment of the refrigerator according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the cool air circulates through a refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the cool air circulates through the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly of the refrigerator according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating essential components that are cross-sectioned to describe a state where the cool air circulates through the inside of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly of the refrigerator according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mounted state of each grill assembly of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an internal state of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I on FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion indicated by a circle "A" on FIG. 4.

[0062] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the refrigerator according to the present invention is configured to include a cabinet 100, an evaporator 30, a freezing-compartment grill assembly 200, and a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. According to the present invention, a refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 and a refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 are formed together in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300.

[0063] Components of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below

[0064] First, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to include the cabinet 100

[0065] The cabinet 100 may be configured to include an outer casing 110 and inner casings 121 and 122. The outer casing 110 provides an exterior appearance of the cabinet 100. The inner casings 121 and 122 are positioned inside the outer casing 110 and form a storage space.

[0066] In this case, the inner casings 121 and 122 may be a freezing-compartment inner casing 121 and a refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122, respectively. The freezing-compartment inner casing 121 provides a freezing compartment 10. The refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122 provides a refrigerating compartment 20.

[0067] The inner casings 121 and 122 are positioned in an upper space and a lower space, respectively, inside the outer casing 110 with a partition wall 130 in between.

[0068] That is, the freezing-compartment inner casing 121 is positioned over the partition wall 130 and provides the freezing compartment 10. The refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122 is positioned under the partition wall 130 and provides the refrigerating compartment 20. The respective positions of the freezing-compartment inner casing 121 and the refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0069] More specifically, the partition wall 130 is formed in such a manner that an upper end portion thereof surrounds a lower end portion of the freezing-compartment inner casing 121. The partition wall 130 is formed in such a manner that a lower end portion thereof surrounds an upper end portion of the refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122. The partition wall 130 is formed as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0070] The first transfer flow path 131 may be formed in the partition wall 130. The first transfer flow path 131 serves to be provided with cool air from the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 and to supply the provided cool air to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300.

[0071] The first transfer flow path 131 may be formed in a rear side center portion of the partition wall 130 in a manner that passes through a rear side center portion from top to bottom. In this case, a front side branch flow path 132 is formed on a bottom end of the first transfer flow path 131. The front side branch flow path 132 extends from the bottom end thereof up to a front side bottom surface of the partition wall 130. The front side branch flow path 132 supplies the cool air to a front side space inside the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0072] A rear side branch flow path 133 may further be formed on the bottom end of the first transfer flow path 131. The rear side branch flow path 133 supplies the cool air to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. The rear side branch flow path 133 may be formed in a manner that is gradually inclined downward from the first transfer flow path 131 toward the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301.

[0073] The first transfer flow path 131 and each of the branch flow paths 132 and 133 are formed as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7

[0074] FIG. 8 is a rear view illustrating the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from which the outer casing 110 is removed to describe a rear side structure of the inside of the refrigerator. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating essential components of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from which the outer casing 110 is removed to describe the rear side structure of the inside of the refrigerator. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating essential components of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from which a blocking cover is removed to describe a second transfer flow path 134 in a rear surface of the partition wall 130 in the rear side structure of the inside of the refrigerator. FIG. 11 is a rear view illustrating the essential components in FIG. 10.

[0075] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11, the second transfer flow path 134 is formed in the partition wall 130. The second transfer flow path 134 serves to be supplied with the cool air retrieved from the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 and to guide flowing of the supplied cool air to a position where the evaporator 30 is positioned.

[0076] According to the present invention, the second transfer flow path 134 is formed in a rear surface of the partition wall 130 in a recessed manner, and a blocking cover 140 is provided on the rear surface of the partition wall 130. The blocking cover 140 covers the second transfer flow path 134 in such a manner as to be blocked from an outside environment. In this case, the blocking cover 140 may be detachably mounted on the rear surface of the partition wall 130.

[0077] That is, instead of providing a separate duct for transferring the cool air retrieved from the refrigerating compartment 22 to the evaporator 30, the second transfer flow path 134 is formed by the structure of the second transfer flow path recessed into the rear surface of the partition wall 130 and by the blocking cover 140. Thus, a structure for retrieving the cool air can be simplified.

[0078] In this case, the second transfer flow path 134 is formed in such a manner that a cooling-air discharge side portion thereof is positioned on a rear side bottom of the evaporator 30.

[0079] Communication groove 135 may be formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the second transfer flow path 134. The communication groove 135 communicates with a cool-air outlet of the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302.

[0080] Moreover, a guidance flow path 141 may be formed in the blocking cover 140. The cool air in the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 is transferred to the guidance flow path 141 through the two communication grooves 135 in the second transfer flow path 134. The guidance flow path 141 guides flowing of the transferred cool air to above an upper center portion of the blocking cover 140.

[0081] In addition, the freezing compartment 10 and the refrigerating compartment 20 are configured in such manner as to be opened and closed by doors 11 and 21, respectively. In this case, the doors 11 and 21 may be configured in such a manner as to employ a hinge mechanism.

[0082] Of course, although not illustrated, the doors 11 and 21 may be configured as a drawer-type door.

[0083] Next, the refrigerator according to the present invention is configured to include the evaporator 30.

[0084] The evaporator 30 is configured in such a manner as to generate the cool air that is supplied to the freezing compartment 10 or the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0085] Particularly, along with a compressor 60 (refer to FIG. 4), a condenser (not illustrated), and an expander (not illustrated), the evaporator 30 constitutes a freezing system. The evaporator 30 exchanges heat with air flowing therethrough and thus performs a function of decreasing temperature of the air

[0086] The evaporator 30 is positioned in a rear portion of the inside of the freezing compartment 10. Specifically, the evaporator 30 is positioned adjacent to a front surface of a rear wall of the freezing compartment 10.

[0087] Next, the refrigerator according to the present invention is configured to include the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.

[0088] The freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 serves to provide to the freezing compartment 10 and the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 the cool air that exchanges heat with the evaporator 30 while passing therethrough.

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 is positioned in front of the evaporator 30 inside the freezing compartment 10. That is, the freezing compartment 10 has a front side storage space and a rear side heat exchange space inside with the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 in between.

[0090] Moreover, a blowing fan 201 that blows the cool air is mounted in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. In this case, the blowing fan 201 may be configured as a module including both a fan and a motor. The blowing fan 201 supplies the cool air passing through the evaporator 30 to the freezing compartment 10 or the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of freezing-compartment discharge openings 202 (refer to FIG. 3) is formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.

[0092] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 203 is formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 203 guides discharging of the cool air blown by the blowing fan 201 to each of the freezing-compartment discharge openings 202. In this case, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 203 may be formed in such a manner as to guide flowing of the cool air to above and below the opposite sides of a center portion of the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 in which the blowing fan 201 is mounted. In this case, each of the freezing-compartment discharge openings 202 may be formed in the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow paths 203.

[0093] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204 is formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.

[0094] The refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204 is a flow path that is formed to supply one portion of the cool air blown by the blowing fan 201 to the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. The refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204 is formed in such a manner as to extend from the center portion of the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200, in which the blowing fan 201 is positioned, up to a bottom surface of the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.

[0095] Although not specifically illustrated, a temperature adjustment device 206 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 4) may be provided in the refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204. The temperature adjustment device 206 adjusts an amount of cool air passing therethrough and thus adjusts temperature inside the freezing compartment 10 or inside the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0096] In addition, a freezing-compartment retrieval flow path 205 is formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. The freezing-compartment retrieval flow path 205 is formed in the bottom surface of the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 in a recessed manner. In this case, the freezing-compartment retrieval flow path 205 is formed in such a manner that a front side end portion thereof is exposed to the inside of the freezing compartment 10 and that a rear side end portion thereof is exposed to a bottom of the evaporator 30.

[0097] That is, the cool water flowing through the inside of the freezing compartment 10 is retrieved toward the cool-air inflow side of the evaporator 30 through the freezing-compartment retrieval flow path 205.

[0098] Next, according to the present invention, the refrigerator is configured to include the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300.

[0099] The refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is configured in such a manner to guide discharging of the cool air transferred from the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 into the refrigerating compartment 20. The refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is positioned in a rear portion of the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20. Specifically, the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is positioned in front of a front surface of a rear wall of the refrigerating-compartment inner casing 122.

[0100] The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 and the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 are formed together in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. In this case, the cool air flows to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 from the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 serves to guide discharging of the cool air into the refrigerating compartment 20. The refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 serves to guide flowing of the cool retrieved from the refrigerating compartment 20 into the freezing compartment 10.

[0101] Each component of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is described in more detail as follows with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a first duct unit and a second duct unit of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 are combined with each other in the rear of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a blocking plate is mounted on the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] First, the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is configured to include a first duct unit 310.

[0103] The first duct unit 310 provides a front surface of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 and is positioned in a manner that is exposed to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0104] The first duct unit 310 is formed in a manner that has a greater width in the leftward-rightward direction than the second duct unit 320 described below.

[0105] Moreover, surrounding walls are formed on an edge of the first duct unit 310. That is, the first duct unit 310 is formed in such a manner as to have an upper wall 311 and lateral walls 312 on opposite sides thereof. The upper wall 311 provides an upper surface of the first duct unit 310, and the lateral walls 312 provide opposite lateral surfaces thereof, respectively. The surrounding walls (the upper wall 311 and the lateral walls 312) of the first duct unit 310 may be formed in such a manner that respective heights in the forward-backward direction thereof are such that the cool air can flow. That is, thicknesses (heights) in the forward-backward direction of the first duct unit 310 are minimized so that a space inside the refrigerating compartment 20 can be maximally secured.

[0106] In addition, a plurality of refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a may be formed in the first duct unit 310. The refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a are formed according to the height direction of the first duct unit 310. Through the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a, the cool air is discharged into spaces of different heights inside the refrigerating compartment 20. In this case, each of the spaces of different heights may be a space between shelves provided inside the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0107] Moreover, the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a are formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the first duct unit 310. Therefore, the cool air may be uniformly supplied into opposite side spaces inside the refrigerating compartment 20

[0108] The refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is configured to include the second duct unit 320.

[0109] The second duct unit 320 is provided to a portion of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 in which the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 is formed. A front surface of the second duct unit 320 is brought into close contact with one portion of a rear surface of the first duct unit 310 for being combined therewith. Specifically, the front surface of the second duct unit 320 may be brought into close contact with a center portion of the rear surface of the first duct unit 310.

[0110] The second duct unit 320 is formed in a manner that has a smaller width in the leftward-rightward direction than the first duct unit 310. The refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 is formed between one lateral wall of the first duct unit 310 and one lateral wall of the second duct unit 320 and between the other lateral wall of the first duct unit 310 and the other lateral wall of the second duct unit 320. A space between one lateral wall of the first duct unit 310 and one lateral wall of the second duct unit 320 and a space between the other lateral wall of the first duct unit 310 and the other lateral wall of the second duct unit 320 are used as the refrigerating-compartment retrieval paths 302, respectively.

[0111] The first duct unit 310 is formed in a manner that is open at the bottom. Retrieval cool-air inlets 313a are formed opposite sides, respectively, of a bottom surface between the first duct unit 310 and the second duct unit 320. The retrieval cool-air inlets 313a communicate with the refrigerating-compartment retrieval paths 302, respectively. Retrieval cool-air outlets 311b are formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the upper wall 311 of the first duct unit 310. The retrieval cool-air outlets 311b communicate with the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow paths 302, respectively. That is, the cool air that flows through the refrigerating compartment 20 flows into the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 through the retrieval cool-air inlet 313a and then is discharged through the retrieval cool-air outlet 311b.

[0112] Particularly, the retrieval cool-air outlets 311b communicate with the communication grooves 135, respectively, that are formed in the opposite sides of the second transfer flow path 134. Accordingly, the cool air that flows along the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 passes sequentially through the retrieval cool-air outlet 311b and the communication groove 135 and then is retrieved toward the cool-air inflow side of the evaporator 30 along the guidance flow path 141 formed in the blocking cover 140.

[0113] A supply cool-air inlet 311a is formed in the upper wall 311 of the first duct unit 310. The supply cool-air inlet 311a serves to supply the cool air to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301.

[0114] Specifically, the supply cool-air inlet 311a is formed in a center portion of the upper wall 311 of the first duct unit 310. In this case, the retrieval cool-air outlets 311b may be formed to opposite sides, respectively, of the supply cool-air inlet 311a, and are positioned in such a manner as to correspond to the communication grooves 135, respectively, formed in the above-described partition wall 130.

[0115] In addition, a communication discharge opening 320a is formed in the second duct unit 320 in a manner that communicates with each of the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a in the first duct unit 310 and thus discharges the cool air. In this case, the communication discharge openings 320a may be formed at positions, respectively, that correspond to positions of the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a. That is, since the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a are formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the first duct unit 310, the communication discharge openings 320a may be formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the second duct unit 320.

[0116] The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 is formed in a rear surface of the second duct unit 320 in a recessed manner. Specifically, a cool-air inlet of the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 may be formed at a position that corresponds to a position of the supply cool-air inlet 311a in the first duct unit 310. In this case, the supply cool-air inlet 311a is positioned in such a manner as to correspond to a lower end of the rear side branch flow path 133 branching off from the first transfer flow path 131 in the partition wall 130.

[0117] The refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 may be formed in such a manner to pass through each of the communication discharge openings 320a. In this case, in order to guide flowing of the cool air, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow paths 301 are formed in such a manner as to branch off from the cool-air inlet into opposite sides, respectively, of the second duct unit 320, to pass through the communication discharge openings 320a, respectively, and to reach bottoms, respectively, of the opposite sides of the second duct unit 320.

[0118] An upper surface of the second duct unit 320 is brought into close contact with a bottom surface of the upper wall 311 of the first duct unit 310. A bottom surface of the second duct unit 320 is brought into close contact with an upper surface of a lower wall 313 of the first duct unit 310.

[0119] The refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 may be configured to include a blocking plate 330.

[0120] The blocking plate 330 is formed in such a manner as to cover both rear surfaces of the first duct unit 310 and the second duct unit 320. That is, with the blocking plate 330, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 and the two refrigerating-compartment retrieval paths 302 may be formed as paths blocked from the external environment.

[0121] It is desirable that the blocking plate 330 is formed of an insulating material. Accordingly, the cool air that flows along the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 or the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 can be prevented from being affected by outside air.

[0122] A process of supplying and retrieving the cool air in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19.

[0123] First, in the refrigerator, the compressor (not illustrated) and the blowing fan 201 operate. The compressor operates with a cooling cycle according to a condition of temperature inside the freezing compartment 10 or the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0124] That is, when the temperature inside the freezing compartment 10 or the refrigerating compartment 20 reaches a range of improper temperatures (a range of temperatures higher than a setting temperature), the compressor operates, and thus refrigerant flows sequentially through the condenser, the expander, and the evaporator 30. At the same time, the blowing fan 201 operates, and thus the cool air that exchanges heat with the evaporator 30 while passing therethrough is supplied to the freezing compartment 10 and the refrigerating compartment 20 through the grill assembly 200.

[0125] At this point, the cool air that is retrieved from the freezing compartment 10 or the refrigerating compartment 20 by the operation of the blowing fan 201 passes through the evaporator 30. Moisture is removed from the cool air passing through the evaporator 30. As a result of the heat exchange, temperature of the cool air is decreased to a lower temperature.

[0126] Furthermore, the cool air passing through the evaporator 30 passes through the blowing fan 201 and then flows into the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200. Subsequently, while flowing along the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 203 formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200, the cool air is supplied into the freezing compartment 10 through each of the freezing-compartment discharge openings 202 formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200.

[0127] Therefore, an object subject to being stored in a frozen state is frozen by the cool air in the freezing compartment 10 for being stored.

[0128] Then, the cool air supplied into the freezing compartment 10 circulates through the inside of the freezing compartment 10. Subsequently, the cool air passes through the freezing-compartment retrieval flow path 205 formed in the bottom surface of the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200, is retrieved toward the cool-air inflow side of the evaporator 30, and passes back through the evaporator 30. This cool air circulation for heat exchange is repeated. Cool air circulation for freezing is as illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0129] One portion of the cool air flowing into the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 flows along the refrigerating-compartment supply flow path 204 formed in the freezing-compartment grill assembly 200 and then is provided to the first transfer flow path 131 formed in the partition wall 130.

[0130] Subsequently, the cool air provided to the first transfer flow path 131 flows along the first transfer flow path 131, and then the cool air branches off into two streams. The two streams of the cool air flow along the front side branch flow path 132 and the rear side branch flow path 133, respectively, that extend from the bottom end of the first transfer flow path 131.

[0131] At this point, the cool air that flows along the front side branch flow path 132 passes through the front side bottom surface of the partition wall 130 and is supplied into the front side space inside the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0132] Moreover, the cool air flowing along the rear side branch flow path 133 passes through the supply cool-air inlet 311a formed in the first duct unit 310 of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 and is supplied to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 formed in the second duct unit 320.

[0133] While flowing along the first duct unit 310, the cool air is discharged sequentially through each of the communication discharge openings 320a formed in the second duct unit 320 and each of the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings 310a formed in the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 and is supplied into each of the spaces of different heights inside the refrigerating compartment 20.

[0134] Therefore, an object subject to being stored in a refrigerated state is cooled by the cool air in the refrigerating compartment 20 for being stored. Cool air circulation for refrigerating is as illustrated in FIG. 17.

[0135] The cool air supplied into the refrigerating compartment 20 circulates through the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20 and then flows into the retrieval cool-air inlets 313a formed in opposite sides of the lower wall 313 of the first duct unit 310 constituting the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300.

[0136] Subsequently, the cool air flows along the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 communicating with the retrieval cool-air inlet 313a. Then, the cool air passes sequentially through the retrieval cool-air outlets 311b formed in opposite sides respectively, of the upper wall 311 of the first duct unit 310 and through the communication grooves 135 positioned in such a manner as to correspond to the retrieval coo-air outlets 311b, respectively. Then, the cool air is provided to the second transfer flow path 134. Cool air circulation is as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.

[0137] Subsequently, the cool air is retrieved toward the cool-air inflow side of the evaporator 30 along the guidance flow path 141 in the blocking cover 140 formed in such a manner as to cover the second transfer flow path 134. Then, the cool air passes back through the evaporator 30. This cool air circulation for heat exchange is repeated.

[0138] While the cool air is supplied by each of the above-described processes to the refrigerating compartment 20, when the temperature inside the refrigerating compartment 20 reaches a range of proper temperatures (when a setting temperature is reached), the blowing fan 201 and the compressor stops operating. Of course, in a case where the temperatures inside the refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 100 are both proper, the blowing fan 201 and the compressor may be controlled in such a manner as to stop operating.

[0139] In summary, in the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path 301 for supplying the cool air to the refrigerating compartment 20 and the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 for retrieving the cool air circulating through the refrigerating compartment 20 are formed together in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. Accordingly, an overall structure of the refrigerator according to the present disclosure may be simplified because there is no need to provide a separate duct for retrieving the cool air.

[0140] In addition, in the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, a cool-air inlet of the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 for retrieving the cool air inside the refrigerating compartment 20 is formed in a bottom surface of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300. Accordingly, the cool air supplied into an upper space inside the refrigerating compartment 20 sufficiently flows through the inside of the refrigerating compartment 20 and then is discharged. Thus, the efficiency of refrigerating can be improved.

[0141] In addition, the refrigerator according to the present disclosure is configured in such a manner that the cool air retrieved through the refrigerating-compartment retrieval path 302 in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly 300 is transferred to the evaporator 30 through the second transfer flow path 134 formed in a rear surface of the partition wall 130. With this configuration, insulation loss can be reduced

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet (100) having a freezing compartment (10), a partition wall (130) and a refrigerating compartment (20);

an evaporator (30) positioned behind the freezing compartment (10) for generating cool air;

a freezing-compartment grill assembly (200) positioned in front of the evaporator (30) inside the freezing compartment (10), a blowing fan (201) being mounted in the freezing-compartment grill assembly (200);

a refrigerating-compartment grill assembly (300) positioned behind the refrigerating compartment (20);

a second transfer flow path (134) formed in the partition wall (130), the second transfer flow path (134) is provided with cool air from a refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path (302) in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly (300) and is configured to guide a flowing of the cool air to a position where the evaporator (30) is positioned; and

a blocking cover (140) on a rear surface of the partition wall (130) for covering the second transfer flow path (134),

wherein the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly (300) comprises:

a refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301) for guiding a discharging of the cool air supplied from the freezing-compartment grill assembly (200) into the refrigerating compartment (20), and

the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path (302) for guiding a flowing of the cool air retrieved from the refrigerating compartment (20) into the freezing compartment (10),

wherein the second transfer flow path (134) is formed in a rear surface of the partition wall (130) in a recessed manner.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a first transfer flow path (131) is formed in the partition wall, the first transfer flow path (131) is provided with cool air from the freezing-compartment grill assembly (200) and configured to supply the cool air to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301) in the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly (300) and/or the first transfer flow path (131) is formed in a rear side center portion of the partition wall (130) to pass through the rear side center portion thereof from top to bottom.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one of:

a cool-air inlet (311a) of the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301) being positioned more downward in a backward direction than a bottom end of the first transfer flow path (131), and/or

a front side branch flow path (132) extending up to a front side bottom surface of the partition wall (130) and

a rear side branch flow path (133) connected to the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301), preferably the front side branch flow path (132) and the rear side branch flow path (133) are both formed on the bottom end of the first transfer flow path (131).

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the rear side branch flow path (133) is gradually inclined downward from the first transfer flow path (131) toward the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301).

5. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking cover (140) is detachably mounted on the rear surface of the partition wall (130).

6. The refrigerator of claim 1 or 5, further comprising at least one of:

at least one cool-air outlet (311b) of the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path being formed on an upper surface of the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly (300), and

a communication groove (135) formed in the second transfer flow path (134) in a manner that passes through a side thereof and reaches a position where the cool-air outlet (311b) is positioned.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, further comprising a guidance flow path formed in the blocking cover (140) for guiding a flowing of the cool air in the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path (302) transferred from the communication groove (135) in the second transfer flow path (134) to above an upper center portion of the blocking cover (140).

8. The refrigerator of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigerating-compartment grill assembly (300) comprises:

a first duct unit (310) positioned to be exposed to the inside of the refrigerating compartment (20) and having a plurality of refrigerating-compartment discharge openings (310a); and

a second duct unit (320) combined with a rear surface of the first duct unit (310), the refrigerating-chamber discharge flow path (302) being thus formed in the second duct unit (320).

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the first duct unit (310) is formed in such a manner as to have a greater width in a leftward-rightward direction than the second duct unit (320) and to have lateral walls on opposite sides thereof, a front surface of the second duct unit (320) is brought into close contact with one portion of the rear surface of the first duct unit (310), and rear surfaces of the first duct unit (310) and the second duct unit (320) are covered by a blocking plate (330).

10. The refrigerator of claim 8 or 9, wherein the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301) is formed in the rear surface of the second duct unit (320) in a recessed manner and thus is formed as a path that is blocked by the blocking plate (330) from an outside environment, preferably the blocking plate (330) is formed of an insulating material.

11. The refrigerator of claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the second duct unit (320) is positioned in a center portion of the rear surface of the first duct unit (310), and the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow path (302) is formed between one lateral wall of the first duct unit (310) and one lateral wall of the second duct unit (320) and between the other lateral wall of the first duct unit (310) the other lateral wall of the second duct unit (320).

12. The refrigerator of any one of the claims 8, 9, 10 or 11, further comprising a communication discharge opening (320a) formed in the second duct unit (320) to communicate with each of the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings (310a) in the first duct unit (310) and thus discharges the cool air, preferably the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301) is formed in such a manner as to pass through each of the communication discharge openings (320a).

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings (310a) are formed in opposite sides, respectively, of the first duct unit (310), and the communication discharge openings (320a) are formed in portions, respectively, of the second duct unit (320) that correspond to the refrigerating-compartment discharge openings (310a) when the second duct unit (320) is combined with the rear surface of the first duct unit (310).

14. The refrigerator of claim 12 or 13, wherein the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301) are formed in such a manner as to branch off from a cool-air inlet (311a, 313a) into opposite sides, respectively, of the second duct unit (320), to pass through the communication discharge openings (320a), respectively, and to reach bottoms, respectively, of the opposite sides of the second duct unit (320), and the cool-air inlet (311a, 313a) of the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301) is formed in a center portion of an upper surface of the second duct unit (320) in a manner that passes therethrough and/or the first duct unit (310) is formed in such a manner as to be open at opposite sides bottom surfaces and opposite sides upper surfaces, and the cool air inside the refrigerating compartment (20) flows into each of the refrigerating-compartment retrieval flow paths (302) through openings in the opposite sides bottom surfaces and then is discharged through openings in the opposite side upper surfaces and/or the refrigerating-compartment discharge flow path (301) in the second duct unit (320) is formed in such a manner as to be supplied with the cool air from a center portion of an upper surface of the second duct unit (320).

Ansprüche

1. Kühlschrank, der Folgendes umfasst:

ein Gehäuse (100), das ein Gefrierfach (10), eine Trennwand (130) und ein Kühlfach (20) aufweist;

einen Verdampfer (30), der zum Erzeugen von kalter Luft hinter dem Gefrierfach (10) angeordnet ist;

eine Gefrierfach-Gitteranordnung (200), die vor dem Verdampfer (30) im Inneren des Gefrierfachs (10) angeordnet ist, wobei ein Ventilator (201) in der Gefrierfach-Gitteranordnung (200) angebracht ist;

eine Kühlfach-Gitteranordnung (300), die hinter dem Kühlfach (20) angeordnet ist;

einen zweiten Übertragungsströmungsweg (134), der in der Trennwand (130) gebildet ist, wobei der zweite Übertragungsströmungsweg (134) mit kalter Luft aus einem Kühlfach-Rückgewinnungsströmungsweg (302) in der Kühlfach-Gitteranordnung (300) versorgt wird und konfiguriert ist, eine Strömung der kalten Luft an eine Position zu leiten, an der der Verdampfer (30) angeordnet ist; und

eine Sperrabdeckung (140) auf einer hinteren Fläche der Trennwand (130) zum Abdecken des zweiten Übertragungsströmungswegs (134),

wobei die Kühlfach-Gitteranordnung (300) Folgendes umfasst:

einen Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (301) zum Leiten des Auslassens der kalten Luft, die aus der Gefrierfach-Gitteranordnung (200) dem Kühlfach (20) zugeführt wird, und

den Kühlfach-Rückgewinnungsströmungsweg (302) zum Leiten einer Strömung der kalten Luft, die aus dem Kühlfach (20) in das Gefrierfach (10) rückgewonnen wird,

wobei der zweite Übertragungsströmungsweg (134) in einer hinteren Fläche der Trennwand (130) auf ausgesparte Weise gebildet ist.

2. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 1, wobei ein erster Übertragungsströmungsweg (131) in der Trennwand gebildet ist, der erste Übertragungsströmungsweg (131) mit kalter Luft aus der Gefrierfach-Gitteranordnung (200) versorgt wird und konfiguriert ist, die kalte Luft dem Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (301) in der Kühlfach-Gitteranordnung (300) zuzuführen, und/oder der erste Übertragungsströmungsweg (131) in einem rückseitigen, mittleren Abschnitt der Trennwand (130) gebildet ist, derart, dass er von oben nach unten durch ihren rückseitigen, mittleren Abschnitt verläuft.

3. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, der ferner mindestens eines der Folgendes umfasst:

einen Kaltlufteinlass (311a) des Kühlfach-Auslassströmungswegs (301), der weiter unten in einer Richtung nach hinten als ein unteres Ende des ersten Übertragungsströmungswegs (131) angeordnet ist, und/oder

einen Vorderseiten-Zweigströmungsweg (132), der sich zu einer vorderseitigen, unteren Fläche der Trennwand (130) nach oben erstreckt, und

einen Rückseiten-Zweigströmungsweg (133), der mit dem Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (301) verbunden ist, wobei vorzugsweise sowohl der Vorderseiten-Zweigströmungsweg (132) als auch der Rückseiten-Zweigströmungsweg (133) am unteren Ende des ersten Übertragungsströmungswegs (131) gebildet sind.

4. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Rückseiten-Zweigströmungsweg (133) allmählich vom ersten Übertragungsströmungsweg (131) zum Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (301) nach unten geneigt ist.

5. Kühlschrank nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Sperrabdeckung (140) auf der hinteren Fläche der Trennwand (130) abnehmbar angebracht ist.

6. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 1 oder 5, der ferner Folgendes umfasst:

mindestens einen Kaltluftauslass (311b) des Kühlfach-Rückgewinnungsströmungswegs, der auf einer oberen Fläche der Kühlfach-Gitteranordnung (300) gebildet ist, und/oder

eine Verbindungsrille (135), die im zweiten Übertragungsströmungsweg (134) so gebildet ist, dass sie durch eine Seite davon verläuft und eine Position erreicht, an der der Kaltluftauslass (311b) angeordnet ist.

7. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 6, der ferner einen Führungsströmungsweg umfasst, der in der Sperrabdeckung (140) gebildet ist, um eine Strömung der kalten Luft im Kühlfach-Rückgewinnungsströmungsweg (302) zu leiten, die aus der Verbindungsrille (135) im zweiten Übertragungsströmungsweg (134) nach oberhalb eines oberen Mittelabschnitts der Sperrabdeckung (140) übertragen wird.

8. Kühlschrank nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Kühlfach-Gitteranordnung (300) Folgendes umfasst:

eine erste Leitungseinheit (310), die derart angeordnet ist, dass sie zur Innenseite des Kühlfachs (20) freiliegt und mehrere Kühlfach-Auslassöffnungen (310a) aufweist; und

eine zweite Leitungseinheit (320), die mit einer hinteren Fläche der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) kombiniert ist, womit der Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (302) in der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) gebildet ist.

9. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 8, wobei die erste Leitungseinheit (310) so gebildet ist, dass sie in einer Links/Rechts-Richtung eine größere Breite als die zweite Leitungseinheit (320) aufweist und Seitenwände auf ihren gegenüberliegenden Seiten aufweist, wobei eine vordere Fläche der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) mit einem Abschnitt der hinteren Fläche der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) in engen Kontakt gebracht wird und die hinteren Flächen der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) und der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) durch eine Sperrplatte (330) abgedeckt sind.

10. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, wobei der Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (301) in der hinteren Fläche der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) auf eine ausgesparte Weise gebildet ist und somit als ein Weg gebildet ist, der durch die Sperrplatte (330) von einer äußeren Umgebung abgesperrt ist, wobei die Sperrplatte (330) vorzugsweise aus einem Isoliermaterial gebildet ist.

11. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 8, 9 oder 10, wobei die zweite Leitungseinheit (320) in einem mittleren Abschnitt der hinteren Fläche der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) angeordnet ist und der Kühlfach-Rückgewinnungsströmungsweg (302) zwischen einer Seitenwand der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) und einer Seitenwand der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) und zwischen der anderen Seitenwand der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) und der anderen Seitenwand der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) gebildet ist.

12. Kühlschrank nach einem der Ansprüche 8, 9, 10 oder 11, der ferner eine Verbindungsauslassöffnung (320a) umfasst, die in der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) gebildet ist, derart, dass sie mit jeder der Kühlfach-Auslassöffnungen (310a) in der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) in Verbindung steht und somit die kalte Luft auslässt, wobei der Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (301) vorzugsweise so gebildet ist, dass er durch jede der Verbindungsauslassöffnungen (320a) verläuft.

13. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Kühlfach-Auslassöffnungen (310a) jeweils in gegenüberliegenden Seiten der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) gebildet sind und die Verbindungsauslassöffnungen (320a) jeweils in Abschnitten der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) gebildet sind, die den Kühlfach-Auslassöffnungen (310a) entsprechen, wenn die zweite Leitungseinheit (320) mit der hinteren Fläche der ersten Leitungseinheit (310) kombiniert ist.

14. Kühlschrank nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, wobei der Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (301) so gebildet ist, dass er von einem Kaltlufteinlass (311a, 313a) jeweils in gegenüberliegende Seiten der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) abzweigt, derart, dass er jeweils durch die Verbindungsauslassöffnungen (320a) verläuft und jeweils die Unterseiten der gegenüberliegenden Seiten der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) erreicht, und wobei der Kaltlufteinlass (311a, 313a) des Kühlfach-Auslassströmungswegs (301) auf eine Weise in einem mittleren Abschnitt einer oberen Fläche der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) gebildet ist, dass er dort hindurch verläuft, und/oder wobei die erste Leitungseinheit (310) so gebildet ist, dass sie an den unteren Flächen gegenüberliegender Seiten und den oberen Flächen gegenüberliegender Seiten offen ist und die kalte Luft im Inneren des Kühlfachs (20) durch Öffnungen in den unteren Flächen der gegenüberliegenden Seiten in jeden der Kühlfach-Rückgewinnungsströmungswege (302) strömt und daraufhin durch Öffnungen in den oberen Flächen der gegenüberliegenden Seiten ausgelassen wird, und/oder wobei der Kühlfach-Auslassströmungsweg (301) in der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) so gebildet ist, dass ihm die kalte Luft aus einem mittleren Abschnitt einer oberen Fläche der zweiten Leitungseinheit (320) zugeführt wird.

Revendications

1. Réfrigérateur comportant :

une armoire (100) comportant un compartiment de congélation (10), une paroi de séparation (130) et un compartiment de réfrigération (20) ;

un évaporateur (30) positionné derrière le compartiment de congélation (10) pour générer de l'air froid ;

un ensemble de grille de compartiment de congélation (200) positionné devant l'évaporateur (30) à l'intérieur du compartiment de congélation (10), un ventilateur de soufflage (201) étant monté dans l'ensemble de grille de compartiment de congélation (200) ;

un ensemble de grille de compartiment de réfrigération (300) positionné derrière le compartiment de réfrigération (20) ;

un second trajet d'écoulement de transfert (134) formé dans la paroi de séparation (130), le second trajet d'écoulement de transfert (134) étant alimenté en air froid provenant d'un trajet d'écoulement de récupération de compartiment de réfrigération (302) dans l'ensemble de grille de compartiment de réfrigération (300) et étant configuré pour guider un écoulement de l'air froid jusqu'à une position où l'évaporateur (30) est positionné ; et

un couvercle de blocage (140) sur une surface arrière de la paroi de séparation (130) pour recouvrir le second trajet d'écoulement de transfert (134),

dans lequel l'ensemble de grille de compartiment de réfrigération (300) comporte :

un trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301) pour guider une évacuation de l'air froid fourni à partir de l'ensemble de grille de compartiment de réfrigération (200) dans le compartiment de réfrigération (20), et

le trajet d'écoulement de récupération de compartiment de réfrigération (302) pour guider un écoulement de l'air froid récupéré du compartiment de réfrigération (20) dans le compartiment de congélation (10),

dans lequel le second trajet d'écoulement de transfert (134) est formé de manière évidée dans une surface arrière de la paroi de séparation (130).

2. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel un premier trajet d'écoulement de transfert (131) est formé dans la paroi de séparation, le premier trajet d'écoulement de transfert (131) est alimenté en air froid provenant de l'ensemble de grille de compartiment de congélation (200) et configuré pour fournir l'air froid au trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301) dans l'ensemble de grille de compartiment de réfrigération (300) et/ou le premier trajet d'écoulement de transfert (131) est formé dans une partie centrale côté arrière de la paroi de séparation (130) pour passer à travers la partie centrale côté arrière de celui-ci de haut en bas.

3. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comportant en outre au moins un élément parmi :

une entrée d'air froid (311a) du trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301) qui est positionnée plus vers le bas dans une direction vers l'arrière qu'une extrémité inférieure du premier trajet d'écoulement de transfert (131), et/ou

un trajet d'écoulement de bifurcation côté avant (132) s'étendant jusqu'à une surface inférieure côté avant de la paroi de séparation (130) et

un trajet d'écoulement de bifurcation côté arrière (133) relié au trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301), le trajet d'écoulement de bifurcation côté avant (132) et le trajet d'écoulement de bifurcation côté arrière (133) étant, de préférence, tous deux formés sur l'extrémité inférieure du premier trajet d'écoulement de transfert (131).

4. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le trajet d'écoulement de bifurcation côté arrière (133) est graduellement incliné vers le bas à partir du premier trajet d'écoulement de transfert (131) vers le trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301).

5. Réfrigérateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le couvercle de blocage (140) est monté de manière détachable sur la surface arrière de la paroi de séparation (130).

6. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 1 ou 5, comportant en outre au moins un élément parmi :

au moins une sortie d'air froid (311b) du trajet d'écoulement de récupération de compartiment de réfrigération étant formée sur une surface supérieure de l'ensemble de grille de compartiment de réfrigération (300), et

une gorge de communication (135) formée dans le second trajet d'écoulement de transfert (134) d'une manière qui passe à travers un côté de celui-ci et atteint une position où la sortie d'air froid (311b) est positionnée.

7. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 6, comportant en outre un trajet d'écoulement de guidage formé dans le couvercle de blocage (140) pour guider un écoulement de l'air froid dans le trajet d'écoulement de récupération de compartiment de réfrigération (302) transféré à partir de la gorge de communication (135) dans le second trajet d'écoulement de transfert (134) jusqu'à au-dessus d'une partie centrale supérieure du couvercle de blocage (140).

8. Réfrigérateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'ensemble de grille de compartiment de réfrigération (300) comporte :

un premier bloc de conduit (310) positionné de manière à être exposé à l'intérieur du compartiment de réfrigération (20) et ayant une pluralité d'ouvertures d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (310a) ; et

un second bloc de conduit (320) combiné avec une surface arrière du premier bloc de conduit (310), le trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de chambre de réfrigération (302) étant ainsi formé dans le second bloc de conduit (320).

9. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le premier bloc de conduit (310) est formé de telle manière à avoir une largeur dans une direction vers la gauche-droite plus grande que le second bloc de conduit (320) et à avoir des parois latérales sur des côtés opposés de celui-ci, une surface avant du second bloc de conduit (320) est mise en contact direct avec une partie de la surface arrière du premier bloc de conduit (310), et des surfaces arrière du premier bloc de conduit (310) et du second bloc de conduit (320) sont recouvertes par une plaque de blocage (330).

10. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 8 ou 9, dans lequel le trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301) est formé dans la surface arrière du second bloc de conduit (320) d'une manière évidée et est ainsi formé comme un trajet qui est bloqué par la plaque de blocage (330) par rapport à un environnement extérieur, la plaque de blocage (330) étant de préférence formée d'un matériau isolant.

11. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 8, 9 ou 10, dans lequel le second bloc de conduit (320) est positionné dans une partie centrale de la surface arrière du premier bloc de conduit (310), et le trajet d'écoulement de récupération de compartiment de réfrigération (302) est formé entre une paroi latérale du premier bloc de conduit (310) et une paroi latérale du second bloc de conduit (320) et entre l'autre paroi latérale du premier bloc de conduit (310) et l'autre paroi latérale du second bloc de conduit (320).

12. Réfrigérateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8, 9, 10 ou 11, comportant en outre une ouverture d'évacuation de communication (320a) formée dans le second bloc de conduit (320) pour communiquer avec chacune des ouvertures d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (310a) dans le premier bloc de conduit (310) et évacue ainsi l'air froid, le trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301) étant de préférence formé de telle manière à passer à travers chacune des ouvertures d'évacuation de communication (320a).

13. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 12, dans lequel les ouvertures d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (310a) sont formées dans des côtés opposés, respectivement, du premier bloc de conduit (310), et les ouvertures d'évacuation de communication (320a) sont formées dans des parties, respectivement, du second bloc de conduit (320) qui correspondent aux ouvertures d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (310a) lorsque le second bloc de conduit (320) est combiné avec la surface arrière du premier bloc de conduit (310).

14. Réfrigérateur selon la revendication 12 ou 13, dans lequel le trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301) est formé de telle manière à bifurquer à partir d'une entrée d'air froid (311a, 313a) dans des côtés opposés, respectivement, du second bloc de conduit (320), passer à travers les ouvertures d'évacuation de communication (320a), respectivement, et atteindre des bas, respectivement, des côtés opposés du second bloc de conduit (320), et l'entrée d'air froid (311a, 313a) du trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301) est formée dans une partie centrale d'une surface supérieure du second bloc de conduit (320) d'une telle manière qu'elle passe à travers celle-ci et/ou le premier bloc de conduit (310) est formé de manière à être ouvert sur des surfaces inférieures de côtés opposés et des surfaces supérieures de côtés opposées, et l'air froid à l'intérieur du compartiment de réfrigération (20) s'écoule dans chacun des trajets d'écoulement de récupération de compartiment de réfrigération (302) par des ouvertures dans les surfaces inférieures de côtés opposés et est ensuite évacué par des ouvertures dans les surfaces supérieures de côtés opposés et/ou le trajet d'écoulement d'évacuation de compartiment de réfrigération (301) dans le second bloc de conduit (320) est formé de telle manière à être alimenté en air froid provenant d'une partie centrale d'une surface supérieure du second bloc de conduit (320).

Drawing