Hybrid cooling system, and refrigerator and freezer using the same

Abstract

A cooling system includes a cooling cycle which includes an evaporator for cooling air; and a thermoelectric module using a Peltier effect to provide a heat absorption portion and a heat discharge portion, the air cooled by the evaporator being further coolable by the heat absorption portion.

Description

[0001] This Nonprovisional Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 10-2004-0116240 filed in Korea on Dec. 30, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a hybrid cooling system, and, more particularly, to a hybrid cooling system wherein air heat-exchanged in an evaporator is re-cooled using a thermoelectric module having an electrical function to generate a cooling effect, so that the hybrid cooling system can provide a lower temperature, and a refrigerator and a freezer using the hybrid cooling system. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Generally, a refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator which form a cooling cycle to perform operations for compressing, condensing, and evaporating a refrigerant. [0006] In such a refrigerator, however, it is difficult to lo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cooling system comprises: a cooling cycle, the cooling cycle including an evaporator for cooling air; and a thermoelectric module using a Peltier effect to provide a heat absorption portion and a heat discharge portion, the air cooled by the evaporator being further coolable by the heat absorption portion.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator includes a refrigerant circulation type cooling system using circulation of a refrigerant to generate a cooling effect, and a thermoelectric module type cooling system using an electrical co-operation, namely, a Peltier effect.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator includes a refrigerant circulation type cooling system using circulation of a refrigerant to generate a cooling effect, and a thermoelectric module type cooling system using an electrical co-operation, namely, a Peltier effect.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator includes a refrigerant circulation type cooling system using circulation of a refrigerant to generate a cooling effect, and a thermoelectric module type cooling system using an electrical co-operation, namely, a Peltier effect.

Problems solved by technology

In such a refrigerator, however, it is difficult to lower the temperature of the freezing compartment in the refrigerator to −30° C. or below.

Furthermore, the thermal efficiency of the system is degraded.

There is also a problem in that the compressors 1 and 5 of the first and second cycles must be controlled independently of each other.

For these reasons, when two cooling cycles are used, as mentioned above, the cost of a refrigerator are increased, the process for cooling are more complicated, and the interior space of the refrigerator is reduced due to the additional elements.

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