Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a main body, a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber arranged left and right in the main body, an evaporator provided in the freezing chamber to supply cold air to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber duct provided in the freezing chamber to supply the cold air generated by the evaporator to the freezing chamber, a first cooling flow path formed at a rear of the freezing chamber and in which the evaporator is disposed, a second cooling flow path formed inside the freezing chamber duct so that air passing through the first cooling flow path moves to the freezing chamber, an ice maker provided in the freezing chamber and making ice, and a water supply pipe provided to pass through the first and second cooling flow paths toward the ice maker. The freezing chamber duct includes a duct plate forming a front surface of the freezing chamber duct, a duct cover couplable to a rear of the duct plate to form the second cooling flow path, a through hole provided on the duct plate and the duct cover so that the water supply pipe can pass through the through hole, and a cover member provided to surround the through hole in front of the duct plate to block air flow between the first cooling flow path and the freezing chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more specifically, to a refrigerator that includes an ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] A refrigerator is a household appliance that includes a main body with a storage compartment and a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment to keep food fresh.

[0003] Refrigerators can be categorized as follows: bottom-mounted freezer (BMF) type refrigerators, where the freezer compartment is located in the lower part and the refrigerator compartment is located in the upper part; top-mounted freezer (TMF) type refrigerators, where the freezer compartment is located in the upper part and the refrigerator compartment is located in the lower part; and side-by-side (SBS) type refrigerators, where the freezer and refrigerator compartments are positioned in the left-right direction, depending on the positions of the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

[0004] An evaporator can be installed in each of the refrigerator and freezer compartments to supply cold air to both. Cold air can also be supplied to both the refrigerator and freezer compartments using a single evaporator.

[0005] A refrigerator may include an ice maker for making ice and a water supply pipe for supplying water to the ice maker. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problems to be solved

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a refrigerator that can fix the position of the water supply pipe that supplies water to the ice maker.

[0008] This disclosure aims to provide a refrigerator capable of preventing external cold air from being introduced into the storage compartment.

[0009] This disclosure aims to provide a refrigerator that can prevent cold air in the storage compartment from escaping to the outside.

[0010] The technical tasks to be achieved in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the following description other technical tasks not mentioned.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] One aspect of this disclosure provides a refrigerator, comprising: a main body; a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment disposed within the main body; an evaporator configured to supply cold air to the freezer compartment; a freezer compartment conduit disposed within the freezer compartment to supply cold air generated by the evaporator to the freezer compartment; a first cooling flow path formed after the freezer compartment, in which the evaporator is disposed; a second cooling flow path formed within the freezer compartment conduit, such that air passing through the first cooling flow path moves to the freezer compartment; an ice maker disposed within the main body; a water supply pipe disposed through the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path and pointing towards the ice maker; and a cover member coupled to the freezer compartment conduit. The freezer compartment conduit includes: a pipe plate forming a front surface of the freezer compartment conduit; a pipe cover coupled to a rear side of the pipe plate to form the second cooling flow path; and a through hole disposed on the pipe plate and the pipe cover to allow the water supply pipe to pass through the through hole. Furthermore, the cover member is attached to the front side of the duct plate to prevent air movement between the first cooling flow path and the freezer chamber, and the cover member is configured to cover the through hole.

[0013] The cover member may include a cover member hole configured to allow the water supply pipe to pass through the cover member hole, and the cover member hole may be formed to correspond to the diameter of the water supply pipe to secure the water supply pipe.

[0014] The cover component may include: a body portion configured to seal the through-hole; and a cover portion disposed in front of the body portion and connected to the pipe plate.

[0015] The cover portion may include a wire through-hole configured to allow a wire configured to supply power to the ice maker to pass through it.

[0016] The through-hole may include: a pipe cover through-hole, which is formed on the pipe cover to connect the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path; and a pipe plate through-hole, which is formed on the pipe plate to connect the second cooling flow path and the internal space of the freezer chamber.

[0017] The pipe plate may include a receiving portion, which is configured to be adjacent to the through hole of the pipe plate, and the receiving portion is recessed to receive the body portion.

[0018] The receiving portion may include: a connecting groove configured such that the body portion is connected to the connecting groove; and a connecting protrusion configured to correspond to the connecting groove.

[0019] The pipe plate may include a connection hole configured to allow the cover portion to be connected to the connection hole, and the cover portion may include a hook configured to correspond to the connection hole.

[0020] The ice maker may include a first ice-making tray and a second ice-making tray, the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray being configured to make ice blocks having different shapes from each other, the water supply pipe may include a first water supply pipe configured to supply water to the first ice-making tray and a second water supply pipe configured to supply water to the second ice-making tray, the through hole may include a first through hole and a second through hole, the first through hole being configured to allow the first water supply pipe to pass through the first through hole and the second through hole being configured to allow the second water supply pipe to pass through the second through hole, and the body portion may include a first body portion configured to cover the first through hole and a second body portion configured to cover the second through hole.

[0021] The first body portion and the second body portion can be configured to be spaced apart from each other.

[0022] The cover portion may include an upper cover portion and a lower cover portion that can be separated from the upper cover portion.

[0023] The refrigerator may also include a blower fan disposed in the freezer compartment to generate flow in the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path, wherein the cover member may be disposed below the blower fan.

[0024] The cover component can be positioned above the evaporator.

[0025] The cover component may include expandable polystyrene (EPS) material.

[0026] The water supply pipe can be configured to slope downwards toward the freezer compartment.

[0027] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a refrigerator, comprising: a storage compartment; a first cooling flow path formed after the storage compartment, and an evaporator disposed in the first cooling flow path; a second cooling flow path disposed between the storage compartment and the first cooling flow path and formed inside a storage compartment duct, such that air passing through the first cooling flow path moves into the storage compartment; a water supply pipe disposed through the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path, pointing towards an ice maker disposed in the storage compartment; and a cover member capable of being coupled to the front side of the storage compartment duct to prevent air movement between the first cooling flow path and the storage compartment, and the cover member being disposed around the water supply pipe.

[0028] The cover member may include a cover member hole configured to allow the water supply pipe to pass through the cover member hole, and the cover member hole may be formed to correspond to the diameter of the water supply pipe in order to secure the water supply pipe.

[0029] The storage chamber piping may include a pipe plate forming the front surface of the storage chamber piping and a pipe cover that can be connected to the rear side of the pipe plate, and the pipe cover can be connected to the pipe plate.

[0030] The pipe plate may include a pipe plate through-hole configured to allow the water supply pipe to pass through the through-hole, and the cover member may be able to be attached to the front side of the pipe plate through-hole.

[0031] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a refrigerator, comprising: a main body; a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment arranged horizontally within the main body; an evaporator disposed in the freezer compartment to supply cold air to the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment duct disposed in the freezer compartment to distribute the cold air generated by the evaporator to the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment; an ice maker disposed in the freezer compartment to make ice; and a water supply pipe disposed through the freezer compartment duct and pointing towards the ice maker. The freezer compartment duct includes: a duct plate forming a front surface of the freezer compartment duct; a duct cover capable of being connected to a rear side of the duct plate; a through hole disposed on the duct plate and the duct cover to allow the water supply pipe to pass through the through hole; and a cover member capable of being connected to the front side of the duct plate and capable of being inserted into the through hole to secure the water supply pipe.

[0032] Beneficial effects

[0033] According to this disclosure, the position of the water supply pipe that supplies water to the ice maker can be fixed.

[0034] According to this disclosure, cold air can be prevented from flowing into the storage room from the outside.

[0035] According to this disclosure, cold air can be prevented from escaping from the storage room to the outside.

[0036] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the following description other effects not mentioned. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 3 Is Figure 2 The image shows a magnified view of a portion of the refrigerator.

[0040] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of components of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the freezer compartment piping according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 8 This is an enlarged perspective view of the freezer compartment piping according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 9 This is an enlarged perspective view of a freezer compartment pipe with a cover assembly mounted thereon, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 10 This is a view illustrating the state of the cover member before it is assembled into the freezer compartment pipes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 11 This is a view illustrating the state in which the cover member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled into the freezer compartment pipe.

[0048] Figure 12 This is a view illustrating the state in which the cover member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled into the freezer compartment pipe.

[0049] Figure 13This is a view illustrating the state in which the cover member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled into the freezer compartment pipe.

[0050] Figure 14 This is a view illustrating the state in which the cover member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled into the freezer compartment pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of preferred embodiments of this disclosure, and various modifications may be made to replace the embodiments and drawings in this specification when this disclosure is submitted.

[0052] In the various figures of this application, the same reference numerals or symbols denote parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0053] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to limit and / or restrict this disclosure. For example, singular expressions herein may include plural expressions unless the context clearly specifies otherwise. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0054] It will be understood that while the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second group of components, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component. The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related terms or any one of multiple related terms.

[0055] In this specification, the terms “front end,” “rear end,” “upper part,” “lower part,” “upper end,” and “lower end” used in the following description are defined with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0056] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 Is Figure 2 The image shows a magnified view of a portion of the refrigerator. Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of components of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] The refrigerator 1 may include a main body 10 and a storage compartment 20 disposed within the main body 10.

[0059] The main body 10 may include an outer shell 11 and an inner shell 12 connected to the inside of the outer shell 11. The outer shell 11 may form the exterior of the main body 10. The outer shell 11 may be formed of a metallic material.

[0060] The inner shell 12 can form a storage chamber 20. The storage chamber 20 may include a first storage chamber 21 and a second storage chamber 22. The inner shell 12 can be formed by injection molding of a plastic material. The inner shell 12 may include a first inner shell 13 forming the first storage chamber 21 and a second inner shell 14 forming the second storage chamber 22.

[0061] A heat insulation element 15 can be provided between the outer shell 11 and the inner shell 12. Polyurethane foam insulation can be used as the heat insulation element 15, and vacuum insulation panels can also be used together if necessary.

[0062] The storage room 20 can be configured such that the front of the storage room 20 is open within the main body 10. The open front of the storage room 20 can be opened and closed by a door 30. Multiple shelves 23 and storage boxes 24 are provided inside the storage room 20 for storing food, etc.

[0063] Storage room 20 can be divided into multiple storage rooms by partition wall 17. Storage room 20 may include a first storage room 21 and a second storage room 22.

[0064] The first storage compartment 21 can be used as a freezer compartment 21, which is maintained at a temperature of approximately 0 degrees Celsius to -30 degrees Celsius to store food in a frozen state. The first storage compartment 21 may be referred to as the freezer compartment 21.

[0065] The second storage compartment 22 can be used as a cold storage compartment 22, which is maintained at a temperature of approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius to store food in a refrigerated state. The second storage compartment 22 may be referred to as the cold storage compartment 22.

[0066] The freezer compartment 21 and the refrigerator compartment 22 can be arranged side by side. The refrigerator 1 can be a side-by-side (SBS) type, in which the storage compartment 20 is divided into the left and right sides by the partition wall 17.

[0067] However, the refrigerator according to this disclosure is not limited to this, and may be a bottom-mounted freezer compartment (BMF) type with the refrigerator compartment 22 and freezer compartment 21 respectively located on the upper and lower sides, or a top-mounted freezer compartment (TMF) type with the freezer compartment 21 and refrigerator compartment 22 respectively located on the upper and lower sides. Alternatively, the storage compartment 20 may be divided into three or more storage compartments.

[0068] Door 30 is rotatably connected to body 10 to open and close the opening at the front of storage compartment 20. Multiple door covers capable of storing food and the like can be provided on the rear surface of door 30.

[0069] The freezer compartment 21 and the refrigerator compartment 22 can be opened and closed respectively by a first door 31 and a second door 32 rotatably connected to the main body 10. The first door 31 can be the freezer door 30. The second door 32 can be the refrigerator door 30.

[0070] The inner shell 12 may include a first inner shell 13 forming a first storage chamber 21 and a second inner shell 14 forming a second storage chamber 22. The first inner shell 13 may be a freezer inner shell 13. The second inner shell 14 may be a refrigerator inner shell 14. The freezer inner shell 13 and the refrigerator inner shell 14 may be arranged side by side around the partition wall 17.

[0071] refer to Figure 2 The main body 10 may include a cold air supply device, which is configured to supply cold air to the storage room 20.

[0072] The cold air supply unit may include a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown), and an evaporator E. A machine compartment 26 may be located at the rear lower side of the storage compartment 20, and a compressor C and a condenser (not shown) are provided in the machine compartment 26, the compressor and condenser being configured to compress and condense the compressed refrigerant.

[0073] A circulation path 27 configured to communicate with the machine compartment 26 can be provided in the lower part of the inner shell 13 of the freezer, so that the circulated cold air is introduced into the machine compartment 26.

[0074] Cold air circulating in the freezer compartment 21 via the circulation path 27 can be directed back to the machine compartment 26 to supply cold air to the freezer compartment 21 via the evaporator E.

[0075] Evaporator E can be configured to generate cold air. Evaporator E can be located in freezer compartment 21. Evaporator E, configured to supply cold air to refrigerator compartment 22 and freezer compartment 21, can be located in freezer compartment 21. That is, refrigerator 1 may include a single evaporator E.

[0076] However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and two or more evaporators E may be provided. For example, an evaporator E may be provided in each of the freezer compartment 21 and the refrigerator compartment 22.

[0077] The evaporator E can be located on the lower rear side of the freezer compartment 21. A first cooling flow path 41 can be formed in the space between the rear surface 12a of the inner shell 13 of the freezer compartment and the freezer compartment pipe 50. The evaporator E can be located in the first cooling flow path 41.

[0078] The cold air generated by the evaporator E can move through the first cooling flow path 41. The cold air moving through the first cooling flow path 41 can be guided to the freezer compartment duct 50. The cold air moving through the first cooling flow path 41 can be guided upwards.

[0079] Freezer duct 50 for supplying cold air to freezer compartment 21 can be installed inside freezer compartment 21. Freezer duct 50 can be connected to the inner shell 13 of freezer compartment. Freezer duct 50 can also be a storage compartment duct 50.

[0080] The freezer compartment duct 50 can be configured to distribute cold air supplied from the evaporator E to the freezer compartment 21 and / or the refrigerator compartment 22. The freezer compartment duct 50 can form a flow path to allow the movement of cold air. Multiple flow paths can be provided.

[0081] The freezer compartment 21 may include a storage space 21a for storing food and a cooling space 21b disposed at the rear of the storage space 21a. The storage space 21a and the cooling space 21b may be separated by a freezer compartment pipe 50. The storage space 21a may be formed in front of the freezer compartment pipe 50. The cooling space 21b may be formed within the freezer compartment pipe 50. The cooling space 21b may be formed at the rear of the freezer compartment pipe 50. The cooling space 21b may include a first cooling flow path 41 and / or a second cooling flow path 42.

[0082] The freezer duct 50 can distribute cold air supplied from the cooling space 21b to the storage space 21a. Air in the storage space 21a can be reintroduced into the cooling space 21b through the circulation path 27.

[0083] For convenience, the cooling space 21b of the freezer compartment 21 can be referred to as the freezer compartment in the following text.

[0084] The freezer compartment pipe 50 can be located at the rear of the freezer compartment 21. The freezer compartment pipe 50 can form the rear surface of the freezer compartment 21. Specifically, the freezer compartment pipe 50 can form the rear surface of the cooling space 21b of the freezer compartment 21.

[0085] The freezer compartment 21 can be formed by the inner surface of the inner shell 13 of the freezer compartment and the front surface 50a of the freezer compartment pipe 50. That is, the rear surface of the freezer compartment 21 can be formed by the front surface 50a of the freezer compartment pipe 50, and the side surface of the freezer compartment 21 can be formed by the inner surface of the inner shell 13 of the freezer compartment.

[0086] A blower fan 51 can be installed inside the freezer compartment duct 50. Cold air generated by the evaporator E can be drawn into the freezer compartment duct 50 through the blower fan 51 and discharged into the freezer compartment 21.

[0087] The freezer compartment pipe 50 can form a second cooling flow path 42. This second cooling flow path 42 can extend from the inlet 52 of the freezer compartment pipe 50 to the outlets 54 and 55. The second cooling flow path 42 can be the internal space of the freezer compartment pipe 50.

[0088] The first cooling flow path 41 and the second cooling flow path 42 can be connected. The second cooling flow path 42 can be located downstream of the first cooling flow path 41. Cold air moving along the first cooling flow path 41 can be introduced into the second cooling flow path 42 through the inlet 52 of the freezer duct 50.

[0089] The freezer compartment duct 50 may include outlets 54 and 55. Outlets 54 and 55 may be configured to discharge air moving into the second cooling flow path 42 to the outside of the freezer compartment duct 50. Multiple outlets 54 and 55 may be provided.

[0090] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 Outlets 54 and 55 may include freezer compartment outlet 54. Freezer compartment outlet 54 may be configured to allow cold air to be discharged into freezer compartment 21. Freezer compartment outlet 54 may open toward freezer compartment 21.

[0091] Multiple freezer compartment outlets 54 can be provided. Each freezer compartment outlet 54 may include a first freezer compartment outlet 54a and a second freezer compartment outlet 54b spaced apart from the first freezer compartment outlet 54a. Multiple freezer compartment outlets 54 can be provided vertically.

[0092] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and one, three or more freezer compartment outlets 54 may be provided.

[0093] Outlets 54 and 55 may include a connection outlet 55. The connection outlet 55 may be configured to allow cold air to be discharged into the refrigerator compartment 22. Specifically, a refrigerator compartment duct (not shown) may be provided in the refrigerator compartment 22 to supply cold air, and the connection outlet 55 may be connected to the refrigerator compartment duct (not shown). The connection outlet 55 may be configured to allow air from the freezer compartment duct 50 to be supplied to the refrigerator compartment duct (not shown).

[0094] The refrigerator compartment 22 may not include an evaporator for supplying cold air. Therefore, the refrigerator compartment 22 can be maintained at a low temperature when the cold air generated by the evaporator E, which is connected to the freezer compartment duct 50, is introduced into the refrigerator compartment duct (not shown) through the freezer compartment duct 50 and then discharged from the refrigerator compartment duct (not shown).

[0095] A damper 67, configured to open and close the connection outlet 55, can be installed in the freezer compartment duct 50. The damper 67 can selectively allow or prevent cold air from the freezer compartment duct 50 from being introduced into the refrigerator compartment duct (not shown). The damper 67 can be installed within the freezer compartment duct 50.

[0096] refer to Figures 2 to 4 The refrigerator 1 may include an ice maker 80. The ice maker 80 may be configured to make ice.

[0097] An ice maker 80 may be installed in the freezer compartment 21. The ice maker 80 may be installed in the approximate central part of the freezer compartment 21.

[0098] Ice maker 80 can use cold air in freezer compartment 21 to make ice. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and ice maker 80 can be located in another position in storage compartment 20, as long as it can make ice.

[0099] For example, the ice maker 80 can be located in the refrigerator compartment 22 or in a separate ice-making compartment (not shown).

[0100] Ice maker 80 may include ice tray 81. Ice tray 81 can make ice by receiving water from water supply pipe 90.

[0101] refer to Figure 4 Multiple ice trays 81 can be installed in the refrigerator 1. The ice trays 81 may include a first ice tray 81a and a second ice tray 81b.

[0102] The first ice-making tray 81a and the second ice-making tray 81b can be arranged side by side.

[0103] The first ice-making tray 81a and the second ice-making tray 81b can be configured to produce ice blocks with different shapes from each other. Therefore, the user can select the desired type of ice from either the first ice-making tray 81a or the second ice-making tray 81b.

[0104] However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and one ice-making tray 81 may be provided, or three or more ice-making trays 81 may be provided.

[0105] The refrigerator 1 may include a water supply pipe 90. The water supply pipe 90 can direct water supplied from an external water source (not shown) to the ice tray 81. The water supply pipe 90 can penetrate the outer shell 11 and the inner shell 12 and is configured to point towards the storage compartment 20.

[0106] The water supply pipe 90 may be formed of a metallic material. The water supply pipe 90 may include an insulation element (not shown) or a heater (not shown).

[0107] Multiple water supply pipes 90 can be installed in the refrigerator 1. The water supply pipes 90 may include a first water supply pipe 90a configured to supply water to a first ice-making tray 81a, and a second water supply pipe 90b configured to supply water to a second ice-making tray 81b. The first water supply pipe 90a and the second water supply pipe 90b may be arranged side by side.

[0108] However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and one, three or more water supply pipes 90 may be provided. The number of water supply pipes 90 may correspond to the number of ice-making trays 81.

[0109] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The water supply pipe 90 can be configured to point towards the freezer compartment 21. The water supply pipe 90 can be located on the side of the freezer compartment 21. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the water supply pipe 90 can be located in another position, as long as it can supply water to the ice maker 80.

[0110] The water supply pipe 90 can be located above the evaporator E. The water supply pipe 90 can be located below the blower fan 51. The water supply pipe 90 can be configured to avoid components inside the refrigerator 1.

[0111] The water supply pipe 90 can be configured to slope downwards from the outer casing 11 toward the freezer compartment 21. The water supply pipe 90 can also be configured to slope downwards toward the front. The water supply pipe 90 can be inserted from the upper part of the rear surface of the refrigerator 1 and is configured to slope toward the central part of the storage compartment 20. Therefore, water in the water supply pipe 90 can be guided to move to the ice tray 81.

[0112] The water supply pipe 90 can penetrate the main body 10. The water supply pipe 90 can penetrate the outer shell 11, the insulation 15, the inner shell 12, and the freezer compartment pipe 50. One end of the water supply pipe 90 that penetrates the freezer compartment pipe 50 can be exposed inside the freezer compartment 21.

[0113] The water supply pipe 90 may pass through the first cooling flow path 41. At least a portion of the water supply pipe 90 may be configured to pass through the first cooling flow path 41.

[0114] The water supply pipe 90 may pass through the second cooling flow path 42. At least a portion of the water supply pipe 90 may be configured to pass through the second cooling flow path 42.

[0115] refer to Figure 4 The freezer compartment pipe 50 may include a through hole 70 through which a water supply pipe 90 may pass. The through hole 70 may be a hole formed in the freezer compartment pipe 50. The through hole 70 may be a hole that penetrates both the front and rear surfaces of the freezer compartment pipe 50.

[0116] Refrigerator 1 may include a cover member 100. The cover member 100 may be connected to the freezer compartment pipe 50. The cover member 100 may cover the through hole 70.

[0117] The cover member 100 can be configured to fix the position of the water supply pipe 90. The cover member 100 can be configured to seal the through hole 70.

[0118] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the freezer compartment piping according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 This is an enlarged perspective view of the freezer compartment piping according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 This is an enlarged perspective view of a freezer compartment pipe with a cover assembly mounted thereon, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] The freezer compartment pipe 50 may include a pipe plate 61 and a pipe cover 65 disposed behind the pipe plate 61.

[0120] The pipe plate 61 may include a front surface 61a of the pipe plate that forms the rear surface of the storage space 21a of the freezer compartment 21. The pipe plate 61 may also be the front surface 50a of the freezer compartment pipe 50.

[0121] The freezer duct 50 may include a freezer duct insulation 61b disposed after the duct plate 61a.

[0122] The freezer compartment piping insulation 61b may include expandable polystyrene (EPS) material. The freezer compartment piping insulation 61b may be disposed between the pipe plate 61 and the pipe cover 65.

[0123] The pipe plate 61 and the freezer compartment pipe insulation 61b can be connected to each other. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pipe plate 61 and the freezer compartment pipe insulation 61b can be integrally formed.

[0124] The pipe cover 65 can be connected to the pipe plate 61 to form the internal space of the freezer pipe 50. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pipe cover 65 and the pipe plate 61 can be formed integrally.

[0125] The blower fan 51 can be installed inside the freezer compartment duct 50. The damper 67 can be installed inside the freezer compartment duct 50.

[0126] The second cooling flow path 42 through which air moves can be formed in the internal space of the freezer duct 50.

[0127] Inlet 52 may be formed on duct cover 65. Inlet 52 may be configured to allow air to be introduced into the freezer duct 50. Inlet 52 may be configured to allow cold air to flow from the first cooling path 41 to the second cooling path 42. Inlet 52 may be configured to allow the blower fan 51 to draw in air.

[0128] The inlet 52 can be configured to correspond to the shape of the blower 51. The inlet 52 can be configured to have a substantially circular shape.

[0129] The freezer compartment outlet 54 can be formed on the pipe plate 61. The freezer compartment outlet 54 can be formed to extend to the left and right.

[0130] The first freezer compartment outlet 54a is located on the upper portion of the duct plate 61, allowing cold air to be supplied to the upper portion of the freezer compartment 21. The second freezer compartment outlet 54b can be located below the first freezer compartment outlet 54a.

[0131] The duct cover 65 may include a damper housing 66 extending behind the duct cover 65 to cover a damper 67, and the damper housing 66 having a shape substantially similar in appearance to the damper 67. The damper 67 may be accommodated within the damper housing 66.

[0132] The damper housing 66 may be integrally formed with the pipe cover 65. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto; the damper housing 66 may be configured to be separate from the pipe cover 65, or it may be configured to be connected to the pipe cover 65.

[0133] Connection outlet 55 can be formed in pipe cover 65. Connection outlet 55 can be formed on damper housing 66. Connection outlet 55 can be positioned adjacent to damper 67.

[0134] The freezer compartment piping 50 may include an isolation plate 68. The isolation plate 68 may be disposed below the pipe plate 61 and / or the pipe cover 65. The isolation plate 68 may be connected to the pipe plate 61 and / or the pipe cover 65. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the freezer compartment piping 50 may be formed as a single unit.

[0135] The partition plate 68 can form the rear surface of the freezer compartment 21 together with the pipe plate 61.

[0136] The partition plate 68 can be configured together with the pipe cover 65 to form a first cooling flow path 41. The first cooling flow path 41 can be formed by the rear surface 12a of the inner shell 12 of the freezer compartment and the rear surface of the freezer compartment pipe 50 (see...). Figure 2 )form.

[0137] The freezer compartment pipe 50 may include through holes 70. Through holes 70 may include pipe plate through holes 71a and 71b formed on the pipe plate 61, and pipe cover through holes 72a and 72b formed on the pipe cover 65. The pipe plate through holes 71a and 71b and the pipe cover through holes 72a and 72b may be formed at corresponding positions to each other.

[0138] The pipe plate through holes 71a and 71b can be configured to connect the internal space of the freezer compartment 21 and the second cooling flow path 42. The storage space 21a of the freezer compartment 21 and the internal space of the freezer compartment pipe 50 can be connected to each other through the pipe plate through holes 71a and 71b.

[0139] The pipe cover through holes 72a and 72b can be configured to connect the second cooling flow path 42 and the first cooling flow path 41. The internal space of the freezer pipe 50 and the cooling space 21b of the freezer 21 located after the freezer pipe 50 can be connected to each other through the pipe cover through holes 72a and 72b.

[0140] Multiple through holes 70 can be provided. The through holes 70 may include a first through hole 70a and a second through hole 70b. A first water supply pipe 90a can pass through the first through hole 70a, and a second water supply pipe 90b can pass through the second through hole 70b. The first through hole 70a and the second through hole 70b can be provided in a left-right direction.

[0141] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and one, three or more through holes 70 may be provided. The number of through holes 70 may be set to correspond to the number of water supply pipes 90.

[0142] The through hole 70 can have a substantially rectangular shape. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the through hole 70 can be configured in various shapes such as a circular shape.

[0143] The through hole 70 can be formed to be equal to or greater than the diameter of the water supply pipe 90.

[0144] The freezer compartment pipe 50 may include a wire receiving portion 73. The wire receiving portion 73 may be configured to receive a wire connected to the ice maker 80. The wire receiving portion 73 may be located between a first through hole 70a and a second through hole 70b.

[0145] An electrical wire (not shown) can be inserted from the inner shell 13 of the freezer compartment into one side of the freezer compartment pipe 50 and disposed between the pipe plate 61 and the freezer compartment pipe insulation 61b. The electrical wire (not shown) can be connected to the ice maker 80 disposed in the freezer compartment 21 through a hole formed in the wire receiving portion 73.

[0146] The cover component 100 can be positioned in front of the freezer compartment pipe 50.

[0147] refer to Figure 6 The cover member 100 may include a body portion 110 and a cover portion 120 disposed in front of the body portion 110. The body portion 110 and the cover portion 120 may be connected to each other. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cover member 100 may be integrally formed. The body portion 110 and the cover portion 120 may be integrally formed.

[0148] The body portion 110 and / or the cover portion 120 may include expandable polystyrene (EPS) material.

[0149] The body portion 110 can be configured to seal the through holes 71a and 71b of the pipe plate. The body portion 110 can be configured in a block shape.

[0150] The body portion 110 may include a connecting protrusion 113 configured to connect to the freezer compartment pipe 50. The connecting protrusion 113 may be formed as a protrusion. A plurality of connecting protrusions 113 may be provided in the body portion 100.

[0151] The body portion 110 may include a first body portion 110a configured to seal the first through hole 70a and a second body portion 110b configured to close the second through hole 70b.

[0152] The first body part 110a and the second body part 110b can be arranged side by side. The first body part 110a and the second body part 110b can be spaced apart from each other.

[0153] The first body portion 110a may include an upper first body portion 111a and a lower first body portion 112a that can be separated from the upper first body portion 111a. The second body portion 110b may include an upper second body portion 111b and a lower second body portion 112b that can be separated from the upper second body portion 111b.

[0154] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first body portion 110a and / or the second body portion 110b may be integrally formed.

[0155] The cover member 100 may include a cover portion 120. The cover portion 120 may be configured to cover the body portion 110. The cover portion 120 may be configured to cover a first body portion 110a and / or a second body portion 110b.

[0156] The cover portion 120 can extend to the left or right. The cover portion 120 can be configured into a plate shape.

[0157] The cover portion 120 may include hooks 123 configured to connect to the freezer compartment pipe 50. Multiple hooks 123 may be provided on the cover portion 120. The hooks 123 may be located at the ends of the cover portion.

[0158] The cover portion 120 may include an upper cover portion 121 and a lower cover portion 122 that is separable from the upper cover portion.

[0159] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cover portion 120 may be integrally formed.

[0160] The cover portion 120 may include a wire through-hole 124. The wire through-hole 124 may be formed to allow a wire configured to supply power to the ice maker 80 to pass through the wire through-hole.

[0161] The wire through-hole 124 can be formed approximately at the center of the cover portion 120. The wire through-hole 124 can be provided between the first body portion 110a and the second body portion 110b.

[0162] The wire through-hole 124 can extend to the left or right. The wire through-hole 124 can have a substantially rectangular shape. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the wire through-hole 124 can have various shapes such as a circular shape.

[0163] refer to Figure 7 The body portion 110 and the cover portion 120 can be connected to each other. The body portion 110 and the cover portion 120 can be integrally formed.

[0164] The cover member 100 may include an upper cover member 101 and a lower cover member 102 that can be separated from the upper cover member 101. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cover member 100 may be integrally formed.

[0165] The upper cover component 101 may include an upper first body part 111a, an upper second body part 111b and an upper cover part 121.

[0166] The lower cover component 102 may include a lower first body portion 112a, a lower second body portion 112b, and a lower cover portion 122.

[0167] The cover component 100 may include expandable polystyrene (EPS) material.

[0168] refer to Figure 8 The pipe plate 61 may include a receiving portion 63 capable of accommodating the body portion 110. The receiving portion 63 may be formed to be recessed rearward to accommodate the body portion 110. The receiving portion 63 may be positioned adjacent to the pipe plate through holes 71a and 71b. The receiving portion 63 may be formed to surround the through hole 70. The body portion 110 may be disposed on the receiving portion 63. The body portion 110 may be inserted into the through hole 70.

[0169] The receiving portion 63 may include a connecting groove 64, which is configured such that the body portion 110 is connected to the connecting groove 64. The connecting groove 64 may be configured to correspond to a connecting protrusion 113 of the body portion 110.

[0170] The pipe plate 61 may include a connecting hole 62, which is configured to allow the cover portion 120 to be connected to the connecting hole 62. The connecting hole 62 may be configured to correspond to a hook 123 of the cover portion 120. Multiple connecting holes 62 may be provided in the vertical direction and the left-up direction.

[0171] refer to Figure 9 The cover member 100 may include a cover member hole 130. The cover member hole 130 may be configured to allow a water supply pipe 90 to pass through the cover member hole 130. The cover member hole 130 may be configured to correspond to the position of a through hole 70 of the freezer compartment pipe 50.

[0172] Multiple cover member holes 130 can be provided. The cover member holes 130 may include a first cover member hole 130a and a second cover member hole 130b. The first cover member hole 130a is configured to allow a first water supply pipe 90a to pass through it, and the second cover member hole 130b is configured to allow a second water supply pipe 90b to pass through it. The first cover member hole 130a and the second cover member hole 130b may correspond to a first through hole 70a and a second through hole 70b, respectively.

[0173] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and one, three or more cover member holes 130 may be provided.

[0174] Figure 10 This is a view illustrating the state of the cover member before it is assembled into the freezer compartment pipes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 This is a view illustrating the state in which the cover member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled into the freezer compartment pipe.

[0175] refer to Figure 10 The water supply pipe 90 can be configured to penetrate the freezer compartment pipe 50. The through hole 70 is configured to penetrate the freezer compartment 21 and the first cooling flow path 41, so that cold air in the first cooling flow path 41 can be introduced into the freezer compartment 21 through the through hole 70. Conversely, cold air in the freezer compartment 21 can be introduced into the first cooling flow path 41.

[0176] refer to Figure 11To prevent cold air from being introduced into the first cooling flow path 41 and into the freezer compartment 21, the cover member 100 can be connected to the through hole 70. The connecting protrusion 113 of the body portion 110 can be connected to the connecting groove 64 of the receiving portion 63 of the pipe plate 61, and the hook 123 of the cover portion 120 can be connected to the connecting hole 62 of the pipe plate 61.

[0177] The user can connect the cover component 100 from the front of the freezer compartment pipe 50. Therefore, it is convenient to assemble the cover component 100.

[0178] The user can first connect the upper cover component 101 so that the cover component hole 130 corresponds to the position of the water supply pipe 90, and then connect the lower cover component 102. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the sequence and method of assembling the upper cover component 101 and the lower cover component 102 can be implemented in various ways.

[0179] The cover member hole 130 of the cover member 100 can be formed to be smaller than the size of the through hole 70. The cover member hole 130 can be formed to correspond to the diameter of the water supply pipe 90. The cover member 100 can prevent the movement of cold air between the first cooling flow path 41 and the freezer compartment 21 by sealing the gap between the through hole 70 and the water supply pipe 90. Therefore, malfunctions of the refrigerator's cooling system can be prevented.

[0180] The water supply pipe 90 can be configured to slope downward toward the storage chamber 20. The cover member hole 130 is formed to correspond to the size of the water supply pipe 90, thereby fixing the position of the water supply pipe 90.

[0181] Figure 12 This is a view illustrating the state in which the cover member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled into the freezer compartment pipe.

[0182] The cover member 100 can be connected in the left-right direction. The cover member 100 may include a first side cover member 103, a second side cover member 105, and an intermediate cover member 104 disposed between the first side cover member 103 and the second side cover member 105. (Further details omitted.)

[0183] Figure 13 This is a view illustrating the state in which the cover member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled into the freezer compartment pipe.

[0184] A water supply pipe 90 can be provided. For example, an ice maker 80 can be provided with an ice tray 81, and therefore a water supply pipe 90 can also be provided for supplying water to the ice tray 81. Alternatively, although two or more ice trays 81 are provided, a water supply pipe 90 can be provided for supplying water to multiple ice trays 81.

[0185] The water supply pipe 90 may be positioned to pass approximately through the center of the freezer compartment pipe 50. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0186] A through hole 70 may be provided. The through hole 70 may be formed at the location where the water supply pipe 90 is provided. The through hole 70 may be provided approximately at the center of the freezer compartment pipe 50. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0187] The cover member 100 can be connected vertically. The cover member 100 may include an upper cover member 101 and a lower cover member 102. A cover member hole 130 may be provided. The cover member hole 130 may be configured to correspond to the position of the water supply pipe 90 and / or the through hole 70. (Further details omitted.)

[0188] Figure 14 This is a view illustrating the state in which the cover member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled into the freezer compartment pipe.

[0189] The cover member 100 can be connected in the left-right direction. The cover member 100 may include a first side cover member 103 and a second side cover member 105. (Further details omitted.)

[0190] Figures 12 to 14 The embodiments can be related to Figures 1 to 10 Examples of the embodiments are combined.

[0191] Specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of this disclosure as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: main body; The freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are located within the main body; An evaporator configured to supply cold air to the freezer compartment; Freezer duct, which is disposed in the freezer to supply cold air generated by the evaporator to the freezer; A first cooling flow path is formed after the freezer compartment piping, wherein the evaporator is disposed in the first cooling flow path; A second cooling flow path is formed within the freezer compartment duct, such that air passing through the first cooling flow path moves into the freezer compartment; An ice maker, wherein the ice maker is disposed within the main body; A water supply pipe, the water supply pipe being configured to pass through the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path to point towards the ice maker; as well as A cover component, the cover component being connected to the freezer compartment piping, The freezer compartment piping includes: A pipe plate that forms the front surface of the freezer compartment pipes; A pipe cover, the pipe cover being connected to the rear side of the pipe plate to form a second cooling flow path; and A through-hole is provided on the pipe plate and the pipe cover to allow the water supply pipe to pass through the through-hole, and The cover member is connected to the front side of the duct plate to prevent air movement between the first cooling flow path and the freezer chamber, and the cover member is configured to cover the through hole. 2.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, The cover member includes a cover member hole configured to allow the water supply pipe to pass through the cover member hole, and The hole in the cover member is formed to correspond to the diameter of the water supply pipe in order to fix the water supply pipe. 3.The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The cover component includes: The body portion is configured to seal the through hole; and A cover portion, which is disposed in front of the body portion and connected to the pipe plate.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein, The cover portion includes a wire through-hole configured to allow a wire configured to supply power to the ice maker to pass through it. 5.The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein, The through hole includes: A pipe cover through-hole is formed on the pipe cover to connect the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path; and A through-hole is formed on the pipe plate to connect the second cooling flow path and the internal space of the freezer chamber. 6.The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein, The pipe plate includes a receiving portion that is configured adjacent to a through hole in the pipe plate and is recessed to receive the body portion.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein, The receiving portion includes a connecting groove, the connecting groove being configured such that the body portion is connected to the connecting groove, and The body portion includes a connecting protrusion configured to correspond to the connecting groove.

8. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein, The pipe plate includes a connection hole configured to allow the cover portion to be connected to the connection hole, and The cover portion includes a hook configured to correspond to the connecting hole. 9.The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein, The ice maker includes a first ice-making tray and a second ice-making tray, which are configured to produce ice blocks with different shapes from each other. The water supply pipe includes a first water supply pipe disposed to supply water to the first ice-making tray and a second water supply pipe disposed to supply water to the second ice-making tray, The through hole includes a first through hole disposed to allow the first water supply pipe to pass therethrough and a second through hole disposed to allow the second water supply pipe to pass therethrough, and The body portion includes a first body portion disposed to cover the first through hole and a second body portion disposed to cover the second through hole. 10.The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein, The first body portion and the second body portion are disposed to be spaced apart from each other. 11.The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein, The cover portion includes an upper cover portion and a lower cover portion separable from the upper cover portion. 12.The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a blowing fan disposed within the freezing chamber duct to generate flow in the first cooling flow path and the second cooling flow path, wherein The cover member is disposed below the blowing fan. 13.The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The cover member is disposed above the evaporator. 14.The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The cover member includes an expandable polystyrene (EPS) material. 15.The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The water supply pipe is disposed to be inclined downward toward the freezing chamber.

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