Refrigerator using water-cooled condenser

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator using a water-cooled condenser.SOLUTION: The refrigerator using a water-cooled condenser includes: a cabinet constituting a storage space; an evaporator configured to receive a supplied refrigerant and evaporate the supplied refrigerant to cool the storage space of the cabinet; a compressor connected to the evaporator to receive the refrigerant supplied from the evaporator and compress the refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure; a water-cooled condenser connected to the compressor to receive the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant supplied from the compressor, cool the supplied refrigerant using cooling water to liquefy the refrigerant, and to supply the liquefied refrigerant to the evaporator; and expansion means provided between the evaporator and the water-cooled condenser, and configured to lower an internal pressure of the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser to the evaporator, so that the refrigerant may evaporate in the evaporator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator using a water-cooled condenser.

Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator is a device generally used for cooling foods, medicines, etc., storing them at a low temperature so as not to spoil, and cooling food and drink. In recent years, it has been widely used to the extent that every household has one.

[0003] In such a refrigerator, an internal space for storing foods, beverages, etc. is formed, and it is known to use a refrigerant to cool the internal space. A compressor that compresses the refrigerant so that the internal space is cooled using the refrigerant, a condenser that cools and condenses the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor, a capillary tube as an expansion device that expands the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, and the refrigerant that has passed through the capillary tube are provided on the internal space side of the refrigerator, and an evaporator that realizes cooling of the internal space by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the internal space are known to be provided.

[0004] Generally, in a refrigerator, an air-cooled condenser that cools the refrigerant using air is generally used as the condenser described above.

[0005] On the other hand, in recent years, as consumers' interest in the living room, dining space, and kitchen has increased, the preference for built-in home appliance products in the form of kitchen appliances such as refrigerators being incorporated into the interior of the wall to increase space utilization has been rapidly increasing.

[0006] However, when incorporating the refrigerator using the air-cooled condenser described above into the wall, there is a problem that the space between the refrigerator and the wall becomes narrow and the air flow is restricted. As a result, after cooling the condenser, the heated air cannot be sufficiently discharged to the outside and is confined in the aforementioned space, causing the heat release pressure of the refrigerant in the condenser to rise, imposing an additional load on the compressor and resulting in additional electrical energy consumption, thereby reducing the energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

[0007] In addition, as household dust flows into the space between the refrigerator and the wall over time, and since the inflowing dust is difficult to escape to the outside, it accumulates between the refrigerator and the wall. As the accumulated dust hinders the air transfer to the condenser and reduces the heat transfer performance of the condenser, there is a problem that the energy efficiency further decreases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The present invention is for solving such problems, and its object is to provide a refrigerator using a water-cooled condenser so as to prevent a reduction in energy efficiency caused by cooling the refrigerant in an air-cooled manner.

[0010] The object of the present invention is not limited to the above object, and another object not described above will be clearly understood from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] To achieve the above object, a refrigerator using a water-cooled condenser according to an aspect of the present invention includes a cabinet that forms a storage space, an evaporator that receives a supply of refrigerant and evaporates the supplied refrigerant to cool the storage space of the cabinet, a compressor connected to the evaporator that receives a supply of refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses it at a high temperature and high pressure, a water-cooled condenser connected to the compressor that receives a supply of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor, cools the supplied refrigerant using water to liquefy it, and supplies the liquefied refrigerant to the evaporator, and expansion means provided between the evaporator and the water-cooled condenser that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser to the evaporator so that it can evaporate in the evaporator.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] The refrigerator using the water-cooled condenser according to the embodiment of the present invention with the above-described configuration has the following effects.

[0013] By cooling the refrigerant using cooling water instead of air, when the refrigerator is used in a built-in form, it is possible to prevent the problem that the heated air between the refrigerator and the external structure is not sufficiently discharged to the external space or the energy efficiency is reduced by living dust.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] The advantages, features, and the method of achieving them of the present invention will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail hereinafter together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be realized in various different forms. However, the present embodiment is merely provided to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains of the scope of the invention. On the other hand, the terms used in this specification are for explaining the embodiments and do not limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form as well, unless otherwise specified in the context.

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a refrigerator using a water-cooled condenser according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0017] A refrigerator using a water-cooled condenser according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a cabinet 100, an evaporator 200, a compressor 300, a water-cooled condenser 400, an expansion means 500, and a branch valve 600.

[0018] The evaporator 200, the compressor 300, the water-cooled condenser 400, and the expansion means 500 can be connected via a transfer pipe 700 such as a pipe, and the refrigerant can be transferred by flowing inside the transfer pipe 700.

[0019] The cabinet 100 can form a storage space.

[0020] The cabinet 100 can generally form a space for storing articles such as food and beverages, such as a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber provided in a refrigerator.

[0021] A plurality of cabinets 100 may be provided. For example, it can include a first cabinet 110 in which a storage space is formed, and a second cabinet 120 in which a storage space for storing articles to be stored at a temperature relatively lower than that of the first cabinet 110 is formed.

[0022] The evaporator 200 can receive the supply of refrigerant from the outside and evaporate the refrigerant so as to cool the storage space of the cabinet 100.

[0023] The evaporator 200 can receive the supply of the refrigerant discharged from the water-cooled condenser 400 and passing through the expansion means 500, and can evaporate the refrigerant passing through the expansion means 500 so as to cool the storage space of the cabinet 100.

[0024] The evaporator 200 can include a first evaporator 210, a second evaporator 220, and an evaporator fan 230.

[0025] The first evaporator 210 can be provided in the first cabinet 110, receive the supply of refrigerant from the outside, and evaporate the supplied refrigerant so as to cool the storage space of the first cabinet 110.

[0026] The second evaporator 220 can be provided in the second cabinet 120, receive the supply of refrigerant from the outside, and evaporate the supplied refrigerant so as to cool the storage space of the second cabinet 120.

[0027] The other ends of the first evaporator 210 and the second evaporator 220 can be connected to the first capillary tube 510 and the second capillary tube 520 via the transfer pipe 700 respectively, and can receive the supply of the refrigerant passing through the first capillary tube 510 and the second capillary tube 520 via the transfer pipe 700 connected to the other ends.

[0028] The transfer pipe 700 can be connected to one end of each of the first evaporator 210 and the second evaporator 220, and the refrigerant can be discharged via the transfer pipe 700 connected to one end.

[0029] The evaporator fan 230 can be provided inside the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 120 respectively, and can blow the air in the storage space of the first cabinet 110 and the storage space of the second cabinet 120 to the evaporator 200.

[0030] The evaporator fan 230 can be provided in the first cabinet 110 to blow the air inside the first cabinet 110 toward the first evaporator 210, and can be provided in the second cabinet 120 to blow the air inside the second cabinet 120 toward the second evaporator 220.

[0031] The compressor 300 can be connected to the evaporator 200 and receive the supply of refrigerant from the evaporator 200 and compress it.

[0032] The compressor 300 can compress the refrigerant that has evaporated after passing through the evaporator 200 so that it becomes in a relatively high-temperature and high-pressure state.

[0033] When the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 200 passes through the compressor 300 and is compressed, it can become in a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state.

[0034] The compressor 300 is connected to the transfer pipe 700 connected to one end of the first evaporator 210 and the transfer pipe 700 connected to one end of the second evaporator 220, and can receive the supply of the refrigerant discharged from the first evaporator 210 and the second evaporator 220 and compress it.

[0035] The water-cooled condenser 400 can be connected to the compressor 300, receive the supply of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 300, cool and liquefy the supplied refrigerant using cooling water, and supply the liquefied refrigerant to the evaporator 200.

[0036] The water-cooled condenser 400 can have a structure in which a plurality of plates 430 are alternately stacked, receive the supply of refrigerant from the compressor 300, receive the supply of cooling water from the outside, and cool and liquefy the refrigerant using the supplied cooling water.

[0037] The water-cooled condenser 400 can include an upper plate 410, a lower plate 420, a plate 430, a refrigerant supply pipe 440, a refrigerant discharge pipe 450, a cooling water supply pipe 460, and a cooling water discharge pipe 470.

[0038] The upper plate 410 can be connected to a refrigerant supply pipe 440, a refrigerant discharge pipe 450, a cooling water supply pipe 460, and a cooling water discharge pipe 470.

[0039] The upper plate 410 can be such that the upper part on one side is connected to the refrigerant supply pipe 440, and a first refrigerant passage hole 411 for the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant supply pipe 440 to pass through is formed at the lower part on the other side.

[0040] The upper plate 410 can be such that the upper part on the other side is connected to the refrigerant discharge pipe 450, and a second refrigerant passage hole 412 for the refrigerant that has passed through the flow path formed by the plate 430 to pass through is formed at the upper part on the other side.

[0041] The refrigerant that has passed through the second refrigerant passage hole 412 can be supplied to the refrigerant discharge pipe 450.

[0042] The upper plate 410 can be such that the lower part on the other side is connected to the cooling water supply pipe 460, and the cooling water supplied from the outside is supplied to the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430.

[0043] The upper plate 410 can be such that a first cooling water passage hole 413 is formed at the upper part on one side so that the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply pipe 460 can be supplied to the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430.

[0044] The cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply pipe 460 can pass through the first cooling water passage hole 413 and be supplied to the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430.

[0045] The upper plate 410 can be such that the cooling water discharge pipe 470 is connected to the lower part on one side so that the cooling water that has passed through the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430 can be discharged to the outside.

[0046] At the lower part of one side of the upper plate 410, a second cooling water passage hole 414 can be formed so that the cooling water passing through the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430 can be supplied to the cooling water discharge pipe 470.

[0047] The cooling water passing through the second cooling water passage hole 414 can be supplied to the cooling water discharge pipe 470 and discharged to the outside.

[0048] The lower plate 420 can be positioned relatively lower than the upper plate 410.

[0049] The upper plate 410, the plurality of plates 430, and the lower plate 420 can be connected to each other.

[0050] A plurality of plates 430 may be provided between the upper plate 410 and the lower plate 420.

[0051] The plates 430 are provided so as to be spaced apart from each other, and may form a flow path through which the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant supply pipe 440 and the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply pipe 460 pass.

[0052] In the plate 430, a third refrigerant passage hole 431 through which the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant supply pipe 440 passes and a third cooling water passage hole 433 through which the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply pipe 460 passes can be formed.

[0053] One end of the refrigerant supply pipe 440 is connected to the compressor 300, and the other end is connected to the upper part of one side of the upper plate 410, so that the refrigerant passing through the compressor 300 can be supplied to the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430.

[0054] The refrigerant passing through the compressor 300 can pass through the refrigerant supply pipe 440, then pass through the first refrigerant passage hole 411, and be supplied to the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430.

[0055] One end of the refrigerant discharge pipe 450 may be connected to the upper part on the other side of the upper plate 410, and the other end may be connected to the expansion means 500 so that the refrigerant passing between the plurality of plates 430 is supplied to the expansion means 500.

[0056] The refrigerant discharge pipe 450 may be configured such that the refrigerant passing through the second refrigerant passage hole 412 is supplied to the expansion means 500.

[0057] The refrigerant supply pipe 440 may be a transfer pipe 700 that connects the compressor 300 and the water-cooled condenser 400, and the refrigerant discharge pipe 450 may be a transfer pipe 700 that connects the expansion means 500 and the water-cooled condenser.

[0058] One end of the cooling water supply pipe 460 may be connected to the lower part on the other side of the upper plate 410 so that the cooling water supplied from the outside is supplied between the plurality of plates 430.

[0059] The other end of the cooling water supply pipe 460 may be connected to a water pipe that is already installed and through which tap water flows, receive the supply of tap water from the water pipe, and supply the supplied tap water as cooling water to the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430. One end of the cooling water discharge pipe 470 may be connected to the aforementioned water pipe, and the other end may be connected to the upper plate 410 so that the tap water as the cooling water passing through the flow path formed between the plurality of plates 430 is supplied to the water pipe.

[0060] That is, the refrigerator using the water-cooled condenser according to an embodiment of the present invention uses tap water as the cooling water, but by supplying the tap water used as the cooling water back to the water pipe again, the cooling of the refrigerant can be efficiently performed without incurring separate costs.

[0061] The water-cooled condenser 400 can be formed such that a plurality of plates 430 are provided spaced apart from each other, thereby defining a refrigerant passage flow path through which refrigerant from the refrigerant supply pipe 440 passes and a cooling water passage flow path through which cooling water from the cooling water supply pipe 460 passes, and the two are separated from each other inside.

[0062] The refrigerant passage flow path and the cooling water passage flow path formed inside the water-cooled condenser 400 are separated from each other by the plates 430, but can be formed adjacent to each other so that the refrigerant from the refrigerant supply pipe 440 and the cooling water from the cooling water supply pipe 460 can exchange heat with each other.

[0063] The water-cooled condenser 400 can supply the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant supply pipe 440 to the refrigerant passage flow path and supply the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply pipe 460 to the cooling water passage flow path.

[0064] The plates 430 separate the refrigerant passage flow path and the cooling water passage flow path from each other, but can be formed of a material with high thermal conductivity so that heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant passage flow path and the cooling water passing through the cooling water passage flow path.

[0065] The plates 430 can be formed with a third refrigerant passage hole 431 through which the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant supply pipe 440 and passing through the first refrigerant passage hole 411 passes, and a fourth refrigerant passage hole 432 through which the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant passage flow path passes.

[0066] The third refrigerant passage hole 431 can be formed in the plate 430 so as to communicate with the first refrigerant passage hole 411.

[0067] The fourth refrigerant passage hole 432 can be formed in the plate 430 so as to communicate with the second refrigerant passage hole 412, and the refrigerant passing through the fourth refrigerant passage hole 432 can pass through the second refrigerant passage hole 412 and be discharged to the refrigerant discharge pipe 450.

[0068] The plate 430 can form a third cooling water passage hole 433 through which the refrigerant supplied from the cooling water supply pipe 460 and passing through the first cooling water passage hole 413 passes, and can form a fourth cooling water passage hole 434 through which the cooling water passing through the cooling water passage flows.

[0069] The third cooling water passage hole 433 can be formed in the plate 430 so as to communicate with the first cooling water passage hole 413.

[0070] The fourth cooling water passage hole 434 can be formed in the plate 430 so as to communicate with the second cooling water passage hole 414, and the cooling water passing through the fourth cooling water passage hole 434 can pass through the second cooling water passage hole 414 and be discharged to the cooling water discharge pipe 470.

[0071] The expansion means 500 is provided between the evaporator 200 and the water-cooled condenser 400, receives the supply of the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser 400 so that the refrigerant passing through the water-cooled condenser 400 can evaporate in the evaporator 200, and can reduce the internal pressure of the refrigerant.

[0072] The expansion means 500 can reduce the internal pressure of the refrigerant by expanding the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser 400.

[0073] After the refrigerant passing through the compressor 300 passes through the water-cooled condenser 400 and liquefies, and then passes through the expansion means 500 and the internal pressure decreases, the refrigerant takes heat from the air in the storage space of the cabinet 100 in the evaporator 200 and vaporizes, so that the storage space of the cabinet 100 can be cooled.

[0074] The expansion means 500 can include a first capillary tube 510 and a second capillary tube 520.

[0075] The first capillary tube 510 is provided between the water-cooled condenser 400 and the first evaporator 210, and can reduce the internal pressure of the refrigerant by causing the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser 400 to expand so that the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser 400 can evaporate in the first evaporator 210.

[0076] The second capillary tube 520 is provided between the water-cooled condenser 400 and the second evaporator 220, and the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser 400 to the second evaporator 220 is expanded so that the refrigerant can evaporate in the second evaporator 220, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the refrigerant.

[0077] The refrigerant that has passed through the first capillary tube 510 and the second capillary tube 520 can be supplied to the first evaporator 210 and the second evaporator 220, respectively. For this purpose, the first evaporator 210 and the first capillary tube 510 can be connected to the transfer pipe 700, and the second evaporator 220 and the second capillary tube 520 can be connected to the transfer pipe 700.

[0078] A branch valve 600 can be provided between the expansion means 500 and the water-cooled condenser 400 so that the refrigerant that has passed through the water-cooled condenser 400 can be branched and supplied to the first capillary tube 510 and the second capillary tube 520, respectively.

[0079] The branch valve 600 is provided between the first capillary tube 510 and the second capillary tube 520 and the water-cooled condenser 400, and the refrigerant that has passed through the water-cooled condenser 400 can be separated and supplied to the first capillary tube 510 and the second capillary tube 520, respectively.

[0080] The branch valve 600 can be connected to the water-cooled condenser 400 via the refrigerant discharge pipe 450. The branch valve 600 can be connected to the first capillary tube 510 and the second capillary tube 520 via the transfer pipe 700, respectively. The refrigerant that has passed through the branch valve 600 after being discharged from the water-cooled condenser 400 can be supplied to the first capillary tube 510 via the transfer pipe 700 connecting the first capillary tube 510 and the branch valve 600, and can be supplied to the second capillary tube 520 via the transfer pipe 700 connecting the second capillary tube 520 and the branch valve 600.

[0081] On the other hand, moisture and impurities may be present in the refrigerant discharged from the water-cooled condenser 400.

[0082] The refrigerator using the water-cooled condenser according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a filter drier 800.

[0083] The filter drier 800 may be provided between the water-cooled condenser 400 and the branch valve 600, and may remove moisture and impurities that may be present in the refrigerant discharged from the water-cooled condenser 400.

[0084] One end of the filter drier 800 is connected to the water-cooled condenser 400 via the refrigerant discharge pipe 450, and can remove moisture and impurities that may be present in the refrigerant discharged from the water-cooled condenser 400.

[0085] The other end of the filter drier 800 can be connected to the branch valve 600 via the transfer pipe 700, and the refrigerant that has passed through the filter drier 800 can be supplied to the branch valve 600 via the transfer pipe 700.

[0086] Those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains will be able to understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical idea and essential features. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the above detailed description, and all modifications or variations derived from the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 100 Cabinet, 110 First Cabinet 120 Second Cabinet 200 Evaporator 210 First Evaporator 220 Second Evaporator 300 Compressor 400 Water-cooled Condenser 410 Upper Plate 411 First refrigerant passage hole 412 Second refrigerant passage hole 413 First cooling water passage hole 414 Second cooling water passage hole 420 Lower plate 430 Plate 431 Third refrigerant passage hole 432 Fourth refrigerant passage hole 433 Third cooling water passage hole 434 Fourth cooling water passage hole 440 Refrigerant supply pipe 450 Refrigerant discharge pipe 460 Cooling water supply pipe 470 Cooling water discharge pipe 500 Expansion means 510 First capillary tube 520 Second capillary tube 600 Branch valve 700 Transfer pipe 800 Filter dryer

Claims

1. A cabinet forming a storage space, An evaporator that receives the supply of refrigerant from the outside and allows the supplied refrigerant to evaporate to cool the storage space of the cabinet, A compressor connected to the evaporator that receives the supply of refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses it, A water-cooled condenser connected to the compressor that receives the supply of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, cools the supplied refrigerant using cooling water to liquefy it, and supplies the liquefied refrigerant to the evaporator, An expansion means provided between the evaporator and the water-cooled condenser that reduces the internal pressure of the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser to the evaporator so that the refrigerant can evaporate in the evaporator. A refrigerator using a water-cooled condenser.

2. The cabinet Comprises a first cabinet forming a storage space and a second cabinet forming a storage space, The evaporator A first evaporator provided in the first cabinet that receives the supply of refrigerant from the outside and allows the supplied refrigerant to evaporate to cool the storage space of the first cabinet, and a second evaporator provided in the second cabinet that receives the supply of refrigerant from the outside and allows the supplied refrigerant to evaporate to cool the storage space of the second cabinet. A refrigerator using the water-cooled condenser according to Claim 1.

3. The expansion means A first capillary tube provided between the water-cooled condenser and the first evaporator that reduces the internal pressure of the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser to the first evaporator so that the refrigerant can evaporate in the evaporator, A second capillary tube provided between the water-cooled condenser and the second evaporator that reduces the internal pressure of the refrigerant supplied from the water-cooled condenser to the second evaporator so that the refrigerant can evaporate in the evaporator, A branch valve is provided between the first capillary tube and the second capillary tube and the water-cooled condenser so that the refrigerant passing through the water-cooled condenser can be separated and supplied to the first capillary tube and the second capillary tube respectively. A refrigerator using the water-cooled condenser according to Claim 2.

4. The water-cooled condenser Has a structure in which a plurality of plates forming a space through which liquid can flow are alternately stacked, receives the supply of refrigerant from the compressor, and receives the supply of water from the outside to cool the refrigerant. A refrigerator using the water-cooled condenser according to Claim 1.

5. The water-cooled condenser An upper plate, A lower plate positioned relatively below the upper plate; A plurality of plates provided at intervals between the upper plate and the lower plate to form flow paths for the refrigerant and cooling water to pass through; A refrigerant supply pipe having one end connected to the compressor and the other end connected to the upper part of one side of the upper plate, so that the refrigerant passing through the compressor is supplied between the plurality of plates; A refrigerant discharge pipe having one end connected to the upper part of the other side of the upper plate and the other end connected to the expansion means, so that the refrigerant passing through the flow path formed between the plates is supplied to the expansion means; A cooling water supply pipe connected to the lower part of the other side of the upper plate, so that the cooling water supplied from the outside is supplied between the plurality of plates; A refrigerator using the water-cooled condenser according to claim 4, comprising a cooling water discharge pipe connected to the lower part of one side of the upper plate, so that the cooling water passing through the flow path formed between the plurality of plates is discharged to the outside.

Images