Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator according to the present invention has a blower fan unit that is slidably attachable to and detachchable from a machine room, and thus, the blower fan unit can be easily attached to and detached from the machine room without increasing the vertical height of the machine room. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to increase the volume of the machine room even when the size of the blower fan unit is increased, and thus, advantageously, there is no need to reduce the volume of a storage chamber.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator including a machine room.

[0002] A refrigerator is a home appliance that supplies cold air to a storage room through heat exchange with a refrigerant that circulates a cooling cycle, thereby keeping various types of storage objects fresh for a long period of time.

[0003] Specifically, the cold air supplied to the storage room can be generated by the refrigerant circulating in the order of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and compressor, flowing into the evaporator, and taking away the heat inside the refrigerator as the liquid refrigerant vaporizes into a gaseous refrigerant.

[0004] The compressor increases the temperature and pressure of the low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing from the evaporator to high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant and sends it to the condenser.

[0005] The condenser condenses the refrigerant introduced from the compressor by outside air, and the refrigerant introduced from the condenser expands under reduced pressure as it passes through an expansion valve with a relatively narrow diameter.

[0006] The refrigerant passing through the expansion valve flows into the evaporator and absorbs heat from the storage room as it evaporates under low pressure, thereby supplying cold air to the storage room.

[0007] Among the components that constitute the above refrigeration cycle, the compressor and condenser can be placed in a machine room separated from the storage room.

[0008] As a lot of heat can be generated in the machine room during the cooling cycle operation, a blower fan unit that draws in outside air to cool the inside of the machine room can be placed in the machine room.

[0009] The blower fan module can draw outside air into the machine room and cool components inside the machine room, such as the condenser and compressor, using air cooling.

[0010] The outside air that is sucked into the machine room and passes through the condenser and compressor relatively increases in temperature, and the outside air with the increased temperature is discharged outside the machine room.

[0011] In this way, a cooling system can be implemented in the machine room to dissipate heat through an air circulation cycle through intake and discharge of outside air.

[0012] To improve heat dissipation within the machine room, it may be desirable to increase the size of the blower fan unit and increase the volume of the machine room.

[0013] If the volume of the machine room is increased, there is a problem that the volume of the storage room is reduced by the same amount as the increased volume of the machine room.

[0014] In addition, if the size of the blower fan unit is increased without increasing the volume of the machine room, a problem may arise where it is difficult to remove the blower fan unit during service for repair or maintenance of the blower fan unit.

[0015] In other words, in the case of a machine room, if the assembly, installation, and service of the blower fan unit are taken into consideration, additional space must be provided near where the blower fan unit is placed, which may result in a problem of loss of storage space.

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a fastening structure that facilitates the attachment and detachment of a blower fan unit in a machine room.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that is easy to service for repair or maintenance of the blower fan unit in the machine room.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of reducing the assembly tolerance of a blower fan unit and a condenser.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of improving the heat dissipation effect inside a machine room without increasing the volume of the machine room.

[0020] The objectives of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above. Other objectives and advantages of the present invention not mentioned above can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objectives and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a refrigerator comprises a cabinet including a storage room and a machine room, and a compressor, a blower fan unit, and a condenser sequentially arranged in one direction in the machine room, wherein the blower fan unit is detachable in a sliding manner so that it is fastened to the machine room by sliding in the direction in which the condenser is arranged, and is released from the machine room by sliding in the direction in which the compressor is arranged.

[0022] The sliding movement of the above blower fan unit can be performed in a horizontal direction.

[0023] A blower fan unit fixing part is arranged in the above machine room, and the blower fan unit fixing part includes a pair of fastening supports and a stopper part respectively arranged on the fastening supports, and the stopper part can be opened in a direction toward the compressor and closed in a direction toward the condenser.

[0024] The above stopper part includes a side wall and a rear wall extending upward from the upper surface of the fastening support, and an upper wall extending apart from the upper surface of the fastening support to connect the side wall and the rear wall, and an insertion fastening opening opened in a horizontal direction is formed between the upper wall and the upper surface of the fastening support, and a part of the blower fan unit can be inserted into and fixed to the insertion fastening opening.

[0025] The above blower fan unit includes a blower fan, a fan motor for rotating the blower fan, and a fan guide for fixing the blower fan and the fan motor, and a pair of fastening parts that are fastened to each of the stopper parts may be formed on the lower sides of both sides of the fan guide.

[0026] The above fastening part includes an upper protrusion, a lower protrusion spaced apart from the upper protrusion by a predetermined distance, and an inlet formed between the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion, wherein the lower protrusion is inserted into the insertion fastening hole, and the upper wall can be inserted into the inlet.

[0027] The rear wall of the above stopper part can restrict the movement of the lower protrusion part.

[0028] The above blower fan unit fixing member further includes an extension wall connecting the pair of fastening supports, and the extension wall may include one or more catches having a portion cut out.

[0029] The lower surface of the above fan guide may be provided with one or more hooking projections that are hooked to the hooking jaw.

[0030] When the catch projection is caught and connected to the catch jaw, the detachment of the blower fan unit from the blower fan unit fixing part can be restricted.

[0031] The above fan guide may include a guide portion extending in the direction in which the condenser is arranged.

[0032] One end of the above guide portion may be aligned with one end of the blower fan or may protrude outward from one end of the blower fan.

[0033] At least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the guide portion may extend longer than the side surface of the guide portion.

[0034] The side surface of the above guide portion may extend longer than at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the above guide portion.

[0035] The above machine room further includes a drain hose for discharging the defrost water, and a base fan for storing the defrost water; and the base fan may be provided with a blower fan unit fixing part for fixing the blower fan unit, and a condenser fixing part for fixing the condenser.

[0036] The condenser comprises a pair of headers extending upward and spaced apart from each other, a plurality of tubes connecting between the pair of headers, and heat exchange fins arranged along the tubes, wherein the inner diameter of the fan guide may be larger than the distance between the pair of headers.

[0037] The fan guide may extend toward the condenser so as to surround the sides of the pair of headers.

[0038] The above machine room is divided into an air inlet area and an air discharge area based on the blower fan unit, and the condenser may be located in the air inlet area, and the compressor may be located in the air discharge area.

[0039] A side frame intake port through which outside air is introduced may be provided on the side of the machine room located in the air intake area, a rear frame intake port through which outside air is introduced may be provided on the rear of the machine room located in the air intake area, and a lower frame intake port through which outside air is introduced may be provided on the front lower surface of the machine room located in the air intake area.

[0040] In the refrigerator according to the present invention, since the blower fan unit can be attached and detached to the machine room in a sliding manner, the blower fan unit can be easily attached and detached without increasing the vertical height of the machine room.

[0041] Accordingly, even if the size of the blower fan unit is increased, there is no need to increase the volume of the machine room, so there is an advantage of not having to reduce the volume of the storage room.

[0042] In addition, the refrigerator according to the present invention has the advantage of being easy to service for repair or maintenance of the blower fan unit since the blower fan unit can be easily removed even within a machine room space having a relatively small volume.

[0043] In addition, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a fan guide for fixing the blower fan of the blower fan unit, which includes a guide portion extending in the direction in which the condenser is arranged, and the guide portion can be extended long enough to surround a pair of headers of the condenser, so that the blower fan unit can more efficiently and intensively suck in external air flowing in from the direction in which the condenser is arranged.

[0044] Accordingly, there is an advantage in that heat dissipation efficiency within the machine room can be effectively improved simply by extending the length of the guide section of the blower fan unit without increasing the volume of the machine room.

[0045] In addition, since the refrigerator according to the present invention is provided with a blower fan unit fixing part and a condenser fixing part together on the base pan that stores the defrost water, there is no need to add a separate structure for fixing the blower fan unit and the condenser, and the assembly tolerance that may occur when connecting the blower fan unit and the condenser can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, a lower frame intake is formed in the air intake area where outside air is drawn in, through which outside air can be drawn in from not only the sides and rear of the machine room but also the lower side, so that outside air can be drawn in from various directions in the machine room, which has the advantage of enabling effective heat dissipation inside the machine room.

[0047] In addition to the effects described above, specific effects of the present invention are described below while explaining specific details for carrying out the invention.

[0048] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator.

[0049] Figure 2 is a floor plan of the machine room.

[0050] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the fan unit fixing part before the fan unit is combined.

[0051] Figure 4 is a plan view showing an enlarged portion of a portion of the base fan.

[0052] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the base fan showing the fixing portion of the blower fan unit.

[0053] Figure 6 is a front view of the fan guide.

[0054] FIGS. 7 to 12 are side views of fan guides according to various embodiments.

[0055] Figure 13 is an enlarged drawing of the lower part of the fan guide.

[0056] Figure 14 is a front view showing the blower fan unit fixed to the blower fan unit fixing part.

[0057] Figures 15 and 16 are enlarged front and rear views, respectively, of one side area where the blower fan unit is fastened to the blower fan unit fixing part.

[0058] Figures 17 and 18 are enlarged front and rear views, respectively, of the other side area where the blower fan unit is fastened to the blower fan unit fixing part.

[0059] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional perspective view from the side showing the blower fan unit fixed to the blower fan unit fixing portion.

[0060] Figure 20 is a side cross-sectional view showing the state in which the blower fan unit is fixed to the blower fan unit fixing part.

[0061] Figure 21 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the blower fan unit is moved and removed from the blower fan unit fixing part in a sliding manner.

[0062] Figure 22 is a side cross-sectional view showing the blower fan unit tilted at a certain angle in order to extend the blower fan unit outside the machine room.

[0063] Figure 23 is a plan view of a machine room including a blower fan unit according to another embodiment.

[0064] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the technical idea of ​​the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technologies related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0065] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0066] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0067] Hereinafter, the phrase "any configuration is placed on (or below)" a component or "on (or below)" a component may mean that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, and that other configurations may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0068] Additionally, when it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component.

[0069] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0070] Throughout the specification, when we refer to "A and / or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when we refer to "C to D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0071] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a refrigerator (1) including a machine room (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0073] A refrigerator (1) may have an exterior formed by a cabinet (10) including one or more storage rooms, which are storage spaces for products, inside, and one or more doors (20) that can open and close the open front of the cabinet (10).

[0074] The cabinet (10) may include an outer case and an inner case coupled to the inside of the outer case, and an insulating material may be filled between the inner case and the outer case to insulate the storage room.

[0075] The storage room may be divided into one or more storage spaces, and may include a refrigerator and / or a freezer.

[0076] For example, the door (20) may include a first door (21) that opens and closes a storage compartment located at the top, and a second door (22) that opens and closes a storage compartment located at the bottom.

[0077] The front and front of the refrigerator (1) described below mean the surface and direction where the door (20) is located, and the rear and back of the refrigerator (1) mean the opposite surface and direction where the door (20) is located.

[0078] A machine room (30) may be arranged at the bottom of the cabinet (10), for example, at the lower rear of the cabinet (10).

[0079] The machine room is formed as a space independent from the cabinet (10), and accordingly, it can also be formed as a space independent from the storage room included in the cabinet (10).

[0080] Hereinafter, the cabinet (10) and the machine room (30) are explained in a narrow sense as being separated from each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0081] For example, the cabinet (10) may be described in a broad sense as including not only a storage room but also a machine room (30).

[0082] The machine room (30) can be configured in a form that can provide a storage space so that a space can be formed in which a number of electrical components, including various components that constitute a cooling cycle for cooling the storage room, are placed.

[0083] The floor surface of the machine room (30) can be formed by a bottom plate (31).

[0084] On the bottom plate (31), a compressor (400) that compresses and supplies refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure, a condenser (200) that dissipates the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant supplied from the compressor (400), and a blower fan unit (300) that forces air to flow inside the machine room (30) can be arranged.

[0085] The compressor (400), condenser (200), and blower fan unit (300) can be directly or indirectly mounted on the bottom plate (31).

[0086] For example, the compressor (400) can be fastened and fixed by a fastening structure formed on the bottom plate (31).

[0087] And the condenser (200) and the blower fan unit (300) can be fastened and fixed by a fastening structure formed on the base fan (100) placed on the bottom plate (31).

[0088] In this way, the condenser (200) and blower fan unit (300) fixed to the base fan (100) can be indirectly mounted to the bottom plate (31) and fixed to the machine room (30) as the base fan (100) is fixed to the bottom plate (31).

[0089] The interior of the machine room (30) can be divided into left and right sides based on the blower fan unit (300).

[0090] For example, referring to FIG. 1, a condenser (200) may be placed on the right side of the blower fan unit (300) based on the rear of the refrigerator (1), and a compressor (400) may be placed on the left side of the blower fan unit (300).

[0091] In this case, the area where the condenser (200) is placed based on the blower fan unit (300) may be an air intake area (610) where outside air is sucked in, and the area where the compressor (400) is placed may be an air discharge area (620) where outside air sucked into the machine room (30) is discharged to the outside.

[0092] The compressor (400), blower fan unit (300), and condenser (200) can be sequentially arranged in one direction within the machine room (30).

[0093] For example, if classified based on the air flow path through which outside air is sucked in and discharged, the condenser (200), blower fan unit (300), and compressor (400) can be sequentially arranged in the same order.

[0094] Therefore, the outside air sucked in by the blower fan unit (300) can be discharged to the outside of the machine room (30) through the condenser (200), the blower fan unit (300), and the compressor (400).

[0095] A pair of side frames (32) extending upward can be formed on each side of the machine room (30).

[0096] A side frame intake port (30a) having a hollow opening shape may be formed in the side frame (32) adjacent to the condenser (200), and a side frame discharge port having a hollow opening shape may be formed in the side frame (32) adjacent to the compressor (400).

[0097] A pair of side frames (32) form both sides of the machine room (30) and can support a top plate (33) placed on top.

[0098] The top plate (33) may be configured as a separate structure from the cabinet (10), but is not limited thereto, and the lower surface of the cabinet (10) may become the top plate (33) to finish the upper portion of the machine room (30).

[0099] At the rear of the machine room (30), a machine room cover (40) is placed to shield the rear of the machine room (30) and prevent parts inside the machine room (30) from being exposed to the outside, thereby forming the rear of the machine room (30).

[0100] The machine room cover (40) may be formed with a cover intake port (41) through which outside air is sucked in, and a cover discharge port (42) through which outside air inside the machine room (30) is discharged to the outside.

[0101] The cover intake port (41) can be formed in the air inlet area (610), and the cover outlet port (42) can be formed in the air discharge area (620).

[0102] The cover intake (41) can be a passage for sucking air from the rear of the machine room (30), and may be referred to as a rear frame intake (30b) in this specification.

[0103] The cover intake port (41) and the cover discharge port (42) can be formed in a grill shape consisting of a plurality of holes.

[0104] A cabinet intake port (11a) and a cabinet discharge port (11b) may be formed on both sides of the cabinet (10) corresponding to a pair of side frames (32) corresponding to both sides of the machine room (30).

[0105] The cabinet intake port (11a) is a passage through which outside air is sucked in, and can be connected to the air intake area (610) through the side frame intake port (30a).

[0106] The cabinet exhaust port (11b) is a passage through which outside air is exhausted, and can be connected to the air exhaust area (620) through the side frame exhaust port.

[0107] A lower frame suction port (30c) can be formed on the bottom plate (31) forming the floor surface of the machine room (30).

[0108] The lower frame intake (30c) can be formed in the air inlet area (610).

[0109] For example, the lower frame intake (30c) is composed of one or more openings extending along one side of the condenser (200) and may have a slit shape that is open in one direction.

[0110] The lower frame intake (30c) can be formed in an area of ​​the bottom plate (31) that protrudes upward by a predetermined distance from the lowest end surface of the bottom plate (31).

[0111] Accordingly, external air can be introduced into the inside of the machine room (30) through the lower frame intake (30c) through the space separated from the lowest section of the bottom plate (31).

[0112] As described above, the refrigerator (1) according to the present invention can allow outside air to be introduced from the side of the machine room (30) through the side frame intake (30a), outside air to be introduced from the rear of the machine room (30) through the rear frame intake (30b), and outside air to be introduced from the lower surface of the machine room (30) through the lower frame intake (30c).

[0113] Accordingly, outside air can be evenly introduced through the front, rear, and side of the condenser (200).

[0114] That is, since external air can pass evenly across the entire surface based on the condenser (200), effective heat dissipation of the condenser (200) can be achieved.

[0115] The outside air that has passed through the condenser (200) can be discharged to the outside through the cabinet discharge port (11b) and the cover discharge port (42) after cooling the compressor (400).

[0116] In this way, by the operation of the blower fan unit (300), external air is supplied three-dimensionally to the air intake area (610), the condenser (200) is heat-radiated, and the compressor (400) is cooled three-dimensionally, after which the air can be discharged to the outside through the air discharge area (620).

[0117] One or more drain hoses (500) may be placed in the machine room (30).

[0118] The drain hose (500) can serve to discharge the defrost water generated in the evaporator provided in the refrigerator (1) or in the space where the evaporator is placed into the machine room (30).

[0119] The drain hose (500) can be formed to extend long in the vertical direction, and a plurality of hoses can be provided depending on the number of evaporators provided in the refrigerator (1).

[0120] The drain hose (500) may be placed between the blower fan unit (300) and the compressor (400), but its location is not limited thereto.

[0121] The defrost water discharged through the drain hose (500) can be discharged to and stored in the base pan (100), and since the base pan (100) serves to store the defrost water, it can also be called a drain pan.

[0122] In this way, the base fan (100) can be formed in a shape that can provide a storage space capable of storing the water.

[0123] For example, the base fan (100) may include a bottom portion (101) forming a floor and a rim portion (102) extending upward along the side perimeter of the bottom portion (101).

[0124] The border portion (102) can be formed according to the shape of the upper surface of the bottom plate (31) of the machine room (30), and some areas can be formed to have a folded shape.

[0125] A drain hose fixing portion (170) that fixes one side of the drain hose (500) can be formed on the edge portion (102) adjacent to the drain hose (500).

[0126] The upper area of ​​the base fan (100) can be opened to allow the water stored in the base fan (100) to evaporate.

[0127] The base fan (100) is positioned in the air inlet area (610), so that the outside air can pass over the top of the base fan (100), thereby allowing the water to evaporate quickly.

[0128] Additionally, a heating wire (180) may be additionally placed on the base fan (100), thereby allowing the water to evaporate more quickly.

[0129] A blower fan unit fixing part (110) for fixing a blower fan unit (300) and a condenser fixing part (150) for fixing a condenser (200) may be formed on the base fan (100).

[0130] Accordingly, the blower fan unit (300) and the condenser (200) can be fixed to the base fan (100) without the need to additionally mount a separate structure for fixing the blower fan unit (300) and the condenser (200), thereby reducing the assembly tolerance that may occur as the number of operations for fastening the blower fan unit (300) and the condenser (200) increases.

[0131] The condenser (200) can be formed to have a bent shape along the side frame intake (30a), the rear frame intake (30b), and the lower frame intake (30c) formed in the air inlet area (610).

[0132] For example, the condenser (200) may include a first straight portion (211) extending horizontally from the machine room cover (40) at a position facing the machine room cover (40), a second straight portion (212) arranged parallel to the first straight portion (211) at a position spaced apart from the first straight portion (211), and a bending portion (213) formed at a position facing the side of the machine room (30) and connecting the ends of the first straight portion (211) and the second straight portion (212).

[0133] The first straight section (211) and the second straight section (212) can be formed to have different lengths.

[0134] For example, the second straight section (212) can be formed to have a longer length than the first straight section (211).

[0135] Accordingly, the condenser (200) can be formed in an overall asymmetrical shape.

[0136] However, it is not limited to this, and the first straight section (211) and the second straight section (212) can be formed to have the same length, and in this case, the condenser (200) can be formed in an overall symmetrical shape.

[0137] Accordingly, all external air sucked in from each direction into the air inlet area (610) can flow through the condenser (200) toward the blower fan unit (300).

[0138] The condenser (200) may be configured to include a first header (161), a second header (162), a tube (210) connecting between the first header (161) and the second header (162), and heat exchange fins (214) connecting between the tubes (210) arranged vertically adjacent to each other.

[0139] A condenser of this type is typically called a micro channel condenser and has a relatively compact size and can have excellent heat exchange performance.

[0140] In order to resolve the heat transfer performance unevenness that may occur in these condensers, an air flow path structure that can evenly flow the external air passing through the condenser may be required.

[0141] As described above, the refrigerator (1) according to the present invention has a lower frame intake port (30c) formed in the air intake area (610) where external air is introduced, through which external air can be introduced not only from the side and rear of the machine room (30) but also from the lower surface, thereby achieving uniformity of external air flow.

[0142] Accordingly, since outside air can be sucked in from various directions in the machine room (30), there is an advantage in that effective heat dissipation can be achieved inside the machine room (30).

[0143] The first header (161) and the second header (162) can be spaced apart from each other in the front-back direction of the machine room (30) and can be extended in the vertical direction at the same height.

[0144] Additionally, one or more sealing members (190) may be placed at the bottom of the condenser (200) to close the gap space created between the bottom part (101) of the base fan (100).

[0145] For example, by placing a sealing member (190) in the front and rear regions of the condenser (200), the flow of external air can be guided so that the external air can flow intensively to the heat exchange fins (214) of the condenser (200).

[0146] The high temperature and high pressure refrigerant flowing into the condenser (200) flows through a first header (161) and a plurality of tubes (210) to a second header (162), and the refrigerant flowing into the second header (162) can have its direction changed by the second header (162) and then flow through a plurality of other tubes (210) to the first header (161).

[0147] A plurality of tubes (210) can be arranged spaced apart from each other at regular intervals in the vertical direction along the first header (161) and the second header (162).

[0148] When the first straight section (211) and the second straight section (212) are formed to have different lengths, the positions of the first header (161) and the second header (162) may also be arranged to be misaligned from each other.

[0149] For example, the first header (161) and the second header (162) can be arranged so as not to overlap each other in the front-back direction of the machine room (30).

[0150] In the space between a plurality of tubes (210), heat exchange fins (214) can be formed along the space between the tubes (210) by continuously bending in a zigzag shape.

[0151] The condenser fixing member (150) that fixes the condenser (200) may include a pair of header supports (160) and a header fixing member (163) formed on the header supports (160).

[0152] A pair of header supports (160) may be formed to protrude upward from the bottom (101) of the base fan (100) so as to correspond to the positions where the first header (161) and the second header (162) are arranged.

[0153] The header support (160) can be formed to have a height corresponding to the height of the edge portion (102) of the base fan (100), and the upper surface of the header support (160) can have a flat shape.

[0154] A header fixing part (163) can be formed on each header support (160).

[0155] Each header fixing member (163) can restrain the lower ends of the first header (161) and the second header (162) so that the condenser (200) can be fixedly mounted to the base fan (100).

[0156] The header fixing portion (163) may extend further upward than the edge portion (102) of the base fan (100).

[0157] Accordingly, when moving the condenser (200) forward or backward through the rear of the machine room (30), the first header (161) and the second header (162) can be easily caught and restrained without interfering with the edge (102).

[0158] A pair of header fixing members (163) may be formed in a shape that surrounds the circumference of the first header (161) and the second header (162) so as to support the circumference of the first header (161) and the second header (162), respectively.

[0159] The header fixing portion (163) may be formed so that a portion of the rear portion of the machine room (30) is cut out.

[0160] The header fixing member (163) may have a certain degree of elasticity.

[0161] Accordingly, when the condenser (200) slides forward and backward and is detached from the condenser fixing member (150), the pair of header fixing members (163) can be tightly attached to each other in a form that wraps around the outer surfaces of the first header (161) and the second header (162), thereby firmly fixing the condenser (200).

[0162] In this way, the condenser (200) according to the present invention can be mounted and removed from the machine room (30) through sliding movement in the forward and backward directions, so that the condenser (200) can be easily mounted and removed even in a narrow machine room (30).

[0163] Meanwhile, the fan unit fixing part (110) that fixes the fan unit (300) may include a pair of fastening supports (120) and a stopper part (130) each placed on the fastening supports (120).

[0164] A pair of fastening supports (120) can be formed to protrude upward from the bottom (101) of the base fan (100) so as to correspond to the positions where the two ends of the lower part of the blower fan unit (300) are arranged.

[0165] The fastening support (120) may be formed to have a height lower than the height of the edge portion (102) of the base fan (100), and the upper surface (121) of the fastening support (120) may have a flat shape.

[0166] A stopper part (130) can be formed on each fastening support (120).

[0167] The front direction of the blower fan unit fixing part (110) in this specification means the direction in which the compressor (400) is arranged, and the rear direction means the direction in which the condenser (200) is arranged.

[0168] Additionally, the left and right direction of the blower fan unit fixing part (110) means the direction in which a pair of fastening supports (120) are arranged in parallel.

[0169] For example, the stopper portion (130) may include a side wall (131) and a rear wall (132) extending upward from the upper surface (121) of the fastening support (120).

[0170] The side wall (131) of the stopper portion (130) can be formed to extend in the front-back direction along the side of the fastening support (120) and to extend upward from the side of the fastening support (120).

[0171] The length in the front-back direction of the side wall (131) of the stopper part (130) may match the length in the front-back direction of the side of the fastening support (120).

[0172] The rear wall (132) of the stopper portion (130) may be formed to extend in the left-right direction along the rear surface of the fastening support (120) and to extend upward from the rear surface of the fastening support (120).

[0173] The length in the left-right direction of the rear wall (132) of the stopper part (130) can be formed to be shorter than the length in the left-right direction of the rear surface of the fastening support (120).

[0174] For example, one end of the rear wall (132) of the stopper part (130) may be connected to be continuously connected from the side wall (131), and the other end of the rear wall (132) of the stopper part (130) may be formed short so that a part of the upper surface (121) of the fastening support (120) is exposed.

[0175] The stopper portion (130) may further include an upper wall (133) extended to connect the side wall (131) and the rear wall (132).

[0176] The upper wall (133) of the stopper part (130) is extended to connect the side wall (131) and the rear wall (132) by being spaced apart from the upper surface (121) of the fastening support (120), so that an insertion fastening hole (134) can be formed between the upper wall (133) of the stopper part (130) and the upper surface (121) of the fastening support (120).

[0177] The upper wall (133) of the stopper portion (130) can be formed to extend horizontally parallel to the upper surface (121) of the fastening support (120).

[0178] Accordingly, the insertion fastening hole (134) formed between the upper wall (133) of the stopper part (130) and the upper surface (121) of the fastening support (120) can be opened in the horizontal direction.

[0179] Accordingly, the stopper part (130) can be formed in a form that is open in the direction toward the compressor (400) and closed by the rear wall (132) in the direction toward the condenser (200).

[0180] Additionally, the stopper part (130) can be formed in a form in which a pair of fastening supports (120) are opened in the inner direction facing each other and closed in the outer direction by a side wall (131).

[0181] The upper wall (133) of the stopper portion (130) can be formed to have the same length as the rear wall (132).

[0182] However, the upper wall (133) of the stopper part (130) may be formed to have a shorter length than the side wall (131).

[0183] For example, one end of the front direction of the upper wall (133) of the stopper part (130) may be formed shorter than the side wall (131), so that a part of the upper surface (121) of the fastening support (120) may be exposed.

[0184] The blower fan unit fixing member (110) may further include an extension wall (140) connecting a pair of fastening supports (120).

[0185] The extension wall (140) extends upward along the bottom (101) of the base fan (100) and can connect between a pair of fastening supports (120).

[0186] The height of the extension wall (140) can be formed to correspond to the height of the fastening support (120).

[0187] The extension wall (140) may include one or more catches (141, 142) with some areas cut out.

[0188] For example, a first catch (141) may be formed adjacent to a fastening support (120) located on the left side based on FIG. 5, and a second catch (142) may be formed adjacent to a fastening support (120) located on the right side.

[0189] The first catch (141) can be formed by cutting off a portion of the upper part of an extension wall (140) spaced a predetermined distance from an adjacent fastening support (120) to form a step portion.

[0190] At the lower part of the first catch (141), a cut (143) extending from the first catch (141) and having a width that decreases as it goes downward can be formed.

[0191] Accordingly, the extension wall (140) extended to connect a pair of fastening supports (120) may be discontinuous at the cut portion (143).

[0192] The second catch (142) can be formed by cutting off a portion of the upper part of the extension wall (140) spaced a predetermined distance from the adjacent fastening support (120) to form a step portion.

[0193] The second catch (142) can be formed to be closer to the fastening support (120) than the first catch (141).

[0194] Additionally, the cut length of the second catch (142) can be formed to be longer than the cut length of the first catch (141).

[0195] Hereinafter, the blower fan unit (300) will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 14.

[0196] The blower fan unit (300) may include a blower fan (310), a fan motor (320) that rotates the blower fan (310), and a fan guide (330) that fixes the blower fan (310) and the fan motor (320).

[0197] The fan guide (330) may include a body portion (331) having a hollow interior to form a space through which air flows.

[0198] A fan motor fixing part (332) that fixes the fan motor (320) in the inner direction where the hollow part of the body part (331) is located can be positioned.

[0199] The fan motor fixing part (332) can be connected to the body part (331) by a plurality of frames (333) extending from the body part (331).

[0200] The fan motor fixing portion (332) and the frame (333) can be formed to protrude in one direction of the body portion (331).

[0201] When the blower fan unit (300) is fixed to the machine room (30), the fan motor fixing part (332) and the frame (333) can protrude in the direction in which the compressor (400) is placed.

[0202] A guide portion (350) extending in one direction can be formed in the other direction of the body portion (331).

[0203] For example, the guide portion (350) can be formed to extend in a shape corresponding to the hollow portion of the body portion (331).

[0204] When the blower fan unit (300) is fixed to the machine room (30), the guide part (350) can protrude in the direction in which the condenser (200) is placed.

[0205] That is, the guide portion (350) can improve the air volume performance of the blower fan unit (300) by extending toward the direction in which external air flows in.

[0206] For example, an end portion extending outwardly of the guide portion (350) may be formed to coincide with an end portion of the blower fan (310) or to protrude outwardly from an end portion of the blower fan (310).

[0207] In this way, as the guide portion (350) is extended to cover one end of the blower fan (310) based on the side, the air volume performance of the blower fan unit (300) can be further improved.

[0208] Referring to FIG. 8, the guide portion (350) of the fan guide (330) according to another embodiment may be formed to extend further outward.

[0209] In this case, the width in the extended direction of the guide portion (350) can be formed to be larger than the combined width of the body portion (331) and the fan motor fixing portion (332).

[0210] Referring to FIG. 9, the guide portion (350) of the fan guide (330) according to another embodiment may be formed so that the side surface (353) protrudes further outward.

[0211] That is, the side surface (353) of the guide portion (350) can be formed to extend longer than the upper and lower surfaces of the guide portion (350).

[0212] Referring further to FIG. 23, as a pair of side surfaces (353) are formed to protrude further outward from the guide portion (350), the first side surface (354) and the second side surface (355) of the fan guide (330) can be formed to surround the outer side surfaces of the pair of headers (161, 162).

[0213] In this case, the distance (w1) between the extended first side (354) and the second side (355) of the fan guide (330), or the inner diameter (w1) of the fan guide (330), may be formed to be larger than the distance (w2) between the first header (161) and the second header (162).

[0214] As the fan guide (330) is formed to surround a pair of headers (161, 162) of the condenser (200) in this way, the external air passing through the condenser (200) is guided by the guide part (350) of the blower fan unit (300), thereby further increasing the air volume of the blower fan unit (300).

[0215] Referring to FIG. 10, the guide portion (350) of the fan guide (330) according to another embodiment may be formed so that the upper surface (351) and the lower surface (352) protrude further outward.

[0216] That is, the upper surface (351) and the lower surface (352) of the guide portion (350) can be formed to extend longer than the side surface of the guide portion (350).

[0217] Also, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the guide portion (350) of the fan guide (330) according to another embodiment may be formed so that only the upper surface (351) or the lower surface (352) protrudes further outward.

[0218] The outer surface of the body portion (331) may include an upper surface (331a) forming the upper portion, a lower surface (331b) forming the lower portion, and a first side surface (331c) and a second side surface (331d) connecting the upper surface (331a) and the lower surface (331b).

[0219] The shape of the outer surface of the body (331) can be changed depending on the location where the blower fan unit (300) is placed and the shape of the interior of the machine room (30).

[0220] A cabinet fastening portion (334) extending upward from the upper surface (331a) and having a fastening hole (335) may be formed on the second side portion (331d).

[0221] When the blower fan unit (300) is located within the machine room (30), the cabinet fastening member (334) is located outside the machine room (30) and can be fixed to the rear of the cabinet (10) by a separate fastening member that is fastened to the fastening hole (335).

[0222] A pair of fastening parts (340) that are fastened to the stopper part (130) of the blower fan unit (300) may be formed on each of the lower sides of the fan guide (330).

[0223] The fastening portion (340) may include an upper protrusion (341), a lower protrusion (342) spaced apart from the upper protrusion (341) by a predetermined distance, and an inlet portion (343) formed between the upper protrusion (341) and the lower protrusion (342).

[0224] For example, the inlet portion (343) is formed to be inwardly drawn into the fan guide (330) more than the upper protrusion (341) and the lower protrusion (342), thereby forming a space between the upper protrusion (341) and the lower protrusion (342).

[0225] The upper protrusion (341) can form the ends of the first side portion (331c) and the second side portion (331d), and the lower protrusion (342) can form the ends of both ends of the lower surface (331b).

[0226] Accordingly, the inlet portion (343) can distinguish the boundaries between the first side portion (331c) and the lower surface (331b), and the second side portion (331d) and the lower surface (331b).

[0227] One or more catch protrusions (344, 345) may be formed on the lower surface (331b) of the fan guide (330).

[0228] The first hooking protrusion (344) may be formed at a position corresponding to the first hooking jaw (141), and the second hooking protrusion (345) may be formed at a position corresponding to the second hooking jaw (142).

[0229] Accordingly, the first hooking projection (344) can be hooked to the first hooking jaw (141), and the second hooking projection (345) can be hooked to the second hooking jaw (142).

[0230] The first catch protrusion (344) and the second catch protrusion (345) may have an inclined surface with a decreasing vertical width in the direction toward the fan motor fixing portion (332), and may be formed so that the vertical width is constant or does not decrease significantly in the direction toward the guide portion (350).

[0231] That is, the vertical width of the first catch protrusion (344) and the second catch protrusion (345) that are closer to the direction in which the blower fan unit (300) is inserted into the blower fan unit fixing portion (110) can be formed thicker than the vertical width of the first catch protrusion (344) and the second catch protrusion (345) that are farther from the direction in which the blower fan unit (300) is inserted.

[0232] The blower fan unit (300) coupled to the blower fan unit fixing part (110) described above will be further described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14.

[0233] The blower fan unit (300) can be fastened to the blower fan unit fixing member (110) by sliding in the direction in which the condenser (200) is arranged.

[0234] In this case, the coupling by sliding movement of the blower fan unit (300) can be performed in a horizontal direction without movement in the up-and-down direction.

[0235] Accordingly, the fastening portion (340), which is a part of the blower fan unit (300), can be inserted into and fixed to the insertion fastening hole (134) of the stopper portion (130) of the blower fan unit fixing portion (110).

[0236] In this case, the lower protrusion (342) of the fastening portion (340) can be inserted into and fixed in the insertion fastening hole (134), and the upper wall (133) of the stopper portion (130) can be inserted into and fixed in the inlet portion (343) of the fastening portion (340).

[0237] The lower protrusion (342) inserted into the insertion fastening hole (134) of the stopper part (130) can be restrained so that further movement in the insertion direction is limited by the rear wall (132) of the stopper part (130).

[0238] In addition, the first catch protrusion (344) and the second catch protrusion (345) are caught and connected to the first catch protrusion (141) and the second catch protrusion (142), respectively, thereby preventing the blower fan unit (300) from being detached from the blower fan unit fixing part (110).

[0239] For example, FIGS. 15 and 16 are enlarged front and rear views, respectively, of one side area where the blower fan unit (300) is fastened to the blower fan unit fixing part (110).

[0240] In this case, the first hooking projection (344) that is hooked to the first hooking jaw (141) can be hooked by extending downwards further than the end of the first hooking jaw (141) when viewed from the rear.

[0241] In this case, the first catch (141) may have elasticity, and the catch connection may be made more flexible by elasticity through the cut portion (143) formed at the bottom.

[0242] Figures 17 and 18 are enlarged front and rear views, respectively, of the other side area where the blower fan unit (300) is fastened to the blower fan unit fixing part (110).

[0243] In this case, the second hooking projection (345) that is hooked to the second hooking jaw (142) can be hooked by extending downwards further than the end of the second hooking jaw (142) when viewed from the rear.

[0244] In this case, the second catch (142) is formed to have elasticity, so that the catch connection can be made more flexibly.

[0245] Referring to Fig. 20, the blower fan unit (300) that is moved and fastened to the blower fan unit fixing part (110) in a sliding manner can be easily fixed to the machine room (30) even in a narrow space of the machine room (30).

[0246] A protrusion (34) protruding upward may be formed on the top plate (33) corresponding to the upper portion of the blower fan unit (300).

[0247] A sealing member is additionally placed between the blower fan unit (300) and the protrusion (34) to prevent external air from leaking out to the upper part of the blower fan unit (300).

[0248] The blower fan unit (300) fastened in a sliding manner as described above can be moved in a sliding manner even when the fastening is released from the blower fan unit fixing part (110).

[0249] Referring to Fig. 21, the blower fan unit (300) can be released from the blower fan unit fixing member (110) by horizontally sliding in the direction in which the compressor (400) is arranged.

[0250] In this case, the height of the edge portion (102) of the base fan (100) can be formed higher than the height of the stopper portion (130), so that the blower fan unit (300) that is released from the blower fan unit fixing portion (110) can also be moved downward in a place where there is sufficient space in the upper and lower directions in the direction in which the compressor (400) is arranged.

[0251] In this state, referring to FIG. 22, by tilting the upper area of ​​the blower fan unit (300) at a certain angle in the direction in which the condenser (200) is arranged, the blower fan unit (300) can be taken out to the outside of the machine room (30) without interfering with the edge portion (102) of the base fan (100).

[0252] The width in the front-back direction of the blower fan unit (300) may have a relationship that is interrelated with the height of the edge portion (102) of the base fan (100).

[0253] For example, in order to improve the wind volume performance of the blower fan unit (300), if the length of the guide part (350) of the blower fan unit (300) is extended, the width of the blower fan unit (300) in the front-back direction also increases.

[0254] However, if the width of the blower fan unit (300) in the front-back direction increases in this way, interference with the edge portion (102) may become greater when the blower fan unit (300) is taken out, so the interference can be reduced by lowering the height of the edge portion (102).

[0255] For example, if the width in the front-back direction of the blower fan unit (300) is 70 mm and the height of the edge portion (102) is 5 mm, when the width in the front-back direction of the blower fan unit (300) is changed to 80 mm, the height of the edge portion (102) can be reduced to 3 mm.

[0256] However, if the height of the edge portion (102) is lowered, the capacity of the base fan (100) that stores the water may be reduced, so it is desirable to maintain the edge portion (102) at least at a certain height.

[0257] Therefore, according to the present invention, after the blower fan unit (300) is horizontally moved in a sliding manner, it can be taken out of the machine room (30) while tilted in one direction, so that the blower fan unit (300) with the length of the guide part (350) extended can be easily taken out of the machine room without reducing the height of the frame part (102).

[0258] As described above, the refrigerator (1) according to the present invention has a blower fan unit (300) that can be attached and detached to the machine room (30) in a sliding manner, so the blower fan unit (300) can be easily attached and detached without increasing the vertical height of the machine room (30).

[0259] Accordingly, even when the size of the blower fan unit (300) is increased, there is no need to increase the volume of the machine room (30), so there is an advantage in that there is no need to reduce the volume of the storage room.

[0260] In addition, the refrigerator (1) according to the present invention has the advantage of being easy to service for repair or maintenance of the blower fan unit (300) since the blower fan unit (300) can be easily mounted and detached even within a machine room (30) space having a relatively small volume.

[0261] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings exemplified above, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Furthermore, even if the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should also be acknowledged.

Claims

1. Cabinet including storage room and machine room; and A compressor, a blower fan unit, and a condenser are sequentially arranged in one direction in the machine room; A refrigerator in which the blower fan unit is detachable in a sliding manner so that it is fastened to the machine room by sliding in the direction in which the condenser is arranged, and is released from the machine room by sliding in the direction in which the compressor is arranged.

2. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator in which the sliding movement of the above blower fan unit is performed in a horizontal direction.

3. In paragraph 1, In the above machine room, a blower fan unit fixing part is placed, The above blower fan unit fixing part includes a pair of fastening supports and a stopper part respectively placed on the fastening supports. A refrigerator wherein the stopper portion is open in the direction toward the compressor and closed in the direction toward the condenser.

4. In paragraph 3, The above stopper part, Side walls and rear walls extending upward from the upper surface of the above fastening support; and Including an upper wall extended from the upper surface of the above fastening support to connect the side wall and the rear wall; An insertion fastening hole is formed between the upper wall and the upper surface of the fastening support in a horizontal direction, A refrigerator, wherein a portion of the above blower fan unit is inserted and fixed into the above insertion fastener.

5. In paragraph 4, The above blower fan unit, blower fan; A fan motor that rotates the above blower fan; and A fan guide for fixing the above blower fan and fan motor; A refrigerator, wherein a pair of fastening parts are formed at the bottom of both sides of the above fan guide, each of which is fastened to the above stopper part.

6. In paragraph 5, The above connecting part is, upper projection; a lower protrusion spaced apart from the upper protrusion by a predetermined distance; and Including an inlet formed between the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion; The above lower protrusion is inserted into the above insertion fastening hole, A refrigerator in which the upper wall is inserted into the inlet.

7. In paragraph 3, The above blower fan unit fixing part further includes an extension wall connecting the pair of fastening supports, A refrigerator, wherein the extension wall includes one or more catches having a portion cut out therein.

8. In paragraph 7, The above blower fan unit, blower fan; A fan motor that rotates the above blower fan; and A fan guide for fixing the above blower fan and fan motor; A refrigerator, wherein the lower surface of the fan guide is provided with one or more hooking projections that engage with the hooking jaw.

9. In paragraph 1, The above blower fan unit, blower fan; A fan motor that rotates the above blower fan; and A fan guide for fixing the above blower fan and fan motor; A refrigerator, wherein the fan guide includes a guide portion extending in the direction in which the condenser is arranged.

10. In paragraph 9, A refrigerator wherein one end of the guide portion is aligned with one end of the blower fan or protrudes outward from one end of the blower fan.

11. In paragraph 9, A refrigerator, wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the guide portion extends longer than the side surface of the guide portion.

12. In paragraph 9, A refrigerator wherein the side surface of the above guide portion is extended longer than at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the above guide portion.

13. In paragraph 9, In the above machine room, there is a drain hose for discharging the water; and A base pan storing the above-mentioned water; this is further included, A refrigerator, wherein the base fan is provided with a blower fan unit fixing part for fixing the blower fan unit, and a condenser fixing part for fixing the condenser.

14. In paragraph 1, The above machine room is divided into an air intake area and an air exhaust area based on the above blower fan unit. The above condenser is located in the air inlet area, A refrigerator, wherein the compressor is located in the air discharge area.

15. In paragraph 14, A side frame intake port for introducing outside air is provided on the side of the machine room located in the air intake area. At the rear of the machine room located in the air intake area, a rear frame intake port is provided for external air intake. A refrigerator having a lower frame intake port for introducing outside air on the front lower surface of the machine room located in the air intake area.

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