Refrigerator

Abstract

This refrigerator comprises: a storage compartment; an openable door provided in the storage compartment; and a display provided in the door and including an electric heating material and a light scattering material, wherein the display may be configured to emit heat from the storage compartment to the outside of the storage compartment on the basis of a first voltage applied to the electric heating material and the light scattering material being lower than a specified voltage, and may be configured to reduce scattering of light incident on the display on the basis of a second voltage applied to the electric heating material and the light scattering material being higher than the specified voltage.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator including a display.

[0002] A refrigerator is a home appliance that has a main body with a storage compartment, a cold air supply device that supplies cold air to the storage compartment, and a door that opens and closes the storage compartment to keep food fresh.

[0003] Recently, refrigerator doors are equipped with displays (or windows) that allow users to check the status of the storage compartment, run multiple apps, or perform Internet of Things (IoT) functions without opening the door.

[0004] However, heat was transferred into the storage compartment through the display provided on the door, reducing the energy efficiency of the refrigerator, and there was difficulty in controlling the blurriness (and / or transparency) of the display.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a display capable of cooling a storage compartment.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a display capable of adjusting a degree of blur.

[0007] A refrigerator according to one aspect of the disclosure comprises a storage compartment, a door provided in the storage compartment and openable, and a display provided in the door and including an electrothermal material and a light scattering material, wherein the display is configured to release heat from the storage compartment to the outside of the storage compartment by a change in the electrothermal material based on a first voltage smaller than a specified voltage being applied to the display, and may be configured to reduce scattering of light incident on the display by a change in the light scattering material based on a second voltage larger than the specified voltage being applied to the display.

[0008] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator comprises a main body, a door rotatably coupled to the main body, and a window provided in the door, the window including a first window layer and a second window layer further from the interior of the main body than the first window layer, wherein the window is configured such that heat within the first display layer is transferred to the second display layer based on a voltage being applied to the first window layer and a voltage being removed from the second window layer, and heat within the interior of the main body is transferred to the first window layer and heat within the second window layer is transferred to the exterior of the main body and the exterior of the window based on a voltage being removed from the first window layer and a voltage being applied to the second window layer.

[0009] A refrigerator according to one aspect of the disclosure comprises a main body, a door rotatably coupled to the main body, and a window provided on the door and including a light-scattering material, wherein the window can be configured such that the light-scattering material has an arrangement based on the application of voltage to the light-scattering material, thereby reducing scattering of light incident on the window and lowering the fogging of the window.

[0010] The above and other aspects, features and advantages relating to specific embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0015] Figure 5 is a table showing the operating voltage range of the display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0019] Figure 9 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0021] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are schematic diagrams of displays in refrigerators according to various embodiments.

[0022] Fig. 12 is a graph of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0023] The embodiments described in this disclosure and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosure, and there may be various modified examples that can replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure at the time of filing of this application.

[0024] Additionally, the same reference numbers or symbols presented in each drawing of the present disclosure represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0025] In addition, the terminology used in this disclosure is used to describe embodiments and is not intended to limit and / or restrict the disclosure. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the disclosure, but do not preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Additionally, in the present disclosure, each of the phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0027] Additionally, the term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0028] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any item among a plurality of related listed items.

[0029] Furthermore, the meaning of "identical" in this disclosure includes having similar properties or being similar within a certain range. Furthermore, "identical" means "substantially identical." "Substantially identical" should be understood to include values ​​that fall within the manufacturing error range or values ​​that differ from a reference value within a range that has no significance.

[0030] Additionally, terms such as "~part", "~device", "~block", "~absence", and "~module" may refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation. For example, the terms may refer to at least one hardware such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) / ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), at least one software stored in a memory, or at least one process processed by a processor.

[0031] Meanwhile, the terms “front,” “rear,” “left,” and “right” used in the description below are defined based on the drawing, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to various embodiments. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator (1) may include a main body (10), a storage compartment (21, 22, 23) formed inside the main body (10), a door (31, 32, 33, 34) for opening and closing the storage compartment (21, 22, 23), and a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment (21, 22, 23).

[0035] The main body (10) may include an inner case (11) forming a storage room (21, 22, 23), an outer case (12) formed by being joined to the outside of the inner case (11) to form an exterior, and an insulating material (not shown) provided between the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to insulate the storage room (21, 22, 23).

[0036] The storage rooms (21, 22, 23) can be divided into a plurality of sections by horizontal bulkheads (24) and vertical bulkheads (25). The storage rooms (21, 22, 23) can be divided into an upper storage room (21) and a lower storage room (22, 23) by the horizontal bulkhead (24), and the lower storage rooms (22, 23) can be divided into a lower left storage room (22) and a lower right storage room (23) by the vertical bulkhead (25).

[0037] The upper storage compartment (21) can be used as a refrigerator, and the lower storage compartments (22, 23) can be used as a freezer. However, the division and use of the storage compartments (21, 22, 23) as described above are only an example and are not limited thereto.

[0038] Inside the storage room (21, 22, 23), a shelf (26) for placing food and a storage container (27) for storing food can be provided.

[0039] The cold air supply device can generate cold air by using a cooling cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant, and supply the generated cold air to a storage room (21, 22, 23).

[0040] The storage compartment (21) can be opened and closed by a pair of doors (31, 32). The doors (31, 32) can be rotatably coupled to the main body (10). The storage compartment (22) can be opened and closed by a door (33), and the door (33) can be rotatably coupled to the main body (10). The storage compartment (23) can be opened and closed by a door (34), and the door (34) can be rotatably coupled to the main body (10). The main body (10) can be provided with hinges (35, 36, 37) to rotatably couple the doors (31, 32, 33, 34) to the main body (10).

[0041] A door guard (38) for storing food and a door gasket (39) that is fitted to the front of the main body (10) to seal the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) may be provided on the back of the door (31, 32, 33, 34).

[0042] A refrigerator (1) may include a display (100). The display (100) may be provided on a door (31, 32, 33, 34). The display (100) may display various information related to the status or operation of the refrigerator, or may display various apps for the convenience of the user. The user may view the storage compartments (21, 22, 23) inside the main body (10) from the outside of the main body (10) through the display (100). The display (100) may be a window (100) and / or a viewing window (100). In one embodiment, the display (100) is provided on the door (32), but the display (100) may also be provided on other doors (31, 33, 34).

[0043] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, a refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a display (100). The display (100) may include an electrothermal material (103a) and a light scattering material (103b). The electrothermal material (103a) and the light scattering material (103b) may be disposed within a change layer (103). However, the electrothermal material (103a) and the light scattering material (103b) may be disposed in different layers.

[0045] The electrocaloric material (103a) may include a material that generates an electrocaloric effect. The electrocaloric effect refers to a phenomenon in which, when an electric field (and / or voltage) is applied to a specific dielectric, the arrangement of electric dipoles changes, resulting in a change in entropy and a change in temperature.

[0046] According to one embodiment, when an electric field (and / or voltage) is applied to an electric calorific material (103a), the temperature of the electric calorific material (103a) can increase as dipoles within the electric calorific material (103a) are aligned in the direction of the electric field. As the temperature of the electric calorific material (103a) increases, the electric calorific material (103a) can release heat to the outside.

[0047] In one embodiment, when the electric field is removed after the electric heat material (103a) has released heat, the arrangement of dipoles within the electric heat material (103a) disappears, thereby lowering the temperature of the electric heat material (103a). As the temperature of the electric heat material (103a) decreases, the electric heat material (103a) can absorb heat from the outside.

[0048] Accordingly, when an electric field is applied to the change layer (103) on which the electric heat material (103a) is disposed, the temperature of the electric heat material (103a) and the change layer (103) rises, so that heat can be released from the electric heat material (103a) and the change layer (103) to the outside of the display (100). Thereafter, when the electric field is removed from the change layer (103) on which the electric heat material (103a) is disposed, the temperature of the electric heat material (103a) and the change layer (103) decreases, so that heat can be absorbed from the outside of the display (100) into the electric heat material (103a) and the change layer (103) on which the electric heat material (103a) is disposed.

[0049] For example, when the display (100) and the outside temperature are 25 degrees, if an electric field is applied to the change layer (103) on which the electric heat material (103a) is disposed, the display (100) may reach a temperature higher than 25 degrees (e.g., 26 degrees). Thereafter, the display (100) may release heat to the outside of the main body (10) and / or the door (31, 32, 33, 34), and the temperature may return to 25 degrees. When the electric field is removed from the change layer (103) on which the electric heat material (103a) is disposed, the display (100) may reach a temperature lower than 25 degrees (e.g., 24 degrees). Thereafter, the display (100) may absorb heat from the inside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23), and the temperature may return to 25 degrees.

[0050] In one embodiment, in a refrigerator, the display (100) can absorb heat from the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) and release heat to the outside of the display (100) and the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) by repeatedly applying and removing an electric field (and / or voltage) to the change layer (103). The outside of the display (100) and the outside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) may include the door (31, 32, 33, 34) and the outside of the main body (10). The state of the display (100) releasing heat to the outside of the display (100) and the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) by applying an electric field to the electric calorific material (103a) may be a heat release state. The heat release state may include an opaque state. The opaque state may be expressed as a cloudy state, an opaque state, a high-absorbing state, and / or a high refractive index difference state. The heat release state can be expressed as a heat release mode.

[0051] Accordingly, the display (100) having the electric heat material (103a) can improve the insulation effect of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) by minimizing and / or reducing heat transfer into the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) through the display (100). In addition, the display (100) can also cool the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23).

[0052] The electric heat material (103a) is shown as being arranged throughout the entire transformation layer (103), but the arrangement of the electric heat material (103a) is not limited thereto, and may be densely arranged on one side of the transformation layer (103).

[0053] The electrothermal material (103a) may be mixed with a light scattering material (103b). The light scattering material (103b) may be provided in multiple forms. The light scattering material (103b) may include a liquid crystal, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), an electrochromic material, and a suspended particle device (SPD). In addition, the light scattering material (103b) may include a light absorbing material. A plurality of light scattering materials (103b) may be dispersed within the electrothermal material (103a). The light scattering material (103b) may cause light incident on the change layer (103) to collide with and be scattered.

[0054] Based on the electric field applied to the light scattering material (103b), the light scattering material (103b) can move and / or change. For example, when an electric field is applied to the light scattering material (103b), the light scattering material (103b) can be aligned in the direction of the electric field. When the light scattering material (103b) is aligned, the rate at which light incident on the change layer (103) collides with the light scattering material (103b) decreases, and the light can pass through the change layer (103) with reduced scattering. As the light scattering decreases, the haze of the change layer (103) and the display (100) can be reduced. As the haze of the display (100) decreases, the user can view the inside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) through the display (100).

[0055] If an electric field is not applied to the light scattering material (103b), the arrangement of the light scattering material (103b) may disappear. If the arrangement of the light scattering material (103b) disappears, the rate at which light incident on the change layer (103) collides with the light scattering material (103b) increases, and the light may pass through the change layer (103) with increased light scattering. As the light scattering increases, the haze of the change layer (103) and the display (100) may increase.

[0056] The haze can be expressed in terms of light absorption rate, light refractive index, transmittance, and / or transparency. Accordingly, as an electric field is applied to the change layer (103) and the display (100), the light absorption rate, light refractive index, transmittance, and / or transparency of the change layer (103) and the display (100) can change.

[0057] For example, when an electric field is applied to the change layer (103) including the light scattering material (103b) and the display (100), the light absorption rate of the change layer (103) and the display (100) may be lowered, the difference in the optical refractive index between the light scattering material (103b) and other materials constituting the change layer (103) with respect to the light incidence direction may be reduced, and the transmittance and transparency may be increased. Alternatively, for example, when an electric field is removed from the change layer (103) including the light scattering material (103b) and the display (100), the light absorption rate of the change layer (103) and the display (100) may be higher, the difference in the optical refractive index between the light scattering material (103b) and other materials constituting the change layer (103) with respect to the light incidence direction may be increased, and the transmittance and transparency may be lowered.

[0058] However, when an electric field is applied to the change layer (103) and the display (100) including the light scattering material (103b), the light absorption rate of the change layer (103) and the display (100) increases, the difference in the optical refractive index between the light scattering material (103b) and other materials constituting the change layer (103) with respect to the light incidence direction increases, and the transmittance and transparency may decrease. Or, for example, when an electric field is removed from the change layer (103) and the display (100) including the light scattering material (103b), the light absorption rate of the change layer (103) and the display (100) decreases, the difference in the optical refractive index between the light scattering material (103b) and other materials constituting the change layer (103) with respect to the light incidence direction decreases, and the transmittance and transparency may increase.

[0059] The state of the display (100) in which the haze is reduced by applying an electric field to the light-scattering material (103b) can become transparent. The transparent state can be expressed as a clear state, a high transmittance state, a low absorption state, and / or a low refractive index difference state. The transparent state can be expressed as a transparent mode.

[0060] The display (100) may include a plurality of thin films. The plurality of thin films may include a transparent substrate (101, 105) and transparent electrodes (102, 104).

[0061] The display (100) may further include transparent electrodes (102, 104). The transparent electrodes (102, 104) may allow or prevent current from flowing through the transformation layer (103) in which the electric heat material (103a) and the light scattering material (103b) are arranged. For example, the transparent electrodes (102, 104) may apply or remove an electric field to the transformation layer (103).

[0062] The transparent electrode (102, 104) may include ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide), PEDOT:PSS (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly polystyrene sulfonate), CNT (Carbon Nano Tube), Graphene, and AgNW (Silver Nanowire).

[0063] A plurality of transparent electrodes (102, 104) may be provided. The plurality of transparent electrodes (102, 104) may include a first transparent electrode (102) and a second transparent electrode (104). The plurality of transparent electrodes (102, 104) may be arranged on both sides of the change layer (103). For example, the first transparent electrode (102) may be arranged on the first side of the change layer (103). In addition, for example, the second transparent electrode (104) may be arranged on the second side of the change layer (103) opposite to the first side of the change layer (103).

[0064] The display (100) may further include a transparent substrate (101, 105). The transparent substrate (101, 105) may protect the change layer (103) and / or the transparent electrode (102, 104) from damage. The transparent substrate (101, 105) may include a transparent film or a transparent cover. The transparent substrate (101, 105) may be provided in multiple numbers.

[0065] The plurality of transparent substrates (101, 105) may include a first transparent substrate (101) and a second transparent substrate (105). The first transparent substrate (101) may be disposed on one side of the first transparent electrode (102). For example, the first transparent substrate (101) may be disposed on the first side of the first transparent electrode (102), and the change layer (103) may be disposed on the second side of the first transparent electrode (102). The first transparent electrode (102) and the first transparent substrate (101) may be in contact.

[0066] The second transparent substrate (105) may be placed on one side of the second transparent electrode (104). For example, the change layer (103) may be placed on the first side of the second transparent electrode (104), and the second transparent substrate (105) may be placed on the second side of the second transparent electrode (104). The second transparent electrode (104) and the second transparent substrate (105) may be in contact.

[0067] The user can view the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) without opening the door (31, 32, 33, 34) through the change layer (103), transparent electrodes (102, 104), and transparent substrate (101, 105) that have become transparent due to the application of an electric field. Therefore, the convenience of use can be increased (see Fig. 4).

[0068] In the drawing, light is depicted as flowing from the second transparent substrate (105) through the change layer (103) to the first transparent substrate (101), but the path of light movement is not limited to this.

[0069] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments. Fig. 5 is a table showing the operating voltage range of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in a refrigerator according to one embodiment, the display (100) may have a change in blur (e.g., opacity) depending on the voltage (and / or electric field) applied to the change layer (103). For example, as the voltage applied to the change layer (103) increases, the blur of the display (100) may decrease.

[0071] In one embodiment, a refrigerator can prevent and / or reduce heat loss by transferring heat inside a storage compartment to the outside of the main body (10), the door (31, 32, 33, 34), and the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) through an electric heat effect according to an electric heat material (103a) at a voltage lower than a predetermined voltage. In other words, the display (100) can minimize and / or prevent heat from being transferred from the outside of the main body (10), the door (31, 32, 33, 34), and the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) through the display (100) to the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) through an electric heat effect according to an electric heat material (103a) at a voltage lower than a predetermined voltage.

[0072] A voltage lower than a predetermined voltage (e.g., a specified voltage) applied to the display (100) may be the first voltage (V1). For example, the predetermined voltage may be 40 V, and the first voltage (V1) may be a voltage lower than or equal to 40 V.

[0073] In a refrigerator according to one embodiment, the display (100) can absorb heat from inside the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) and release heat to the outside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) by repeatedly applying and removing a first voltage (V1) to the change layer (103).

[0074] According to one embodiment of the refrigerator, the display (100) can reduce the fogging of the change layer (103) through the effect of reducing light scattering by the light scattering material (103b) at a voltage greater than a predetermined voltage. Since the fogging of the change layer (103) is reduced, the user can view the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) through the display (100), and the user's convenience can be increased. The voltage greater than the predetermined voltage applied to the display (100) can be the second voltage (V2). Accordingly, the second voltage (V2) can be greater than the first voltage (V1). For example, the predetermined voltage can be 40 V, and the second voltage (V2) can be a voltage that is equal to or greater than 40 V.

[0075] For example, based on the first voltage (V1) being applied to the display (100), the blurriness of the change layer (103) and / or the display (100) may be 50% or more. Also, for example, based on the second voltage (V2) being applied to the display (100), the blurriness of the change layer (103) and / or the display (100) may be 50% or less. Also, for example, the difference in blurriness between when the first voltage (V1) is applied to the display (100) and when the second voltage (V2) is applied may be 50% or more.

[0076] For example, when a first voltage (V1) is applied, the display (100) may be opaque, and when a second voltage (V2) is applied, the display (100) may be more transparent than when the first voltage (V1) is applied. Accordingly, the refrigerator according to one embodiment can adjust the transparency of the display (100) by adjusting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the display (100).

[0077] Ultimately, according to one embodiment, the refrigerator can perform an insulating function to prevent heat from flowing into the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) through the electric heat effect according to the electric heat material (103a) while a first voltage (V1) is applied to the display (100), and, through the effect of the arrangement of the light scattering material (103b) while a second voltage (V2) is applied to the display (100), enable the user to view the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) through the display (100).

[0078] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 6, the display (100) may include a plurality of thin films. The plurality of thin films may include a transparent substrate (101, 105) and transparent electrodes (102, 104).

[0080] A plurality of transparent electrodes (102, 104) may be provided. The plurality of transparent electrodes (102, 104) may include a first transparent electrode (102) and a second transparent electrode (104).

[0081] The first transparent electrode (102) may be closer to the storage chamber than the second transparent electrode (104). The first transparent electrode (102) may be disposed between the first transparent substrate (101) and the change layer (103). The first transparent electrode (102) may be in contact with the first transparent substrate (101). A portion of the first transparent electrode (102) may be in contact with the change layer (103). The first transparent electrode (102) may exchange heat with the change layer (103). The second transparent electrode (104) may be further from the storage chamber than the first transparent electrode (102). The second transparent electrode (104) may be disposed between the second transparent substrate (105) and the change layer (103). The second transparent electrode (104) may be in contact with the second transparent substrate (105). A part of the second transparent electrode (104) may be in contact with the change layer (103). The second transparent electrode (104) may exchange heat with the change layer (103).

[0082] A plurality of transparent substrates (101, 105) may be provided. The plurality of transparent substrates (101, 105) may include a first transparent substrate (101) and a second transparent substrate (105).

[0083] The first transparent substrate (101) may be closer to the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) than the second transparent substrate (105). The first transparent substrate (101) may be disposed between the first transparent electrode (102) and the first heat transfer member (108). The first transparent substrate (101) may be in contact with the first transparent electrode (102) and the first heat transfer member (108). The first transparent substrate (101) may exchange heat with the first heat transfer member (108). The second transparent substrate (105) may be further from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) than the first transparent substrate (101). The second transparent substrate (105) may be disposed between the second transparent electrode (104) and the second heat transfer member (109). The second transparent substrate (105) can be in contact with the second transparent electrode (104) and the second heat transfer member (109). The second transparent substrate (105) can exchange heat with the second heat transfer member (109).

[0084] The plurality of thin films may further include heat transfer members (108, 109). The heat transfer members (108, 109) may be in contact with the transparent substrate (101, 105) and exchange heat with the transparent substrate (101, 105). The heat transfer members (108, 109) may include a transparent film, a transparent substrate, or the like. The heat transfer members (108, 109) may be formed of a material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat transfer members (108, 109) may include graphene.

[0085] The heat transfer member (108, 109) may include a plurality of heat transfer members (108, 109). The plurality of heat transfer members (108, 109) may include a first heat transfer member (108) and a second heat transfer member (109).

[0086] The first heat transfer member (108) may be closer to the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) than the second heat transfer member (109), the transparent electrode (102, 104), and the transparent substrate (101, 105). The first heat transfer member (108) may be disposed between the first transparent substrate (101) and the storage chamber (21, 22, 23). The first heat transfer member (108) may be in contact with the first transparent substrate (101). The first heat transfer member (108) may receive heat (Q) from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) and transfer it to the first transparent substrate (101).

[0087] The second heat transfer member (109) may be further from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) than the first heat transfer member (108), the transparent electrodes (102, 104), and the transparent substrate (101, 105). The second heat transfer member (109) may be disposed between the second transparent substrate (105) and the outside of the display (100). The second heat transfer member (109) may be in contact with the second transparent substrate (105). The second heat transfer member (109) may receive heat (Q) from the second transparent substrate (105) and release it to the outside of the display (100).

[0088] The display (100) may include a partition wall (106). The partition wall (106) may be disposed between the first transparent electrode (102) and the second transparent electrode (104). The partition wall (106) may form a space (107) in which a change layer (103) and an inert gas are disposed. A plurality of partition walls (106) may be provided to support between the first transparent electrode (102) and the second transparent electrode (104). An inert gas may be disposed within the space (107) formed by the partition wall (106). For example, the inert gas may include argon (Ar). Since argon has very low thermal conductivity, the space (107) may obtain an excellent insulating effect between the first transparent electrode (102) and the second transparent electrode (104). Accordingly, it is possible to minimize / reduce heat from outside the storage room (21, 22, 23) from flowing into the storage room (21, 22, 23). However, this is not limited to this, and the interior of the space (107) may be a vacuum. For example, the bulkhead (106) may include urethane foam.

[0089] The change layer (103) may be movable. For example, referring to FIG. 7, the change layer (103) may be brought into contact with the second transparent electrode (104) based on the application of a first voltage (V1). Alternatively, the first voltage (V1) may be applied to the change layer (103) based on the change layer (103) being brought into contact with the second transparent electrode (104). When the first voltage (V1) is applied to the change layer (103), the temperature of the change layer (103) increases and heat may be transferred from the change layer (103) to the second transparent electrode (104) that is in contact with it. Since the temperature (T1) of the elevated change layer (103) may be higher than the outside temperature of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) and the outside temperature of the display (100), heat may flow from the change layer (103) through the second transparent electrode (104), the second transparent substrate (105), and the second heat transfer member (109) to the outside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) and the outside of the display (100). For example, based on the first voltage (V1) applied to the change layer (103), heat inside the display may be released to the outside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23). The change layer (103) may return to the initial temperature (T0) by releasing heat to the outside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23).

[0090] Also, for example, referring to FIG. 8, the change layer (103) can be brought into contact with the first transparent electrode (102) based on the removal of the first voltage (V1). The first voltage (V1) can be removed from the change layer (103) based on the change layer (103) being brought into contact with the first transparent electrode (102). When the first voltage (V1) is removed from the change layer (103), the temperature of the change layer (103) decreases and heat can be transferred from the contacted first transparent electrode (102) to the change layer (103). Since the temperature (T2) of the lowered change layer (103) may be lower than the internal temperature of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23), heat may flow from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) through the first heat transfer member (108), the first transparent substrate (101), and the first transparent electrode (102) to the change layer (103). For example, heat inside the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) may flow to the change layer (103) based on the removal of the first voltage (V1) to the change layer (103). The temperature (T2) of the lowered change layer (103) may be lower than the initial temperature (T0) of the change layer (103).

[0091] By repeatedly applying and removing the first voltage (V1) to the change layer (103) as described above, heat inside the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) can flow to the display (100), and heat of the display can flow to the outside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) and the outside of the display (100). Therefore, the refrigerator according to one embodiment can cool the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) by turning the voltage on / off to the display (100).

[0092] The change layer (103) can be moved by a driving device (300). The driving device (300) can be controlled by a processor (210) (see FIG. 9).

[0093] Figure 9 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 9, the refrigerator may further include a driving device (300). The driving device (300) may move the change layer (103). The driving device (300) may move the change layer (103) to contact the first transparent electrode (102) or the second transparent electrode (104) based on whether a first voltage (V1) is applied or removed to the change layer (103). For example, in response to the first voltage (V1) being applied to the change layer (103), the driving device (300) may move the change layer (103) to contact the second transparent electrode (104). In addition, for example, in response to the first voltage (V1) being removed from the change layer (103), the driving device (300) may move the change layer (103) to contact the first transparent electrode (102).

[0095] After the driving device (300) moves the change layer (103), a first voltage (V1) may be applied or removed to the change layer (103).

[0096] The driving device (300) may include an actuator, a motor, etc. The driving device (300) is not limited to the above-described example, as long as it can move the change layer (103).

[0097] A refrigerator may include a user interface (40) (e.g., including a circuit). The user interface (40) may be provided on a door (31, 32, 33, 34) and / or a display (100). A user may operate the user interface (40) to apply a first voltage (V1) or a second voltage (V2) to the display (100). The user interface (40) may include an input interface and an output interface, respectively. For example, the input interface may include a touch panel. For example, based on a user touching the touch panel, a second voltage (V2) may be applied to the display (100) that was previously applied with the first voltage (V1). The user interface (40) may also be formed through patterning on a portion of the display (100). Additionally, the user interface (40) can display how much voltage is applied while the first voltage (V1) or the second voltage (V2) is applied to the display (100).

[0098] The refrigerator may include at least one sensor (50). The sensor (50) may detect whether a user is in proximity to the refrigerator. For example, the sensor (50) may detect whether a user is in proximity to a door (31, 32, 33, 34) and / or a display (100), and transmit a sensor (50) value regarding the proximity of the user to the control unit (200) and / or the processor (210).

[0099] For example, at least one sensor (50) may include a camera, an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, etc. However, the type and location of the user's sensor (50) are not limited to the above examples.

[0100] A refrigerator may include a control unit (200). The control unit (200) may include hardware such as a CPU, a Micom, or a memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the control unit (200) may include at least one memory (220) that stores algorithms for controlling the operation of components of the refrigerator, data in the form of programs, and at least one processor (210) (e.g., including a processing circuit) that performs the operations described above and operations to be described below using data stored in the at least one memory (220). The memory (220) and the processor (210) may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor (210) may include one or more processor chips or one or more processing cores. The memory (220) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. In addition, the memory (220) and the processor (210) may be implemented as a single chip. The chips constituting the control unit (200) may be arranged inside the displays (10). In addition, the processor (210) may include various processing circuits and / or a plurality of processors. For example, the term "processor" as used in this specification and claims may include various processing circuits including at least one processor, one or more of which may be configured to perform various functions described herein, either singly or in a distributed manner. When "processor," "at least one processor," or "one or more processors" are described herein as being configured to perform various functions, these terms include, for example, a situation where one processor performs some of the mentioned functions and other processor(s) perform the remaining functions, as well as a situation where a single processor performs all of the functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors that perform various mentioned / disclosed functions in a distributed manner.At least one processor can execute program instructions to perform or accomplish various functions.

[0101] The processor (210) can control the driving device (300) to move the change layer (103). The processor (210) can control the driving device (300) to move the change layer (103) in a heat dissipation state of the display (100). For example, the processor (210) can control the driving device (300) to bring the change layer (103) into contact with the first transparent electrode (102) or the second transparent electrode (104) based on whether the first voltage (V1) is applied or removed to the change layer (103).

[0102] For example, in a heat dissipation state of the display (100), in response to a first voltage (V1) being applied to the change layer (103), the driving device (300) can control the driving device (300) to bring the change layer (103) into contact with the second transparent electrode (104). In addition, for example, in response to a first voltage (V1) being removed from the change layer (103), the driving device (300) can control the driving device (300) to bring the change layer (103) into contact with the first transparent electrode (102).

[0103] The processor (210) can change the display (100) to a heat-emitting state or a transparent state based on the sensor value obtained from the sensor (50). For example, the processor (210) can operate the display (100) to a heat-emitting state based on whether the user is adjacent to the door (31, 32, 33, 34) and / or the display (100). Alternatively, the processor (210) can operate the display (100) to a transparent state based on whether the user is adjacent to the door (32, 32, 33, 34) and / or the display (100).

[0104] The thermal emission state may include an opaque state. The opaque state may be expressed as a cloudy state, an opaque state, a highly absorbing state, and / or a high refractive index difference state. The transparent state may be expressed as a clear state, a highly transmittable state, a low absorbing state, and / or a low refractive index difference state. The thermal emission state may be expressed as a thermal emission mode. The transparent state may be expressed as a transparent mode.

[0105] Additionally, the processor (210) can receive a signal from at least one sensor (50) and control the voltage applied to the change layer (103). The processor (210) can apply a first voltage (V1) or a second voltage (V2) to the change layer (103) based on the sensor value obtained from the sensor (50).

[0106] For example, based on whether the user is adjacent to the door (31, 32, 33, 34) and / or the display (100), the processor (210) may repeatedly apply or remove the first voltage (V1) to the change layer (103). By applying or removing the first voltage (V1) to the change layer (103), heat may be released from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) through the display (100) to the outside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23). The processor (210) may repeatedly turn on / off the first voltage (V1) to the change layer (103) during the heat release state of the display (100).

[0107] Based on whether the user is adjacent to the door (32, 32, 33, 34) and / or the display (100), the processor (210) can continuously apply a second voltage (V2) to the transition layer (103). When the second voltage (V2) is applied to the transition layer (103), the display (100) has a reduced fogging degree, allowing the user to view the interior of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) without opening the door (32, 32, 33, 34). The processor (210) can continuously apply the second voltage (V1) to the transition layer (103) while the display (100) is in a transparent state.

[0108] In addition, the processor (210) can receive an input signal from the user interface (40) and control the voltage applied to the change layer (103). For example, based on a user input, the processor (210) can apply a first voltage (V1) to the change layer (103) to cool the inside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23), or apply a second voltage (V2) to the change layer (103) to reduce the blurriness of the display (100) so that the user can view the inside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) without opening the door.

[0109] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 10, the display (100) may include a plurality of display layers (110, 120). The plurality of display layers (110, 120) may be laminated. The plurality of display layers (110, 120) may be in contact. The plurality of display layers (110, 120) may include a first display layer (110) and a second display layer (120).

[0111] The first display layer (110) may include a first transparent substrate (111), a second transparent substrate (115), a first transparent electrode (112), a second transparent electrode (114), and a change layer (113). The second display layer (120) may include a first transparent substrate (121), a second transparent substrate (125), a first transparent electrode (122), a second transparent electrode (124), and a change layer (123). The first transparent substrate (111, 121), the second transparent substrate (115, 125), the first transparent electrode (112, 122), the second transparent electrode (114, 124) and the change layer (113, 123) of the first display layer (110) and the second display layer (120) may have structures and properties that substantially correspond to the first transparent substrate (101), the second transparent substrate (105), the first transparent electrode (102), the second transparent electrode (104) and the change layer (103) described in FIG. 3. Accordingly, each of the change layers (113, 123) of the first display layer (110) and the second display layer (120) may include an electrothermal material and a light scattering material. Additionally, each of the first display layer (110) and the second display layer (120) may further include a first heat transfer member (108) and a second heat transfer member (109).

[0112] The first display layer (110) and the second display layer (120) can be laminated and in contact. For example, the first transparent substrate (111) of the first display layer (110) and the second transparent substrate (125) of the second display layer (120) can be in contact.

[0113] The first display layer (110) may be arranged closer to the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) than the second display layer (120). The first display layer (110) may receive heat (Q1) from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) and transfer it to the second display layer (120). For example, based on a first voltage (V1) smaller than a predetermined voltage being applied to the change layer (113) of the first display layer (110), the first display layer (110) may transfer heat from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) to the second display layer (120).

[0114] The second display layer (120) may be arranged further from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) than the first display layer (110). The second display layer (120) may receive heat from the first display layer (110) and release the heat to the outside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23). For example, based on a first voltage (V1) smaller than a predetermined voltage being applied to the change layer (123) of the second display layer (120), the second display layer (120) may transfer heat (Q2) from the first display layer (110) to the outside of the main body (10).

[0115] For example, based on the electric field being applied to the change layer (123) of the second display layer (120), the temperature of the second display layer (120) increases, and heat may flow from the second display layer (120) to the outside of the main body (10) and the display (100). On the other hand, based on the electric field being removed from the change layer (113) of the first display layer (110), the temperature of the first display layer (110) decreases, and heat may flow from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) to the first display layer (110).

[0116] Based on the electric field being removed from the change layer (123) of the second display layer (120) and the electric field being applied to the change layer (113) of the first display layer (110), the temperature of the second display layer (120) decreases and the temperature of the first display layer (110) increases, so that heat can flow from the first display layer (110) to the second display layer (120).

[0117] Accordingly, the heat within the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) can be released to the outside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) and the main body (10) along the first display layer (110) and the second display layer (120). In addition, the above process can be repeated at a first voltage (V1) lower than a predetermined voltage.

[0118] In other words, the refrigerator according to one embodiment can insulate the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) or cool the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) because heat can be transferred from the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) to the outside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) based on the first voltage (V1) being applied to the change layer (113, 123).

[0119] In addition, since a plurality of display layers (110, 120) including a first display layer (110) and a second display layer (120) are laminated to each other, the temperature difference between the low temperature and high temperature of the display (100) can be large, a large cooling effect can be achieved through the display (100), and the operating power of the evaporator used for cooling the storage room (21, 22, 23) can be reduced.

[0120] In addition, in a refrigerator according to one embodiment, based on the application of a second voltage (V2) to the change layer (113, 123), the cloudiness of the change layer (113, 123) is reduced through the effect of reducing light scattering by the light scattering material (103b), and the user can view the inside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) through the display (100), thereby increasing user convenience.

[0121] The first display layer (110) can be a first window layer, and the second display layer (120) can be a second window layer.

[0122] Figures 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are schematic diagrams of displays in a refrigerator according to various embodiments. Figure 12 is a graph of a display in a refrigerator according to various embodiments.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 12, the display (100) may include a plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140). The plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) may be laminated. The plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) may be in contact. The plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) may include a first display layer (110), a second display layer (120), a third display layer (130), and a fourth display layer (140).

[0124] Each of the plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) may include a first transparent substrate (101), a second transparent substrate (105), a first transparent electrode (102), a second transparent electrode (104), a first heat transfer member (108), a second heat transfer member (109), and a change layer (103).

[0125] The first display layer (110) may be positioned closer to the storage room (21, 22, 23) than the second display layer (120), the third display layer, and the fourth display layer (140), and further away from the outside of the storage room (21, 22, 23) and the outside of the display (100).

[0126] The second display layer (120) may be arranged further from the storage room (21, 22, 23) than the first display layer (110) and closer to the storage room (21, 22, 23) than the third display layer (130) and the fourth display layer (140).

[0127] The third display layer (130) may be arranged closer to the storage room (21, 22, 23) than the first display layer (110) and the second display layer (120), and may be arranged farther from the storage room (21, 22, 23) than the fourth display layer (140).

[0128] The fourth display layer (140) may be positioned further from the storage room (21, 22, 23) than the first display layer (110), the second display layer, and the third display layer (130), and closer to the outside of the storage room (21, 22, 23) and the outside of the display (100).

[0129] The plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) may include the same electrothermal material or different types of electrothermal materials. Through the following process, each of the plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) can be operated in different temperature ranges.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 11A, the second display layer (120) and the third display layer (130) can be brought into contact, a first voltage (V1) can be applied to the second display layer (120) and the fourth display layer (140), and the voltage can be removed from the first display layer (110) and the third display layer (130). Accordingly, the temperatures of the second display layer (120) and the fourth display layer (140) increase, and the temperatures of the first display layer (110) and the third display layer (130) decrease, so that heat can be transferred from the second display layer (120) to the third display layer (130).

[0131] Referring to FIG. 11B, heat can be released from the fourth display layer (140) to the outside of the display (100) and the outside of the storage compartment (21, 22, 23). Additionally, heat can be transferred from the storage compartment (21, 22, 23) to the first display layer (110). The first display layer (110) can absorb heat from the storage compartment (21, 22, 23). The second display layer (120) and the third display layer (130) can achieve thermal equilibrium.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 11C, the first display layer (110) and the second display layer (120) may be in contact, and the third display layer (130) and the fourth display layer (140) may be in contact. In addition, a first voltage (V1) may be applied to the first display layer (110) and the third display layer (130), and the voltage may be removed from the second display layer (120) and the fourth display layer (140). Accordingly, the temperatures of the first display layer (110) and the third display layer (130) increase, and the temperatures of the second display layer (120) and the fourth display layer (140) decrease, so that heat may be transferred from the first display layer (110) to the second display layer (120), and heat may be transferred from the third display layer (130) to the fourth display layer (140).

[0133] Referring to FIG. 11D, through heat transfer, the first display layer (110) and the second display layer (120) can achieve thermal equilibrium, and the third display layer (130) and the fourth display layer (140) can achieve thermal equilibrium. Thereafter, the process illustrated in FIG. 11(a) can be returned to.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 12, each of the plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) may operate in different temperature ranges. Additionally, the plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) may have portions of their temperature ranges overlap each other.

[0135] The temperature of the first display layer (110) can be lowered by removing the voltage (110a). The first display layer (110) can absorb heat from the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) (110b). The temperature of the first display layer (110) can be raised by applying the voltage (110c). The first display layer (110) can transfer heat to the second display layer (120) (110d).

[0136] The second display layer (120) can increase in temperature by applying voltage (120a). The second display layer (120) can transfer heat to the third display layer (130) (120b). The second display layer (120) can decrease in temperature by removing voltage (120c). The second display layer (120) can receive heat from the first display layer (110) (120d).

[0137] The temperature of the third display layer (130) can decrease when the voltage is removed (130a). The third display layer (130) can absorb heat from the second display layer (120) (130b). The temperature of the third display layer (130) can increase when the voltage is applied (130c). The third display layer (130) can transfer heat to the fourth display layer (140) (130d).

[0138] The fourth display layer (140) can increase in temperature by applying voltage (140a). The fourth display layer (140) can release heat to the outside of the display (100) and the outside of the storage chamber (21, 22, 23) (140b). The fourth display layer (140) can decrease in temperature by removing voltage (140c). The fourth display layer (140) can receive heat from the third display layer (130) (140d).

[0139] Through the above process, the plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) can transfer heat to each other while operating in different temperature ranges. Therefore, the refrigerator according to one embodiment can have a display (100) having a temperature range (ΔTt) greater than the temperature range (ΔTn) possible in one display layer. Since the temperature range (ΔTt) between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature of the display (100) including the plurality of display layers (110, 120, 130, 140) is increased, the refrigerator can implement a large cooling effect through the display (100).

[0140] The first display layer (110) may be a first window layer, the second display layer (120) may be a second window layer, the third display layer (130) may be a third window layer, and the fourth display layer (140) may be a fourth window layer.

[0141] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator can be provided that cools a storage compartment through a single display to improve energy efficiency and includes a display that can adjust the degree of cloudiness (e.g., opacity) so that the interior of the storage compartment is visible or invisible.

[0142] The effects according to one aspect of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the description below.

[0143] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator comprises: a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment; and a display provided on the door and including an electrothermal material and a light scattering material, wherein the display is configured to release heat from the storage compartment to the outside of the storage compartment by a change in the electrothermal material based on a first voltage smaller than a specified voltage being applied to the display, and is configured to reduce scattering of light incident on the display by a change in the light scattering material based on a second voltage larger than the specified voltage being applied to the display.

[0144] The display further includes a display layer, and the display layer includes: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent substrate; a second transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent electrode; a second transparent substrate disposed on the second transparent electrode; and a change layer disposed between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode, and having the electrothermal material and the light-scattering material provided thereon; and the display can have a heat-emitting state in which the temperature of the electrothermal material increases based on a voltage applied to the change layer being the first voltage, and a transparent state in which the light-scattering material is arranged based on a voltage applied to the change layer being the second voltage, so that scattering of light incident on the display is reduced.

[0145] The display layer includes a plurality of display layers, and the plurality of display layers include: a first display layer; and a second display layer in contact with the first display layer and disposed further from the storage chamber than the first display layer; wherein the display is configured such that, in the heat dissipation state, based on a first voltage being applied to a change layer of the first display layer and a voltage being removed from a change layer of the second display layer, heat within the first display layer is transferred to the second display layer, and based on a voltage being removed from the change layer of the first display layer and a first voltage being applied to a change layer of the second display layer, heat within the storage chamber is transferred from the storage chamber to the first display layer and heat within the second display layer is transferred to the outside of the storage chamber and the outside of the display.

[0146] In the heat dissipation state of the display, the temperature of the electric heat material is configured to rise based on the first voltage being applied to the change layer, and the temperature of the electric heat material is configured to fall based on the first voltage being removed from the change layer, thereby dissipating heat from the change layer to the outside of the storage chamber, and in the heat dissipation state of the display, applying the first voltage to the change layer and removing the first voltage can be configured to be repeated.

[0147] The above-mentioned change layer may further include a driving device including an actuator configured to move the change layer so that the change layer comes into contact with the first transparent electrode or the second transparent electrode.

[0148] The first transparent electrode is closer to the storage chamber than the second transparent electrode, and is configured to control the driving device so that the change layer contacts the second transparent electrode based on the first voltage being applied to the change layer in the heat dissipation state of the display, and to individually and / or collectively control the driving devices so that the change layer contacts the first transparent electrode based on the first voltage being removed from the change layer, and may further include at least one processor including a processing circuit.

[0149] At least one processor may be configured to individually and / or collectively apply the second voltage to the transition layer in the transparent state of the display.

[0150] At least one sensor configured to detect whether a user is in proximity to the refrigerator; and at least one processor may be configured to apply the first voltage or the second voltage to the change layer in response to receiving, individually and / or collectively, information about the proximity of the user from the sensor.

[0151] At least one processor may be individually and / or collectively configured to apply the second voltage to the transition layer to cause the display to become transparent based on the proximity of the user to the refrigerator.

[0152] The above display layer may further include a partition provided between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode to form a space in which the change layer can move.

[0153] The above display layer may further include an inert gas disposed between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode.

[0154] The second transparent substrate may be disposed further from the storage chamber than the first transparent substrate, and the display layer may include a first heat transfer member disposed on a surface of the first transparent substrate within a first designated distance from the storage chamber to allow heat to be transferred from the storage chamber to the display layer, and including a heat transfer material; and a second heat transfer member disposed on a surface of the second transparent substrate within a second designated distance greater than the first designated distance from the storage chamber to allow heat to be released from the display layer to the outside of the storage chamber, and including a heat transfer material.

[0155] The display layer includes a plurality of display layers, and the plurality of display layers include: a first display layer; a second display layer configured to receive heat from the first display layer and disposed further from the storage room than the first display layer; a third display layer configured to receive heat from the second display layer and disposed further from the storage room than the second display layer; and a fourth display layer configured to receive heat from the third display layer and disposed further from the storage room than the third display layer; wherein heat transferred from the storage room to the first display layer can pass through the second display layer, the third display layer, and the fourth display layer and be discharged to the outside of the storage room.

[0156] In the heat dissipation state, based on the first voltage being applied to the second display layer and the fourth display layer and the voltage being removed from the first display layer and the third display layer, heat can be transferred from inside the storage chamber to the first display layer, heat can be transferred from the second display layer to the third display layer, and heat can be transferred from the fourth display layer to the outside of the storage chamber.

[0157] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator comprises: a main body; a door rotatably coupled to the main body; and a window provided in the door, the window including a first window layer and a second window layer further from the interior of the main body than the first window layer; wherein the window is configured such that heat within the first window layer is transferred to the second window layer based on a voltage being applied to the first window layer and a voltage being removed from the second window layer, and heat within the interior of the main body is transferred to the first window layer and heat within the second window layer is transferred to the exterior of the main body and the exterior of the window based on a voltage being removed from the first window layer and a voltage being applied to the second window layer.

[0158] Each of the first window layer and the second window layer includes an electric heating material, and is configured such that the temperature of the electric heating material increases based on the voltage being applied to the first window layer and the second window layer, and the temperature of the electric heating material decreases based on the voltage being removed from the first window layer and the second window layer, thereby emitting heat to the outside of the main body from the first window layer and the second window layer, and the applying and removing of the voltage to the first window layer and the second window layer can be configured to be repeated.

[0159] The window includes a third window layer configured to receive heat from the second window layer and disposed further from the interior of the main body than the second window layer; and a fourth window layer configured to receive heat from the third window layer and disposed further from the interior of the main body than the third window layer; wherein heat transferred from the interior of the main body to the first window layer can pass through the second window layer, the third window layer, and the fourth window layer and be released to the exterior of the main body.

[0160] Each of the first window layer, the second window layer, the third window layer, and the fourth window layer further includes: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent substrate; a second transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent electrode; a second transparent substrate disposed on the second transparent electrode; and a change layer disposed between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode, and having the electrothermal material and the light scattering material provided thereon; wherein the display can have a heat release state in which the temperature of the electrothermal material increases based on a first voltage applied to the change layer being lower than a predetermined voltage and thus releases heat to the outside of the main body, and a transparent state in which the light scattering material has an arrangement based on a second voltage applied to the change layer being higher than the predetermined voltage and thus reducing scattering of light incident on the window.

[0161] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator comprises: a main body; a door rotatably coupled to the main body; and a window provided on the door and including a light-scattering material, wherein the window is configured such that the light-scattering material has an arrangement based on a voltage applied to the light-scattering material, thereby reducing scattering of light incident on the window and lowering the fogging of the window.

[0162] The window further includes: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent substrate; a second transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent electrode; a second transparent substrate disposed on the second transparent electrode; and a change layer disposed between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode, the light-scattering material and the electrothermal material being provided; and the display can be configured to have a heat-emitting state in which the electrothermal material increases in temperature and releases heat to the outside of the main body based on a first voltage applied to the change layer being lower than a specified voltage, and a transparent state in which the light-scattering material has an arrangement in which scattering of light incident on the window is reduced based on a second voltage applied to the change layer being higher than the specified voltage.

[0163] In the heat dissipation state of the display, the temperature of the electric heat material is configured to rise based on the first voltage being applied to the change layer, and the temperature of the electric heat material is configured to fall based on the voltage being removed from the change layer, thereby dissipating heat from the change layer to the outside of the main body, and in the heat dissipation state of the display, applying and removing the voltage to the change layer can be configured to be repeated.

[0164] The display may further include at least one processor configured to apply a first voltage to the change layer in the heat dissipation state, and configured to individually and / or collectively apply a second voltage to the change layer in the transparent state of the display, and including a processing circuit.

[0165] The above has illustrated and described specific embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims below. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any embodiment described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

Claims

1. Storage room; A door provided in the above storage room and opened and closed; and A display provided on the above door and including an electric heating material and a light scattering material; The above display is, A refrigerator configured such that heat is released from the storage compartment to the outside of the storage compartment by a change in the electric heating material based on a first voltage smaller than the specified voltage being applied to the display, and configured such that scattering of light incident on the display is reduced by a change in the light scattering material based on a second voltage larger than the specified voltage being applied to the display.

2. In paragraph 1, The above display includes a display layer, The above display layer, First transparent substrate; A first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent substrate; A second transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent electrode; A second transparent substrate disposed on the second transparent electrode; and It further includes a transformation layer, which is arranged between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode and in which the electric heat material and the light scattering material are provided; The above display is, A refrigerator configured such that the temperature of the electric heat material increases based on the voltage applied to the change layer in a heat-emitting state being the first voltage, thereby releasing heat to the outside of the storage chamber, and configured such that the light-scattering material has an arrangement based on the voltage applied to the change layer in a transparent state being the second voltage, thereby reducing scattering of light incident on the display.

3. In paragraph 2, The above display layer comprises a plurality of display layers, The above multiple display layers are, first display layer; and A second display layer is in contact with the first display layer and is positioned further from the storage room than the first display layer; The above display, in the heat dissipation state, Based on the first voltage being applied to the transition layer of the first display layer and the voltage being removed from the transition layer of the second display layer, heat within the first display layer is configured to be transferred to the second display layer. A refrigerator configured such that heat within the storage compartment is transferred from the storage compartment to the first display layer and heat within the second display layer is transferred to the outside of the storage compartment and the outside of the display based on voltage being removed from the change layer of the first display layer and a first voltage being applied to the change layer of the second display layer.

4. In paragraph 2, In the heat dissipation state of the display, the temperature of the electrothermal material is configured to rise based on the first voltage being applied to the change layer, and the temperature of the electrothermal material is configured to fall based on the first voltage being removed from the change layer, thereby dissipating heat from the change layer to the outside of the storage room. A refrigerator configured such that, in the heat dissipation state of the above display, applying a first voltage to the change layer and removing the first voltage are repeated.

5. In paragraph 4, A refrigerator further comprising a driving device including an actuator, the driving device configured to move the change layer so that the change layer comes into contact with the first transparent electrode or the second transparent electrode.

6. In paragraph 5, The first transparent electrode is closer to the storage chamber than the second transparent electrode, A refrigerator further comprising at least one processor including a processing circuit, individually and / or collectively, wherein the driving device is configured to control the driving device so that the changing layer contacts the second transparent electrode based on the first voltage being applied to the changing layer in the heat dissipation state of the display, and wherein the driving device is configured to control the changing layer contacts the first transparent electrode based on the first voltage being removed from the changing layer.

7. In paragraph 6, A refrigerator wherein at least one processor is configured, individually and / or collectively, to apply the second voltage to the change layer in the transparent state of the display.

8. In paragraph 5, further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect whether a user is adjacent to said refrigerator; A refrigerator wherein at least one processor is configured to apply the first voltage or the second voltage to the change layer in response to receiving, individually and / or collectively, information regarding the proximity of the user from the sensor.

9. In paragraph 8, A refrigerator wherein at least one processor is individually and / or collectively configured to apply the second voltage to the change layer so that the display becomes transparent based on the proximity of the user to the refrigerator.

10. In paragraph 5, The second transparent substrate is placed further away from the storage room than the first transparent substrate, The above display layer, A partition provided between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode so as to form a movable space in the above-mentioned change layer; An inert gas provided between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode; A first heat transfer member, which is disposed on a surface within a first designated distance from the storage compartment of the first transparent substrate to the display layer so that heat is transferred from the storage compartment to the display layer, and which includes a heat transfer material; and A refrigerator comprising: a second heat transfer member, which is disposed on a surface of the second transparent substrate within a second designated distance greater than the first designated distance to the storage compartment, and which includes a heat transfer material so that heat is released from the display layer to the outside of the storage compartment.

11. In paragraph 2, The above display layer comprises a plurality of display layers, The above multiple display layers are, First display layer; A second display layer configured to receive heat from the first display layer and positioned further from the storage room than the first display layer; A third display layer configured to receive heat from the second display layer and positioned further from the storage room than the second display layer; and A fourth display layer configured to receive heat from the third display layer and positioned further from the storage room than the third display layer; A refrigerator in which heat transferred from the storage room to the first display layer is released to the outside of the storage room through the second display layer, the third display layer, and the fourth display layer.

12. In paragraph 11, The above display, in the above heat dissipation state, Based on the first voltage being applied to the second display layer and the fourth display layer and the voltage being removed from the first display layer and the third display layer, Heat is transferred from within the storage room to the first display layer, Heat is transferred from the second display layer to the third display layer, A refrigerator in which heat is transferred from the fourth display layer to the outside of the storage room. A refrigerator in which heat is transferred from the fourth display layer to the outside of the storage room.

Images