Check valve and refrigerator having same

Abstract

A refrigerator according to one embodiment comprises: a main body having a freezer chamber and a refrigeration chamber; a compressor; a condenser; a heat pump including a first evaporator provided in the freezer chamber so as to cool the freezer chamber, and a second evaporator provided in the refrigeration chamber so as to cool the refrigeration chamber; an outlet pipe connected to an outlet of the first evaporator so as to transfer, to the compressor, a refrigerant that has passed through the first evaporator; and a check valve provided at the outlet pipe so as to prevent the refrigerant from flowing backward in the outlet pipe, wherein the check valve includes: a valve housing including an inflow port, a discharge port and a guide flow path formed between the inflow port and the discharge port; a core, which advances and retreats with respect to the valve housing so as to allow the flow of the refrigerant from the inflow port toward the discharge port and block the flow of the refrigerant from the discharge port to the inflow port; and a stopper, which is coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing and accommodates the core, the core being inserted between the valve housing and a portion of the stopper in the direction that intersects with the direction from the inflow port toward the discharge port.

Description

Check valve and refrigerator containing the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a check valve applicable to a refrigerator.

[0002] In general, a refrigerator is a device that lowers the temperature inside a storage space by discharging cold air generated by a refrigeration cycle to freeze or refrigerate food, etc.

[0003] In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant continuously transforms into a gas and then back into a liquid. This cycle is divided into three stages: compression in the compressor, condensation and heat release in the condenser, expansion through the capillary tube, and evaporation in the evaporator. These processes are interconnected to perform refrigeration and freezing functions.

[0004] The evaporator is operated using a compressor, and at this time, the refrigerant may flow backward due to the difference in evaporation pressure inside the refrigerant pipe.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a simplified check valve having a simple configuration and easy assembly.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a check valve comprising a valve housing, a stopper, and a core that can be easily joined or separated.

[0007] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator comprises a body having a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator provided in the freezer compartment to cool the freezer compartment, and a heat pump including a second evaporator provided in the refrigerator compartment to cool the refrigerator compartment, an outlet pipe connected to an outlet of the first evaporator to transfer refrigerant passing through the first evaporator to the compressor, and a check valve provided in the outlet pipe to prevent backflow of the refrigerant in the outlet pipe, wherein the check valve comprises a valve housing including an inlet, an outlet, and a guide path formed between the inlet and the outlet, a core provided to move back and forth with respect to the valve housing to allow a flow of refrigerant from the inlet to the outlet and block a flow of refrigerant from the outlet to the inlet, and a stopper coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the valve housing and provided to receive the core, wherein the core is inserted between a portion of the valve housing and the stopper in a direction intersecting a direction from the inlet to the outlet. It is prepared.

[0009] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator includes a body having a storage compartment, a compressor, a condenser, a heat pump including an evaporator provided in a storage compartment to cool the storage compartment, an outlet pipe connected to an outlet of the evaporator to transfer refrigerant passing through the evaporator to the compressor, and a valve housing including an inlet and an outlet, a core provided to move back and forth with respect to the valve housing, a stopper formed of a stainless steel plate having elasticity and coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the valve housing and configured to receive the core, and a check valve provided in the outlet pipe to prevent reverse flow of refrigerant in the outlet pipe, the stopper including an elastic portion coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the valve housing, and a separation prevention portion partitioning the inside of the outlet pipe to prevent the core from being separated from the check valve when the refrigerant flows from the inlet to the outlet, and the core is provided to be inserted into an insertion opening formed between a portion of the valve housing and the stopper in a direction intersecting a direction from the inlet to the outlet.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator comprises a valve housing including an inlet and an outlet, a core configured to move back and forth with respect to the valve housing so as to allow a flow of refrigerant from the inlet to the outlet and block a flow of refrigerant from the outlet to the inlet, and a stopper coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the valve housing and configured to receive the core, wherein the valve housing comprises an inlet body in which the inlet is formed, an outlet body in which the outlet is formed, and a connecting body disposed between the inlet body and the outlet body to be coupled with the stopper, wherein the stopper comprises an elastic portion coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the valve housing, and a separation prevention portion disposed to be spaced apart from the elastic portion by a predetermined distance so as to prevent the core from being separated from the stopper when the refrigerant flows from the inlet to the outlet, and the outlet body includes an inclined portion whose thickness gradually becomes thinner in a direction from the inlet to the outlet, and the core is inserted into an insertion opening formed between an end of the inclined portion and the separation prevention portion so as to be inserted from the inlet to the outlet. It is designed to be inserted in a direction intersecting the direction toward the exhaust port.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator including a check valve according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a cold air supply device of a refrigerator including a check valve according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a check valve coupled to an outlet pipe according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a check valve applied to a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a check valve applied to a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0016] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a check valve applied to a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerant flowing in a forward direction in a check valve applied to a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerant flowing in the reverse direction in a check valve according to one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 9 is a plan view of a check valve according to one embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Fig. 6.

[0021] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0022] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0023] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0024] In this disclosure, each of the phrases "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, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0025] The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0026] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0027] In addition, terms such as 'front', 'rear', 'top', 'bottom', 'side', 'left', 'right', 'upper', and 'lower' used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0028] The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0029] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0030] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0031] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0032] The “body” may include an inner case, an outer case placed on the outside of the inner case, and an insulating material provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0033] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, plate, panel, or liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The "outer case" may form the outer appearance of the body, and may be joined to the outer side of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0034] "Insulation" can insulate the interior and exterior of a storage room so that the temperature inside the storage room can be maintained at a set temperature without being affected by the external environment. In one embodiment, the insulation can include foam insulation. The foam insulation can be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer layers.

[0035] In one embodiment, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation material in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of the vacuum insulation material instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation material may include a core material and an outer shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the interior under a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation material is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation material described above, and may include various materials that can be used for insulation.

[0036] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an interior wall. The storage room may further include an interior wall defining a corresponding space. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage room may be configured to be open on at least one side for the entry and exit of items.

[0037] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0038] The storage room may be provided to be maintained at an appropriate temperature range depending on the intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished according to the intended use and / or temperature range. The refrigerator room may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and the freezer room may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator room may be maintained at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze them or keep them in a frozen state, and for example, a freezer room may be maintained at a temperature ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. The variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator room or a freezer room, at the user's option or not.

[0039] In addition to names such as "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room," a storage room may also be called by various other names such as "vegetable room," "fresh room," "cooling room," and "ice room." The terms "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room" used hereinafter should be understood to encompass storage rooms having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

[0040] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the main body in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0041] The “door” may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to the body, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the door may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door, a door inner panel forming the back of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided on the interior of these.

[0043] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by contacting the front of the body when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0044] In one embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door body, a door inner panel forming the rear of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided inside these.

[0045] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerator.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0047] A “cold air supply device” may include a system of machines, devices, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof that can generate cold air and guide the cold air to cool a storage room.

[0048] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment through heat generation and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged.

[0050] The "machine room" may be designed to be partitioned and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components placed within the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. The interior of the machine room may be configured to be connected to the exterior of the main body to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0051] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door so that it is accessible to a user without having to open the door.

[0052] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice-making device configured to produce ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray configured to store water, an ice-separating device configured to separate ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket configured to store ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0054] The “control unit” may include a memory that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor that outputs a control signal for controlling a cold air supply device, etc. according to the program and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0055] Memory stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. Memory can store temporary data generated during the generation of control signals for controlling components within the refrigerator. Memory may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0056] The processor controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor can control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate NPU that performs the operations of an artificial intelligence model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like. The processor may generate control signals to control the operation of the cooling system. For example, the processor may receive temperature information about the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control the operation of the cooling system based on the temperature information.

[0057] Additionally, the processor may process user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface based on programs and / or data stored / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive user input from the user interface. Additionally, the processor may transmit display control signals and image data to the user interface for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input.

[0058] The processor and memory may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0059] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components within the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components within the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Additionally, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface based on user input.

[0060] The communication module can communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances, via a nearby access point (AP). The AP can connect the local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator or user device is connected to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The refrigerator or user device can then connect to the server via the WAN.

[0061] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0062] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor.

[0063] The check valve according to the invention is not limited to being applied to the refrigerator described above, and can be applied to various types of devices utilizing a refrigeration cycle.

[0064] Hereinafter, one embodiment is described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0065] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator (1) including a check valve (40) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a cold air supply device of a refrigerator (1) including a check valve (40) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator (1) may include a main body (10), a storage compartment (20) formed as a compartment within the main body (10), a door that can open and close the storage compartment (20), and a cold air supply device that supplies cold air to the storage compartment (20).

[0067] The main body (10) may include an inner case (12) forming a storage room (20), an outer case (11) that is bonded to the outside of the inner case (12) to form an exterior, and an insulating material (13) that is foamed between the inner case (12) and the outer case (11) to insulate the storage room (20). The inner case (12) may be formed of a plastic material, and the outer case (11) may be formed of a metal material.

[0068] A compressor (2) capable of compressing a refrigerant and a condenser (3) for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (2) may be arranged at the lower rear side of the main body (10). The main body (10) may be formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and may include a bottom surface (14) forming the lower portion of the main body (10). The bottom surface (14) may be arranged to be substantially parallel to the ground when the refrigerator (1) is installed.

[0069] Referring to Fig. 2, a refrigeration supply device comprising a compressor (2), a condenser (3), a capillary tube, and an evaporator (30) may be included in a refrigerator (1). The compressor (2) compresses a gaseous refrigerant to create a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, and the condenser (3) can convert the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant into a liquefied refrigerant by releasing heat. The pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant in a liquid state may decrease as it passes through the capillary tube.

[0070] The refrigerant depressurized through the capillary tube can be selectively supplied by a three-way valve (5) arranged in a branch area where a pipe dividing into a first evaporator (31) and a second evaporator (32) is installed.

[0071] In other words, when the branch pipe (7) through which the refrigerant can flow to the second evaporator (32) is closed by the three-way valve (5) and the inlet pipe (9) through which the refrigerant can flow to the first evaporator (31) is opened, the refrigerant that has passed through the capillary tube can be supplied to the first evaporator (31). Conversely, when the inlet pipe (9) is closed and the branch pipe (7) is opened, the refrigerant that has passed through the capillary tube can be supplied to the second evaporator (32).

[0072] The refrigerant that has passed through the capillary tube may be introduced into the evaporator (30) and vaporized. The vaporized refrigerant absorbs heat from the surroundings and cools the air around the evaporator (30), and the generated cold air may be blown into the storage compartment (20) of the refrigerator (1) by the blower fan (6). Then, the vaporized refrigerant is introduced into the compressor (2) and compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas.

[0073] The storage room (20) can be formed by dividing it into a freezer room (21) and a refrigerator room (22), and the evaporator (30) can also be arranged with a first evaporator (31) corresponding to the freezer room (21) and a second evaporator (32) corresponding to the refrigerator room (22).

[0074] A three-way valve (5) may be installed in a section that selectively distributes refrigerant to the first evaporator (31) and the second evaporator (32) through the capillary tube. The refrigerant, which has been depressurized while passing through the capillary tube, may flow along the flow path and be selectively supplied by the three-way valve (5) installed in the branch section that divides into the first evaporator (31) and the second evaporator (32).

[0075] The refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator (31) can be evaporated within the first evaporator (31), and cold air can be formed by absorbing heat from the surroundings. The formed refrigerant can then be supplied to the compressor (2). The second evaporator (32) can also form cold air.

[0076] The cold air formed in the first evaporator (31) and the second evaporator (32) can be supplied to the freezer (21) and refrigerator (22) through the corresponding blower fans (6), respectively.

[0077] When refrigerant is supplied from the condenser (3) to the evaporator (30) through a capillary tube, the load applied to the plurality of evaporators (30) may be different depending on the temperature difference between the freezer (21) and the refrigerator (22). As the loads of the freezer (21) and the refrigerator (22) are different from each other, the evaporation pressure of the first evaporator (31) and the evaporation pressure of the second evaporator (32) may be different.

[0078] In other words, the pressure of the refrigerant in the rear pipe (8) connected to the outlet through the branch pipe (7) and the second evaporator (32) may be higher than the pressure of the refrigerant in the outlet pipe (33) due to the operation of the three-way valve (5). As a result, the refrigerant may flow in the opposite direction rather than toward the compressor (2).

[0079] To solve this problem, a check valve (40) may be placed in the outlet pipe (33) of the first evaporator (31) to block the high-pressure refrigerant from flowing backward into the first evaporator (31) through the outlet pipe (33) of the first evaporator (31).

[0080] In other words, the check valve (40) can prevent the reverse flow of refrigerant from the evaporator (30) to the compressor (2) and maintain the flow of refrigerant in one direction.

[0081] Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a check valve (40) coupled to an outlet pipe (33) according to one embodiment, and Figs. 4 and 5 are exploded perspective views of a check valve (40) applied to a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 3, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment may include a check valve (40) disposed inside an outlet pipe (33). The check valve (40) may maintain the flow of refrigerant in one direction in the outlet pipe (33).

[0083] A check valve (40) according to one embodiment may include a valve housing (100), a core (200) that moves forward and backward within the check valve, and a stopper (300) that prevents the core (200) from being dislodged. The check valve (40) may include an insertion opening (41) formed by the combination of the valve housing (100) and the stopper (300). The core (200) may be inserted between the valve housing (100) and the stopper (300) through the insertion opening (41).

[0084] The valve housing (100) may include an inlet (101) through which refrigerant flows in, an outlet (102) through which refrigerant flows out, and a guide passage (103) formed between the inlet (101) and the outlet (102). The valve housing (100) may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0085] The valve housing (100) may include an inlet body (110) including an inlet port (101), an outlet body (120) including an outlet port (102), and a connecting body (130) connecting the inlet body (110) and the outlet body (120). That is, the refrigerant passing through the inlet port (101) may be discharged through the inlet body (110), the connecting body (130), and the outlet body (120) to the outlet port (102).

[0086] The inlet body (110) can be formed so that the outer diameter of the inlet body (110) is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the outlet pipe (33). That is, the inlet body (110) can be formed so that the smallest amount of refrigerant passes between the outer surface of the inlet body (110) and the inner surface of the outlet pipe (33).

[0087] The inlet body (110) may include a joining groove (111) formed along the outer surface to join with the outlet pipe (33). Specifically, the joining groove (111) may be formed in a shape in which the outer diameter of the inlet body gradually decreases in the direction from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102) and then increases again.

[0088] The outlet body (120) can be in contact with the core (200). For example, when the refrigerant inside the outlet pipe (33) flows from the outlet (102) toward the inlet (101), the core (200) can move toward the outlet body (120) and come into contact with the outlet body (120) to close the guide passage (103). Conversely, when the refrigerant flows from the inlet (101) toward the outlet (102), the core (200) can move toward the stopper (300) and come into contact with the stopper (300) to open the guide passage (103).

[0089] The outlet body (120) may include an inclined portion (121) whose thickness gradually decreases in the direction from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102). An end of the inclined portion (121) may be in contact with one surface of the core (200). Specifically, the core (200) may be in contact with the end of the inclined portion (121) when the refrigerant flows from the outlet (102) toward the inlet (101).

[0090] The connecting body (130) can be connected to the inlet body (110) and the outlet body (120). The connecting body (130) can be placed between the inlet body (110) and the outlet body (120). The diameter of the connecting body (130) can be smaller than the diameter of the inlet body (110) and the diameter of the outlet body (120).

[0091] A jaw may be formed between the inlet body (110) and the connecting body (130) and between the outlet body (120) and the connecting body (130), and a space may be formed on the outer surface of the connecting body (130) into which a stopper (300) may be inserted.

[0092] The core (200) may be placed between the end of the valve housing (100) and the stopper (300). Specifically, the core (200) may be placed between the end of the inclined portion (121) and the stopper (300). The core (200) may be formed in a roughly circular plate shape.

[0093] The stopper (300) may include a separation prevention part (320) that prevents the core (200) from being separated from the check valve (40), an elastic part (310) that can be combined with the valve housing (100), a first guide rib (331) that connects the elastic part (310) and the separation prevention part (320), and a second guide rib (332) that guides the forward and backward movement of the core (200) together with the first guide rib (331).

[0094] The stopper (300) can be manufactured by bending an elastic spring steel plate. The material of the stopper (300) can be stainless steel (SUS304).

[0095] The separation prevention part (320) may be formed to partition the inside of the outlet pipe (33). The separation prevention part (320) may include a first separation prevention rib (321) and a second separation prevention rib (322) protruding from a first guide rib (331). Specifically, the first separation prevention rib (321) may be formed by being bent from one side of the end of the elastic part (310), and the second separation prevention rib (322) may be formed by being bent from the other side of the end of the elastic part (310).

[0096] The separation prevention unit (320) can divide the space inside the outlet pipe (33) into sections between the inner surface of the outlet pipe (33) and the first separation prevention rib (321), between the first separation prevention rib (321) and the second separation prevention rib (322), and between the second separation prevention rib (322) and the inner surface of the outlet. As a result, the core (200) can be prevented from being separated due to the flow of refrigerant.

[0097] The gap between the first anti-separation rib (321) and the second anti-separation rib (322) may become narrower as it goes from the first guide to the second guide.

[0098] In order to effectively prevent the core (200) from detaching, the gap between the first detachment prevention rib (321) and the second detachment prevention rib (322) may become narrower as it goes from the first guide rib (331) to the second guide rib (332).

[0099] The second guide rib (332) may be formed to face the first guide rib (331). The first guide rib (331) and the second guide rib (332) may enable the core (200) to move smoothly forward and backward. That is, the first guide rib (331) and the second guide rib (332) may prevent the core (200) from moving forward and backward due to interference with the inner surface of the outlet pipe (33), for example.

[0100] The elastic member (310) may be formed in a shape roughly cut in half of a circular ring. Specifically, the elastic member (310) may be formed in a roughly U-shape so as to surround the connecting body (130). The distance between the ends of the elastic member (310) may be greater than the outer diameter of the connecting body (130). When the elastic member (310) is assembled, the distance between the ends may widen, and after being assembled with the connecting body (130), the distance between the ends may narrow again. As a result, the bonding force between the elastic member (310) and the connecting body (130) may be strengthened.

[0101] The outlet pipe (33) may include a sealing portion (33a) corresponding to the joining groove (111) of the inlet body (110). Specifically, after the stopper (300) is joined to the valve housing (100), the core (200) may be inserted into the insertion space. The check valve in which the valve housing (100), the stopper (300), and the core (200) are joined may be inserted into the outlet pipe (33) and then fixed to the inside of the outlet pipe (33) by applying pressure to the outer surface of the outlet pipe (33) corresponding to the joining groove (111). That is, the outlet pipe (33) may include a sealing portion (33a) corresponding to the joining groove (111) of the check valve (40).

[0102] The joining groove (111) and the sealing portion (33a) can fix the check valve (40) inside the outlet pipe (33) and prevent the refrigerant from flowing between the outer surface of the valve housing (100) and the inner surface of the outlet pipe (33). However, the check valve (40) and the outlet pipe (33) do not necessarily have to be joined by the joining groove (111) and the sealing portion. For example, the check valve (40) can be fixed inside the outlet pipe (33) in such a way that sealing portions (33a) are formed at both ends of the valve housing (100) and the check valve (40) is fixed between a plurality of sealing portions (33a).

[0103] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a check valve (40) applied to a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which refrigerant flows in a forward direction in a check valve (40) applied to a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which refrigerant flows in a reverse direction in a check valve (40) according to one embodiment.

[0104] The radius of the inlet body (110) may be greater than the sum of the outer diameter radius of the inlet body (110) adjacent to the connecting body (130) and the thickness of the elastic portion (310). That is, when the check valve (40) is coupled to the outlet pipe (33), the outer surface of the inlet body (110) may be arranged closer to the inner surface of the outlet pipe (33) than the elastic portion (310) and the connecting body (130).

[0105] Referring to Fig. 7, when the refrigerant does not flow or a small amount of refrigerant exists in the outlet pipe (33), the core (200) can contact the end of the outlet body (120) by gravity to block the guide passage (103). When a sufficient amount of refrigerant passes through the first evaporator (31), the refrigerant can flow into the check valve (40) through the inlet (101).

[0106] Referring to Fig. 8, when the pressure of the refrigerant on the outlet body (120) side is greater than that on the inlet body (110) side and the refrigerant flows in the direction from the outlet (102) toward the inlet (101), the refrigerant may not flow in the guide passage (103) because the core (200) in contact with the end of the inclined portion (121) blocks the outlet. At this time, the core (200) may be subjected to pressure and gravity due to the refrigerant.

[0107] Fig. 9 is a plan view of a check valve (40) according to one embodiment, and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Fig. 6.

[0108] The anti-separation portion (320) may be formed in a roughly fan-shaped shape with the first anti-separation rib (321) and the second anti-separation rib (322) together with the end of the first guide rib (331). The refrigerant may flow through the space inside the outlet pipe (33) partitioned by the first anti-separation rib (321) and the second anti-separation rib (322).

[0109] The refrigerant discharged through the inlet (101) and the outlet (102) can flow inside the outlet pipe (33) through the space formed between the outer surface of the core (200) and the inner surface of the outlet pipe (33).

[0110] A refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment comprises a body (10) having a freezer (21) and a refrigerator (22), a compressor (2), a condenser (3), a heat pump including a first evaporator (31) provided in the freezer (21) to cool the freezer (21) and a second evaporator (32) provided in the refrigerator (22) to cool the refrigerator (22), and an outlet pipe (33) connected to the outlet of the first evaporator (31) to transfer the refrigerant passing through the first evaporator (31) to the compressor (2), and a check valve (40) provided in the outlet pipe (33) to prevent the refrigerant from flowing backward in the outlet pipe (33), wherein the check valve (40) comprises an inlet (101), an outlet (102), and a guide passage (103) formed between the inlet (101) and the outlet (102). A housing (100), a core (200) provided to move back and forth with respect to the valve housing (100) so as to allow the flow of refrigerant from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102) and block the flow of refrigerant from the outlet (102) to the inlet (101), and a stopper (300) provided to be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the valve housing (100) and accommodate the core (200), wherein the core (200) is provided to be inserted between the valve housing (100) and a portion of the stopper (300) in a direction intersecting the direction from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102). According to the present disclosure, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment may include a simplified check valve (40) having a simple configuration and easy assembly.

[0111] The stopper (300) may include an elastic member (310) coupled with the outer surface of the valve housing (100), and a separation prevention member (320) that partitions the inside of the outlet pipe (33) to prevent the core (200) from being separated from the check valve (40) when the refrigerant flows from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102).

[0112] The above stopper (300) may include a first guide rib (331) connecting the elastic part (310) and the separation prevention part (320), and a second guide rib (332) formed to face the first guide rib (331) and extending from the elastic part (310).

[0113] The above check valve (40) may include an insertion opening (41) formed between the anti-separation part (320) and the end of the valve housing (100).

[0114] The above-described separation prevention part (320) includes a first separation prevention rib (321) extending from one side of the first guide rib (331) and a second separation prevention rib (322) extending from the other side of the first guide rib (331), and the distance between the first separation prevention rib (321) and the second separation prevention rib (322) may become smaller as the distance from the first guide rib (331) increases.

[0115] The above valve housing (100) may include an inlet body (110) in which the inlet port (101) is formed, an outlet body (120) in which the outlet port (102) is formed, and a connecting body (130) disposed between the inlet body (110) and the outlet body (120) so as to be coupled with the elastic member (310).

[0116] The diameter of the above connecting body (130) may be smaller than the diameter of the inlet body (110) and the diameter of the outlet body (120).

[0117] The outlet body (120) includes an inclined portion (121) whose thickness gradually becomes thinner in the direction from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102), and the core (200) can come into contact with an end of the inclined portion (121) when the refrigerant flows from the outlet (102) toward the inlet (101).

[0118] The inner diameter of the guide path (103) at the end of the above-mentioned inclined portion (121) may be smaller than the diameter of the core (200).

[0119] The outer diameter radius of the above inlet body (110) may be greater than the sum of the outer diameter radius of the above connecting body (130) and the thickness of the above elastic part (310).

[0120] The inlet body (110) includes a joining groove (111) formed along the circumference of the inlet body (110) so that the check valve (40) can be joined to the inside of the outlet pipe (33), and the outlet pipe (33) can include a sealing portion (33a) corresponding to the joining groove (111) so as to fix the check valve (40).

[0121] The above inlet (101) may be positioned closer to the bottom surface (14) of the main body (10) than the above outlet (102).

[0122] The above stopper (300) can be formed by bending a spring steel plate made of stainless steel having elasticity.

[0123] A refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment includes a body (10) having a storage compartment (20), a compressor (2), a condenser (3), a heat pump including an evaporator (30) provided in the storage compartment (20) to cool the storage compartment (20), an outlet pipe (33) connected to the outlet of the evaporator (30) to transfer refrigerant passing through the evaporator (30) to the compressor (2), and a valve housing (100) including an inlet (101) and an outlet (102), a core (200) provided to move forward and backward with respect to the valve housing (100), a stopper (300) formed of a stainless steel plate having elasticity and coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the valve housing (100) and provided to receive the core (200), and a check valve (40) provided in the outlet pipe (33) to prevent the refrigerant from flowing backward in the outlet pipe (33), and The stopper (300) is coupled to the outer surface of the valve housing (100) and includes an elastic portion (310) and a separation prevention portion (320) that partitions the inside of the outlet pipe (33) to prevent the core (200) from being separated from the check valve (40) when refrigerant flows from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102), and the core (200) is provided to be inserted into an insertion opening (41) formed between the valve housing (100) and a part of the stopper (300) in a direction intersecting the direction from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102). According to the present disclosure, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment may include a simplified check valve (40) that is simple in configuration and easy to assemble.

[0124] The above stopper (300) may include a first guide rib (331) connecting the elastic part (310) and the separation prevention part (320), and a second guide rib (332) formed to face the first guide rib (331) and extending from the elastic part (310).

[0125] The above-described separation prevention part (320) includes a first separation prevention rib (321) extending from one side of the first guide rib (331) and a second separation prevention rib (322) extending from the other side of the first guide rib (331), and the distance between the first separation prevention rib (321) and the second separation prevention rib (322) may become smaller as the distance from the first guide rib (331) increases.

[0126] The valve housing (100) may include an inlet body (110) in which the inlet port (101) is formed, an outlet body (120) in which the outlet port (102) is formed, and a connecting body (130) that is arranged between the inlet body (110) and the outlet body (120) so as to be coupled with the elastic member (310), and has a diameter smaller than that of the inlet body (110) and the outlet body (120).

[0127] The above check valve (40) includes an inclined portion (121) whose thickness gradually becomes thinner in the direction from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102), and the core (200) can come into contact with an end of the inclined portion (121) when the refrigerant flows from the outlet (102) toward the inlet (101).

[0128] A refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment includes a valve housing (100) including an inlet (101), an outlet (102), a core (200) provided to move back and forth with respect to the valve housing (100) to allow the flow of refrigerant from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102) and to block the flow of refrigerant from the outlet (102) to the inlet (101), and a stopper (300) coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the valve housing (100) and provided to receive the core (200), wherein the valve housing (100) includes an inlet body (110) in which the inlet (101) is formed, an outlet body (120) in which the outlet (102) is formed, and a connecting body (130) disposed between the inlet body (110) and the outlet body (120) to be coupled with the stopper (300), and The stopper (300) includes an elastic member (310) coupled to the outer surface of the valve housing (100), and a separation prevention member (320) arranged to be spaced apart from the elastic member (310) by a predetermined distance to prevent the core (200) from being separated from the stopper (300) when refrigerant flows from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102), and the outlet body (120) includes an inclined member (121) whose thickness gradually becomes thinner in the direction from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102), and the core (200) is provided to be inserted into an insertion opening (41) formed between an end of the inclined member (121) and the separation prevention member (320) in a direction intersecting the direction from the inlet (101) to the outlet (102). According to the present disclosure, a check valve (40) including a valve housing (100), a stopper (300), and a core (200) that can be easily combined or separated can be provided.

[0129] The stopper (300) includes a first guide rib (331) connecting the elastic part (310) and the separation prevention part (320), and a second guide rib (332) formed to face the first guide rib (331) and extending from the elastic part (310), and the separation prevention part (320) includes a first separation prevention rib (321) extending from one side of the first guide rib (331) and a second separation prevention rib (322) extending from the other side of the first guide rib (331), and the distance between the first separation prevention rib (321) and the second separation prevention rib (322) may become smaller as the distance from the first guide rib (331) increases.

[0130] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0131] The above illustrates and describes specific embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A main body having a freezer and a refrigerator; A heat pump including a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator provided in the freezer to cool the freezer, and a second evaporator provided in the refrigerator to cool the refrigerator; and An outlet pipe connected to the outlet of the first evaporator to deliver the refrigerant passing through the first evaporator to the compressor; and Including a check valve provided in the outlet pipe to prevent the refrigerant from flowing backwards in the outlet pipe, The above check valve, A valve housing including an inlet, an outlet, and a guide path formed between the inlet and the outlet, A core provided to move back and forth relative to the valve housing to allow the flow of refrigerant from the inlet to the outlet and to block the flow of refrigerant from the outlet to the inlet; A stopper is included that is coupled to the outer surface of the valve housing and is provided to receive the core, A refrigerator in which the core is inserted between the valve housing and a part of the stopper in a direction intersecting the direction from the inlet to the outlet.

2. In paragraph 1, The above stopper, An elastic part coupled to the outer surface of the valve housing, A refrigerator including a separation prevention part that partitions the inside of the outlet pipe to prevent the core from being separated from the check valve when the refrigerant flows from the inlet to the outlet.

3. In paragraph 2, The above stopper, A first guide rib connecting the elastic portion and the anti-separation portion, A refrigerator comprising a second guide rib formed to face the first guide rib and extending from the elastic member.

4. In paragraph 3, A refrigerator wherein the check valve includes an insertion opening formed between the anti-separation portion and an end of the valve housing.

5. In paragraph 4, The above-mentioned anti-separation part is, A first anti-separation rib extending from one side of the first guide rib, Including a second anti-separation rib extending from the other side of the first guide rib, A refrigerator in which the distance between the first anti-separation rib and the second anti-separation rib becomes smaller as the distance between the first guide rib increases.

6. In paragraph 4, The above valve housing, An inlet body in which the above inlet is formed, An outlet body in which the above outlet is formed, A refrigerator comprising a connecting body disposed between the inlet body and the outlet body so as to be coupled with the elastic member.

7. In paragraph 6, A refrigerator wherein the diameter of the above connecting body is smaller than the diameter of the above inlet body and the diameter of the above outlet body.

8. In paragraph 7, The above exit body, It includes a sloped portion whose thickness gradually becomes thinner in the direction from the inlet to the outlet, A refrigerator in which the core contacts the end of the inclined portion when the refrigerant flows from the outlet toward the inlet.

9. In paragraph 8, A refrigerator in which the inner diameter of the guide passage at the end of the above-mentioned inclined portion is smaller than the diameter of the core.

10. In paragraph 7, A refrigerator in which the outer diameter radius of the above inlet body is larger than the sum of the outer diameter radius of the above connecting body and the thickness of the above elastic portion.

11. In paragraph 6, The above inlet body includes a coupling groove formed along the circumference of the inlet body so that the check valve can be coupled inside the outlet pipe, A refrigerator in which the outlet pipe includes a sealing portion corresponding to the coupling groove to secure the check valve.

12. In paragraph 6, A refrigerator in which the inlet is positioned closer to the bottom surface of the main body than the outlet.

13. In paragraph 2, The above stopper is a refrigerator formed by bending a spring steel plate made of stainless steel having elasticity.

14. A body having a storage room; A heat pump comprising a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator provided in the storage room to cool the storage room; An outlet pipe connected to the outlet of the evaporator to deliver the refrigerant passing through the evaporator to the compressor; and A valve housing including an inlet and an outlet, a core provided to move forward and backward with respect to the valve housing, a stopper formed of a stainless steel plate having elasticity and coupled to the outer surface of the valve housing and provided to receive the core, and a check valve provided in the outlet pipe to prevent the refrigerant from flowing backward in the outlet pipe, The above stopper, The elastic part is coupled to the outer surface of the valve housing, It includes a separation prevention part that partitions the inside of the outlet pipe to prevent the core from being separated from the check valve when the refrigerant flows from the inlet to the outlet, The above core is, A refrigerator provided so as to be inserted into an insertion opening formed between the valve housing and a portion of the stopper in a direction intersecting the direction from the inlet to the outlet.

15. In paragraph 14, The above stopper, A first guide rib connecting the elastic portion and the anti-separation portion, A refrigerator comprising a second guide rib formed to face the first guide rib and extending from the elastic member.

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