US20110271703A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a bypass pipe, and a valve device. The condenser condenses refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and the expansion valve expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve, and the bypass pipe allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the evaporator. The valve device allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the condenser. The valve device comprises an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the inlet. The refrigerant is discharged toward the condenser through the first outlet, and is discharged toward the bypass pipe through the second outlet. The first outlet has a diameter larger than that of the second outlet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND ART
• A refrigerator supplies cold air to a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment through a refrigerant system so as to store foods at a low temperature.
• The refrigerant system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion unit, and an evaporator. Air is cooled while passing through the evaporator, and then is supplied to the freezer compartment and the refrigeration compartment.
• Cold air, which has circulated inside the freezer compartment and the refrigeration compartment, moves to a heat exchange chamber including the evaporator through a predetermined path.
• Here, moisture included in the air circulating inside the refrigerator becomes frost on a surface of the evaporator.
• A large amount of frost greatly affects heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator and increases a flow resistance of air passing through the evaporator. Therefore, when frost of more than a predetermined amount is generated, a defrosting operation is performed using a defrost heater.
• When power is applied to the defrost heater for a defrosting operation, the defrost heater radiates heat to melt frost generated on a surface of the evaporator adjacent to the defrost heater. Heat from the defrost heater is gradually transferred to an upper portion of the evaporator and removes the frost generated on the surface of the evaporator.
• However, power should be additionally applied to the defrost heater, thereby leading to high power consumption. Also, the heat of the defrost heater causes a temperature increase in the refrigerator.
• In addition, because the defrost heater is provided at one portion of the evaporator and heats only the portion of the evaporator, it takes a long time to defrost.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTIONTechnical Problem
• Embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a defrost time is reduced and an internal temperature in the refrigerator is prevented from increasing during a defrosting operation.
• Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which frost removed from an evaporator is prevented from blocking an outlet formed in a tray.
Technical Solution
• In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes a compressor; a condenser condensing refrigerant discharged from the compressor; an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve; a bypass pipe allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the evaporator; and a valve device allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the condenser, wherein the valve device comprises: an inlet into which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows; a first outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged toward the condenser; and a second outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged toward the bypass pipe, the first outlet having a diameter larger than that of the second outlet.
• In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes a compressor; a condenser condensing refrigerant discharged from the compressor; an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; a plurality of evaporators evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve; a bypass pipe allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the evaporator; a valve device allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the condenser; and a condenser intake-side pipe allowing the refrigerant having passed through the valve device to move to the condenser, the condenser intake-side pipe having a diameter larger than that of the bypass pipe.
Advantageous Effects
• According to the embodiments, since frost generated on an evaporator can be removed by high-temperature refrigerant discharged from a condenser without an additional defrost heater, power consumption can be reduced.
• Also, since high-temperature refrigerant having passed through the compressor moves inside the evaporator, frost generated on an entire surface of the evaporator can be quickly removed.
• In addition, a flow resistance of refrigerant can be minimized in a normal operation of a refrigerator by adjusting the size of an inlet and an outlet of a valve device.
• Furthermore, since a portion of a bypass pipe is disposed adjacent to a tray for receiving water generated by defrosting, frost can be prevented from blocking an outlet formed in the tray.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a position of a bypass pipe.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an internal structure of a valve device according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according to a second embodiment.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according to a third embodiment.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according to a fourth embodiment.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according to a fifth embodiment.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
• Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment.
• Referring toFIG. 1, a refrigerator1 including a refrigerant system according to the first embodiment includes acompressor10, acondenser20, anexpansion valve30, anevaporator40, and a vapor-liquid separator50. Thecompressor10 compresses refrigerant to high temperature and pressure, and thecondenser20 condenses the compressed refrigerant. Theexpansion valve30 expands the condensed refrigerant. Theevaporator40 evaporates the refrigerant expanded through theexpansion valve30. The vapor-liquid separator50 is disposed between theevaporator40 and thecompressor10 to separate the liquid refrigerant and the vapor refrigerant having passed through theevaporator40.
• In detail, thecompressor10 is connected with thecondenser20 through a first connectingpipe61. Theexpansion pipe30 is connected with theevaporator40 through a second connectingpipe62.
• The first connectingpipe61 is connected with the second connectingpipe62 through abypass pipe70. When it is necessary to defrost theevaporator40, thebypass pipe70 provides a path that allows high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 to move toward an inlet of theevaporator40, i.e., toward the second connectingpipe62.
• Avalve device100 is provided in the first connectingpipe61 such that high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 selectively flows into thebypass pipe70. For example, a 3-way valve may be used as thevalve device100.
• The first connectingpipe61 may be divided into a compressor discharge-side pipe61aand a condenser intake-side pipe61bby thevalve device100. The compressor discharge-side pipe61amay be connected with the condenser intake-side pipe61bor thebypass pipe70 by operation of thevalve device100.
• An operation of the refrigerator1 having the above construction will now be described.
• During a normal operation of the refrigerator1, the compressor discharge-side pipe61ais connected with the condenser intake-side pipe61bby thevalve device100.
• In such a connection state, refrigerant is compressed through thecompressor10. The compressed refrigerant flows into thecondenser20 through the compressor discharge-side pipe61aand the condenser intake-side pipe61b.The refrigerant is condensed through thecondenser20. The condensed refrigerant flows into theexpansion valve30 and then is expanded through theexpansion valve30. The expanded refrigerant flows into theevaporator40 and is evaporated through theevaporator40. The evaporated refrigerant is separated into liquid refrigerant and vapor refrigerant through the vapor-liquid separator50, and the vapor refrigerant flows into thecompressor10.
• Air blown by a blower fan (not shown) is cooled through heat exchange while passing through theevaporator40, and then is supplied to a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment.
• Frost is generated on theevaporator40 due to the heat exchange of air in theevaporator40. When more than a predetermined amount of frost is generated, the frost should be removed. In this case, the refrigerator1 performs a defrosting operation.
• When the refrigerator1 performs a defrosting operation, the compressor discharge-side pipe61ais connected with thebypass pipe70 by thevalve device100. Therefore, high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 does not flow into thecondenser20, but flows into the second connectingpipe62 through thebypass pipe70. Then, the high-temperature refrigerant flows into theevaporator40. Therefore, as the high-temperature refrigerant flows inside theevaporator40, the frost generated on theevaporator40 is removed.
• According to the first embodiment, the frost generated on theevaporator40 can be removed without an additional defrost heater, thereby reducing power consumption. In addition, since the refrigerant from thecompressor10 flows inside theevaporator40, the frost generated on an entire surface of theevaporator40 can be quickly removed.
• FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a position of a bypass pipe.
• Referring toFIG. 2, aheat exchange chamber80, where theevaporator40 is located, is provided at a rear side of the refrigerator1. Atray82 is disposed under theevaporator40, and anoutlet84 is formed in a central portion of thetray82. Water generated by defrosting for theevaporator40 falls down into thetray82, and the water having fallen into thetray82 is discharged through theoutlet84.
• Here, thetray82 and theoutlet84 may be formed integrally with theheat exchange chamber80. A water pan (not shown) may be further formed under theoutlet84 to receive the water generated by defrosting.
• A portion of thebypass pipe70 is disposed between the evaporator40 and thetray82, and may be disposed adjacent to thetray82.
• In detail, when high-temperature refrigerant bypassed by thebypass pipe70 flows inside theevaporator40, frost generated on theevaporator40 is melted by the high-temperature refrigerant. In this case, melted frost or lumped frost falls down into thetray82. Here, when the lumped frost falls down into thetray82, theoutlet84 may be blocked by the lumped frost.
• In the first embodiment, a portion of thebypass pipe70 is disposed adjacent to thetray82 so that the frost falling down into thetray82 can be melted by the high-temperature refrigerant that flows in thebypass pipe70. Accordingly, theoutlet84 can be prevented from being blocked.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an internal structure of a valve device according to a first embodiment.
• Referring toFIG. 3, as described above, a 3-way valve may be used as thevalve device100. The 3-way valve includes aninlet102, afirst outlet104, and asecond outlet106. The refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 flows into theinlet102. The refrigerant flowing into theinlet102 is discharged to the condenser intake-side pipe61bthrough thefirst outlet104, and is discharged to thebypass pipe70 through thesecond outlet106.
• In detail, theinlet102 has a diameter equal to that of thefirst outlet104. Thesecond outlet106 has a diameter smaller than that of theinlet102 and thefirst outlet104.
• In general, two outlets of a 3-way valve have the same diameter. However, in this case, a flow resistance becomes higher in a normal operation of the refrigerator compared with the refrigerator without having the 3-way valve. Therefore, the efficiency of a freezing cycle decreases, thereby increasing power consumption.
• Therefore, in the first embodiment, theinlet102 and thefirst outlet104 have a diameter larger than that of thesecond outlet106 so as to minimize the flow resistance of the refrigerant in a normal operation of the refrigerator.
• Here, since thefirst outlet104 has a diameter larger than that of thesecond outlet106, the condenser intake-side pipe61bmay be formed to a diameter larger than that of thebypass pipe70.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according to a second embodiment.
• Since the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except the structure of a valve device, detailed description will be omitted herein.
• Referring toFIG. 4, a valve device according to the second embodiment includes afirst valve110 and asecond valve120. Thefirst valve110 is provided in a first connectingpipe61 that connects thecompressor10 with thecondenser20. Thesecond valve120 is provided in thebypass pipe70.
• In detail, thebypass pipe70 diverges from the first connectingpipe61. The first connectingpipe61 may be divided into a compressor discharge-side pipe61cand a condenser intake-side pipe61dby thebypass pipe70. Thefirst valve110 is provided in the condenser intake-side pipe61d.
• Thefirst valve110 is opened and thesecond valve120 is closed in a normal operation of the refrigerator. In this case, high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 flows into thecondenser20.
• On the other hand, thefirst valve110 is closed and thesecond valve120 is opened in a defrosting operation of the refrigerator. In this case, high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 flows into theevaporator40 through thebypass pipe70. The high-temperature refrigerant removes frost generated on theevaporator40. When the defrosting operation is ended, thefirst valve110 is opened and thesecond valve120 is closed.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according to a third embodiment.
• Referring toFIG. 5, the refrigerant system according to the third embodiment includes acompressor10, acondenser20, a plurality of evaporators, expansion valves of the same number as the evaporators, and a plurality of bypass pipes. The bypass pipes allow refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 to flow into the evaporators.
• In detail, the evaporators include anevaporator42 for a freezing compartment and anevaporator44 for a refrigeration compartment. The expansion valves include afirst expansion valve32 for expanding refrigerant to flow into the evaporator42 asecond expansion valve34 for expanding refrigerant to flow into theevaporator44.
• The bypass pipes include afirst bypass pipe72 and asecond bypass pipe74. Thefirst bypass pipe72 allows high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 to move toward an inlet of theevaporator42. Thesecond bypass pipe74 diverges from thefirst bypass pipe72 and allows high-temperature refrigerant to move toward an inlet of theevaporator44.
• A 3-way valve90 is disposed between thecondenser20 and theevaporators42 and44 and determines a flow direction of the condensed refrigerant. Avalve device100 is disposed between thecompressor10 and thecondenser20 such that high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 can selectively flow into thebypass pipes72 and74. For example, a 3-way valve may be used as thevalve device100.
• According to the above-construction, when a freezing cycle operates, refrigerant compressed in thecompressor10 is condensed through thecondenser20. The refrigerant discharged from thecondenser20 flows into thefirst expansion valve32 by operation of the 3-way valve90.
• The refrigerant is expanded through thefirst expansion valve32 and flows into theevaporator42 for a freezer compartment. The refrigerant evaporated in theevaporator42 flows into the vapor-liquid separator50, and vapor refrigerant of the refrigerant flows into thecompressor10.
• On the other hand, when a refrigeration cycle operates, refrigerant compressed in thecompressor10 is condensed through thecondenser20. The refrigerant discharged from thecondenser20 flows into thesecond expansion valve34 by operation of the 3-way valve90.
• The refrigerant is expanded through thesecond expansion valve34 and flows into theevaporator44 for a refrigeration compartment. The refrigerant evaporated in theevaporator44 flows into the vapor-liquid separator50, and vapor refrigerant of the refrigerant flows into thecompressor10.
• Meanwhile, when the refrigerator performs a defrosting operation, high-temperature refrigerant compressed in thecompressor10 flows into the first andsecond bypass pipes72 and74 by operation of thevalve device100, and then flows into theevaporators42 and44. The high-temperature refrigerant removes frost generated on theevaporators42 and44.
• According to the second embodiment, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 can remove frost generated on theevaporators42 and44 at the same time.
• Here, thefirst bypass pipe72 provides a flow passage of high-temperature refrigerant toward theevaporator42, and thesecond bypass pipe74 diverges from thefirst bypass pipe72, and vice-versa.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according to a fourth embodiment.
• Since the fourth embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except the structure of a valve device, detailed description will be omitted herein.
• Referring toFIG. 6, a valve device according to the fourth embodiment includes afirst valve140 and asecond valve150. Thefirst valve140 is provided in a first connectingpipe61 that connects thecompressor10 to thecondenser20. Thesecond valve150 is provided in thefirst bypass pipe72.
• In detail, thefirst bypass pipe72 diverges from the first connectingpipe61. The first connectingpipe61 may be divided into a compressor discharge-side pipe61cand a condenser intake-side pipe61dby thefirst bypass pipe72. Thefirst valve140 is provided in the condenser intake-side pipe61d.
• Therefore, thefirst valve140 is opened and thesecond valve150 is closed in a normal operation of the refrigerator. On the other hand, thefirst valve140 is closed and thesecond valve150 is opened in a defrosting operation of the refrigerator.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system according to a fifth embodiment.
• Since the fifth embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except the structure of a valve device, detailed description will be omitted herein.
• Referring toFIG. 7, a 4-way valve is used as avalve device160 according to the fifth embodiment. Afirst bypass pipe72 connected to an inlet of theevaporator42 is separately formed asecond bypass pipe74 connected to an inlet of theevaporator44. One end of each of thebypass pipes72 and74 is connected to thevalve device160.
• Therefore, in a normal operation of the refrigerator, high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 flows into thecondenser20 by operation of thevalve device160.
• In order to defrost theevaporator42 for a freezing compartment, high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 flows into thefirst bypass pipe72 by operation of thevalve device160. On the other hand, in order to defrost theevaporator44 for a refrigeration compartment, high-temperature refrigerant discharged from thecompressor10 flows into thesecond bypass pipe74 by operation of thevalve device160.
• Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, theevaporators42 and44 can be selectively defrosted.
• A pair of evaporators are provided in the third to fifth embodiments, however, the number of the evaporators is not limited thereto. Even in the case where three or more evaporators are provided, the evaporators can be defrosted using the above-described structure.

Claims (9)

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a compressor;

a condenser condensing refrigerant discharged from the compressor;

an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser;

an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve;

a bypass pipe allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the evaporator; and

a valve device allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the condenser,

wherein the valve device comprises:

an inlet into which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows;

a first outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged toward the condenser; and

a second outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged toward the bypass pipe, the first outlet having a diameter larger than that of the second outlet.

2. The refrigerator according toclaim 1, wherein the inlet has a diameter larger than that of the second outlet.

3. The refrigerator according toclaim 1, wherein water generated by defrosting falls down into a tray under the evaporator, and a portion of the bypass pipe is disposed between the tray and the evaporator.

4. A refrigerator comprising:

a compressor;

a condenser condensing refrigerant discharged from the compressor;

an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser;

a plurality of evaporators evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve;

a bypass pipe allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the evaporator;

a valve device allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the condenser; and

a condenser intake-side pipe allowing the refrigerant having passed through the valve device to move to the condenser, the condenser intake-side pipe having a diameter larger than that of the bypass pipe.

5. The refrigerator according toclaim 4, further comprising a compressor discharge-side pipe connecting the valve device with the compressor, the compressor discharge-side pipe having a diameter larger than that of the bypass pipe.

6. The refrigerator according toclaim 4, wherein the plurality of evaporators comprises a freezer compartment evaporator and a refrigeration compartment evaporator, and the bypass pipe comprises a first bypass pipe selectively connected with one of the plurality of evaporators and a second bypass pipe selectively connected with the other of the plurality of evaporators.

7. The refrigerator according toclaim 6, wherein the first bypass pipe is connected with the valve device and the second bypass pipe diverges from the first bypass pipe.

8. The refrigerator according toclaim 6, wherein the valve device comprises;

a first valve provided in the a condenser intake-side pipe to selectively communicated the compressor with the condenser; and

a second valve provided in the first bypass pipe to selectively connect the compressor with each of the evaporators, and

the second bypass pipe diverges from the first bypass pipe.

9. The refrigerator according toclaim 6, wherein each of the bypass pipes is separately connected with the valve device such that refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows selectively to each of bypass pipes.

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