US20260043603A1

US20260043603A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: US20260043603A1
Application number: US19/281,072
Authority: US
Inventors: Seonho HWANG; Hyungbum LEE; Jisick HWANG
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2024-08-06
Filing date: 2025-07-25
Publication date: 2026-02-12

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator including: an inner case forming a storage compartment, the inner case including a protrusion that protrudes outward from the storage compartment and has an opening; an outer case coupled to an outside of the inner case; an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case; an electrical component provided at an inner side of the inner case; a wire configured to supply power to the electrical component; and a case coupled to the protrusion to cover the opening, wherein the case includes: a base; a sidewall bent and extended from an edge of the base; and an internal space formed by the base and the sidewall, wherein the protrusion is accommodated in the internal space of the case.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2025/010252, filed on Jul. 14, 2025, which is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0104972, filed on Aug. 6, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more specifically, to a refrigerator including an electrical component.

2. Description of Related Art

A refrigerator is a device that is composed of a main body including a storage compartment, and a cold air supply system configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment so as to keep food fresh. The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment in which food is kept refrigerated by maintaining the temperature at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, and a freezing compartment in which food is kept frozen by maintaining the temperature at approximately −30 to 0 degrees Celsius. A front of the storage compartment is provided to be open for food entry and exit, and the front of the storage compartment is opened and closed by a door.
The refrigerator uses a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to repeat a cooling cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant. At this time, both the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may be cooled by a single evaporator disposed on the freezing compartment, or the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may each be provided with the evaporator, thereby being cooled independently of each other.
The main body of the refrigerator may be formed by combining an inner case and an outer case. The inner case forms the storage compartment, while the outer case forms the exterior appearance of the refrigerator. Insulation is arranged between the inner and outer cases to insulate the storage compartment.

SUMMARY

Provided is a refrigerator with an improved structure for supplying power to an electrical component disposed inside an inner case from outside the inner case.
Further, provided is a refrigerator having a case with an improved structure that may simplify the manufacturing process.
Further, provided is a refrigerator having a case that may be easily assembled with the inner case.
Further, provided is a refrigerator with an improved structure that may prevent an insulation from penetrating into the inner side of the inner case The technical objectives of the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and other objectives that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a refrigerator including: an inner case defining a storage compartment therein, the inner case including a protrusion that protrudes outward from the storage compartment and has an opening; an outer case coupled to an outside of the inner case; an insulation between the inner case and the outer case; an electrical component provided at an inner side of the inner case; a wire configured to supply power to the electrical component; and a case coupled to the protrusion to cover the opening, wherein the case includes: a base; a sidewall bent and extended from an edge of the base; and an internal space defined by the base and the sidewall, wherein the protrusion is accommodated in the internal space of the case.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a refrigerator including: an outer case; an inner case provided at an inner side of the outer case and defining a storage compartment; a foamed insulation between the outer case and the inner case; an electrical component; a case coupled to an outer surface of the inner case and including an internal space defined by a base and a sidewall; and a protrusion having a shape corresponding to the base and the sidewall and inserted into the internal space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inner case with a case coupled thereto according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a case coupled to an outer surface of an inner case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a protrusion, as viewed from inside an inner case to which a case is coupled, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a sealing plug fixed to a case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a wire fixed to a case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.
In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.
The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.
In this document, 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 or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.
Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).
When one (e.g., a first) element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., a second) element with or without the term “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the one element is connected to the other element directly, wirelessly, or via a third element.
It will be understood that the terms “include”, “comprise” and/or “have” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another component, it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.
It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” another component, it may be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.
A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body.
The “main body” may include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.
The “inner case” may include a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment (also referred to as a storage room). The inner case may be formed as one body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The “outer case” may form an appearance of the main body, and be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is positioned between the inner case and the outer case.
The “insulation” may insulate inside of the storage compartment from outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation. The foaming insulation may be molded by fixing the inner case and the outer case with jigs, etc. and then injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a foaming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. The vacuum insulation may further include an adsorbent for adsorbing a gas and water to stably maintain a vacuum state. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.
The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include the inner case defining the space. Medicines or cosmetics, as well as food items, may be stored in the storage compartment, and one side of the storage compartment may open to enable a user to put items in or take items out.
The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperature. To this end, the respective storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation.
The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and/or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to-1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as any one of a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection.
The storage compartment may also be called various other terms, such as “vegetable compartment”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below need to be understood to represent storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted on the front of the main body.
The “door” may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door may include an insulation, like the main body, to insulate the storage compartment in the closed state.
According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.
A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.
According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forms the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate that forms the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate that forms the rear surface of the door body and faces the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.
The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or One Door Refrigerator depending on the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.
The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and/or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cool air to cool the storage compartment.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a cooling cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the cooling cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment where at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.
The “machine compartment” may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated from the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed inside the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the main body.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and/or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making device that produces ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray that stores water, an ice-moving device that separates ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice-bucket that stores ice generated in the ice-making tray.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.
The “controller” may include a memory for storing and/or memorizing data and/or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the cold air supply device, etc. according to the programs and/or data memorized in the memory.
The memory may store or record various information, data, commands, programs, and the like necessary for operations of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.
The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an operation of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor, and generate a cooling control signal for controlling an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.
Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface according to the programs and/or data memorized/stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.
The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.
The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device according to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately equipped with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface according to the user input.
A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.
The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.
The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.
Hereinafter, various embodiments according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Meanwhile, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “front,” and “rear” used in the following description are defined based on the accompanying drawings, and are not intended to limit the shapes or positions of the respective components. For example, the terms “upper” and “lower” may respectively refer to directions along the Z-axis in the upward (e.g., “positive” or “+Z”) and downward (e.g., “negative” or “−Z”) directions as illustrated in the drawings. The terms “front” and “rear” may respectively refer to directions along the Y-axis in the forward (e.g., “positive” or “+Y”) and backward (e.g., “negative” or “−Y”) directions based on the drawings. The terms “left” and “right” may respectively refer to directions along the X-axis in the leftward (e.g., “positive” or “+X”) and rightward (e.g., “negative” or “−X”) directions based on the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1 , a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 formed by dividing the interior of the main body 10, and a door 70 configured to open and close the storage compartment 20.
The main body 10 may include an inner case 30 forming the storage compartment 20, an outer case 40 coupled to an outer side of the inner case 30, and an insulation 50 provided between the inner case 30 and the outer case 40. The inner case 30 may be formed of a plastic material, and the outer case 40 may be formed of a metal material.
The main body 10 may include a partition 60 that divides the storage compartment 20. As shown in FIG. 1 , the partition 60 may divide the storage compartment 20 into upper and lower sections. The partition 60 may be T-shaped, allowing the storage compartment 20 to be divided into three spaces.
The storage compartment 20 may be used as a refrigerator compartment 22 that is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius for refrigerating food, and a freezing compartment 21 that is maintained at approximately −30 to 0 degrees Celsius for freezing food.
The storage compartment 20 may be provided with a front that is open to allow food to be taken in and out, and the open front of the storage compartment 20 may be opened and closed by a door 70. The door 70 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 10. The storage compartment 20 may be provided with a shelf 25 on which food may be placed, and a storage container 26 in which food may be stored.
A door shelf 71 for storing food may be provided on a rear surface of the door 70.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 2 , the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an inner case 30 that forms the storage compartment 20, an outer case 40 coupled to an outer side of the inner case 30, and an insulation 50 provided between the inner case 30 and the outer case 40.
The insulation 50 may be formed by injecting a molten resin into a space between the outer case 40 and the inner case 30, and then curing the resin. Urethane foam insulation is used as the insulation 50, and as needed, a vacuum insulation panel may also be used together with the urethane foam insulation. The insulation 50 may be foamed between the inner case 30 and the outer case 40, thereby bonding the inner case 30 and the outer case 40. An outer surface of the inner case 30 may be in contact with the insulation 50.
The refrigerator 1 may include a power supply unit 80. Although in FIG. 2 , the power supply unit 80 is illustrated as being positioned at the rear of the refrigerator 1, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The power supply unit 80 may be connected to a wire 81 to supply power to the components of the refrigerator 1. As will be described below, the refrigerator 1 includes an electrical component 300 (see FIG. 4 ), and the power supply unit 80 may supply power to the electrical component 300 through the wire 81 (see FIG. 9 ).
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inner case coupled with a case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a case 100 configured to be coupled to the inner case 30. The inner case 30 may include a protrusion 200 that protrudes toward an outside of the storage compartment 20.
The protrusion 200 may have a box shape that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the inner case 30. The protrusion 200 may include a protruding base 201 and a protruding sidewall 202. The protruding base 201 refers to a region of the protrusion 200 that protrudes the most from the outer surface of the inner case 30. The protruding sidewall 202 may include a protruding rib 203. The protruding rib 203 may be provided in plural.
The case 100 may be coupled to the outer surface of the inner case 30. The case 100 may be configured to accommodate the protrusion 200. The case 100 may be provided to cover the protruding base 201 and the protruding sidewall 202.
After the case 100 is coupled to the protrusion 200, a molten resin may be injected between the inner case 30 and the outer case 40 to form the insulation 50. That is, the insulation 50 may be provided on the outer side of the protrusion 200 and the case 100.
The refrigerator 1 may include an electrical component module 350. The electrical component module 350 may be disposed on an inner surface of the inner case 30. The protrusion 200 may accommodate the electrical component module 350. The electrical component module 350 may include a board 320. The board 320 may transmit drive signals to the electrical component 300. The electrical component module 350 may also include a holder 310 supporting the board 320. The board 320 may be attached to the holder 310 or coupled thereto through a fastening member, such as screws. The electrical component module 350 may include the electrical component 300.
The electrical component 300 may include electronic devices that require power supply through the inner case 30, such as a display for displaying images and/or a lamp.
The protrusion 200 may include an opening 210. The opening 210 may be formed in the protruding base 201. The opening 210 allows the wire 81 to pass through the inner case 30. The wire 81 may connect the power supply unit 80 located outside the inner case 30 to the board 320 inside the inner case 30. The wire 81 enables the power supply unit 80 to supply power to the electrical component module 350.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a case coupled to an outer surface of an inner case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The case 100 may include a reinforcing rib 110 that protrudes from the outer surface of the case 100. The reinforcing rib 110 may prevent the case 100 from being deformed due to the foaming pressure of the insulation 50. The reinforcing rib 110 may be provided in plural. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 110 may be arranged to cross each other.
As will be described below, the case 100 may include a wire passage 120 (see FIG. 7 ) that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the inner case 30 to accommodate the wire 81 connected to the power supply unit 80 disposed outside the inner case 30. The direction in which the wire 81 is accommodated in the case 100 through the wire passage 120 may be a first direction, which may be a +Z direction.
The refrigerator 1 may also include a sealing plug 125 (see again FIG. 7 ) that blocks the wire passage 120 to prevent the insulation 50 from penetrating through the wire passage 120.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a protrusion, as viewed from inside an inner case to which a case is coupled, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The case 100 may include a base 150 that corresponds in shape to the protruding base 201. The case 100 may also include a connector-fixing portion 130 to fix a connector 82 (see FIG. 9 ). As will be described below, the wire 81 may include a connector 82 that is connected to the electrical component module 350. The connector-fixing portion 130 may protrude from the base 150. The direction from the base 150 toward the storage compartment 20 may be a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction may be a +X direction.
The case 100 may include a wire clip 140 to fix the wire 81. The wire clip 140 may protrude from the base 150 in the second direction. The wire clip 140 may fix the wire 81 inside the case 100. The wire 81 may be inserted into the wire clip 140 through a hole of the wire clip 140. By fixing the wire 81 to the wire clip 140, the wire 81 may be prevented from being pulled outward from the case 100 due to a foaming pressure of the insulation 50 during the foaming process.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a sealing plug fixed to a case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The case 100 may include a sidewall 151 that is bent from the edge of the base 150 and extends toward the inner case 30. The sidewall 151 may have a shape corresponding to the protruding sidewall 202. The sidewall 151 may cover the protruding sidewall 202. The base 150 and the sidewall 151 may be integrally formed with each other. An internal space 153 may be formed by the base 150 and the sidewall 151. The protrusion 200 may be inserted into the internal space 153. The base 150 and the sidewall 151 may cover the entire protrusion 200, thereby preventing the insulation 50 from penetrating into the storage compartment 20 through the opening 210 formed in the protruding base 201.
The case 100 may also include a fixing rib 152. The fixing rib 152 may be formed to protrude from the sidewall 151. The fixing rib 152 may be fixed to the protruding rib 203 to fix the case 100 to the protrusion 200. The fixing rib 152 may be provided in plural.
The case 100 may include a wire groove 127 recessed in the base 150 to accommodate the wire 81. An upper end of the wire groove 127 may be formed to upwardly slope in a direction toward the base 150 to prevent the wire 81 from bending sharply. The wire groove 127 may be connected to the wire passage 120. By accommodating the wire 81 in the wire groove 127, the case 100 and the protrusion 200 may be prevented from being spaced apart due to the wire 81 being located at a position not corresponding to the opening 210.
The case 100 may include a projection 128 that covers a part of the wire groove 127 to prevent the wire 81 from escaping from the wire groove 127. The projection 128 may extend from the base 150.
The case 100 may include a fixing portion 126 for fixing a sealing plug 125. The fixing portion 126 may be located on a side of the wire passage 120.
The refrigerator 1 may include the sealing plug 125. The sealing plug 125 may prevent the insulation 50 from penetrating through the wire passage 120. One end of the sealing plug 125 may be formed to bend toward the base 150. The sealing plug 125 may also be formed flat without being bent. The other end of the sealing plug 125 may have one or more plug-fixing portions 124 that protrude laterally. The one or more plug-fixing portions 124 may be inserted into the fixing portion 126 to fix the sealing plug 125 to the case 100.
The sealing plug 125 may be integrally formed with the case 100. The sealing plug 125 may be integrally manufactured with the case 100 on the outer side of the case 100. The sealing plug 125 may be easily separated from the case 100 to allow the wire 81 to be accommodated in the case 100, and subsequently block the wire passage 120.
FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a wire fixed to a case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The wire 81 may include a connector 82 formed at an end thereof. The connector-fixing portion 130 may fix the connector 82 to prevent the wire 81 from being pulled out of the case 100 due to the foaming pressure of the insulation 50. The connector-fixing portion 130 may protrude in the second direction, and the connector 82 may be fixed in a direction different from the first direction. Because the direction in which the connector 82 is fixed to the connector-fixing portion 130 differs from an extension direction of the base 150, a part of the wire 81 may be spaced apart from the base 150. The part of the wire 81 spaced apart from the base 150 may be the wire corresponding to a side connected to the connector-fixing portion 130. This configuration allows for ease of removal of the connector 82 from the connector-fixing portion 130 after fixing the case 100 to the protrusion 200 and foaming the insulation 50. When a part of the wire 81 is spaced from the base 150, the length of the wire 81 accommodated in the case 100 may be longer compared to a case in which the wire is not spaced from the base 150. The extended length of the wire 81 accommodated in the case 100 may allow the wire 81 to be more easily connected to the electrical component module 350.
A refrigerator 1 may include an inner case 30 forming a storage compartment 20, the inner case 30 including a protrusion 200 that protrudes outward from the storage compartment 20 and has an opening 210; an outer case 40 coupled to an outside of the inner case 30; an insulation 50 provided between the inner case 30 and the outer case 40; an electrical component 300 provided at an inner side of the inner case 30; a wire 81 configured to supply power to the electrical component 300; and a case 100 coupled to the protrusion 200 to cover the opening 210, wherein the case 100 may include: a base 150; a sidewall 151 bent and extended from an edge of the base 150; and an internal space 153 formed by the base 150 and the sidewall 151, wherein the protrusion 200 may be accommodated in the internal space 153 of the case 100.
The case 100 may have the base 150 and the sidewall 151 integrally formed with each other.
The protrusion 200 may be configured to be inserted into the internal space 153.
The wire 81 may include a connector 82 connected to the electrical component 300, a part of the wire 81 may be accommodated in the case 100 in a first direction, and the case 100 may include a connector-fixing portion 130 protruding from the base 150 to fix the connector 82 to the case 100 in a second direction intersecting the first direction.
A part of the wire 81 may be provided to be spaced apart from the base 150 while the connector 82 may be fixed to the connector-fixing portion 130.
The case 100 may include a wire clip 140 protruding from the base 150 and configured to fix the wire 81 inside the case 100.
The case 100 may further include a wire groove 127 recessed in the base 150 to accommodate the wire 81.
The case 100 may further include a projection 128 formed to cover a part of the wire groove 127 to prevent the wire 81 from escaping from the wire groove 127.
An upper end of the wire groove 127 may be formed to upwardly slope in a direction toward the base 150 to prevent the wire 81 from bending.
The case 100 may include a fixing rib 152 formed on the sidewall 151 to be fastened to the protrusion 200.
The insulation 50 may be foamed between the inner case 30 and the outer case 40, and the case 100 may include a reinforcing rib 110 protruding from an outer surface of the case 100 to prevent the case 100 from being deformed due to a foaming pressure of the insulation 50.
The refrigerator may further include a power supply unit (power supply) 80 configured to supply power to the electrical component 300, and the case 100 may include a wire passage 120 configured to guide the wire 81 to connect with the power supply unit 80.
The refrigerator 1 may further include a sealing plug 125 configured to block the wire passage 120 to prevent the insulation 50 from penetrating through the wire passage 120.
One end of the sealing plug 125 may be formed to be bent toward the base 150.
The case 100 may include a fixing portion 126 configured to fix the sealing plug 125 on a side of the wire passage 120, the sealing plug 125 may include a plug-fixing portion 124 formed at the other end of the sealing plug 125, the plug-fixing portion 124 configured to be inserted into the fixing portion 126 such that the sealing plug 125 is fixed to the side of the wire passage 120.
A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment includes an outer case 40 forming an exterior, an inner case 30 provided at an inner side of the outer case 40 to form a storage compartment 20, an insulation 50 foamed between the outer case 40 and the inner case 30, an electrical component 300, a case 100 coupled to an outer surface of the inner case 30 and including an internal space 153 formed by a base 150 and a sidewall 151, and a protrusion 200 having a shape corresponding to the base 150 and the sidewall 151 and arranged to be inserted into the internal space 153.
The protrusion 200 may be formed integrally with the inner case 30, and the refrigerator may further include a wire 81 that penetrates the inner case 30 through an opening 210 formed in the protrusion 200 to supply power to the electrical component 300.
The case 100 may further include a connector-fixing portion 130 protruding from the base 150 into the internal space 153 such that the wire 81 is fixed perpendicularly to the base 150.
The case 100 may further include a wire clip 140 formed on the base 150 to fix the wire 81 to the case 100, and a wire groove 127 recessed from the base 150 to accommodate the wire 81.
The case 100 may include a reinforcing rib 110 protruding from an outer surface of the case 100 to prevent the case 100 from being deformed due to a foaming pressure of the insulation 50.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a case that is fastened to a protrusion to prevent penetration of insulation.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a case that accommodates the entire protrusion to prevent an insulation from penetrating through an opening formed in the protrusion.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a case of a refrigerator may include a fixing rib configured to be fixable to a protruding rib, thereby simplifying a process of fixing the case to the protrusion.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a case of a refrigerator may include a structure that allows a portion of a wire to be spaced apart from the case, thereby facilitating removal of the wire from the case.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a case of a refrigerator may include a reinforcing rib, thereby preventing the case from being deformed by a foaming pressure of the insulation.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a case with a reinforced rigidity to prevent the shape of the protrusion from being deformed by the foaming pressure of the insulation.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a case of a refrigerator may include a wire groove configured to accommodate the wire, thereby preventing the protrusion and the case from being spaced apart and preventing an insulation from penetrating into the case.
The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects that are not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.
The foregoing has illustrated and described specific embodiments. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure described in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator comprising:

an inner case defining a storage compartment therein, the inner case comprising a protrusion that protrudes outward from the storage compartment and has an opening;

an outer case coupled to an outside of the inner case;

an insulation between the inner case and the outer case;

an electrical component provided at an inner side of the inner case;

a wire configured to supply power to the electrical component; and

a case coupled to the protrusion to cover the opening,

wherein the case comprises:

a base;

a sidewall bent and extended from an edge of the base; and

an internal space defined by the base and the sidewall,

wherein the protrusion is accommodated in the internal space of the case.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the base and the sidewall are integrally formed with each other.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is inserted into the internal space.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the wire comprises a connector connected to the electrical component,

wherein a first part of the wire is accommodated in the case in a first direction, and

wherein the case comprises a connector-fixing portion protruding from the base and fixing the connector in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein a second part of the wire is spaced apart from the base while the connector is fixed to the connector-fixing portion.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a wire clip protruding from the base and configured to fix the wire inside the case.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a wire groove recessed in the base and configured to accommodate the wire.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the case further comprises a projection covering a part of the wire groove to maintain the wire in the wire groove.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein an upper end of the wire groove upwardly slopes in a direction toward the base.

10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a fixing rib on the sidewall and fastened to the protrusion.

11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the insulation is foaming insulation,

wherein the case further comprises a reinforcing rib protruding from an outer surface of the case.

12. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a power supply configured to supply power to the electrical component,

wherein the case further comprises a wire passage configured to guide the wire to connect with the power supply.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, further comprising a sealing plug configured to seal the wire passage from the insulation.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein a first end of the sealing plug is bent toward the base.

15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the case further comprises a fixing portion configured to fix the sealing plug on a side of the wire passage,

wherein the sealing plug comprises a plug-fixing portion at a second end of the sealing plug and inserted into the fixing portion such that the sealing plug is fixed to the side of the wire passage.