IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,719,485
Granted Patent B2
US 11,719,485 · App. 17/223,872 · Granted Aug 8, 2023

Refrigerator

Inventor: Jeongwon Yoo (Seoul, KR)
Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
F25D23/003F25B39/04F25D19/00F28D1/0476F25B2339/04F28D2021/007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,719,485
App. No.
17/223,872
Granted
Aug 8, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a storage space and a machine compartment that accommodates a compressor, a blow fan, and a condenser. The condenser is curved along front, rear, and side surfaces of the machine compartment. The condenser includes a first header disposed at a first end of the condenser, a second header disposed at a second end of the condenser, tubes that connect the first header and the second header to each other, heat exchange fins disposed the tubes, an input connection portion that extends from the first header toward the second header and is configured to supply refrigerant to the first header, and an output connection portion that extends from the first header toward the second header and is spaced apart from the input connection portion. The output connection portion is configured to receive the refrigerant discharged from the first header.

Claims (47)

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet that defines a storage space and a machine compartment therein, the machine compartment being separate from the storage space;

a compressor disposed in the machine compartment;

a condenser that is disposed in the machine compartment, the condenser being curved along front, rear, and side surfaces of the machine compartment; and

a blow fan disposed between the compressor and the condenser in the machine compartment,

wherein the condenser comprises:

a first header disposed at a first end of the condenser,

a second header disposed at a second end of the condenser,

a plurality of tubes that connect the first header and the second header to each other,

a plurality of heat exchange fins that are disposed between the plurality of tubes,

an input connection portion that extends from the first header toward the second header, the input connection portion being configured to supply refrigerant to the first header, and

an output connection portion that extends from the first header toward the second header and is spaced apart from the input connection portion, the output connection portion being configured to receive the refrigerant discharged from the first header,

wherein each of the input connection portion and the output connection portion extends parallel to the blow fan without extending toward the blow fan, and

wherein parts of the input connection portion and the output connection portion extend parallel to each other.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the condenser comprises:

a pair of linear portions that are spaced apart from each other and extends parallel to each other, the pair of linear portions comprising the first header and the second header, respectively; and

a bent portion that connects the pair of linear portions to each other, and

wherein the input connection portion and the output connection portion extend perpendicular to the pair of linear portions.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the second header is disposed forward relative to the first header, and

wherein the input connection portion extends forward from an upper portion of the first header toward the second header, the input connection portion being curved into an inner space defined by the plurality of tubes that are bent and connect between the first header and the second header.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the second header is disposed forward relative to the first header, and

wherein the output connection portion extends forward from a lower portion of the first header toward the second header, the output connection portion being curved into an inner space defined by the plurality of tubes that are bent and connect between the first header and the second header.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the input connection portion has a first end connected to the first header and a second end that faces the second header.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the output connection portion a first end connected to the first header and a second end that faces the second header.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the condenser further comprises an upper bent portion that is connected to the input connection portion and curved away from the blow fan toward the condenser.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the input connection portion and the output connection portion are located outside a space defined between the blow fan and the condenser.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising an input pipe that connects the compressor to an end of the input connection portion.

10. The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising:

an output pipe connected to an end of the output connection portion; and

an expansion device connected to the output pipe.

11. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tubes are inserted into the first header along a first direction, and

wherein the input connection portion and the output connection portion are connected to the first header along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

12. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tubes comprise an inclined surface that is inserted into the first header.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein the inclined surface is inclined by 30° to 60° with respect to an extension direction of the input connection portion or the output connection portion.

14. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein a distance between a rear end of the inclined surface and the blow fan is less than a distance between a front end of the inclined surface and the blow fan.

15. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein the inclined surface has a contact area that is in contact with an inner side of the first header, the contact area being disposed rearward relative to a rear side of the output connection portion or the input connection portion.

16. A condenser comprising:

a pair of linear portions that are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other, the pair of linear portions comprising a first header disposed at a first end of the condenser and a second header disposed at a second end of the condenser;

a bent portion that connects the pair of linear portions to each other, the bent portion comprising a plurality of tubes that are bent and connect the first header and the second header to each other;

a plurality of heat exchange fins disposed between the plurality of tubes;

an input connection portion that extends from the first header toward the second header, the input connection portion being configured to supply refrigerant to the first header; and

an output connection portion that extends from the first header toward the second header and is spaced apart from the input connection portion, the output connection portion being configured to receive the refrigerant discharged from the first header,

wherein parts of the input connection portion and the output connection portion are located in an inner space defined by the plurality of tubes in the bent portion, and

wherein parts of the input connection portion and the output connection portion extend parallel to each other.

17. The condenser of claim 16 , wherein the input connection portion and the output connection portion are connected to the first header along a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the pair of linear portions.

18. The condenser of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of tubes comprise an inclined surface that is inserted into the first header.

19. The condenser of claim 18 , wherein the inclined surface is inclined by 30° to 60° with respect to an extension direction of the input connection portion or the output connection portion.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNEE'S COUNTRY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 055874 FRAME: 0453. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Nov 11, 2021
From: YOO, JEONGWON
To: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Reel/Frame 058106/0255 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2021
From: YOO, JEONGWON
To: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Reel/Frame 055874/0453 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2020-0078304 · Jun 26, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210404729A1 · Dec 30, 2021