IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,372,291
Granted Patent B2
US 12,372,291 · App. 17/870,410 · Granted Jul 29, 2025

Refrigerator

Inventors: Hyun Woo Park (Seoul, KR); Hyoung Keun Lim (Seoul, KR); Jae Duck Lee (Seoul, KR)
Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
F25D11/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,372,291
App. No.
17/870,410
Granted
Jul 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A refrigerator includes a main body defining a first cooling space, a door configured to open and close the first cooling space of the main body, a first heat pump module disposed in the main body and configured to cool the first cooling space, an independent refrigerator that is detachably disposed in the first cooling space and defines a second cooling space separate from the first cooling space, a second heat pump module disposed in the independent refrigerator and configured to cool the second cooling space of the independent refrigerator, a main body power supply part that is disposed in the main body and configured to supply power, and an independent power supply part disposed in the independent refrigerator.

Claims (29)

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a main body defining a first cooling space;

a door configured to open and close the first cooling space of the main body;

an independent refrigerator that is detachably disposed in the first cooling space and defines a second cooling space separate from the first cooling space;

a heat pump module disposed in the independent refrigerator and configured to cool the second cooling space of the independent refrigerator;

a main body power supply part that is disposed in the main body and configured to supply power; and

an independent power supply part disposed in the independent refrigerator,

wherein the independent refrigerator comprises:

an outer housing defining an external shape of the independent refrigerator,

an inner housing defining the second cooling space of the independent refrigerator, and

a storage compartment configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the inner housing,

wherein the heat pump module is disposed in a space defined between the outer housing and the inner housing,

wherein the independent power supply part comprises a battery,

wherein the independent power supply part is electrically connected to the main body power supply part through a power cable disposed at a side of the first cooling space of the main body, and

wherein the power cable is disposed in a cable box that is disposed in the main body but not to invade the first cooling space, and wherein the cable box is configured to, based on a surface of the cable box being opened toward the first cooling space, be in fluid communication with the first cooling space.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the heat pump module comprises a thermoelectric element.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the independent power supply part is electrically connected to the main body power supply part to receive power.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the cable box comprises:

a first area configured to receive a power cable terminal and, based on the cable box being opened, be in fluid communication with the first cooling space; and

a second area configured to receive the power cable and be closed toward the first cooling space.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4 , wherein the power cable is an automatic reel type that is disposed in the second area, and configured to, based on a withdrawal of the power cable terminal, be drawn out and change a length exposed to the first cooling space.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5 , wherein the power cable is electrically connected to the main body power supply part, and the power cable terminal is coupled to the independent power supply part of the independent refrigerator to electrically connect the main body power supply part and the independent power supply part.

7. The refrigerator of claim 4 , wherein the cable box further comprises a cable box door configured to move between the first area and the second area and close or open the first area toward the first cooling space.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the first cooling space comprises a refrigerator space and a freezer space.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8 , wherein the independent refrigerator is disposed in the refrigerator space.

10. The refrigerator of claim 8 , wherein the independent refrigerator is disposed in the freezer space.

11. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the storage compartment comprises a swing bar that is disposed in a width direction of the storage compartment and configured to rotate around a virtual axis parallel to the width direction of the storage compartment.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11 , wherein the swing bar comprises a beverage holder defining a plurality of semicircular grooves.

13. The refrigerator of claim 11 , wherein the swing bar is disposed at a predetermined distance from a sliding door.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2022
From: PARK, HYUN WOO; LIM, HYOUNG KEUN; LEE, JAE DUCK
To: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Reel/Frame 061095/0477 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2022-0005420 · Jan 13, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230221055A1 · Jul 13, 2023
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