Refrigerator with filter module for sterilization

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9903634-B2
Application number	US-201113579655-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 5, 2011
Priority date	Dec 29, 2010
Publication date	Feb 27, 2018
Grant date	Feb 27, 2018

Abstract

A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator is able to store foods at a low temperature and to effectively remove bacteria of the foods stored in a storage room, to maintain the storage room clean.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A refrigerator, comprising:
a case including an outer case and an inner case having at least one storage compartment;
at least, one door that selectively opens and closes the case;
a plurality of shelves vertically disposed within the at least one storage compartment, that partitions the at least one storage compartment into a plurality of storage sections;
a first duct provided at a rear portion of the at least one storage compartment between the outer case and the inner case to supply cold air, wherein the first duct branches into a plurality of cold air passages that extends vertically, wherein each of the plurality of cold air passages communicates with a plurality of cold air supply holes provided on the inner case through which the cold air is supplied into the plurality of storage sections, and wherein a plurality of the cold supply holes is arranged along each of the plurality of cold air passages;
a second duct provided interposed between the plurality of cold air passages of the first duct, wherein the second duct extends vertically and is in communication with a plurality of passing holes provided on the inner case to supply filtered air to the plurality of storage sections, respectively;
a filter module mounted in an opening formed on an upper portion of the inner case and in communication with the second duct, wherein the filter module includes:
a filter configured to filter air within the at least one storage compartment;
a fan that draws air within the at least one storage compartment through the filter; and
a controller that drives the fan.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises at least one sterilization filter.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the at least one sterilization filter is coated with a leuconostoc enzyme.

4. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the filter further comprises an anti-allergen filter.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4 , wherein the filter further comprises a deodorization filter.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a UV light source.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6 , wherein the UV light source comprises a UV LED.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7 , wherein the filter is a photocatalyst filter to filter the air having the UV irradiated from the UV light source thereto.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising an input that receives input of an operational mode of the filter module.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9 , further comprising a display that displays the operational mode of the filter module.

11. The refrigerator of claim 9 , wherein the operational mode comprises one of a first mode based on an input from a user or a second mode based on a preset duty (on/off) without input from a user.

12. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of passing holes is provided in each of the plurality of storage sections, respectively.

13. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the filter module to be driven for a predetermined period of time based on at least one of the opening and closing frequency of the door or an opening time of the door.

14. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein an operation mode of the filter module includes auto-mode, in which on and off are automatically implemented based on a preset operation condition.

15. The refrigerator of claim 14 , wherein operation conditions of the auto-mode is preset based on an integrated time of the compressor, a frequency, and/or a time of door opening.

16. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein an operation period of the compressor is determined based on an actual use cycle.

17. The refrigerator of claim 16 , wherein the compressor is driven for an approximately 8 hour period three times a day.

18. The refrigerator of claim 17 , wherein operation of the compressor is stopped for approximately 3 hours after being driven for approximately 5 hours.

19. The refrigerator of claim 18 , wherein the filter module is driven tree times at intervals of approximately 8 hours according to the operation period of the compressor.

20. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to drive the fan for a first predetermined period of time, to stop the fan for a second predetermined period of time, and then to repeat the driving and stopping multiple times.

Assignees

• Son Mina
• Kim Jeongyon
• Kim Hyeonjin
• Kim Byunghyun
• Kim Eunjeong
• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Son Mina
• Kim Jeongyon
• Kim Hyeonjin
• Kim Byunghyun
• Kim Eunjeong

Classifications

• A61L2209/14

  Filtering means · CPC title

• F25D2400/361

  Interactive visual displays · CPC title

• F25D17/04 Primary

  for circulating air, e.g. by convection · CPC title

• F25D23/02

  Doors; Covers (F25D23/08 takes precedence {locks or fastenings E05B65/0042}) · CPC title

• A61L2209/111

  Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors · CPC title