Condensate Evaporation Device

Abstract

A condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator is provided. The condensate evaporation device includes a refrigerant pipe and a protecting tube. The refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows is installed near bottom of a pan containing condensate that flows out of the storage space so as to be immersed in the condensate. The protecting tube is disposed around at least a part of the refrigerant pipe. The protecting tube surrounds at least a part of the refrigerant pipe that is immersed in the condensate in the pan, such that the condensate does not contact and erode the refrigerant pipe directly. The protecting tube may surround the refrigerant pipe tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensate via the refrigerant pipe and the protecting tube.

1 . A condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator including a storage space cooled by refrigerant, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, the device comprising:
 a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows, wherein the refrigerant pipe is installed near bottom of a pan containing condensate that flows out of the storage space, and wherein the refrigerant pipe is immersed in the condensate, and   a protecting tube disposed around at least a part of the refrigerant pipe,   wherein the protecting tube surrounds at least a part of the refrigerant pipe that is immersed in the condensate in the pan, such that the condensate does not contact and erode the refrigerant pipe directly.   
   
   
       2 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 1 , wherein the protecting tube surrounds the refrigerant pipe tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensate via the refrigerant pipe and the protecting tube. 
   
   
       3 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 2 , wherein the protecting tube comprises silicone grease on inner surface of the protecting tube. 
   
   
       4 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 1 , wherein the protecting tube is heat resistant. 
   
   
       5 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 1 , wherein the protecting tube is water resistant. 
   
   
       6 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 1 , wherein the protecting tube comprises a polymer tube. 
   
   
       7 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer tube comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
   
   
       8 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer tube comprises rubber. 
   
   
       9 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 1 , wherein the protecting tube comprises a first end and a second end. 
   
   
       10 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second ends are disposed above the level of the condensate over the pan. 
   
   
       11 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a chamber that is positioned above the pan. 
   
   
       12 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 11 , wherein the chamber includes one or more air vents that allow air flow into or out of the chamber. 
   
   
       13 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a condensate level sensor disposed inside the pan, wherein the condensate level sensor is configured to detect the level of the condensate inside the pan. 
   
   
       14 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 13 , wherein heat exchanging between the refrigerant and the condensate is initiated when the level of condensate detected by the condensate level sensor reaches a predetermined value. 
   
   
       15 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a storage space that is cooled by a refrigerant,   a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, and   a condensate evaporation device,   wherein the condensate evaporation device comprises:
 a container configured to contain condensate that flows out of the storage space; 
 a heat exchange device configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the condensate; 
 a refrigerant tube disposed in the container so as to be immersed in the condensate in the container; and 
 a protecting tube surrounding at least part of the refrigerant tube. 
   
   
   
       16 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 15 , wherein the protecting tube surrounds the refrigerant pipe tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensate via the refrigerant pipe and the protecting tube. 
   
   
       17 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 15 , wherein the protecting tube is heat resistant and water resistant. 
   
   
       18 . The condensate evaporation device of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer tube comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rubber.