Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a body having a storage room, an ice making chamber formed separately from the storage room, and a thermoelectric-module provided in the ice making chamber to generate cold air. The thermoelectric-module does not require a cold air duct to cool the ice making chamber. As a result, space utilization is improved and a capacity of the refrigerator is improved. In addition, energy efficiency may be enhanced because a heater is not required to remove the frost from a cold air duct.

1 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a body having a storage room formed therein;   a door rotatably coupled to the body so as to selectively open and close the storage room;   an ice making chamber formed in the door; and   a thermoelectric module provided in the ice making chamber, wherein the thermoelectric module decreases a temperature in a surrounding area to cool the ice making chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a panel rotatably coupled to an interior side of the door so as to selectively open and close the ice making chamber. 
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the panel includes an opening formed therein so as to provide for communication between the ice making chamber and the storage room, wherein the thermoelectric module is positioned in the opening, with a first surface thereof facing the ice making chamber, and a second surface thereof opposite the first surface facing the storage room. 
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , further comprising an ice maker coupled to the panel, wherein the ice maker is configured to make ice and to eject the ice into the ice making chamber. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the thermoelectric module is configured to cool the ice maker and to discharge heat into the storage room. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the ice maker comprises a transfer plate coupled to the thermoelectric module such that the thermoelectric module cools the transfer plate and the transfer plate cools the ice maker. 
   
   
       7 . The refrigerator of  claim 6 , further comprising a cold block having a first surface in close contact with the transfer plate, and a second surface opposite the first surface in close contact with the first surface of the thermoelectric module such that the cold block is interposed between the transfer plate and the first surface of the thermoelectric module. 
   
   
       8 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , further comprising a heat sink in close contact with the second surface of the thermoelectric module so as to expand a heat radiation area of the thermoelectric module. 
   
   
       9 . The refrigerator of  claim 8 , further comprising heat conductive material coated between adjacent surfaces of the transfer plate, the cold block, and thermoelectric module and the heat sink. 
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the heat conductive material is a thermal grease or a thermal powder. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the thermoelectric module is pressed between the cold block and the heat sink. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the cold block is secured to the heat sink by a securing member that sequentially passes through the transfer plate, the cold block and the heat sink. 
   
   
       13 . The refrigerator of  claim 12 , wherein the transfer plate is integrally formed with an ice tray of the ice maker. 
   
   
       14 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , further comprising a cooling fan that directs cold air from the storage room toward the thermoelectric module. 
   
   
       15 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , further comprising a fan provided in the ice making chamber to circulate cold air within the ice making chamber. 
   
   
       16 . The refrigerator of  claim 15 , wherein the fan is oriented toward a lower portion or an upper portion of the ice tray so as to concentrate a flow of cold air onto the ice tray. 
   
   
       17 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a body having a storage room formed therein;   a door rotatably coupled to the body, the door having an ice making chamber formed therein that is separate from the storage room formed in the body;   a panel rotatably coupled to an interior side of the door so as to selectively open and close the ice making chamber; and   at least one thermoelectric module provided in the panel, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface cools air in a surrounding area to cool the ice making chamber, and heat generated at the second surface is discharged into the storage room.   
   
   
       18 . The refrigerator of  claim 17 , further comprising an ice maker coupled to the panel, wherein the ice maker is configured to make ice and to eject the ice into the ice making chamber. 
   
   
       19 . The refrigerator of  claim 17 , further comprising a cold block that maintains close contact with a heat absorption part provided on the first surface of the thermoelectric module, and a heat sink that maintains close contact with a heat radiation part provided on the second surface of the thermoelectric module so as to expand a heat radiation are of the thermoelectric module. 
   
   
       20 . The refrigerator of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a first fan that directs cold air from the storage room onto the thermoelectric module; and   a second fan provide in the ice making chamber, wherein the second fan circulates cold air within the ice making chamber.