Air duct device for refrigerator

Abstract

An air duct device for refrigerator includes a first compartment, a second compartment, and a fan motor. The first compartment has a front opening and a rear opening. The second compartment has a front opening, and the second compartment is disposed by the first compartment and connected with the first compartment through an intermediate opening. The fan motor provided at a first location close to the front opening of the first compartment for taking in air from outside and blowing the air into the first compartment toward the rear opening of the first compartment. The condenser is installed at a second location between the first location and the rear opening of the first compartment and the compressor is installed at a third location between the second location and the the rear opening of the first compartment and the compressor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air duct device for refrigerator having a condenser and a compressor, the air duct device comprising:
 a first compartment having a front opening and a rear opening;   a second compartment having a front opening, wherein the second compartment is disposed by the first compartment and connected with the first compartment through an intermediate opening; and   a fan motor provided at a first location close to the front opening of the first compartment for taking in air from outside and blowing the air into the first compartment toward the rear opening of the first compartment,   wherein the condenser is installed at a second location between the first location and the rear opening of the first compartment and the compressor is installed at a third location between the second location and the the rear opening of the first compartment,   wherein the fan motor forces the air to flow from outside into the first compartment, such that a first part of the air is vented through the rear opening of the first compartment and a second part of the air through the intermediate opening into the second compartment and then through the front opening of the second compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The air duct device of  claim 1 , wherein the air from the outside flows into and through the first compartment working as an internal air duct. 
     
     
         3 . The air duct device of  claim 2 , wherein the air from the first compartment flows into and through the second compartment working as an external air duct. 
     
     
         4 . The air duct device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the second compartment is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The air duct device of  claim 4 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the front opening of the first compartment is approximately equal to sum of the cross-sectional areas of the rear opening of the first compartment and the front opening of the second compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The air duct device of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbing power of the fan motor is adjusted to be enough for the second part of the air to be vented through the front opening of the second compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The air duct device of  claim 1 , wherein the air is directed to flow through the condenser and the compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The air duct device of  claim 1 , further comprising a dividing flange provided between the front openings of the first and second compartments, wherein the dividing flange is slanted toward the first compartment such that the vented air from the second compartment is directed away from the front opening of the first compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The air duct device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of first columns of directing plates provided in front of the front opening of the first compartment, wherein the first directing plates are controllable to direct the air flow from the front opening of the first compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The air duct device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of first columns of directing plates are detachable. 
     
     
         11 . The air duct device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of second columns of directing plates provided in front of the front opening of the second compartment, wherein the second directing plates are controllable to direct the air flow from the front opening of the second compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The air duct device of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of first columns of directing plates are detachable. 
     
     
         13 . The air duct device of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate opening between the first and second compartments is disposed obliquely by an angle with respect to a dividing wall between the first and second compartments. 
     
     
         14 . The air duct device of  claim 13 , wherein the angle is determined by the ratio of a width of the second opening to a width of the first opening.