REFRIGERATOR WITH VACUUM INSULATION HOUSING A HEAT INTERCHANGER

Abstract

A refrigerator includes an inner case, an outer case, a vacuum space, and a liquid-gas interchanger. The inner case defines an exterior appearance of a storage space. The outer case is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case. The vacuum space is provided between the inner case and the outer case, and maintains a vacuum to insulate the inner case from the outer case. The liquid-gas interchanger is arranged in the vacuum space to generate heat exchange between a refrigerant after it is exhausted from an evaporator and a refrigerant before it is drawn into an evaporator.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: an inner case defining a storage space; an outer case connected to the inner case, an inner surface of the outer case being spaced apart from an outer surface of the inner case by a predetermined distance; a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case, and configured to insulate the inner case from the outer case; a pipe including a first portion passing through a first communication hole formed in the inner case, a second portion passing through a second communication hole formed in the outer case, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion and arranged between the inner case and the outer case; and a guide configured to separate the pipe from the outer surface of the inner case or the inner surface of the outer case, wherein the guide includes a first surface and a second surface that form a thickness, wherein the first surface is provided between the inner case and the outer case, and contacts the vacuum space, and wherein the second surface supports the pipe.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second surface includes a portion having a shape corresponding to an outer circumferential surface shape of the pipe.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the guide includes a portion having a shape of a ring, and the pipe passes through the ring.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the guide includes a portion having a shape of a closed curve, and the pipe passes through the closed curve.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the guide is configured to support the pipe to be spaced apart from the inner case and the outer case, and is disposed inside the vacuum space.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the pipe includes a compressor suction tube that guides refrigerant exhausted from an evaporator toward a compressor and a capillary tube that guides refrigerant exhausted from a condenser to an expansion valve.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the pipe includes a liquid-gas interchanger configured to facilitate heat exchange between refrigerant exhausted from an evaporator and refrigerant exhausted from a condenser.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the pipe includes a first tube and a second tube.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a support structure supporting the inner case or the outer case, and provided to maintain a gap between the inner case and the outer case inside the vacuum space, wherein the pipe is disposed to be spaced apart from the support structure inside the vacuum space.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a support plate positioned between the outer case and the inner case, and a plurality of spacers fixed to the support plate and configured to maintain the predetermined distance between the inner case and the outer case, and wherein the pipe is disposed to be spaced apart from the support plate and the plurality of spacers inside the vacuum space.

11. A refrigerator comprising: an inner case defining a storage space; an outer case connected to the inner case, an inner surface of the outer case being spaced apart from an outer surface of the inner case by a predetermined distance; a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case, and configured to insulate the inner case from the outer case; a pipe including a first portion passing through a first communication hole formed in the inner case, a second portion passing through a second communication hole formed in the outer case, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion and arranged between the inner case and the outer case; and a guide configured to separate the pipe from the outer surface of the inner case or the inner surface of the outer case, wherein the guide includes a first surface and a second surface that form a thickness, wherein the first surface is provided between the inner case and the outer case, and contacts the vacuum space, and wherein the second surface surrounds the pipe.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the second surface includes a portion having a shape corresponding to an outer circumferential surface shape of the pipe.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the guide includes a portion having a shape of a ring, and the pipe passes through the ring.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the guide includes a portion having a shape of a closed curve, and the pipe passes through the closed curve.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the guide is configured to support the pipe to be spaced apart from the inner case and the outer case, and is disposed inside the vacuum space.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the pipe includes a compressor suction tube that guides refrigerant exhausted from an evaporator toward a compressor and a capillary tube that guides refrigerant exhausted from a condenser to an expansion valve.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the pipe includes a liquid-gas interchanger configured to facilitate heat exchange between refrigerant exhausted from an evaporator and refrigerant exhausted from a condenser.

18. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the pipe includes a first tube and a second tube.

19. The refrigerator according to claim 11, further comprising a support structure supporting the inner case or the outer case, and provided to maintain a gap between the inner case and the outer case inside the vacuum space, wherein the pipe is disposed to be spaced apart from the support structure inside the vacuum space.

20. The refrigerator according to claim 11, further comprising a support plate positioned between the outer case and the inner case, and a plurality of spacers fixed to the support plate and configured to maintain the predetermined distance between the inner case and the outer case, and wherein the pipe is disposed to be spaced apart from the support plate and the plurality of spacers inside the vacuum space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a function of a liquid-gas interchanger in a cooling cycle of the refrigerator;

[0050] FIG. 3 is a Mollier diagram illustrating the function of the liquid-gas interchanger;

[0051] FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating the liquid-gas interchanger provided in a vacuum space formed between an inner case and an outer case of the refrigerator according to the present invention; and

[0052] FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating an assembling structure among the inner case, the outer case and spacers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, referring to the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof.

[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a case 1 in which a storage chamber is formed, a first door 4 rotatably coupled to a left side of the case 1 and a second door 5 rotatably coupled to right side of the case 1.

[0056] The first door 4 is configured to open and close a freezer compartment that consists of the storage compartment and the second door 5 is configured to open and close a refrigerator compartment that consists of the storage compartment. By nonlimiting example, the present invention may include various types of refrigerator.

[0057] In other words, the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 is a side-by-side type having a refrigerator compartment arranged on the left and a freezer compartment arranged on the right. The refrigerator according to the present invention may be all types of refrigerators no matter how the refrigerator and freezer compartments are arranged. Also, the refrigerator may be a refrigerator only having a refrigerator or freezer compartment or a refrigerator having an auxiliary cooler compartment rather than the freezer and refrigerator compartments.

[0058] An outer case 120 is spaced apart a predetermined distance from an inner case 110. No auxiliary insulating material is provided in a space formed between the outer case 120 and the inner case 110 and the space is maintained in a vacuum state to perform insulation.

[0059] In other words, the vacuum space 130 is formed between the outer case 120 and the inner case 110, to remove a medium that delivers the heat between the cases 110 and 120.

[0060] Accordingly, the heat from the hot air outside the outer case 120 can be prevented from being transmitted to the inner case as it is.

[0061] Meanwhile, for convenience sake, FIG. 1 shows the inner case 110, the outer case 120, and spacers 150 that consist of the case, without a liquid-gas interchanger 200 which will be described later.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid-gas interchanger 200 provided in the vacuum space of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be described.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a function of the liquid-gas interchanger in a cooling cycle of the refrigerator. FIG. 3 is a Mollier diagram (P-i chart or pressure-enthalpy diagram) illustrating the function of the liquid-gas interchanger.

[0064] The cooling cycle refers to a refrigerant circulation cycle configured to provide cold air, while refrigerant is heat-exchanging with external air via a compressor, an evaporator, an expansion valve and an evaporator.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant vaporized in the evaporator 40 is compressed in the compressor 10 and then it is condensed into fluidal refrigerant in the condenser 20. That liquid refrigerant is expanded while passing the expansion valve 30 and vaporized in the evaporator to absorb heat of latent air to generated cold air.

[0066] However, to overcool the refrigerant liquid exhausted from the condenser 20 and to super-heat the refrigerant gas precisely at the same time, the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be installed as shown in FIG. 2.

[0067] The liquid refrigerant, in other words, if the refrigerant liquid is almost in a saturated state, might have the pressure thereof lowered by the resistance generated while passing a refrigerant pipe. Or, the liquid pressure might be lowered by a standing state of a liquid pipe or heat penetration might be generated by a high temperature of latent air. Because of that, flash gas might be generated in the refrigerant liquid and the pipe resistance might be increased remarkably accordingly. Especially, the ability of the expansion valve might be decreased remarkably only to deteriorate the freezing ability.

[0068] To prevent such disadvantages, the refrigerant liquid is sub-cooled. In other words, the refrigerant liquid almost in the saturated state (in a state of {circle around (3)} shown in FIG. 3) after passing the condenser is sub-cooled to a state of {circle around (4)}.

[0069] As shown in Mollier diagram of FIG. 3, such sub-cooling may cool the refrigerant liquid by i.sub.a to increase a freezing effect by i.sub.a when the refrigerant liquid having passed the expansion valve is vaporized in the evaporator.

[0070] Based on the type of the evaporator, it cannot be said that the seething refrigerant drawn into a suction pipe is completely in a vaporized vapor state. For instance, liquid particles remain in a flooded type evaporator when the seething refrigerant is absorbed. Based on an operation condition, refrigerant in a humid vapor state can be absorbed in another type evaporator. In this instance, such the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is used in increasing a super heat degree of the absorbed gas.

[0071] Also, refrigerant is mixed with lubrication oil in the flooded type evaporator and a liquid surface is maintained relatively high, such that the oil might be absorbed into a suction pipe together with the refrigerant from an evaporation surface.

[0072] In this instance, the liquid-gas interchanger 200 heats the refrigerant to enable the refrigerant sucked into the suction pipe at an appropriate super heat level. Simultaneously, the oil is separated from the refrigerant and the refrigerant is re-supplied to the compressor via the suction pipe.

[0073] As shown in the chart of FIG. 3, the refrigerant gas exhausted from the evaporator 40 has an enthalpy such as {circle around (1)} and a super heat level of the refrigerant is increased while the refrigerant is passing the liquid-gas interchanger 200, to be {circle around (2)}. The refrigerant having the enthalpy increased by i.sub.b may be drawn into the compressor.

[0074] Accordingly, the refrigerator according to the present invention include the liquid-gas interchanger 200 to sub-cool the refrigerant liquid flowing toward the expansion valve 30 and to super-heat the refrigerant gas sucked into the compressor 10 simultaneously to enhance cooling efficiency of the cooling cycle.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the structure of the refrigerator having the liquid-gas interchanger 200 will be described as follows.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating the liquid-gas interchanger provided in a vacuum space formed between an inner case and an outer case of the refrigerator according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating an assembling structure among the inner case, the outer case and spacers.

[0077] The outer case 120 is opaque and the inside of the vacuum space 130 is invisible. However, the inside of the vacuum space 130 is visible in FIG. 4 for convenience sake.

[0078] According to the refrigerator, the case 1 includes an inner case 110 in which the storage space is formed, an outer case 120 accommodating the inner case, spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case, vacuum space 130 provided between the inner case and the outer case, with being closed to maintain a vacuum state to perform the insulation function between the inner case and the outer case, and a liquid-gas interchanger 200 configured to generate heat exchange between the refrigerant after passing an evaporator and the refrigerant before drawn into an evaporator.

[0079] Especially, the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is arranged in the vacuum space 130, with forming a long passage, and it may generate heat exchange between the low temperature refrigerant gas after passing the evaporator and a normal temperature refrigerant liquid before drawn into the evaporator.

[0080] Meanwhile, the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is provided in the vacuum space 130 and heat exchanger can be generated by conduction. If a vacuum level of the vacuum space 130 is high, heat exchange is not generated by convection in the vacuum space 130.

[0081] Both pipe ends of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be welded to the inner case 110 and the outer case 120, respectively, to secure a sufficient fixing force.

[0082] In addition, the liquid-gas interchanger is formed of a metal material. To reduce heat transfer, it is preferred to reduce contact areas between a metal pipe of the liquid-gas interchanger and the inner and outer cases 110 and 120 or other components provided in the vacuum space 130.

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of the spacers 150 may be arranged to maintain the distance between the inner case 110 and the outer case 120 to make the vacuum space 130 maintain its profile. Such spacers 150 may support the first support plate to maintain the distance between the inner case 110 and the outer case 120.

[0084] The plurality of the spacers 150 may be fixed between the inner case 110 and the outer case 120. The plurality of the spacers 150 may be arranged in the first support plate 160 as a fixing structure.

[0085] The first support plate 160 may be provided in contact with one of facing surfaces possessed by the inner and outer cases 110 and 120.

[0086] In FIGS. 4 and 5, it is shown that the first support plate 160 is arranged to contact with an outer surface of the inner case 110. Optionally, the first support plate 160 may be arranged to contact with an inner surface of the outer case 120.

[0087] The first support plate 160 is arranged in contact with an outer surface of the inner case 110 and a second support plate 170 arranged in contact with an inner surface of the outer case 120 may be further provided, such that ends of the spacers 150 provided in the first support plate 160 may be in contact with an inner surface of the second support plate 170.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 5, the case 1 may further include a second support plate 170 provided in the other one of facing surfaces possessed by the first and second cases 110 and 120, with facing the first support plate.

[0089] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the second support plate 170 is arranged to contact with the inner surface of the outer case 20 and the spacers 150 are fixedly arranged in the first support plate 160 to maintain a distance spaced apart between the first support plate 160 and the second support plate 170.

[0090] The first support plate 160 is in contact with the outer surface of the inner case 110 and the second support plate 170 is in contact with the inner surface of the outer case 120. Accordingly, the spacers 150 supportably maintain the distance between the inner case 110 and the outer case 120.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 4, in case of no second support plate 170 as mentioned above, ends of the spacers 150 may be arranged to directly contact with the inner surface of the outer case 120.

[0092] As shown in an enlarged view of FIG. 5, the second support plate 170 may include a plurality of grooves 175 formed in an inner surface thereof to insert ends of the spacers 150 therein, respectively.

[0093] The plurality of the grooves 175 formed in the second support plate 170 may facilitate the fixing of relative position with respect to the spacers 150, when the second support plate 170 is placed on the spacers 150 integrally formed with the first support plate 160.

[0094] The vacuum space 130 has to be formed between the inner and outer cases 110 and 120 composing the case 1. For instance, rim portions of the inner and outer cases 110 and 120 that form one surface of the case 1 have to be integrally formed with each other, with the corresponding size to the size of the one surface.

[0095] In contrast, first and second support plate units are fabricated, with a smaller size than the size of the inner or outer case 110 or 120. After that, sets of assembled first and second support plates having the spacers 150 positioned there between are fabricated and the sets of the assembled plates are inserted between the inner case 110 and the outer case 120.

[0096] Optionally, the first support plate 160 and the second support plate 170 are fabricated and assembled, with the same size as the inner and outer cases 110 and 120.

[0097] FIG. 5 partially illustrates the assembling structure between the inner case 110 and the outer case 120 in a multilayered structure.

[0098] An end of each spacer 150 may be concavely curved.

[0099] As shown in a circle enlarged in FIG. 5, ends of the spacers 150 are concavely curved. In the assembly process, the end of each spacer 150 is easily seated in each groove 175 formed in the second support plate 170, only to ease the assembling work.

[0100] Moreover, it is more preferred that the plurality of the grooves 175 formed in the second support plate 170 are convexly curved, corresponding to the shape of the spacers 150.

[0101] The shapes of the grooves 175 formed in the second support plate 170 may be corresponding to the shapes of the spacers 150. Accordingly, it is easy to determine the positions of the spacers in the assembling work and the second support plate 170 can be fixed in parallel with the ends of the spacers, without movement.

[0102] The spacers 150, the first support plate 160 and the second support plate 170 may be formed of one of metal, ceramic and reinforced plastic.

[0103] The spacers 150 integrally formed with the first support plate 160 are aligned in vertical and horizontal lines as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0104] As the spacers 150 are arranged in such lines, the design and molding fabrication may be facilitated. Also, the assembling work can be facilitated and the strength for enduring the vacuum pressure or the external shock in the vacuum space 130 can be enlarged after the assembling process.

[0105] Go back to FIG. 4, the mounding structure of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 will be described in detail.

[0106] The liquid-gas interchanger 200 includes a compression suction pipe 220 for guiding the refrigerant having passed the evaporator to the compressor and a capillary tube 210 for guiding the refrigerant having passed the condenser to the expansion valve.

[0107] It is preferred that the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is arranged between the spacers 150, not in contact with them.

[0108] The liquid-gas interchanger 200 is arranged in the vacuum space 130 and both ends of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 are fixed to the inner case 110 and the outer case 120, respectively. At this time, it is possible to weld the liquid-gas interchanger 200 to the inner case 110 and the outer case 120. Such the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be mounted not in contact with nor interfering with the spacers 150 aligned in the vacuum space 130.

[0109] Accordingly, the external heat of the outer case 120 can be prevented from transferred to the inside of the inner case 110 via the spacers 150 by conduction.

[0110] The compressor suction pipe 220 where the low temperature refrigerant gas having passed the evaporator 40 is flowing to the compressor is welded to the capillary tube 210 where the normal temperature refrigerant liquid is flowing before sucked into the evaporator in the liquid-gas interchanger 200, to contact with each other. After that, the ends of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 are welded to the inner case 110 and the outer case 120, respectively.

[0111] At this time, the compressor suction pipe 220 and the capillary tube 210 are in contact with each other. Accordingly, heat exchange may be performed by conduction between the compressor suction pipe 220 and the capillary tube 210.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 4, the compressor suction pipe 220 is a refrigerant pipe where the low temperature refrigerant gas having passed the evaporator 40 is flowing to the compressor 10. Compared with the capillary tube 210, the compressor suction pipe 220 has a larger diameter.

[0113] The capillary tube 210 is a refrigerant pipe where the normal temperature refrigerant liquid is flowing before sucked into the evaporator. Compared with the compressor suction pipe 220, the capillary tube 210 has a relatively smaller diameter.

[0114] There may be various types of liquid-gas interchangers. Such various types include a shell and tube type liquid-gas interchanger, a pipe contact type liquid-gas interchanger and a dual pipe type liquid-gas interchanger.

[0115] The liquid-gas interchanger 200 used in the present invention may be a pipe contact type liquid-gas interchanger. The liquid-gas interchanger 200 includes the compressor suction pipe 220 and the capillary tube 210 which are welded to contact with each other in a long pipe shape.

[0116] That is because the vacuum space 130 where the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is mounted has a relatively small thickness and a large area.

[0117] In addition, both ends 222 of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 are arranged in

[0118] predetermined positions, respectively. To form a longer passage than a linear distance between the ends 222, at least one portion of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be curved. In other words, it is preferred that the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is formed in an S-shape to form a plurality of curvature points.

[0119] Accordingly, the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be referenced to as S-pipe called after the S-shape.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 4, an end 222 of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be welded to a communication hole 122 formed in the outer case 120 and the other end 222 of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be welded to a communication hole (not shown) formed in the inner case 110.

[0121] A communication hole 162 may be formed in a welded portion of the first support plate 160 between the inner case 110 and the end 222 of the liquid-gas interchanger 200. Such a communication hole 162 forms a concentric circle with the welded portion and has a larger diameter than the welded portion.

[0122] FIG. 4 shows only the first support plate 160 and not second support plate 170. When the second support plate 170 is provided together with the first support plate 160 as shown in FIG. 5, a communication hole may be formed in a portion of the second support plate 170 corresponding to the welded portion between the other end 222 of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 and the outer case 120. The communication hole is concentric with respect to the welded portion and it has a larger diameter than the welded portion.

[0123] The inner case 110 and the outer case 120 are fabricated of a steel sheet, and they may be formed of metal, ceramic or reinforced plastic.

[0124] When the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is welded to the inner case 110 and the outer case 120, the first support plate 160 and the second support plate 170 as the structure for supporting the spacers 150 could be affected. Accordingly, it is preferred that the communication hole 122 of the case is larger than the communication hole 162 of the support plate.

[0125] As mentioned above, it is preferred that the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is be spaced apart from the inner case 110 and the outer case 120, except the welded portion of the ends.

[0126] That is because the insulation performance can be deteriorated by heat conduction generated via a contact area between the liquid-gas interchanger 200 formed of metal and the inner case 110 or the outer case 120 or the first support plate 160 or the second support plate 170, when the liquid-gas interchanger 200 contacts with the inner case 110 or the outer case 120 or the first support plate 160 or the second support plate 170.

[0127] To prevent such heat conduction, the case 1 may further include a plurality of guide rings 250 arranged to surround the liquid-gas interchanger 200 to support the liquid-gas interchanger 200 spaced apart from the inner and outer cases 110 and 120.

[0128] The guide rings 250 are configured of rings surrounding the liquid-gas interchanger 200, namely, the compressor suction pipe 220 and the capillary tube 210 connected with each other.

[0129] Such the guide rings 250 are spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case 110 and the outer case 120.

[0130] Specifically, when the first support plate 160 and the second support plate 170 are

[0131] provided, the guide rings 250 makes the liquid-gas interchanger 200 spaced apart from the first support plate 160 and the second support plate 170, without contact.

[0132] The guide rings 250 may be employed to fix the compressor suction pipe 220 and the capillary tube 210 to maintain the contact state between them.

[0133] Especially, the refrigerant is flowing in the compressor suction pipe 220 and the capillary tube 210. Accordingly, predetermined vibration might be generated and such vibration might make the compressor suction pipe 220 and the capillary tube 210 momentarily contact with the inner case 110 and the outer case 120. Also, the compressor suction pipe 220 and the capillary tube 210 might be distant from each other by the vibration from the contact state. Such problems can be solved by the guide rings 250.

[0134] The guide rings 250 may be arranged along a longitudinal direction of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 at predetermined intervals, to enable the liquid-gas interchanger 200 spaced apart from the other case or support plate in the vacuum space 130.

[0135] The liquid-gas interchanger 200 is formed of two connected pipes having different diameters. An inner circumferential surface shape of the guide ring 250 is corresponding to an outer circumferential surface shape of the liquid-gas interchanger 200.

[0136] Meanwhile, FIG. 4 shows that the guide rings 250 are circular rings and they may have any shapes only if the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is inserted therein to be supportedly distant from the case or support plate.

[0137] Heat exchange has to be actively generated in the liquid-gas interchanger 200 and the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be formed of copper that has a high heat conductivity.

[0138] Both ends of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 formed of such a copper material may be welded to the inner case and the outer case formed of a steel sheet. Accordingly, airtightness sufficient to endure the vacuum pressure of the vacuum space 130 can be maintained in the liquid-gas interchanger 200.

[0139] Moreover, the ends of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 are welded to the inner case 110 and the outer case 120, respectively, to pass through the vacuum space 130 accordingly. However, the liquid-gas interchanger 200 is quite long and the amount of the heat conducted via the liquid-gas interchanger 200 formed of the copper material is little and the insulation performance may not be deteriorated.

[0140] The guide rings 250 may be formed of ceramic or poly carbonate (PC).

[0141] The guide rings 250 are configured to make the liquid-gas interchanger 200 distant from the case or support plate adjacent thereto. Because of that, the guide rings 250 are formed of ceramic or PC having a low heat conductivity to reduce the heat transfer.

[0142] Lastly, the ends of the liquid-gas interchanger 200 may be welded to the inner case 110 and the outer case 120, respectively, with the capillary tube 210 and the compressor suction tube 220 spaced apart from each other.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 4, two communication holes 122 and 123 are formed in the outer case 120, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other to allow the welding of the capillary tube 210 and the compressor suction tube 220 composing the liquid-gas interchanger 200.

[0144] A first communication hole 122 of the two communication holes 122 and 123 is welded to the end of the compressor suction tube 220 and a second communication hole 123 is welded to an end of the capillary tube 210.

[0145] A diameter of the compressor suction tube 220 is larger than a diameter of the capillary tube 210. Accordingly, the first communication hole 122 may be larger than the second communication hole 123.

[0146] It is shown in FIG. 4 that the capillary tube 210 and the compressor suction tube 220 are welded at different positions even at the other end of the liquid-gas interchanger 200.

[0147] According to the present invention, the vacuum space having a smaller thickness than the prior art is formed between the inner case and the outer case. Accordingly, the volume of the storage compartment can be enlarged and the insulation performance can be improved in the refrigerator according to the present invention.

[0148] Furthermore, the liquid-gas interchanger for improving cooling efficiency in the cooling cycle is installed in the vacuum space. Accordingly, the refrigerator can make the assembly performed easily, with no interference with the insulation performance.

[0149] Various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.