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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.