Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator includes an inner case including a storage compartment; an evaporator to generate cold air; and a duct at rear of the storage compartment to supply the cold air to the storage compartment, the duct including a cooling space in which the evaporator is installed, and a contact portion protruding rearwardly from an edge of the cooling space so that a contact surface contacts a surface of the inner case, and forming a passageway recessed from the contact surface in which an electric wire is arrangeable, the contact portion including a first and second inner surfaces forming the passageway, a first protrusion from the first inner surface toward the second inner surface, and a second protrusion protruding from the second inner surface toward the first inner surface, wherein an end of the second protrusion is closer to the first inner surface than an end of the first protrusion.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 an inner case including a storage compartment;   an evaporator configured to generate cold air; and   a duct at rear side of the storage compartment and configured to supply the cold air generated by the evaporator to the storage compartment, the duct including:
 a cooling space recessed in a rear side of the duct, and in which the evaporator is installed, and 
 a contact portion protruding rearwardly from an edge of the cooling space so that a contact surface of the contact portion contacts a surface of the inner case, and forming a passageway recessed from the contact surface in which an electric wire is arrangeable, the contact portion including:
 a first inner surface forming the passageway, 
 a second inner surface forming the passageway and facing the first inner surface, 
 a first protrusion protruding from the first inner surface toward the second inner surface, and 
 a second protrusion protruding from the second inner surface toward the first inner surface, 
 wherein an end of the second protrusion is closer to the first inner surface than an end of the first protrusion. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first protrusion and the second protrusion are spaced apart from each other.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein
 the passageway includes:
 a first passageway between the end of the first protrusion and the second inner surface, 
 a second passageway between the end of the second protrusion and the first inner surface, and 
 a communicating portion formed by a side surface of the first protrusion and a side surface of the second protrusion spaced apart from each other, and communicating the first passageway with the second passageway. 
   
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein
 the passageway is recessed from the contact surface in a forward direction of the refrigerator, and   a diameter of the communicating portion decreases in the forward direction.   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein
 a diameter of a first end of the communicating portion at the contact surface is larger than a diameter of the electric wire, and   a diameter of a second end of the communicating portion is smaller than the diameter of the electric wire.   
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein
 a sum of a protruding length of the first protrusion and a protruding length of the second protrusion is longer than a diameter of the passageway.   
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein
 the passageway includes an opening that is open toward a rearward direction of the refrigerator to allow insertion of the electric wire, and   the contact portion includes a lead portion that extends downwardly from the first protrusion to cover a portion of the opening.   
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein
 an end of the lead portion facing downward is spaced apart from the second inner surface.   
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein
 a distance between the end of the lead portion and the second inner surface is greater than a diameter of the electric wire.   
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein
 when arranged in the passageway, the electric wire includes:
 a first portion in contact with the first protrusion, and 
 a second portion different from the first portion and in contact with the second protrusion. 
   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein
 the duct includes:
 a guide passage configured to guide the cold air to the storage compartment, and 
 a damper configured to open or close the guide passage, and 
   a first end of the electric wire is connectable to the damper when the electric wire is arranged in the passageway.   
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a power supply arranged on a side of the contact surface opposite to the damper, and connectable to a second end of the electric wire.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a sealing member arranged between the inner case and the contact portion.   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein
 the sealing member is attached to the contact surface to cover the opening.   
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein
 the sealing member includes an insulating material.