Defrosting device and refrigerator having the same

A defrosting device, comprising:

• a heating unit provided in an evaporator;
• and
• a heat pipe, both end portions of which are connected to an inlet and an outlet of the heating unit, respectively, and at least part of which is disposed adjacent to a cooling tube to dissipate heat to the cooling tube of the evaporator due to high-temperature working fluid heated and transferred by the heating unit,
• wherein the heating unit comprises:
• a heater case provided with a vacant space, and provided with the inlet and the outlet at positions separated from each other, respectively, along a length direction;
• and
• a heater attached to an outer surface of the heater case to heat working fluid within the heater case,
• wherein the heater case is divided into an active heating part corresponding to a portion on which a hot wire is disposed and a passive heating part corresponding to a portion on which the hot wire is not disposed, and
• the inlet is formed on the passive heating part to prevent working fluid being moved through the heat pipe and then returned through the inlet from being reheated to flow backward;
• wherein the heater comprises:
• a base plate formed of a ceramic material, and attached to an outer surface of the heater case;
• the hot wire formed on the base plate, and configured to dissipate heat during the application of power;
• and
• a terminal provided on the base plate to electrically connect the hot wire to the power.