Refrigerator

A refrigerator comprising:

• a cabinet that defines (i) a storage space, (ii) a heat exchange space that accommodates an evaporator, and (iii) a machine room that accommodates a compressor and a condenser;
• a grill pan assembly that is provided in the cabinet and that separates the storage space and the heat exchange space from each other;
• and
• an air suction passage configured to fluidly connect the heat exchange space with the machine room,
• wherein the grill pan assembly includes:
• a case that is in fluid communication with the heat exchange space,
• a fan provided in the case,
• a grill pan provided on a front surface of the case, the grill pan having a cold air discharge port and a cold air suction port,
• an exhaust passage configured to fluidly connect the case with the machine room,
• an exhaust damper provided in the case and configured to open and close the exhaust passage, and
• a partition provided in an inside of the case,
• wherein the partition partitions the inside of the case into (i) a first space that defines a first flow path configured to carry air circulating between the heat exchange space and the storage space and (ii) a second space that defines a second flow path configured to heat air circulating between the machine room and the heat exchange space,
• wherein the case includes:
• a case plate that defines a rear surface of the case,
• a case flange that extends forward from the case plate and that is disposed along a circumference of the case plate, and
• a flow path forming portion that is spaced apart from the case flange, that protrudes forward from the case plate, and that is covered by the partition, and
• wherein a protrusion height of the flow path forming portion from the case plate is less than a protrusion height of the case flange from the case plate.