Defrosting apparatus and refrigerator comprising same

A defrosting apparatus comprising:

• a heating unit comprising:
• a heater case having that defines an inner flow path having an inlet and an outlet at both ends of the heater case, respectively, and
• a heater mounted in the heater case and configured to heat working fluid within the inner flow path;
• and
• a heat pipe that is inserted into the heater case through each of the inlet and the outlet and that is in communication with the inner flow path, at least a part of the heat pipe being disposed adjacent to a cooling pipe of an evaporator and configured to transfer heat from the working fluid heated by the heater to the cooling pipe of the evaporator,
• wherein the heater is configured to, based on a temperature of the heater being greater than or equal to a preset temperature, limit an electric current therein by an increase of a resistance of the heater and thereby stop emitting heat.