CN109425175B

CN109425175B - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN109425175B
Application number: CN201810980213.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 冈部诚
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2017-09-01
Filing date: 2018-08-27
Publication date: 2021-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-27
Also published as: AU2017430066A1; CN109425175A; TW201913020A; JP6827546B2; AU2017430066B2; CN209027172U; SG11202000585YA; TWI727196B; JPWO2019043913A1; WO2019043913A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerator, which has first, second and third storage compartments; a vacuum insulation member is arranged on each wall part; a cooler is arranged on the back side of the third storage compartment; The rear side of the vacuum heat insulating material (hereinafter referred to as the vacuum heat insulating material) provided on the back surface of the third storage chamber guides air from the cooler to the second storage chamber; the second air duct is formed in the vacuum heat insulating material. The back side returns the used air of the second storage room to the cooler; and the refrigerating room return air duct is formed on the side of the vacuum insulation member to return the used air of the refrigerating room to the cooler, and the vacuum insulation The components are inclined and arranged so that the lower end is located on the front side and the upper end is located on the back side, the first and second air ducts are overlapped on the back side of the vacuum heat insulating material when viewed from the front, and the first air duct is formed on the back side of the vacuum heat insulating material. The back side of the cooler guides the air of the cooler to the second storage compartment, and the second air duct returns the air from the lower end of the front side of the cooler to the middle section.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which a vacuum heat insulator is disposed on each wall portion partitioning a storage chamber.

Background

In a conventional refrigerator, a refrigerating chamber, an ice-making chamber, a freezing chamber, and a vegetable chamber are arranged in this order from above. In this layout, the vegetable room is disposed at the lowest position of the refrigerator. Therefore, the user needs to bend his knees to squat or bend his waist in order to take out the vegetables from the vegetable room.

Here, when the number of times of opening and closing the door or the opening time of the door is compared between the vegetable room and the freezing room, although there is a difference between the individual cases, generally, the number of times of opening and closing the door of the vegetable room is large and the opening time of the door is long. Therefore, it is predicted that the convenience of the entire refrigerator will be improved if the vegetable room is disposed above the freezing room so as to replace the positions of the vegetable room and the freezing room.

However, in the conventional refrigerator, first, a plurality of compartments of a freezing temperature zone are concentrated at one position in order to improve thermal efficiency.

In the second conventional refrigerator, a cooler is disposed on the rear surface of the freezer compartment, and even if no special heat insulating member is provided between the freezer compartment and the cooler, defects such as dew condensation and frost formation are less likely to occur.

In contrast, in order to improve user convenience, it is conceivable to arrange the refrigerator in the order of the refrigerating compartment, the ice-making compartment, the vegetable compartment, and the freezing compartment from above. The refrigerator is provided with a storage chamber of a cold storage temperature zone, i.e., a positive temperature zone, and a storage chamber of a freezing temperature zone, i.e., a negative temperature zone, alternately arranged from above. Therefore, the first heat efficiency of the refrigerator with such a layout is inferior to that of the conventional refrigerator. In addition, if the thickness of the wall portion of each chamber is increased to ensure the required heat insulation performance and comparison is performed when the outer shape of the refrigerator is the same, the space in which food can be stored is reduced.

In addition, the second refrigerator of such a layout is that the cooler is disposed on the rear surface of the vegetable compartment, and it is necessary to provide a wall portion that partitions the vegetable compartment and the cooler with high heat insulating performance as compared with the conventional refrigerator. In order to improve the heat insulating performance, the thickness of the wall portion may be increased. However, the food storage space is sacrificed as described above. Therefore, conventionally, a molded article of expanded styrene which is excellent in workability and is convenient to mount, dismount, and transport has been used as a heat insulating member. However, by using a vacuum heat insulator having higher heat insulating performance as the heat insulating member, both heat insulating performance and food storage space securing can be achieved. High thermal insulation performance means a low heat transfer coefficient.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2012 and 242072

When the vacuum heat insulator is disposed between the vegetable compartment and the cooler, an air duct for sending air cooled by the cooler into the vegetable compartment is necessary. Claim 10 of patent document 1 describes "the vacuum heat insulator is provided on the front surface of the partition wall constituting the inner wall surface, except for the inflow port and the outflow port". In this way, there is a method of covering all but the inflow port and the outflow port with the vacuum heat insulator. However, in this case, it is necessary to form a hole in the vacuum insulation member, to provide a slit in the vacuum insulation member, or to use many vacuum insulation members. Therefore, the manufacturing cost increases.

In addition, if user convenience is considered, it is desirable to secure a volume of the vegetable compartment while improving a heat insulation effect by the vacuum heat insulator.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of reducing manufacturing costs related to a vacuum heat insulator while ensuring a volume of a vegetable compartment.

The refrigerator according to the present invention comprises: a first storage compartment for freezing the temperature zone; a second storage compartment for freezing the temperature zone; a third storage chamber having a front surface portion and a rear surface portion and being disposed between the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; a vacuum heat insulator provided in each wall section including the front surface section and the rear surface section and dividing the third storage chamber; a cooler provided on a rear surface side of the third storage chamber; a first duct formed on a rear surface side of the vacuum heat insulator provided on the rear surface portion of the third storage chamber, for introducing air from the cooler into the second storage chamber; a second duct formed on a rear surface side of the vacuum heat insulator provided at the rear surface portion of the third storage chamber, for returning air used in the second storage chamber to the cooler; and a refrigerating chamber return duct formed on a side surface of the vacuum heat insulator provided in the rear surface portion of the third storage chamber, for returning air used in a refrigerating chamber different from the first storage chamber, the second storage chamber, and the third storage chamber to the cooler, wherein the vacuum heat insulator provided in the rear surface portion of the third storage chamber is disposed obliquely such that a lower end is positioned on the front surface side and an upper end is positioned on the rear surface side, and the first duct and the second duct are formed to overlap with each other on a rear surface side of the vacuum heat insulator provided in the rear surface portion of the third storage chamber in a front view, and the first duct is configured to introduce air from the cooler to the second storage chamber on the rear surface side of the vacuum heat insulator provided in the rear surface portion of the third storage chamber, the second air duct is configured to return air from a lower end of a front surface of the cooler to a middle stage.

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, since the vacuum heat insulator provided on the rear surface of the third storage compartment is disposed in an inclined manner such that the lower end is located on the front surface side and the upper end is located on the rear surface side, the manufacturing cost related to the vacuum heat insulator can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing an example of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view schematically showing the layout of storage compartments of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a refrigerant circuit configuration diagram schematically showing an example of the refrigerant circuit configuration of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a section of a part of a wall portion of a casing of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an air circulation path of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the Y-Y section of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing return of air to a cooler of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a refrigerator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention with a part of the cross-section enlarged.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an air circulation path of the refrigerator according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the Z-Z section of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing return of air to a cooler of a refrigerator according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a refrigerator according to embodiment 4 of the present invention with a part of the cross-section enlarged.

Description of the symbols

1 refrigerator, 1A refrigerator, 1B refrigerator, 1C refrigerator, 11 refrigerating compartment, 11A door, 21 ice making compartment, 21A door, 22 temperature switching compartment, 22A door, 27 cooler compartment, 31 vegetable compartment, 31A door, 31B bottom, 41 freezing compartment, 41A door, 50 box, 50A front, 50B upper, 50C bottom, 50D right side, 50E left side, 50F back, 51 partition, 51A partition, 51B partition, 52 partition, 53A partition, 53B partition, 54 partition, 55 wall, 56 metal plate, 57 inner box, 70 refrigerant circuit, 71 compressor, 72 condenser, 73 heat pipe, 74 anti-dew pipe, 75 drier, 76 pressure reducing device, 80 air circulation circuit, 101 first damper, 110 air duct, 111 first blow-out duct, 121 first blow-out port, 131 first return port, 140 return air path, 141 first return air path, 151 first junction, 201A second damper, 201B sixth damper, 202 third damper, 211A second outlet air path, 211B sixth outlet air path, 212 third outlet air path, 221A second outlet, 221B sixth outlet, 222 third outlet, 231A second return opening, 232 third return opening, 241A second return air path, 242 third return air path, 251A second junction, 252 third junction, 301 fourth damper, 311 fourth outlet air path, 312 fourth return air path, 321 fourth outlet, 331 fourth return opening, 351 fourth junction, 411 fifth outlet air path, 411A left fifth outlet air path, 411B right fifth outlet air path, 411C-1 lower fifth outlet air path, 411C-2 upper fifth outlet air path, 411A fifth outlet air path, a fifth outlet duct 411A-1, a fifth outlet duct 411A-2, a fifth return duct 412A on the left, a fifth return duct 412B on the right, a first vegetable compartment storage box 420A, a second vegetable compartment storage box 420B, a fifth outlet 421A, a fifth outlet 421B, a cover structure 430, a fin part 430A, a fifth return port 431B, a first freezer storage box 440A, a second freezer storage box 440B, a fifth joint 451A, a

fifth joint

451B, 500 insulation 500A, 500A vacuum insulation 500A, 500A1 vacuum insulation 500A2, 500A3 vacuum insulation, 500A4 vacuum insulation, 551 air outlet, 600 cooler, 700, 750 drip water heater, 751 drip tray, 800 blower.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and are used in the same manner throughout the specification.

The embodiments of the constituent elements shown throughout the specification are merely examples, and are not limited to these descriptions.

Embodiment 1.

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing an example of a refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic front view schematically showing the layout of the storage compartments of the refrigerator 1. The structure of the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. In the following description, refrigerating room 11, ice-making room 21, temperature switching room 22, vegetable room 31, and freezing room 41 may be collectively referred to as storage rooms.

As shown in fig. 2, the refrigerator 1 is laid out in the order of the refrigerating compartment 11, the ice making compartment 21, and the temperature switching compartment 22, the vegetable compartment 31, and the freezing compartment 41 from the top to the bottom. The ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22 are disposed adjacent to each other, with the ice making compartment 21 on the left side of the sheet and the temperature switching compartment 22 on the right side of the sheet.

The ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22 are storage compartments of a freezing temperature range. The vegetable compartment 31 is a storage compartment of a refrigerated temperature zone. The freezing chamber 41 is a storage chamber of a freezing temperature zone.

The ice making chamber 21 corresponds to the first storage compartment of the present invention.

The freezing chamber 41 corresponds to a second storage chamber of the present invention.

The vegetable compartment 31 corresponds to a third storage compartment of the present invention.

Each storage room of refrigerating room 11, ice making room 21, temperature switching room 22, vegetable room 31, and freezing room 41 is partitioned by a partition wall serving as a wall portion. As for the wall portion, description will be made using fig. 4.

The refrigerating compartment 11 and the ice making compartment 21 are partitioned by a partition wall 51A. Refrigerating compartment 11 and temperature switching compartment 22 are partitioned by partition wall 51B. The ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22 are partitioned by a partition wall 52, and the partition wall 52 is formed of one plate-like member. The ice making compartment 21 and the vegetable compartment 31 are partitioned by a partition wall 53A. The temperature switching chamber 22 and the vegetable chamber 31 are partitioned by a partition wall 53B. The vegetable compartment 31 and the freezing compartment 41 are partitioned by a partition wall 54, and the partition wall 54 is formed of one plate-like member.

The partition wall 51A and the partition wall 51B are formed of a single plate-like member, but for convenience of description, they are described separately corresponding to the ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22. In the following description, when it is not necessary to divide the partition wall 51A and the partition wall 51B for description, the partition walls 51 are collectively referred to as "partition walls 51".

Similarly, the partition wall 53A and the partition wall 53B are formed of a single plate-like member, but for convenience of description, they are described separately corresponding to the ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22. In the following description, when it is not necessary to divide the partition wall 53A and the partition wall 53B for description, they are collectively referred to as the partition wall 53.

The refrigerator 1 includes a cabinet 50 formed of a vertically long rectangular hexahedron. The case 50 has a front surface 50A, an upper surface 50B, a bottom surface 50C, a right side surface 50D, a left side surface 50E, and a back surface 50F. The box 50 has storage chambers each defined by a partition 51A, a partition 51B, a partition 52, a partition 53A, a partition 53B, and a partition 54, which divide the internal space of the box 50. An openable/closable door portion is provided on the front surface portion 50A, which is the front surface of the case 50. As shown in fig. 1, the door of the refrigerating compartment 11 is shown as a door 11A, the door of the ice compartment 21 is shown as a door 21A, the door of the temperature switching compartment 22 is shown as a door 22A, the door of the vegetable compartment 31 is shown as a door 31A, and the door of the freezing compartment 41 is shown as a door 41A.

The door 11A of the refrigerating compartment 11 is configured to be opened from the center to the left and right sides by hinges, not shown, provided on the left and right sides in the width direction of the casing 50. One door 11A may be provided to open from the left and right sides in the width direction of the case 50. The door portion 21A of the ice making compartment 21 is configured as a drawer door that moves in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. The door portion 22A of the temperature switching chamber 22 is configured as a drawer door that moves in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. The door portion 31A of the vegetable compartment 31 is configured as a drawer door that moves in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. The door portion 41A of the freezing chamber 41 is configured as a drawer door that moves in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1.

Fig. 3 is a refrigerant circuit configuration diagram schematically showing an example of the refrigerant circuit configuration of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerant circuit 70 and the air circulation path 80 of the refrigerator 1 will be schematically described with reference to fig. 3. In fig. 3, the flow of the refrigerant and the air is shown by arrows. In fig. 3, each storage chamber is illustrated for explaining the air circulation path 80. The refrigerant used in the refrigerant circuit 70 is not particularly limited.

The structure of the refrigerant circuit 70 will be explained.

The refrigerator 1 has a refrigerant circuit 70. As shown in fig. 3, the refrigerant circuit 70 is configured by connecting a compressor 71, an air-cooled condenser 72, a heat radiation pipe 73, a pressure reducing device 76, and a cooler 600 by pipes. A dew condensation preventing pipe 74 and a dryer 75 are connected between the heat radiating pipe 73 and the pressure reducing device 76. Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a state in which a blower 800 for supplying air to the cooler 600 is provided.

The operation of the refrigerant circuit 70 will be described.

By driving the compressor 71, the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 71. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 71 flows into an air-cooled condenser 72 provided in a machine chamber formed in the casing 50. The refrigerant flowing out of the air-cooled condenser 72 flows through a heat pipe 73 provided in the interior of the polyurethane of the cabinet 50 of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerant passing through the heat pipe 73 flows through the dew condensation preventing pipe 74 extending around the front surface 50A of the storage chamber of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerant is condensed through a condensation process using the air-cooled condenser 72, the heat radiation pipe 73, and the dew condensation preventing pipe 74.

The condensed refrigerant is supplied to the cooler 600 through the decompression device 76 after passing through the dryer 75. The cooler 600 generates cold air by heat exchange with air forcibly circulated by the blower 800 by evaporation of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 600. The generated cold air is supplied to each storage chamber to cool each storage chamber. Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the suction pipe, undergoes a temperature rise while exchanging heat with the pressure reducing device 76, and returns to the compressor 71.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 includes the refrigerant circuit 70, and generates cold air for cooling each storage chamber.

The structure of the air circulation path 80 will be explained.

The refrigerator 1 has an air circulation path 80. The air circulation path 80 includes a blow-out air duct 110 and a return air duct 140. The outlet duct 110 is used to introduce cold air into each storage chamber. The return duct 140 is used to return cool air used for cooling in each storage room to the cooler 600. That is, air circulation path 80 is a path through which cold air circulates through cooler 600 and each storage compartment via outlet air duct 110 and return air duct 140.

An air volume adjusting device is provided at the inlet of the outlet air duct 110. The air volume adjusting device provided at the inlet of the refrigerating compartment 11 is a first damper 101. The air volume adjusting device provided at the inlet of the ice making chamber 21 is a second damper 201 a. The air volume adjusting device provided at the inlet of the temperature switching chamber 22 is a third damper 202. The air volume adjusting device provided at the inlet of the vegetable compartment 31 is a fourth damper 301.

The operation of the air circulation path 80 will be described.

By driving the blower fan 800, the air of the refrigerator 1 is supplied to the cooler 600. The air forcibly circulated by the blower 800 is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the cooler 600. The cold air generated by the heat exchange in cooler 600 flows through outlet air duct 110 and is blown out to each storage compartment in refrigerator 1, thereby cooling each storage compartment.

The air circulating through each storage chamber and the cooler 600 is kept at an appropriate temperature by operating each air volume adjusting device by a control device, not shown, based on the air temperature in the storage chamber or the temperature of the stored food detected by a temperature sensor, not shown, provided in each storage chamber. The air cooled in each storage compartment flows through the return air duct 140 and returns to the cooler 600.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a section of a part of a wall portion 55 of the box 50 of the refrigerator 1. A wall portion 55 of the box 50 of the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to fig. 4.

As shown in fig. 4, a wall portion 55 of the box 50 of the refrigerator 1 is formed of a metal plate 56 constituting an outer shell, an inner box 57 constituting an inner wall of each storage compartment, and a heat insulator 500 provided between the metal plate 56 and the inner box 57, and suppresses heat from entering from the outside. Wall portion 55 constitutes partition wall 51A, partition wall 51B, partition wall 52, partition wall 53A, partition wall 53B, and partition wall 54.

As the heat insulator 500, a multilayer structure of a vacuum heat insulator and a urethane foam is used as the wall portion 55 constituting at least the right side surface portion 50D and the left side surface portion 50E of the refrigerator 1. By using a multi-layer structure of a vacuum heat insulator and a polyurethane foam material as the heat insulator 500, heat insulation performance can be improved.

The vacuum heat insulator may be mounted not only on the wall portions 55 constituting the right side surface portion 50D and the left side surface portion 50E of the refrigerator 1 but also on at least one of the wall portions 55 constituting the upper surface portion 50B, the bottom surface portion 50C, and the rear surface portion 50F of the refrigerator 1. By mounting the vacuum heat insulator, the heat insulating performance can be further improved. Further, by mounting the vacuum heat insulator, the distance between the outer shell of the refrigerator 1 and the inner wall surface of the inner box 57, that is, the heat insulation thickness can be reduced, and the internal volume can be increased.

The heat insulator 500 is provided with various internal components such as a reinforcing member for correcting distortion of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerant circuit component, and the electric wiring component described above, in a space in which the urethane foam is sealed, and these internal components are fixed by the urethane foam.

The covering area of the vacuum heat insulator disposed in the heat insulator 500 is secured to 40% or more of the entire outer surface area including the surface area of the door of each storage chamber. The polyurethane foam material sealed around the vacuum heat insulating material ensures a foam density of 60kg/cm³And a flexural modulus of 15.0MPa or more is secured. This ensures the strength of the cabinet 50 of the refrigerator 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an air circulation path 80 of the refrigerator 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the Y-Y section of fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing return of air to the cooler 600 of the refrigerator 1. The air circulation path 80 in the refrigerator 1 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 5 to 7. In fig. 5 to 7, the flow of air is shown by arrows. Fig. 5 illustrates an example in which a fresh food compartment is provided in the refrigerating compartment 11.

First, the arrangement of the cooler 600 will be described.

As shown in fig. 6, a cooler chamber 27 is formed on the rear surface 50F side of the ice making chamber 21, the temperature switching chamber 22, and the vegetable chamber 31 of the box 50 of the refrigerator 1. A cooler 600 is disposed in the cooler chamber 27. The lower end of the cooler 600 disposed in the cooler chamber 27 is located below the bottom surface 31B of the vegetable chamber 31 in the cooler chamber 27.

By positioning the lower end of cooler 600 below bottom surface 31B of vegetable compartment 31, a larger space can be secured above cooler 600. This increases the degree of freedom in the size of the blower 800 provided in a part of the cooler compartment 27. Further, an air volume adjusting device that adjusts the air volume of the air duct toward each storage room, which is held by the foam insulator, is provided above the blower 800.

Further, a heater 700 is provided below the cooler 600. The heater 700 is provided to avoid clogging of the fifth return air duct 412 due to frost formation, and is energized to generate heat as needed.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7, a drip heater 750 is provided to the drip tray 751. A drip pan 751 that receives the dissolved water during defrosting is provided below the cooler chamber 27. The drip heater 750 is provided to avoid re-freezing of the dissolved water received by the drip tray 751, and is energized to generate heat as necessary. The dropping heater 750 is not essential, and the heater 700 may also serve as a dropping heater.

Next, the vegetable compartment 31 and the periphery of the vegetable compartment 31 will be described.

As shown in fig. 6, the vegetable compartment 31 accommodates a first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and a second vegetable compartment storage box 420B. Second vegetable compartment storage box 420B is disposed above first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and has a smaller volume than first vegetable compartment storage box 420A. Second vegetable compartment storage box 420B is housed in first vegetable compartment storage box 420A, and in a state where door 31A is closed, the rear upper open end of second vegetable compartment storage box 420B is located at a position closer to rear length D3 than the rear upper open end of first vegetable compartment storage box 420A.

The number of storage boxes stored in vegetable compartment 31 is not particularly limited, and at least first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and second vegetable compartment storage box 420B may be stored therein.

The first vegetable compartment storage box 420A corresponds to the first storage box of the present invention.

The second vegetable compartment storage box 420B corresponds to the second storage box of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 6, a cover structure 430 is provided near the upper surface of vegetable compartment 31 to cover substantially the entire upper open surface of second vegetable compartment storage box 420B. Lid structure 430 includes fin-shaped portion 430A formed by bending downward a portion located on the back surface side of the rear surface side end of second vegetable compartment storage box 420B. Fin 430A is formed by bending a part of cover structure 430 at an acute angle.

As shown in fig. 6, vacuum heat insulators 500a1, 500a2, 500A3, and 500a4 are disposed on the front, rear, upper, and lower sides of vegetable compartment 31 so as to surround the front, rear, upper, and lower sides of vegetable compartment 31, as part of heat insulator 500. Hereinafter, the vacuum heat insulator 500A may be referred to as a vacuum heat insulator 500A without being particularly distinguished from the vacuum heat insulators disposed as a part of the heat insulator 500 so as to surround the vegetable compartment 31. Vacuum heat insulators 500A are also disposed on the left and right sides of vegetable compartment 31 as a part of heat insulator 500, but are omitted in fig. 6.

Next, the air duct structure of the refrigerator 1 will be specifically explained.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 has the blow-out duct 110 and the return duct 140.

The outlet air duct 110 is constituted by a first outlet air duct 111, a second outlet air duct 211a, a third outlet air duct 212, a fourth outlet air duct 311, a fifth outlet air duct 411, and a sixth outlet air duct 211 b.

The return air duct 140 is constituted by a first return air duct 141, a second return air duct 241a, a third return air duct 242, a fourth return air duct 312, and a fifth return air duct 412.

The outlet air ducts and the return air ducts described below are formed in the space on the back surface side of the storage compartments, that is, on the back surface portion 50F side, and the outlet ports and the return ports are formed in the back surface portion 50F of the storage compartments.

The first outlet duct 111 functions as a refrigerating compartment outlet duct through which cold air to be blown into the refrigerating compartment 11 flows. A first damper 101 as one of air volume adjusting means is provided at a cold air inlet of the first blowing duct 111. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the first damper 101 is located below the refrigerating compartment 11. The first damper 101 is controlled by the control device to operate as described above. This can adjust the amount of cold air blown into the refrigerator compartment 11.

In addition, a first blow-out port 121 is formed in the first blow-out duct 111. The cold air flowing in the first blowing duct 111 is introduced into the refrigerator compartment 11 through the first blowing outlet 121. The plurality of first blowout ports 121 are arranged to be aligned in the height direction of the refrigerating compartment 11 in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The number of the first blowout ports 121 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of the first blowout ports 121 may be provided according to the volume of the refrigerating compartment 11.

The second outlet duct 211a functions as an ice making compartment outlet duct through which the cold air blown out to the ice making compartment 21 flows. A second damper 201a, which is one of the air volume adjusting devices, is provided at the cold air inlet of the second outlet air duct 211 a. The second damper 201a is located at the middle section of the ice making chamber 21 in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The second damper 201a is controlled by the control device to operate as described above. This can adjust the amount of cold air blown into the ice making chamber 21.

In addition, a second outlet 221a is formed in the second outlet duct 211 a. The cold air flowing in the second outlet duct 211a is guided to the ice making compartment 21 through the second outlet 221 a. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the second air outlet 221a is located on the left side of the upper section of the ice making chamber 21. The number of the second air outlets 221a is not particularly limited.

The third outlet air duct 212 functions as a temperature switching room outlet air duct through which the cold air to be discharged to the temperature switching room 22 flows. A third damper 202 as one of the air volume adjusting devices is provided at a cold air inlet of the third outlet air duct 212. The third damper 202 is located in the middle of the temperature switching chamber 22 in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The third damper 202 is controlled by the control device to operate as described above. This can adjust the amount of cold air blown into the temperature switching chamber 22.

In addition, a third air outlet 222 is formed in the third air outlet duct 212. The cold air flowing through the third outlet duct 212 is introduced into the temperature switching chamber 22 through the third outlet 222. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the third air outlet 222 is located at the upper-stage center portion of the temperature switching chamber 22. The number of the third air outlets 222 is not particularly limited.

The fourth outlet duct 311 functions as a vegetable compartment outlet duct through which the cold air to be blown out into the vegetable compartment 31 flows. A fourth damper 301 as one of the air volume adjusting devices is provided at a cold air inlet of the fourth outlet air duct 311. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the fourth damper 301 is located at the middle of the temperature switching chamber 22. The fourth damper 301 is controlled by the control device to operate as described above. This can adjust the amount of cold air blown into the vegetable compartment 31.

In addition, a fourth air outlet 321 is formed in the fourth air outlet duct 311. The cold air flowing through fourth outlet duct 311 is introduced into vegetable compartment 31 through fourth outlet 321. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the fourth air outlet 321 is located on the right side of the upper section of the vegetable room 31. The number of the fourth air outlets 321 is not particularly limited.

The fifth outlet duct 411 functions as a freezing chamber outlet duct through which cold air to be blown out to the freezing chamber 41 flows. The fifth outlet air duct 411 is formed so as to overlap the fifth return air duct 412 in the front-rear direction. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the side, the fifth outlet duct 411 is located on the front side, and the fifth return duct 412 is located on the rear side 50F. A fifth outlet 421 is formed in the fifth outlet duct 411. The cold air flowing through the fifth outlet duct 411 is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through the fifth outlet 421. In a state where refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, fifth air outlet 421 is located at the upper-stage center portion of freezing chamber 41. The number of the fifth outlets 421 is not particularly limited.

The fifth blowout duct 411 corresponds to the first duct of the present invention.

The sixth outlet air duct 211b functions as an ice compartment outlet air duct through which cold air to be blown out to an ice compartment, not shown, flows. A sixth damper 201b, which is one of the air volume adjusting devices, is provided at the cold air inlet of the sixth outlet air duct 211 b. The sixth damper 201b is located at the middle section of the ice making chamber 21 in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The sixth damper 201b is controlled by the control device to operate as described above. Thus, the amount of cold air blown out into the fresh air compartment can be adjusted.

In addition, a sixth outlet 221b is formed in the sixth outlet duct 211 b. The cold air flowing through the sixth outlet duct 211b is introduced into the fresh air compartment through the sixth outlet 221 b. In a state where refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, sixth air outlet 221b is located in the lower-stage center portion of refrigerating room 11. In the case where the fresh air compartment is not provided, the sixth outlet air duct 211b and the sixth damper 201b do not need to be provided. The number of sixth air outlets 221b is not particularly limited.

The first return duct 141 functions as a refrigerating room return duct through which air used for cooling in the refrigerating room 11 flows. The first return duct 141 is provided with a first return port 131. The first return port 131 is located at the lower right side of the refrigerating compartment 11 in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. In addition, the first return duct 141 is engaged with the cooler chamber 27 via the first engagement portion 151. Accordingly, the air flowing in the first return air duct 141 is returned to the cooler 600 via the first return port 131 and the first joint 151.

The second return air path 241a functions as a cooling chamber return air path for allowing air used for cooling in the ice making chamber 21 to flow. A second return port 231a is formed in the second return air path 241 a. The second return port 231a is located at the lower left side of the ice making chamber 21 in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. In addition, the second return air path 241a is engaged with the cooler chamber 27 via a second engagement portion 251 a. Therefore, the air flowing in the second return air duct 241a returns to the cooler 600 via the second return port 231a and the second joint 251 a.

The third return duct 242 functions as a temperature switching chamber return duct for the air flow after cooling in the temperature switching chamber 22. A third return port 232 is formed in the third return air duct 242. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the third return port 232 is located at a lower central portion of the temperature switching chamber 22. In addition, the third return duct 242 is engaged with the cooler chamber 27 via a third engagement portion 252. Therefore, the air flowing in the third return air duct 242 returns to the cooler 600 via the third return port 232 and the third joint 252.

The fourth return air duct 312 functions as a vegetable compartment return air duct for the air flow after cooling in the vegetable compartment 31. A fourth return port 331 is formed in the fourth return air path 312. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the fourth return port 331 is located on the left side of the lower section of the vegetable compartment 31. In addition, the fourth return duct 312 is engaged with the cooler chamber 27 via a fourth engagement portion 351. Therefore, the air flowing through the fourth return air path 312 returns from the lower left of the cooler 600 to the cooler 600 via the fourth return port 331 and the fourth joint 351.

The fifth return duct 412 functions as a freezer compartment return duct through which air used for cooling in the freezer compartment 41 flows. A fifth return port 431 is formed in the fifth return duct 412. The fifth return port 431 is located at the upper-stage center portion of the freezing chamber 41 in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. In addition, the fifth return duct 412 is engaged with the cooler chamber 27 via a fifth engagement portion 451. Therefore, the air flowing in the fifth return air duct 412 is returned from the lower right of the cooler 600 to the cooler 600 via the fifth return port 431 and the fifth joint portion 451.

The fifth return air path 412 corresponds to the second air path of the present invention.

The flow of air around cooler 600 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 7.

The circulation of the air in the refrigerating compartment 11 will be explained.

The cold air generated by the cooler 600 is adjusted in air volume by the first damper 101, flows from the lower side of the paper surface toward the upper side of the paper surface in the first blowing duct 111, and is introduced into the refrigerating compartment 11 through the first outlet 121. The cold air used in refrigerating room 11 flows through first return port 131 from the upper side of the paper surface toward the lower side of the paper surface in first return duct 141 as indicated by arrow a1 in fig. 5 and 7, and returns to cooler 600 through first joint 151.

The circulation of air in the ice making chamber 21 will be described.

The cold air generated by the cooler 600 has its air volume adjusted by the second damper 201a, flows through the second outlet air duct 211a, and is guided to the ice making chamber 21 through the second outlet port 221 a. The cold air used in the ice making compartment 21 flows from the upper side of the sheet surface toward the lower side of the sheet surface through the second return opening 231a in the second return air duct 241a as indicated by arrow a2 in fig. 5 and 7, and returns to the cooler 600 through the second joint 251 a.

The circulation of the air in the temperature switching chamber 22 will be described.

The cold air generated by cooler 600 has its air volume adjusted by third damper 202, flows through third outlet air duct 212, and is introduced into temperature switching room 22 through third outlet 222. The cold air used in temperature switching room 22 flows from the upper side of the paper surface toward the lower side of the paper surface through third return port 232 in third return air duct 242 as indicated by arrow a3 in fig. 5 and 7, and is returned to cooler 600 through third joint 252.

The circulation of the air in the vegetable compartment 31 will be described.

The cold air generated by cooler 600 has its air volume adjusted by fourth damper 301, flows through fourth outlet duct 311, and is introduced into vegetable compartment 31 through fourth outlet 321. The cold air used in vegetable compartment 31 flows from the left side of the sheet to the right side of the sheet through fourth return port 331 in fourth return air duct 312 as indicated by arrow a4 in fig. 5 and 7, and returns to cooler 600 through fourth joining portion 351.

The fourth return port 331 from the vegetable compartment 31 is formed on the lower left side of the rear surface portion 50F of the vegetable compartment 31, which is diagonally opposite to the fourth discharge port 321. The fourth return port 331 is not overlapped on the front projection surface of one rectangular and plate-shaped vacuum heat insulator 500a1, but is positioned outside the front projection surface. The cold air blown out from the fourth air outlet 321 circulates in the following manner: is discharged from the fourth return port 331 located at the corner of the inner wall of the vegetable compartment 31 diagonal to the fourth discharge port 321, is guided to the cooler 600, and is cooled again by the cooler 600.

The circulation of the air of the freezing chamber 41 will be explained.

The cold air generated by cooler 600 flows through fifth outlet duct 411 and is introduced into freezing chamber 41 through fifth outlet 421. The cold air used in freezing room 41 flows from the lower side of the drawing sheet toward the upper side of the drawing sheet through fifth return port 431 in fifth return duct 412 as indicated by arrow a5 in fig. 5 and 7, and returns to cooler 600 through fifth joint 451.

Next, the vacuum heat insulator 500A will be explained.

As shown in fig. 2, the refrigerator 1 is laid out in the order of the refrigerating compartment 11, the ice making compartment 21, and the temperature switching compartment 22, the vegetable compartment 31, and the freezing compartment 41 from the top to the bottom. That is, the refrigerator 1 alternately arranges the storage compartments of the refrigerating temperature zones and the storage compartments of the freezing temperature zones from above.

A bottom surface portion of the refrigerating compartment 11, in other words, upper surface portions of the ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22, serves as a partition wall 51 which is one of the wall portions 55. An upper surface portion of the vegetable compartment 31, in other words, bottom surface portions of the ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22, serves as a partition wall 53 as one of the wall portions 55. A bottom surface of vegetable compartment 31 and an upper surface of freezing compartment 41 form partition wall 54 as one of wall portions 55. Further, a vacuum heat insulator 500A is provided inside each partition wall to suppress heat transfer.

Referring to fig. 6, a vacuum heat insulator 500A disposed around the vegetable compartment 31 will be described. As described above, in the refrigerator 1, the vacuum heat insulator 500A is disposed so as to surround the front, rear, upper, and lower portions of the vegetable compartment 31. The vacuum heat insulator 500A disposed on the front side of the cooler 600, that is, on the rear side of the vegetable compartment 31 is referred to as a vacuum heat insulator 500A 1. The vacuum heat insulator 500A disposed on the upper surface side of the vegetable compartment 31 is referred to as a vacuum heat insulator 500A 2. The vacuum heat insulator 500A disposed on the front surface side of the vegetable compartment 31 is referred to as a vacuum heat insulator 500A 3. The vacuum heat insulator 500A disposed on the bottom surface side of the vegetable compartment 31 is referred to as a vacuum heat insulator 500A 4.

In a side view, the vacuum heat insulator 500A1 is disposed obliquely so that its upper end is positioned rearward of the rear surface portion 50F of the box 50 and its lower end is positioned forward of the front surface portion 50A of the box 50, thereby suppressing heat transfer between the vegetable compartment 31 and the rear surface portion 50F of the box 50. The vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is configured to have a width larger than the width of the cooler 600. The inclination angle θ of the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is not particularly limited, and may be adjusted within a range of 0 degrees < inclination angle θ < 15 degrees. The inclination angle θ is an angle formed by the center line L1 of the vacuum heat insulator 500A and the vertical line L2.

The vacuum heat insulator 500a2 is provided inside the partition wall 53, and suppresses heat transfer between the vegetable compartment 31 and the ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22. The rear end of the vacuum heat insulator 500a2 is located at a position closer to the rear end of the upper open end of the second vegetable compartment storage box 420B stored in the vegetable compartment 31 by a rear length D1. In this way, the second vegetable compartment storage box 420B is prevented from becoming low in temperature due to heat absorption from the ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22.

However, although the vacuum heat insulator 500a2 is provided, it is difficult to cover the entire width and depth of the vegetable compartment 31 with the vacuum heat insulator 500a 2. Therefore, the amount of heat absorbed from the storage compartment in the freezing temperature zone increases in the peripheries of the front, rear, and left and right ends of the vegetable compartment 31. The vacuum heat insulator 500a2 has a structure in which a core material made of glass fiber or the like is wrapped with a resin bag made of metal such as aluminum deposited or a resin bag made of metal foil laminated thereon. The vacuum insulation 500A is generally provided by leaving the end of the bag, i.e., the edge, after vacuum packaging and folding the edge. Therefore, the vacuum heat insulator 500a2 also has an influence of heat transfer of the metal layer, that is, a thermal bridge, and the heat insulating effect tends to be inferior to that of the center portion in the peripheries of the front and rear end portions and the left and right end portions of the vacuum heat insulator 500a 2.

Further, when the air duct constituent member is provided on the rear surface portion 50F side of the case 50, the partition wall 53 incorporating the vacuum heat insulator 500a2 is attached to the case 50 after the air duct constituent member is attached, so that assembly is facilitated. However, in this case, the duct constituting member must be joined to the partition wall 53 and the partition wall 53 must be joined to the left and right side walls of the case 50, and there is a possibility that the leakage of the cold air cannot be completely blocked.

Therefore, it is also conceivable that the front, rear, left, and right ends of the partition wall 53 have low temperatures, and there is a possibility that moisture evaporated from the vegetables stored in the vegetable compartment 31 may be locally condensed, frosted, or frozen depending on the degree.

In view of this, in the refrigerator 1, by providing the cover structure 430, moisture evaporated from vegetables stored in the first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and the second vegetable compartment storage box 420B can be blocked as much as possible. Further, in refrigerator 1, by providing cover structure 430, not only moisture is sealed, but also the interiors of first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and second vegetable compartment storage box 420B can be kept at high humidity. Therefore, according to refrigerator 1, it is possible to further suppress evaporation from vegetables stored in first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and second vegetable compartment storage box 420B, and to suppress occurrence of a phenomenon that is disadvantageous to a user, such as condensation or frost on partition wall 53.

Further, the air duct constituting components include spare parts forming the blow-out air duct 110 and the return air duct 140, and an air volume adjusting device.

The vacuum heat insulator 500a3 is provided inside the door portion 31A of the vegetable compartment 31, and suppresses heat transfer between the vegetable compartment 31 and the outside of the refrigerator 1.

Vacuum heat insulator 500a4 is provided inside partition wall 54, and suppresses heat transfer between vegetable compartment 31 and freezing compartment 41. The rear end of the vacuum heat insulator 500A4 is located at a position closer to the rear than the rear end of the bottom surface of the first vegetable compartment storage box 420A stored in the vegetable compartment 31 by a rear length D2. In this way, the first vegetable compartment storage box 420A is suppressed from becoming low in temperature due to heat absorption from the freezing compartment 41.

In this way, in the refrigerator 1, the vacuum heat insulator 500a2 is provided on the partition wall 53, and the vacuum heat insulator 500a4 is provided on the partition wall 54. This suppresses the interior of the first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and the second vegetable compartment storage box 420B of the vegetable compartment 31 from becoming low temperature due to heat absorption from the storage compartments located at the freezing temperature zones above and below the vegetable compartment 31.

Next, a relationship between the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 and a part of the air circulation path 80 will be described.

The vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is provided on the front side of the cooler 600. The vacuum heat insulator 500A1 is fixed in such a manner that its lower end is positioned on the front surface 50A side of the box 50 and its upper end is inclined toward the rear surface 50F side of the box 50. The vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is configured to have a width larger than the width of the cooler 600.

As shown in fig. 5, a first return air duct 141 is formed on the right side surface of the cooler 600 that is offset from the width direction of the vacuum heat insulator 500A. In addition, a third return air duct 242 and a fourth return air duct 312 are formed in front of the first return air duct 141. The left side surface of cooler 600 constitutes a wall portion with vegetable compartment 31, and a part thereof functions as fourth return air duct 312.

That is, in the refrigerator 1, since the first return air path 141 is formed outside the width of the vacuum heat insulator 500a1, the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 formed in a rectangular one-plate shape can be used. If such a vacuum insulation panel 500a1 is used, chamfering and opening of the corners of the vacuum insulation panel 500a1 are not required, or a plurality of vacuum insulation panels 500a1 need not be configured. Therefore, according to the refrigerator 1, an increase in processing and manufacturing costs can be suppressed. Thus, the refrigerator 1 is simple to assemble and efficient to manufacture.

Further, a fifth outlet air duct 411 is formed on the rear surface side of the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 so as to be substantially parallel to the inclination of the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 in the width direction projection range of the vacuum heat insulator 500a 1. A fifth return air duct 412 is formed on the rear surface side of the fifth outlet air duct 411. The fifth outlet air duct 411 and the fifth return air duct 412 are formed to have the same width. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the fifth outlet air duct 411 and the fifth return air duct 412 are arranged in an overlapping manner. The fifth return air path 412 is joined to the cooler chamber 27 so that air flows from the lower end of the front side of the cooler 600 to the middle section. Further, the width of the fifth blow-out air duct 411 and the width of the fifth return air duct 412 need not be the exactly same width.

In a general refrigerator, when a vacuum heat insulator is vertically disposed on the back side of a vegetable compartment, the lower end and the upper end of the refrigerator in the depth direction of the refrigerator body are aligned. Therefore, the space above and below the back side of the vegetable compartment cannot be enlarged, and the air duct must be formed in the space, and only a complicated air duct structure can be adopted. In contrast, in the refrigerator 1, the space above the vegetable compartment 31, that is, the volume of the vegetable compartment 31 can be enlarged by disposing the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 obliquely. That is, according to the refrigerator 1, the depth of the upper portion of the vegetable compartment 31 can be set to be deep.

The second vegetable compartment storage box 420B is stored in this portion so as to be movable. The space above vegetable compartment 31 can be enlarged by obliquely disposing vacuum heat insulator 500A1, but first vegetable compartment storage box 420A needs to have a shape corresponding to the oblique disposition of vacuum heat insulator 500A. That is, although the storage volume of the first vegetable compartment storage box 420A can be enlarged, there is a possibility that the shape may impair convenience for the user. In contrast, in refrigerator 1, by arranging first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and second vegetable compartment storage box 420B in an overlapping manner, the volume ineffective for storage can be reduced, and the finishing performance corresponding to the size of food can be improved.

Further, by disposing the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 obliquely, the space on the rear surface 50F side of the vegetable compartment 31 of the box 50 can be enlarged. Therefore, the fifth outlet duct 411 and the fifth return duct 412 located on the rear surface portion 50F side of the vegetable compartment 31 can be linearly configured. Therefore, the bending of the fifth outlet duct 411 and the fifth return duct 412 to the freezing chamber 41 that requires the highest cooling capacity and the change in the duct area can be reduced, and the pressure loss can be reduced. Further, fifth return air duct 412 can be formed such that air flows from the lower end to the middle of the front surface of cooler 600, and air can flow into the front edge of cooler 600, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of cooler 600.

< Effect of refrigerator 1 >

As described above, since vacuum heat insulator 500A1 is disposed obliquely so that the lower end is located on front surface 50A side and the upper end is located on rear surface 50F side, refrigerator 1 can expand the volume of vegetable compartment 31.

In refrigerator 1, the rear end of vacuum heat insulator 500A4 is located closer to rear surface portion 50F than the rear end of the bottom surface of first vegetable compartment storage box 420A, and the rear end of vacuum heat insulator 500A2 is located closer to rear surface portion 50F than the rear end of the top of second vegetable compartment storage box 420B.

Therefore, according to the refrigerator 1, it is possible to suppress the first and second vegetable

compartment storage boxes

420A and 420B from becoming low temperatures due to heat absorption from the ice making compartment 21, the temperature switching compartment 22, and the freezing compartment 41.

The refrigerator 1 is configured such that a fifth outlet air duct 411 and a fifth return air duct 412 are formed so as to overlap front and rear, and the fifth return air duct 412 returns air from the lower end of the front surface of the cooler 600 to the middle stage.

Therefore, according to the refrigerator 1, the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 600 can be improved.

Refrigerator 1 has fin 430A and cover structure 430 covering the upper open surface of second vegetable compartment storage box 420B.

Therefore, according to refrigerator 1, not only moisture is confined in vegetable compartment 31, but also the interiors of first vegetable compartment storage box 420A and second vegetable compartment storage box 420B can be kept at high humidity.

Since the refrigerator 1 is laid out in the order of the ice making chamber 21, the vegetable chamber 31, and the freezing chamber 41 from above, it is possible to maintain the heat insulating effect and improve the convenience of the user.

Embodiment 2.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a refrigerator 1A according to embodiment 2 of the present invention with a part of the cross-section enlarged. A refrigerator 1A according to embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram corresponding to fig. 6 shown in embodiment 1. In fig. 8, the flow of air is indicated by arrows.

In embodiment 2, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and the same portions as those in embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In embodiment 2, the fifth outlet air duct 411 is different in structure from the fifth outlet air duct 411 described in embodiment 1. For convenience of distinction from the fifth air outlet duct 411 of embodiment 1, in embodiment 2, a fifth air outlet duct 411a will be described. The other configuration of embodiment 2 is as described in embodiment 1. However, as shown in fig. 8, the first freezing chamber storage box 440A and the second freezing chamber storage box 440B are housed in the freezing chamber 41.

The second freezing compartment storage box 440B is disposed above the first freezing compartment storage box 440A, and has a smaller volume than the first freezing compartment storage box 440A. The second freezing chamber storage box 440B is housed in the first freezing chamber storage box 440A, and in a state where the door section 31A is closed, the rear upper open end of the second freezing chamber storage box 440B is positioned forward of the rear upper open end of the first freezing chamber storage box 440A. The number of storage boxes stored in the freezing chamber 41 is not particularly limited, and at least the first freezing chamber storage box 440A and the second freezing chamber storage box 440B may be stored therein.

The fifth outlet duct 411a functions as a freezer compartment outlet duct through which the cold air blown out into the freezer compartment 41 flows, similarly to the fifth outlet duct 411 described in embodiment 1. The fifth blow-out air duct 411a branches off in the freezing compartment 41. One branched fifth outlet air duct 411a is referred to as a lower-stage fifth outlet air duct 411 a-1, and the other branched fifth outlet air duct 411a is referred to as an upper-stage fifth outlet air duct 411 a-2.

The lower fifth outlet duct 411 a-1 functions as a freezer compartment outlet duct through which cold air blown out to the first freezer compartment storage box 440A of the freezer compartment 41 flows. An air outlet not shown is formed in the lower fifth air outlet duct 411 a-1. The cold air flowing through the lower fifth outlet duct 411 a-1 is introduced into the first freezer storage box 440A of the freezer compartment 41 through the outlet. In the state where refrigerator 1A is viewed from the front, the outlet of lower fifth outlet duct 411A-1 may be formed below the outlet of upper fifth outlet duct 411A-2. The number of outlets of the lower fifth outlet duct 411 a-1 is not particularly limited.

The upper fifth outlet air duct 411 a-2 functions as a freezer outlet air duct through which cold air blown into the second freezer storage box 440B of the freezer compartment 41 flows. An air outlet, not shown, is formed in the upper fifth air outlet duct 411 a-2. The cold air flowing in the upper fifth outlet duct 411 a-2 is guided to the second freezer storage box 440B of the freezer compartment 41 through the outlet. In the state where refrigerator 1A is viewed from the front, the outlet of upper fifth outlet duct 411A-2 may be formed at a position above the outlet of lower fifth outlet duct 411A-1. The number of outlets of the upper fifth outlet duct 411 a-2 is not particularly limited.

The circulation of the air of the freezing chamber 41 will be explained.

The cold air generated by the cooler 600 flows in the fifth outlet air duct 411 and is branched into the lower fifth outlet air duct 411 a-1 and the upper fifth outlet air duct 411 a-2.

The cold air flowing through the lower fifth outlet duct 411 a-1 is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through the outlet port formed in the lower fifth outlet duct 411 a-1. The cold air introduced into freezing chamber 41 is guided to first freezing chamber storage box 440A, and cools the food and the like stored in first freezing chamber storage box 440A. The cold air used in freezing room 41 flows from the lower side of the drawing to the upper side of the drawing in fifth return duct 412 through a return port, not shown, as shown in fig. 8, and returns to cooler 600.

The cold air flowing in the upper-stage fifth outlet air duct 411 a-2 is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through an outlet port formed in the upper-stage fifth outlet air duct 411 a-2. The cold air introduced into freezing chamber 41 is guided to second freezing chamber storage box 440B, and cools the food and the like stored in second freezing chamber storage box 440B. The cold air used in freezing chamber 41 merges with the cold air used in cooling in first freezing chamber storage box 440A, and flows from the lower side of the drawing sheet toward the upper side of the drawing sheet in fifth return duct 412 as shown in fig. 8 through a return port, not shown, and returns to cooler 600.

< Effect of refrigerator 1A >

As described above, since the fifth outlet duct 411 is divided into two in the width direction of the vacuum heat insulator 500a1, and further divided into two in the vertical direction, the refrigerator 1A can efficiently introduce cold air into the freezing chamber 41, and the cooling effect of the freezing chamber 41 can be improved.

Embodiment 3.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an air circulation path 80 of the refrigerator 1B according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the Z-Z section of fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing the flow of air in the refrigerator 1B. The refrigerator 1B will be described with reference to fig. 9 to 11. In fig. 9 to 11, the flow of air is indicated by arrows. Fig. 9 illustrates an example in which a fresh-ice compartment is provided in the refrigerating compartment 11.

In embodiment 3, differences from

embodiments

1 and 2 will be mainly described, and the same portions as those in

embodiments

1 and 2 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The air duct structure of the refrigerator 1B is specifically explained.

Similarly to the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the refrigerator 1B includes the outlet air duct 110 and the return air duct 140.

As shown in fig. 9, in a state where the refrigerator 1B is viewed from the front, the fifth outlet air duct 411 is branched into two on the rear surface portion 50F side of the vegetable compartment 31. One of the branched fifth outlet air paths 411 is referred to as a left fifth outlet air path 411A, and the other branched fifth outlet air path 411 is referred to as a right fifth outlet air path 411B.

A fifth outlet 421A is formed in the left fifth outlet duct 411A. The cold air flowing through the left fifth outlet duct 411A is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through the fifth outlet 421A. In a state where refrigerator 1B is viewed from the front, fifth air outlet 421A is located on the left side of the upper section of freezing chamber 41. The number of the fifth outlets 421A is not particularly limited.

A fifth outlet 421B is formed in the right fifth outlet duct 411B. The cold air flowing through the right fifth outlet duct 411B is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through the fifth outlet 421B. In a state where refrigerator 1B is viewed from the front, fifth air outlet 421B is located on the right side of the upper section of freezing chamber 41. The number of the fifth outlets 421B is not particularly limited.

The first return air duct 141 is coupled to the vegetable compartment 31 via the air outlet 551. Therefore, the air flowing through the first return air duct 141 is introduced into the vegetable compartment 31 through the first return port 131 and the air outlet 551. The cold air introduced into vegetable compartment 31 is used for cooling vegetable compartment 31, and then returned to cooler 600 through fourth return air duct 312.

In a state where the refrigerator 1B is viewed from the front, the third return port 232 is located on the lower right side of the temperature switching chamber 22.

In a state where refrigerator 1B is viewed from the front, fourth return port 331 is located at the lower center portion of vegetable compartment 31.

The fifth return air duct 412 is configured in accordance with the number of branches of the fifth outlet air duct 411. The fifth return air duct 412 is formed so as to overlap the fifth outlet air duct 411 in the front-rear direction. One of the branched fifth return air paths 412 is referred to as a left fifth return air path 412A, and the other branched fifth return air path 412 is referred to as a right fifth return air path 412B.

A fifth return port 431A is formed in the left fifth return air duct 412A. The fifth return opening 431A is located on the left side of the upper stage of the freezing chamber 41 in a state where the refrigerator 1B is viewed from the front. In addition, the left-side fifth return duct 412A is joined to the cooler chamber 27 via a fifth joint 451A. Therefore, the air flowing through the left fifth return air path 412A is returned to the cooler 600 through the fifth return port 431A and the fifth joint portion 451A.

A fifth return port 431B is formed in the right fifth return duct 412B. The fifth return opening 431B is located on the upper right side of the freezing chamber 41 in a state where the refrigerator 1B is viewed from the front. In addition, the right-side fifth return duct 412B is engaged with the cooler chamber 27 via a fifth engagement portion 451B. Therefore, the air flowing in the right-side fifth return air duct 412B is returned to the cooler 600 via the fifth return port 431B and the fifth joint portion 451B.

The flow of air around cooler 600 will be described with reference to fig. 9 and 11.

The cold air generated by the cooler 600 is adjusted in air volume by the first damper 101, flows from the lower side of the paper surface toward the upper side of the paper surface in the first blowing duct 111, and is introduced into the refrigerating compartment 11 through the first outlet 121. The cold air used in refrigerating room 11 flows from the upper side of the drawing to the lower side of the drawing in first return duct 141 through first return port 131, and is introduced into vegetable room 31 through air outlet 551.

The circulation of air in the ice making chamber 21 will be described.

The cold air generated by the cooler 600 is adjusted in air volume by the second damper 201a, flows through the second outlet air duct 211a, and is guided to the ice making chamber 21 through the second outlet port 221 a. The cold air used in the ice making compartment 21 flows from the upper side of the paper surface toward the lower side of the paper surface in the second return air duct 241a through the second return port 231a, and returns to the cooler 600 through the second joint 251 a.

The cold air generated by cooler 600 has its air volume adjusted by third damper 202, flows through third outlet air duct 212, and is introduced into temperature switching room 22 through third outlet 222. The cold air used in temperature switching room 22 flows from the upper side of the paper surface toward the lower side of the paper surface in third return air duct 242 through third return port 232, and returns to cooler 600 through third joint 252.

The circulation of the air in the vegetable compartment 31 will be described.

The cool air generated by cooler 600 has its air volume adjusted by fourth damper 301, flows through fourth outlet duct 311, and is introduced into vegetable compartment 31 through fourth outlet 321. The cold air used in vegetable compartment 31 flows from the lower side of the paper surface toward the upper side of the paper surface in fourth return air duct 312 via fourth return port 331, and returns to cooler 600 via fourth joining portion 351.

The cold air introduced into vegetable compartment 31 through refrigerator compartment 11 is also returned to cooler 600 through fourth return port 331 and fourth joining portion 351.

The fourth return port 331 is not overlapped on the front projection surface of one rectangular and plate-shaped vacuum heat insulator 500a1, but is positioned on the lower outer side than the front projection surface. The cold air blown out from the fourth air outlet 321 circulates in the following manner: is discharged from the fourth return port 331 located at the lower center portion of the vegetable compartment 31, is guided to the cooler 600, and is cooled again by the cooler 600.

The circulation of the air of the freezing chamber 41 will be explained.

The cold air generated by the cooler 600 flows in the fifth blow-out air duct 411, and is branched into the left fifth blow-out air duct 411A and the right fifth blow-out air duct 411B. The cold air branched to the left fifth outlet duct 411A is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through the fifth outlet 421A. The cold air branched off to the right fifth outlet duct 411B is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through the fifth outlet 421B. The cold air used in freezing room 41 flows from the lower side of the paper surface toward the upper side of the paper surface in left fifth return air duct 412A and right fifth return air duct 412B through fifth return port 431A and fifth return port 431B, and returns to cooler 600 through fifth joint 451A and fifth joint 451B.

Next, the vacuum heat insulator 500A will be explained.

Similarly to the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the refrigerator 1B is arranged in the order of the refrigerating compartment 11, the ice making compartment 21, the temperature switching compartment 22, the vegetable compartment 31, and the freezing compartment 41 from above. That is, the refrigerator 1B alternately arranges the storage compartments of the refrigerating temperature zones and the storage compartments of the freezing temperature zones from above.

In a side view, the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof extends in the vertical direction, and heat transfer between the vegetable compartment 31 and the rear surface portion 50F of the box 50 is suppressed. The vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is configured to have a width larger than the width of the cooler 600.

The vacuum heat insulator 500a2 is provided inside the partition wall 53, and suppresses heat transfer between the vegetable compartment 31 and the ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22. The rear end of the vacuum heat insulator 500a2 is located rearward of the rear end of the upper open end of the second vegetable compartment storage box 420B stored in the vegetable compartment 31. Thus, the first vegetable compartment storage box 420A is suppressed from becoming low temperature due to heat absorption from the freezing compartment 41.

The vacuum heat insulator 500a3 is provided inside the door portion 31A of the vegetable compartment 31, and suppresses heat transfer between the vegetable compartment 31 and the outside of the refrigerator 1B.

Vacuum heat insulator 500a4 is provided inside partition wall 53, and suppresses heat transfer between vegetable compartment 31 and freezing compartment 41. The rear end of the vacuum heat insulator 500A4 is located at a position closer to the rear than the rear end of the bottom surface of the first vegetable compartment storage box 420A stored in the vegetable compartment 31 by a rear length D2. In this way, the first vegetable compartment storage box 420A is suppressed from becoming low temperature due to heat absorption from the ice making compartment 21 and the temperature switching compartment 22.

The vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is provided on the front side of the cooler 600. The vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is configured to have a width larger than the width of the cooler 600. Therefore, in the refrigerator 1B, a high heat insulating effect can be obtained.

As shown in fig. 9, a first return air duct 141 is formed on the right side surface of the cooler 600 that is offset from the width direction of the vacuum heat insulator 500A. The lower surface of cooler 600 forms a wall portion with vegetable compartment 31, and a part thereof functions as fourth return air path 312.

That is, in the refrigerator 1B, since the first return air path 141 is formed outside the width of the vacuum heat insulator 500a1, the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 formed in a rectangular one-plate shape can be used.

As described above, the vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is vertically arranged, and the cooler 600 is provided on the rear surface side of the vacuum heat insulator 500a 1. In addition, in refrigerator 1B, fifth outlet air duct 411 and fifth return air duct 412 are branched, and fourth return port 331 is formed between the branched air ducts. That is, in a state where the refrigerator 1B is viewed from the front, the fourth return port 331 is located between the left fifth outlet duct 411A and the left fifth return duct 412A and the right fifth outlet duct 411B and the right fifth return duct 412B. Therefore, according to the refrigerator 1B, the space on the rear surface portion 50F side of the vegetable room 31 is effectively used.

In a general refrigerator, when a vacuum heat insulator is vertically disposed on the back side of a vegetable compartment, the lower end and the upper end of the vacuum heat insulator coincide with each other in the depth direction of a box body. Therefore, the space above and below the rear surface portion 50F of the vegetable compartment cannot be enlarged, and the air duct must be formed in the space, and only a complicated air duct structure can be adopted.

In contrast, in refrigerator 1B, vacuum heat insulator 500a1 is disposed vertically, fifth outlet air duct 411 and fifth return air duct 412 are branched, and fourth return port 331 is formed between the branched air ducts, whereby the air duct structure is not complicated, and the space on rear surface portion 50F side of vegetable compartment 31 can be expanded.

The fourth return air path 312 and the fifth return air path 412 can be formed such that air flows in from the lower end of the cooler 600, and air can flow in the front edge of the cooler 600, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 600.

< Effect of refrigerator 1B >

As described above, in the refrigerator 1B, the fifth outlet air duct 411 and the fifth return air duct 412 are provided behind the vacuum heat insulator 500a1, and the fifth outlet air duct 411 and the fifth return air duct 412 are formed so as to overlap front and back, and are divided into two in the width direction of the vacuum heat insulator 500a 1.

Therefore, according to the refrigerator 1B, the air duct structure can be simplified without complicating the air duct structure.

In the refrigerator 1B, the fourth return port 331 is formed between the left fifth outlet duct 411A and the left fifth return duct 412A branched from the rear surface portion 50F of the vegetable compartment 31 and the right fifth outlet duct 411B and the right fifth return duct 412B in a front view.

Therefore, according to refrigerator 1B, the space on the rear surface portion 50F side of vegetable room 31 can be effectively used without complicating the air duct configuration.

Since the vacuum insulation member 500a1 has a width larger than the width of the cooler 600, the refrigerator 1B can obtain a high insulation effect.

Embodiment 4.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a refrigerator 1C according to embodiment 4 of the present invention with a part of the cross-section enlarged. A refrigerator 1C according to embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 12. Fig. 12 corresponds to fig. 10 of embodiment 3. In fig. 12, the flow of air is indicated by arrows.

In embodiment 4, differences from embodiments 1 to 3 will be mainly described, and the same portions as those in embodiments 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In embodiment 4, the fifth outlet air duct 411 is different in structure from the fifth outlet air duct 411 described in embodiment 3. For convenience of distinction from the fifth air outlet duct 411 of embodiment 3, embodiment 4 will be described as a fifth air outlet duct 411C. The other configuration of embodiment 4 is as described in embodiment 3. However, as shown in fig. 12, the first freezing chamber storage box 440A and the second freezing chamber storage box 440B are housed in the freezing chamber 41.

The second freezing compartment storage box 440B is disposed above the first freezing compartment storage box 440A, and has a smaller volume than the first freezing compartment storage box 440A. The second freezing chamber storage box 440B is housed in the first freezing chamber storage box 440A, and in a state where the door section 31A is closed, the rear upper open end of the second freezing chamber storage box 440B is located forward of the rear upper open end of the first freezing chamber storage box 440A. The number of storage boxes stored in the freezing chamber 41 is not particularly limited, and at least the first freezing chamber storage box 440A and the second freezing chamber storage box 440B may be stored therein.

The fifth outlet duct 411C functions as a freezer compartment outlet duct through which the cold air blown out into the freezer compartment 41 flows, similarly to the fifth outlet duct 411 described in embodiment 1. The fifth air blowing duct 411 is branched into a left fifth air blowing duct 411A and a right fifth air blowing duct 411B. Further, in the refrigerator 1C, the left fifth outlet duct 411A and the right fifth outlet duct 411B are branched. Here, the fifth outlet air duct 411C will be described as a left fifth outlet air duct 411A.

As shown in fig. 12, the fifth blow-out duct 411C branches off in the freezing compartment 41. One branched fifth outlet air duct 411C is referred to as a lower-stage fifth outlet air duct 411C-1, and the other branched fifth outlet air duct 411C is referred to as an upper-stage fifth outlet air duct 411C-2.

The lower fifth outlet duct 411C-1 functions as a freezer compartment outlet duct through which cold air blown into the first freezer compartment storage box 440A of the freezer compartment 41 flows. An air outlet not shown is formed in the lower fifth air outlet duct 411C-1. The cold air flowing through the lower fifth outlet duct 411C-1 is introduced into the first freezer storage box 440A of the freezer compartment 41 through the outlet. In the state where the refrigerator 1C is viewed from the front, the outlet of the lower fifth outlet duct 411C-1 may be located below the outlet of the upper fifth outlet duct 411C-2. The number of outlets of the lower fifth outlet duct 411C-1 is not particularly limited.

The upper fifth outlet duct 411C-2 functions as a freezer outlet duct through which cold air blown into the second freezer storage box 440B of the freezer compartment 41 flows. An air outlet, not shown, is formed in the upper fifth air outlet duct 411C-2. The cold air flowing in the upper fifth outlet duct 411C-2 is introduced into the second freezer storage box 440B of the freezer compartment 41 through the outlet. In the state where the refrigerator 1C is viewed from the front, the outlet of the upper fifth outlet duct 411C-2 may be formed at a position above the outlet of the lower fifth outlet duct 411C-1. The number of outlets of the upper fifth outlet duct 411C-2 is not particularly limited.

The circulation of the air of the freezing chamber 41 will be explained.

The cold air generated by the cooler 600 flows in the fifth outlet air duct 411C, and is branched into the lower fifth outlet air duct 411C-1 and the upper fifth outlet air duct 411C-2.

The cold air flowing through the lower fifth outlet duct 411C-1 is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through the outlet port formed in the lower fifth outlet duct 411C-1. The cold air introduced into freezing chamber 41 is guided to first freezing chamber storage box 440A, and cools the food and the like stored in first freezing chamber storage box 440A. The cold air used in freezing room 41 flows from the lower side of the drawing to the upper side of the drawing in fifth return duct 412 through fifth return port 431A as shown in fig. 8, and returns to cooler 600.

The cold air flowing in the upper-stage fifth outlet duct 411C-2 is introduced into the freezing chamber 41 through an outlet port formed in the upper-stage fifth outlet duct 411C-2. The cold air introduced into freezing chamber 41 is guided to second freezing chamber storage box 440B, and cools the food and the like stored in second freezing chamber storage box 440B. The cold air used in freezing chamber 41 merges with the cold air used in cooling in first freezing chamber storage box 440A, and flows through fifth return duct 412 from the lower side of the sheet surface toward the upper side of the sheet surface as shown in fig. 8 via fifth return port 431A, and returns to cooler 600.

< Effect of refrigerator 1C >

As described above, since the fifth outlet duct 411 is divided into two in the width direction of the vacuum heat insulator 500a1, and then further divided into two in the vertical direction, the refrigerator 1C can efficiently introduce cold air into the freezing chamber 41, and the cooling effect of the freezing chamber 41 can be improved.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above as being divided into four embodiments, the embodiments may be appropriately combined.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

the first storage compartment in the freezing temperature zone;

A second storage compartment in a freezing temperature zone;

The third storage compartment in the refrigeration temperature zone has a front part and a back part, and is arranged between the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment;

a vacuum heat insulator provided on each wall portion dividing the third storage chamber including the front surface portion and the back surface portion;

a cooler provided on the back side of the third storage compartment;

a first air duct is formed on the back side of the vacuum heat insulating material provided on the back side of the third storage chamber, and introduces air from the cooler to the second storage chamber;

A second air duct is formed on the back side of the vacuum heat insulating material provided on the back side of the third storage chamber, and returns the air used in the second storage chamber to the cooler; and

The refrigerating compartment return air duct is formed on the side surface of the vacuum heat insulating material provided on the back surface of the third storage compartment, and is located in a different area from the first storage compartment, the second storage compartment, and the third storage compartment. The used air in the refrigerator compartment is returned to the above-mentioned cooler,

The said vacuum heat insulating material provided in the said back part of the said 3rd storage room is comprised by one rectangular plate shape, and is inclined and arrange|positioned so that a lower end may be located on the said front part side, and an upper end may be located on the said back part side,

When viewed from the front, the first air duct and the second air duct are formed so as to overlap on the back side of the vacuum heat insulating material provided on the back surface of the third storage compartment.

The said 1st air duct is comprised so that the back side of the said vacuum heat insulating material provided in the said back part of the said 3rd storage chamber may introduce|transduce the air from the said cooler into the said 2nd storage chamber,

The said 2nd air duct is comprised so that air may return to a middle stage from the lower end of the front surface of the said cooler.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

In the above-mentioned third storage room, there are:

a first storage box; and

The second storage box is arranged above the first storage box and has a smaller volume than the first storage box,

In a state where the door of the third storage chamber is closed, the rear end of the vacuum heat insulating material provided on the bottom surface of the third storage chamber is located more than the bottom surface of the first storage box accommodated in the third storage chamber The rear end of the part is located on the back side, and the rear end of the vacuum heat insulating material provided on the upper surface of the third storage chamber is located closer to the rear end above the second storage box stored in the third storage chamber. The position on the back side.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein,

The cover structure which covers the upper open surface of the said 2nd storage box is provided in the said 3rd storage room.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein,

The said cover structure has the fin-shaped part which bent the part located in the back side rather than the back side edge part of the said 2nd storage box downward.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

After the first air duct is divided into two in the width direction of the vacuum heat insulating material, it is further divided into two at the top and bottom.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

The above-mentioned first storage room is an ice making room,

The above-mentioned second storage room is a freezing room,

The above-mentioned third storage room is a vegetable room,

The ice maker compartment, the vegetable compartment, and the freezer compartment are arranged in this order from the top.

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

The return port of the air used in the said 3rd storage room is formed diagonally with respect to the blower outlet of the air used in the said 3rd storage room.