JP3679358B2 - Cooling storage drainage structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drainage structure such as defrost water in a cooling storage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a prefabricated refrigerator, as shown in FIG. 11, a cooling unit 2 is provided on the top surface of the refrigerator body 1, and a cooler 3 and a cooling fan 4 connected to the refrigeration apparatus are accommodated. As the fan 4 is driven, a cool flow is generated while the sucked internal air passes through the cooler 3, and this is blown out into the internal chamber so that the interior is cooled. Yes. On the other hand, in the cooler 3, defrosting is appropriately performed. Therefore, a drain pan 5 is disposed on the lower surface of the cooler 3, and a drain pipe connected to the drain port 6 extends along the side surface from the top surface of the refrigerator body 1. The defrosted water received by the drain pan 5 is drained to the outside through the drain pipe.
[0003]
Here, during the above defrosting, for example, it is easy to happen that a mass of frost falls and cannot be drained well because it interferes with it, and when the cooling operation is resumed, the remaining frost and defrost water There is also a risk that the drainage port 6 is clogged by icing, or the icing grows so as to reach the cooler 3 and the cooling capacity is lowered.
Therefore, conventionally, a heater is provided in the vicinity of the drain pan 5 and the drain port 6 to prevent icing from occurring by always energizing or defrosting.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional method has a problem in that the manufacturing cost and the running cost are high due to the provision of the heater. Further, since it is necessary to take heat-resistant measures associated with the heater equipment, there are problems such as an increase in the number of parts and a limitation of materials used, and further improvement has been desired.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent icing in a drain pan with a simple structure.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for achieving the above object, in the drainage structure of the cooling storage according to the invention of claim 1, the drain pan is disposed on the lower surface side of the cooler that cools the inside of the storage body, and the drainage connected to the drain pan. in those pipe is a pipe along the outer surface of the storage body, while the middle position of the drain pipe Ru are vent opening upward is formed, covering the upper side of the vent and the both sides plates A cover capable of fitting the drain pipe almost closely is provided, and a mounting plate facing outward is formed at the lower edge of the both side plates, and the mounting plate of the cover is fixed to the top surface of the storage body. It is characterized by the configuration.
The drainage structure of the cooling storage of the invention of claim 2 is arranged such that a drain pan is disposed on the lower surface side of the cooler that cools the inside of the storage body, and the drain pipe connected to the drain pan is along the outer surface of the storage body. In this case, an elbow having a vent opening in an outer bent portion is provided at an intermediate position of the drainage pipe and disposed at a corner of the top surface of the storage body, and the storage body Is characterized in that a cover that covers the upper side of the vent of the elbow is attached and the elbow is housed in this cover with restricted movement .
[0006]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
Relatively high temperature outside air is introduced from the vent through the drain pipe to the drain pan, and the vicinity of the drain pan rises in temperature to prevent icing. The vent is held in an upward facing position by the cover , preventing water leakage and the like. In addition, the cover prevents dust from entering from the vent or blocking the vent with dust.
<Invention of Claim 2>
Outside air that has entered the cover is introduced into the drain pan through the drain pipe from the vent of the elbow. The cover covers the upper part of the vent to prevent dust from entering, and the elbow is prevented from rotating to prevent the vent from turning sideways, thereby preventing water leakage.
Also, if the drainage hose is piped to the corner of the top surface, it may be crushed or lifted up, and smooth drainage may be obstructed.In this invention, since the elbow is arranged at the corner of the top surface, Smooth pipe drainage and smooth drainage can be expected.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, a prefabricated refrigerator is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator main body 10 having a box shape with a front opening and having an interior as a storage chamber 11 is provided, and legs 12 arranged on the bottom surface are used. In addition to being supported, a pair of left and right doors 19 (FIG. 2) is mounted in a double door manner at the entrance of the front opening.
A cooling unit 13 is provided on the top surface 10 </ b> A of the refrigerator body 10. The cooling unit 13 includes a dome body 14 having heat insulation properties, and is mounted so as to cover an opening 15 formed in the top surface 10A.
[0008]
A cooler (evaporator) 17 is provided inside the cooling unit 13 and is circulated and connected by a refrigerating apparatus 18 installed on the top surface 10A and a refrigerant pipe to constitute a known refrigeration cycle. A drain pan 25 that receives defrost water is provided on the lower surface side of the cooler 17. A suction port 20 is formed on the right side of the drain pan 25 in FIG. 1, and a cooling fan 21 driven by a motor is provided on the left side, and is connected to the blowout duct 22.
Accordingly, when the refrigeration apparatus 18 and the cooling fan 21 are driven during the cooling operation, the air in the cabinet is drawn into the cooling unit 13 from the suction port 20 as shown by the arrow in FIG. Cold air is generated by heat exchange while passing from right to left in the figure. The cold air is blown out toward the left side surface of the storage chamber 11 through the blowout duct 22, and then a circulation flow occurs toward the suction port 20 so that the inside of the storage chamber 11 is cooled. .
[0009]
On the other hand, the defrosting operation is appropriately performed so that the refrigerating capacity of the cooler 17 is sufficiently exhibited. In order to receive the defrosted water, the drain pan 25 is provided on the lower surface side of the cooler 17 as described above. Is arranged.
As shown in part of FIG. 9, the bottom surface of the drain pan 25 is formed in an inclined shape with a downward slope toward a predetermined position, and a drain pipe 26 projects horizontally from the lowest position. ing. The drain pipe 26 penetrates the back wall of the dome body 14 and protrudes to the back side of the cooling unit 13 as shown in FIG.
[0010]
A drainage hose is connected to the drain pipe 26 described above, thereby forming a drainage path 30 for defrost water, and the structure thereof will be described in detail below.
As a general component, as shown in FIG. 3, a short first hose 31, a long second hose 32, an elbow 35 connecting the hoses 31, 32, and the elbow 35 are covered. And a cover 40.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the elbow 35 is bent at a right angle, and connecting pipes 37 for the hoses 31 and 32 are provided from both pipe portions 36. A small-diameter vent 39 is formed at the center of the outer bent portion 38 of the elbow 35. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the formation position of the vent 39 is a position that forms an angle of 45 degrees with the axis of each pipe portion 36.
[0011]
The cover 40 is formed of a stainless steel plate or the like as a raw material. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 40 has a box shape in which a lower surface and one end surface are opened. As shown in FIG. The region from the tube portion 36 to the bent portion 38 has a size that can be accommodated by being closely fitted.
From the lower edge of the open side of the both side plates 41 of the cover 40, a mounting plate 42 having a mounting hole 43 is formed by being bent at right angles outward.
[0012]
An example of the assembly procedure is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 3, the elbow 35 is placed on the top surface 10 </ b> A with the horizontal tube portion 36 facing left at the corner portion of the top surface 10 </ b> A of the refrigerator main body 10 that is close to the right side as viewed from the front. In addition, the vertically oriented pipe part 36 is arranged in a posture substantially along the right side surface 10B. Here, since the elbow 35 is formed in a symmetrical shape, it is not necessary to pay particular attention to the orientation at the time of arrangement.
Next, the cover 40 is set so that the closed end face plate 44 side is directed outward (front side in FIG. 3), and as shown in FIG. And put on. At this time, since both mounting plates 42 of the cover 40 are placed on the edge of the top surface 10A, the cover 40 is fixed by screwing the mounting holes 43 through the screws 45 into the top surface 10A. As a result, the elbow 35 is housed in the cover 40 so as not to be detached, and is held by the side plates 41 in a state in which the rotation of the horizontal pipe portion 36 around the axis is restricted.
[0013]
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, one end of the short first hose 31 is connected to a drain pipe 26 protruding to the back side of the cooling unit 13 and fixed by a hose clamp 46, and the other end is a top surface. It is bent at a right angle along 10A, guided to the elbow 35 side, connected to a connecting pipe 37 on the side of the side pipe portion 36, and similarly fixed by a hose clamp 46. Further, the connection end side of the first hose 31 with the drain pipe 26 is fixed on the top surface 10 </ b> A by the pipe clamp 47.
[0014]
In one long second hose 32, the trap portion 33 is formed by being bent so that the midway position once rises and then drops again. The second hose 32 is arranged along the right side surface 10B of the refrigerator main body 10, and the upper end thereof is connected to the connecting pipe 37 on the side of the vertical pipe portion 36 in the elbow 35 and fixed by the hose clamp 46, Two places in the trap portion 33 are fixed to the right side surface 10B. Further, the lower end of the second hose 32 hangs down along the right side surface 10B and is guided to a predetermined drainage place.
[0015]
The operation of this embodiment is as follows.
When a cooling operation for circulating and supplying cold air into the cabinet is performed, the cooler 17 and the like are gradually frosted. When the frost formation reaches a predetermined amount, a defrosting operation is performed, and a heater (not shown) provided in the cooler 17 is energized to generate heat, so that the frost attached to the cooler 17 and the like melts and the drain pan. Falls on 25. At the same time, the frost may fall on the drain pan 25 as a lump.
[0016]
On the other hand, since the elbow 35 interposed between the both hoses 31 and 32 constituting the drainage passage 30 has an air vent 39, as shown by the arrow A in FIGS. From the opening on the lower surface side of the cover 40, it flows into the cover 40 through a gap between the elbow 35 and the outer periphery of the bent portion 38, and enters the elbow 35 through the vent 39. After that, as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 9, it passes through the first hose 31 and further enters the drain pan 25 from the drain pipe 26, and the temperature in the vicinity of the drain pan 25 rises to the same level as the outside air temperature. As a result, even if the frost falls as a lump, it is melted and the water dripped from the cooler 17 or the like is also removed as defrosted water, as shown by the arrow B in the figure, the drain pipe 26, the first hose. 31, the elbow 35 and the second hose 32 are drained to a predetermined drainage point.
[0017]
Therefore, it is avoided that frost or defrosted water remains on the drain pan 25, and it is possible to prevent icing in the vicinity of the drain pan 25 even when the cooling operation is resumed.
If the outside air temperature is low, the temperature rise near the drain pan 25 cannot be expected, but conversely, if the outside air temperature is low, the need for cooling the inside of the cabinet is small and the cooling operation time is reduced or stopped. Therefore, the frosting on the cooler 17 and the like is reduced, in other words, the cause of freezing is eliminated, which is not a problem.
[0018]
According to this embodiment, the following many advantages can be obtained.
Outside air is introduced from the vent 39 provided in the elbow 35, the temperature in the vicinity of the drain pan 25 rises, and icing is prevented. At the same time, the temperature in the drain pipe 26 rises from the first hose 31 and approaches the outside air temperature, so that condensation on the first hose 31 and the drain pipe 26 is also prevented. Compared with the case where a conventional anti-icing heater is installed, the manufacturing cost and running cost can be reduced, and it is not necessary to take heat-resistant measures based on the heater, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design.
[0019]
Since the elbow 35 connecting the hoses 31 and 32 is arranged at the corner of the top surface 10A of the refrigerator main body 10 and the vent 39 is opened in the bent portion 38 outside the elbow 35, the vent 39 Will be diagonally upward and will not leak. Since the elbow 35 itself has a symmetric shape, there is no need to pay special attention to the orientation at the time of installation.
The cover 40 that functions to attach the elbow 35 covers the upper side of the vent 39 without blocking it, so that dust can enter the vent 39 while securing the inflow of outside air, or the vent 39 can be blocked with dust. It can prevent peeling. The cover 40 restricts the elbow 35 from turning around the axis of the sideways pipe portion 36, and can prevent a situation in which the vent 39 faces sideways or down and leads to water leakage.
[0020]
Since the vent 39 is provided on the upstream side of the trap portion 33 formed in the second hose 32, this functions as an air vent, and air is blown in the pipe (air is enclosed). This prevents the poor drainage.
In addition, when the drainage hose is piped from the top surface 10A to the side surface 10B, if the piping is made only with the hose as in the prior art, the hose may be crushed at the corner of the top surface 10A, or lifted up and smoothly drained. May be disturbed. In this respect, in this embodiment, since the elbow 35 is disposed at the corner of the top surface 10A, the hose is not crushed or lifted, and smooth drainage can be expected.
[0021]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) The piping position of the drainage hose is not limited to that illustrated in the above embodiment, and for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the second hose 32 including the trap portion 33 is piped along the back surface 10 </ b> C of the refrigerator body 10. You may make it do.
(2) In the above embodiment, the cover serves as both the cover means that covers the upper side of the vent and the holding means that holds the vicinity of the position where the vent is formed in the substantially fixed posture with respect to the refrigerator body. Although the means and the holding means are integrally formed, the cover means and the holding means may be provided separately.
(3) The present invention is not limited to the prefabricated refrigerator exemplified in the above embodiment, and can be applied to all cooling storages having a drainage structure in which drainage pipes are arranged along the outer surface of the main body.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention with a door removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a piping structure of a drainage path. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cover. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway rear view showing the mounting state of the elbow. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a drainage path. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a piping structure of a drainage path according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a conventional example.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Refrigerator main body 10A ... Top surface (of refrigerator main body 10) 10B ... Side surface (of refrigerator main body 10) 13 ... Cooling unit 17 ... Cooler 25 ... Drain pan 26 ... Drain pipe 30 ... Drain path 31 ... First hose 32 ... First 2 hose 35 ... elbow 38 ... outer bent portion 39 ... vent 40 ... cover 45 ... screw

Claims (2)

A drain pan is disposed on the lower surface side of the cooler that cools the inside of the storage body, and a drain pipe connected to the drain pan is piped along the outer surface of the storage body.
The one that is in the middle position of the drain pipe Ru is formed open ended vent upward, covering the upper side of the vent and to the drain pipe capable of fitting substantially tightly cover is provided on both sides plates, A drainage structure for a cooling storage, wherein a mounting plate facing outward is formed at a lower edge of the both side plates, and the mounting plate of the cover is fixed to the top surface of the storage body . A drain pan is disposed on the lower surface side of the cooler that cools the inside of the storage body, and a drain pipe connected to the drain pan is piped along the outer surface of the storage body.
In the middle of the drainage pipe, an elbow having a vent opening in the outer bent portion is interposed and disposed at the corner of the top surface of the storage body. A drainage structure for a cooling storage, wherein a cover for covering the upper part of the vent hole is attached, and the elbow is housed in this cover with restricted movement.

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