JP6955348B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to refrigerators.

Conventionally, in a refrigerator, a storage chamber is cooled by a refrigeration cycle composed of a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and the like. At this time, the evaporator may be provided, for example, in the duct on the back side of the storage chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-033449

By the way, when the evaporator is arranged on the back side of the refrigerator as in Patent Document 1, the length of the installation space in the front-rear direction is shortened by arranging the main body of the evaporator vertically, but the amount of heat absorption is reduced. Since the evaporator needs to have a certain length in the vertical direction in order to earn money, the space occupied by the evaporator has increased. As a result, in order to secure the depth of the storage chamber, a fan had to be placed at the upper or lower part of the evaporator, and there was a large dead space on the back side, that is, a space that could not be used as a storage chamber.
Therefore, we provide a refrigerator that can earn an effective internal volume that can be used as a storage room.

The refrigerator of the embodiment uses a plurality of multi-flow type evaporators having a flat tube having a plurality of flow paths through which the refrigerant flows inside for cooling the storage chamber in the same temperature zone.

The figure which shows typically the structure of the refrigerator of 1st aspect. The figure which shows typically the appearance of the refrigerator (evaporator) for refrigeration. The figure which shows the structure of a flat tube schematically The figure which shows typically the arrangement mode of the refrigerator for refrigeration. FIG. 1 schematically showing an arrangement mode of a refrigerating cooler in the second aspect. FIG. 2 schematically showing an arrangement mode of a refrigerating cooler FIG. 3 schematically showing an arrangement mode of a refrigerating cooler FIG. 4 schematically showing an arrangement mode of a refrigerating cooler FIG. 1 schematically showing another structure of a refrigerating cooler FIG. 2 schematically showing another structure of a refrigerating cooler FIG. 1 schematically showing the installation location of the refrigerating cooler in the third aspect. Figure 2 schematically showing the installation location of the refrigerator cooler Figure 3 schematically showing the installation location of the refrigerator cooler FIG. 1 schematically showing refrigeration in a plurality of arrangement modes Figure 1 schematically showing the structure of the refrigeration cycle Figure 2 schematically showing the structure of the refrigeration cycle Figure 2 schematically showing refrigeration

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of simplification of the description, first, the structure and features of the multi-flow type evaporator and the refrigerator using the same will be described as the first to third aspects, and then, as the plurality of arrangement modes, a plurality of multi-flow type evaporators will be described. A specific example using an evaporator will be described.

<First aspect>
Hereinafter, the first aspect will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 has a plurality of storage chambers arranged side by side in the vertical direction in a vertically long rectangular box-shaped heat insulating box 2 having an open front surface. Specifically, in the heat insulating box 2, a refrigerating room 3 and a vegetable room 4 are provided as storage rooms in order from the upper stage, and an ice making room 5 and a small freezing room 6 are provided side by side below the refrigerating room 3 and a vegetable room 4. A freezing chamber 7 is provided below these. A well-known automatic ice making device 8 (see FIG. 1) is provided in the ice making chamber 5. The heat insulating box body 2 is basically composed of an outer box 2a made of steel plate, an inner box 2b made of synthetic resin, and a heat insulating material 2c provided between the outer box 2a and the inner box 2b. There is.

The refrigerating room 3 and the vegetable room 4 are both storage rooms in a refrigerating temperature range (for example, 1 to 4 ° C.), and the refrigerating room 3 and the vegetable room 4 are vertically partitioned by a plastic partition wall 10. ing. As shown in FIG. 1, a hinge opening / closing type heat insulating door 3a is provided on the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 3. A drawer-type heat insulating door 4a is provided on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 4. A lower case 11 constituting a storage container is connected to the back surface of the heat insulating door 4a. An upper case 12 smaller than the lower case 11 is provided at the rear portion of the upper part of the lower case 11.

The inside of the refrigerating room 3 is divided into a plurality of stages vertically by a plurality of shelf boards 13. At the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 3 (the upper part of the partition wall 10), a chilled chamber 14 is provided on the right side, an egg case and an accessory case are provided on the left side thereof, and water storage is further provided on the left side thereof. A tank is provided. The water storage tank is for storing water to be supplied to the ice tray 8a of the automatic ice making device 8. The chilled chamber 14 is provided with a chilled case 18 that can be taken in and out.

The ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber 6, and the freezing chamber 7 are all storage chambers in the freezing temperature range (for example, −10 to −20 ° C.). Further, the vegetable compartment 4, the ice making chamber 5, and the small freezing chamber 6 are vertically partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 19 as shown in FIG. A drawer-type heat insulating door 5a is provided on the front surface of the ice making chamber 5. An ice storage container 20 is connected to the rear of the heat insulating door 5a. Although not shown, a drawer-type heat insulating door to which a storage container is connected is also provided on the front surface of the small freezing chamber 6. A drawer-type heat insulating door 7a to which a storage container 22 is connected is also provided on the front surface of the freezing chamber 7.

Although not shown in detail, the refrigerator 1 incorporates a refrigerating cycle including two coolers, a refrigerating cooler 24 and a freezing cooler 25. The refrigerating cooler 24 generates cold air for cooling the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4, and is provided on the back surface of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerating cooler 24 will be described in detail later, but has a flat pipe 24c (see FIGS. 2 and 3) formed in a flat shape and having a plurality of flow paths through which the refrigerant flows, and a flat pipe 24c. It has a header 24a (see FIG. 2) that serves as an inlet for the refrigerant and a header 24b (see FIG. 2) that serves as an outlet for the refrigerant, and the main body portion 24 g (see FIG. 2) is formed in a substantially thin rectangular shape. It is a multi-flow type evaporator (evaporator).

The freezing cooler 25 generates cold air for cooling the ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber 6, and the freezing chamber 7, and is provided on the back surface of the refrigerator 1 and below the refrigerating cooler 24. ing. A machine room 26 is provided on the lower back surface of the refrigerator 1. Although not shown in detail, in the machine room 26, a compressor 27, a condenser (not shown), a compressor 27 and a cooling fan for cooling the condenser (not shown) constituting the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle are not shown. ), A defrosting water evaporating dish 28, and the like are provided. The freezing cooler 25 also employs a multi-flow type evaporator.

A control device 29 equipped with a microcomputer or the like for controlling the entire refrigerator 1 is provided in a portion near the lower part of the back surface of the refrigerator 1. Although not shown, the ground wire of the electric device provided in the refrigerator 1 is grounded via the outer box 2a or the like.

A freezing cooler chamber 30 is provided on the back surface of the freezing chamber 7 in the refrigerator 1. In the freezing cooler room 30, a freezing cooler 25, a defrosting heater (not shown), a freezing blower fan 31 as a blower means, and the like are provided. The freezing air blower fan 31 is provided above the freezing cooler 25 because it generates air by the air blowing action caused by the rotation of the fan and circulates the cold air generated by the freezing cooler 25. A cold air outlet 30a is provided in the middle portion of the front surface of the freezing cooler chamber 30, and a return port 30b is provided in the lower portion.

In this configuration, when the freezing blower fan 31 and the freezing cycle are driven, air is generated by the blowing action, and the cold air generated by the freezing cooler 25 is discharged from the cold air outlet 30a to the ice making chamber 5 and the small freezing chamber 6. , It is supplied into the freezing chamber 7 and returned to the freezing cooler chamber 30 from the return port 30b. As a result, the ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber 6 and the freezing chamber 7 are cooled. Below the freezing cooler 25, a drainage gutter 32 that receives the defrosted water at the time of defrosting the refrigerating cooler 25 is provided. The defrosted water received in the drainage gutter 32 is guided to the defrosted water evaporating dish 28 provided in the machine room 26, and is evaporated at the defrosted water evaporating dish 28.

Behind the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 in the refrigerator 1, a refrigerating cooler 24, a cold air duct 34, a refrigerating blower fan 35 as a blowing means, and the like are provided. That is, a refrigerating cooler chamber 36 forming a part of the cold air duct 34 is provided behind the lowermost stage of the refrigerating chamber 3 (behind the chilled chamber 14) in the refrigerator 1, and the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 is provided. A refrigerator 24 for refrigeration is provided inside. The cold air duct 34 forms a passage for supplying the cold air generated by the refrigerating cooler 24 to the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4. The refrigerating air blower fan 35 generates air by the air blowing action caused by the rotation of the fan and circulates the cold air generated by the refrigerating cooler 24, and is provided below the refrigerating cooler 24.

A cold air supply duct 37 extending upward is provided above the refrigerating cooler chamber 36, and the upper end portion of the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 communicates with the lower end portion of the cold air supply duct 37. In this case, the cold air duct 34 is composed of the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 and the cold air supply duct 37. The front wall 36a of the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 bulges forward from the cold air supply duct 37. Further, on the back side (the refrigerating cooler 24 side) of the front wall 36a, a heat insulating material 38 having a heat insulating property covering the front surface of the refrigerating cooler 24 is provided. A plurality of cold air supply ports 39 that open into the refrigerating chamber 3 are provided in the front portion of the cold air supply duct 37.

A drainage gutter 40 is provided below the refrigerating cooler 24, which is the lower part of the refrigerating cooler chamber 36. The drain gutter 40 receives defrosted water from the refrigerating cooler 24. The defrosting water received in the drainage trough 40 is also guided to the defrosting water evaporating dish 28 provided in the machine room 26 in the same manner as the defrosting water received in the drainage trough 32, and is guided to the defrosting water evaporating dish 28. It is evaporated at 28 places. The left and right length dimensions and front and rear depth dimensions of the drainage trough 40 are larger than the left and right length dimensions and front and rear depth dimensions of the refrigerating cooler 24, and receive all the defrost water dripping from the refrigerating cooler 24. It is configured to be large enough to be used.

A ventilation duct 42 is provided behind the vegetable compartment 4. A refrigerating blower fan 35, which is a blower means, is provided in the blower duct 42. The air duct 42 has a suction port 43 at the lower end portion, and communicates with the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 (cold air duct 34) so that the upper end portion circulates around the drain gutter 40. The suction port 43 is open in the vegetable compartment 4. A plurality of communication ports communicating with the vegetable compartment 4 are formed at both left and right corners of the rear portion of the partition wall 10 forming the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 3.

In this configuration, when the refrigerating blower fan 35 is driven, wind is generated by the blower action, mainly as shown by the white arrows in FIG. That is, the air in the vegetable compartment 4 is sucked into the refrigerating blower fan 35 side from the suction port 43 and blown out to the blower duct 42 side. The air blown out to the air blowing duct 42 side passes through the cold air duct 34, specifically, the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 and the cold air supply duct 37, and is blown into the refrigerating chamber 3 from the plurality of cold air supply ports 39.

The air blown into the refrigerating chamber 3 is also supplied into the vegetable compartment 4 through the communication port 44, and is finally sucked into the refrigerating blower fan 35. In this way, the air is circulated by the air blowing action of the refrigerating air blowing fan 35. When the refrigerating cycle is driven during the process of this wind circulation, the air passing through the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 is cooled by the refrigerating cooler 24 to become cold air, and the cold air becomes cold air in the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4. The refrigerating room 3 and the vegetable room 4 are cooled to a temperature in the refrigerating temperature range.

Further, a water storage container 56 constituting a water storage unit is provided in the lower front portion of the refrigerator chamber 36 for refrigeration. The water storage container 56 is provided between the refrigerating cooler 24 and the drainage gutter 40 and below the water supply unit 53. The water storage container 56 is provided in a cantilevered state in which the front portion is attached to the front wall 36a of the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 and projects rearward. The water storage container 56 receives and stores the defrosted water dripping from the refrigerating cooler 24.
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

First, the detailed structure of the refrigerating cooler 24 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, it is provided between the header 24a which is the inlet of the refrigerant, the header 24b which is the outlet of the refrigerant, the flat pipe 24c connecting between the header 24a and the header 24b, and each flat pipe 24c. The heat absorbing fins 24d formed of a metal material in a wavy shape, provided on the inlet side header 24a, and provided on the inlet side connecting portion 24e and the outlet side header 24b to which the refrigerant pipe (not shown) is connected. It is provided with an outlet side connection portion 24f to which an external pipe (not shown) is connected. At this time, the main body portion 24g, which is a portion where the flat tube 24c is provided, has a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose outer shape is generally thin.

The header 24a and the header 24b are formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and the hollow portions (not shown) communicate with each other by the flat pipes 24c. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the flat pipe 24c has a flat outer shape, and a plurality of flow paths 24h through which the refrigerant flows are formed inside the flat pipe 24c. Then, the hollow portions of the header 24a and the header 24b communicate with each other by each flow path 24h.

By providing a plurality of flow paths 24h in this way, the contact area between the refrigerant and the flat pipe 24c is increased as compared with the conventional type in which one large flow path is provided. As a result, heat is efficiently transferred from the refrigerant to the flat pipe 24c. Further, since the flat tube 24c and the fin 24d are in contact with each other, heat is efficiently transferred from the flat tube 24c to the fin 24d. Since the fins 24d are formed in a wavy shape, it is possible to further increase the contact area with air, that is, the heat exchange area.

As described above, the multi-flow type refrigerating cooler 24 can efficiently exchange heat with the air. For example, if the refrigerating cooler 24 has the same volume, it can be expected to have an endothermic effect of 2 to 3 times that of the conventional fin tube type, but if it is sufficient to obtain the same endothermic effect as the conventional one. The volume can be greatly reduced, such as making it thinner. As a result, when the refrigerating cooler 24 is arranged on the back side of the refrigerator 1 as in this embodiment, the dead space on the back side, that is, the space that cannot be used as a storage room can be reduced.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerating cooler 24 is arranged so that the header 24a on the inlet side is on the lower side and the header 24b on the outlet side is on the upper side. In other words, the refrigerating cooler 24 is arranged so that the main body portion 24g, which is the portion where the flat pipe 24c is arranged, is perpendicular to the installation surface of the refrigerator 1, and the flat pipe 24c is also installed on the installation surface. It is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the. The term "vertical" as used herein is not limited to a state of 90 degrees with respect to the installation surface, but also includes a state of being substantially perpendicular to the installation surface, for example, a state of being slightly inclined.

The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerating cooler 24 flows into the refrigerating cooler 24 in a liquid state from the inlet side connection portion 24e as shown by an arrow F, and evaporates in the refrigerating cooler 24 to become a gas state. After that, it mainly becomes a gas state and flows out from the upper outlet side connection portion 24f. At this time, since the liquid refrigerant flows downward due to gravity, the refrigerant moves by installing the refrigerant inlet downward and the outlet upward as schematically shown in FIG. 4 (B). Can be smoothed and efficient heat exchange can be performed. Note that FIG. 4B schematically shows a state in which the refrigerating cooler 24 shown in FIG. 4A is viewed from the left side of the drawing.

By the way, when the refrigerating cycle is operated, the temperature of the refrigerating cooler 24 drops and frost is generated. Since this frost deteriorates the heat exchange performance, a defrosting treatment for removing the frost is performed, for example, at regular intervals. In this defrosting treatment, the attached frost is melted and discharged downward as defrosting water. Therefore, by vertically arranging the main body portion 24 g of the refrigerating cooler 24 as in this embodiment, it is possible to promote the flow of defrosted water. Further, by arranging the flat pipe 24c so as to be vertical, the defrosting water can be easily transmitted through the flat pipe 24c, and the flow can be further promoted.

According to the refrigerator 1 described above, the following effects can be obtained.
The refrigerator 1 performs heat exchange in a refrigerating cycle using a multi-flow type refrigerating cooler 24 (evaporator) having a plurality of flat pipes 24c in which a plurality of flow paths 24h through which a refrigerant flows are formed.

As described above, the multi-flow type refrigerating cooler 24 has high heat exchange performance, and if the performance is the same, the volume of the multi-flow type refrigerating cooler 24 can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional fin tube type. In addition, since it is possible to reduce the thickness, the degree of freedom in the placement location is also improved. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the refrigerating cooler 24 can be increased, and an effective internal volume, that is, an internal space that can be used for the storage chamber can be obtained.

Further, by vertically arranging the main body portion 24 g of the refrigerating cooler 24, the flow of defrosted water can be promoted. In this case, by arranging the flat pipe 24c so as to be vertical, the defrost water can be easily transmitted through the flat pipe 24c, and the flow of the defrost water can be further promoted.

Further, when two evaporators, a refrigerating cooler 24 and a refrigerating cooler 25, are provided as in this embodiment, the refrigerating cooler 24 can be defrosted every cycle in each operation cycle. .. The refrigerating cooler 24 is cooled if the refrigerant is flowing, while the temperature inside the refrigerating chamber 3 is 0 ° C. or higher. Therefore, if the refrigerant is not flowing, the refrigerating blower fan 35 is continuously rotated. Eva can be warmed and defrosted.

At this time, since the heat capacity of the multi-flow type refrigerating cooler 24 is small, the defrosting time is shortened as compared with the conventional fin tube type, so that efficient operation can be achieved and power saving can be achieved. can.

Further, since the inlet side connection portion 24e and the outlet side connection portion 24f are provided substantially parallel to the main body portion 24g, the length (thickness) of the refrigerating cooler 24 in the front-rear direction can be reduced, and the storage chamber can be reduced. Can be increased.
Further, the refrigerating cooler 25 can have the same effect as the refrigerating cooler 24.

<Second aspect>
Hereinafter, the second aspect will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. In the second aspect, another example of the arrangement mode and structure of the refrigerating cooler 24 will be described.
As described above, the defrosting water flows down the lower side of the refrigerating cooler 24, so if the refrigerating blower fan 35 is placed within that range (flowing region (Rx, see FIG. 7)), the defrosting treatment is performed. When this is done, there is a risk that defrost water will be applied to the refrigerating blower fan 35.

Therefore, for example, when arranging in the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 as shown in FIG. 5, the fan 60 for blowing air to the refrigerating cooler 24 is arranged at a position substantially parallel to the refrigerating cooler 24. It is conceivable to do. The fan 60 may be a refrigerating blower fan 35.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the defrost water flowing down due to gravity from being applied to the fan 60. Since the multi-flow type refrigerating cooler 24 can be made thin as described above, it is possible to install the fan 60 in the refrigerating cooler chamber 36.

In this case, since the water storage container 56 (see FIG. 1) is provided on the lower side of the refrigerating cooler 24, the space on the lower side of the refrigerating cooler 24 is partially occupied by the water storage container 56. It is in a blocked state. When the fan 60 is rotated in this state, the air flow is first sucked into the fan 60 from the lower side as shown by the arrow B, and then passes through the refrigerating cooler 24 and escapes upward. go.

That is, the fan 60 is arranged on the upstream side of the wind flow, that is, on the windward side with respect to the refrigerating cooler 24. As a result, even when the frost generated in the refrigerating cooler 24 scatters or evaporates, it is possible to prevent moisture from being applied to the fan 60.

Alternatively, when the fan 60 is arranged in the cold air duct 34 as shown in FIG. 6, the fan 60 can be arranged on the upper side of the refrigerating cooler 24. As a result, it is possible to prevent the defrost water from being applied to the fan 60. In this case, the air sucked up from the lower side escapes upward after passing through the refrigerating cooler 24 as shown by the arrow B, but the scattered water droplets are considered to move downward due to gravity, so that the fan The risk of hitting 60 is reduced.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, even if it is below the refrigerating cooler 24, if it is a position outside the flow-down region (Rx) of the defrosted water, that is, a position generally outside the range directly below the refrigerating cooler 24. It is considered that the defrost water can be prevented from being applied to the fan 60. At this time, the fan 60 may be arranged on the side opposite to the direction of the wind when passing through the refrigerating cooler 24 with respect to the refrigerating cooler 24.

In the case of FIG. 7, since the wind direction when passing through the refrigerating cooler 24 is the left direction in the drawing, the fan 60 may be set to the right side in the drawing with respect to the refrigerating cooler 24. As a result, even if the frost adhering to the surface of the refrigerating cooler 24 is blown off by the wind, the risk of the fan 60 being applied can be reduced.

As described above, the refrigerating cooler 24 can be arranged at an arbitrary position as long as it is outside the flow-down region of the defrosted water. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 6, if there is a space in the left-right direction shown in the drawing, the fan 60 can be arranged diagonally above the refrigerating cooler 24 or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerating cooler 24 can be arranged horizontally with respect to the installation surface of the refrigerator 1. The term "horizontal" as used herein includes a state that can be regarded as being substantially horizontal, for example, a state that is slightly slanted.
By arranging them substantially horizontally in this way, the required space in the height direction can be reduced. Further, since it can be arranged along the ceiling or in the heat insulating partition portion, the internal volume of the refrigerator can be increased.

In this case, by arranging the fan 60 above the refrigerating cooler 24, it is possible to prevent the defrost water from being applied to the fan 60. Further, by making the main body portion substantially horizontal, the main body portion 24 g can be increased to increase the surface area, and by making the main body portion 24 g thinner, the degree of freedom of installation can be improved and the required space can be reduced.

Further, in FIG. 8, the wind direction is upward, that is, the direction is directed from the refrigerating cooler 24 toward the fan 60, but the frost separated from the refrigerating cooler 24 moves downward due to gravity, so the wind direction becomes a problem. It will never be. By setting the wind direction downward, that is, the direction from the fan 60 toward the refrigerating cooler 24, it becomes possible to further suppress the frost separated from the refrigerating cooler 24 from adhering to the fan 60.

So far, the so-called parallel type as the refrigerating cooler 24 has been described, but as the refrigerating cooler 24, a meandering type can be adopted as shown in FIG. The meandering type refrigerating cooler 24 has a configuration in which one flat pipe 24c is folded back and the refrigerant is connected from the inlet to the outlet. The flat pipe 24c is provided with a header 24a on the inlet side of the refrigerant and a header 24b on the outlet side of the refrigerant. Further, fins 24d are provided between the folded flat pipes 24c.

Even with such a meandering type refrigerating cooler 24, the heat exchange performance is high as in the parallel type shown in the first aspect, and if the performance is the same, it is compared with the conventional fin tube type. Since the volume can be greatly reduced and the thickness can be reduced, the degree of freedom of the arrangement location is also improved, so that an effective internal volume that can be used as a storage room can be obtained.
By the way, in the refrigerating cooler 24, as described above, the refrigerant in the liquid state flows in and flows out in the gaseous state. At this time, there is a possibility that so-called liquid backing may occur in which the refrigerant that cannot be completely evaporated flows out in a liquid state.

Therefore, in the parallel type refrigerating cooler 24 schematically shown in FIG. 10A and the meandering type refrigerating cooler 24 schematically shown in FIG. 10B, the volume of the header 24b on the outlet side is set. It is formed larger than the volume of the header 24a on the inlet side. Note that FIG. 10 schematically shows the difference in volume due to the difference in diameter between the header 24a and the header 24b.
As a result, the header 24b on the outlet side functions like an accumulator, and the possibility that the refrigerant circulates in the liquid state on the rear stage side of the refrigerating cooler 24 can be reduced. In addition, if a sufficient volume can be secured, accumulatorless can be achieved.
Further, the refrigerating cooler 25 can have the same effect as the refrigerating cooler 24.

<Third aspect>
Hereinafter, the third aspect will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. In the third aspect, another example of the installation location of the refrigerating cooler 24 will be described.
In the first aspect, an example in which the refrigerating cooler 24 is arranged behind the chilled chamber 14 in the refrigerating chamber 3 is shown, but the refrigerating cooler 24 can also be arranged in another place.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the refrigerating cooler 24 can be arranged inside the refrigerator 1 on the ceiling side and the back side (hereinafter, referred to as the upper back side for convenience). The upper back side of the refrigerator 1 is a place that is relatively difficult to reach when putting food in and out of the refrigerator 1 although it depends on the size of the refrigerator 1. Further, since the multi-flow type refrigerating cooler 24 is miniaturized as described above, the required space is also reduced.

Therefore, by securing a space for the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 on the upper back side and arranging the refrigerating cooler 24 there, it is possible to effectively utilize a place that is relatively difficult to reach. Further, since the space for the refrigerating cooler chamber 36 is not required on the rear side of the chilled chamber 14, the chilled chamber 14 can be enlarged.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, by arranging the refrigerating cooler 24 and the refrigerating blower fan 35 side by side (see FIG. 5) on the upper back side, an empty space behind the vegetable compartment 4 in this embodiment is provided. Therefore, the vegetable compartment 4 can also be enlarged.
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, when the refrigerating cooler 24 and the refrigerating blower fan 35 are arranged side by side (see FIG. 5) and arranged behind the chilled chamber 14, the vegetable compartment 4 can be enlarged. can.

As described above, by adopting the multi-flow type for the refrigerating cooler 24, not only the refrigerating cooler 24 but also the degree of freedom in the placement location and arrangement mode of the refrigerating blower fan 35 is improved. As a result, it is possible to effectively utilize the upper back side where it is difficult to put in and take out foodstuffs, and it is possible to earn an effective internal volume that can be used as a storage room. Further, the refrigerating cooler 25 can have the same effect as the refrigerating cooler 24.

<Multiple arrangement mode>
First, the background of the plurality of arrangement modes will be described. Conventionally, when cooling storage chambers in different temperature zones, the refrigerating chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 7 have been cooled by different coolers. However, in recent years, a plurality of refrigerating chambers 3 and vegetable chambers 4 or chilled chambers 14 having substantially the same temperature zone, ice making chambers 5 and small freezing chambers 6 or freezing chambers 7 having substantially the same temperature zone, etc. More and more are equipped with storage.

When there are a plurality of storage chambers in the same temperature zone in this way, in cooling by a single cooler, it is necessary to route the cold air duct, and the internal volume that can be used as the storage chamber is reduced by that amount. Further, if a plurality of coolers are used for the storage chambers in the same temperature range, the internal volume of the conventional fin tube type cooler also decreases because the coolers have a certain size. It ends up.

Therefore, in the plurality of arrangement modes, a plurality of multi-flow type evaporators having a flat tube 24c (see FIG. 2 and the like) in which a plurality of flow paths through which the refrigerant flows are formed are used for cooling the storage chamber in the same temperature zone. There is. Hereinafter, a specific configuration example in which a plurality of multi-flow type evaporators are provided will be described.

FIG. 14 schematically shows the refrigerator 100 of this aspect. The refrigerator 100 is provided with a refrigerating chamber 3 on the uppermost stage side, an ice making chamber 5 and a small freezing chamber 6 are provided side by side below the refrigerating chamber 3, a vegetable compartment 4 is provided below these, and freezing is provided below the refrigerator chamber 100. Room 7 is provided. Here, the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 are storage chambers in the refrigerating temperature zone, that is, storage chambers in substantially the same temperature zone, and the ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber 6 and the freezing chamber 7 are storage chambers in the freezing temperature zone. In other words, it is a storage room in the same temperature range.

That is, in the case of the refrigerator 100, the ice making chamber 5 and the small freezing chamber 6 in different temperature zones are arranged between the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 in the same temperature zone. Then, the refrigerator 100 is cooled by the first R cooler 110 for cooling the refrigerating chamber 3, the second R cooler 111 for cooling the vegetable compartment 4, the ice making chamber 5, and the first floor cooling for cooling the small freezing chamber 6. A vessel 112 and a second F cooler 113 for cooling the freezer chamber 7 are provided. Further, each storage room is separated by a heat insulating partition 101.

As described above, the multi-flow type evaporator can be expected to have an endothermic effect of 2 to 3 times that of the conventional fin tube type if it has the same volume, but it is sufficient if the same endothermic effect as the conventional one can be obtained. If this is the case, the size and thickness can be reduced, and the required installation space can be greatly reduced. Therefore, by using a plurality of multi-flow type evaporators for the storage chambers in the same temperature zone, it is possible to prevent the internal volume from being significantly reduced. That is, the multi-flow type cooler (evaporator) can be made thinner and smaller than the conventional fin tube type cooler.

Further, for example, since it is not necessary to connect the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 with a cold air duct, it is not necessary to route the cold air duct, and it is possible to prevent the internal volume from being lowered.
Further, the first R cooler 110, the second R cooler 111, the first F cooler 112, and the second F cooler 113 are provided with blower fans 120 to 122, respectively. As a result, heat exchange in each cooler can be promoted, and the endothermic effect can be improved.

Here, the connection mode of the first R cooler 110, the second R cooler 111, the first F cooler 112, and the second F cooler 113 will be described.
First, FIG. 15 schematically shows a connection mode when connecting coolers in series. In this case, in the first R cooler 110 and the second R cooler 111, the first R cooler 110 is connected to the upstream side in the path through which the refrigerant for the refrigerating temperature zone switched by the switching valve 104 composed of, for example, a three-way valve flows. The second R cooler 111 is connected to the downstream side thereof.

Similarly, in the first F cooler 112 and the second F cooler 113, the first F cooler 112 is connected to the upstream side in the path through which the refrigerant for the refrigerating temperature zone switched by the switching valve 104 flows, and the first F cooler 112 is connected to the downstream side thereof. The 2F cooler 113 is connected. These coolers, together with the compressor 27 and the condenser 103, constitute the refrigeration cycle 105.
By connecting the coolers in series in this way, it is not necessary to individually switch the flow of the refrigerant to each cooler, so that an increase in cost can be suppressed.

Further, when a plurality of storage chambers in the same temperature zone are arranged at positions not adjacent to each other as in this embodiment, that is, storage chambers in different temperature zones are provided between the storage chambers in the same temperature zone. In this case, by cooling the separate storage chambers with a plurality of coolers, it is not necessary to largely route the cooling duct, and it is possible to greatly suppress the decrease in the internal volume.

On the other hand, FIG. 16 schematically shows a connection mode when connecting coolers in parallel. In this case, for example, by the switching valve 104 composed of a five-way valve or a plurality of three-way valves, the path through which the refrigerant flows is the first R cooler 110, the second R cooler 111, the first F cooler 112, and the second F cooler 113. Can be switched individually.

In this way, by connecting the coolers in parallel, it is possible to switch the flow of the refrigerant to each cooler individually, and it is possible to operate each cooler at an appropriate evaporation temperature, which saves energy. Can be promoted.

In addition, each cooler cools a separate storage chamber. When cooling the storage chambers in the same temperature range with a single cooler as in the conventional case, for example, when cooling the refrigerating chamber 3, the vegetable compartment 4 is also inevitably cooled. Therefore, there is a possibility that the vegetable compartment 4 is also cooled even if the vegetable compartment 4 is not opened and closed. However, by cooling the separate storage chambers with individual coolers, for example, the door of the refrigerator compartment 3 can be opened. Even when the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 3 rises due to opening and closing, only the refrigerating chamber 3 can be cooled. That is, each storage chamber can be individually maintained at an appropriate temperature. In addition, since a compact cooler is used, the influence on the internal volume of the refrigerator can be suppressed to a small extent.

Further, the configuration of the storage room of the refrigerator 100 shown in FIG. 14 is an example. For example, in FIG. 14, the order of the vegetable room 4 and the freezing room 7 is changed, and the refrigerating room 3 is at the top and the vegetable room 4 is at the bottom. It is also possible to arrange the above. In that case, the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 arranged apart from each other are cooled by separate coolers, and the ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber 6, and the freezing chamber 7 arranged adjacent to each other are one. It can also be configured to be cooled by a cooler.

That is, as a storage chamber in the same temperature zone, any one of the refrigerating chamber 3, the vegetable compartment 4 or the chilled chamber 14 in the refrigerating temperature zone, or a combination thereof, efficiently cools the storage chamber in the refrigerating temperature zone. It can be carried out. Similarly, as a storage chamber in the same temperature zone, any one of the ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber 6 or the freezing chamber 7 in the freezing temperature zone, or a combination thereof, efficiently cools the storage chamber in the freezing temperature zone. Can be done Further, even when the ice making chamber 5 and the small freezing chamber 6 are not provided, the configuration illustrated in this embodiment can be applied.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, when the chilled chamber 14 is provided in the refrigerating chamber 3, a third R cooler 114 is provided in the chilled chamber 14, and the refrigerating chamber 3, the vegetable chamber 4, and the chilled chamber 14 are provided. Each can be individually cooled. In this case, for example, by allowing the user to set the temperature of the chilled chamber 14, it is possible to store foods and the like in a more appropriate temperature range, and it is possible to improve convenience. That is, it is possible to provide three or more storage chambers in the same temperature range.

(Other embodiments)
In the embodiment, a multi-flow type evaporator having headers 24a and 24b is illustrated, but an external pipe can be directly connected to the flat pipe 24c without using the header 24a or the like.

The direction in which the inlet side connection portion 24e and the outlet side connection portion 24f extend is not limited to the orientation exemplified in the embodiment. For example, in the case of the arrangement of the refrigerating cooler 24 as shown in the first aspect or FIG. 8, the direction in which the inlet side connection portion 24e and the outlet side connection portion 24f extend in the vertical direction, that is, in the thickness direction of the fan 60. can do. As a result, space can be saved by arranging the fan 60 within the length range of the inlet side connecting portion 24e and the outlet side connecting portion 24f.

Each embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This aspect and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

In the drawing, 1, 100 is a refrigerator, 3 is a refrigerator room (storage room), 4 is a vegetable room (storage room), 5 is an ice making room (storage room), 6 is a small freezer room (storage room), and 7 is a freezer room. (Storage room), 14 is a chilled room (storage room), 24 is a refrigerator for refrigeration (evaporator), 24c is a flat tube, 25 is a cooler for refrigeration (evaporator), 31 is a blower fan for refrigeration (evaporator), 35 is a refrigerator blower fan (blower fan), 60 is a fan (blower fan), 110 is a 1st R cooler (evaporator), 111 is a 2nd R cooler (evaporator), 112 is a 1st floor cooler (evaporator), 113. Indicates a 2nd floor cooler (evaporator), 114 indicates a 3rd R cooler (evaporator), and 120 indicates a blower fan.

Claims (6)

For cooling the storage chamber in the same temperature zone, a plurality of multi-flow type evaporators having a flat tube having a plurality of flow paths through which the refrigerant flows are used.
The plurality of the evaporators are provided with blower fans in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator in the cooler room where the evaporators are arranged, and are connected in parallel to the flow path of the refrigerant.
A refrigerator in which an evaporator for cooling storage chambers in different temperature zones is provided in parallel with a plurality of the evaporators connected in parallel. For cooling the storage chamber in the same temperature zone, a plurality of multi-flow type evaporators having a flat tube having a plurality of flow paths through which the refrigerant flows are used.
The plurality of the evaporators are provided with blower fans in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator in the cooler room where the evaporators are arranged, and are connected in series with the flow path of the refrigerant.
A refrigerator in which an evaporator for cooling storage chambers in different temperature zones is provided in parallel with a plurality of the evaporators connected in series. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of evaporators for cooling the storage chamber in the same temperature zone cool different storage chambers, respectively. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the storage chambers in the same temperature zone are provided and are arranged not adjacent to each other in the refrigerator. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the storage room in the same temperature zone is either a refrigerating room, a vegetable room or a chilled room in the refrigerating temperature zone, or a combination thereof. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the storage chamber in the same temperature zone is either a freezer compartment or an ice making chamber in the freezing temperature zone, or a combination thereof.

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