JP7348141B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

A drain gutter is provided below the cooler, and a support is attached to the partition insulator that forms the lower portion of the drain gutter. Further, a rib as a gutter suppressing portion is formed on the lower edge of the support, and this holds down and fixes the gutter (see Patent Document 1).

Utility Model Publication No. 62-45673

However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the storage chamber provided in front of the cooler is in the refrigeration temperature range, the cold air in the low temperature range generated by the cooler passes through the gap where the gutter is in contact with the refrigeration temperature range. There is a risk that it will flow into the storage room.

The present invention provides a storage room with a refrigeration temperature range, a cooler provided at the rear of the storage room, an air passage forming member that accommodates the cooler and introduces cold air into the storage room, and the air passage forming member. a gutter provided below, and an elastic sealing material attached to the air passage forming member and the gutter in a biased state , and the air passage forming member has an inclined surface that descends toward the front The inclined surface is located forward of the elastic sealing material, and a corner portion where the inclined surface switches to another surface has a rib that protrudes toward the elastic sealing material, and the inclined surface has a rib that projects toward the elastic sealing material. The width is narrower than the width of the elastic sealing material .

It is a front view showing a refrigerator concerning a 1st embodiment. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. It is a front view showing the flow of cold air inside the back inside of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. It is a front view showing the flow of cold air inside the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the VV cross section shown in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cooling air air passage structure. It is a block diagram showing the freezing cycle of the refrigerator concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a heat insulating partition wall provided on the back side of the switching room. It is a perspective view showing the inside of a refrigerator before attaching an air path constituent member. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view showing the air passage constituent member. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing a state in which an elastic sealing material is attached to an air passage forming member. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which an elastic sealing material is attached to an air passage forming member. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing a state in which the air passage forming member and the gutter are assembled. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the air passage forming member and the gutter are assembled. It is a sectional view showing a locking part. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of both end portions of the gutter. It is a right side view of a gutter. FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 17; 18 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 17. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a corner portion. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between an elastic sealing material and ribs. FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing a state in which an air passage forming member and a gutter according to a second embodiment are assembled.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form (this embodiment) for implementing this invention is demonstrated. However, this embodiment is not limited to the following content, and can be implemented with arbitrary changes within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Further, the following description will be made based on the directions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. In addition, although the refrigerator 1 with 6 doors will be described as an example below, the refrigerator 1 is not limited to 6 doors.
As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice-making compartment 3, a freezing compartment 4, a first switching compartment 5 (upper switching compartment, storage compartment), and a second switching compartment 6 (lower switching compartment, storage compartment). It has a heat insulating box body 10 equipped with. The first switching chamber 5 is capable of switching the temperature range from a refrigerating temperature range (for example, 1°C to 6°C) to a freezing temperature range (for example, about -20°C to -18°C). Similarly, the temperature zone of the second switching chamber 6 can be switched from a refrigerating temperature zone to a freezing temperature zone. The refrigerator compartment 2 is set to a refrigeration temperature range (for example, 6°C), and the ice making compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 are set to a freezing temperature range (for example, about -20°C).

The refrigerator 1 also includes, on the front of the insulating box body 10, refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 2, an ice-making compartment door 3a for opening and closing the ice-making compartment 3, and a freezing compartment door 4a for opening and closing the freezing compartment 4. A first switching room door 5a opens and closes the first switching room 5, and a second switching room door 6a opens and closes the second switching room 6. The refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b are configured to be double-openable. The ice making compartment door 3a, the freezing compartment door 4a, the first switching compartment door 5a, and the second switching compartment door 6a are configured to be able to be pulled out in the front direction. The refrigerator compartment doors 2a, 2b, the ice making compartment door 3a, the freezer compartment door 4a, the first switching compartment door 5a, and the second switching compartment door 6a are heat insulating doors. Furthermore, an operating section 26 for controlling the temperature inside the refrigerator is provided on the outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 2a.

The refrigerator compartment 2, the freezer compartment 4, and the ice making compartment 3 are separated by a heat insulating partition wall 28. Further, the freezer compartment 4 and the ice making compartment 3 are separated from the first switching compartment 5 by a heat insulating partition wall 29, and the first switching compartment 5 and the second switching compartment 6 are separated by a heat insulating partition wall 30.

A door hinge (not shown) for fixing the heat insulating box 10 and the doors 2a, 2b is provided on the front side of the outside of the top of the heat insulating box 10 and at the front edge of the heat insulating partition wall 28. The upper door hinge is covered with a door hinge cover 16.

In the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 of the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment, either the refrigerating temperature (maintained at about 4°C on average) or the freezing temperature (maintained at about -18°C on average) You can choose which. Specifically, the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are both set to the freezing temperature, and the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are set to the refrigerating temperature and freezing temperature, respectively. "RF" mode in which the first switching chamber 5 and second switching chamber 6 are set to the freezing temperature and refrigeration temperature, respectively, and "FR" mode in which the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are both set to the refrigeration temperature. You can select from among the "RR" modes.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 has a foam insulation material 93 (polyurethane foam in the first embodiment) between an outer box 10a made of steel plate and an inner box 10b made of synthetic resin (ABS resin in the first embodiment). ) The outside of the refrigerator and the inside of the refrigerator are separated by a heat insulating box 10 formed by filling the refrigerator. In addition to the foam insulation material, the insulation box body 10 is equipped with a plurality of vacuum insulation materials, which have lower thermal conductivity (higher insulation performance) than foam insulation materials, between the outer box 10a and the inner box 10b. This improves insulation performance by suppressing the drop in product density. The refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment is equipped with a vacuum insulation material 25a on the back surface of the insulation box 10, a vacuum insulation material 25b on the lower surface (bottom surface), a vacuum insulation material on the left side surface, and a vacuum insulation material on the right side surface for storage. The heat insulation performance of the refrigerator 1 is improved by suppressing the intrusion of heat from outside, which is higher in temperature than the inside. Similarly, in the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment, the insulation performance of the refrigerator 1 is improved by mounting a vacuum insulation material 25e on the first switching compartment door 5a and a vacuum insulation material 25f on the second switching compartment door 6a. .

The refrigerator compartment doors 2a, 2b are provided with a plurality of door pockets 33a, 33b, 33c on the inside. Furthermore, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 is divided into a plurality of storage spaces by shelves 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. The ice-making compartment door 3a, the freezer compartment door 4a, the first switching compartment door 5a, and the second switching compartment door 6a are the ice-making compartment container 3b, the freezing compartment container 4b, the first switching compartment container 5b, and the second switching compartment door, which are each pulled out as one unit. It is equipped with a chamber container 6b.

The back of the refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with a first evaporator compartment 8a in which a first evaporator 14a is mounted. Further, substantially at the back of the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6, there is provided a second evaporator chamber 8b (cooler chamber) in which a second evaporator 14b (cooler) is mounted. Further, a heat insulating partition wall 27 separates the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 from the second evaporator chamber 8b and a second fan discharge air passage 12, which will be described later.

Note that the heat-insulating partition wall 27 is separate from the heat-insulating box 10, the heat-insulating partition wall 29, and the heat-insulating partition wall 30, and is connected to the heat-insulating box 10 and the heat-insulating partition via a sealing member (for example, soft urethane foam) not shown. It is fixed so as to be in contact with the wall 29 and the heat insulating partition wall 30, and is removable. In this way, by forming the heat insulating partition wall 27 separately and making it removable, the second evaporator 14b housed in the second evaporator chamber 8b, the second fan 9b (described later), and the first The heat insulating partition wall 27 includes a flapper 411, a first switching chamber second flapper 412 (see FIG. 4), a second switching chamber first flapper 421 (see FIG. 4), and a second switching chamber second flapper 422 (see FIG. 4). When a problem occurs in the covered parts, the heat insulating partition wall 27 can be removed and maintenance can be easily performed.

Furthermore, inside the heat insulating partition wall 27, a polystyrene foam (styrene foam), which is a foamed heat insulating material, is mounted as a main heat insulating member without mounting a vacuum heat insulating material. On the other hand, inside the heat-insulating partition walls 29 and 30, vacuum heat-insulating materials 25g and 25h are mounted, respectively, in addition to polystyrene foam, which is a foamed heat-insulating material, to improve heat-insulating performance. Since the vacuum insulation materials 25g and 25h have lower thermal conductivity (higher insulation performance) than the foam insulation materials, the main insulation members of the insulation partition walls 29 and 30 are the vacuum insulation materials. Note that polyurethane foam or polyethylene foam may be used as the foamed heat insulating material used inside the heat insulating partition walls 27, 28, 29, and 30.

On the back side of the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2, the freezer compartment 4, the first switching compartment 5, and the second switching compartment 6, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 41 (see FIG. 4), a freezer compartment temperature sensor 42 (see FIG. 4), First switching room temperature sensors 43a, 43b (see FIG. 4) and second switching room temperature sensors 44a, 44b (see FIG. 4) are provided. A first evaporator temperature sensor 40a is provided above the first evaporator 14a. A second evaporator temperature sensor 40b is provided above the second evaporator 14b. These sensors control the refrigerator compartment 2, the freezer compartment 4, the first switching compartment 5, the second switching compartment 6, the first evaporator compartment 8a, the first evaporator 14a, the second evaporator compartment 8b, and the second evaporator compartment. The temperature of the container 14b is detected. Furthermore, an outside air temperature sensor 37 and an outside air humidity sensor 38 are provided inside the door hinge cover 16 on the ceiling of the refrigerator 1 to detect the temperature and humidity of outside air (air outside the refrigerator). In addition, door sensors (not shown) are provided to detect the open and closed states of the doors 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a, respectively.

The second evaporator 14b is defrosted by energizing the defrosting heater 21, which is a heating means provided at the lower part of the second evaporator 14b, while the compressor 24 is stopped. The defrosting heater 21 (heater) may be, for example, a 50W to 200W electric heater, and in the first embodiment, it is a 150W radiant heater. The defrosting water generated during defrosting of the second evaporator 14b is passed from the gutter 23 at the bottom of the second evaporator chamber 8b through the second drain pipe 23c to the second evaporating dish 32 (see Fig. 2), and is evaporated by heat radiation from the compressor 24 and ventilation by a fan (not shown) provided in the machine room 39.

Next, the configuration of the air passage inside the refrigerator will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 and FIG. 2 as appropriate. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the flow of cold air inside the back side of the refrigerator. Note that FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 1 with the door and container removed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first fan 9a is provided above the first evaporator 14a. The cooling air sent out by the first fan 9a is blown into the refrigerator compartment 2 via the refrigerator compartment air path 110 and the refrigerator compartment outlet 110a, and cools the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2. Here, the first fan 9a is constituted by, for example, a turbo fan (backward-facing fan) that is a centrifugal fan, and its rotational speed can be controlled to high speed (1600 min ^-1 ) and low speed (1000 min ^-1 ). The air blown into the refrigerator compartment 2 returns to the first evaporator chamber 8a through the refrigerator compartment return port 110b (see FIG. 2) and the refrigerator compartment return port 110c, and exchanges heat with the first evaporator 14a again.

The refrigerator compartment discharge port 110a of the refrigerator compartment 2 is provided in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment 2. In the first embodiment, air is discharged above the top shelf 34a and the second shelf 34b. Moreover, the refrigerator compartment return port 110c is provided at the back of the space formed between the shelves 34c and 34d of the refrigerator compartment 2. The refrigerator compartment return port 110b (see FIG. 2) is provided substantially at the back of the space formed between the shelf 34d of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the heat insulating partition wall 28.

An ice-making compartment discharge port 120a is provided on the back side of the ice-making compartment 3. This ice-making chamber outlet 120a is provided at the top of the ice-making chamber 3. A freezer compartment discharge port 120b is provided on the back side of the freezer compartment 4. This freezer compartment discharge port 120b is provided in the upper part of the freezer compartment 4. The ice-making compartment outlet 120a and the freezer compartment outlet 120b communicate with the freezer compartment air path 130. The cold air sent out from the second fan 9b passes through the freezer air passage 130 as shown by the broken line arrow, branches, and is discharged from the ice making room outlet 120a and the freezer outlet 120b as shown by the solid line arrow. be done.

The refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment has a first switching chamber first flapper 411, a second switching chamber second flapper 412, a second switching chamber second flapper 412, and a second switching chamber second flapper 412 as ventilation blocking means for the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6. One flapper 421 and a second switching chamber second flapper 422 are provided. The first switching chamber first flapper 411 and the second switching chamber flapper 412 are mounted on a partition at the back of the first switching chamber 5. The second switching chamber first flapper 421 and the second switching chamber second flapper 422 are mounted substantially on the back of the second switching chamber 6. Here, the opening area of the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is formed larger than the opening area of the second switching chamber second flapper 412. The opening area of the second switching chamber first flapper 421 is larger than the opening area of the second switching chamber second flapper 422.

The second evaporator 14b is provided in the second evaporator chamber 8b substantially behind the first switching chamber 5, the second switching chamber 6, and the heat insulating partition wall 30. A second fan 9b is provided above the second evaporator 14b. The second fan 9b is a turbo fan (backward-facing fan) that is a centrifugal fan, and its rotational speed can be controlled between high speed (1800 min ⁻¹ ) and low speed (1200 min ⁻¹ ). The air that has cooled the ice making compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 returns to the second evaporator compartment 8b (below the second evaporator 14b) from the freezing compartment return port 120c via the freezing compartment return air path 120d, and returns to the second evaporator compartment 8b (below the second evaporator 14b). It exchanges heat with the evaporator 14b.

A first switching chamber return port 111c is formed in the lower part of the back surface of the first switching chamber 5. The cold air after cooling the first switching chamber 5 is discharged from the first switching chamber return port 111c, and passes through the freezer compartment return air path 120d to the second evaporator chamber 8b (below the second evaporator 14b). It returns to exchange heat with the second evaporator 14b again.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the flow of cold air inside the refrigerator. Note that FIG. 4 is a front view of FIG. 1 with the door and container removed.
As shown in FIG. 4, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is provided with first discharge ports 111a, 111a for discharging cold air into the first switching chamber 5. The first switching chamber first discharge port 111a is formed to be elongated in the width direction (horizontal direction), and is located on the left side of the center in the width direction (opposite side in the left and right direction from the first switching chamber return port 111c). Moreover, the first exchange chamber first discharge port 111a is located above the center in the height direction of the refrigerator.

Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is formed with a second discharge port 111b for discharging cold air into the first switching chamber 5. This first switching chamber second discharge port 111b is formed on the left side surface of the heat insulating partition wall 27. Thereby, the cold air discharged from the second discharge port 111b of the first switching chamber is discharged toward the inner wall surface (left side surface) of the inner box 10b. Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is formed with a first switching chamber communication passage 111d that communicates the first switching chamber second discharge port 111b and the first switching chamber second flapper 412.

Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is provided with second switching chamber first discharge ports 112a, 112a that discharge cold air into the second switching chamber 6. The second switching chamber first discharge port 112a is formed to be elongated in the width direction (left-right section), and is located on the left side of the center in the width direction (opposite side in the left-right direction from the second switching chamber return port 112c). . Moreover, the second switching chamber first discharge port 112a is located above the center in the internal height direction.

Further, a second switching chamber second discharge port 112b is formed in the heat insulating partition wall 27 to discharge cold air into the second switching chamber 6. This second switching chamber second discharge port 112b is formed on the left side surface of the heat insulating partition wall 27. Thereby, the cold air discharged from the second discharge port 112b of the second switching chamber is discharged toward the inner wall surface (left side surface) of the inner box 10b. Further, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is formed with a second switching chamber communication path 112d that communicates the second switching chamber second outlet 112b and the second switching chamber second flapper 422.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part taken along the line VV in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIG. 5, the second switching chamber 6 includes a second switching chamber return port 112c at the upper back surface. Air flowing in from the second switching chamber return port 112c flows through a second switching chamber return air passage 112e extending downward from the second switching chamber return port 112c, and is formed at a lower height position than the second switching chamber return port 112c. It reaches the second evaporator chamber inlet 112f, and flows into the second evaporator chamber 8b from below.

By providing the air path (second switching chamber return air path 112e) extending downward between the second switching chamber return port 112c and the second evaporator chamber inlet 112f in this way, the second fan 9b When stopped, the low temperature air in the second evaporator chamber 8b becomes difficult to flow back into the second switching chamber 6. Thereby, the refrigerator 1 can be made such that a situation in which the second switching chamber 6 becomes too cold does not easily occur, especially when the second switching chamber 6 is set to the refrigeration temperature. Note that it is sufficient that there is an air path extending downward between the second switching chamber return port 112c and the second evaporator chamber inlet 112f, so that the air flowing in from the second switching chamber return port 112c flows upward. It may also be configured so that the air flows toward the air path and then flows through an air path that extends downward. The purpose of this type of backflow suppression structure is to prevent the storage room from getting too cold, so it is not limited to the switching room, but also the refrigerator room, chilled room, or weak freezing room (i.e., the lower limit of storage is approximately -10°C or -7°C). (temperature chamber) and the evaporator chamber.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cooling air air passage structure.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the freezer compartment damper 431 is controlled to be in the open state, the air, which has become low temperature by exchanging heat with the second evaporator 14b, is transferred to the second fan 9b by driving the second fan 9b. The water in the ice tray of the ice making compartment 3 is sent to the ice making compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 via the two fan discharge air passage 12, the freezer compartment air passage 130, the ice making compartment outlet 120a and the freezing compartment outlet 120b, and the water in the ice tray of the ice making compartment 3 is The ice in the container 3b and the food stored in the freezer container 4b in the freezer compartment 4 are cooled. The air that has cooled the ice-making compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 returns to the second evaporator compartment 8b (see FIG. 2) from the freezer compartment return port 120c via the freezer compartment return air path 120d, and is again connected to the second evaporator 14b. exchange heat.

When the first switching chamber first flapper 411 is controlled to be open, the air pressurized by the second fan 9b is transferred to the second fan discharge air passage 12, the first switching chamber air passage 140, the first switching chamber into the first switching chamber container 5b provided in the first switching chamber 5 through the first flapper 411 and the first switching chamber first discharge ports 111a, 111a provided in the discharge port forming member 111 (see FIG. 4). The food in the first changing chamber container 5b is directly cooled. The air that has cooled the first switching chamber 5 flows through the first switching chamber return port 111c and the freezing chamber return air path 120d, returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b, and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again. Note that direct cooling is a method of cooling stored food by directly supplying cold air to it.

When the second flapper 412 of the first switching chamber is controlled to be open, the air pressurized by the second fan 9b is transferred to the second fan discharge air passage 12, the first switching chamber air passage 140, the first switching chamber The second flapper 412 discharges water from the second discharge port 111b of the first switching chamber provided in the discharge port forming member 111 (see FIG. 4) toward the side wall of the first switching chamber 5, and inside the first switching chamber container 5b. indirectly cools food. The air that has cooled the first switching chamber 5 flows through the first switching chamber return port 111c and the freezing chamber return air path 120d, returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b, and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again. Note that indirect cooling is a method of cooling stored food by supplying cold air so that it does not directly hit the stored food, in order to prevent the food from drying out.

When the second switching chamber first flapper 421 is controlled to be open, the air pressurized by the second fan 9b is transferred to the second fan discharge air passage 12, the second switching chamber air passage 150, the second switching chamber into the second switching chamber container 6b provided in the second switching chamber 6 through the first flapper 421 and the second switching chamber first discharge ports 112a, 112a provided in the discharge port forming member 112 (see FIG. 4). It is directly sent to cool the food in the second switching chamber container 6b. The air that has cooled the second switching chamber 6 flows through the second switching chamber return port 112c and the second switching chamber return air path 112d, returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b, and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again. .

When the second switching chamber second flapper 422 is controlled to be in the open state, the air pressurized by the second fan 9b is transferred to the second fan discharge air path 12, the second switching chamber air path 150, the second switching chamber The second flapper 422 discharges from the second switching chamber second discharge port 112b provided in the discharge port forming member 112 (see FIG. 4) toward the side wall of the second switching chamber 6, and inside the second switching chamber container 6b. indirectly cools food. The air that has cooled the second switching chamber 6 flows through the second switching chamber return port 112c and the second switching chamber return air path 112d, returns to the second evaporator chamber 8b, and exchanges heat with the second evaporator 14b again. .

It should be noted that there is an evaporator chamber in which a low-temperature evaporator is stored (in the first embodiment, the second evaporator chamber 8b), and an air passage through which air that has become low temperature by exchanging heat with the evaporator flows (in the first embodiment, (second fan discharge air path 12, freezing room air path 130, first switching room air path 140, second switching room air path 150), storage room maintained at freezing temperature (in the first embodiment, ice making room 3, freezing chamber 4, a first switching chamber 5 when the temperature is set to the freezing temperature, a second switching chamber 6 when the temperature is set to the freezing temperature), a return air path from the storage room maintained at the freezing temperature (first embodiment) In this case, the freezing room return air passage 120d and the second switching room return air passage 112d when set to the freezing temperature are spaces where the freezing temperature is reached, so they will be referred to as freezing temperature spaces below. Further, in the first embodiment, the first switching room air passage 140 and the second switching room air passage 150 are configured by a damper duct member 300, which will be described later.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment includes a compressor 24, an external radiator 50a as a heat radiating means for radiating heat from the refrigerant, and a wall heat radiating pipe 50b (between the outer box 10a and the inner box 10b). (disposed on the inner surface of the outer box 10a), the front surface of the heat insulating partition walls 28, 29, 30 (see FIG. 2), and the vicinity of the front edge of the heat insulating box body 10 (see FIG. 2). The piping 50c (arranged on the inner surface of the heat insulating partition walls 28, 29, 30), the first capillary tube 53a and the second capillary tube 53b which are pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant, and the storage by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air inside the storage. It is equipped with a first evaporator 14a and a second evaporator 14b that absorb heat from the inside. The refrigerator 1 also includes a dryer 51 that removes moisture in the refrigeration cycle, gas-liquid separators 54a and 54b that suppress the flow of liquid refrigerant into the compressor 24, a refrigerant control valve 52 that controls the refrigerant flow path, and a refrigerant control valve 52 that controls the refrigerant flow path. It is provided with a stop valve 56 and a refrigerant merging section 55 that connects the refrigerant flow. These are connected by refrigerant piping to form a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant is isobutane, a flammable refrigerant.

The refrigerant control valve 52 includes outlet ports 52a and 52b. In addition, the refrigerant control valve 52 operates in "state 1" in which the outflow port 52a is open and the outflow port 52b is closed, in "state 2" in which the outflow port 52a is closed and the outflow port 52b is open, and in the "state 2" in which the outflow port 52a and the outflow port are open. The valve can be switched to four states: "state 3" in which both the outlet ports 52b are closed, and "state 4" in which both the outlet ports 52a and 52b are open.

Next, the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment will be explained. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 24 flows in this order through the external radiator 50a, the wall heat radiation piping 50b, the dew condensation prevention piping 50c, and the dryer 51, and reaches the refrigerant control valve 52. The outlet 52a of the refrigerant control valve 52 is connected to the first capillary tube 53a via a refrigerant pipe. The outlet 52b of the refrigerant control valve 52 is connected to the second capillary tube 53b via a refrigerant pipe.

When the first evaporator 14a cools the refrigerator compartment 2, the refrigerant control valve 52 is controlled to "state 1" in which the refrigerant flows toward the outlet 52a. The refrigerant flowing out from the outlet 52a is depressurized by the first capillary tube 53a to become low temperature and low pressure, enters the first evaporator 14a, exchanges heat with the air in the warehouse, and then flows into the gas-liquid separator 54a and the first capillary tube 53a. The refrigerant flows through the heat exchange section 57a that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the refrigerant merging section 55, and returns to the compressor 24.

When the second evaporator 14b cools the ice making compartment 3, freezing compartment 4, first switching compartment 5, and second switching compartment 6, the refrigerant control valve 52 is set to “state 2” where the refrigerant flows toward the outlet 52b. Control. The refrigerant flowing out from the outlet 52b is depressurized by the second capillary tube 53b to a low temperature and low pressure, enters the second evaporator 14b, exchanges heat with the air in the warehouse, and then flows into the gas-liquid separator 54b and the second capillary tube 53b. The refrigerant flows in this order through the heat exchange section 57b, which exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the check valve 56, and the refrigerant merging section 55, and returns to the compressor 24. The check valve 56 is arranged to prevent the flow of refrigerant from the refrigerant confluence section 55 toward the second evaporator 14b.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a heat insulating partition wall provided on the back side of the switching chamber. Note that in FIG. 8, members including the second evaporator 14b, which is a cooler, are also illustrated.
As shown in FIG. 8, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 (air passage forming member) includes a heat insulating partition wall 27 and a damper duct member 300.

The heat insulating partition wall 27 includes a front panel 210, a rear panel 220, and a foamed heat insulating material 230. Moreover, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is arranged so as to straddle the rear of the first switching chamber 5 (see FIG. 2) and the second switching chamber 6 (see FIG. 2). Note that the foamed heat insulating material 230 is made of polystyrene foam (styrene foam), is foam-molded in advance, and is disposed between the front panel 210 and the rear panel 220. Note that a vacuum heat insulating material may be provided instead of the foam heat insulating material 230. The foamed heat insulating material 230 includes an opening (not shown) in a region facing (overlapping in the front-rear direction) the openings 212, 214, 222, and 223 of the front panel 210 and the rear panel 220.

The front panel 210 is made of synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular plate portion 211 when viewed from the front. The front panel 210 also has a rectangular opening 212 with a large opening area formed at the top. Further, in the front panel 210, in the vicinity of the opening 212, an opening 213 (first switching chamber second discharge port 111b, FIG. 4) is formed. This opening 213 is formed on the side surface of a protrusion 211a formed to protrude from the plate portion 211, and cool air is discharged toward the left side surface of the first switching chamber 5.

Further, in the front panel 210, a rectangular opening 214 having a large opening area is formed at the bottom of the plate portion 211. Further, in the front panel 210, an opening 215 (second switching chamber second discharge port 112b, FIG. 4) is formed. This opening 215 is formed on the side surface of a protruding portion 211b formed to protrude from the plate portion 211, and cool air is discharged toward the left side surface of the second switching chamber 6.

Furthermore, a groove 216 into which the heat insulating partition wall 30 is fitted is formed in the plate portion 211 above the lower openings 214 and 215 and below the upper openings 212 and 213. The groove portion 216 is formed over the entire plate portion 211 from one end to the other end in the left-right direction. In this way, the heat insulating partition wall 27 is arranged on the back side of the switching chamber so as to straddle the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 which are arranged vertically.

Further, the plate portion 211 has a first switching chamber return port 111c formed above the groove portion 216. Further, a second switching chamber return port 112c is formed in the plate portion 211 below the groove portion 216.

Further, a discharge port forming member 111 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the front surface of the plate portion 211 so as to cover the opening 212. Further, a discharge port forming member 112 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the front surface of the plate portion 211 so as to cover the opening 214.

The rear panel 220 is made of synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular plate portion 221 when viewed from the front. Further, an opening 222 is formed in the rear panel 220 at a position facing the opening 212 of the front panel 210. Further, an opening 223 is formed in the rear panel 220 at a position opposite to the opening 214 of the front panel 210. Further, the rear panel 220 is formed with a return communication path 224 that communicates with the first switching chamber return port 111c. Further, a return passage 225 is formed in the rear panel 220 and communicates with the second switching chamber return port 112c.

Furthermore, a freezer compartment return air passage 120d extending in the vertical direction is formed at the right end of the rear panel 220 when viewed from the front side. This freezer compartment return air passage 120d communicates with a return communication passage 224. Furthermore, a freezer compartment return port 120c is formed in the upper part of the rear panel 220 and communicates with the freezer compartment return air path 120d.

The damper duct member 300 takes in the cold air generated by the second evaporator 14b with the second fan 9b (see FIG. 3), discharges the cold air from the openings 212 and 213 of the front panel 210 into the first switching chamber 5, and also It is configured to discharge cold air from 214 and 215 to the second switching chamber 6. Further, the damper duct member 300 is configured to introduce cold air into the ice making compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 from the upper part. Further, the damper duct member 300 is configured by combining a front case 310 arranged on the front side and a rear case 320 arranged on the rear side (back side).

In addition, the damper duct member 300 is formed with a rectangular opening 312a (air outlet) at a position corresponding to the opening 212 on the upper front surface, and a rectangular opening 312b (air outlet) at a position corresponding to the opening 213. . The opening area of the opening 312a is larger than that of the opening 312b.

Further, the damper duct member 300 is formed with a rectangular opening 312a (air outlet) at a position corresponding to the opening 214 at the lower front surface, and a rectangular opening 312b (air outlet) at a position corresponding to the opening 215. . The opening area of the opening 312a is larger than that of the opening 312b.

Further, the front panel 210 is provided with a surface heater H10 on the side corresponding to the first switching chamber 5. Further, in the rear panel 220, a surface heater H11 is provided on the inner wall of the freezer compartment return air passage 120d. Thereby, it is possible to prevent frost from adhering to the freezer compartment return air passage 120d. Further, the damper duct member 300 is provided with a surface heater H12 on the inner wall facing the second fan 9b. This can prevent frost and water from accumulating on the damper duct member 300, and further prevent frost from adhering to the second fan 9b.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the inside of the refrigerator in a state before the air passage forming members are attached. Note that FIG. 9 shows a state in which the gutter 23 is fixed to the inner box 10b and the second evaporator 14b is disposed above the gutter 23. Further, FIG. 9 illustrates the heat insulating partition wall 27 with the damper duct member 300 removed from the heat insulating partition duct plate 400.
As shown in FIG. 9, the gutter 23 is attached to the inner box 10b of the refrigerator 1 before the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is attached. This gutter 23 is fixed to the back surface of the inner wall of the inner box 10b. Furthermore, the gutter 23 has a saucer 23d that receives defrosting water from the second evaporator 14b and the like. The saucer 23d is formed longer in the left-right direction than the width of the second evaporator 14b in the left-right direction. Further, the saucer 23d is formed with inclined surface portions 23e, 23e that slope downward from both left and right ends toward the center in the left-right direction, so that defrosting water and the like gather at the center of the saucer 23d. Further, the saucer 23d has a discharge port 23f connected to the second drain pipe 23c (see FIG. 2) formed in the center in the left-right direction.

The saucer 23d of the gutter 23 is formed with a front face portion 23g facing forward. This front portion 23g is formed from the left end to the right end. Furthermore, an inclined surface portion 23h is formed at the left end of the gutter 23, and extends downward toward the front. Similarly, an inclined surface portion 23h (see FIG. 14) extending downward toward the front is formed at the right end of the gutter 23. Each inclined surface portion 23h is located rearward and above the front surface portion 23g. Further, the slope portion 23h and the front portion 23g are formed as continuous surfaces, and a corner portion (corner portion) 23r is formed at the boundary between the slope portion 23h and the front portion 23g.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view showing the air passage constituent member. Note that FIG. 10 shows a heat insulating partition duct plate 400 (air path forming member) in which a damper duct member 300 is incorporated into the heat insulating partition wall 27.
As shown in FIG. 10, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 has a freezer compartment return air passage 120d extending vertically on the right side (right end) in the left-right direction, and a damper duct member 300 on the left side. A second evaporator chamber 8b is formed between the freezer compartment return air passage 120d and the damper duct member 300, in which the second evaporator 14b is disposed. The cold air generated by the second evaporator 14b (see FIG. 9) is sucked in through the opening 321c of the damper duct member 300 by the second fan 9b, and is appropriately divided into the first switching chamber 5, the second switching chamber 6, the ice making chamber 3, It is sent to freezer compartment 4.

On the back surface of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400, a vertical edge 401a extending vertically downward from the upper end at the left end, an inclined edge (slope) 401b descending toward the front, and a vertical edge 401c extending vertically downward are formed. has been done. Note that the vertical edge 401a, the inclined edge 401b, and the vertical edge 401c are configured to have a surface with a predetermined width. Note that, on the back side of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400, in the same way as the vertical edges 401a, 401c and the inclined edge 401b at the left end, the right end also has a vertical edge 401a, an inclined edge (slanted surface) 401b, and a vertical edge. An edge 401c is formed. In addition, the right end vertical edge 401a is also configured as a back surface of the freezer compartment return air path 120d.

A lateral edge portion 401d having a surface extending in the left-right direction at the lower end is formed on the back surface of the heat-insulating partition duct plate 400. Further, on the back surface of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400, horizontal edge portions 401e, 401e having surfaces extending in the left-right direction at the upper end are formed. Further, on the back surface of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400, a horizontal edge 401f extending in the left-right direction is formed between the horizontal edges 401e, 401e. This lateral edge 401f is constituted by the back surface of the damper duct member 300.

FIG. 11 is a rear view showing a state in which the elastic sealing material is attached to the air path forming member.
As shown in FIG. 11, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is provided with elastic sealing materials S1, S2, S3, and S4 having sealing properties. Note that the elastic sealing materials S1 to S4 can be made of, for example, soft urethane foam. In addition, the elastic sealing materials S1 to S4 have a characteristic that, for example, sealing performance can be ensured by being compressed (crushed) to about 50% from the initial state of being uncompressed (uncrushed). It is something that you have.

The elastic sealing material S1 includes an elastic sealing material S1a disposed along the vertical edge 401a, an elastic sealing material S1b disposed along the inclined edge 401b, and an elastic sealing material S1c disposed along the vertical edge 401c. have. Similar to the elastic sealing material S1, the elastic sealing material S2 includes an elastic sealing material S2a disposed along the vertical edge 401a, an elastic sealing material S2b disposed along the inclined edge 401b, and an elastic sealing material S2b disposed along the vertical edge 401c. It has an elastic sealing material S2c arranged as shown in FIG. Note that, hereinafter, the elastic sealing materials S1a to S1c are collectively referred to as an elastic sealing material S1, and the elastic sealing materials S2a to S2c are collectively referred to as an elastic sealing material S2.

The elastic sealing material S3 is arranged along the lateral edge 401d. The elastic sealing material S4 is arranged along the lateral edges 401e, 401f, and 401e. The elastic sealing material S4 is arranged across the lateral edge 401e and the lateral edge 401f.

In this way, the elastic sealing materials S1 to S4 are arranged in a rectangular frame shape over the entire upper, lower, left and right edges of the back surface of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400. In addition, the elastic sealants S1 to S4 are arranged without gaps at the boundaries (corners) so that no areas are formed where the elastic sealants S1 to S4 are not provided.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state in which the elastic sealing material is attached to the air passage forming member. Note that since the elastic sealing materials S1 and S2 have substantially symmetrical shapes, the side on which the elastic sealing material S2 is provided will be described below, and the description on the side on which the elastic sealing material S1 will be provided will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 12, the elastic sealing material S2a is arranged substantially vertically along the vertical edge 401a. The vertical edge portion 401a is located in front of the elastic sealing material S2a. The elastic sealing material S2b is arranged to be inclined (descending toward the front) along the inclined edge 401b. The inclined edge 401b is located in front of the elastic sealing material S2b. The elastic sealing material S2c is arranged in the vertical direction along the longitudinal edge 401c. The vertical edge portion 401c is located in front of the elastic sealing material S2c. Note that the elastic sealants S1a to S1c are also configured in the same manner as the elastic sealants S2a to S2c.

Further, the elastic sealing material S2 shown in FIG. 12 is in an uncompressed (uncrushed) state, and is in a state in which it bulges backward from the vertical edge 401a, the inclined edge 401b, and the vertical edge 401c. . In this way, the elastic sealing material S2 is pressed against the mounting surface (inner box 10b and gutter 23 to be described later) in a swollen state (unbiased state), and the elastic sealing material S2 is mounted so as to be crushed. It is designed to exhibit sealing properties.

The upper end 401u of the inclined edge 401b is located below the groove 216. Further, the angle α of the inclined edge portion 401b with respect to the horizontal direction is set to about 30 degrees. Note that the angle α may be larger or smaller than 30 degrees as long as it acts in the direction of crushing the elastic sealing material S2 when the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is attached.

FIG. 13 is a rear view showing a state in which the air passage forming member and the gutter are assembled.
As shown in FIG. 13, the gutter 23 is configured to have the same width as the width of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 in the left and right direction. Note that FIG. 13 shows a state in which the lower part of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 overlaps the gutter 23 in the front-rear direction (perpendicular to the page), with an inclined edge 401b (see FIG. 12) and a vertical edge 401c (see FIG. 12). is not visible from the rear.

Further, on the back surface of the gutter 23, a horizontal edge portion 23p is formed at the upper end and extends horizontally in the left-right direction. An elastic sealing material S5 made of the same material as the elastic sealing materials S1 to S4 described above is arranged along the lateral edge 23p. This elastic sealing material S5 extends entirely from the left end to the right end. Further, the elastic sealing material S5 is located at the height of the boundary between the vertical edge 401a and the inclined edge 401b (see FIG. 12). Such an elastic sealing material S5 is pressed against a mounting surface (inner box 10b to be described later) in a swollen state (unbiased state), so that the elastic sealing material S5 is crushed. Sealing performance is achieved by screw fixing to the inner box 10b.

In this way, when the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 and the gutter 23 are combined, they are arranged in a square frame shape by the elastic sealing materials S1a, S2a, S4, and S5 when viewed from the back.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state in which the air passage forming member and the gutter are assembled. In addition, in FIG. 14, the back surface 10b1 (inner wall surface) of the inner box 10b is simplified and shown with a broken line. Furthermore, for convenience of explanation, the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b is shown separated from the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 and the gutter 23.
As shown in FIG. 14, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is attached after the gutter 23 is fixed to the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b. Furthermore, elastic sealing materials S1 to S4 are pasted to the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 in advance. The gutter 23 is screwed in advance to the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b via an elastic sealing material S5. By providing the elastic sealing material S5, the cold air from the second evaporator 14b is prevented from leaking downward to the outside of the gutter 23. The heat insulation partition duct plate 400 is inserted into the refrigerator from the front (front side) toward the rear with respect to the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b, and one part contacts the inner box 10b and the other part contacts the gutter 23. It can be installed like this.

The elastic sealing material S2a provided on the vertical edge 401a contacts the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b. The elastic sealing material S2b provided on the inclined edge 401b comes into contact with the inclined surface 23h of the gutter 23. The elastic sealing material S2c provided on the vertical edge portion 401c abuts against both left and right end surfaces of the front portion 23g. Note that the side on which the elastic sealing materials S1a to S1c are provided has the same structure as the side on which the elastic sealing materials S2a to S2c are provided.

Moreover, the elastic sealing material S3 provided on the lateral edge portion 401d (see FIG. 10) is entirely in contact with the front surface portion 23g. Further, the elastic sealing material S4 provided on the lateral edges 401e, 401e, and 401f (see FIG. 10) is entirely in contact with the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b.

In this way, the elastic sealing materials S1a, S2a, and S4 are provided outside the region where the heat-insulating partition duct plate 400 faces the gutter 23. In this way, by providing the elastic sealing materials S1, S2, and S4 outside the area facing the gutter 23, it is possible to suppress the cool air generated by the second evaporator 14b from leaking out of the gap outside the area.

In this case, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is fixed to the inner box 10b via screws (not shown) and locking portions 500. The screw fixing portions are provided at multiple locations above the groove portion 216. Further, the screws are screwed into the inner box 10b from the front to the rear of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400. By making the axial direction of the screw horizontal in this way, water intrusion through the screw hole is suppressed.

The locking portion 500 is locked at the lower end of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400. Further, the locking portion 500 is located below the groove portion 216. Further, the locking portion 500 is located forward of the front end p1 of the elastic sealing material S2b disposed on the inclined edge portion 401b. Further, the locking portion 500 is located forward of the front end p2 of the elastic sealing material S2c disposed on the vertical edge portion 401c.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view showing the locking part.
As shown in FIG. 15, the locking portion 500 includes a locking member 23s provided on the gutter 23 and a locked member 210a provided on the heat insulating partition duct plate 400.

The locking member 23s has an elastic plate portion 23i on the front surface portion 23g of the gutter 23 and extending forward in the horizontal direction (front-back direction). The elastic plate portion 23i is supported in a cantilever manner with respect to the front portion 23g, and is configured to bend and deform in the vertical direction using the front portion 23g as a fulcrum.

Further, in the locking member 23s, a protrusion 23m that projects upward from the elastic plate 23i is formed at the tip of the elastic plate 23i. This protrusion 23m is configured such that its protrusion height is located above the lower surface 210b of the front panel 210. In this case, the front surface 210s of the front panel 210 is in surface contact with the rear surface 23m1 of the protrusion 23m.

Further, the locking member 23s is formed with an inclined plate portion 23n that descends forward from the upper end of the projection portion 23m. The front end (tip) of this inclined plate portion 23n is configured to have a protruding length that does not protrude forward from the discharge port forming member 112. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a problem in which food or the like stored in the second switching chamber 6 comes into contact with the locking member 23s and the locked state with the locked member 210a is released. Further, the locking member 23s has a locking hole 23k formed behind the protrusion 23m and penetrating in the vertical direction.

The locked member 210a is formed on the lower surface 210b of the front panel 210 of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 so as to protrude downward. Further, the locked member 210a is formed in a plate shape, and protrudes so as to be inclined in a downward direction toward the front. Further, the front end 210c of the locked member 210a has a protruding length that does not protrude from the front panel 210. Furthermore, the direction of inclination of the locked member 210a and the direction of inclination of the inclined plate portion 23n substantially match. Further, in this example, the inclination angles are also substantially the same.

Further, a taper 220a is formed on the lower surface of the rear panel 220 of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400. The surface of this taper 220a descends toward the front and substantially coincides with the direction of inclination of the inclined plate portion 23n.

When the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is attached to the inner box 10b by the locking part 500 configured in this way, the rear panel 220 of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 comes into contact with the inclined plate part 23n. Then, when the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is further pressed rearward, the elastic plate portion 23i of the locking member 23s is bent and deformed downward. At this time, the taper 220a formed in the rear panel 220 makes it easier to slide on the inclined plate portion 23n. Then, when the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is further pressed backward, the taper 220a climbs over the protrusion 23m. Then, the locked member 210a contacts the inclined plate portion 23n, and the elastic plate portion 23i of the locking member 23s is further bent and deformed downward. Then, when the locked member 210a climbs over the protrusion 23m, the elastic plate portion 23i elastically returns upward, and the locked member 210a is inserted into the locking hole 23k. Thereby, the lower part of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is locked to the gutter 23. Further, at this time, the front surface 210s of the front panel 210 is in contact with the rear surface 23m1 of the protrusion 23m. Therefore, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 cannot be moved forward from the position shown in FIG. 15.

Note that when removing the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 from the inner box 10b, the inclined plate portion 23n is pushed down to bend and deform the elastic plate portion 23i downward. As a result, the locked member 210a comes out of the locking hole 23k, so that the locked member 210a can be moved forward from the protrusion 23m, and the locked state by the locking part 500 can be released. .

Returning to FIG. 14, when the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is fixed to the inner box 10b by screw fixing and the locking part 500, the elastic sealing material S2a stuck to the vertical edge 401a is connected to the vertical edge 401a and the inner box 10b. It is sandwiched between. At this time, the elastic sealing material S2a is crushed (forced) to a thickness of about 50%, thereby sealing the space between the vertical edge 401a and the inner box 10b to ensure sealing performance. . Further, the vertical edge portion 401a is formed to extend in the vertical direction, and the inner box 10b is formed with a vertical surface. Therefore, the pressing direction (insertion direction) of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 matches the compression direction of the elastic sealing material S2, making it easier to compress the elastic sealing material S2 and ensuring sealing performance. .

Further, the elastic sealing material S2b stuck to the inclined edge 401b is sandwiched between the inclined edge 401b and the inclined surface portion 23h of the gutter 23. At this time, the elastic sealing material S2b is crushed (forced) to a thickness of about 50%, thereby sealing the space between the inclined edge 401b and the inclined surface 23h, thereby ensuring sealing performance. .

By the way, when the surfaces where the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 and the gutter 23 face each other are surfaces that extend horizontally in the front-rear direction, instead of the inclined edges 401b as in the first embodiment, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 Even if an attempt is made to insert it from the front toward the rear and attach it to the inner box 10b so as to contact the gutter 23, it will not be possible to apply a force to crush the elastic sealing material, and sealing performance will not be ensured. Therefore, in the first embodiment, by combining the sloped edge 401b and the sloped surface part 23h, the sloped edge 401b can apply force in the direction of crushing the elastic sealing material S2, thereby improving the sealing performance. Can be secured.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, when the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is attached using the screw fixing and locking portions 500, a horizontal backward force F1 is applied to the inclined surface portion 23h due to the pressing force from the inclined edge portion 401b. act. At this time, a force component acts on the inclined surface portion 23h in the direction of crushing (compressing) the elastic sealing material S2b. Further, due to the weight of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400, a downward force F2 in the vertical direction acts on the inclined surface portion 23h by the inclined edge portion 401b. At this time, a force perpendicular to the inclined surface portion 23h acts to generate a force that crushes (compresses) the elastic sealing material S2b.

In addition, in the heat insulating partition duct plate 400, since the locking portion 500 is located forward of the front end p1 of the elastic sealing material S2b, the elastic sealing material S2b moves in the direction in which it returns to the front (in the direction in which the sealing performance decreases). Movement is restricted. In other words, the inclined edge 401b remains biased by the elastic sealing material S2b. Thereby, the elastic sealing material S2 can be maintained in a collapsed state, and deterioration in sealing performance due to the passage of time can be suppressed.

Further, the elastic sealing material S2c stuck to the vertical edge 401c is sandwiched between the vertical edge 401c and the front surface 23g of the gutter 23. As a result, the elastic sealing material S2c is crushed to a thickness of about 50%, and the gap between the vertical edge portion 401c and the front portion 23g is sealed to ensure sealing performance.

Further, by providing the vertical edge 401c on the lower side of the inclined edge 401b, the inclined edge 401b comes into contact with the front surface part 23g and is restricted from moving backward, so that the inclined edge 401b is connected to the inclined surface part 23h. On the other hand, movement in the sliding direction is restricted.

Although not shown, the elastic sealing material S3 (see FIG. 11) stuck to the lateral edge 401d (see FIG. 11) is sandwiched between the lateral edge 401d and the front surface 23g. As a result, the elastic sealing material S3 is crushed to a thickness of about 50%, and the gap between the side edge portion 401d and the front portion 23g (see FIG. 9) is sealed to ensure sealing performance.

Further, the elastic sealing material S4 (see FIG. 11) stuck to the lateral edges 401e, 401f (see FIG. 11) is sandwiched between the lateral edges 401e, 401f and the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b. As a result, the elastic sealing material S4 is crushed to about 50% thickness, and the gap between the lateral edges 401e and 401f and the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b (see FIG. 14) is sealed to ensure sealing performance. be done.

Further, the elastic sealing material S5 provided on the side edge 23p (see FIG. 13) of the gutter 23 is fixed to the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b with screws, so that the elastic sealing material S5 is about 50% It is crushed to a certain thickness, and the gap between the lateral edge 23p and the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b is sealed to ensure sealing performance.

In this way, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is fixed to the inner box 10b via the elastic sealants S1a, S2a, S4, and the gutter 23 is fixed to the inner box 10b via the elastic sealant S5. By fixing the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 to the gutter 23 via S1b, S1c, S2b, S2c, and S3, leakage of cold air to the outside of the second evaporator chamber 8b is suppressed. In other words, when the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are set to the refrigeration temperature range, the cold air of about -20°C from the second evaporator 14b leaks into the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6. can be prevented.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of both end portions of the gutter. Note that FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showing both left and right end portions of the gutter 23. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16, a hollow portion 23t is formed below the inclined surface portion 23h of the gutter 23. A heat insulating material 250 is provided in this cavity 23t. Note that as the heat insulating material 250, for example, so-called expanded polystyrene (foamed into a predetermined shape) is arranged.

By the way, in the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment, the second switching chamber 6 faces between the gutter 23 and the side surface 10b2 of the inner box 10b. Therefore, if the insulation is insufficient, the second switching chamber 6 will be cooled by the low-temperature cold air in the second evaporator chamber 8b. If the second switching chamber 6 is set in the refrigeration temperature range, the second switching chamber 6 will be excessively cooled (and will also be cooled unnecessarily). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, a heat insulating material 250 is provided in the cavity 23t formed on the left and right side surfaces of the gutter 23, thereby providing heat insulation between the second evaporator chamber 8b and the second switching chamber 6. be able to. As a result, when the second switching chamber 6 is in the refrigeration temperature range, the food in the second switching chamber 6 can be prevented from being excessively cooled (appropriate cooling can be performed).

FIG. 17A is a right side view of the gutter. 17B is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 17A, and FIG. 17C is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 17A.
As shown in FIG. 17A, the sloped surface portion 23h of the gutter 23 is sloped downward toward the front.

As shown in FIG. 17B, the sloped surface portion 23h of the gutter 23 is configured such that the surface 23h1 is relatively horizontal in the left-right direction on the front side of the center in the slope direction (front-back direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 17C, the sloped surface portion 23h of the gutter 23 has a surface 23h2 on the rear side (higher side) than the center in the slope direction (front-back direction), from the right side (outside) to the left side in the left-right direction. It slopes downward toward the inside. In other words, the inclined surface portion 23h has a structure in which the surfaces 23h1 and 23h2 are twisted. Note that the left side inclined surface portion 23h (see FIG. 9) of the gutter 23 is configured such that the surface (23h1) is relatively horizontal in the left-right direction on the front side of the center in the inclined direction (front-back direction). In addition, the sloped surface portion 23h (see FIG. 9) of the gutter 23 has a surface (23h2) from the left side (outside) to the right side in the left-right direction on the rear side (higher side) than the center in the slope direction (front-back direction). It slopes downward toward the inside.

Although not shown, the inclined edge 401b (see FIG. 10) of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400, which is arranged opposite to the surfaces 23h1 and 23h2 of the inclined surface portion 23h of the gutter 23, also corresponds to the surfaces 23h1 and 23h2. It has a twisted shape. That is, the right inclined edge 401b in the left-right direction has a surface that is relatively horizontal in the left-right direction on the front side of the center in the inclination direction (front-back direction), and on the rear side of the center in the inclination direction (front-rear direction), The surface (slanted part) slopes downward from the right side (outside) to the left side (inside) in the left-right direction. In addition, the left side inclined edge 401b in the left-right direction has a surface that is relatively horizontal in the left-right direction on the front side of the center in the inclination direction (front-back direction), and on the rear side of the center in the inclination direction (front-rear direction), The surface (slanted part) slopes downward from the left side (outside) to the right side (inside) in the left-right direction.

Thereby, even if the water generated in the second evaporator chamber 8b flows down from above against the inner wall surface 23j of the gutter 23, it will not flow out from the second evaporator chamber 8b side to the second switching chamber 6 side. do not have.

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view at a corner portion, and FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the elastic sealing material and the ribs.
Incidentally, a corner portion 401p between the inclined edge 401b and the vertical edge 401c is wider than the distance between the sloped edge 401b and the sloped surface portion 23h and the distance between the vertical edge 401c and the front surface portion 23g. For this reason, when the elastic seal material S2 is sandwiched, the force that urges (compresses) the elastic seal material S2 at the corner portion 401p becomes weak, and there is a possibility that the sealing performance may be impaired.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A, a rib 401s that protrudes toward the inclined surface part 23h (elastic sealing material S2) is provided at the corner part 401p of the boundary between the inclined edge part 401b and the vertical edge part 401c. It was established. Thereby, it is possible to suppress deterioration in sealing performance due to the elastic seal material S2 at the corner portion 401p.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, the width w1 of the rib 401s is formed shorter than the width w2 of the elastic sealing material S2, so that both ends of the rib 401s in the width direction (longitudinal direction) do not protrude from the elastic sealing material S2. It is configured as follows. This can prevent leakage from the gap between the rib 401s and the elastic sealing material S2 into the second switching chamber 6 of the second evaporator chamber 8b.

As explained above, in the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment, the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6, which can be switched to the refrigerating temperature range, are provided behind the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6. and a second evaporator 14b. The refrigerator 1 also includes a heat insulating partition duct plate 400 that houses the second evaporator 14b and introduces cold air into the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6, and a gutter 23 provided below the heat insulating partition duct plate 400. and elastic sealing materials S1 to S5 that are attached to the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 and the gutter 23 in a biased state. According to this, the surface of the heat-insulating partition duct plate 400 facing the inner box 10b can be sealed by the elastic sealants S1a, S2a, S4, and S5. Furthermore, the surface of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 facing the gutter 23 can be sealed by the elastic sealants S1b, S1c, S2b, S2c, and S3. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the cold air from the second evaporator 14b from leaking into the first switching chamber 5 in the refrigeration temperature zone and the second switching chamber 6 in the refrigeration temperature zone. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, since the elastic sealing materials S1 to S5 are attached in a biased state, the airtightness (sealability) is less likely to be impaired, and leakage of cold air can be suppressed for a long period of time, resulting in energy savings. will also contribute.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 has an inclined edge 401b that descends toward the front, and the inclined edge 401b is located forward of the elastic sealing material S2b (see FIG. 14). ). According to this, by pressing the elastic sealing material S2b from the front with the heat insulating partition duct plate 400, the elastic sealing material S2b can be urged in the direction of crushing, and sealing performance can be ensured.

Further, in the first embodiment, the elastic sealing material S2b is arranged diagonally along the inclined edge 401b, and the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 is locked to the gutter 23 in front of the front end p1 of the elastic sealing material S2. A locking portion 500 is provided (see FIG. 14). According to this, the elastic sealing material S2 of the inclined edge 401b can be pressed in the direction of crushing by the locking part 500, and sealing performance can be ensured.

Further, in the first embodiment, the elastic sealing materials S1a, S2a, and S4 are attached to the heat insulating partition duct plate 400 and are arranged including outside the area facing the gutter 23. According to this, sealing performance can be ensured in the portion facing the inner box 10b outside the area.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 19 is a side view schematically showing a state in which the air passage forming member and the gutter according to the second embodiment are assembled. Note that FIG. 19 shows the right side.
As shown in FIG. 19, the refrigerator of the second embodiment includes a heat insulating partition duct plate 400A (air passage forming member) and a gutter 23A. In the case of the second embodiment, the gutter 23A is attached from the front side of the refrigerator in a state where the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A is first fixed to the back surface 10b1 of the inner box 10b.

On the back surface of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A, a vertical edge 401g extending from the upper end to the lower end is formed at the left end. An elastic sealing material S10 is provided along the vertical edge 401g. Further, on the back surface of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A, a vertical edge portion and an elastic sealing material extending from the upper end to the lower end are formed at the right end as well as at the left end. Further, on the back side of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A, a horizontal edge portion extending horizontally at the upper end and an elastic sealing material disposed along this horizontal edge portion, a horizontal edge portion extending horizontally at the lower end, and a horizontal edge portion disposed along this horizontal edge portion. An elastic sealing material is formed to be placed in the same direction.

Further, on the lower surface of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A, there are formed an inclined edge 401h (inclined surface) that descends toward the rear, and a horizontal edge 401i that extends in the horizontal direction at the lower end of the inclined edge 401h. The gutter 23A is formed with an inclined surface portion 23v that descends toward the rear, and a rear surface portion 23w that extends in the water closing direction at the lower end of the inclined surface 23v.

An elastic sealing material S11 is provided on the inclined edge 401h along the slope of the inclined edge 401h. Further, an elastic sealing material S12 is provided on the lateral edge portion 401i. Further, the inclined edge portion 401h is located at the rear of the elastic sealing material S11. Although not shown, an elastic sealing material is appropriately provided to seal between the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A and the back surface 10b1 and between the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A and the gutter 23A. There is.

The heat insulating partition duct plate 400A and the gutter 23A are locked by a locking portion 500A. This locking portion 500A locks the gutter 23A to the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A behind the rear end p3 of the elastic sealing material S11.

In the structure of the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A and the gutter 23A configured in this way, after the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A is screwed to the back surface 10b1 in advance, the gutter 23A is fixed to the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A with screws and the locking part 500A is fixed. Fixed by At this time, the elastic sealing material S11 is crushed by about 50% by the gutter 23A, so that the inclined edge 401h is attached while being biased by the elastic sealing material S11. Thereby, the space between the inclined edge portion 401h and the inclined surface portion 23v is sealed, and sealing performance is ensured.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A has an inclined edge 401h that descends toward the rear. This inclined edge 401h is located at the rear of the elastic sealing material S11. As a result, when attaching the gutter 23A with the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A fixed to the back surface 10b1, force can be applied in the direction of crushing the elastic sealing material S11 at the inclined edge 401h, thereby ensuring sealing performance. I can do it.

Further, in the second embodiment, the elastic sealing material S11 is arranged diagonally along the inclined edge 401h. A locking portion 500A for locking the gutter 23A to the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A is provided behind the rear end p3 of the elastic sealing material S11. According to this, when the gutter 23A is attached to the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A via the elastic sealing material S11, the gutter 23A is prevented from moving in the direction in which the biasing force (elastic force) by the elastic sealing material S11 is reduced. can do.

Although the present embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present embodiment is not limited to the above content at all, and includes various modifications. For example, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator 1 including the first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 as storage chambers has been described as an example, but the storage chamber provided in front of the second evaporator 14b (cooler) The present invention may be applied to a refrigerator having a storage compartment (for example, a vegetable compartment) in a refrigerated temperature range.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the elastic sealing material is arranged on the heat insulating partition duct plates 400, 400A has been described as an example, but the structure in which the elastic sealing material is arranged on the gutters 23, 23A is also applicable. Alternatively, an elastic sealing material may be arranged on both the heat insulating partition duct plate 400A and the gutter 23.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the locking part 500 is used for fixation has been described as an example, but the locking part 500 may be replaced with screw fixation.

1 Refrigerator 5 First change room (storage room)
6 Second switching room (storage room)
8b Second evaporator room (cooler room)
9b Second fan 10 Insulating box 14b Second evaporator (cooler)
23, 23A Gutter 23h, 23v Slanted surface part 23h2 Surface (slanted part)
23t Cavity 27 Heat insulating partition wall 210 Front panel 220 Rear panel 230 Foam heat insulating material 250 Heat insulating material 300 Damper duct member 400,400A Heat insulating partition duct plate (air path constituent member)
401a Vertical edge 401b, 401h Slanted edge (slanted surface)
401c Vertical edge 401s Rib 401p Corner 500,500A Locking part p1 Front end p3 Rear end S1, S1a, S1b, S1c, S2, S2a, S2b, S2c, S3, S4, S11, S12 Elastic sealing material w1 Rib width w2 Width of elastic sealing material

Claims (5)

A storage room with a refrigerated temperature range,
a cooler provided at the rear of the storage room;
an air passage forming member that accommodates the cooler and introduces cold air into the storage chamber;
a gutter provided below the air passage component;
an elastic sealing material attached to the air passage forming member and the gutter in a biased state ;
The air passage forming member has an inclined surface that descends toward the front,
The inclined surface is located forward of the elastic sealing material,
A corner portion where the inclined surface switches to another surface has a rib protruding toward the elastic sealing material,
The refrigerator is characterized in that the width of the rib is narrower than the width of the elastic sealing material . The refrigerator according to claim 1 ,
the elastic sealant is disposed obliquely along the inclined surface,
A refrigerator comprising a locking portion that locks the air passage forming member to the gutter, located in front of the front end of the elastic sealing material. In the refrigerator according to claim 1 or claim 2 ,
The refrigerator is characterized in that the elastic sealing material is attached to the air passage forming member and is disposed including outside a region facing the gutter. The refrigerator according to claim 1 ,
The refrigerator is characterized in that the inclined surface has an inclined part that descends from the outer side to the inner side in the left-right direction. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The gutter has a cavity on the side surface of the gutter,
A refrigerator characterized in that a heat insulating material is provided in the cavity.

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