JP7557966B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator equipped with a vegetable compartment.

Some refrigerators have a vegetable compartment below the refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment below the vegetable compartment. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator with a central vegetable compartment, in which a refrigerator compartment 7 is located at the top of the refrigerator body 1, a vegetable compartment 8 below that, and a freezer compartment 9 at the bottom. A cooling compartment 16 that generates cold air is provided at the rear of the refrigerator body 1. This cooling compartment 16 is formed from the back of the freezer compartment 9 to the lower back of the vegetable compartment 8.

JP 2015-143604 A

The refrigerator is also provided with a cold air duct for sending cold air from the cooling compartment to the refrigerator compartment. The cold air duct is provided, for example, in the approximate center of the back of the refrigerator compartment. In a refrigerator with a vegetable compartment located on the middle level as described above, a cold air duct is also provided on the back of the vegetable compartment. The cold air generated in the cooling compartment passes through the back of the vegetable compartment and is then sent out from the back of the refrigerator compartment into the refrigerator compartment.

The vegetable compartment tends to be warmer and more humid than the refrigerator compartment. Therefore, when cold air flows through the cold air duct installed at the back of the vegetable compartment, the temperature difference with the vegetable compartment can cause condensation on the surface of the cold air duct inside the vegetable compartment.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can suppress condensation at the boundary between the vegetable compartment and the cold air duct.

A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a storage space having a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and a vegetable compartment arranged between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, a cooling compartment arranged at the rear of the storage space and in which a cooler is arranged, a cold air duct arranged at the rear of the storage space and sending cold air generated in the cooling compartment to the refrigerator compartment, a cold air inlet arranged between the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment and supplying cold air from the refrigerator compartment to the vegetable compartment, and a cold air return duct arranged at the rear of the storage space and in which a cold air inlet is arranged to supply cold air from the refrigerator compartment to the vegetable compartment, and a cold air return duct arranged at the vegetable compartment and returning cold air from a cold air outlet provided in the vegetable compartment to the cooling compartment. In this refrigerator, the inlet and the outlet are arranged on different sides of the cold air duct.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can suppress condensation at the boundary between the vegetable compartment and the cold air duct.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a storage space of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is a front view showing a circulation path of cold air in a refrigerating storage compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a heat-insulating box of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front schematic diagram showing the flow of cold air through a cold air duct and in a vegetable compartment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of cool air in a vegetable compartment when viewed from above. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of an airflow direction regulating member provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing a configuration of an airflow direction regulating member provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. 4 is a side perspective view showing a configuration of an airflow direction regulating member provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vegetable case provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of cool air in the vegetable compartment when viewed from the side. FIG. FIG. 11 is a front schematic view showing the configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a vegetable case provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 12 . FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of a vegetable case provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 12 . 13A and 13B are perspective views showing modified examples of the vegetable case provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 12 . FIG. 13 is a front schematic view showing the configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment. 16 is a perspective view showing a wind direction regulating member provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 13 is a front schematic view showing the configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration inside a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front schematic view showing the configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration inside a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration inside a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment. 23 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a lid member provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 22. 23 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a lid member provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 22.

Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

First Embodiment
(Overall configuration of the refrigerator)
First, the overall configuration of a refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows the configuration of a storage space 10 of the refrigerator 1. Fig. 2 shows the internal configuration of the refrigerator 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 has a storage space 10. The storage space 10 is divided into multiple storage compartments by partitions 59 (specifically, partitions 59a, 59b, 59c, etc.). The storage space 10 mainly has a refrigerator compartment 11, a first freezer compartment 12, a vegetable compartment 13, an ice-making compartment 14, and a second freezer compartment 15.

The refrigerator compartment 11 is located on the top level. The first freezer compartment 12 is located on the bottom level. The vegetable compartment 13, the ice-making compartment 14, and the second freezer compartment 15 are located between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the first freezer compartment 12. The vegetable compartment 13 is located above the ice-making compartment 14 and the second freezer compartment 15. The ice-making compartment 14 and the second freezer compartment 15 are located side by side. Although not shown, each storage compartment is provided with a door.

Of these storage compartments, the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13 are classified as refrigerator storage compartments, and the first freezer compartment 12, the ice-making compartment 14, and the second freezer compartment 15 are classified as freezer storage compartments. In the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the refrigerator storage compartment is arranged on the upper level, and the freezer storage compartment is arranged on the lower level. However, in another embodiment, the freezer storage compartment may be arranged on the upper level, and the refrigerator storage compartment may be arranged on the lower level.

In this way, the storage space 10 of the refrigerator 1 is broadly divided into an upper refrigerated storage compartment and a lower freezer storage compartment. The partition 59b separating the upper refrigerated storage compartment (specifically, the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13) from the lower freezer storage compartment (specifically, the first freezer compartment 12, the ice-making compartment 14, and the second freezer compartment 15) is formed of a highly insulating wall with insulating material inside.

The partition 59a between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13, which are all classified as refrigerator storage compartments, is made of a plate-shaped resin member with relatively low insulating properties. The partition 59c between the first freezer compartment 12, the ice-making compartment 14, and the second freezer compartment 15, which are all classified as freezer storage compartments, is only provided at the front portion (see FIG. 4). In other words, inside the insulated box 50, the freezer storage compartment is formed as a single space. These freezer storage compartments can also be collectively referred to as the freezer compartment.

A chilled compartment 16 is provided within the refrigerator compartment 11. The chilled compartment 16 is provided on a lower partition 59a within the refrigerator compartment 11. A water supply tank 18 that supplies water to the ice making compartment 14 is provided next to the chilled compartment 16. The water in the water supply tank 18 is supplied to the ice making compartment 14 through a water supply pipe 19 arranged in the vegetable compartment 13. A vegetable case 17 is provided within the vegetable compartment 13.

In this embodiment, the surface on which the door is provided is the front surface of the refrigerator. The surface opposite the front surface is the rear surface. In addition, when the terms "front side" and "rear side" are defined in this specification, they mean the side on which the front surface or rear surface is provided with respect to an arbitrary position, or the direction from an arbitrary position toward the front surface or rear surface. The direction from the front surface to the rear surface, or from the rear surface to the front surface, is referred to as the front-rear direction.

The refrigerator 1 is provided with an insulating box 50 as an insulating structure for insulating each storage space from the surroundings. The insulating box 50 is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the refrigerator 1.

A refrigeration cycle is provided inside the refrigerator 1. The refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), an expander (not shown), a cooler 32, etc. via a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows.

The cooler 32 is disposed in a cooling chamber 31 provided on the rear side of the refrigerator 1. In addition to the cooler 32, a cooling fan 33 and the like are provided in the cooling chamber 31. The cooling fan 33 is provided to circulate air between the cooling chamber 31 and the storage space 10.

(About the circulation path of cold air)
Next, a description will be given of the circulation path of the cold air in the refrigerator 1. Here, the circulation path of the cold air generated in the cooling chamber 31 is described when it is supplied to the refrigeration storage chambers such as the refrigerator chamber 11 and the vegetable chamber 13, passes through each storage chamber, and then is returned to the cooling chamber 31.

In Figure 2, the circulation path of cold air in the refrigerated storage compartment is shown by arrows. Also, in Figure 3, the circulation path of cold air in the refrigerated storage compartment is shown by arrows when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front.

The cold air is generated in a cooling chamber 31 located on the rear side of the storage space 10. In this embodiment, the cooling chamber 31 is located behind the freezer chambers such as the first freezer chamber 12 and the vegetable chamber 13 (see FIG. 2). The cold air cooled by the cooler 32 in the cooling chamber 31 is sent to each storage chamber of the storage space 10 by a cooling fan 33.

The cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13 and other refrigerated storage compartments is first sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 through the cold air duct 41. The cold air duct 41 is disposed on the rear side of the refrigerator compartment 11 (see FIG. 2, etc.). In this embodiment, a part (lower part) of the cold air duct 41 is located on the rear side of the vegetable compartment 13. The cold air duct 41 is located above the cooling compartment 31 and is connected to the cooling compartment 31.

The cooling compartment 31 of the refrigerator 1 may be located further down. In this configuration, the cold air duct 41 is also provided on the back of the vegetable compartment 13.

A damper 34 is provided between the cooling chamber 31 and the cold air duct 41. By opening and closing the damper 34, the flow of cold air supplied to the refrigerator chamber 11 can be turned on and off.

As shown in FIG. 1 etc., the cold air duct 41 is disposed at approximately the center in the left-right direction of the insulated box body 50, and extends in the vertical direction. A cold air outlet 42 is provided at the boundary between the cold air duct 41 and the refrigerator compartment 11. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 42 is disposed so as to extend in the vertical direction in front of the cold air duct 41. The cold air that passes through the cold air duct 41 from the cooling compartment 31 is supplied from the outlet 42 into the refrigerator compartment 11. An outlet 42 is also provided in the chilled compartment 16, and the cold air from the cold air duct 41 is also supplied to the chilled compartment 16.

The cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 11 and the chilled compartment 16 is sent to the vegetable compartment 13 from an outlet (inlet) 43 provided between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13. The outlet 43 is realized by an opening 43a formed in the partition 59a that separates the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13 (see FIG. 4). The opening 43a is provided in the corner on the rear side (back side) of the left end of the refrigerator compartment 11 or the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front.

The cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 passes through the vegetable compartment 13 and flows into the cold air return duct 45 from the return port (exhaust port) 44 provided below the vegetable compartment 13. The return port 44 is provided in the corner on the rear side (back side) of the right end of the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front (see Figure 8). The cold air return duct 45 is located on the rear side of the insulated box 50 and leads to the cooling compartment 31. As a result, the cold air that flows into the cold air return duct 45 from the return port 44 is returned to the cooling compartment 31.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a cold air duct 41 in the approximate center of the back of the refrigerator compartment 11 for sending cold air from the cooling compartment 31 to the refrigerator compartment 11. The cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 11 from the cold air duct 41 passes through the vegetable compartment 13 and then returns to the cooling compartment 31 from a return port 44 provided in the vegetable compartment 13.

(About the flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment)
Next, how the cold air flows in the vegetable compartment 13 in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail. Fig. 4 shows the configuration of the insulated box 50 of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 shows the specific configuration of the outlet 43 (i.e., the opening 43a and the air hole 43b) that allows the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 11 to flow into the vegetable compartment 13.

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment 13, and in the cooling compartment 31 and cold air duct 41 behind it. In Figure 5, the cold air flowing in the cold air duct 41 is indicated by dashed arrows, and the cold air flowing in the vegetable compartment 13 is indicated by solid arrows. Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from above. Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of the flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the side. In Figure 11, the cold air flowing in the cold air duct 41 is indicated by dashed arrows, and the cold air flowing in the vegetable compartment 13 is indicated by solid arrows.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the cold air outlet 43 and cold air return port 44 in the vegetable compartment 13 are located on different sides of the cold air duct 41 (and part of the cooling compartment 31). The cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 passes through the front side of the cold air duct 41 and is guided to the return port 44 on the opposite side in the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 5. In addition, as shown in Figure 6, the vegetable compartment 13 is configured to guide more of the cold air that flows in from the outlet 43 toward the back of the vegetable compartment 13 (i.e., closer to the cold air duct 41).

The refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment is provided with multiple wind direction regulating members to regulate the direction of the cold air that has flowed into the vegetable compartment 13 as described above. Figures 7 to 10 show the configurations of the multiple wind direction regulating members (specifically, a first wind direction regulating member 61, a second wind direction regulating member 62, a third wind direction regulating member 63, and a fourth wind direction regulating member 64) provided in the vegetable compartment 13.

Figure 7 is a front view showing the configuration inside the vegetable compartment 13. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 as viewed from above. Figure 8 shows the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 with a portion of the right side wall of the insulated box 50 and the partition 59a omitted. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 as viewed from the side. Figure 9 shows the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 with a portion of the right side wall of the insulated box 50 and the partition 59a omitted. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bottom side of the vegetable case 17 placed in the vegetable compartment 13.

The first wind direction regulating member 61 functions as a blowing direction control unit that guides the cold air that has flowed into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 toward the return port 44 (i.e., diagonally downward) through the vicinity of the cold air duct 41. As shown in FIG. 7, the first wind direction regulating member 61 is provided below the outlet 43 of the vegetable compartment 13. In this embodiment, the first wind direction regulating member 61 is formed by a support portion of a frame member 21 provided on the left side wall of the inner box of the insulated box body 50 to support the vegetable case 17. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the frame member 21 is also provided on the right side wall of the inner box.

The second airflow direction regulating member 62 functions as an airflow direction control unit that prevents cold air moving from the front to the rear of the vegetable compartment from flowing into the return port 44. As shown in FIG. 8, the second airflow direction regulating member 62 is provided on the bottom surface of the vegetable compartment 13 so as to surround the periphery of the return port 44. This prevents cold air from the front of the vegetable compartment 13 from flowing into the return port 44, and promotes cold air that has passed through the front side of the cold air duct 41 at the rear of the vegetable compartment 13 to flow into the return port 44.

The third wind direction regulating member 63 functions as an airflow direction control unit that guides the cool air that has flowed into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 to the rear side of the vegetable compartment. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the third wind direction regulating member 63 is a wall-like member that is provided below the partition 59a and protrudes to the rear side. In another embodiment, the third wind direction regulating member 63 does not need to be provided.

In the case where the discharge port 43 is provided at a more forward position in the vegetable compartment 13, it is preferable to provide a third wind direction regulating member 63. That is, as described below, in the case where the discharge port 43 has an air outlet 43b provided in the side wall of the installation portion 53 of the water supply tank 18, the third wind direction regulating member 63 can guide the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the air outlet 43b to the rear side of the vegetable compartment 13.

The fourth wind direction regulating member 64 functions as an inflow direction control unit that prevents cold air moving from the front to the rear of the vegetable compartment from flowing into the return port 44. As shown in FIG. 10, the fourth wind direction regulating member 64 is a wall-shaped member that stands upright from the bottom surface 17a of the vegetable case 17. When the vegetable case 17 is installed in the vegetable compartment 13, the fourth wind direction regulating member 64 is located on the front side of the return port 44. This prevents cold air from the front of the vegetable compartment 13 from flowing into the return port 44, and promotes cold air that has passed through the front side of the cold air duct 41 at the rear of the vegetable compartment 13 to flow into the return port 44.

The vegetable case 17 also functions as a sending direction control unit and an inflow direction control unit. Specifically, when the vegetable case 17 is installed in the vegetable compartment 13, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear surface 17b of the vegetable case 17 prevents the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 from flowing forward, so that it functions as a sending direction control unit that guides the cold air toward the rear of the vegetable compartment. Also, when the vegetable case 17 is installed in the vegetable compartment 13, the bottom surface 17a of the vegetable case 17 narrows the path through which the cold air flowing from the front of the vegetable compartment to the rear flows into the return port 44, so that it functions as an inflow direction control unit that prevents the cold air flowing from the front of the vegetable compartment to the rear from flowing into the return port 44.

As described above, the first wind direction regulating member 61 is provided in the vegetable compartment 13. This allows the wind flow to be formed in the vegetable compartment 13 as shown by the solid arrows in Figure 5.

In addition, a second wind direction regulating member 62, a third wind direction regulating member 63, and a fourth wind direction regulating member 64 are provided in the vegetable compartment 13. This allows a wind flow to be formed in the vegetable compartment 13 along the back surface of the vegetable compartment 13, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 6.

The vegetable compartment 13 tends to be warmer and more humid than the refrigerator compartment 11. Therefore, when cool air flows through the cold air duct 41 installed at the back of the vegetable compartment 13, condensation may occur on the surface of the cold air duct 41 inside the vegetable compartment 13 due to the temperature difference with the vegetable compartment 13.

In this embodiment, by forming a wind flow along the back surface of the vegetable compartment 13 as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to prevent the air near the surface of the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13 from stagnating, and therefore it is possible to prevent the temperature of the air near the surface of the cold air duct 41 from dropping. Therefore, condensation is less likely to occur on the surface of the cold air duct 41. Even if condensation does occur on the surface of the cold air duct 41, the air near the surface of the cold air duct 41 is replaced by air with lower humidity by the wind, so that the moisture on the surface of the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13 can be evaporated. This makes it possible to suppress condensation at the boundary between the vegetable compartment 13 and the cold air duct 41.

In this embodiment, two wind direction regulating members, the second wind direction regulating member 62 and the fourth wind direction regulating member 64, are provided to guide the cold air in the vegetable compartment 13 to the return port 44. However, in another embodiment, only one of the second wind direction regulating member 62 and the fourth wind direction regulating member 64 may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 8, inside the vegetable compartment 13, the lower portion of the cold air duct 41 protrudes forward as a protruding portion 41a. In this way, it is preferable that at least one of the cold air duct 41 and the cooling compartment 31, which are arranged on the back surface of the vegetable compartment 13, protrudes forward (i.e., toward the vegetable compartment 13) on the side where the return port 44 is provided (in this embodiment, the lower side of the vegetable compartment 13) rather than on the side where the discharge port 43 is provided (in this embodiment, the upper side of the vegetable compartment 13).

As shown in FIG. 11, air flows from the top (discharge port 43 side) to the bottom (return port 44 side) in the vegetable compartment 13. The protruding portion 41a is provided below the vegetable compartment 13, so that the air flowing downward collides with the protruding portion 41a and the flow speed decreases. The air whose flow speed has decreased is then diffused in the left and right directions along the protruding portion 41a. In this way, the protruding portion 41a can diffuse the air flowing downward over a wide area, and the air can be made to flow over a wide area on the surface of the cold air duct 41. This can increase the effect of suppressing condensation at the boundary between the vegetable compartment 13 and the cold air duct 41.

In addition, in the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the outlet 43 through which cold air flows from the refrigerator compartment 11 to the vegetable compartment 13 is composed of an opening 43a and an air hole 43b. As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 43a is provided in the corner on the rear side (back side) of the left end of the refrigerator compartment 11 or the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front. Also, the air hole 43b is formed by a number of holes formed in the side wall of the installation portion 53 of the water supply tank 18.

As shown in FIG. 4, the installation portion 53 of the water supply tank 18 is formed at a position one step higher than the bottom surface of the refrigerator compartment 11 (in this embodiment, the bottom surface 16a of the chilled compartment 16) to make it easier to attach and remove the water supply tank 18. In this embodiment, an air vent 43b is formed in the side wall of the installation portion 53 of the water supply tank 18, which is the boundary between the chilled compartment 16 and the vegetable compartment 13. As a result, the cold air that has passed through the chilled compartment 16 flows through the air vent 43b into the space located below the water supply tank 18 in the vegetable compartment 13. Note that the discharge port 43 may be either the opening 43a or the air vent 43b.

(Summary of the first embodiment)
As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a storage space 10. The storage space 10 includes a refrigerator compartment 11, a first freezer compartment 12, and a vegetable compartment 13 disposed between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the first freezer compartment 12. A cooling compartment 31 in which a cooler 32 is disposed is provided at the rear of the storage space 10. A cold air duct 41 for sending cold air generated in the cooling compartment 31 to the refrigerator compartment 11 is provided at the rear of the storage space 10. A cold air outlet 43 for supplying cold air from the refrigerator compartment 11 to the vegetable compartment 13 is provided between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13. The cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 returns to the cooling compartment 31 through a cold air return port 44 and a cold air return duct 45.

In the above refrigerator 1, the outlet 43 and the return outlet 44 are arranged on different sides (i.e., on opposite sides in the left-right direction) of the cold air duct 41 (see FIG. 3). This allows an air flow to be formed in front of the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13.

This prevents the temperature from dropping in the front part of the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13, and prevents condensation at the boundary with the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13. It also prevents an increase in humidity in the front part of the cold air duct 41, and allows condensed water to evaporate. This makes it possible to omit a heater for preventing condensed water in the vegetable compartment 13 from freezing, and to reduce the power consumption of the heater.

The refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment is also provided with a number of wind direction regulating members for regulating the direction of the cold air flowing through the vegetable compartment 13. Providing such wind direction regulating members makes it easier to form the air flow as shown by the solid arrows in Figures 5 and 6. This allows more air to be sent to the back of the vegetable compartment 13, which corresponds to the area where the cold air duct 41 is located, and enhances the effect of suppressing condensation at the boundary between the vegetable compartment 13 and the cold air duct 41.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the first airflow direction regulating member is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations can be applied similarly to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

Figure 12 shows the configuration inside the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment. Figure 12 shows the state in which the vegetable case 17 is stored in the vegetable compartment 13. In the first embodiment, the first wind direction regulating member 61 is formed of a part of the frame member 21 for supporting the vegetable case 17. In contrast, in this embodiment, the vegetable case 17 is provided with a first wind direction regulating member 161. The first wind direction regulating member 161 functions as an airflow direction control unit that guides the cold air that has flowed into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 toward the return outlet 44 (i.e., diagonally downward) through the vicinity of the cold air duct 41.

Figure 13 shows an example of a vegetable case 17 attached to the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment. In Figure 13, the vegetable case 17 is shown as viewed from the back side. This vegetable case 17 has a first wind direction regulating member 161A. As shown in Figure 13, the first wind direction regulating member 161A is provided on the upper side of the back part 17b of the vegetable case 17. When the vegetable case 17 is installed in the vegetable compartment 13, the first wind direction regulating member 161A is located below the outlet 43. The first wind direction regulating member 161A is inclined downward from the side part 17c of the vegetable case 17 toward the center. This allows the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 to be guided diagonally downward (i.e., toward the return port 44).

Figure 14 shows another example of the vegetable case 17 attached to the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment. In Figure 14, the vegetable case 17 is shown as viewed from the back side. This vegetable case 17 has a first wind direction regulating member 161B. As shown in Figure 14, the first wind direction regulating member 161B is provided on the rear side of the side portion 17c of the vegetable case 17. As shown in Figure 14, even if the back portion 17b of the vegetable case 17 is not provided to the top of the case, the first wind direction regulating member 161B can be formed by extending rearward from the side portion 17c of the vegetable case 17. As with the first wind direction regulating member 161A shown in Figure 13, when the vegetable case 17 is installed in the vegetable compartment 13, the first wind direction regulating member 161B is located below the discharge port 43. The first wind direction regulating member 161B is inclined downward from the side portion 17c of the vegetable case 17 toward the center. This allows the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 to be guided diagonally downward (i.e., toward the return outlet 44).

Figure 15 shows a modified version of this embodiment. Figure 15(a) shows a vegetable case 17 attached to a refrigerator 1 according to the modified version and a frame member 121 that supports this vegetable case in an exploded state. Figure 15(b) shows the vegetable case 17 attached to the frame member 121. Figure 15 shows the vegetable case 17 as viewed from the back side.

The frame member 121 mainly includes a left frame 122a, a right frame 122b, a connecting portion 123, and a first air direction regulating member 161C. The left frame 122a is attached to the left side wall of the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front. The right frame 122b is attached to the right side wall of the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front. The connecting portion 123 connects the rear end of the left frame 122a to the rear end of the right frame 122b on the rear side of the vegetable case 17.

The first airflow direction regulating member 161C is attached to the end of the connecting part 123 on the left frame 122a side, and is located below the discharge port 43. The first airflow direction regulating member 161C is inclined downward from the end side of the connecting part 123 toward the center. This allows the cold air that flows from the discharge port 43 into the vegetable compartment 13 to be guided diagonally downward (i.e., toward the return port 44).

As in the above modified example, the first wind direction regulating member 161 may be provided on the connecting portion 123 of the frame member 121 that supports the vegetable case 17.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the configuration of the first airflow direction regulating member is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations can be applied similarly to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

Figure 16 shows the configuration inside the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the third embodiment. Figure 16 illustrates a water supply pipe 19 for supplying water from the water supply tank 18 to the ice making compartment 14. The water supply pipe 19 passes through the rear side of the vegetable compartment 13 and extends from the water supply tank 18 to the ice making compartment 14. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 19 is arranged along the left side wall inside the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front. A water supply pipe cover 19a is provided around the water supply pipe 19 that extends inside the vegetable compartment 13.

In the first embodiment, the first wind direction regulating member 61 is formed as part of the frame member 21 for supporting the vegetable case 17. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the first wind direction regulating member 261 is provided on the water supply pipe cover 19a.

Figure 17 shows the configuration around the water supply pipe 19. As shown in Figure 17, the first wind direction regulating member 261 is attached to the outer periphery of the water supply pipe cover 19a. As shown in Figure 16, the first wind direction regulating member 261 is located below the discharge port 43. The first wind direction regulating member 261 is a plate-shaped member that slopes downward from the side wall of the vegetable compartment 13 toward the center. This allows the cool air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to be guided diagonally downward (i.e., toward the return port 44).

In addition, when the water supply pipe 19 extending to the ice making chamber 14 is cooled by the cold air inside the ice making chamber 14, condensation may occur on the surface of the water supply pipe cover 19a. According to the configuration of this embodiment, by providing the first airflow direction regulating member 261 on the water supply pipe cover 19a, the airflow from the outlet 43 can be directed at the water supply pipe cover 19a, making it difficult for condensation to occur on the surface of the water supply pipe cover 19a.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a fifth airflow direction regulating member 365 is provided on the front surface of the cold air duct 41. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the fourth embodiment will be described mainly with respect to the points different from the first embodiment.

Figure 18 shows the configuration inside the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fourth embodiment, as viewed diagonally from the front side. In Figure 19, part of the right side wall of the insulated box 50 and the partition 59a are not shown, and the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 is shown.

In the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, a fifth airflow direction regulating member 365 is provided in front of the cold air duct 41 that passes through the back of the vegetable compartment 13. The fifth airflow direction regulating member 365 functions as an airflow direction control unit that guides the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 toward the return port 44 (i.e., diagonally downward).

As shown in FIG. 18, the fifth wind direction regulating member 365 is composed of multiple inclined plates 365a, 365b, and 365c that are provided on the front portion of the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13. The multiple inclined plates 365a, 365b, and 365c that constitute the fifth wind direction regulating member 365 have different inclination angles. Specifically, the inclination angle of the upper inclined plate 365a is the largest, and the lower the inclined plate, the smaller the inclination angle.

By providing the fifth airflow direction regulating member 365, the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 can be guided diagonally downward (i.e., toward the return outlet 44).

Although not shown in FIG. 18 etc., the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment may have the first wind direction regulating member 61 described in the first embodiment in addition to the fifth wind direction regulating member 365. Also, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment may have the first wind direction regulating member 161 or the first wind direction regulating member 261 instead of the first wind direction regulating member 61.

Fifth embodiment
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a fifth airflow direction regulating member 465 is provided on the front surface of the cold air duct 41. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the fifth embodiment will be described mainly with respect to the points different from the first embodiment.

Figure 20 shows the configuration inside the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 21 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fifth embodiment, as viewed diagonally from the front side. In Figure 21, part of the right side wall of the insulated box 50 and the partition 59a are not shown, and the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 is shown.

In the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, a fifth airflow direction regulating member 465 is provided in front of the cold air duct 41 that passes through the back of the vegetable compartment 13. The fifth airflow direction regulating member 465 functions as an airflow direction control unit that guides the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 toward the return port 44 (i.e., diagonally downward).

As shown in FIG. 21, the fifth airflow direction regulating member 465 is formed on the upper surface of the protruding portion 41a of the cold air duct 41. The fifth airflow direction regulating member 465 is inclined downward from the discharge port 43 side toward the return port 44 side.

By providing the fifth airflow direction regulating member 465, the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 can be guided diagonally downward (i.e., toward the return outlet 44).

20, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment may have the first wind direction regulating member 61 described in the first embodiment in addition to the fifth wind direction regulating member 465. Also, in the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the first wind direction regulating member 161 or the first wind direction regulating member 261 may be provided instead of the first wind direction regulating member 61.

Sixth embodiment
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the sixth embodiment, a configuration in which a lid member 471 is provided to cover the upper surface of the vegetable case 17 will be described. In the sixth embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

Figure 22 shows the configuration inside the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 22 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the sixth embodiment, as viewed diagonally from the front side. As shown in Figure 22, the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a lid member 471 that covers the top surface of the vegetable case 17. Figures 23 and 24 show the cold air duct 41 and the lid member 471 inside the vegetable compartment 13.

A sixth wind direction regulating member 466 is provided on the upper surface of the lid member 471. The sixth wind direction regulating member 466 prevents the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 from flowing in the front or side directions along the upper surface of the lid member 471, and guides the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 toward the back of the vegetable compartment 13. The sixth wind direction regulating member 466 is an example of an airflow direction control unit.

The sixth wind direction regulating member 466 shown in FIG. 23 is a wall member that extends in a U-shape and opens at the rear on the upper surface of the lid member 471. The sixth wind direction regulating member 466 shown in FIG. 23 is preferably applied to a configuration in which the discharge port 43 is provided at the front side in the vegetable compartment 13, for example, as the air vent 43b shown in FIG. 4. The sixth wind direction regulating member 566 shown in FIG. 24 is also a U-shaped wall member that opens at the rear on the upper surface of the lid member 471. The sixth wind direction regulating member 566 shown in FIG. 24 is preferably applied to a configuration in which the discharge port 43 is provided at the rear end side in the vegetable compartment 13, for example, as the opening 43a shown in FIG. 22.

The sixth airflow direction regulating member is located below the discharge port 43. For example, the sixth airflow direction regulating member 566 shown in FIG. 22 is located below the opening 43a. This prevents the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 from flowing out in the left/right direction or forward along the top surface of the lid member 471, and allows the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 to be mainly guided toward the rear.

The larger the volume of the vegetable case 17, the more convenient it is. If the rear portion 17b of the vegetable case 17 is extended backward to increase the volume, the rear portion 17b of the vegetable case 17 may come close to or overlap the vertically lower front edge of the discharge port 43. Also, since the cover member 471 is shaped to cover the upper surface of the vegetable case 17, the rear edge of the cover member 471 is likely to overlap the vertically lower front edge of the discharge port 43. In such a case, the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 collides with the rear edge of the cover member 471 and tends to flow along the upper surface of the cover member 471. Therefore, by providing a sixth wind direction regulating member 466 or 566 on the upper surface of the cover member 471, the cold air can be mainly guided toward the rear.

The above configuration prevents the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 from the outlet 43 from flowing out in the left/right direction or forward along the top surface of the lid member 471, and allows the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment 13 to be guided mainly toward the rear.

(summary)
A refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage space (e.g., storage space 10) having a refrigerator compartment (e.g., refrigerator compartment 11), a freezer compartment (e.g., first freezer compartment 12, ice-making compartment 14, second freezer compartment 15), and a vegetable compartment (e.g., vegetable compartment 13) disposed between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment; a cooling compartment (e.g., cooling compartment 31) disposed at the rear of the storage space and in which a cooler (e.g., cooler 32) is disposed; a cold air duct (e.g., cold air duct 41) disposed at the rear of the storage space and sending cold air generated in the cooling compartment to the refrigerator compartment; a cold air inlet (e.g., outlet 43) disposed between the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment and supplying cold air from the refrigerator compartment to the vegetable compartment; and a cold air return duct (e.g., cold air return duct 45) that returns cold air to the cooling compartment from a cold air outlet (e.g., return port 44) provided in the vegetable compartment. In this refrigerator, the inlet and the outlet are disposed on different sides of the cool air duct.

The refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above may further include a blowing direction control unit (e.g., first wind direction regulating member 61, 161, 261, third wind direction regulating member 63) that guides the cold air that has flowed from the inlet (e.g., outlet 43) into the vegetable compartment (e.g., vegetable compartment 13) toward the cold air duct, or a blowing direction control unit (e.g., fifth wind direction regulating member 365, 465) that guides the cold air toward the exhaust port (e.g., return port 44).

The refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above may further include an inflow direction control unit (e.g., second wind direction regulating member 62, fourth wind direction regulating member 64) that prevents cold air (e.g., cold air near the bottom surface of the vegetable compartment 13) from flowing from the front of the vegetable compartment (e.g., vegetable compartment 13) into the exhaust port (e.g., return port 44).

In the refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, at least one of the cold air duct (e.g., cold air duct 41) and the cooling chamber (e.g., cooling chamber 31) arranged at the rear of the vegetable chamber (e.g., vegetable chamber 13) may protrude further forward on the side where the exhaust port (e.g., return port 44) is provided than on the side where the inlet (e.g., outlet port 43) is provided.

In the refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the storage space (e.g., storage space 10) further has an ice-making compartment (e.g., ice-making compartment 14), and a water supply tank (e.g., water supply tank 18) that supplies water to the ice-making compartment (e.g., refrigerator compartment 11) is provided within the refrigerator compartment, and at least one of the inlets (e.g., outlet 43) may be provided below the water supply tank.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention.

1: Refrigerator 10: Storage space 11: Refrigeration compartment 12: First freezer compartment (freezer compartment)
13: Vegetable compartment 14: Ice maker (freezer)
15: Second freezer (freezer)
17: Vegetable case (outgoing direction control unit, inflow direction control unit)
18: Water supply tank 19: Water supply pipe 31: Cooling chamber 32: Cooler 41: Cold air duct 41a: (cold air duct) protruding portion 43: Discharge port (cold air inlet)
43a: Opening 43b: Air outlet 44: Return port (cool air outlet)
45: Cool air return duct 50: Insulated box 61: First airflow direction regulating member (blow-out direction control section)
62: Second wind direction regulating member (inflow direction control section)
63: Third wind direction regulating member (blow-out direction control section)
64: Fourth wind direction regulating member (inflow direction control section)
161: First wind direction regulating member (blow-out direction control section)
261: First wind direction regulating member (blow-out direction control unit)
365: Fifth wind direction regulating member (blow-out direction control unit)
465: Fifth wind direction regulating member (blow-out direction control unit)
466: Sixth wind direction regulating member (blow-out direction control unit)
566: Sixth wind direction regulating member (blow-out direction control unit)

Claims (4)

A storage space having a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and a vegetable compartment disposed between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment;
A cooling chamber at least partially disposed on a rear surface of the freezing chamber and having a cooler disposed therein;
A cold air duct arranged on the rear side of the vegetable compartment and sending the cold air generated in the cooling compartment to the refrigerator compartment;
A cold air inlet is disposed between the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment and supplies cold air from the refrigerator compartment to the vegetable compartment;
A cold air return duct that returns cold air from a cold air exhaust port provided in the vegetable compartment to the cooling compartment,
At least a part of the cold air duct protrudes forward from the back surface of the vegetable chamber at a central portion in the left-right direction of the vegetable chamber and extends in the vertical direction of the vegetable chamber ,
At least a portion of the inlet and the outlet are located rearward of a protruding surface on a front side of the cold air duct, and are disposed on different sides of the cold air duct,
The inlet is open facing the vertical direction of the vegetable compartment, and the refrigerator is equipped with an outlet direction control unit that guides the cold air that flows into the vegetable compartment from the inlet toward the cold air duct. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an inflow direction control unit that prevents cold air from the front of the vegetable compartment from flowing into the exhaust port. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cold air duct protrudes further forward on the side where the exhaust port is provided than on the side where the inlet port is provided. The storage space further includes an ice making compartment,
A water supply tank is provided in the refrigerator compartment to supply water to the ice making compartment,
At least one of the inlets is provided below the water supply tank.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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