JP7644572B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator in which a sub-cooler is installed in an upwind position of the cooler in an air duct through which return air from the refrigerator compartment passes. The above-mentioned refrigerator has a sub-cooler installed in a position through which return air from the refrigerator compartment passes, and the refrigerant flowing through the sub-cooler is routed through the cooler from midway through, thereby shortening the defrosting time and reducing power consumption.

JP 2012-042193 A

However, in the refrigerators described above, in order to prevent frost from forming on the cooler, a sub-cooler must be installed and the refrigerant flowing through the sub-cooler must pass through partway inside the cooler, which can easily make the structure complicated.

The present invention therefore aims to provide, as an example, a refrigerator that has a simple structure and can prevent frost from forming on the cooling unit.

A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cooler that performs cooling, a cooling chamber that houses the cooler, a storage section through which air cooled in the cooling chamber flows, a return duct that returns the air that has passed through the storage section to the cooling chamber, and a first heat conductive section that thermally connects the cooler and the return duct.

1 is a schematic front view showing an internal structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the inside of a cooling compartment of a refrigerator. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view showing a first heat conductive portion of the cooler. FIG. 13 is a front perspective view showing a first modified example of a first heat conducting portion of the cooler. FIG. 13 is a top view showing a first modified example of the first heat conducting portion of the cooler. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing a first modified example of the first heat conducting portion of the cooler. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing a second modified example of the first heat conducting portion of the cooler. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing a third modified example of the first heat conducting portion of the cooler. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing a fourth modified example of the first thermal conductive portion of the cooler. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view showing an example of a second heat conducting portion of the cooler. FIG. 13 is a front perspective view illustrating an example of a second heat conducting portion of the cooler.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In this specification and drawings, identical or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid repetitive explanations, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention may be omitted from illustration. Furthermore, the forms of the components shown in the embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these forms.

An overview of a refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of refrigerator 100. Figure 2 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle 200 of refrigerator 100. In the following description, the side of refrigerator 100 on which it is placed is referred to as the lower side, the opposite side as the upper side, the side on which the door is provided as the front side (front side), and the opposite side as the rear side (rear side).

The refrigerator 100 includes an insulated box 110. The insulated box 110 has a storage section 120 that stores contents. The storage section 120 is divided by an insulated wall into a first storage section 120a provided in the upper part of the insulated box 110, a second storage section 120b provided in the middle part of the insulated box 110, and a third storage section 120c provided in the lower part of the insulated box 110. The first storage section 120a is, for example, a refrigerator compartment. The second storage section 120b is, for example, a vegetable compartment. The third storage section 120c is, for example, a large freezer compartment.

The lower rear side of the insulated box 110 has a cooling chamber 130 that houses a cooler 131. The cooling chamber 130 is provided with, as an example, the cooler 131 that cools the air, a blower fan 132 that circulates air between the cooler 131 and the storage section 120, a feed duct 133 that sends the cooled air from the cooler 131 to the storage section 120, and a return duct 134 that returns the air that has passed through the storage section 120 to the cooling chamber 130.

An example of the air flow circulating inside the refrigerator 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. When the blower fan 132 is driven, air circulates inside the insulated box 110. The air that has passed through the cooler 131 and been cooled is supplied to the storage section 120 (the first storage section 120a or the second storage section 120b) via the feed duct 133. The air that has passed through the storage section 120 flows into the cooling chamber 130 via the return duct 134. The air that has flowed into the cooling chamber 130 passes through the cooler 131 and is supplied again to the storage section 120.

As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigeration cycle 200 includes a compressor 210, a condenser 220, a dryer 230, a throttling device 240, and a cooler 131. In the refrigeration cycle 200, the compressor 210, the condenser 220, the dryer 230, the throttling device 240, and the cooler 131 are connected via a refrigerant pipe 200a through which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant is composed of a flammable refrigerant such as isobutane. The cooling operation by the refrigeration cycle 200 is controlled by a control unit (not shown).

In the refrigerator 100, the compressor 210 is driven to start the cooling operation by the refrigeration cycle 200, and the refrigerant flows through the refrigeration cycle 200. Specifically, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 210 is condensed by the condenser 220, where heat is absorbed by the surrounding air. The refrigerant flowing out from the condenser 220 has moisture removed by the dryer 230 and is sent to the throttling device 240. In the throttling device 240, the refrigerant is decompressed and expanded to a low temperature and low pressure, and is sent to the cooler 131 as an evaporator. In the cooler 131, the refrigerant evaporates by absorbing heat from the air flowing in the cooling chamber 130 described below, becoming a low-temperature gas refrigerant, and is sent to the compressor 210. As a result, the refrigerant circulates to perform the cooling operation by the refrigeration cycle 200, and cooled air is generated by the air flow that has exchanged heat with the cooler 131.

The internal configuration of the cooling chamber 130 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view showing the inside of the cooling chamber 130. The cooler 131 has a refrigerant pipe 131a, a plurality of heat dissipation fins 131b, and a pair of end plates 131c. The refrigerant pipe 131a is a hollow pipe through which a refrigerant flows. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 131b are stacked on top of each other. The refrigerant pipe 131a penetrates the plurality of heat dissipation fins 131b in the stacking direction. The refrigerant pipe 131a is formed in a meandering manner so as to have a plurality of stages by folding back at the end. The end plates 131c are provided at both ends of the heat dissipation fins 131b in the stacking direction. The end plates 131c are passed through the end of the refrigerant pipe 131a to hold the end of the refrigerant pipe 131a. The cooler 131 is held by hanging the end of the refrigerant pipe 131a at a predetermined location (not shown) of the cooling chamber 130.

The heat dissipation fins 131b are made of a material with high thermal conductivity, and the cold heat of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant pipe 131a is transferred to the heat dissipation fins 131b. Similarly, the end plates 131c are made of a material with high thermal conductivity, and the cold heat of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant pipe 131a is transferred to the end plates 131c. The end plates 131c are made to be thicker than the heat dissipation fins 131b.

During cooling operation by the refrigeration cycle 200, the refrigerant flowing through the cooler 131 exchanges heat with the air flowing through the cooling chamber 130. As a result, the air flowing through the cooling chamber 130 is cooled. The cooled air flows through the feed duct 133 to the storage section 120 by the blower fan 132. The air flowing through the storage section 120 returns to the cooling chamber 130 through the return duct 134 after cooling the contents. As described above, when air is circulated between the cooling chamber 130 and the storage section 120, humid air may enter the cooling chamber 130 from the storage section 120. When such humid air passes through the cooling chamber 130, frost formed by cooling the moisture in the air may adhere to the cooler 131, etc. For example, when frost adheres between the heat dissipation fins 131b of the cooler 131, the resistance of the air passing through the cooler 131 increases. Furthermore, for example, if frost forms on the heat dissipation fins 131b of the cooler 131, the efficiency of heat exchange between the air passing through the cooler 131 and the refrigerant decreases.

A defrost heater 135 that generates heat is provided below the cooler 131. The defrost heater 135 is disposed in the lower part of the cooling chamber 130 within the cooling chamber 130. The defrost heater 135 is supplied with power during defrosting operation, and melts frost, ice, etc. that has adhered to the cooler 131. This makes it possible to remove frost that has adhered to the cooler 131, and prevents a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

The defrost heater 135 is, for example, a glass tube heater. A heater cover 135a is provided above the defrost heater 135, i.e., between the defrost heater 135 and the cooler 131. The heater cover 135a prevents water droplets from the cooler 131 from hitting the defrost heater 135 during defrosting operation. The heater cover 135a transmits heat from the defrost heater 135 during defrosting operation, and transfers this heat as radiant heat to the cooler 131 above.

Below the cooler 131, a tray 136 is provided to receive defrost water generated in the cooling chamber 130 during defrosting operation. The tray 136 is provided below the defrost heater 135. As an example, the tray 136 is formed of a material with high thermal conductivity (for example, a metal plate). As an example, the tray 136 is arranged at an angle from approximately the center to the end so that the defrost water flows to approximately the center. The tray 136 is connected to a discharge pipe (not shown) connected to the outside of the cooling chamber 130. The defrost water is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber 130 via the tray 136 and the discharge pipe (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 3, a return duct 134 that returns air from the storage section 120 to the cooling chamber 130 is provided to the right of the cooler 131. In FIG. 3, the side of the return duct 134 that is connected to the storage section 120 is omitted. The return duct 134 is formed to extend vertically. The return duct 134 is attached to the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130 (see FIG. 4).

The tray 136 is provided from below the cooler 131 to below the return duct 134. The return duct 134 is in communication with the cooling chamber 130. The return duct 134 has a return port 134b that returns air to the cooler 131 in the cooling chamber 130 (see FIG. 4). The return port 134b is provided at approximately the same height as the lower end of the cooler 131, or at a height between the cooler 131 and the tray 136. As a result, the air sent downward from the return port 134b of the return duct 134 flows from the right end of the tray 136 along the tray 136, and then flows upward toward the cooler 131. In other words, the tray 136 is provided at a position where the air flowing from the return duct 134 to the cooler 131 passes through.

The return port 134b of the return duct 134 is located at approximately the same height as the lower end of the cooler 131 or at a height between the cooler 131 and the tray 136, but this is not limiting and it is sufficient that it is located so that air flows through the cooler 131. For example, the return port 134b of the return duct 134 may be located below the tray 136.

The first heat conducting portion will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the first heat conducting portion, and is a partially enlarged view of Figure 3. The first heat conducting portion thermally connects the cooler 131 and the return duct 134. In this embodiment, the cooler 131 has a first heat conducting portion thermally connected to the return duct 134. As an example, the first heat conducting portion includes at least a portion of the end plate 131c located on the return duct 134 side of the cooler 131. In other words, the first heat conducting portion includes at least a portion of the end plate 131c located on the right side when viewed from the front side.

The first heat conducting portion being thermally connected to the return duct 134 means that the first heat conducting portion and the return duct 134 are in contact with each other, thereby directly transferring heat between the first heat conducting portion and the return duct 134, or that heat is indirectly transferred between the first heat conducting portion and the return duct 134 via a thermally conductive member between the first heat conducting portion and the return duct 134. As an example, the first heat conducting portion is inserted into the inside of the return duct 134, thereby directly transferring heat between the first heat conducting portion and the return duct 134.

The first heat conducting section has an extension section 140 that extends toward the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130, and a heat transfer plate 141 that is provided at the tip of the extension section 140 and extends in contact with the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130.

The extension section 140 is formed so as to extend rearward toward the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130. The heat transfer plate 141 is formed so as to extend rightward from the rear end of the extension section 140 while abutting against the wall surface 130a. The heat transfer plate 141 includes a portion that contacts the return duct 134.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first heat conducting portion is inserted into the inside of the return duct 134, for example. The return duct 134 includes, for example, a part of the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130. More specifically, the return duct 134 has a duct member 134a attached to the wall surface 130a. The duct member 134a is formed of a material having heat insulating properties. The duct member 134a is formed so that the cross-sectional shape when cut on a horizontal plane is approximately U-shaped. The return duct 134 is configured as a passage by attaching the opening portion of the duct member 134a to the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130. The first heat conducting portion (heat transfer plate 141) is inserted and fixed between the duct member 134a and the wall surface 130a.

As described above, the first heat conduction section is inserted into the inside of the return duct 134, so that the cold heat from the cooler 131 can be transferred to the inside of the return duct 134 via the heat transfer plate 141. Therefore, the air upstream of the cooler 131 in the air flow direction (the air inside the return duct 134) is cooled and falls below the dew point temperature, causing condensation to occur on the heat transfer plate 141, thereby reducing the amount of moisture contained in the air led to the cooler 131. Therefore, it is possible to suppress frost from adhering to the cooler 131.

The heat transfer plate 141 of the first heat conduction section extends in contact with the inner wall of the return duct 134 (here, the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130). As described above, the first heat conduction section has the heat transfer plate 141 extending in contact with the inner wall of the return duct 134, and can transfer the cold heat from the cooler 131 to the inside of the return duct 134 while preventing the air flow from being obstructed. Note that the heat transfer plate 141 extends in contact with the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130, but is not limited thereto, and may extend in contact with the inner wall of the duct member 134a.

The first heat conducting portion is fixed to the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130. More specifically, the first heat conducting portion is fixed to the wall surface 130a using fasteners such as screws, with the heat conducting plate 141 inserted between the duct member 134a and the wall surface 130a. As described above, by fixing the first heat conducting portion to the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130, the accuracy of the mounting position of the cooler 131 relative to the cooling chamber 130 can be improved, and the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 131 can be improved.

The first heat conducting part is inserted and fixed between the return duct 134 and the wall surface 130a. More specifically, the first heat conducting part has a heat transfer plate 141 that is inserted and fixed between the duct member 134a and the wall surface 130a, so that the first heat conducting part can be easily fixed to the return duct 134.

The return duct 134 is attached to the wall surface 130a of the cooling chamber 130 to form a passageway, but it may be a duct member having a passageway inside. In this case, the attachment surface of the duct member to the wall surface 130a may be made of a thermally conductive material, so that heat can be transferred from the heat transfer plate 141 to the return duct 134 without disposing the heat transfer plate 141 inside the return duct 134.

The first heat conducting part is the end plate 131c, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, the heat dissipation fin 131b, as long as it can transmit the cold heat of the cooler 131 to the return duct 134.

In the above configuration, by thermally connecting a part of the cooler 131, for example, the end plate 131c, to the return duct 134, it is possible to prevent frost from forming on the cooler 131. As described above, the refrigerator 100 can reduce frost that forms on the cooler 131 with a simple structure that uses a part of the cooler 131 in the cooling chamber 130.

The first modified example of the first heat conducting section will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the cooling chamber 130 showing the first modified example of the first heat conducting section. Fig. 6 is a top view showing the first modified example of the first heat conducting section. Fig. 7 is a front schematic view showing the first modified example of the first heat conducting section. Fig. 7 is a front view of the inside of the return duct 134. The first heat conducting section has a plurality of fins 142 extending along the direction in which air flows inside the return duct 134 (for example, the up-down direction). The fins 142 are formed to protrude from the heat transfer plate 141. The fins 142 are formed of a material with high thermal conductivity, and the cold heat from the cooler 131 is transferred via the heat transfer plate 141. The plurality of fins 142 (for example, three) are arranged in a line along the width direction (left-right direction) of the heat transfer plate 141.

The fins 142 are formed to extend along the direction of air flow inside the return duct 134, which increases the surface area of the fins 142 while preventing air from increasing its resistance. This improves the heat exchange efficiency of the air flowing inside the return duct 134 and prevents frost from adhering to the cooler 131.

The multiple fins 142 are arranged side by side along the left-right direction. In other words, the multiple fins 142 are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the direction in which air flows inside the return duct 134. The multiple fins 142 are arranged so that their pitch is greater than the pitch of the multiple heat dissipation fins 131b. In addition, as an example, the fins 142 are set so that the protruding length L1 from the heat transfer plate 141 is shorter than the length L2 in the front-rear direction inside the return duct 134. For example, the fins 142 are formed so that the protruding length L1 from the heat transfer plate 141 is less than half the length L2 in the front-rear direction inside the return duct 134.

As described above, by configuring the pitch of the multiple fins 142 to be greater than the pitch of the multiple heat dissipation fins 131b, it is possible to prevent the air flowing inside the return duct 134 from being excessively cooled, which would result in a large amount of frost adhering to the fins 142. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of moisture in the air while appropriately cooling the air flowing through the return duct 134.

In addition, by making the protruding length L1 of the fins 142 less than half the length L2 in the front-to-rear direction within the return duct 134, it is possible to prevent the resistance of the air flowing through the return duct 134 from increasing even if the amount of frost adhering to the fins 142 increases. Note that the protruding length L1 of the fins 142 is set to a length less than half the length L2 in the front-to-rear direction within the return duct 134, but this is not limiting, and it is sufficient that the length is long enough to allow air to be appropriately supplied to the cooling chamber 130 via the return duct 134 even if the amount of frost adhering to the fins 142 increases.

A second modified example of the first heat conducting section will be described with reference to FIG. 8A. FIG. 8A is a schematic front view showing the second modified example of the first heat conducting section. FIG. 8A is a front view of the inside of the return duct 134.

The first heat conduction section (heat transfer plate 141) has fins 142 extending along the direction in which air flows inside the return duct 134 (for example, the up-down direction). The fins 142 are formed to protrude from the heat transfer plate 141. The heat transfer plate 141 has a plurality of fins 142 arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which air flows inside the return duct 134, specifically, in the left-right direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which air flows. As an example, the plurality of fins 142 are arranged in a set of four at equal intervals in the left-right direction. The fins 142 are formed of a material with high thermal conductivity, and cold heat from the cooler 131 is transferred via the heat transfer plate 141.

At least one of the multiple fins 142 is provided so that its length along the direction of air flow inside the return duct 134 is different. Specifically, in FIG. 8A, the length of the fin 142 located at the leftmost position is different from the length of the fin 142 located second from the leftmost position. Also, the length of the fin 142 located at the rightmost position is different from the length of the fin 142 located second from the rightmost position.

A pair of adjacent fins 142 are arranged inside the return duct 134 on the upstream side of the air flow direction (upper side shown in FIG. 8A) so as not to overlap when viewed from the adjacent direction (left-right direction in this embodiment). That is, of a pair of adjacent fins 142, only one fin is formed to extend upstream. In the modified example shown in FIG. 8A, the leftmost fin 142 is arranged to extend further upstream than the second leftmost fin 142. Similarly, in the modified example shown in FIG. 8A, the rightmost fin 142 is arranged to extend further upstream than the second rightmost fin 142.

As described above, a pair of fins 142 are arranged upstream in the air flow direction so that they do not overlap when viewed from adjacent directions. This makes the density of the multiple fins 142 on the upstream side of the return duct 134 smaller than the density of the multiple fins 142 on the downstream side of the return duct 134, and prevents the resistance of the air flowing through the return duct 134 from increasing even if a lot of frost adheres to the fins 142.

Furthermore, of the multiple fins 142, it is preferable that the fins 142 extending upstream are arranged at both ends in the direction in which the fins 142 are arranged. As described above, by arranging the fins 142 extending upstream at both ends in the direction in which the fins 142 are arranged, the pitch between the fins 142 can be made wider on the upstream side, so that even if a large amount of frost adheres to the fins 142, the resistance of the air flowing through the return duct 134 can be prevented from increasing.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 8A, the fins 142 extending upstream among the multiple fins 142 are arranged at both ends in the direction in which the fins 142 are arranged, but this is not limited to the above. A third modified example of the first heat conducting section will be described using FIG. 8B. FIG. 8B is a front schematic diagram showing the third modified example of the first heat conducting section. FIG. 8B is a front view of the inside of the return duct 134.

At least one of the multiple fins 142 is provided so that its length along the direction of air flow inside the return duct 134 is different. Specifically, in FIG. 8B, the length of the fin 142 located at the leftmost position is different from the length of the fin 142 located second from the leftmost position. Also, the length of the fin 142 located at the rightmost position is different from the length of the fin 142 located second from the rightmost position.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 8B, the fin 142 located second from the left is arranged to extend further upstream than the fin 142 located most left. Similarly, in the modified example shown in FIG. 8B, the fin 142 located second from the right is arranged to extend further upstream than the fin 142 located most right. As described above, of the multiple fins 142, the fin 142 extending upstream may be positioned closer to the center in the direction in which the fins 142 are arranged.

As described above, a pair of fins 142 are arranged upstream in the air flow direction so that they do not overlap when viewed from adjacent directions. This makes the density of the multiple fins 142 on the upstream side of the return duct 134 smaller than the density of the multiple fins 142 on the downstream side of the return duct 134, and prevents the resistance of the air flowing through the return duct 134 from increasing even if a lot of frost adheres to the fins 142.

In the modified example shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the multiple fins 142 include at least a pair of fins 142 that have different lengths in the direction in which air flows inside the return duct 134, but are not limited to this. A fourth modified example of the first heat conduction section will be described using Figure 8C. Figure 8C is a front view showing the fourth modified example of the first heat conduction section. Figure 8C is a front view of the inside of the return duct 134.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 8C, the multiple fins 142 each have the same length in the direction in which air flows inside the return duct 134, and are arranged side by side only on the downstream side of the return duct 134. The downstream side of the return duct 134 here refers to a location that is close to the defrost heater 135 and can transfer heat from the defrost heater 135. In other words, the multiple fins 142 are not arranged on the upstream side of the return duct 134, as compared to the modified examples shown in FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B.

As described above, in the modified example shown in FIG. 8C, the multiple fins 142 are arranged in a row only on the downstream side of the return duct 134. Even if a large amount of frost accumulates on the fins 142, the frost, ice, etc. can be melted by the defrost heater 135, so that the resistance of the air flowing through the return duct 134 can be prevented from increasing.

As shown in the first to fourth modified examples above, by providing the fins 142 inside the return duct 134, the amount of moisture contained in the air returning to the cooling chamber 130 can be reduced. This is because the fins 142, which have a lower temperature than the air, act on the air with high humidity and high temperature upstream of the cooling chamber 130 in the air flow direction. By reducing the amount of moisture contained in the air returning to the cooling chamber 130, condensation or frost on the cooler 131 can be suppressed. By suppressing frost on the cooler 131, the reduction in the efficiency of the heat exchange of the cooler 131 can be suppressed. Furthermore, by suppressing frost on the cooler 131, the increase in the flow resistance of the cooling chamber 130 can be suppressed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A or FIG. 8B, at least one of the multiple fins 142 may be provided protruding upstream in the air flow direction compared to the other fins 142. By protruding at least one fin 142 upstream in the air flow direction, the amount of moisture contained in the air can be reduced at the protruding part of the fin 142. By reducing the amount of moisture contained in the air at the protruding portion of the fin 142, it is possible to suppress frost formation between the fins 142 on the downstream side. By suppressing frost formation between the fins 142, it is possible to suppress an increase in the flow resistance of the return duct 134. In addition, for example, the fins 142 may be provided so that the fins 142 are sparse on the upstream side of the air flow direction and are dense on the downstream side. By making the fins 142 sparse on the upstream side and dense on the downstream side, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of moisture contained in the air while suppressing frost formation between the fins 142. In addition, for example, as shown in Figures 8A to 8C, by increasing the density of the fins 142 on the downstream side of the air flow direction, even if frost forms on the fins 142 on the downstream side of the air flow direction, it is possible to defrost the fins 142 in a short time. This is because the distance between the fins 142 and the defrost heater 135 is shortened on the downstream side of the air flow direction. Each fin 142 is formed to extend continuously along the direction in which the air flows through the return duct 134, but this is not limited thereto, and each fin 142 may be divided, for example, in the vertical direction.

An example of the second heat conducting section will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the second heat conducting section. Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 3. The second heat conducting section thermally connects the cooler 131 and the tray 136. In this embodiment, the cooler 131 has a second heat conducting section thermally connected to the tray 136. As an example, the second heat conducting section includes at least a part of the end plate 131c located on the opposite side of the cooler 131 from the return duct 134 side. In other words, the second heat conducting section includes at least a part of the end plate 131c located on the left side when viewed from the front side.

The second heat conductive portion being thermally connected to the tray 136 means that the second heat conductive portion and the tray 136 are in contact with each other, thereby directly transferring heat between the second heat conductive portion and the tray 136, or that heat is indirectly transferred between the second heat conductive portion and the tray 136 via a thermally conductive member between the second heat conductive portion and the tray 136. As an example, the second heat conductive portion is in contact with the tray 136, thereby directly transferring heat between the second heat conductive portion and the tray 136.

The second heat conducting section has an extension section 150 that extends toward the tray 136, and an attachment section 151 that comes into surface contact with the tray 136. The extension section 150 is formed so as to extend downward toward the tray 136. The attachment section 151 is formed so as to extend from the lower end of the extension section 150 and come into contact with the surface of the tray 136. That is, the second heat conducting section is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the front. The attachment section 151 and the tray 136 are fixed using fasteners such as screws.

As an example, the second heat conducting section is provided on the downstream side of the air flow direction in the tray 136. The downstream side of the air flow direction in the tray 136 refers to the left side of the tray 136 when viewed from the front side (see Figures 1 and 3). In other words, it refers to the side of the tray 136 opposite the side on which the return duct 134 is provided. As described above, by providing the second heat conducting section on the downstream side of the air flow direction in the tray 136, it is possible to reduce the second heat conducting section interfering with the air flowing from the return duct 134 through the tray 136 to the cooler 131.

As described above, the second heat conductive portion is thermally connected to the tray 136, so that the cold heat from the cooler 131 can be transferred to the tray 136 via the second heat conductive portion. Therefore, the air upstream of the cooler 131 in the air flow direction (the air above the tray 136) is cooled and falls below the dew point temperature, causing condensation to form on the second heat conductive portion and the tray 136, thereby reducing the amount of moisture contained in the air led to the cooler 131. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the formation of frost on the cooler 131.

The attachment portion 151 is formed so as to extend from the lower end of the extension portion 150 in approximately intimate contact with the surface of the tray 136. As described above, the second heat conducting portion has the attachment portion 151 that is in surface contact with the tray 136, and thus can efficiently transfer the cold heat from the cooler 131 to the tray 136.

An example of the second heat conducting section will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 10. Figure 10 is a front perspective view showing an example of the second heat conducting section. The cooler 131 further has a second heat conducting section thermally connected to the tray 136. As an example, the second heat conducting section includes at least a part of the end plate 131c located on the return duct 134 side of the cooler 131. In other words, the second heat conducting section includes at least a part of the end plate 131c located on the right side when viewed from the front side.

The second heat conducting section, for example, has an extension section 160 that extends toward the tray 136, and an attachment section 161 that comes into surface contact with the tray 136. The extension section 160 is formed so as to extend downward toward the tray 136. An opening 162 is formed in the extension section 160 to allow air to pass through. The attachment section 161 is formed so as to extend from the lower end of the extension section 160 and come into contact with the surface of the tray 136. That is, the second heat conducting section is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the rear. The attachment section 161 and the tray 136 are fixed using fasteners such as screws.

As an example, the second heat conducting section is provided on the upstream side of the air flow direction in the tray 136. The upstream side of the air flow direction in the tray 136 refers to the right side of the tray 136 when viewed from the front side (see Figures 1 and 3). In other words, it refers to the side of the tray 136 where the return duct 134 is provided. As described above, when the second heat conducting section is provided on the upstream side of the air flow direction in the tray 136, by forming an opening 162 in the extension section 160 that allows air to pass through, it is possible to reduce the obstruction of the air flowing from the return duct 134 through the tray 136 to the cooler 131.

As described above, the second heat conductive portion is thermally connected to the tray 136, so that the cold heat from the cooler 131 can be transferred to the tray 136 via the second heat conductive portion. Therefore, the air upstream of the cooler 131 in the air flow direction (the air above the tray 136) is cooled and falls below the dew point temperature, causing condensation to form on the second heat conductive portion and the tray 136, thereby reducing the amount of moisture contained in the air led to the cooler 131. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the formation of frost on the cooler 131.

The attachment portion 161 is formed so as to extend from the lower end of the extension portion 160 in approximately intimate contact with the surface of the tray 136. As described above, the second heat conducting portion has the attachment portion 161 that is in surface contact with the tray 136, and thus can efficiently transfer the cold heat from the cooler 131 to the tray 136.

In the above embodiment, the return port 134b is provided at approximately the same height as the lower end of the cooler 131 or at a height between the cooler 131 and the tray 136, but this is not limited thereto, and the return port 134b of the return duct 134 may be provided below the tray 136. By providing the return port 134b below the tray 136, the air flowing from the return port 134b can be actively acted on the tray 136, so that frost can be efficiently attached to the tray 136. As described above, the air comes into contact with the tray 136 upstream of the cooler 131 in the air flow direction, and condensation occurs on the second heat conductive portion and the tray 136, thereby reducing the amount of moisture contained in the air led to the cooler 131. Therefore, frost adhering to the cooler 131 can be suppressed.

In the above configuration, by thermally connecting a part of the cooler 131, for example, the end plate 131c, to the tray 136, it is possible to prevent frost from forming on the cooler 131. As described above, the refrigerator 100 can reduce frost that forms on the cooler 131 with a simple structure that uses a part of the cooler 131 in the cooling chamber 130.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 10, the defrost heater 135 is provided between the cooler 131 and the tray 136. This allows the frost on the tray 136 to be easily removed during the defrosting operation of the defrost heater 135, even if frost forms on the tray 136.

In addition, by providing the defrost heater 135 near the tray 136, the heat from the defrost heater 135 can be transferred to the cooler 131 via the second heat conductive portion during the defrost operation of the defrost heater 135. Therefore, by efficiently transferring the heat from the defrost heater 135 to the cooler 131, defrosting can be performed efficiently.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the configurations shown in the above-described embodiment can be replaced with configurations that are substantially the same as those shown in the above-described embodiment, that have the same effects, or that can achieve the same purpose.

100 refrigerator, 120 storage section, 130 cooling chamber, 130a wall surface, 131 cooler, 131c end plate, 134 return duct, 135 defrost heater, 136 tray, 141 heat transfer plate, 142 fin, 151 mounting section, 160 extension section, 161 mounting section, 162 opening

Claims (11)

A cooler for performing cooling;
a cooling chamber in which the cooler is housed;
a storage section through which the air cooled in the cooling chamber flows;
a return duct for returning the air that has passed through the storage section to the cooling chamber;
a first heat conductive portion thermally connecting the cooler and an inside of the return duct;
The cooler and the return duct are disposed adjacent to each other in a first direction,
The air flowing through the cooler and the air flowing through the return duct flow in opposite directions to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction ,
the cooler includes a refrigerant pipe having a portion extending in the first direction and an end portion folded back so that the extending portion is formed in a plurality of stages in the second direction, and a holding plate extending in the second direction and holding the end portion of the refrigerant pipe,
The first thermally conductive portion includes at least a portion of the holding plate . The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the first heat conducting portion has a heat conducting plate extending in contact with an inner wall of the return duct. The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the heat transfer plate has fins extending along a direction in which air flows inside the return duct. The heat transfer plate has a plurality of fins arranged side by side in a direction extending in contact with an inner wall of the return duct,
The plurality of fins include a pair of fins that are different in length in the direction in which air flows inside the return duct and are provided adjacent to each other,
The refrigerator according to claim 3 , wherein the pair of fins are provided on an upstream side in the air flow direction so as not to overlap when viewed from adjacent directions. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the first heat conducting portion is fixed to a wall surface of the cooling compartment. The refrigerator according to claim 5 , wherein the first heat-conducting portion is inserted and fixed between the return duct and the wall surface. a tray having good thermal conductivity provided under the cooler for receiving defrosted water;
a second heat conductive portion thermally connecting the cooler and the tray;
A return port is provided at an end of the return duct in the second direction to return the air flowing through the return duct to the cooler,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tray is disposed across from a lower portion of the cooler to a lower portion of the return port. the second thermally conductive portion has an extension portion extending toward the tray,
The refrigerator according to claim 7 , wherein an opening is formed in the extension. The refrigerator according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the second heat conducting portion is provided on a downstream side of the tray in a direction in which air flows. The refrigerator according to claim 7 , wherein the second heat conducting portion has an attachment portion that is in surface contact with the tray. Further comprising a defrost heater that generates heat;
The refrigerator according to claim 7 , wherein the defrost heater is provided between the cooler and the tray.

Images