refrigerator

Abstract

This invention provides a refrigerator with a simple structure capable of suppressing frost formation in the return pipe. The refrigerator of this embodiment includes: a refrigerator body, a cooler, a cooler housing compartment, a return pipe, and foamed insulation material. The refrigerator body includes: an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment disposed below the upper storage compartment. The cooler generates cold air. The cooler housing compartment is disposed in the refrigerator body. The cooler housing compartment houses the cooler. The return pipe connects the upper storage compartment and the cooler housing compartment. The return pipe forms a return flow path for air from the upper storage compartment to return to the cooler housing compartment. The foamed insulation material is made of foamed polyurethane. The foamed insulation material fills the space between the cooler housing compartment and the outer periphery of the return pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] The refrigerator maintains a low temperature in the storage compartment by circulating cold air between the cooler compartment, which houses the cooler that generates the cold air, and the storage compartment. The cold air that has been delivered to the storage compartment and heated up is then transported back to the cooler compartment through return pipes, where it exchanges heat with the cooler and is thus cooled.

[0003] Because the return duct is located near the cooler, the moisture contained in the warm air flowing through it is prone to frost formation. This can hinder air circulation and potentially reduce cooling performance.

[0004] In particular, when the return pipe is arranged side by side with the cooler inside the refrigerator, it is difficult to install high-performance insulation material due to the narrow space between the cooler and the return pipe.

[0005] If a defrosting heater or air supply mechanism is installed to prevent frost formation, the cost of the components will increase.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-19586

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-95530 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a refrigerator with a simple structure that can suppress frost formation in the return pipe.

[0011] The refrigerator of the present invention includes: a refrigerator body, a cooler, a cooler housing compartment, a return duct, and a foamed insulation material. The refrigerator body includes: an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment disposed below the upper storage compartment. The cooler generates cold air. The cooler housing compartment is disposed in the refrigerator body. The cooler housing compartment houses the cooler. The return duct connects the upper storage compartment and the cooler housing compartment. The return duct forms a return flow path for air from the upper storage compartment to return to the cooler housing compartment. The foamed insulation material is made of foamed polyurethane. The foamed insulation material fills the space between the outer periphery of the cooler housing compartment and the return duct.

[0012] Based on the above configuration, frost formation in the return pipe can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a front view of the refrigerator as shown in the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It means along Figure 1 A sectional view of line F2-F2 in the diagram.

[0015] Figure 3 It means along Figure 2 A sectional view of line F3-F3 in the diagram.

[0016] Figure 4 It means along Figure 3 A sectional view of line F4-F4 in the diagram.

[0017] Figure 5 It means along Figure 3 A sectional view of line F5-F5 in the diagram.

[0018] Figure 6 It means along Figure 2 A sectional view of line F6-F6 in the diagram.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the return pipe and air supply pipe in the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view showing the return pipe and air supply pipe in the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 It means along Figure 8 A sectional view of line F9-F9 in the diagram.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the inner compartment of the vegetable compartment in a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the first component in the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the second component in the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 13 It means from Figure 12 A stereoscopic view observed from the F13 direction.

[0026] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 15 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the connection between the air duct and the cooler housing in the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 16This is an exploded perspective view showing the main components between the inner and outer boxes of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 17 It means along Figure 5 A sectional view of line F17-F17 in the diagram.

[0030] Figure 18 This is an exploded perspective view of the flow path forming component in the upper storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 19 This is a perspective view of the flow path forming component in the upper storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 20 It means from Figure 19 A stereoscopic view observed from the F20 direction.

[0033] Figure 21 It means Figure 2 An enlarged view of section F21 in the image.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0035] 1…Refrigerator, 5…Refrigerator body, 10a…Inner box, 10aA, 10aB…Inner wall, 10aC…Rear wall, 10b…Outer box, 10c, 10cA, 10cB…Foamed insulation material, 14…Pipes, 14A, 14B, 14C…Flow path forming components, 14aF…First component, 14aR…Second component, 15…Cooling unit (cooler), 18…Cooling unit housing (cooler housing), 25…Rear wall, 27A…Refrigerator compartment, 2 7B…Vegetable compartment (upper storage compartment), 27C…Freezer compartment (lower storage compartment), 29…Second partition (bottom wall of the vegetable compartment), 29b…Inclined section, 31…Air duct, 31a…Opening (inlet), 31c…Clamping protrusion (first protrusion), 31C…Second cylinder, 31h…Clamping claw (first clamping part), 32…Return duct, 32b…Opening (outlet), 32e…Protrusion (second protrusion), 32k…Clamping claw (first clamping part) 32p…Second locking plate, 33…Upper connecting plate (connecting plate), 33F…Upper connecting plate (first connecting plate), 33R…Upper connecting plate (second connecting plate), 34…Lower connecting plate (connecting plate), 34a…Through hole, 34F…Multiple lower connecting plates (first connecting plate), 34R…Multiple lower connecting plates (second connecting plate), 35…Fixing bracket, 35d…Locking plate, 36…Sealing component (first opening sealing component), 37 …Sealing component (second opening sealing component), 38…Sealing component (upper opening sealing component), 40b…Clutch plate (first guide portion), 41…Guide groove portion, 41a…Side wall, 41c…Insertion opening, 42, 43…Side sealing components, 45…Pressing component (heat insulation clamping component), 51…Compressor, 52…Suction pipe (suction pipe), Cb…Air supply path, Cr…Return path, O2…Opening portion (first opening), O3…Opening portion (second opening). Detailed Implementation

[0036] The refrigerator of the following embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] In this manual, unless otherwise specified, the directions of up, down, left, and right are defined based on the view of the refrigerator from the front of the user. Furthermore, when viewed from the side of the refrigerator, the side closer to the user standing in front is defined as "front," and the side further away is defined as "rear." In this manual, "lateral width direction" refers to the left-right direction as defined above. In this manual, "depth direction" refers to the front-back direction as defined above. "Up-down direction" refers to the height of the refrigerator.

[0038] In the diagram, the arrows indicate the following directions: +X is to the right, -X is to the left, +Y is to the back, -Y is to the front, +Z is to the top, and -Z is to the bottom.

[0039] Sometimes the plane whose normal extends along the +X direction is called the YZ plane, the plane whose normal extends along the +Y direction is called the ZX plane, and the plane whose normal extends along the +Z direction is called the XY plane. The XY plane is a horizontal plane.

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, the shapes of the various components of a refrigerator are described based on their orientation in the refrigerator's configuration.

[0041] A refrigerator that illustrates the implementation method.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a front view of the refrigerator as shown in the embodiment. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A sectional view of line F2-F2 in the diagram.

[0043] illustrate Figure 1 The refrigerator 1 shown in the embodiment has an overall configuration. However, the refrigerator 1 does not necessarily have all the configurations described below, and some configurations may be omitted appropriately.

[0044] The refrigerator 1 has, for example, a casing 10 and multiple doors 11.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 10 includes, for example, an inner casing 10a, an outer casing 10b, and a foamed insulation material 10c.

[0046] The inner casing 10a is a component that forms the inner surface of the housing 10, and is made of, for example, synthetic resin.

[0047] The outer casing 10b is a component that forms the outer surface of the housing 10, and is made of metal, for example. The outer casing 10b is formed to be slightly larger than the inner casing 10a and is disposed outside the inner casing 10a. The outer casing 10b is a cuboid shape forming the outer surface portion of the housing 10, excluding the front surface. The outer casing 10b is formed, for example, of metal or of a composite material of metal and resin.

[0048] The foamed insulation material 10c is a foamed polyurethane insulation material that is filled between the inner casing 10a and the outer casing 10b. Accordingly, the casing 10 has thermal insulation properties.

[0049] Polyurethane foam liquid is introduced between the inner box 10a and the outer box 10b, and foaming is carried out while filling the interior, so that it hardens to form foamed thermal insulation material 10c.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 10 has: an upper wall 21, a lower wall 22, a left side wall 23, a right side wall 24, and a rear wall 25 (see reference). Figure 2The upper wall 21 and lower wall 22 extend approximately horizontally. The left side wall 23 and right side wall 24 rise upwards from the left and right ends of the lower wall 22 and connect with the left and right ends of the upper wall 21. Figure 2 As shown, the rear wall 25 rises upward from the rear end of the lower wall 22 and connects to the rear end of the upper wall 21.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, multiple storage compartments 27 are provided inside the housing 10. Figure 1 In the example shown, the multiple storage compartments 27 include: a refrigerator compartment 27A, a vegetable compartment 27B (upper storage compartment), and a freezer compartment 27C (lower storage compartment). The refrigerator compartment 27A, the vegetable compartment 27B, and the freezer compartment 27C are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. That is, the refrigerator compartment 27A is located in the upper part of the refrigerator 1.

[0052] The housing 10 has an opening on the front surface of each storage compartment 27 for food or other contents to be inserted into or removed from each storage compartment 27.

[0053] The openings of the multiple storage compartments 27 are closed by multiple doors 11 in a manner that can be opened and closed. In order to open and close the refrigerator compartment 27A, vegetable compartment 27B and freezer compartment 27C by using the multiple doors 11, the multiple doors 11 have refrigerator compartment door 11A, vegetable compartment door 11B and freezer compartment door 11C respectively.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 10 has a first partition 28 and a second partition 29. The first partition 28 and the second partition 29 are, for example, partition walls that are respectively along a generally horizontal direction. The first partition 28 is located between the refrigerator compartment 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B, separating the two compartments. The second partition 29 is located between the vegetable compartment 27B and the freezer compartment 27C, separating the two compartments.

[0055] The second partition 29 forms the bottom wall of the vegetable compartment 27B and the upper wall of the freezer compartment 27C.

[0056] The second partition 29 is formed by a protrusion of the inner box 10a that protrudes substantially horizontally from the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 27B and the freezer compartment 27C toward the front surface, and by a foamed insulation material 10c filling the interior of the protrusion. Therefore, the second partition 29 provides mutual insulation between the vegetable compartment 27B and the freezer compartment 27C. The upper surface, i.e., the upper surface portion 29A, and the lower surface, i.e., the lower surface portion 29B, of the second partition 29 extend substantially horizontally, respectively.

[0057] The interior temperature of the refrigerator compartment 27A is regulated to a temperature at which stored items will not freeze. For example, the interior temperature of the refrigerator compartment 27A is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the vegetable compartment 27B and higher than that of the freezer compartment 27C.

[0058] The interior of the cold storage compartment 27A is equipped with a cold storage container 13Aa and a cold water container 13Ab (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0059] The refrigerator compartment container 13Aa is configured such that, for example, on the surface of the rear side of the first partition 28, the inner wall 27a of the refrigerator compartment 27A is close to the +X direction side (see reference). Figure 1 The interior of the refrigerator container 13Aa can be kept at a minimum temperature within the refrigerator compartment 27A, for example, as a fresh food storage container.

[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, a cold water container 13Ab is disposed between the inner wall 27b on the -X direction side of the refrigerator compartment 27A and the refrigerator compartment container 13Aa. The cold water container 13Ab stores cold water for making ice in the ice-making chamber 13Cd in the freezer compartment 27C. The cold water stored in the cold water container 13Ab is supplied to the ice-making chamber 13Cd by a pump.

[0061] In the cold storage compartment 27A, above the cold storage container 13Aa and the cold water container 13Ab, a top plate 12A and shelves 12B, 12C and 12D are arranged in sequence.

[0062] The top plate 12A is configured to cover the upper ends of the refrigerator compartment container 13Aa and the cold water container 13Ab from above between the inner walls 27a and 27b.

[0063] Shelves 12B, 12C, and 12D are: panel components for arranging stored items at a position higher than the top plate 12A. Multiple locking parts for arranging shelves 12B, 12C, and 12D are provided on the inner walls 27b and 27c.

[0064] The front surface of the refrigerator compartment 27A is covered by the refrigerator door 11A in a manner that allows it to be opened and closed.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the refrigerator door 11A is connected to the +X-direction end of the housing 10 via hinges 30, for example, provided at the upper and lower ends in the +X direction. The refrigerator door 11A is capable of rotating in the horizontal plane about the rotation axis of the hinges 30 extending in the vertical direction. The refrigerator door 11A is a single-leaf rotating door that opens by rotating its left end from front to right.

[0066] like Figure 2As shown, the refrigerator door 11A has door containers 20A, 20B, and 20C for storing items on the +Y direction side facing the refrigerator 27A and from bottom to top.

[0067] The indoor temperature of vegetable compartment 27B is regulated to a temperature that will prevent stored items from freezing. Vegetable compartment 27B is a separate storage compartment with refrigeration function, located outside of refrigerator compartment 27A. The indoor temperature of vegetable compartment 27B can be adjusted to a temperature range similar to that of refrigerator compartment 27A, or it can be adjusted to a temperature range higher than that of refrigerator compartment 27A. For example, the indoor temperature of vegetable compartment 27B can also be maintained at a temperature higher than that of refrigerator compartment 27A, which is more suitable for storing vegetables and other stored items.

[0068] However, the storage in vegetable compartment 27B is not limited to storing vegetables; for example, it can also store suitable items that do not require freezing. For instance, items that can be stored in refrigerator compartment 27A can also be stored in vegetable compartment 27B.

[0069] Inside the vegetable compartment 27B are a first vegetable compartment container 13Ba and a second vegetable compartment container 13Bb for storing vegetables and other storage items.

[0070] The first vegetable compartment container 13Ba is connected to the vegetable compartment door 11B at its end in the -Y direction, and can move in the depth direction along the guide rail provided in the vegetable compartment 27B.

[0071] The second vegetable compartment container 13Bb is positioned above the first vegetable compartment container 13Ba in such a way that it covers a portion of the upper part of the first vegetable compartment container 13Ba.

[0072] The front surface of the vegetable compartment 27B is covered by a sliding vegetable compartment door 11B that can be opened and closed.

[0073] Insulation material is provided inside the vegetable compartment door 11B. A gasket is provided on the outer edge of the rear surface side of the vegetable compartment door 11B, which abuts against the front surface of the inner box 10a that forms the opening of the front surface of the vegetable compartment 27B. When the vegetable compartment door 11B is closed, the opening of the vegetable compartment 27B is sealed with insulation.

[0074] The upper end of the vegetable compartment door 11B is approximately at the center of the front end (hereinafter referred to as the front end) of the first partition 28 in the vertical direction in the Y direction, and is adjacent to the front end in the depth direction.

[0075] The front end of the first partition 28 abuts against the gasket at the lower end of the refrigerator compartment door 11A because the refrigerator compartment 27A is closed.

[0076] The temperature inside the freezer compartment 27C is maintained at a temperature suitable for freezing food and other stored items. Inside the freezer compartment 27C, for example, there are: a first freezer container 13Ca and a second freezer container 13Cb for accommodating stored items that need to be frozen, an ice-making compartment 13Cd, and a third freezer container 13Cc.

[0077] The first freezer container 13Ca is connected to the freezer door 11C at its end in the -Y direction, and can move in the depth direction along the guide rail provided in the freezer 27C.

[0078] The second freezer container 13Cb is positioned above the first freezer container 13Ca and can move in the depth direction along a guide rail provided inside the freezer 27C.

[0079] Ice-making chamber 13Cd is located in cold water container 13Ab in refrigerator compartment 27A (see reference). Figure 1 It accepts a supply of cold water to make ice.

[0080] The third freezer container 13Cc is positioned above the second freezer container 13Cb and can move in the depth direction along a guide rail provided inside the freezer 27C. Within the third freezer container 13Cc, a portion positioned below the ice-making chamber 13Cd can accommodate ice formed in the ice-making chamber 13Cd.

[0081] The front surface of the freezer compartment 27C is covered by a sliding freezer door 11C that can be opened and closed.

[0082] Insulation material is provided inside the freezer door 11C. A gasket is provided on the outer edge of the rear surface of the freezer door 11C, which abuts against the front surface of the inner box 10a that forms the opening of the front surface of the freezer compartment 27C. When the freezer door 11C is closed, the opening of the freezer compartment 27C is sealed thermally.

[0083] Various components that together form the refrigerator body 5 are arranged on the rear side of the housing 10. Examples of components forming the refrigerator body 5 include, for example, pipes for refrigerant circulation, cooling unit 15, cooling fan 16, pipes 14, and control board 17.

[0084] A mechanical chamber 50 is provided in the refrigerator body 5, and below the shell 10 on the rear side (+Y direction side) of the freezer compartment 27C.

[0085] The cooling unit 15 (cooler) is located in the cooling unit housing 18 (cooler housing) provided at the rear of the freezer compartment 27C.

[0086] For example, the cooling unit 15 includes an evaporator 15a that causes a refrigerant, which has been reduced to a low boiling point through an expansion valve, to exchange heat with the air in the cooling unit housing 18, thereby vaporizing the refrigerant. The evaporator 15a cools the air around it by obtaining the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant from the air in the cooling unit housing 18, thereby forming cold air in the cooling unit housing 18.

[0087] Explain the configuration of the periphery of the cooling unit 15.

[0088] On the rear wall surface 10aC of the inner surface behind the freezer chamber 27C, a recess 18a facing the +Y direction is covered by a chamber cover member 18b to form a cooling unit receiving chamber 18.

[0089] The containment chamber cover component 18b is a wall with an insulation material such as EPS (Expanded Poly-Styrene) disposed inside the resin outer cover.

[0090] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A sectional view along line F3-F3. However, Figure 3 In the middle, the following was omitted. Figure 2 The diagram shows the top plate 12A, shelves 12B, 12C, 12D, and various containers represented by the refrigerator container 13Aa. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A sectional view of line F4-F4 in the diagram. Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A sectional view of line F5-F5 in the diagram.

[0091] like Figure 3 As shown, inside the containment chamber cover component 18b, there is a cooling fan 16 that draws in cold air from the cooling unit containment chamber 18, and multiple flow paths that direct the drawn-in cold air to the freezer compartment 27C and the refrigerator compartment 27A. The cooling fan 16 causes the cold air generated by the cooling unit 15 to pass through the multiple flow paths inside the containment chamber cover component 18b and the duct 14 described later, forming an airflow that circulates between the refrigerator compartment 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B and the cooling unit containment chamber 18, and between the freezer compartment 27C and the cooling unit containment chamber 18.

[0092] The cooling fan 16 is positioned such that, when viewed from the +Y direction, it is offset towards the -X direction from the center of the lateral width direction of the freezer compartment 27C.

[0093] like Figure 4As shown, the cooling fan 16 is configured to be positioned opposite the upper part and above the cooling unit 15 in the cooling unit housing 18. A flow path C11 is formed in the -Y direction of the cooling fan 16, directing the cool air drawn by the cooling fan 16 towards the +X and -Z directions. The flow path C11 connects to a plurality of openings 18e formed on the surface of the housing cover member 18b in the -Y direction (see reference). Figure 3 The cold air flowing through flow path C11 flows into the freezer compartment 27C through opening 18e.

[0094] like Figure 2 As shown, a guide plate 18f is formed on the lower end 18d of the containment chamber cover member 18b in the +Y direction, extending along the +Z direction and guiding the airflow obliquely upward. An opening 18g is formed further towards the +Y direction than the guide plate 18f, communicating with the interior of the lower end side of the recess 18a. When viewed from the +Y direction, this opening 18g is covered from the front by the containment chamber cover member 18b.

[0095] A flow path C13 is formed between the lower end 18d and the recess 18a. The flow path C13 connects the freezer chamber 27C with the cooling unit housing chamber 18.

[0096] When the cooling unit containment chamber 18 becomes negative pressure due to the suction of the cooling fan 16, the air in the freezer chamber 27C will return to the cooling unit containment chamber 18 through the flow path C13.

[0097] like Figure 3 As shown, when viewed from the +Y direction, an opening 18c is formed in the +X direction of the cooling fan 16, through which the rear surface of the containment chamber cover component 18b is penetrated in the +Y direction.

[0098] like Figure 5 As shown, opening 18c is connected to flow path C11. A through hole extending from opening 18c to the rear surface of housing cover component 18b constitutes flow path C12, allowing cold air to flow in pipe 14, which will be described later.

[0099] like Figure 2 As shown, pipe 14 forms part of a flow path through which cold air supplied from cooling unit 15 circulates between the refrigerator compartment 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B and the cooling unit containment compartment 18.

[0100] The pipe 14 has flow path forming components 14A, 14B, and 14C.

[0101] The flow path forming component 14A has a plate-shaped wall portion 14Aa that covers the inner wall portion 10aA (first rear surface) of the refrigerator compartment 27A from the front side. The inner wall portion 10aA is the portion that forms the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment 27A in the +Y direction within the inner box 10a. At its lower end, approximately one-third or less of the interior height of the refrigerator compartment 27A, the inner wall portion 10aA extends parallel to the rear wall 25 along the +Z direction, while at a position in the refrigerator compartment 27A that is approximately one-third or more above the interior height, it gradually slopes towards the +Y direction as it tends towards the +Z direction.

[0102] The wall portion 14Aa extends along the inclination of the inner wall portion 10aA and is disposed on the front side of the inner wall portion 10aA.

[0103] In this embodiment, no clear step is formed on the wall surface 14Aa. Therefore, when a user observes the interior of the refrigerator compartment 27A, it is difficult to discern that the wall surface 14Aa protrudes forward. Consequently, it is easy for the user to perceive the refrigerator compartment 27A as relatively spacious.

[0104] like Figure 3 As shown, on the surface of the wall portion 14Aa in the -Y direction, in order to ensure a substantially constant gap with the inner wall portion 10aA, the ribs 14Ab and 14Ac protrude in the +Y direction.

[0105] Rib 14Ab is located in the cold storage compartment 27A, offset from the center in the transverse width direction towards the -X direction, extending from the lower end of the wall surface 14Aa to the upper end.

[0106] Rib 14Ac is located in the cold storage compartment 27A, offset from the center in the lateral width direction towards the +X direction, extending from the lower end of rib 14Ab to the upper end.

[0107] Rib 14Ad, protruding from the wall surface 14Aa in the +Y direction, is connected to the upper ends of ribs 14Ab and 14Ac.

[0108] Thermal insulation material 14Ae is disposed on the inner peripheral surfaces of ribs 14Ab, 14Ac, and 14Ad, and the rear surface of wall surface 14Aa (the surface in the +Y direction) as observed in the +Y direction. Figure 2 ).

[0109] Between the inner insulating material 14Ae of the reinforcing ribs 14Ab, 14Ac, and 14Ad and the inner wall portion 10aA opposite to them, such as Figure 2 As shown, a first flow path C1 is formed along the inner wall portion 10aA.

[0110] like Figure 3As shown, multiple openings 14Af are formed on the wall surface 14Aa and between the ribs 14Ab and 14Ac, extending through the thickness direction of both the wall surface 14Aa and the insulation material 14Ae. The positions of each of the multiple openings 14Af differ in the vertical direction. The shape of each opening 14Af, viewed from the +Y direction, is, for example, a rectangle that is longer in the horizontal width direction. The area of ​​each opening 14Af increases from the lower side towards the upper side.

[0111] A sealing component is attached to the surface of the insulation material 14Ae along the +Y direction of the ribs 14Ab and 14Ac. This sealing component provides an airtight seal between the inner wall portion 10aA and the insulation material 14Ae.

[0112] With this configuration, a first flow path C1 is formed between the lower end and the upper end of the flow path forming member 14A, and on the rear side of the wall surface 14Aa. The first flow path C1 is formed by the wall surface 14Aa, the ribs 14Ab, 14Ac, 14Ad, the heat insulation material 14Ae covering their inner peripheral surfaces, and the inner wall portion 10aA.

[0113] The first flow path C1 is connected to the interior of the cold storage compartment 27A through multiple openings 14Af.

[0114] like Figure 3 As shown, an opening of a connecting hole 28b is formed at the bottom wall of the refrigerator compartment 27A, i.e., the first partition 28, and at the corner in the +Y direction of the +X direction, connecting the refrigerator compartment 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B.

[0115] like Figure 2 As shown, the flow path forming component 14B is disposed in the vegetable compartment 27B, which serves as the upper storage compartment. The flow path forming component 14B is configured such that it can be detached from the front side of the vegetable compartment 27B relative to the inner wall portion 10B forming the rear inner surface of the vegetable compartment 27B. The lower end of the flow path forming component 14B abuts against the upper surface portion 29A of the second partition portion 29 from the upper side.

[0116] The flow path forming component 14B is formed together with the inner wall portion 10aB: a second flow path C2 is connected from the lower side to the first flow path C1. The detailed configuration of the flow path forming component 14B will be described later.

[0117] This describes the general structure of the flow path forming component 14C.

[0118] like Figure 2 As shown, the flow path forming component 14C is disposed in the refrigerator body 5 on the +Y direction side relative to the rear wall surface 10aC of the inner box 10a, wherein the rear wall surface 10aC of the inner box 10a forms: the inner surface of the freezer compartment 27C in the +Y direction and the inner surface of the recess 18a of the cooling unit receiving chamber 18.

[0119] Figure 6 It is along Figure 2 A sectional view of line F6-F6 in the diagram. Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the return pipe and air supply pipe in the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[0120] like Figure 6 As shown, the flow path forming component 14C has an air supply duct 31 and a return duct 32.

[0121] The air supply duct 31 is a component that forms an air supply path Cb that delivers cold air from the cooling unit housing 18 toward the upper vegetable compartment 27B.

[0122] The air supply duct 31 is positioned further upwards than the inner surface of the upper side of the recess 18a. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the air supply duct 31 is opposite to the upper end of the containment chamber cover component 18b, wherein the containment chamber cover component 18b abuts against the rear wall surface 10aC which is further upward than the recess 18a.

[0123] An opening 31a (inlet) opening in the -Y direction is formed at the lower end of the airflow path Cb. The airflow path Cb communicates with the flow path C12 at the opening 31a. After extending from the opening 31a in the +Y direction, the airflow path Cb extends upwards in the +Z direction above the cooling unit 15. An opening 31b opening in the +Z direction is formed at the upper end of the airflow path Cb. The airflow path Cb communicates with the second flow path C2 at the opening 31b.

[0124] like Figure 6 As shown, the return pipe 32 connects the vegetable chamber 27B and the cooling unit containment chamber 18, and is a component of the return flow path Cr that forms the air in the vegetable chamber 27B returning to the cooling unit containment chamber 18.

[0125] The return duct 32 is configured to be adjacent to the air supply duct 31 and the cooling unit housing 18 in the +X direction.

[0126] An opening 32a is formed at the upper end of the return pipe 32, opening in the +Z direction. The return flow path Cr communicates with the interior of the vegetable chamber 27B through the opening 32a. In this embodiment, the opening 32a is positioned to overlap with the end of the cooling unit housing chamber 18 in the +X direction when viewed from the +Z direction.

[0127] After extending from opening 32a in the -Z direction, the return flow path Cr tilts towards the +X direction as it tends towards the -Z direction, extending in the -Z direction at the point where it exits the cooling unit housing chamber 18. The return flow path Cr thus bypasses the cooling unit housing chamber 18 in the +X direction, descends along the cooling unit housing chamber 18, then gradually rotates 90 degrees towards the -X direction, extending below the cooling unit 15 in the -X direction. An opening 32b (exhaust outlet) is formed at the lowest part of the return flow path Cr, opening towards the -X direction.

[0128] Below the cooling unit 15 in the cooling unit housing 18 is a guide channel 41 for recovering moisture when removing frost adhering to the evaporator 15a.

[0129] like Figure 7 As shown, the guide channel 41 is a container that opens in the +Z direction and has a drain outlet 41b at the bottom. In this embodiment, the lower end of the return pipe 32 is on the inner surface 18h in the +X direction of the recess 18a that penetrates the cooling unit housing chamber 18 (see reference). Figure 6 The guide groove 41 is fixed to the guide groove 41 in the state of the guide groove 41 sidewall 41a in the +X direction.

[0130] The air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 are surrounded by a foamed insulation material 10c filled between the inner casing 10a and the outer casing 10b. Therefore, a foamed insulation material 10cA, which is part of the foamed insulation material 10c, is filled between the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 in the lateral width direction. Furthermore, a foamed insulation material 10cB, which is part of the foamed insulation material 10c, is filled between the cooling unit housing 18 and the outer periphery of the return duct 32 in the lateral width direction.

[0131] The detailed structure of the flow path forming component 14C will be described later.

[0132] like Figure 2 As shown, the control board 17 provides comprehensive control over the entire refrigerator 1. For example, the control board 17 controls the operation of the cooling unit 15, the flow regulator 39 (described later), and the compressor 51 (described later) based on the detection results of temperature sensors installed in the refrigerator compartment 27A, the freezer compartment 27C, and the cooling unit housing compartment 18.

[0133] The control substrate 17 is preferably positioned in a location that avoids moisture. In this embodiment, it is positioned between the rear wall 25 and the inner wall portion 10aA in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment 27A. A foamed insulation material 10c is disposed between the control substrate 17 and the inner wall portion 10aA. In this embodiment, since the upper end of the inner wall portion 10aA protrudes in the -Y direction, even with the control substrate 17 positioned, a foamed insulation material 10c of sufficient thickness can be disposed between the control substrate 17 and the inner wall portion 10aA. Therefore, the control substrate 17 and the interior of the refrigerator compartment 27A are mutually insulated.

[0134] The mechanical compartment 50 is located behind the freezer compartment 27C, further towards the +Y direction than the first freezer compartment container 13Ca and further towards the -Z direction than the cooling unit 15. The mechanical compartment 50 is situated in a cuboid region extending in the lateral width direction of the refrigerator 1. The mechanical compartment 50 is separated from the interior of the freezer compartment 27C by an insulating wall filled with foamed insulation material 10c.

[0135] The machine compartment 50 contains: a compressor 51 for compressing refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant to form high-temperature vapor, and an evaporator for collecting defrost drainage generated during automatic defrosting. Because the compressor 51 and the condenser are arranged side-by-side in the lateral width direction, the height of the machine compartment 50 is reduced. The evaporator is positioned below the condenser.

[0136] The detailed structure of the flow path forming component 14C is explained.

[0137] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view showing the return pipe and air supply pipe in the refrigerator according to the embodiment. Figure 9 It is along Figure 8 A sectional view of line F9-F9 in the diagram.

[0138] like Figure 8 As shown, the flow path forming component 14C has a main body 14a and an air flow path forming component 14b. In addition, the flow path forming component 14C is provided with: a sealing component 36 (first opening sealing component), a sealing component 37 (second opening sealing component), and a sealing component 38 (upper opening sealing component) for liquid-tightly sealing around the opening of the inner box 10a when it is assembled into the inner box 10a.

[0139] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, "liquid tight" means that the foaming liquid forming the foamed insulation material 10c will not leak during flow or foaming.

[0140] The main body 14a includes: an air supply duct 31 and a return duct 32 that are adjacent to each other in the lateral width direction (adjacent direction), an upper connecting plate 33 (connecting plate), and a plurality of lower connecting plates 34 (connecting plates). The upper connecting plate 33 and the plurality of lower connecting plates 34 extend in the lateral width direction and connect the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 to each other in the lateral width direction.

[0141] The main body 14a can be formed as an assembly by connecting appropriately configured assembly components. For example, in this embodiment, the main body 14a includes: a first component 14aF and a second component 14aR, a side sealing component 42, and a side sealing component 43 (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0142] The first component 14aF and the second component 14aR are components capable of separating the return flow path Cr and the supply air flow path Cb in a manner that follows the centerline of the return flow path Cr. In this embodiment, the main part of the first component 14aF and the second component 14aR has an imaginary surface D (refer to) that is parallel to the ZX plane, including the centerline of the return flow path Cr. Figure 11 , 12 The shape is obtained by dividing the main body 14a in the front and rear directions as a boundary. However, the components such as the locking claws 32k, 31h, and support pillars 32s, which will be described later, extend beyond the imaginary surface D.

[0143] like Figure 9 As shown, the side sealing component 42 is clamped at the joint when the first component 14aF and the second component 14aR, which form the side portion of the air supply path Cb in the lateral width direction, are assembled, and liquid-tightly seals the side portion of the air supply path Cb.

[0144] The side sealing component 43 is sandwiched between the joint of the first component 14aF and the second component 14aR on the side of the return flow path Cr in the transverse width direction, and liquid-tightly seals the side of the return flow path Cr.

[0145] The side sealing components 42 and 43 may also be formed, for example, by a soft strip, butyl rubber or double-sided tape, the soft strip having: a resin substrate that is elastic in the thickness direction, and an adhesive tape that is adhered to the resin substrate.

[0146] The detailed structure of the main body 14a will be explained below, followed by a detailed explanation of the structure of the first component 14aF and the second component 14aR.

[0147] like Figure 8As shown, the air supply duct 31 has: a first cylindrical portion 31B forming a lower end and opening in the -Y direction, a second cylindrical portion 31C forming an upper end and opening in the +Z direction, and an outer casing portion 31A forming an outer periphery between the first cylindrical portion 31B and the second cylindrical portion 31C.

[0148] The outer casing 31A is formed with a recess 31d that allows the airflow path forming member 14b to be mounted from above the opening 31b, and the airflow path forming member 14b, which will be described later, is supported from below in the recess 31d. The outer casing 31A has a surface in the Y direction that is a flat surface 31e parallel to the ZX plane.

[0149] The first cylindrical portion 31B protrudes from the planar portion 31e in the -Y direction. The shape of the opening 31a in the first cylindrical portion 31B, as viewed from the +Y direction, is a roughly rectangular shape that is relatively slender in the lateral width direction and has rounded corners.

[0150] On the outer periphery of the front end portion in the Y direction of the first cylindrical portion 31B, and at the center of each long side and each short side of the opening 31a, there are four outwardly protruding locking protrusions 31c (first protrusions). Each locking protrusion 31c is locked to the fixing bracket 35 described later.

[0151] like Figure 5 As shown, with the sealing member 36 (described later) positioned on the flat portion 31e, the first cylindrical portion 31B is inserted from the rear into the opening O1 that penetrates the rear wall surface 10aC of the freezer compartment 27C. The fixing bracket 35 (described later), inserted from the interior side of the freezer compartment 27C in the +Y direction, is embedded in the outer periphery of the first cylindrical portion 31B.

[0152] like Figure 8 As shown, at the upper end of the recess 31d, the second cylindrical portion 31C extends in the +Z direction. The upper end of the second cylindrical portion 31C has an inclination that increases in the +Z direction as it tends towards the +Y direction.

[0153] The airflow path forming component 14b has a shape that fits into the recess 31d from above, and has a first pipe 14b1 and a second pipe 14b2 inside.

[0154] like Figure 5 As shown, the opening at the lower end of the first conduit 14b1 is rectangular, overlapping with the opening 31a when viewed from the +Y direction, and opens towards the bottom of the recess 31d when viewed from the -Z direction. The first conduit 14b1 bends from the opening at the lower end towards the +Z direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first conduit 14b1 is a roughly rectangular shape with a longer transverse width.

[0155] The second pipe 14b2 is formed by extending a roughly rectangular cross section from the upper end of the first pipe 14b1 in the +Z direction, in a direction that extends outward from the opening 14b3 at the upper end of the first pipe 14b1.

[0156] An opening 31b of the airflow path Cb is formed at the upper end of the airflow path forming component 14b by forming an opening through the second pipe 14b2. At the upper end of the airflow path forming component 14b, and on the outer periphery of the opening 31b, an inclined surface 14b4 is formed that increases in the +Z direction as it tends toward the +Y direction.

[0157] The airflow path forming component 14b is formed, for example, by an insulating material such as EPS.

[0158] A removable flow regulator 39 is installed in the second pipeline 14b2.

[0159] The flow regulator 39 regulates the flow rate of cold air flowing from the first pipe 14b1 through the second pipe 14b2. The flow regulator 39 has a frame 39a, a flow regulating plate 39c, and a motor housing 39e.

[0160] When viewed from the -Z direction, the outer shape of the frame 39a is only slightly smaller than the opening 31b along the periphery. A sealing member 39f is provided on the outer periphery of the frame 39a, sealing the connection between the frame 39a and the second pipe 14b2. The sealing member 39f is not particularly limited as long as it seals the cold air between the inner surfaces of the frame 39a and the second pipe 14b2. For example, the aforementioned soft tape, butyl rubber, or double-sided tape can also be used as the sealing member 39f.

[0161] Inside the frame 39a, and facing the -X direction, are arranged a flow regulating plate 39c and a motor housing 39e.

[0162] The flow regulating plate 39c is a long and narrow rectangular plate that can block the opening 14b3 from the top. A rotating shaft 39d extending in the -X direction is fixed to the end of the flow regulating plate 39c at the -Y end. The rotating shaft 39d extends into the interior of the motor housing 39e.

[0163] The motor housing 39e internally houses: via the control board 17 (see reference) Figure 2 The flow regulator 39 is a motor whose operation is controlled by a control signal, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor's output shaft to the rotating shaft 39d. The upper end of the motor housing 39e protrudes further in the +Z direction than the opening 31b. Thus, by holding the motor housing 39e protruding from the opening 31b, the flow regulator 39 can be fitted into or removed from the second pipe 14b2.

[0164] The upper end of the motor housing 39e is formed by a plane parallel to the XY plane. A sheet member 44 with elasticity in the thickness direction is disposed at the upper end of the motor housing 39e.

[0165] Once the motor is driven, the rotating shaft 39d rotates around its central axis. The flow regulating plate 39c, based on the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 39d, can achieve an angle between a fully closed state (closing the opening 14b3) and a fully open state (standing upright in the +Z direction). Because the flow resistance from the opening 14b3 towards the second pipe 14b2 changes corresponding to the angle of the rotating shaft 39d, the flow rate of the cold air flowing through the air supply path Cb is regulated.

[0166] In this embodiment, the opening 14b3 is positioned higher than the lower surface 29B of the second partition 29 and lower than the upper surface 29A. When the flow regulating plate 39c is fully closed, the cold air entering the first pipe 14b1 will not enter a position higher than the upper surface 29A.

[0167] In the outer casing 31A, at least the outer side of the lower end where the first pipe 14b1 is formed is surrounded by a foamed insulation material 10c with excellent thermal insulation properties. Therefore, heat transfer from the air in the vegetable compartment 27B to the cold air in the first pipe 14b1 can be suppressed. Thus, the temperature rise of the cold air that cools the freezer compartment 27C can be suppressed, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the freezer compartment 27C when the flow regulating plate 39c is fully closed.

[0168] like Figure 8 As shown, the return pipe 32 has: a first cylindrical portion 32B forming an upper end and opening in the +Z direction, a second cylindrical portion 32C forming a lower end and opening in the -X direction, and a pipe body 32A in the shape of a tube connecting the first cylindrical portion 32B and the second cylindrical portion 32C and forming a return flow path Cr inside.

[0169] On the outer periphery of the pipe body 32A, multiple ribs 32g extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the pipe body 32A, and multiple ribs 32h extending in the extending direction of the pipe body 32A, protrude outwards. These multiple ribs 32g and 32h enhance the strength and rigidity of the pipe body 32A. Therefore, compared to the case without the multiple ribs 32g and 32h, the pipe body 32A maintains the same strength and rigidity even with a reduced thickness.

[0170] In particular, when the outer periphery of the return pipe 32 is filled with foamed insulation material 10c, the multiple ribs 32g and 32h have the function of suppressing the deformation caused by the foaming pressure.

[0171] Since multiple reinforcing bars 32g and 32h are embedded in the foamed insulation material 10c after filling, they also have the function of stabilizing the position of the foamed insulation material 10c.

[0172] Because the thickness of the pipe body 32A is reduced, the amount of foamed insulation material 10c between the pipe body 32A and the cooling unit housing 18, and between the pipe body 32A and the outer shell 31A, is increased compared to the case without multiple ribs 32g and 32h, thus improving the insulation effect of the foamed insulation material 10c.

[0173] At the upper end of the duct body 32A, the first cylindrical section 32B extends in the +Z direction. Viewed from the -Z direction, the first cylindrical section 32B has a roughly rectangular shape with rounded corners. The upper end of the first cylindrical section 32B has the same height as the second cylindrical section 31C of the air supply duct 31, and is inclined in a direction that increases towards the +Z as it approaches the +Y direction. While the inclination angle of the upper end of the first cylindrical section 32B is not particularly limited, in this embodiment, it is the same as the inclination of the inclined portion 29b of the second partition 29, which will be described later.

[0174] At the lower end of the pipe body 32A, the second cylindrical portion 32C extends in the -X direction. At the base end of the second cylindrical portion 32C in the extending direction, a flange portion 32c parallel to the YZ plane protrudes outward. The flange portion 32c surrounds the outer periphery of the pipe body 32A throughout its entire circumference.

[0175] The shape of the second cylindrical section 32C, as viewed from the +X direction, is a roughly rectangular shape with rounded corners. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the shape of the second cylindrical part 32C is such that it can fit into the insertion opening 41c that extends through the thickness direction of the side wall 41a of the guide groove part 41.

[0176] like Figure 8 As shown, a locking claw 32d capable of elastically deforming toward the inner periphery is provided at the front end of the second cylindrical portion 32C in the extending direction. A protrusion 32e (second protrusion) protruding toward the outer periphery of the second cylindrical portion 32C is formed at the front end of the locking claw 32d.

[0177] The upper connecting plate 33 is provided on the outer periphery of the return pipe 32 and the air supply pipe 31 in such a way that the first cylindrical part 32B, which is the upper end of the return pipe 32, and the second cylindrical part 32C, which is the upper end of the air supply pipe 31, are respectively surrounded from the outside.

[0178] The upper connecting plate 33 is disposed on the lower surface side of the upper surface portion 29A of the second partition portion 29. First, the detailed shape of the upper surface portion 29A will be described.

[0179] Figure 10This is a perspective view of the inner compartment of the vegetable compartment in a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0180] like Figure 10 As shown, the upper surface portion 29A has: a main surface 29a, an inclined portion 29b, and a corner portion 29c.

[0181] The main surface 29a extends roughly horizontally from the front end of the upper surface portion 29A in the +Y direction.

[0182] The inclined portion 29b is an inclined plane whose height in the +Z direction increases as it approaches the +Y direction from the rear end of the main surface 29a.

[0183] Corner 29c is an inclined surface that connects the +Y end of inclined portion 29b to the lower end of inner wall portion 10aB. Corner 29c has an inclination such that its height in the +Z direction increases as it approaches the +Y direction. However, the inclination of corner 29c is greater than that of inclined portion 29b.

[0184] Opening O2 (first opening) and opening O3 (second opening) extend through the inclined portion 29b in the thickness direction of the inner box 10a forming the inclined portion 29b.

[0185] The shape of the opening O2 is approximately rectangular, allowing the second cylindrical section 31C of the air supply duct 31 to pass through from below the inclined section 29b in the +Z direction.

[0186] The opening O3 is roughly rectangular in shape, allowing the first cylindrical portion 32B of the return pipe 32 to pass through from below the inclined portion 29b in the +Z direction. The opening O3 and the opening O2 are formed in the +X direction.

[0187] The spacing between the openings O2 and O3 in the lateral width direction is equal to the spacing between the second cylindrical section 31C and the first cylindrical section 32B.

[0188] An opening O4 is formed on the main surface 29a, near the opening O2.

[0189] The opening O4 has a shape that allows the hook 33b, which is provided on the upper connecting plate 33 and will be inserted into the opening O2 when the second cylindrical part 31C is inserted into the opening O2.

[0190] At corner 29c, two fixing portions 29d are formed at two locations further outward in the lateral width direction than the opening O2. Each fixing portion 29d bulges inward from the corner 29c toward the inside of the freezer compartment 27C. The shape of each fixing portion 29d has a concave-convex shape that roughly follows the surface of the screw fixing portion 33h, which will be described later, provided on the upper connecting plate 33. In this embodiment, the upper surface of each fixing portion 29d is an inclined surface 29f that increases in height from the front to the rear of the refrigerator compartment 27A. A mortar-shaped recess 29e is formed on the inclined surface 29f, and the screw fixing portion 33h fits from below into the recess formed on the back side of each fixing portion 29d.

[0191] like Figure 8 As shown, the upper connecting plate 33 has: a front plate portion 33a, a rear plate portion 33e, a corner plate portion 33f, and a back plate portion 33g.

[0192] The front plate portion 33a extends in the Y direction from the center of the first cylindrical portion 32B and the second cylindrical portion 31C in the depth direction. The front plate portion 33a is a flat plate that extends parallel to the main surface 29a of the upper surface portion 29A. In this embodiment, the front plate portion 33a is parallel to the XY plane.

[0193] The front plate portion 33a has a hook 33b near the second cylindrical portion 31C in the Y direction.

[0194] Hook 33b engages with the lower end of the front side of the flow path forming member 14B, which is attached to the upper connecting plate 33 from above. The shape of hook 33b is not particularly limited as long as it can engage the flow path forming member 14B. In this embodiment, hook 33b is a U-shaped protrusion with a through hole that is rectangular when viewed from the -Y direction.

[0195] For hook 33b, you only need to set one or more; there are no particular restrictions on the number or placement. Figure 8 In the example shown, a hook 33b is provided separately on the front side of the first cylindrical part 31B, and at the center in the lateral width direction.

[0196] On the front plate portion 33a between the hook 33b and the second cylindrical portion 31C, a plurality of ribs 33c1 that surround the outer periphery of the second cylindrical portion 31C protrude toward the +Z direction.

[0197] On the front plate portion 33a along the outer periphery of the first cylindrical portion 32B, a plurality of ribs 33c2 that surround the outer periphery of the first cylindrical portion 32B protrude toward the +Z direction.

[0198] On the front plate portion 33a in the Y direction of the outer periphery of the multiple ribs 33c2, when viewed from the Z direction, multiple ribs 33d, which form a lattice pattern, protrude toward the +Z direction.

[0199] The upper ends of the multiple ribs 33c1 and 33c2 tend to tilt towards the -Z direction as they are inclined towards the -Y direction, and the vertical height of their respective +Y direction ends is the same as the vertical height of the -Y direction ends of the rear plate portion 33e described later.

[0200] The upper ends of the multiple reinforcing bars 33d tend to incline in the -Z direction, just like the multiple reinforcing bars 33c, as they move from the outer periphery of the multiple reinforcing bars 33c2 toward the -Y direction.

[0201] Multiple ribs 33c1, 33c2, and 33d are formed in the area that overlaps with the inclined portion 29b when viewed from the -Z direction when the flow path forming component 14C is assembled into the inner box 10a.

[0202] The upper ends of the plurality of ribs 33c1, 33c2, and 33d are inclined in the same way as the inclined portion 29b. The upper ends of the plurality of ribs 33c1, 33c2, and 33d provide inclined support to the sealing member 38, which will be described later, from below, and press the sealing member 38, which will be described later, against the back of the inclined portion 29b.

[0203] The rear plate portion 33e extends from the center of the first cylindrical portion 32B and the second cylindrical portion 31C in the depth direction towards the +Y direction. The rear plate portion 33e is a flat plate that is inclined in the same way as the upper ends of the plurality of ribs 33c1 and 33c2 in the +Y direction from the ends of the plurality of ribs 33c1 and 33c2.

[0204] The rear plate portion 33e is formed in the area that overlaps with the inclined portion 29b when viewed from the -Z direction when the flow path forming component 14C is assembled into the inner casing 10a. The rear plate portion 33e obliquely supports the sealing component 38 (described later) from below and presses the sealing component 38 (described later) against the back of the inclined portion 29b.

[0205] The corner plate portion 33f tilts towards the +Z direction as it moves from the +Y end of the rear plate portion 33e towards the +Y direction. The tilt and the range of the corner plate portion 33f are the same as the tilt and the range of the corner portion 29c of the inner box 10a.

[0206] The back plate portion 33g is a flat plate extending in the +Z direction from the end of the corner plate portion 33f in the +Z direction.

[0207] At the corner plate portion 33f and the back plate portion 33g, and at positions where they overlap with the fixing portion 29d when viewed from the -Z direction when the flow path forming component 14C is assembled into the inner casing 10a, screw fixing portions 33h are formed that fit into the back of the fixing portion 29d. The screw fixing portions 33h are configured to fix the flow path forming component 14B (described later) using screws. The detailed configuration of the screw fixing portions 33h will be described later.

[0208] Multiple lower connecting plates 34 are located below the upper connecting plate 33, connecting the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 to each other. The number of lower connecting plates 34 is not particularly limited.

[0209] The -X direction end of each lower connecting plate 34 is connected to the side of the outer casing 31A. The +X direction end of each lower connecting plate 34 surrounds the outer periphery of the return pipe 32, and reinforces the outer periphery of the return pipe 32 in the same way as the plurality of ribs 32g.

[0210] Each lower connecting plate 34 between the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 has a through hole 34a extending through its respective thickness direction. When the space between the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 is filled with foamed insulation material 10c, each through hole 34a facilitates the flow of the foaming liquid, which is the raw material for the foamed insulation material 10c, between the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32. Accordingly, the space between the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 is filled with foamed insulation material 10c without forming any unfilled portions.

[0211] Furthermore, compared to the case where no through-hole 34a is formed, the through-hole 34a has the effect of reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the path for heat conduction from the return pipe 32 to the air supply pipe 31. Accordingly, since the heat of the air flowing in the return pipe 32 is difficult to transfer to the air supply pipe 31, the temperature rise of the cold air flowing in the air supply path Cb can be suppressed.

[0212] The sealing member 36 is attached to the opening O1 of the planar portion 31e around the first cylindrical portion 31B and the rear wall surface 10aC (see reference). Figure 5 A liquid-tight seal is formed between the edges of the first cylindrical portion 31B. The shape of the sealing member 36, viewed in the +Y direction, is approximately rectangular along the outer periphery of the first cylindrical portion 31B. The material of the sealing member 36 is not particularly limited, as long as it can provide a liquid-tight seal around the opening O1. For example, the sealing member 36 can also be formed using the aforementioned soft tape, butyl rubber, or double-sided tape.

[0213] The sealing member 37 provides a liquid-tight seal between the flange 32c surrounding the second cylindrical portion 32C and the edge of the insertion opening 41c of the side wall 41a of the guide groove portion 41. The shape of the sealing member 37, viewed in the +X direction, is approximately rectangular along the outer periphery of the second cylindrical portion 32C. The material of the sealing member 37 is not particularly limited, as long as it can provide a liquid-tight seal around the insertion opening 41c. For example, the sealing member 37 can also be formed using a gasket, butyl rubber, or double-sided tape that has elasticity in the thickness direction, penetrating the resin substrate.

[0214] The sealing member 38 has an upper connecting plate 33 that can cover the periphery of the second cylindrical portion 31C, the first cylindrical portion 32B, and the hook 33b from above, and is a sheet member with through holes 38a, 38b, and 38c respectively penetrating the second cylindrical portion 31C, the first cylindrical portion 32B, and the hook 33b. The sealing member 38 provides a liquid-tight seal to the following portions: between the upper connecting plate 33 surrounding the second cylindrical portion 31C and the edge of the opening O2; between the upper connecting plate 33 surrounding the first cylindrical portion 32B and the edge of the opening O3; and between the upper connecting plate 33 surrounding the hook 33b and the edge of the opening O4.

[0215] The material of the sealing component 38 is not particularly limited as long as it can provide a liquid-tight seal to the aforementioned parts. For example, the sealing component 38 can also be formed by a gasket, butyl rubber, or double-sided tape that has elasticity in the thickness direction and penetrates through a resin substrate.

[0216] Next, focusing on the configuration of the connecting parts, the configuration of the first component 14aF and the second component 14aR constituting the main body 14a will be briefly described. In the main body 14a, the parts marked with the symbol "X" are sometimes separated in the front-back direction. In order to distinguish the X separated from the first component 14aF and the X separated from the second component 14aR, they are respectively called "XF" and "XR". However, since the shape of each can be easily understood from the shape of the "X" before separation, the description of their respective shapes will be omitted.

[0217] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the first component in the refrigerator according to the embodiment. Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the second component in the refrigerator according to the embodiment. Figure 13 It means from Figure 12 A stereoscopic view observed from the F13 direction.

[0218] like Figure 11 As shown, the main part of the first component 14aF has a shape that is forward (in the -Y direction) than the imaginary surface D in the main body 14a.

[0219] The main body of the pipe 32AF forms the front side of the main body of the pipe 32A. Ribs 32gF and 32h (illustrations omitted) are formed on the outer periphery of the main body of the pipe 32AF.

[0220] A first cylindrical section 32BF is formed at the upper end of the main pipe body 32AF, and a second cylindrical section 32CF is formed at the lower end.

[0221] At each end of the pipe body 32AF in the +Y direction, there are side sealing components 43 formed on a plane parallel to the ZX plane (see reference). Figure 9The end face 32i of the pipe body 32AF constitutes the joint portion of the pipe body 32AF.

[0222] Guide walls 32j protrude from end faces 32i in the +Y direction and guide the side sealing components 43 toward the outer periphery of each end face 32i.

[0223] On the outer periphery of each end face 32i, the locking claw 32k (first locking portion) protrudes in the +Y direction beyond the imaginary surface D. Multiple locking claws 32k are provided at intervals in the extending direction of each end face 32i.

[0224] The locking claw 32k has a claw body 32k1 and a locking protrusion 32k2. The claw body 32k1 protrudes in the +Y direction and is capable of elastic deformation toward the outside of the pipe body 32AF. The locking protrusion 32k2 is located at the front end of the claw body 32k1 and protrudes toward the inner circumference of the pipe body 32AF.

[0225] A support column 32s is provided on the inner periphery of the main pipe body 32AF, protruding in the +Y direction beyond the imaginary surface D. The length of the support column 32s is shorter than the inner diameter of the return pipe 32 in the depth direction but longer than the inner radius.

[0226] The outer shell portion 31AF is composed of an outer shell portion 31A that is forward of the imaginary surface D. A first cylindrical portion 31B is formed on the Y-direction side of the outer shell portion 31AF. A second cylindrical portion 31CF is formed at the upper end of the outer shell portion 31AF.

[0227] At each end of the outer casing 31AF in the +Y direction, there are side sealing members 42 formed on a plane parallel to the ZX plane (see reference). Figure 8 The end face 31f of the outer shell portion 31AF constitutes the seam portion in the outer shell portion 31AF.

[0228] The guide wall 31g protrudes from the end face 32i in the +Y direction and guides the side sealing member 42 toward the outer periphery of the end face 31f.

[0229] On the outer periphery of end face 31f, the locking claw 31h (first locking portion) protrudes beyond the imaginary surface D in the +Y direction. Multiple locking claws 31h are provided at intervals in the extending direction of end face 31f.

[0230] Each locking claw 31h has a claw body 31h1 and a locking protrusion 31h2. The claw body 31h1 protrudes in the +Y direction and is capable of elastic deformation toward the outer side of the outer shell portion 31AF. The locking protrusion 31h2 is located at the front end of the claw body 31h1 and protrudes toward the inner circumference of the outer shell portion 31AF.

[0231] The main body of the pipe 32AF and the outer shell 31AF are connected to each other in the transverse width direction by an upper connecting plate 33F (first connecting plate) and multiple lower connecting plates 34F (first connecting plates).

[0232] In this embodiment, the first component 14aF is formed by a resin molded article, for example, by injection molding.

[0233] like Figure 12 As shown, the main part of the second component 14aR has a shape that is further back (in the +Y direction) than the imaginary surface D in the main body 14a.

[0234] The pipe body 32AR forms the rear side of the pipe body 32A. Ribs 32gR and 32h are formed on the outer periphery of the pipe body 32AR.

[0235] A first cylindrical section 32BR is formed at the upper end of the main pipe body 32AR, and a second cylindrical section 32CR is formed at the lower end.

[0236] At each end of the pipe body 32AR in the Y direction, there are side sealing components 43 formed on a plane parallel to the ZX plane (see reference). Figure 9 The end face 32m. The end face 32m constitutes the joint in the main body of the pipe 32AR.

[0237] On each end face 32m, protrusions 31j extending along the extension direction of the end face 32m protrude from the end face 32m toward the -Y direction. Each protrusion 32n is recessed into the surface of the side sealing member 43 when connected to the pipe body 32AF, thus suppressing deviation of the side sealing member 43 in the ZX plane. Furthermore, the recess of each protrusion 32n into the surface of the side sealing member 43 improves the tightness of the seal with the side sealing member 43, as well as the liquid tightness at the sealing points.

[0238] A locking plate 32p (second locking part) protruding from each end face 32m toward the +Y direction is formed on the outer peripheral side of each end face 32m. Each locking plate 32p is disposed on the pipe body 32AF at a position opposite to each locking claw 32k. A locking protrusion 32k2 provided at the front end of the locking claw 32k is locked at the front end of each locking plate 32p in the protruding direction.

[0239] Two guide plates 32q are formed on the outer peripheral surface of each locking plate 32p: protruding outward and clamping the claw body 32k1 of the locking claw 32k.

[0240] Each guide plate 32q restricts the position of the claw body 32k1 in the extension direction of the end face 32m.

[0241] A boss 32r protruding in the -Y direction is provided on the inner periphery of the pipe body 32AR. The boss 32r is located on the pipe body 32AF at the position opposite to the support 32s. At the front end of the boss 32r in the protruding direction, there is a fitting hole 32r1 that is recessed in the +Y direction and is used for the front end of the support 32s to fit.

[0242] The sum of the height of the bottom of the fitting hole 32r1, measured from the inner circumferential surface of the pipe body 32AR, and the length of the support 32s, is equal to the inner diameter of the return pipe 32 in the depth direction.

[0243] The outer shell portion 31AR is configured to be located further rearward than the imaginary surface D. A second cylindrical portion 31CR is formed at the upper end of the outer shell portion 31AR.

[0244] At each end of the outer casing 31AR in the Y direction, there are side sealing members 42 (see reference) formed on a plane parallel to the ZX plane. Figure 8 The end face 31i of the outer shell portion 31AR. The end face 31i constitutes the seam portion of the outer shell portion 31AR.

[0245] On end face 31i, protrusions 31j extending along the extending direction of end face 31i protrude from end face 31i in the -Y direction. Each protrusion 31j is recessed into the surface of the side sealing member 42 when connected to the housing portion 31AF, thus suppressing deviation of the side sealing member 42 in the ZX plane. Furthermore, by having each protrusion 31j recessed into the surface of the side sealing member 42, the tightness of the seal with the side sealing member 42 and the liquid tightness at the sealing points can be improved.

[0246] A locking plate 31k (second locking portion) protruding from the end face 31i in the +Y direction is formed on the outer peripheral side of the end face 31i. Each locking plate 31k is disposed in the outer shell portion 31AF with each locking claw 31h (see reference). Figure 11 The opposite parts. The locking protrusion 31h2 of the locking claw 31h is locked at the front end of the protruding direction of each locking plate 31k.

[0247] Here, the detailed shape of the screw fixing part 33h is described.

[0248] The screw fixing part 33h has a front end face 33i, a reduced diameter part 33j, and a screw hole 33k on the upper side of the corner plate part 33f.

[0249] The front end face 33i is formed at the front end of the screw fixing part 33h in the protruding direction, and is an inclined surface whose height increases in the +Z direction as it tends towards the +Y direction. The inclination of the front end face 33i relative to the horizontal plane is not particularly limited as long as it is an angle that makes it easy to tighten the screw on the flow path forming part 14B described later from the inside of the vegetable chamber 27B.

[0250] The reduced diameter portion 33j is a recessed portion that is further downward than the front end face 33i in the direction normal to the front end face 33i. The shape of the reduced diameter portion 33j is not particularly limited as long as the inner diameter gradually decreases from the front end face 33i towards the inward side. For example, the reduced diameter portion 33j can also be a conical recess, a bowl-shaped recess, etc.

[0251] The screw hole 33k is a through hole of a length capable of engaging a screw for fastening. The screw hole 33k extends from the center of the reduced diameter portion 33j in a direction intersecting with the front end face 33i.

[0252] like Figure 13 As shown, the pipe body 32AR and the outer casing 31AR are connected to each other in the transverse width direction by an upper connecting plate 33R (second connecting plate) and multiple lower connecting plates 34R (second connecting plates).

[0253] A locking bracket 40 is provided on the outer periphery of the second component 14aR on the Y-direction side, which engages with the pressing component 45 described later.

[0254] The retaining bracket 40 can be installed on the outer periphery of one or both of the outer casing 31AR and the pipe body 32AR. Figure 13 In the example shown, the retainer 40 is provided on the outer periphery of both the outer casing 31AR and the pipe body 32AR.

[0255] The locking frame 40 includes: a frame body 40a, a locking plate 40b (first guide portion), and a locking claw 40c.

[0256] The frame body 40a extends from the outer periphery of the rear side of the second component 14aR in the +Y direction. The shape of the frame body 40a as viewed from the +Y direction is the same as the shape of the +Y end of the pressing component 45 as viewed from the same direction.

[0257] The locking plate 40b corresponds to the straw 52 described later (see reference). Figure 16 (To stop)

[0258] The locking plate 40b has: a flat plate portion 40b1 extending in the -Y direction from the front end of the locking bracket 40 in the +Y direction opposite to each other in the vertical direction; and a locking groove 40b2 formed at the front end of the flat plate portion 40b1 in the protruding direction. The shape of the locking groove 40b2 is not particularly limited as long as it can lock onto the side of the straw 52 extending in the vertical direction in the +Y direction and restrict the position of the straw 52 in the lateral width direction. For example, the shape of the locking groove 40b2 can also be a U-shape or a V-shape that opens in the +Y direction when viewed from the -Z direction.

[0259] The locking plates 40b can be formed in an appropriate number at positions corresponding to the arrangement of the straw 52. In this embodiment, for example, two locking plates 40b are formed on the rear side of the outer casing 31AR and opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and two locking plates 40b are formed on the upper end and below the pipe body 32AR and opposite to each other in the vertical direction.

[0260] A locking claw 40c is provided on a part of the frame body 40a to lock the side of the pressing member 45 inserted into the frame body 40a. In this embodiment, the locking claws 40c are provided at two locations opposite each other in the lateral width direction.

[0261] Each locking claw 40c has a claw body 40c1 and a locking protrusion 40c2. The claw body 40c1 is a plate portion sandwiched between two elongated narrow slits extending from the end of the frame body 40a in the -Y direction toward the +Y direction. The claw body 40c1 is capable of elastic deformation toward the outside of the frame body 40a. The locking protrusion 40c2 is located at the front end of the claw body 40c1 and protrudes toward the inner circumference of the frame body 40a.

[0262] In this embodiment, the second component 14aR is formed by a resin molded article, for example, by injection molding.

[0263] To assemble the first component 14aF and the second component 14aR, with the side sealing component 42 sandwiched between end face 31f and end face 31i, and the side sealing component 43 sandwiched between each end face 32i and each end face 32m, the first component 14aF and the second component 14aR are positioned opposite each other. In this state, they are pressed against each other in the opposing direction.

[0264] For example, in the main body of pipes 32AF and 32AR, a formation is formed Figure 9 The locking structure shown.

[0265] When pressing begins, the locking protrusions 32k2 of each locking claw 32k advance along the opposing direction along the surface of each locking plate 33p, and the claw body 32k1 elastically deforms outward. At this time, since each locking claw 32k is guided between the guide plates 32q provided on each locking plate 32p, even if there are many locking claws 32k, they can be easily assembled.

[0266] When each locking protrusion 32k2 passes the front end of each locking plate 32p, the elastic restoring force of each locking plate 32p causes each locking protrusion 32k2 to lock at the front end of each locking plate 32p.

[0267] Since the difference between the distance from end face 32i to the locking protrusion 32k2 and the distance from end face 32n to the front end of locking plate 32p is less than the thickness of side sealing member 43, side sealing member 43 is compressed between end faces 32i and 32m. In particular, the protrusion 32n protrudes from end face 32m, therefore, side sealing member 43 is compressed more forcefully near protrusion 32n.

[0268] In this way, the side sealing component 43 is in close contact between the end face 32i and the end face 32m, and the side of the return flow path Cr is liquid-tightly sealed.

[0269] When the pipe bodies 32AF and 32AR are pressed in opposite directions, the front end of the support 32s engages with the engagement hole 32r1 of the boss portion 32r. Through the support 32s and the boss portion 32r, the spacing between the inner circumferential surfaces of the pipe bodies 32AF and 32AR is limited in the depth direction. Therefore, for example, even when the foaming pressure acts on the outer periphery of the pipe body 32A when the foam insulation material 10c is filled, deformation of the pipe body 32A in the depth direction can be suppressed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the cross-sectional area of ​​the return flow path Cr from becoming narrow after the foam insulation material 10c is filled.

[0270] Although the illustrations are omitted, the locking structure of each locking claw 31h and each locking plate 31k is the same. The side sealing component 42 is in close contact between the end faces 31f and 31i. The protrusion 31j has the same function as the protrusion 32n. In this way, the side of the air supply path Cb is liquid-tightly sealed.

[0271] Next, the fixing structure of the flow path forming component 14C in the refrigerator body 5 will be explained.

[0272] like Figure 6 As shown, with the sealing member 37 sandwiched between the flange portion 32c and the inner surface 18h of the recess 18a, the second cylindrical portion 32C is inserted into the insertion opening 41c in the side wall 41a of the guide groove portion 41. Figure 7 As shown, the protrusion 32e of the locking claw 32d is locked onto the surface in the X direction of the edge of the insertion opening 41c.

[0273] Accordingly, the opening 32b at the lower end of the return pipe 32 faces the internal opening of the cooling unit housing 18. Although the outer periphery of the return pipe 32 and the area around the cooling unit housing 18 are filled with foamed insulation material 10c, a sealing member 37 is arranged between the inner surface 18h and the flange portion 32c in a manner that surrounds the entire circumference of the second cylinder portion 32C. Furthermore, the inner surface 18h is pressed against the side wall 41a, which is thicker than the inner casing 10a, by the sealing member 37. Therefore, when the foamed insulation material 10c is filled, it will not enter the return flow path Cr.

[0274] like Figure 5 As shown, with the sealing member 36 sandwiched between the flat portion 31e and the rear wall surface 10aC of the edge portion constituting the opening portion O1, the first cylindrical portion 31B is inserted into the opening portion O1. The first cylindrical portion 31B within the cooling unit housing 18 is fixed to the edge portion of the opening portion O1 by a fixing bracket 35.

[0275] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Figure 15 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the connection between the air duct and the cooler housing in the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[0276] like Figure 14 As shown, the fixing frame 35 has: a frame body 35a, a locking plate 35d, and a retaining claw 35f.

[0277] The frame body 35a has an opening 35b through which the first cylindrical portion 31B can be inserted, and is a plate member that can abut against the edge of the opening portion O1. Multiple inclined ribs 35c protrude from the edge of the opening 35b, and these inclined ribs 35c incline inward toward the opening 35b in the Y direction. The front end of each inclined rib 35c in the protruding direction forms a generally rectangular opening along the outer periphery of the first cylindrical portion 31B, through which the first cylindrical portion 31B can be inserted.

[0278] like Figure 15 As shown, the locking plate 35d engages with each locking protrusion 31c of the first cylindrical portion 31B. The front end of the locking plate 35d is respectively positioned so as to engage with each locking protrusion 31c of the first cylindrical portion 31B inserted into the opening 35b in the +Y direction.

[0279] like Figure 14 As shown, each locking plate 35d is inclined from the edge of the opening 35b in the same way as the inclined rib 35c, and protrudes in the -Y direction. Each locking plate 35d extends to the extent that it contacts the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 31B.

[0280] The height of each locking plate 35d is higher than that of each inclined rib 35c, and its size is such that when each locking plate 35d is locked onto each locking protrusion 31c on the +Y direction side, the size of the sealing member 36 can be compressed between the frame body 35a and the flat portion 31e. That is, the value obtained by subtracting the distance from the surface of the frame body 35a in the +Y direction to the front end of each locking plate 35d in the protruding direction from the distance from the flat portion 31e to the end of the locking protrusion 31c in the +Y direction is greater than 0 and less than the thickness of the undeformed sealing member 36.

[0281] Each locking plate 35d can elastically deform toward the outside of the opening 35b.

[0282] The retaining claws 35f are provided to hold appropriate wiring within the recesses 18a arranged around the housing portion 31A, such as wiring for a temperature sensor. The retaining claws 35f are provided in appropriate numbers and positions corresponding to the arrangement and number of the wiring to be held. In this embodiment, the retaining claws 35f include: retaining claws 35fa provided at two ends in the Z-direction of the frame body 35a, and retaining claws 35fb provided at the end in the X-direction.

[0283] Each retaining claw 35f extends from the outer periphery of the frame body 35a in the +Y direction. At the front end of the retaining claw 35f in the +Y direction, a protrusion 35f1 is formed protruding toward the inner side of the frame body 35a. The protrusion 35f1 has an inclined surface that increases in height as it moves from the front end of the retaining claw 35f toward the base end.

[0284] like Figure 5 As shown in the example of retaining claw 35fa, each retaining claw 35f extends along the inner surface of the recess 18a, and when properly connected to the inner surface of the recess 18a, force can be applied to the inner surface of the recess 18a on the wire. Since the protrusion 35f1 of each retaining claw 35f is inclined, for example, by inserting the wire in the -Y direction between the front end of the retaining claw 35f and the inner surface of the recess 18a, the wire can be easily and smoothly held in the retaining claw 35f.

[0285] Figure 15 This illustrates an example where the wiring 46 connected to the temperature sensor is held by the retaining claw 35f. However, the inner casing 10a is omitted from the illustration for ease of viewing.

[0286] exist Figure 15 In the example shown, although the holding claw 35fa does not hold the wiring 46, it can still hold the wiring 46 through its path. The holding claw 35fa can also hold other wirings not shown.

[0287] This describes the structure of the refrigerator body 5 behind the flow path forming component 14C.

[0288] Figure 16 This is an exploded perspective view showing the main components between the inner and outer boxes of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Figure 17 It means along Figure 5 A sectional view of line F17-F17 in the diagram.

[0289] like Figure 16As shown, in the refrigerator body 5, a suction tube 52 (suction tube) and a pressing member 45 (heat insulation locking member) are arranged behind the flow path forming member 14C.

[0290] The suction pipe 52 is the suction pipe through which the compressor 51 draws in the refrigerant delivered from the cooling unit 15. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 51 is liquefied by the condenser. The liquefied refrigerant dissipates heat using heat dissipation pipes arranged on the outer periphery of the refrigerator body 5, and after being lowered to a lower boiling point by the expansion valve, it is directed to the evaporator 15a. In the evaporator 15a, the refrigerant evaporates, acquiring heat of vaporization from the air surrounding the evaporator 15a. After flowing out of the evaporator 15a, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 51 via the suction pipe 52.

[0291] In this embodiment, the straw 52 is configured to surround the space between the rear surface and the rear wall 25 of the inner box 10a of the refrigerator compartment 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B, passing behind the flow path forming member 14C.

[0292] like Figure 17 As shown, at two locations on the rear side of the flow path forming component 14C, the suction tubes 52 extending in the vertical direction are respectively locked into the locking grooves 40b1 of the locking plates 40b in the flow path forming component 14C. The two locking plates 40b facing each other in the vertical direction constitute a first guide portion that guides the suction tubes 52 in the vertical direction at the position where they leave from the air supply flow path Cb and the return flow path Cr.

[0293] The pressing component 45 is a component that engages with the flow path forming component 14C from the rear and with the rear wall 25 from the front. The pressing component 45 is a thermal insulation material made of expanded polystyrene.

[0294] like Figure 16 As shown, the pressing member 45 has: a locking part 45a, a rear surface locking part 45b (locking part), a guide groove part 45c (second guide part), and a side locking part 45d.

[0295] like Figure 17 As shown, the engaging portion 45a is formed at the end of the pressing member 45 in the Y direction. The engaging portion 45a fits into the inner side of the frame body 40a of the engaging frame 40 of the flow path forming member 14C. The engaging portion 45a engages with the engaging frame 40 in both the vertical and horizontal width directions. When engaging with the engaging portion 45a, each locking plate 40b of the engaging frame 40 is arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the engaging portion 45a in the vertical direction (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0296] A rear surface locking portion 45b is formed at the +Y direction end of the pressing member 45 and locks against the rear wall 25. The surface shape of the rear surface locking portion 45b is not particularly limited, as long as it can lock against the rear wall 25. For example, the rear surface locking portion 45b... Figure 17 As shown, it can be a plane parallel to the YZ plane, or it can have an appropriate concave or convex shape.

[0297] The rear surface locking portion 45b restricts the position of the flow path forming member 14C to a position away from the rear wall 25. Accordingly, a stable space for filling the foamed insulation material 10c can be ensured between the rear outer periphery of the flow path forming member 14C and the rear wall 25 (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0298] A guide groove 45c is formed: a U-shaped groove recessed from the surface of the pressing member 45 in the -Y direction toward the +Y direction. The U-shaped groove extends through the pressing member 45 in the vertical direction. The guide groove 45c extends along the length of the straw 52 that is engaged with the locking plate 40b. In this embodiment, the guide groove 45c guides the straw 52 extending between the locking plates 40b that are opposed to each other in the vertical direction along the vertical direction.

[0299] The depth of the guide groove 45c is such that when engaged with the locking frame 40, the suction tube 52 can be clamped between the locking groove 40b1 and the locking groove 40b1.

[0300] Therefore, when the pressing member 45 engages, the straw 52 is surrounded by the locking plate 40b and the guide groove 45c. Accordingly, the position of the straw 52 in the direction intersecting the length direction (vertical direction) is restricted. The straw 52 is positioned in a fixed position in both the depth direction and the lateral width direction between the flow path forming member 14C and the rear wall 25. The guide groove 45c is a second guide portion that guides the suction tube.

[0301] In this way, the straw 52 is restricted in position by the locking plate 40b and the guide groove 45c. Therefore, even if the foaming pressure of the foaming liquid forming the foamed insulation material 10c is applied to the straw 52, ​​the position of the straw 52 intersecting the length direction can be stabilized.

[0302] like Figure 16 As shown, the side locking portion 45d is a stepped portion where the locking claw 40c of the locking frame 40 locks from the rear side. Figure 16 Although the side locking portion 45d in the +X direction is depicted, the side locking portion 45d is also formed in the -X direction.

[0303] As described later, the flow path forming component 14C has the sealing component 38 disposed on the upper connecting plate 33 and is connected to the flow path forming component 14B with the second cylindrical portion 31C and the first cylindrical portion 32B respectively inserted into the openings O2 and O3 in the inclined portion 29b.

[0304] Next, the detailed configuration of the flow path forming component 14B will be explained.

[0305] Figure 18 This is an exploded perspective view of the flow path forming component in the upper storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Figure 19 This is a perspective view of the flow path forming component in the upper storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Figure 20 From Figure 19 A stereoscopic view observed from the F20 direction.

[0306] like Figure 18 As shown, the flow path forming component 14C has a main body 48, a cover 47, an outer sealing component 53, and an inner sealing component 54.

[0307] The main body 48 is a component that, together with the inner wall 10aB, forms the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path C2.

[0308] A groove 48a is formed on the surface of the main body 48 in the +Y direction, which extends in the vertical direction and forms the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path C2, excluding the inner wall portion 10aB.

[0309] The lower end of the groove 48a has the following characteristics: it surrounds each side from the outside along the side in the -Y direction and the side in the transverse width direction of the upper connecting plate 33, and the end in the +Y direction is close to the shape of the inner wall 10aB.

[0310] The upper end of the groove 48a has a shape that is substantially the same as the portion other than the inner wall portion 10aA in the flow path of the first flow path C1 in the lower end of the flow path forming member 14A.

[0311] Between the groove 48a and the inner wall 10aB, a roughly rectangular groove cross-section is formed, with the cross-sectional area gradually decreasing from the lower end to the upper end. However, the groove 48a has appropriate protrusions such as a guide wall for rectifying the flow of cold air and a protrusion for pressing the flow regulator 39.

[0312] The outer periphery of the main body 48 surrounds the groove 48a from the outer periphery. An upper flange 48e protruding outward except for the end face in the +Y direction is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end of the groove 48a. A lower flange 48f protruding outward except for the end face in the +Y direction is formed on the outer periphery of the lower end of the groove 48a.

[0313] An upper surface 48b is formed on the surface of the upper flange portion 48e in the +Z direction. The upper surface 48b is an inclined surface whose height increases in the +Z direction as it tends towards the +Y direction.

[0314] A lower surface 48d is formed on the surface of the lower flange portion 48f in the -Z direction. The lower surface 48d is an inclined surface whose height increases in the +Z direction as it tends towards the +Y direction. The inclination angle of the lower surface 48d is the same as that of the inclined portion 29b and the rear plate portion 33e in the upper connecting plate 33.

[0315] The surface in the -Y direction between the upper flange 48e and the lower flange 48f in the main body 48 is an inclined surface that tends towards the +Y direction as it moves towards the +Z direction. The surfaces in the transverse width direction between the upper flange 48e and the lower flange 48f in the main body 48 are planes that are mostly parallel to the YZ plane.

[0316] At the end of the main body 48 in the +Y direction, there is a rear surface 48c that extends in the vertical direction, sandwiching the opening of the groove 48a. Each rear surface 48c is a plane parallel to the ZX plane.

[0317] The main body 48 is formed by thermal insulation materials such as EPS.

[0318] Cover 47 covers the outer peripheral surface of the main body 48, excluding the inner peripheral surface of the groove 48a, the upper surface 48b, the lower surface 48d, and the rear surface 48c.

[0319] The cover 47 has: a first cover portion 47a, a second cover portion 47b, a third cover portion 47c, and a fourth cover portion 47d.

[0320] The first cover 47a covers the upper flange 48e. The second cover 47b covers the lower flange 48f. The third cover 47c covers the front side of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 48 between the upper flange 48e and the lower flange 48f. The fourth cover 47d covers the two sides of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 48 between the upper flange 48e and the lower flange 48f.

[0321] A fixing plate 47n parallel to the XY plane extends from the upper end of the first cover 47a in the -Y direction towards the -Y direction.

[0322] On the side of the second cover 47b in the Y direction, at a position where it can engage with the hook 33b, there is a locking claw 47f that can be detachably engaged with the hook 33b. One or more locking claws 47f are provided depending on the number and arrangement of the hooks 33b.

[0323] exist Figure 19 In the example shown, the engaging claw 47f is located at the center of the second cover portion 47b in the lateral width direction. The engaging claw 47f has a claw body 47f1 and an engaging protrusion 47f2.

[0324] The claw body 47f1 is formed between two narrow slits extending from the lower end of the second cover portion 47b in the +Z direction and penetrating in the depth direction. The claw body 47f1 will elastically deform towards the body portion 48 when subjected to an external force in the +Y direction. The engaging protrusion 47f2 protrudes from the lower end of the claw body 47f1 in the -Y direction.

[0325] At the second cover portion 47b, and at two locations where the engaging claws 47f are clamped in the lateral width direction, guide walls 47g that guide the two ends of the hook 33b in the lateral width direction protrude in the -Y direction. The distance between each guide wall 47g gradually decreases in a manner close to the width in the lateral width direction of the hook 33b as it approaches the +Z direction.

[0326] On the side of the second cover 47b in the +X direction, the return pipe cover 47h extends in the +X direction. The return pipe cover 47h covers the first cylindrical section 32B of the return pipe 32 from above.

[0327] The return pipe cover 47h is provided with a grid window 47i, wherein the grid forms multiple openings that allow airflow from the vegetable chamber 27B to the return flow path Cr.

[0328] like Figure 19 , 20 As shown, at both ends of the second cover portion 47b in the +Y direction along its lateral width, there are fixing members 47j protruding outward from the second cover portion 47b. Each fixing member 47j is configured to fix the flow path forming member 14B to the upper connecting plate 33 using screws.

[0329] Each fixing component 47j is located at: each fixing part 29d covering the inner box 10a from above (refer to...) Figure 10 The position of ). The upper surface portion 47j3 of each fixed component 47j (refer to Figure 19 The upper surface portion 47j3 has an inclination along the inclined surface 29f of the fixing portion 29d. A recess 47j4 is formed on the back side of the upper surface portion 47j3, which is fitted into the fixing portion 29d from above (see reference). Figure 20 ).

[0330] A screw hole 47j1 is provided on the upper surface portion 47j3 for a screw to be inserted, wherein the screw can be screwed into the screw hole 33k of each screw fixing portion 33h of the upper connecting plate 33 (see reference). Figure 13 A reduced diameter portion 47j2 is formed around the screw hole 47j1. The reduced diameter portion 47j2 is a concave surface formed on the upper surface portion 47j3, and the diameter is reduced from the upper surface portion 47j3 toward the center of the screw hole 47j1.

[0331] At the upper end of each of the fourth cover portions 47d, there is a fixing plate 47k that protrudes outward in the lateral width direction and detachably fixes the upper end of the flow path forming member 14B to the inner wall portion 10aB. Figure 20 As shown, engaging claws 47m protruding in the +Y direction are formed on the surface of each fixing plate 47k in the +Y direction.

[0332] The locking claw 47m is elastically deformed to allow for detachable connection with the fastener 55 fixed to the inner wall portion 10aB (see reference). Figure 18 The engaging holes of the engaging claws 47m are engaged. The shape of the engaging claws 47m is not particularly limited, as long as they can engage with the fixing member 55 in a detachable manner. For example, the engaging claws 47m can also be configured as having two elastic plates extending in the +Y direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction, facing each other, and engaging protrusions protruding outwards in the opposite direction from the front end of each elastic plate in the extending direction. In this case, the fixing member 55 has recesses inside the engaging holes into which the engaging claws 47m are inserted, engaging with the engaging protrusions of the engaging claws 47m.

[0333] like Figure 20 As shown, an outer sealing member 53 is attached to the upper surface 48b, rear surface 48c, and lower surface 48d of the main body 48. The outer sealing member 53 provides an airtight seal to the second flow path C2 between the lower end of the flow path forming member 14A, the inner wall portion 10aB, and the edge of the opening O2 in the inclined portion 29b and the main body 48.

[0334] like Figure 18 As shown, the outer sealing member 53 has a closed-loop shape including an upper surface sealing portion 53a, a rear surface sealing portion 53b, and a lower surface sealing portion 53c respectively adhered to the upper surface 48b, the rear surface 48c, and the lower surface 48d. The material of the outer sealing member 53 is not particularly limited, as long as it is elastic and has airtightness capable of suppressing the outflow of cold air flowing in the second flow path C2 and the inflow of air into the vegetable compartment 27B. For example, the aforementioned soft tape, butyl rubber, or double-sided tape can also be used as the outer sealing member 53.

[0335] The outer sealing member 53 has a width that is narrower than either the width of the upper surface 48b in the depth direction or the width of the front end portion 48dF of the lower surface 48d in the depth direction extending in the lateral width direction.

[0336] like Figure 20 As shown, the upper surface sealing portion 53a is adhered to the outer edge of the upper surface 48b along the inner circumferential surface of the first cover portion 47a. Therefore, the upper surface 48b is exposed on the inner circumferential side of the upper surface sealing portion 53a.

[0337] Similarly, the lower surface sealing portion 53c is attached to the outer edge of the lower surface 48d along the inner circumferential surface of the second cover portion 47b. An inner sealing member 54 is attached to the lower surface 48d at the front end portion 48dF and on the inner circumferential side of the lower surface sealing portion 53c.

[0338] The inner sealing member 54 seals the gap between the upper end of the front side of the air supply flow path forming member 14b of the flow path forming member 14C and the main body 48, and is configured such that, at a position closer to the inner side than the outer sealing member 53, the cold air from the air supply flow path Cb is unlikely to leak out from the front side of the flow path forming member 14B.

[0339] The same material as the outer sealing member 53 is used as the material for the inner sealing member 54.

[0340] Here, the structure in which the upper end of the flow path forming component 14B is connected to the lower end of the flow path forming component 14A will be described.

[0341] Figure 21 It means Figure 2 An enlarged view of section F21 in the image.

[0342] like Figure 21 As shown, a protrusion 28a protruding from the lower surface of the first partition 28 is locked from above onto the fixing plate 47n of the flow path forming member 14B.

[0343] The upper surface 48b of the flow path forming member 14B separates from and is opposite to the lower end face 14Ag of the flow path forming member 14A, which has the same inclination. On the lower end face 14Ag, the sealing member 14Ah is attached to the portion of the upper surface 48b opposite to the inner circumferential side of the upper surface sealing portion 53a. The sealing member 14Ah is formed of the same material as the outer sealing member 53.

[0344] The upper surface sealing portion 53a and the sealing member 14Ah are sandwiched between the upper surface 48b and the lower end face 14Ag in a compressed state. Since the inner and outer circumferences of the connection portion between the flow path forming members 14B and 14A are double-sealed by the sealing member 14Ah and the upper surface sealing portion 53a, the airtightness of the connection portion is improved. When the connection portion is only sealed once, the airtightness may decrease due to fixing deviations, etc. In this embodiment, it is possible to more reliably suppress the situation where cold air flowing from the second flow path C2 to the first flow path C1 leaks out from the connection portion between the flow path forming member 14B and the flow path forming member 14A.

[0345] The connection structure of the flow path forming components 14B and 14C will be explained together with the manufacturing method of the refrigerator 1.

[0346] The manufacturing method of the refrigerator 1 in this embodiment will be described with a focus on the manufacturing method of the refrigerator body 5.

[0347] A guide channel 41 is provided in the cooling unit housing 18 of the inner casing 10a. Flow path forming components 14B and 14C are assembled into the above structure.

[0348] Subsequently, the flow path forming component 14C is assembled from the rear side of the inner casing 10a, with the sealing components 36, 37, and 38 sandwiched between them.

[0349] At this time, the second cylindrical portion 31C, the first cylindrical portion 32B, and the hook 33b at the upper end of the flow path forming component 14C are inserted into the openings O2, O3, and O4 from below, and protrude upwards toward the inclined portion 29b.

[0350] The second cylindrical portion 32C of the return pipe 32 is inserted into the insertion opening 41c of the guide groove portion 41 from the outside of the inner surface 18h of the recess 18a. The second cylindrical portion 32C is locked at the edge of the insertion opening 41c by the locking claw 32d.

[0351] The first cylindrical section 31B of the air supply duct 31 is inserted into the opening O1 from the rear. The locking protrusion 31c of the first cylindrical section 31B is locked to the locking plate 35d of the fixing bracket 35 assembled from the front.

[0352] Thus, the flow path forming component 14C is fixed to the insertion opening 41c and the opening O1 in the inner box 10a by means of the guide groove 41 and the fixing bracket 35, respectively.

[0353] At this time, the second cylinder 31C is inserted into the opening O2, and the first cylinder 32B is inserted into the opening O3 from below. Therefore, in the top view viewed from the -Z direction, the opening 31b, which serves as the upper opening of the air supply path Cb, opens into the inside of the opening O2. Similarly, in the top view viewed from the -Z direction, the opening 32a, which serves as the upper opening of the return path Cr, opens into the inside of the opening O3.

[0354] Since the sealing components 37, 36, and 38 are in close contact with the inner box 10a from the outside, the insertion opening 41c and the edges of the openings O1, O2, O3, and O4 are respectively liquid-tightly sealed.

[0355] Subsequently, the components are appropriately configured between the inner casing 10a and the outer casing 10b.

[0356] For example, a suction tube 52 and a pressing member 45 are arranged on the +Y direction side of the flow path forming member 14C, so that the suction tube 52 is locked between the locking groove 40b2 and the guide groove 45c. The engaging part 45a of the pressing member 45 is engaged with the frame body 40a, thus restricting its position in the vertical direction and the lateral width direction relative to the flow path forming member 14C.

[0357] After all components are assembled, the outer casing 10b is assembled from the rear side of the inner casing 10a. The inner surface of the rear wall 25 of the outer casing 10b is engaged with the rear surface engaging portion 45b of the pressing member 45.

[0358] For example, the fixing member of the fixed flow path forming component 14A is assembled into the inner wall portion 10aA.

[0359] In this state, the foaming liquid that forms the foamed insulation material 10c is introduced into the space between the inner box 10a and the outer box 10b (hereinafter referred to as the filling space). The foaming liquid is filled into the filling space while it foams.

[0360] At this time, the components within the filling space and the inner box 10a may be deformed or moved due to the foaming pressure of the foaming liquid. In this embodiment, the flow path forming component 14C and the straw 52 are pressed by the pressing component 45, thus suppressing their respective positional deviations and deformations.

[0361] Since the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 are connected in the adjacent direction by an upper connecting plate 33 and a lower connecting plate 34 extending in the adjacent direction, the spacing in the adjacent direction is kept constant. In particular, since through holes 34a are formed in each lower connecting plate 34, the foaming liquid can flow smoothly. As a result, poor filling between the air supply duct 31 and the return duct 32 can be prevented. Furthermore, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the heat conduction path of the lower connecting plate 34 is suppressed by the through holes 34a, the heat conduction from the air supply duct 31 to the return duct 32 is also reduced.

[0362] The edges of the insertion opening 41c and the openings O1, O2, O3, and O4 are respectively liquid-tightly sealed, thus preventing the foamed insulation material 10c from entering the air supply duct 31, the return duct 32, and the cooling unit housing 18.

[0363] Subsequently, the flow path forming component 14B is inserted through the opening of the vegetable compartment 27B, with its lower end positioned on the inclined portion 29b of the second partition 29. Then, when the flow path forming component 14B is pressed against the inclined portion 29b of the second partition 29, the engaging claw 47f engages with the hook 33b guided by the guide wall 47g. In this state, when each fixing plate 47k is pressed towards the inner wall portion 10aB, each engaging claw 47m engages with each fixing member 55. Accordingly, the flow path forming component 14B is temporarily engaged with the upper connecting plate 33 and the inner wall portion 10aB.

[0364] Next, screws 56 are inserted into the screw holes 47j1 of each fixing component 47j, facing the screw fixing part 33h of the upper connecting plate 33 (refer to...). Figure 8 Tighten the screw. At this time, since a reduced diameter portion 47j2 is formed around the screw hole 47j1, the screw 56 can be easily inserted into the screw hole 47j1 even from the front side of the vegetable compartment 27B.

[0365] The screw 56 passes through the screw hole 47j1 of each fixing component 47j and the recess 29e on the upper surface of the fixing part 29d. At this time, even if the screw hole 47j1 is misaligned with the screw hole 33k, as the screw 56 is pressed in, the tip of the screw 56 will be guided onto the screw hole 33k along the recess 29e of the fixing part 29d and along the inclination of the reduced diameter part 33j of the recess 29e.

[0366] Accordingly, screw 56 is smoothly screwed into screw hole 33k, thereby reliably engaging with screw hole 33k of screw fixing part 33h. Therefore, the workability of fixing flow path forming component 14B is improved, thereby shortening operation time. Poor engagement due to poor operation is less likely to occur. In this embodiment, since screw hole 33k is inclined in a direction more biased towards the -Y direction than the vertical direction, the workability of removing and installing flow path forming component 14B is improved, even from the perspective of easily removing and installing screw 56 from the opening on the front side of vegetable compartment 27B.

[0367] Thus, with the outer sealing member 53 pressed against the inclined portion 29b, the corner portion 29c, and the inner wall portion 10aB, the flow path forming member 14B is fixed inside the vegetable chamber 27B.

[0368] In the aforementioned fixing structure of the flow path forming component 14B, such as Figure 5 As shown, the lower end of the flow path forming component 14B abuts against the edge of the opening O2 from above.

[0369] The engaging claw 47f of the flow path forming component 14B is inserted into the +Y direction side of the hook 33b, which is clamped by the guide wall 47g. The engaging protrusion 47f2 engages from below with the opening of the hook 33b.

[0370] The sealing member 38, the inclined portion 29b, and the outer sealing member 53 are sandwiched between the front plate portion 33a and the main body portion 48 in a compressed state. In addition, the inner sealing member 54 is sandwiched between the inclined surface 14b4 of the airflow path forming member 14b and the main body portion 48 in a compressed state.

[0371] The compressed outer sealing component 53 and inner sealing component 54 can prevent the cold air flowing in the second flow path C2 from leaking into the vegetable compartment 27B.

[0372] The upper end of the motor housing 39e is pressed by the pressing protrusion 48g through the plate member 44, wherein the pressing protrusion 48g protrudes from the inside of the groove 48a.

[0373] When the fixed flow path forming component 14B is in place, the sealing component 38 is held in a compressed state by the front plate portion 33a, the plurality of ribs 33c1, 33c2, 33d, the rear plate portion 33e, and the inclined portion 29b of the upper connecting plate 33. Therefore, the edges of the openings O2, O3, and O4 formed on the upper surface portion 29A are liquid-tightly sealed on the lower surface side of the upper surface portion 29A.

[0374] After that, as Figure 21 As shown, a first partition 28 is configured. A protrusion 28a protruding from the lower surface of the first partition 28 is engaged from above with the fixing plate 47n of the flow path forming member 14B.

[0375] Subsequently, the flow path forming component 14A is fixed to the inner wall portion 10aA. The lower end of the sealing flow path forming component 14A is connected to the flow path forming component 14B as described above.

[0376] Thus, a refrigerator body 5 is formed, which is equipped with flow path forming components 14A, 14B, and 14C.

[0377] Afterwards, the other components are assembled into the refrigerator body 5, thereby manufacturing the refrigerator 1.

[0378] In refrigerator 1, cold air is generated by heat exchange between the air in the cooling unit containment chamber 18 and the evaporator 15a through which the low-temperature refrigerant flows.

[0379] With the flow regulating plate 39c of the flow regulator 39 closing the air supply path Cb, the cold air is drawn out into the flow path C11 by the cooling fan 16 and then flows to the freezer compartment 27C through the opening 18e. Accordingly, the interior of the freezer compartment 27C is cooled. The cold air, after exchanging heat with the stored items in the freezer compartment 27C, returns to the cooling unit housing chamber 18 through the opening at the lower end 18d.

[0380] When the air supply path Cb is opened using the flow regulating plate 39c, a portion of the cold air drawn into the flow path C11 by the cooling fan 16 flows into the lower end of the air supply path Cb through the opening 18c and the flow path C12.

[0381] In this embodiment, on the evaporator 15a, the cooling fan 16 and the opening 18c are arranged side by side in the lateral width direction, and the opening 32b is provided diagonally downward when viewed from the cooling fan 16. Therefore, the air flowing in from the opening 32b is drawn out by the cooling fan 16 to the diagonal direction of the cooling unit housing chamber 18, thus heat exchange can occur over a wide area of ​​the surface of the evaporator 15a during its diagonal traversal of the evaporator 15a. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the air when cold air is generated is improved.

[0382] Furthermore, the cold air directed toward the airflow path Cb flows through the opening 18c adjacent to the cooling fan 16 in the +X direction and the flow path C12, thus reducing the flow resistance of the cold air directed toward the airflow path Cb.

[0383] The cold air in the air supply path Cb flows into the second flow path C2 from the opening 31b, and then flows into the first flow path C1 from the upper end of the second flow path C2. The cold air flowing in the first flow path C1 flows into the refrigerator compartment 27A through multiple openings 14Af, cooling the interior of the refrigerator compartment 27A.

[0384] Cold air flows into the vegetable compartment 27B through the connecting hole 28b that passes through the first partition 28, cooling the interior of the vegetable compartment 27B.

[0385] The cold air, which has increased in temperature due to heat exchange with the stored items until it reaches the vegetable compartment 27B, descends from the upper end of the return flow path Cr through the lattice window 47i and flows into the lower part of the cooling unit containment chamber 18 through the opening 32b.

[0386] In this way, the cold air circulates inside the refrigerator 1. The control board 17 controls the temperature of the cold air and the flow rate of the airflow path Cb, which is regulated by the flow regulator 39, based on the output of the temperature sensor arranged inside the refrigerator 1, so that the refrigerator compartment 27A, vegetable compartment 27B and freezer compartment 27C of the refrigerator 1 reach the preset temperature range.

[0387] As explained above, in the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, an insulating wall is formed by filling a foamed insulating material 10cB between the cooling unit housing 18 and the return pipe 32 (see reference). Figure 6Therefore, by utilizing the cold air formed in the cooling unit containment chamber 18, the return pipe 32 is difficult to cool, and thus, the freezing and frost formation of moisture in the air flowing from the vegetable compartment 27B toward the cooling unit containment chamber 18 through the return pipe 32 is suppressed.

[0388] Therefore, for example, there is no need to install a defrost heater or air supply mechanism to prevent frost formation. With a simple configuration, frost formation in the return pipe 32 can be suppressed.

[0389] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an insulation wall is formed by filling the space between the supply air duct 31 and the return air duct 32 with a foamed insulation material 10cA (see reference). Figure 6 , 17 Therefore, even though the return duct 32 is difficult to cool by the cold air flowing in the supply duct 31, frost formation in the return duct 32 can be suppressed.

[0390] Compared to materials like expanded polystyrene, the expanded polystyrene insulation materials 10cA and 10cB offer superior insulation performance. Therefore, for example, compared to placing the return pipe 32 inside the freezer compartment 27C and installing a partition wall of expanded polystyrene or similar insulation material between it and the evaporator 15a, space can be saved and frost buildup on the return pipe 32 can be prevented. Furthermore, by placing the return pipe 32 in a filling space further rearward than the inner casing 10a, the inner diameter of the return flow path Cr and the freedom of its arrangement path are increased. In this embodiment, the return flow path Cr bypasses a point directly below the opening 32a towards the +X direction and bends at its lower end to form an opening 32b facing the -X direction. Therefore, the inner diameter of the return flow path Cr can be increased, and air can flow smoothly. Consequently, the flow resistance in the return pipe 32 is reduced, thus reducing the load on the cooling fan 16 and improving cooling efficiency. As a result, power consumption and noise associated with the operation of the cooling fan 16 and the compressor 51 are reduced.

[0391] In the above embodiments, an example of a lower storage compartment being a freezer compartment and an upper storage compartment being a vegetable compartment was described. However, air supply ducts and return ducts can be configured between a suitable lower storage compartment and an upper storage compartment for cold air circulation. Therefore, the lower and upper storage compartments are not limited to a freezer compartment and a vegetable compartment. For example, a freezer compartment can also be configured below a refrigerator compartment. In this case, the refrigerator compartment becomes the upper storage compartment, and the freezer compartment becomes the lower storage compartment.

[0392] In the above embodiments, an example was described where the supply air duct and the return air duct are adjacent in the lateral width direction. However, the return air duct only needs to be adjacent to the cooler housing chamber, and it can also be offset from the supply air duct in height.

[0393] In the above embodiment, an example was described where the air supply duct and return duct are formed as an assembly of the first and second components connected by a connecting plate. However, the air supply duct and return duct can also be formed by other assemblies. For example, the air supply duct and return duct can each be formed by a pipe component, and each can be connected to the other by other connecting components.

[0394] In the above embodiment, an example was described where the second cylindrical section 31C and the first cylindrical section 32B protrude from the inclined section 29b, where the openings O2 and O3 are formed, respectively. As long as the air supply path Cb and the second flow path C2 are interconnected, and the interior of the vegetable chamber 27B is connected to the return flow path Cr, however, the second cylindrical section 31C and the first cylindrical section 32B may not protrude from the inclined section 29b.

[0395] In the above embodiment, an example of a single-leaf revolving door 11A was described. However, the refrigerator door 11A is not limited to a single-leaf door. For example, the refrigerator door 11A can also be a double-leaf door, a sliding door, etc.

[0396] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, a refrigerator includes: a refrigerator body including an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment disposed below the upper storage compartment; a cooler that generates cold air; a cooler housing compartment disposed in the refrigerator body and housing the cooler; a return duct that connects the upper storage compartment and the cooler housing compartment, forming a return flow path for air from the upper storage compartment to return to the cooler housing compartment; and a foamed polyurethane insulation material that is filled between the cooler housing compartment and the return duct. Therefore, a refrigerator with a simple structure that can suppress frost formation in the return duct can be provided.

[0397] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are all included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: Possessing: a refrigerator main body including an upper side storage room and a lower side storage room disposed at the lower side of the upper side storage room; a cooler that forms cool air; a cooler housing room provided to the refrigerator main body, housing the cooler; a return duct that is communicated with the upper side storage room and the cooler housing room, the return duct forming a return flow path in which air of the upper side storage room returns to the cooler housing room; a foamed thermal insulation material that is foamed polyurethane, filled between the cooler housing room and the outer peripheral portion of the return duct; and a guide groove portion that is formed with an insertion opening into which the return duct is inserted, disposed below the cooler, and collects moisture that drips from the cooler, the return duct has a return duct protruding portion that is fixed to the guide groove portion by being engaged with the edge portion of the insertion opening.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator further has a supply duct that forms a supply flow path in which the cool air is supplied from the cooler housing room toward the upper side storage room, and is disposed adjacent to the return duct, the foamed thermal insulation material is also filled between the supply duct and the return duct, the return duct and the supply duct are connected to each other by a plurality of connecting plates that extend in the direction in which they are adjacent to each other, the return duct and the supply duct have a first member and a second member that can be separated in such a manner that the return flow path and the supply flow path are divided into two halves along the center line of the return flow path, and a side sealing member that is interposed between the first member and the second member and seals the sides of the return flow path and the supply flow path in liquid tightness, the plurality of connecting plates are each divided into a first connecting plate included in the first member and a second connecting plate included in the second member, the first member has a first engagement portion that is engaged with the second member, the second member has a second engagement portion that is engaged with the first engagement portion, the first member and the second member are connected to each other by the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion being engaged with each other.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator further has a supply duct that forms a supply flow path in which the cool air is supplied from the cooler housing room toward the upper side storage room, and is disposed adjacent to the return duct, the foamed thermal insulation material is also filled between the supply duct and the return duct, the refrigerator main body has an inner case that forms the upper side storage room and the lower side storage room, and an outer case that covers the outer side of the inner case, the return duct and the supply duct are disposed between the inner case and the outer case, the foamed thermal insulation material is filled between the inner case and the outer case, the supply duct has: a supply duct cylinder portion into which a flow inlet through which the cool air flows in from the cooler housing room is opened, the supply duct cylinder portion being inserted into an opening portion that is opened to the cooler housing room in the inner case from the outer surface side of the inner case; ​ A duct protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the front end of the duct cylinder in the insertion direction; And A flat portion extends outward from the outer periphery of the duct cylinder in a manner that surrounds the outer periphery of the duct cylinder, In a state in which a first opening sealing member that seals the periphery of the opening is arranged on the flat portion and the duct cylinder is inserted into the opening from the outer surface side of the inner case, the duct is fixed to the inner case by a fixing frame that is fitted to the outside of the outer periphery of the duct cylinder between the inner surface of the inner case and the duct protrusion along the opening, The fixing frame has a frame body into which the outer periphery of the duct cylinder is inserted and which abuts against the inner surface of the inner case, and a locking plate that protrudes from the inner periphery of the frame body toward the duct protrusion, is formed so as to be elastically deformable toward the outer periphery, is inclined toward the inside as it approaches the protruding direction, and locks with the duct protrusion at the front end in the protruding direction.

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper storage compartment is a vegetable compartment whose temperature is adjusted to a temperature at which storage items can be refrigerated, the lower storage compartment is a freezer compartment whose temperature is adjusted to a temperature at which storage items can be frozen, the refrigerator further comprises a refrigerating compartment whose temperature is adjusted to a temperature lower than the temperature of the interior of the vegetable compartment, on the upper side of the vegetable compartment, the cooler housing is formed in a recess formed in the inner surface of the rear side of the freezer compartment, the return duct extends in the vertical direction while passing beside the recess, the upper end of the return duct penetrates the bottom wall of the vegetable compartment, an opening is formed in the upper surface side of the bottom wall, and the lower end of the return duct forms an opening that communicates with the recess. A refrigerator main body including an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment arranged on the lower side of the upper storage compartment, a cooler that forms cool air, a cooler housing provided in the refrigerator main body and housing the cooler, a return duct that communicates between the upper storage compartment and the cooler housing and forms a return flow path through which air in the upper storage compartment returns to the cooler housing, and a foamed thermal insulation material that is foamed polyurethane and is filled between the cooler housing and the outer periphery of the return duct, The refrigerator further includes a duct that forms a supply flow path through which the cool air is supplied from the cooler housing toward the upper storage compartment and is arranged adjacent to the return duct, The foamed thermal insulation material is also filled between the duct and the return duct, The return duct and the duct are connected to each other by a plurality of connecting plates that extend in the direction in which they are adjacent to each other, A through hole that penetrates in the plate thickness direction and through which the foamed thermal insulation material enters is formed in at least one of the plurality of connecting plates.

5. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: A refrigerator main body including an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment arranged on the lower side of the upper storage compartment, a cooler that forms cool air, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 6. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: ​ ​ ​ A cooler housing chamber is provided in the refrigerator main body to house the cooler; A return duct is connected to the upper storage chamber and the cooler housing chamber, and forms a return flow path through which air in the upper storage chamber is returned to the cooler housing chamber; and A foamed thermal insulation material, which is foamed polyurethane, is filled between the cooler housing chamber and the outer peripheral portion of the return duct, The refrigerator further includes a supply duct that forms a supply flow path through which the cool air is supplied from the cooler housing chamber toward the upper storage chamber, and is disposed adjacent to the return duct, The foamed thermal insulation material is also filled between the supply duct and the return duct, The return duct and the supply duct are connected to each other by a plurality of connecting plates that extend in the direction in which they are adjacent to each other, The return duct and the supply duct have a first member and a second member that can be separated in such a manner that the return flow path and the supply flow path are divided into two halves along the center line of the return flow path, and a side sealing member that is interposed between the first member and the second member to liquid-tightly seal each side portion of the return flow path and the supply flow path, The plurality of connecting plates are each divided into a first connecting plate included in the first member and a second connecting plate included in the second member.

7. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: A refrigerator main body includes an upper storage chamber and a lower storage chamber disposed below the upper storage chamber; A cooler forms cool air; A cooler housing chamber is provided in the refrigerator main body to house the cooler; A return duct is connected to the upper storage chamber and the cooler housing chamber, and forms a return flow path through which air in the upper storage chamber is returned to the cooler housing chamber; and A foamed thermal insulation material, which is foamed polyurethane, is filled between the cooler housing chamber and the outer peripheral portion of the return duct, The refrigerator further includes a supply duct that forms a supply flow path through which the cool air is supplied from the cooler housing chamber toward the upper storage chamber, and is disposed adjacent to the return duct, The foamed thermal insulation material is also filled between the supply duct and the return duct, The refrigerator main body has an inner case that forms the upper storage chamber and the lower storage chamber, and an outer case that covers the outer side of the inner case, The return duct and the supply duct are disposed between the inner case and the outer case, The foamed thermal insulation material is filled between the inner case and the outer case, The refrigerator further includes a flow path forming member that is disposed in the upper storage chamber and abuts against the upper surface of the bottom wall of the upper storage chamber from the upper side, The lower end of the flow path forming member abuts against each of the edge portions of a first opening and a second opening formed in the inner case that forms the upper surface from the upper side, An opening on the upper side of the supply duct opens inward of the first opening when viewed from above, An opening on the upper side of the return duct opens inward of the second opening when viewed from above, ​ The return duct and the supply duct are connected to each other by an upper connecting plate extending in the direction of abutment of each other, the upper connecting plate being provided to the outer peripheral portions of the return duct and the supply duct so as to surround the upper end portions of the return duct and the supply duct from the outside, respectively, An upper opening sealing member that liquid-tightly seals the rim portions is provided between the rim portions and the upper connecting plate.

8. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: Provided are: a refrigerator main body including an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment disposed on the lower side of the upper storage compartment; a cooler that forms cool air; a cooler housing chamber provided in the refrigerator main body and housing the cooler; a return duct that communicates with the upper storage compartment and the cooler housing chamber, the return duct forming a return flow path through which air in the upper storage compartment returns to the cooler housing chamber; and foamed thermal insulation material of a foamed polyurethane type filled between the cooler housing chamber and the outer peripheral portion of the return duct, the refrigerator further includes a supply duct that forms a supply flow path through which the cool air is supplied from the cooler housing chamber toward the upper storage compartment, and is disposed in abutment with the return duct, the foamed thermal insulation material is also filled between the supply duct and the return duct, the refrigerator main body includes an inner case that forms the upper storage compartment and the lower storage compartment, and an outer case that covers the outer side of the inner case, the return duct and the supply duct are disposed between the inner case and the outer case, the foamed thermal insulation material is filled between the inner case and the outer case, the refrigerator further includes thermal insulation stopper members of a foamed polystyrene type, the thermal insulation stopper members each having a stopper portion that stops the inner surface of the outer case and a fitting portion that fits with the outer peripheral portion of one or both of the return duct and the supply duct, the refrigerator further includes a suction pipe that draws refrigerant flowing from the cooler, a first guide portion that guides the suction pipe is provided to the outer peripheral portion of one or both of the return duct and the supply duct, a second guide portion that guides the suction pipe is provided to the thermal insulation stopper member, the first guide portion and the second guide portion restrict the position of the suction pipe in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

9. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: Provided are: a refrigerator main body including an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment disposed on the lower side of the upper storage compartment; a cooler that forms cool air; a cooler housing chamber provided in the refrigerator main body and housing the cooler; a return duct that communicates with the upper storage compartment and the cooler housing chamber, the return duct forming a return flow path through which air in the upper storage compartment returns to the cooler housing chamber; and foamed thermal insulation material of a foamed polyurethane type filled between the cooler housing chamber and the outer peripheral portion of the return duct, the refrigerator further includes a supply duct that forms a supply flow path through which the cool air is supplied from the cooler housing chamber toward the upper storage compartment, and is disposed in abutment with the return duct, the foamed thermal insulation material is also filled between the supply duct and the return duct, the refrigerator main body includes an inner case that forms the upper storage compartment and the lower storage compartment, and an outer case that covers the outer side of the inner case, the return duct and the supply duct are disposed between the inner case and the outer case, the foamed thermal insulation material is filled between the inner case and the outer case, the refrigerator further includes thermal insulation stopper members of a foamed polystyrene type, the thermal insulation stopper members each having a stopper portion that stops the inner surface of the outer case and a fitting portion that fits with the outer peripheral portion of one or both of the return duct and the supply duct, the refrigerator further includes a suction pipe that draws refrigerant flowing from the cooler, a first guide portion that guides the suction pipe is provided to the outer peripheral portion of one or both of the return duct and the supply duct, a second guide portion that guides the suction pipe is provided to the thermal insulation stopper member, the first guide portion and the second guide portion restrict the position of the suction pipe in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The foamed thermal insulation material is also filled between the air supply duct and the return duct, The refrigerator main body has an inner case that forms the upper storage compartment and the lower storage compartment, and an outer case that covers the outer side of the inner case, The return duct and the air supply duct are arranged between the inner case and the outer case, The foamed thermal insulation material is filled between the inner case and the outer case, The air supply duct has: An air supply duct barrel portion into which a flow inlet through which the cold air flows from the cooler housing chamber is opened, which is inserted into an opening portion that is opened in the inner case to the cooler housing chamber from the outer surface side of the inner case; An air supply duct protrusion portion that is provided on the outer peripheral side of the front end portion of the insertion direction of the air supply duct barrel portion; And A flat portion that extends outward from the outer peripheral portion in a manner of surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the air supply duct barrel portion, In a state where a first opening sealing member that seals the periphery of the opening portion is arranged on the flat portion, and the air supply duct barrel portion is inserted into the opening portion from the outer surface side of the inner case, the air supply duct is fixed to the inner case by a fixing bracket that is embedded on the outer side of the outer peripheral portion of the air supply duct barrel portion, between the inner surface of the inner case along the opening portion and the air supply duct protrusion portion.

10. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: Possess: A refrigerator main body including an upper storage compartment, and a lower storage compartment arranged on the lower side of the upper storage compartment; A cooler that forms cold air; A cooler housing chamber provided in the refrigerator main body, which houses the cooler; A return duct that is communicated with the upper storage compartment and the cooler housing chamber, which forms a return flow path through which air in the upper storage compartment is returned to the cooler housing chamber; and A foamed thermal insulation material made of foamed polyurethane, which is filled between the outer peripheral portion of the cooler housing chamber and the return duct, The refrigerator further comprises a guide groove portion arranged below the cooler, which collects moisture dripping from the cooler, The return duct has: a return duct barrel portion into which a discharge port that discharges the air returned to the cooler housing chamber is opened; a locking claw that has a return duct protrusion portion protruding outward at the front end portion of the insertion direction of the return duct barrel portion, and is formed to be elastically deformable to the inner peripheral side; and a flange portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral portion of the return duct barrel portion in a manner of surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the return duct barrel portion, An insertion opening through which the return duct barrel portion can be inserted is formed in the side wall of the guide groove portion, In a state where a second opening sealing member that seals the periphery of the insertion opening is arranged on the flange portion, and the return duct barrel portion is inserted into the insertion opening, the return duct is fixed to the side wall of the guide groove portion by the return duct protrusion portion engaging with the edge portion of the insertion opening.

Images