Refrigerator and instant water heater

Abstract

The invention provides a novel refrigerator which can increase the usage amount of recycled polyurethane. Functional components (19), (26), (28), (43) and (44) which are used in a refrigerator main body (1) except for heat insulation materials and have specific functions are formed by regenerated polyurethane, are configured at preset positions and are embedded by native polyurethane (30) and (42). As a result, the amount of recycled polyurethane used can be increased. In addition, waste treatment can be performed in the same waste treatment path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator for storing food, drinking water, etc. by refrigerating or freezing, and an instantaneous water heater for supplying warm water in a house, and in particular to a refrigerator and an instantaneous water heater using recycled polyurethane. Background Art

[0002] For example, a refrigerator has a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a vegetable compartment, etc., arranged inside a heat-insulating box, and each storage compartment is divided from each other by a heat-insulating partition wall in a manner that reduces heat transfer. In these heat-insulating boxes and heat-insulating partition walls, a heat-insulating material composed of hard polyurethane foam is generally used.

[0003] However, from the perspective of resource conservation and environmental load, the recycling of waste home appliances such as refrigerators has become an extremely important development theme, and various efforts have been made. In the recycling of refrigerators, in addition to metal materials such as iron plates and copper pipes, rigid polyurethane foam is also a target for recycling.

[0004] In addition, various recycling methods for rigid polyurethane foams for refrigerators have been proposed, such as the schemes described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-243554 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-32492 (Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 1, it is proposed that recycled polyurethane regenerated from discarded rigid polyurethane foams be foamed and solidified in the insulation box of a new refrigerator to form polyurethane foam. In addition, in Patent Document 2, it is proposed that recycled polyurethane be mixed with an adhesive and used as a core material for vacuum insulation materials.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-243554

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-32492 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] As mentioned above, recycling recycled polyurethane as a material for thermal insulation is widely known, but due to the further improvement of environmental awareness, it is sought to expand the use of recycled polyurethane in refrigerators. On the other hand, compared with new virgin polyurethane, recycled polyurethane has lower various physical properties such as thermal insulation, so it is not a good idea to reuse it as the main material for thermal insulation. Based on this background, a method for utilizing recycled polyurethane that can expand the use of recycled polyurethane in addition to its use as the main material for thermal insulation is sought. In addition, it is also sought to expand the use of recycled polyurethane in instant water heaters.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel refrigerator and instant water heater capable of increasing the amount of recycled polyurethane used.

[0012] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0013] The present invention is characterized in that a functional component used in a refrigerator is formed into a predetermined shape by recycled polyurethane and arranged at a predetermined position, and is embedded by virgin polyurethane.

[0014] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the functional component used in the instant water heater is formed into a predetermined shape by recycled polyurethane, arranged at a predetermined position, and embedded by virgin polyurethane.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, a refrigerator and an instant water heater capable of increasing the amount of recycled polyurethane used can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a front view of a refrigerator to which the present invention is applied.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The illustrated refrigerator is a front perspective view of the exterior of the refrigerator with the opening and closing doors removed.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the exterior of the rear side of the refrigerator shown.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a rear view of the rear side of the refrigerator in the state where the cover of the machine room is removed according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 It is composed Figure 4 A perspective view of the exterior of the bottom plate of the machinery room is shown.

[0022] Figure 6 It is an external perspective view of a bottom plate constituting a machine room according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 It is an external perspective view of the rear side of the refrigerator in the state where the rear plate is removed according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a plan view of a top plate of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention as seen from above.

[0025] Fig. 9 Yes means Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the main parts of the AA section.

[0026] Fig.10 Yes means Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the main parts of the BB section.

[0027] Fig.11 This is an external perspective view of a heat-insulating partition wall according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.

[0028] Fig.12 Observed from above Fig.11 A top view of the insulating dividing wall is shown.

[0029] Fig.13 Yes means Fig.12 A cross-sectional view of the main parts of the CC section.

[0030] Fig.14 Yes means Fig.12 A cross-sectional view of the main parts of the DD section.

[0031] Fig.15 It is an external perspective view from the side of a refrigerator in a state where a side panel is removed according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig.16 Yes means Fig.15 A three-dimensional view of the mating portion of the bottom plate and the side plate is shown.

[0033] Fig.17 It is an external perspective view of an instant water heater according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig.18 Yes means Fig.17 The instant water heater shown is a side view of a state where a side panel is removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail using the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications and application examples are included in the technical concept of the present invention.

[0036] Before describing the specific embodiments of the present invention, Figures 1 to 3 The structure of the refrigerator to which the present invention is applied is briefly described. Figure 1 : is a diagram showing the front of a refrigerator. In the following description, a refrigerator with 6 doors is used as an example, but it is not limited to 6 doors. Figure 2 This is a front view of the refrigerator with the door removed, as seen from above. Figure 3 This is a diagram of the back side of the refrigerator as seen from diagonally above.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat-insulating box of the refrigerator 1 has storage rooms in the order of a refrigerating room 2, an ice-making room 3 arranged side by side on the left and right, an upper freezing room 4, a lower freezing room 5, and a vegetable room 6 from the top. An insulating partition wall 10 is arranged between the refrigerating room 2, the ice-making room 3 and the upper freezing room 4, and an insulating partition wall 11 is arranged between the lower freezing room 5 and the vegetable room 6. In the refrigerator 1, as is well known, there is a refrigerating cycle for generating cold air, and a cold air supply path for supplying cold air from the refrigerating cycle to the refrigerating room 2, the ice-making room 3, the freezing rooms 4, 5, and the vegetable room 6 by a blower fan.

[0038] The refrigerator 1 is provided with doors for opening and closing the openings of the respective storage compartments. The doors are left-and-right split rotary refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b for opening and closing the opening of the refrigerator compartment 2, and drawer-type ice compartment door 3a, upper freezer compartment door 4a, lower freezer compartment door 5a, and vegetable compartment door 6a for opening and closing the openings of the ice compartment 3, upper freezer compartment 4, lower freezer compartment 5, and vegetable compartment 6, respectively.

[0039] The refrigerator door 2a is provided with an operation unit for displaying typical settings and states in the refrigerator. Door hinges (not shown) are provided at the upper and lower parts of the refrigerator 2 to fix the refrigerator doors 2a and 2b to the refrigerator 1.

[0040] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the refrigerator 1 includes a side plate 12, a rear plate 13, and a top plate 14, and is a heat-insulating box body in which a urethane foam or a vacuum heat-insulating material is filled between the refrigerator and an inner box located inside.

[0041] A machine room 15 is formed at the lower side of the refrigerator 1, and a compressor, a heat exchanger, a cooling fan, etc. are arranged inside.

[0042] The refrigerating chamber 2 is a refrigerated storage chamber that sets the interior of the chamber to a refrigerating temperature zone (above 0°C), for example, an average of about 4°C. The freezing chamber 5 is a refrigerated storage chamber that sets the interior of the chamber to a freezing temperature zone (less than 0°C), for example, an average of about -18°C. The vegetable chamber 6 is a refrigerated storage chamber that sets the interior of the chamber to a refrigerating temperature zone, for example, an average of about 6°C, and is a refrigerated storage chamber that controls the drying of food by indirect cooling described later. An insulating partition wall 10 is interposed between the refrigerating chamber 2 and the ice making chamber 3 and the upper freezing chamber 4, and an insulating partition wall 11 is interposed between the freezing chamber 5 and the vegetable chamber 6 to suppress the entry and exit of heat between the storage chambers.

[0043] The refrigerator 1 is constructed as an insulated box body formed by filling a foamed insulation material (e.g., foamed polyurethane) between an outer box (made of steel plate) and an inner box (made of synthetic resin) composed of side panels 12, a rear panel 13, and a top panel 14, thereby isolating the outside of the box from the inside of the box. In addition, in the insulated box body, in addition to the foamed insulation material, a vacuum insulation material having a lower thermal conductivity than the foamed insulation material is also installed between the outer box and the inner box, thereby improving the insulation performance without reducing the food storage volume. Here, the vacuum insulation material is formed by wrapping a core material such as glass wool or polyurethane with an outer packaging material. The outer packaging material includes a metal layer (e.g., aluminum) to ensure gas barrier properties.

[0044] The structure of the refrigerator as described above is widely known, and further description thereof will be omitted. Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0045] As mentioned above, due to the increase in environmental awareness, there is a demand to expand the use of recycled polyurethane in refrigerators. On the other hand, recycled polyurethane has lower various physical properties such as thermal insulation than virgin polyurethane, so it is not a good idea to reuse it as the main material of thermal insulation.

[0046] Based on this background, a method for utilizing recycled polyurethane that can expand the amount of recycled polyurethane used in addition to its use as a main material for thermal insulation is sought. And, in order to meet this demand, the present invention is characterized in that a functional component with a specific function used in a refrigerator is formed of recycled polyurethane and is provided in the refrigerator to expand the amount of recycled polyurethane used. Similarly, a functional component with a specific function used in an instantaneous water heater is formed of recycled polyurethane and is provided in the instantaneous water heater to expand the amount of recycled polyurethane used.

[0047] The specific embodiments are described below. In addition, the virgin polyurethane of the present invention may not be a completely new material, but may be a material having a lower recycled material rate than recycled polyurethane.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] First, use Figure 4 , Figure 5The first embodiment of the present invention is described. The purpose of the first embodiment is to prevent the electrical wiring arranged on the side of the bottom plate opposite to the machine room side from moving to the screw fastening area due to the foaming of the original polyurethane and being damaged by the front end of the screw when fixing the bottom plate and the back plate of the refrigerator and tightening the screws that fix various components in the machine room to the bottom plate.

[0050] Furthermore, a damage suppression member formed of recycled polyurethane is arranged as a functional member for suppressing damage in a screw fastening region on the side of the bottom plate opposite to the machine room side and is embedded with virgin polyurethane.

[0051] also, Figure 4 The internal structure of the refrigerator 1 is shown with the cover of the machine room 13 removed. Figure 5 The bottom plate forming the machine room 13 is shown.

[0052] Figure 5 The bottom plate 16 shown has: a lower portion 16a arranged at the front side of the refrigerator 1 and at the lowest height position; an upper portion 16b arranged at the inner side and at the highest height position; and a vertical surface 16c connecting the lower portion 16a and the upper portion 16b and extending in a substantially vertical direction.

[0053] The vertical surface 16c and the upper portion 16b form a storage space SP of the machine room 13. The space between the upper surface of the bottom plate 16 and the inner box is filled with virgin polyurethane and foamed to form a part of the heat-insulating box body. In addition, the electrical wiring is arranged in the upper portion 16b and is connected to the inner box. Figure 4 The illustrated substrate storage box 20 is connected to an electrical substrate (not shown).

[0054] In addition, the edge of the left end / right end of the upper layer portion 16b is formed with a rising portion 16b1 bent in a manner of standing up. The rising portion 16b1 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the front-back direction. Similarly, the edge of the left end / right end of the vertical surface portion 16c is formed with a rising portion 16c1 bent in a manner of standing up forward. The rising portion 16c1 is also formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the up-down direction.

[0055] Furthermore, a mounting edge 17 is formed on the rear side of the upper portion 16b, and a threaded hole 18 is formed in the mounting edge 17. The rear plate 13 and various components are fixed to the threaded hole 18 by screws (the damage suppression component is omitted in this part). Furthermore, a damage suppression component 19 pre-made of recycled polyurethane is arranged on the front side of the mounting edge 17 formed with the threaded hole 18.

[0056] This damage inhibition component 19 is made into the shape of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped by the normal temperature compression molding method by the regenerated polyurethane, which helps to expand the usage of the regenerated polyurethane. In addition, the shape is arbitrary, in a word, as long as it can suppress the damage of the electric wiring caused by the tightening of the screw, then its shape is not limited.

[0057] return Figure 4 , a substrate storage box 20, a heat exchanger (not shown), a cooling fan 21, and a compressor 22 are arranged in the machine room 15 from the right side. These various components are arranged inside the storage space SP of the bottom plate 16. In addition, the mounting edge 17 of the bottom plate 16 overlaps with the rear plate 13 and is fastened and fixed by screws 23. In addition, various components in the machine room are fastened and fixed by screws 23. In addition, a damage suppression component 19 is provided on the front side of the mounting edge 17 of the bottom plate 16 on the opposite side of the machine room 13 in the area where the screws 23 are fastened, as shown by the dotted line.

[0058] In the machine room 15 of such a structure, when the virgin polyurethane is filled and foamed on site, the electrical wiring 24 is sometimes pushed by the flow of the virgin polyurethane and moves to the fastening and fixing area of ​​the screw 23. If the screw 23 is fastened and fixed in this state, the tip of the screw 23 sometimes reaches the moving part of the electrical wiring 24. Here, since the electrical wiring 24 is fixed by the foamed virgin polyurethane, the tip of the screw 24 may damage the sheath of the electrical wiring 24, and the copper wire of the electrical wiring 24 may electrically contact the screw 23 and cause a short circuit.

[0059] On the other hand, as in this embodiment Figure 5 As shown, a damage suppression member 19 is disposed in the fastening and fixing area on the front side of the mounting edge 17 of the bottom plate 16 so as to face the screw hole 18. Therefore, when the virgin polyurethane is foamed, even if the electrical wiring 24 moves due to the flow of the virgin polyurethane, the damage suppression member 19 suppresses the electrical wiring 24 from moving toward the fastening and fixing area.

[0060] Therefore, even if the screw 23 is fastened, the harness 24 does not reach the fastening area, so the cover of the harness 24 is not damaged by the tip of the screw 23, and the copper wire of the harness 24 can be prevented from electrically contacting the screw 23.

[0061] In addition, since the damage suppression member 19 made of recycled polyurethane does not need to be considered for thermal insulation, recycled polyurethane containing impurities can be used, which is also convenient to use. Moreover, since the recycled polyurethane is buried in the original polyurethane foamed on site, it also has the advantage of being able to use the same disposal path when it is disposed of.

[0062] Example 2

[0063] Next, use Figure 6 The second embodiment of the present invention is to prevent the vacuum insulation material from narrowing the passage and hindering the fluidity of the virgin polyurethane when the vacuum insulation material is placed on the bottom plate and the space between the bottom plate and the inner box is filled with the virgin polyurethane.

[0064] Furthermore, a flow passage forming member formed of recycled polyurethane is arranged on the surface of the vacuum insulation material of the bottom plate as a functional member for promoting the flow of virgin polyurethane, and is embedded with virgin polyurethane.

[0065] Figure 6 This shows a structure in which a vacuum insulation material is disposed on the upper surface of a bottom plate. Figure 6 The bottom plate 16 shown has: a lower portion 16a disposed at the front side of the refrigerator 1 and at the lowest height position; an upper portion 16b disposed at the inner side and at the highest height position; and a vertical surface 16c connecting the lower portion 16a and the upper portion 16b and extending in a substantially vertical direction. In addition, the vertical surface 16c and the upper portion 16b form a storage space SP of the machine room 13. In addition, the damage suppression member 19 is provided in the same manner as the first embodiment, and its description is omitted.

[0066] Furthermore, the vacuum insulation material 25 is arranged on the surface of the lower layer 16a, the upper layer 16b and the vertical surface 16c of the bottom plate 16, and the virgin polyurethane is filled between the inner box to form a part of the insulation box. In such a structure, when the virgin polyurethane is filled, the virgin polyurethane foams and flows, but sometimes the flow space of the virgin polyurethane between the inner box and the vacuum insulation material 25 cannot be fully ensured due to the arrangement state of the vacuum insulation material 25 and the shape of the vacuum insulation material, resulting in a phenomenon that the flow of the virgin polyurethane is hindered.

[0067] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a flow path forming member 26 made of recycled polyurethane and extending in the direction along the flow direction of foaming of virgin polyurethane is arranged on the upper surface of the vacuum insulation material 25. Therefore, even if a flow space for virgin polyurethane cannot be sufficiently ensured between the inner box and the vacuum insulation material 25 due to the arrangement state of the vacuum insulation material 25 or the shape of the vacuum insulation material, a sufficient flow path for virgin polyurethane can be ensured by the flow path forming member 26, so that the flow of virgin polyurethane is smooth.

[0068] The flow path forming part 26 is made of recycled polyurethane by a normal temperature compression molding method into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, which helps to expand the amount of recycled polyurethane used. In addition, the shape of the flow path forming part 26 is arbitrary, in short, as long as a flow path for the original polyurethane to flow can be formed, then its shape is not limited.

[0069] In addition, since the flow path forming member 26 made of recycled polyurethane does not need to be considered for thermal insulation, recycled polyurethane containing impurities can be used, which is also convenient to use. In addition, since the recycled polyurethane is buried in the original polyurethane foamed on site, it also has the advantage of being able to use the same disposal path when it is disposed of.

[0070] Example 3

[0071] Next, use Figure 7 The third embodiment of the present invention is described. The purpose of the third embodiment is to prevent heat from being transferred to the contact area when the bent portion of the refrigerant pipe led to the back side of the refrigerator comes into mechanical contact with the side plate and the rear plate, causing water vapor to condense and adhere to the outer surface of the side plate and the rear plate.

[0072] In addition, the heat leakage suppression member formed of recycled polyurethane is arranged between the rear plate and the side plate where the refrigerant pipes are in contact with each other as a functional member for suppressing condensation of water vapor, and is buried with virgin polyurethane.

[0073] Figure 7 The structure of the refrigerator is shown with the rear plate 13 on the back side removed. In addition, the P portion in the figure is enlarged and shown on the lower side, so the description will also be made with reference to this figure.

[0074] like Figure 7 As shown, in addition to the electrical wiring and the cold air passage, a refrigerant pipe 27 is routed and arranged on the upper side of the machine room 15 on the back side of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerant pipe 27 needs to have a predetermined length, so it has a curved portion 27b that is folded back near the side plate 12. In addition, the curved portion 27b sometimes mechanically contacts the side plate 12 and the rear plate 13.

[0075] Therefore, the cold and heat are transferred to the side plates 12 and the rear plate 13 by the flow of the refrigerant, and the water vapor condenses and the water adheres to the outer surfaces of the side plates 12 and the rear plate 13. In addition, the state of contact with the side plates 12 is shown in the drawings.

[0076] Therefore, in this embodiment, a heat leakage suppression component 28 made of recycled polyurethane is arranged between the bent portion 27b of the refrigerant pipe 27 and the contact area of ​​the side plate 12. Therefore, the heat and cold leaking from the bent portion 27b of the refrigerant pipe 27 are blocked by the heat leakage suppression component 28, so that the condensation of water vapor and the adhesion of moisture to the outer surface of the side plate 12 and the rear plate 13 can be suppressed.

[0077] Like this, heat leakage suppression component 28 is made into the shape of roughly cuboid by regenerated polyurethane through normal temperature compression molding method, helps to expand the usage of regenerated polyurethane.In addition, the shape of heat leakage suppression component 28 is arbitrary, in a word, as long as can suppress the leakage of cold and heat from refrigerant pipe 27, then its shape is not limited.

[0078] In addition, the insulation member 28 made of recycled polyurethane does not need to be considered so much for insulation, so recycled polyurethane containing impurities can be used, which is also convenient to use. Moreover, the recycled polyurethane is buried in the original polyurethane foamed on site, so there is also an advantage that the same disposal path can be used when it is discarded.

[0079] Example 4

[0080] Next, use Figure 8 to Figure 10 The fourth embodiment of the present invention is to prevent the flow of virgin polyurethane from stagnating and causing unfilled gaps due to the narrow space between the vacuum insulation material and the inner box when the vacuum insulation material is arranged adjacent to the inner box.

[0081] Furthermore, a void suppression member formed of recycled polyurethane is disposed between the inner box and the vacuum insulation material as a functional member for suppressing the generation of voids, and is embedded with virgin polyurethane.

[0082] In order to expand the storage space inside the box, the inner box facing the vacuum insulation material is concave toward the outside. Therefore, since this part is narrowed and not filled with virgin polyurethane, a gap is generated, causing deformation of the inner box or uneven insulation. On the contrary, if virgin polyurethane is forcibly filled, the inner box will deform in a way that expands inward, so it cannot be used as a product.

[0083] From this point of view, the fourth embodiment aims to suppress the generation of voids in the portion where the vacuum insulation material is located and suppress the expansion of the inner box toward the inner side of the box. In addition, as a functional component for suppressing the generation of voids and suppressing the expansion of the inner box, a void suppression component made of recycled polyurethane is provided between the vacuum insulation material and the inner box.

[0084] Figure 8 Indicates the upper surface of the refrigerator. Fig. 9 express Figure 8 AA section, Fig.10 Indicates BB section. Figure 8-Figure 9 As shown, the space between the inner box 29 and the top plate 15 of the refrigerator 1 and the space between the inner box 29 and the rear plate 13 are filled and foamed with virgin polyurethane 30.

[0085] A vacuum insulation material 31 is disposed inside the top plate 15, and the inner box 29 facing the vacuum insulation material 31 forms a recessed area 32 recessed outward. A top plate side gap suppression member 33 made of recycled polyurethane is disposed between the recessed area 32 and the vacuum insulation material 31.

[0086] Similarly, a vacuum insulation material 34 is disposed inside the rear plate 13, and a rear plate side void suppression member 35 made in advance of recycled polyurethane is disposed between the inner box 29 facing the vacuum insulation material 34. The void suppression members 33 and 35 are made of recycled polyurethane by a room temperature compression molding method into a roughly sheet shape, which helps to increase the amount of recycled polyurethane used.

[0087] In addition, if Fig.10 As shown, the space between the inner box 29 and the pair of side panels 12 of the refrigerator 1 is filled with virgin polyurethane 30. In addition, a vacuum insulation material 36 is arranged on the inner side of the side panel 12, and a recessed area 37 recessed outward is formed in the inner box 29 facing the vacuum insulation material 36. Moreover, a side panel side gap suppression member 38 made of recycled polyurethane in advance is arranged between the recessed area 37 and the vacuum insulation material 36. The side panel side gap suppression member 38 is also made by the same method as the gap suppression members 33 and 35.

[0088] For example, when the inner box facing the vacuum insulation material is made to be concave toward the outside in order to expand the storage space in the box as in the past, there is a problem that a gap is generated due to the lack of filling of virgin polyurethane in this part, and on the contrary, if the virgin polyurethane is forcibly filled, there is a problem that the inner box is deformed in a way that it expands toward the inside of the box. In addition, the rear plate side also has the same problem.

[0089] In contrast, in the present embodiment, gap suppressing members 33, 35, 38 made of recycled polyurethane are arranged in advance in the narrowed area between the inner box and the vacuum insulation material. Therefore, since the gap suppressing members 33, 35, 38 made of recycled polyurethane are present in the narrowed area, even if the original polyurethane foamed in situ does not flow, no gap will be generated, and the inner box will not expand inward.

[0090] Furthermore, the use of recycled polyurethane can eliminate the unevenness of thermal insulation. Of course, the thermal insulation of recycled polyurethane is slightly inferior to that of virgin polyurethane, but the thermal insulation is greatly improved compared to the previous structure.

[0091] In this way, the void suppression components 33, 35, 38 are made of recycled polyurethane by room temperature compression molding into any shape, which helps to increase the amount of recycled polyurethane used. In addition, the shape of the void suppression components 33, 35, 38 is not limited as long as it matches the shape of the vacuum insulation material and can suppress the formation of voids.

[0092] In addition, the gap suppression members 33, 35, and 38 made of recycled polyurethane do not need to be considered in terms of thermal insulation, so recycled polyurethane containing impurities can be used, which is also convenient to use. In addition, since the recycled polyurethane is buried in the original polyurethane foamed on site, there is also an advantage that the same disposal route can be used for disposal.

[0093] Example 5

[0094] Next, use Figure 11 to Figure 14 The fifth embodiment of the present invention is to suppress the generation of unfilled gaps due to the stagnation of the flow of virgin polyurethane caused by the narrow space between the vacuum insulation material and the inner sides of the two shells when the vacuum insulation material is arranged adjacent to the upper and lower shells constituting the insulation partition wall.

[0095] Furthermore, a void suppression member formed of recycled polyurethane is arranged between the inner sides of both shells and the vacuum insulation material as a functional member for suppressing the generation of voids, and is embedded with virgin polyurethane.

[0096] In order to expand the storage space in the box, Fig.11 , Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper surface side of the heat insulating partition wall is in a shape that is concave toward the inside. The heat insulating partition wall 10 (the heat insulating partition wall 11 also has a similar structure) is formed by combining an upper shell 39 and a lower shell 40. A pair of concave areas 39a are formed on the surface of the upper shell 39 to expand the storage space in the box. In addition, the heat insulating partition wall 10 is filled with a vacuum insulation material 41 (see FIG. 1 ) in the space surrounded by the upper shell 39 and the lower shell 40. Fig.13 , Fig.14 ) and the original polyurethane 42 covering the vacuum insulation material 41 (refer to Fig.13 , Fig.14 ).

[0097] And, if Fig.12 As shown by the dotted arrow (Uflow), the virgin polyurethane injected from the polyurethane injection port provided in the heat-insulating box body flows into the interior of the heat-insulating partition wall 10 from the polyurethane inlet 43 formed on the left and right front sides of the heat-insulating partition wall 10. The virgin polyurethane flowing into the interior of the heat-insulating partition wall 10 surrounds the vacuum insulation material 41 and is filled, and is finally filled into the space formed by the upper shell 39 and the lower shell 40.

[0098] In this case, the creation of voids caused by unfilled virgin polyurethane is also envisaged. Fig.13 express Fig.12 The CC profile, Fig.14 express Fig.12 DD profile. Fig.13 It can be seen that since the space between the pair of concave regions 39a is narrowed, the flow of the original polyurethane is poor, and there is a high possibility of voids. Fig.13 , Fig.14 It can be seen that since the space between the vacuum insulation material 41 and the upper shell 39 and the space between the vacuum insulation material 41 and the lower shell 40 is also narrow, the flow of the virgin polyurethane is poor in these areas, and the possibility of voids being generated is also high.

[0099] Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure is as follows: Fig.13 In the embodiment, a recessed side gap suppression member 43 made of recycled polyurethane is arranged in the space between the recessed areas 39a. Fig.14 As shown, a lower shell side gap suppression member 44 made of recycled polyurethane is arranged in the space between the lower shell 40 and the vacuum insulation material 41, and as shown in FIG. Fig.14 As shown, an upper case side gap suppression member 45 made of recycled polyurethane is arranged in the space between the upper case 39 and the vacuum insulation material 41 .

[0100] For example, when the upper shell 39 facing the vacuum insulation material 41 is recessed inwardly in order to expand the storage space as in the past, it is difficult to fill the virgin polyurethane in this part, so there is a problem of generating a gap due to the non-filling of the virgin polyurethane. Similarly, the pair of recessed areas 39a also have the same problem.

[0101] In contrast, in the present embodiment, void suppressing members 43, 44, 45 made of recycled polyurethane are arranged in the narrow space between the pair of recessed areas 39a and in the narrow space between the upper shell 39, the lower shell 40 and the vacuum insulation material 41. Therefore, the void suppressing members 43, 44, 45 made of recycled polyurethane are present in the narrowed areas in advance, so that even if the original polyurethane foamed in situ does not flow, no void is generated.

[0102] In this way, the void suppression components 43, 44, 45 are made of recycled polyurethane by room temperature compression molding into any shape, which helps to increase the amount of recycled polyurethane used. In addition, the shapes of the void suppression components 43, 44, 45 are not limited as long as they match the shape of the vacuum insulation material and can suppress the formation of voids.

[0103] In addition, the gap suppression members 43, 44, 45 made of recycled polyurethane do not need to be considered in terms of thermal insulation, so recycled polyurethane containing impurities can be used, which is also convenient to use. In addition, the recycled polyurethane is buried in the original polyurethane foamed on site, so there is also an advantage that the same disposal path can be used when it is discarded.

[0104] Example 6

[0105] Next, use Figure 15-16 The sixth embodiment of the present invention is described below. The sixth embodiment aims to suppress leakage of virgin polyurethane from the mating surface between the side surface of the bottom plate and the side plate toward the machine room side when filling virgin polyurethane.

[0106] Furthermore, a polyurethane leakage suppression member formed of recycled polyurethane is arranged between the side surface of the bottom plate and the side plate as a functional member for suppressing leakage of virgin polyurethane, and is embedded with virgin polyurethane.

[0107] Fig.15 1 is a diagram showing the side panels 12 removed to expose the side portions of the bottom panel 16. Fig.15 As shown, the edge of the left end / right end of the upper layer portion 16b is formed with a rising portion 16b1 bent in a manner of standing up. Similarly, the edge of the left end / right end of the vertical surface portion 16c is formed with a rising portion 16c1 bent in a manner of standing up forward. The rising portions 16b1 and 16c1 are filled with virgin polyurethane in a state where they are aligned with the side surface of the side plate 12. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the virgin polyurethane from leaking to the machine room side.

[0108] From this point of view, the sixth embodiment aims to suppress leakage of virgin polyurethane from the side surface of the bottom plate 16 and the mating surface of the side plate 12 , and a polyurethane leakage suppression member made of recycled polyurethane is provided between the side surface of the bottom plate 16 and the side plate 12 .

[0109] Fig.16 The bottom plate 16 and the side plate 12 are connected to each other. A polyurethane leakage suppression member 46 made of recycled polyurethane is disposed between the rising portion 16b1 formed on the upper layer 16b of the bottom plate 16 and the side wall of the side plate 12. The polyurethane leakage suppression member 46 extends across Fig.15 When the virgin polyurethane is filled and foamed, the virgin polyurethane flows as indicated by the dotted arrow (Uflow), but the urethane leakage suppression member 46 suppresses leakage to the machine room side.

[0110] The polyurethane leakage suppression component 46 is made of recycled polyurethane by a room temperature compression molding method into any shape, which helps to expand the amount of recycled polyurethane used. In addition, the shape of the polyurethane leakage suppression component 46 is not limited as long as it matches the left and right side shapes (standing shapes) of the bottom plate 16 and can suppress the leakage of the original polyurethane.

[0111] In addition, the polyurethane leakage suppression component 46 made of recycled polyurethane does not need to consider the thermal insulation so much, so the recycled polyurethane containing impurities can be used, which is also convenient to use. Moreover, the recycled polyurethane is buried in the original polyurethane foamed on site, so it also has the advantage of being able to use the same disposal path when it is disposed of.

[0112] Example 7

[0113] Next, use Figure 17-18 A seventh embodiment of the present invention is described below. The seventh embodiment aims to reduce the amount of virgin polyurethane used and suppress the release of heat from the instant water heater to the outside air.

[0114] Furthermore, a heat leakage suppression member formed of recycled polyurethane is arranged on the surrounding plate of the lower area of ​​the hot water tank as a functional member for suppressing heat leakage from the hot water tank, and is embedded with virgin polyurethane.

[0115] Fig.17 This shows the overall structure of the instant water heater as viewed from above. Fig.18 Indicates the structure viewed from the side with the side panels removed. Fig.17 In the embodiment, the instantaneous water heater 50 is composed of a top plate 51, a front plate 52 as a surrounding plate surrounding the side of the top plate 51, a side plate 53, and a rear plate 54. Fig.18 As shown, a hot water tank 55 is arranged inside.

[0116] A thermal leakage suppression member 56 made of recycled polyurethane is disposed on the inner wall surface of the front plate 52, the side plate 53, and the rear plate 54 of the instantaneous water heater 50. The thermal leakage suppression member 56 is disposed in the low temperature region below the hot water tank 55. In addition, a space formed by the inner wall surface of the front plate 52, the side plate 53, and the rear plate 54 of the instantaneous water heater 50 and the hot water tank 55 is filled and foamed with virgin polyurethane.

[0117] In this way, since recycled polyurethane is used, the amount of virgin polyurethane used can be reduced. In addition, the use of recycled polyurethane in the lower area is to minimize the decrease in the temperature of the hot water. If recycled polyurethane is used in the upper area of ​​the hot water storage tank 55, since the thermal insulation performance is worse than that of virgin polyurethane, the temperature of the high-temperature hot water in the upper area of ​​the hot water storage tank 55 may decrease.

[0118] In contrast, if it is arranged in the lower area of ​​the hot water storage tank, it is possible to use high-temperature hot water while reducing the amount of virgin polyurethane used. That is, since the lower area of ​​the hot water storage tank is low-temperature water like tap water, it does not require such high thermal insulation, but since the temperature of the upper area is high, virgin polyurethane is used to suppress the temperature drop.

[0119] The heat leakage suppression component 56 is made into any shape by the regenerated polyurethane by the normal temperature compression molding method, which helps to expand the usage of the regenerated polyurethane. In addition, the shape of the heat leakage suppression component 56 is not limited as long as it matches the shape of the surrounding plate and can suppress heat leakage.

[0120] In addition, the thermal leakage suppression component 56 made of recycled polyurethane does not need to be considered for thermal insulation, so recycled polyurethane containing impurities can be used, which is also convenient to use. In addition, the recycled polyurethane is buried in the original polyurethane foamed on site, so there is also an advantage that the same disposal path can be used when it is discarded.

[0121] As described above, the present invention is characterized in that a functional component having a specific function used in a refrigerator or a water heater is formed of recycled polyurethane and provided in the refrigerator or the water heater to increase the amount of recycled polyurethane used.

[0122] This makes it possible to provide a refrigerator or a water heater that can increase the amount of recycled polyurethane used.

[0123] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned several embodiments, and includes various modified examples. The above-mentioned embodiments are examples described in detail in order to easily explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to having all the structures described. In addition, a part of the structure of a certain embodiment can be replaced with the structure of other embodiments, and the structure of other embodiments can be added to the structure of a certain embodiment. Regarding the structure of each embodiment, other structures can also be added, deleted, or replaced.

[0124] Explanation of symbols

[0125] 1—refrigerator, 10, 11—insulating partition wall, 12—side plate, 13—rear plate, 14—top plate, 16—bottom plate, 17—mounting edge, 19—damage suppression component, 23—screw, 24—electrical wiring, 26—passage forming component, 27—refrigerant pipe, 27b—bend portion, 28—heat leakage suppression component, 29—inner box, 30—virgin polyurethane, 31—vacuum insulation material, 32—recessed area, 33, 35, 38—gap suppression component, 39—upper shell, 40—lower shell, 41—vacuum insulation material, 43, 44, 45—gap suppression component, 46—polyurethane leakage suppression component, 50—instantaneous water heater, 52—front plate, 53—side plate, 54—rear plate, 55—hot water storage tank, 56—thermal leakage suppression component.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising at least: A heat-insulating box filled with a heat-insulating material composed of polyurethane; a refrigerating chamber formed in the heat-insulating box; a refrigeration cycle, which generates cold air; and a cold air passage that supplies cold air from the refrigeration cycle to the refrigerating chamber through an air supply fan, The refrigerator is characterized in that The functional component used in the refrigerator is formed into a predetermined shape by recycled polyurethane, arranged at a predetermined position, and embedded by the polyurethane.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-insulating box body includes an outer box and an inner box composed of a top plate, a side plate, a rear plate, and a bottom plate, and the space formed by the outer box and the inner box is filled with the polyurethane. The rear plate and the bottom plate are fixed by screw fastening from one side of a machine room formed on the opposite side of the area of ​​the bottom plate filled with the polyurethane, and, In the area of ​​the bottom plate on the side filled with the polyurethane to which the screw is fastened, a damage suppression member is arranged as the functional component made of the recycled polyurethane to suppress damage to other components caused by the tip of the screw.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The other component is an electric harness arranged near a region where the screw is fastened.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-insulating box body includes an outer box and an inner box composed of a top plate, a side plate, a rear plate, and a bottom plate, and a space formed by the outer box and the inner box is filled with the polyurethane, and A vacuum insulation material is arranged on the upper surface of the bottom plate on the side filled with the polyurethane, and a flow path forming member that promotes the flow of the polyurethane is arranged on the upper surface of the vacuum insulation material as the functional member made of the recycled polyurethane.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-insulating box body includes an outer box and an inner box composed of a top plate, a side plate, a rear plate, and a bottom plate, and a space formed by the outer box and the inner box is filled with the polyurethane, and A refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows is arranged between the rear plate filled with the polyurethane and the inner box, and a heat leakage suppression component is arranged between the refrigerant pipe and the side plate as the functional component made of the recycled polyurethane to suppress the leakage of cold and heat from the refrigerant pipe to the side plate.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-insulating box body includes an outer box and an inner box composed of a top plate, a side plate, a rear plate, and a bottom plate, and a space formed by the outer box and the inner box is filled with the polyurethane, and A vacuum insulation material is arranged inside the inner box on the side filled with the polyurethane, and a void suppression component is arranged between the vacuum insulation material and the inner box as the functional component made of the recycled polyurethane to suppress the generation of voids caused by non-filling of the polyurethane.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-insulating box body comprises an outer box and an inner box composed of a top plate, a side plate, a rear plate and a bottom plate, a space formed by the outer box and the inner box is filled with the polyurethane, and the inner box is provided with a heat-insulating partition wall for separating a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, The heat insulating partition wall is composed of an upper shell and a lower shell, a space formed by the upper shell and the lower shell is filled with a vacuum insulation material and the polyurethane, and, Between the vacuum insulation material and the upper case and between the vacuum insulation material and the lower case, void suppressing members are arranged as the functional members made of the recycled polyurethane to suppress the generation of voids due to non-filling of the polyurethane.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-insulating box body includes an outer box and an inner box composed of a top plate, a side plate, a rear plate, and a bottom plate, and a space formed by the outer box and the inner box is filled with the polyurethane, and Between the mating surfaces of the side panels and the side surfaces of the bottom panel, a polyurethane leakage suppressing member is disposed as the functional member made of the recycled polyurethane to suppress leakage of the polyurethane from the mating surfaces.

9. An instant water heater, comprising at least: Hot water storage tanks; A surrounding plate, which surrounds the hot water storage tank from the outside; a top plate that closes the surrounding plate on the upper surface of the hot water storage tank; and polyurethane, which fills the space formed by the hot water storage tank and the surrounding plate, The instant water heater is characterized in that: A heat leakage suppression member made of recycled polyurethane is provided on the surrounding plate on the side filled with the polyurethane located in the lower area of ​​the hot water storage tank.

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