Refrigerator
By setting convex edges on the insulation wall of the cooling outer room of the refrigerator, the problem of the foamed insulation material being easily leaked during the filling process is solved, and the insulation performance and overall strength of the refrigerator are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411283645.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-12-19
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-20
AI Technical Summary
When filling the foamed insulation material, the foamed insulation material is prone to leak out from the outside of the insulation space, resulting in a degradation of the insulation performance of the refrigerator.
A refrigerator is designed, with a cooling outer chamber built into the main body of the refrigerator, and a convex edge-shaped part is provided on the insulation wall of the cooling outer chamber to prevent foaming insulation from leaking out of the insulation space.
It effectively prevents foamed insulation from leaking from the insulation space during filling process, and improves the insulation performance and overall strength of the refrigerator.
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Figure CN120176382A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator. Background Art
[0002] A refrigerator generally forms a refrigerator body by filling a foamed heat insulating material in a heat insulating space formed between an outer box and an inner box, and forms storage rooms such as a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber on the inside (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003] In recent years, in order to meet the requirement of high volume, the heat insulating wall of the refrigerator body has been thinned. If the heat insulating wall is thinned, the filling pressure sometimes becomes high when filling the foamed heat insulating material, and the foamed heat insulating material easily leaks to the outside of the heat insulating space.
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-7776 Summary of the Invention
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which the foamed heat insulating material hardly leaks from the heat insulating space when the foamed heat insulating material is filled.
[0006] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a refrigerator body in which a storage room is formed in an internal cooling target space; and a cooling outer chamber provided outside the cooling target space in the refrigerator body, the cooling outer chamber having an outer plate provided on the outside, an inner plate provided on the inside, a heat insulating wall having a foamed heat insulating material filled between the outer plate and the inner plate, and a partition wall separating the storage room side and the cooling outer chamber side, and a convex edge-like portion is provided at an end of the partition wall, and the convex edge-like portion faces the inner plate.
[0007] Advantageous Effects of the Invention
[0008] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the foamed heat insulating material hardly leaks from the heat insulating space when the foamed heat insulating material is filled. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] Figure 2 It is a rear view of the refrigerator body.
[0011] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 A-A cross-sectional view of
[0012] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the frame member, the heat insulating assembly, and the bottom plate disassembled.
[0013] Figure 5 It is Figure 3 B-B cross-sectional view of
[0014] Figure 6 is Figure 5 the C-C cross-sectional view.
[0015] Figure 7 is Figure 3 the D-D cross-sectional view.
[0016] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the heat insulating wall body as viewed from the inner panel side.
[0017] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the heat insulating wall body as viewed from the outer panel side.
[0018] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator main body showing the part filled with foamed heat insulating material.
[0019] Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the refrigerator of the second embodiment of the present invention with the outer case and the foamed heat insulating material omitted.
[0020] Figure 12 is an enlarged side view of the main part of the refrigerator of the second embodiment with the outer case and the foamed heat insulating material omitted.
[0021] Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the refrigerator of the second embodiment.
[0022] Figure 14 (a) to (d) of
[0023] Figure 15 is a side view of the refrigerator of the modification example 2 of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 16 is an enlarged side view of the main part of the refrigerator of the modification example 3 of the present invention with the outer case and the foamed heat insulating material omitted.
[0025] Figure 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the refrigerator of the modification example 8 of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the refrigerator of the modification example 9 of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the refrigerator of the modification example 10 of the present invention.
[0028] Figure 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the refrigerator of the modification example 11 of the present invention.
[0029] Reference signs:
[0030] 1: Refrigerator; 2: Refrigerator main body; 3: Outer case; 3d: Bottom plate; 3d1: Portion below the storage compartment; 3d1a: Wide portion of the bottom plate; 3d1b: Narrow portion of the bottom plate; 3d2: Ceiling portion of the machinery room; 3d3: Upright portion; 3d4a: Front convex edge portion; 3d4b: Rear convex edge portion; 3e: Rear plate; 4: Inner case; 6: Foam heat insulating material; 8: Frame member; 8a: Lower frame portion; 8a1: Bottom of the lower frame; 8a1a: Positioning recess; 8a2: Side portion of the lower frame; 8b: Rear frame portion; 8b1: Rear part of the rear frame; 8b2: Side portion of the rear frame; 12: Refrigerating compartment; 14: Vegetable compartment; 18: First freezer compartment; 20: Second freezer compartment; 50: Heat insulating wall body; 51: Outer plate; 51d: Outer vent; 51e: Outer connection portion; 51g: Outer plate reinforcement portion; 51h: Outer plate peripheral wall; 51i: Connection portion reinforcement portion; 51j: Peripheral wall reinforcement portion; 52: Inner plate; 52d: Inner vent; 52e: Inner connection portion; 52f: Discharge portion; 52g: Inner plate reinforcement portion; 52h: Inner plate peripheral wall; 52m: Protrusion; 53: Peripheral wall; 54: Heat insulating wall; 55: Vent portion; 56: Opening portion; 80: Vent covering body; 80a: Small hole portion; 80b: Vent convex edge portion; 81: Locking piece. Detailed implementation mode
[0031] In the following description, the left - right direction, front - rear direction, and up - down direction represent the directions when observing the refrigerator from the front. The width direction refers to the width direction of the refrigerator, corresponding to the left - right direction. In addition, right, left, up, down, inside, back, and front represent the positions, sides, etc. when observing the refrigerator from the front without special specifications.
[0032] The side of the inner case 4 of the refrigerator 1 facing the storage compartment is set as the inner side of the refrigerator, and the side facing the outer case 3 across the heat insulating material is set as the heat insulating area side. In addition, the side of the outer case 3 of the refrigerator 1 facing the inner case 4 across the heat insulating material is set as the inner side of the refrigerator, and the side facing the outside of the refrigerator is set as the outer side of the refrigerator.
[0033] 1. First implementation mode
[0034] Hereinafter, the refrigerator 1 according to the first implementation mode of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
[0035] (1) Structure of the refrigerator 1
[0036] As Figure 1As shown, the refrigerator main body 2 of the refrigerator 1 is composed of an outer box 3, an inner box 4, heat insulating materials 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 6 provided in a storage chamber heat insulating space P1 formed between them, and a heat insulating wall body 50. In the refrigerator main body 2, a refrigerating chamber 12, a vegetable chamber 14, a first freezing chamber 18, and a second freezing chamber 20 are arranged from the upper layer, and an ice making chamber (not shown) is arranged beside the first freezing chamber 18. The refrigerating chamber 12, the vegetable chamber 14, the first freezing chamber 18, the second freezing chamber 20, and the ice making chamber are storage chambers of the cooling target spaces provided inside the refrigerator main body 2. Between the refrigerating space composed of the refrigerating chamber 12 and the vegetable chamber 14 and the freezing space composed of the ice making chamber, the first freezing chamber 18, and the second freezing chamber 20, a heat insulating partition wall 21 is arranged along the horizontal direction.
[0037] A refrigerating cooler 22 for cooling the refrigerating space composed of the refrigerating chamber 12 and the vegetable chamber 14 is arranged on the back surfaces of the refrigerating chamber 12 and the vegetable chamber 14. Above the refrigerating cooler 22, a refrigerating fan 23 for sending the cold air generated by the refrigerating cooler 22 to the refrigerating space is arranged.
[0038] A freezing cooler 24 for cooling the freezing space composed of the ice making chamber, the first freezing chamber 18, and the second freezing chamber 20 is arranged on the upper back surface of the second freezing chamber 20, and above the freezing cooler 24, a freezing fan 25 for sending the cold air generated by the freezing cooler 24 to the freezing space is arranged.
[0039] On the outer side of the refrigerator main body 2, a substrate storage chamber 28 and a machinery chamber 30 are arranged. The substrate storage chamber 28 and the machinery chamber 30 are cooling outer chambers arranged outside the cooling target space, which are separated from the cooling target space cooled by the refrigerating cooler 22 and the freezing cooler 24 in the refrigerator main body 2 by the heat insulating materials 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 6. Thus, as the object of the cooling outer chamber in the present invention, the part arranged outside the cooling target space can be cited as a general condition, but it is more preferable that the part where the cooling target space such as the refrigerating chamber is arranged above is used as the cooling outer chamber. This will be described in detail later.
[0040] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the machinery compartment 30 is provided, for example, at the lower rear of the freezer compartment 20. The machinery compartment 30 is a space that opens to the rear. In the machinery compartment 30, there are provided a compressor 26, a condenser 27, and refrigerant pipes connecting them, which together with the refrigerating cooler 22 and the freezing cooler 24 form a refrigeration cycle. In addition, in the machinery compartment 30, there are provided an evaporation tray 32 that receives defrosting water generated from the freezing cooler 24 via a pipe 31, and a heat dissipation fan 33 that cools the compressor 26, the condenser 27, etc. and promotes the evaporation of the defrosting water accumulated in the evaporation tray 32. Although the details will be described later, the side walls of the machinery compartment 30 of the present embodiment are formed by a heat-insulating wall body 50.
[0041] The substrate storage compartment 28 is provided, for example, at the upper rear of the refrigerating compartment 12, and a control substrate 7 on which a microcomputer for controlling the refrigerator 1 is installed is provided. Electrical components such as a refrigerating fan 23, a freezing fan 25, a compressor 26, a heat dissipation fan 33, and sensors (not shown) provided inside or outside the refrigerator main body 2 are electrically connected to the control substrate 7 through electrical wiring. Based on signals input from the sensors and a control program pre-stored in a memory, the operations of the refrigerating fan 23, the freezing fan 25, the compressor 26, and the heat dissipation fan 33 are controlled, thereby controlling the overall operation of the refrigerator 1.
[0042] (2) Structure of the refrigerator main body 2
[0043] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the refrigerator main body 2 is a box-shaped body that is open at the front and has a left side wall, a right side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a rear wall. As Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, a molded heat-insulating material 5a is provided in the storage compartment heat-insulating space P1 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 in the left side wall, a molded heat-insulating material 5b is provided in the storage compartment heat-insulating space P1 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 in the right side wall, a molded heat-insulating material 5c is provided in the storage compartment heat-insulating space P1 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 in the top wall, a molded heat-insulating material 5d is provided in the storage compartment heat-insulating space P1 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 in the bottom wall, and a molded heat-insulating material 5e is provided in the storage compartment heat-insulating space P1 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 in the rear wall. The molded heat-insulating materials 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e are heat-insulating materials that are pre-molded into a specified shape before being disposed in the storage compartment heat-insulating space P1, and are, for example, vacuum heat-insulating materials, expanded polystyrene, corrugated cardboard, etc.
[0044] In the parts of the heat-insulating space P1 in the storage compartment where the formed heat-insulating materials 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e are absent, refrigerant pipes such as heat-dissipating pipes that connect the components of the refrigeration cycle to each other, and electrical wirings that connect the electrical components in the cooling target space and the cooling outer chamber provided in the refrigerator main body 2 are provided, and a foamed heat-insulating material 6 such as foamed polyurethane is filled to form a storage compartment heat-insulating wall that thermally insulates the refrigerating chamber 12, the vegetable chamber 14, the first freezing chamber 18, the second freezing chamber 20, and the ice-making chamber from the outside of the refrigerator.
[0045] More specifically, the outer box 3 made of a steel plate that forms the outer contour of the refrigerator main body 2 is formed in a box shape having a left side plate 3a, a right side plate 3b, a top plate 3c, a bottom plate 3d, and a back plate 3e and opening at the front. The left side plate 3a, the right side plate 3b, and the top plate 3c are formed by bending a single long steel plate. The bottom plate 3d and the back plate 3e are components separately provided from the left side plate 3a, the right side plate 3b, and the top plate 3c.
[0046] As Figure 3 shown, at the front end of the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3, a front engaging portion 3a1 that engages with the flange portion 4a1 of the inner box 4 projects inward in the width direction, and at the front end of the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3, a front engaging portion 3b1 that engages with the flange portion 4b1 of the inner box 4 projects inward in the width direction.
[0047] In addition, a rear engaging portion 4a2 that engages with the flange portion 3e1 provided at the left end of the back plate 3e is provided at the rear end of the left side plate 4a of the inner box 4, and a rear engaging portion 4b2 that engages with the flange portion 3e1 provided at the right end of the back plate 3e is provided at the rear end of the right side plate 4b of the inner box 4.
[0048] As Figure 2 、 Figure 5 shown, a lower flange portion 3a3 that projects inward in the width direction is formed at the lower end of the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3, and a lower flange portion 3b3 that projects inward in the width direction is formed at the lower end of the right side plate 3b. The lower flange portion 3a3 is fixed to the frame member 8 provided at the lower left of the refrigerator main body 2 by screws or the like, and the lower flange portion 3b3 is fixed to the frame member 8 provided at the lower right of the refrigerator main body 2 by screws or the like.
[0049] Next, the frame member 8 will be described. In addition, the frame member 8 provided at the lower left of the refrigerator main body 2 and the frame member 8 provided at the lower right have a left-right symmetric structure. Therefore, the frame member 8 provided at the lower right of the refrigerator main body 2 will be described here, and the detailed description of the frame member 8 provided at the lower left of the refrigerator main body 2 will be omitted.
[0050] As Figure 4As shown, the frame member 8 includes: a lower frame portion 8a provided along the lower right side of the refrigerator main body 2; and a rear frame portion 8b bent upward from the rear end of the lower frame portion 8a and provided along the left rear side of the refrigerator main body 2.
[0051] The lower frame portion 8a has a cross-sectional L-shape including a lower frame bottom portion 8a1 extending in the front-rear direction along the left end portion of the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 and a lower frame side portion 8a2 protruding upward from the lower frame bottom portion 8a1.
[0052] As Figure 5 shown, at the lower frame bottom portion 8a1 of the lower frame portion 8a, the left end portion of the bottom plate 3d and the bottom portion of the heat insulation wall body 50 are fixed together with the lower flange portion 3a3 of the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3.
[0053] The outer side in the width direction of the lower frame side portion 8a2 faces the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3 in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foam heat insulation material. The portion where the outer side in the width direction of the lower frame side portion 8a2 faces the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3 to suppress the outflow of the foam heat insulation material can be configured such that the outer side in the width direction of the lower frame side portion 8a2 is in direct contact with the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3, or can be configured such that a flexible body such as a soft tape is interposed between the outer side in the width direction of the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3, and the outer side in the width direction of the lower frame side portion 8a2 faces the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3 with the flexible body interposed therebetween. In addition, even when a small gap is generated between the outer side in the width direction of the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3, by ensuring the length of the portion where the outer side in the width direction of the lower frame side portion 8a2 faces the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3, the outflow of the foam heat insulation material can be suppressed. In the following description, the same applies to the portion where the respective parts face each other to suppress the outflow of the foam heat insulation material, and any configuration such as direct contact between the parts, or interposing a flexible body such as a soft tape between them, or leaving a small gap between the parts can be adopted, and the description thereof is omitted below. In addition, the inner side in the width direction of the lower frame side portion 8a2 faces the heat insulation wall body 50 in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foam heat insulation material.
[0054] In addition, as Figure 4 shown, the rear frame portion 8b of the frame member 8 includes: a rear frame rear portion 8b1 extending upward from the rear end of the lower frame bottom portion 8a1 of the lower frame portion 8a; and a rear frame side portion 8b2 protruding forward from the outer end in the width direction of the rear frame rear portion 8b1.
[0055] As Figure 6 shown, the heat insulation wall body 50 is fixed to the rear frame rear portion 8b1. The inner side in the width direction of the rear frame side portion 8b2 faces the heat insulation wall body 50 in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foam heat insulation material.
[0056] As Figure 1As shown, the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 is a stepped partition wall that separates the second freezer compartment 20 from the machinery compartment 30. That is, the partition wall separates the storage compartment side from the cooling outer compartment side. Specifically, as Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown, the bottom plate 3d includes: a lower storage compartment portion 3d1, which is located below the second freezer compartment 20, the lowermost storage compartment, in front of the machinery compartment 30; a machinery compartment ceiling portion 3d2, which is located at the ceiling (upper side) of the machinery compartment 30; and a standing portion 3d3, which stands up from the lower storage compartment portion 3d1 toward the machinery compartment ceiling portion (cooling outer compartment ceiling portion) 3d2. The widthwise ends of the lower storage compartment portion 3d1 and the machinery compartment ceiling portion 3d2 are set to be substantially constant in height in the front-rear direction.
[0057] The lower storage compartment portion 3d1 is provided with a bottom plate wide portion 3d1a at the front side, and a bottom plate narrow portion 3d1b that is smaller than the bottom plate wide portion 3d1a in the refrigerator width direction is provided at the rear side of the bottom plate wide portion 3d1a. In addition, the machinery compartment ceiling portion 3d2 and the standing portion 3d3 are smaller than the bottom plate wide portion 3d1a in the refrigerator width direction. For example, the size of the machinery compartment ceiling portion 3d2 and the standing portion 3d3 in the refrigerator width direction is the same as the size of the bottom plate narrow portion 3d1b.
[0058] At both left and right ends of the bottom plate wide portion 3d1a, there are provided front convex edge-shaped portions 3d4a that protrude upward toward the storage compartment heat insulation space P1. At both left and right ends of the bottom plate narrow portion 3d1b, the standing portion 3d3, and the machinery compartment ceiling portion 3d2, there are provided rear convex edge-shaped portions 3d4b. The rear convex edge-shaped portions 3d4b protrude from the bottom plate narrow portion 3d1b, the standing portion 3d3, and the machinery compartment ceiling portion 3d2 in a manner along the inner plate 52 described later. In addition, in the present embodiment, the rear convex edge-shaped portions 3d4b protrude toward the storage compartment heat insulation space P1, but they may also protrude toward the outside of the storage compartment heat insulation space P1 (toward the machinery compartment 30). The rear convex edge-shaped portions 3d4b correspond to the "convex edge-shaped portions" provided at the end of the partition wall and opposed to the inner plate in the present invention.
[0059] The front end portions of the rear convex edge-shaped portions 3d4b expand more toward the outside in the width direction as they move forward (get closer to the front convex edge-shaped portions 3d4a), and are connected to the rear ends of the front convex edge-shaped portions 3d4a.
[0060] In addition, preferably, the protruding amount of the rear convex edge portion 3d4b from the bottom plate 3d is larger than that of the front convex edge portion 3d4a. Preferably, the front convex edge portion 3d4a is formed by bending upward from the left and right ends of the wide portion 3d1a of the bottom plate, and is integrally provided with the lower portion 3d1 of the storage chamber, the ceiling portion 3d2 of the mechanical chamber, and the upright portion 3d3. Preferably, the rear convex edge portion 3d4b fixedly arranges a component formed separately from the lower portion 3d1 of the storage chamber, the ceiling portion 3d2 of the mechanical chamber, and the upright portion 3d3 at the left and right end portions of the narrow portion 3d1b of the bottom plate, the ceiling portion 3d2 of the mechanical chamber, and the upright portion 3d3. In addition, preferably, the thickness of the rear convex edge portion 3d4b is greater than the thicknesses of the front convex edge portion 3d4a, the lower portion 3d1 of the storage chamber, the ceiling portion 3d2 of the mechanical chamber, and the upright portion 3d3.
[0061] As Figure 7 shown, the left and right end portions of the wide portion 3d1a of the bottom plate overlap with the lower frame bottom 8a1 of the frame member 8 and are fixed by screws (not shown) or the like. Thus, the front convex edge portions 3d4a provided at the left and right end portions of the wide portion 3d1a of the bottom plate are opposed to the lower frame side portions 8a2 of the frame member 8 in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0062] As described above, the narrow portion 3d1b of the bottom plate, the ceiling portion 3d2 of the mechanical chamber, and the upright portion 3d3 are smaller than the wide portion 3d1a of the bottom plate in the width direction. Therefore, when the wide portion 3d1a of the bottom plate is fixed to the lower frame bottom 8a1, a gap for arranging the heat insulating wall body 50 is formed between the rear convex edge portion 3d4b provided on the narrow portion 3d1b of the bottom plate, the upright portion 3d3, and the ceiling portion 3d2 of the mechanical chamber and the left and right side plates 3a, 3b of the outer box 3.
[0063] As Figure 1 、 Figure 7 and Figure 10 shown, a molded heat insulating material 5d is adhered to the inner surface (the surface facing the heat insulating space P1 of the storage chamber) of the lower portion 3d1 of the storage chamber of the bottom plate 3d by a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive such as hot melt. The molded heat insulating material 5d includes a front heat insulating portion 5d1 adhered to the front side of the lower portion 3d1 of the bottom plate 3d, and a rear heat insulating portion 5d2 standing upward along the upright portion 3d3 of the bottom plate 3d from the rear end portion of the front heat insulating portion 5d1.
[0064] The rear end of the front heat insulating portion 5d1 is located at a position rearward of the rear end of the front convex edge portion 3d4a (the front end of the rear convex edge portion 3d4b), and is set at a position rearward of the front end of the extension portion 52c of the inner plate 52 described later. In addition, the left-right dimension of the front heat insulating portion 5d1 and the rear heat insulating portion 5d2 is set to be smaller than the interval between the left and right front convex edge portions 3d4a and the interval between the left and right rear convex edge portions 3d4b, and is set at a position separated from the front convex edge portion 3d4a and the rear convex edge portion 3d4b in the left-right direction (seeFigure 7 )。
[0065] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, injection holes 3e2 for injecting the foaming stock solution of the foaming heat insulating material 6 into the heat insulating space P1 of the storage chamber are provided in the left and right side portions of the back plate 3e. In addition, there are no particular limitations on the positions and numbers of the injection holes 3e2 provided in the vertical direction. For example, injection holes 3e2 are provided behind the refrigerating chamber 12 and behind the second freezing chamber 20.
[0066] The inner box 4 made of synthetic resin is integrally formed by a vacuum forming machine to form a box shape having a left side plate 4a, a right side plate 4b, a top plate 4c, a bottom plate 4d, and a back plate 4e that are respectively opposed to the left side plate 3a, the right side plate 3b, the top plate 3c, the bottom plate 3d, and the back plate 3e of the outer box 3 and that is open in the front. The inner box 4 is provided inside the above-mentioned outer box 3 and forms the heat insulating space P1 of the storage chamber together with the outer box 3.
[0067] (3) Structure of the machine room 30
[0068] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the machine room 30 is a space provided behind the erected portion 3d3 of the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3. Specifically, the machine room 30 is a space that is separated by the erected portion 3d3 of the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 on the front surface, separated by the machine room ceiling portion 3d2 of the bottom plate 3d on the upper surface, separated by the base plate 34 on which the compressor 26 etc. are installed on the lower surface, and separated by the heat insulating wall body 50 on the left and right side surfaces and that is open in the rear. The rear opening of the machine room 30 is closed by the rear grille 35 (refer to Figure 1 )。
[0069] Inside the machine room 30, a cooling fan 33 is provided on one side in the width direction of the refrigerator (for example, the left side when viewed from the front). The cooling fan 33 is arranged with its rotation axis in the width direction of the refrigerator such that the suction port 33a faces one side in the width direction of the refrigerator and the blowout port 33b faces the other side (for example, the right side when viewed from the front).
[0070] On the side in the width direction of the refrigerator that is closer to the cooling fan 33, there are a ventilation portion 55 provided in the heat insulating wall body 50, a through hole (not shown) provided in the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3 in a manner communicating with the ventilation portion 55, and a ventilation portion (not shown) provided in the rear grille 35. The through hole is covered by a ventilation port cover 80 provided in the left side plate 3a of the outer box 3 so as to be ventilable from the outside of the outer box 3.
[0071] On the other side of the refrigerator width direction from the cooling fan 33, there are provided a compressor 26, a condenser 27, an evaporation tray 32, a ventilation part 55 provided in the heat insulation wall body 50, and a through hole 3b4 provided in the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 in a manner communicating with the ventilation part 55. The through hole 3b4 is covered from the outside of the outer box 3 by a ventilation port covering body 80 provided in the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 so as to be ventilable.
[0072] As Figure 5 shown, the ventilation port covering body 80 of the through hole 3b4 provided in the left side plate 3a and the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 includes: a plurality of small hole parts 80a that divide the through hole into a plurality of regions and have an opening area narrower than that of the through hole 3b4 for each one; and a ventilation port convex edge part 80b provided around the plurality of small hole parts 80a to cover the peripheral part of the through hole 3b4 from the outside of the left side plate 3a and the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3.
[0073] In the machine room 30 configured in this way, when the cooling fan 33 operates, due to the blowing action of the cooling fan 33, the air outside the refrigerator 1 flows into the machine room 30 through the ventilation part 55 of the heat insulation wall body 50 and the ventilation part of the rear grille 35, is sucked into the suction port 33a of the cooling fan 33, and is blown out from the blowout port 33b. The air blown out from the blowout port 33b of the cooling fan 33 cools the condenser 27 and the compressor 26 or promotes the evaporation of the defrosting water accumulated in the evaporation tray 32 while flowing in the machine room 30, and is discharged to the outside through the ventilation part 55 of the heat insulation wall body 50.
[0074] (4) Heat insulation wall 54
[0075] Next, the parts of the heat insulation wall body 50 that form the left and right sides of the machine room 30 will be described. In addition, the heat insulation wall body 50 forming the left side of the machine room 30 and the heat insulation wall body 50 forming the right side have a left - right symmetric structure. Therefore, the right - hand heat insulation wall body 50 will be described here, and for the left - hand heat insulation wall body 50, the corresponding components are marked with the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.
[0076] As Figures 4 to 6 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown in the figure, the heat insulation wall 50 includes: an outer plate 51 provided on the outside (the outside in the width direction of the refrigerator) of the machine room 30 which is a cooling outer chamber; an inner plate 52 provided at an interval from the outer plate 51 on the inside (the inside in the width direction of the refrigerator) of the machine room 30; a heat insulation wall 54 having a foamed heat insulation material filled in the cooling outer chamber heat insulation space P2 formed between the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52; and a ventilation part 55 provided to penetrate the heat insulation wall 54. In addition, hereinafter, the heat insulation wall 54 will be referred to as the "machine room heat insulation wall 54". Further, from the point that this heat insulation wall 54 is provided in the machine room which is a cooling outer chamber, it can also be understood as the "cooling outer chamber heat insulation wall".
[0077] The inner plate 52 is a flat plate-shaped member that faces the rear convex edge-shaped part 3d4b provided at the right end of the bottom plate 3d in the left-right direction and closes the right side surface of the machine room 30 formed below the bottom plate 3d.
[0078] Specifically, as Figure 4 shown, the inner plate 52 includes: a top part 52a that faces the machine room ceiling part 3d2 in the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 in the left-right direction; an inclined part 52b that faces the upright part 3d3 in the bottom plate 3d in the left-right direction; and an extension part 52c that faces the storage chamber lower part 3d1 in the bottom plate 3d in the left-right direction. In addition, an inner plate peripheral wall 52h that protrudes toward the outer plate 51 (toward the outside in the width direction) is provided at the peripheral part of the inner plate 52.
[0079] The top part 52a, the inclined part 52b, and the extension part 52c of the inner plate 52 face the rear convex edge-shaped part 3d4b provided at the width direction end of the bottom plate 3d in the width direction inner side in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulation material.
[0080] The extension part 52c is a part of the inner plate 52 and is formed as a part that extends forward more than the upright part 3d3. An inclined part 52c1 is provided at the front side part of the extension part 52c, and the inclined part 52c1 is inclined so as to be more toward the outside in the width direction (the outer plate 51 side) as it approaches the front end. Thus, the front end part of the extension part 52c of the heat insulation wall 50 becomes narrower in width as it approaches the front end.
[0081] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, an inner ventilation port 52d and an inner connection part 52e that constitute the ventilation part 55 are provided in the inner plate 52. The inner ventilation port 52d is formed by a through hole that penetrates the inner plate 52 in the left-right direction. The inner ventilation port 52d is provided at a position where the through hole 3b4 provided in the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 is projected onto the inner plate 52. The inner connection part 52e protrudes from the peripheral part of the inner ventilation port 52d entirely toward the outer plate 51 (toward the outside in the width direction), and is formed as a hollow inside. The inner connection part 52e is constituted by, for example, a cylindrical body with a trapezoidal cross section.
[0082] On the top 52a of the inner plate 52 and on the inner side in the width direction (the mechanical chamber 30 side) of the inclined portion 52b, there is provided a groove-shaped lead-out portion 52f that is recessed toward the outside in the width direction. One end in the length direction of the lead-out portion 52f opens at the periphery of the inner plate 52. Refrigerant pipes that connect the components of the refrigeration cycle such as the compressor 26 and the condenser 27 to each other and electrical wirings that connect the electrical components provided in the refrigerator main body 2 to each other are provided in the lead-out portion 52f, and the refrigerant pipes and the electrical wirings are led out from the storage chamber heat insulation space P1 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 to the mechanical chamber 30 through the lead-out portion 52f.
[0083] On the bottom of the inner plate 52, there is provided a convex portion 52m that protrudes downward. The convex portion 52m is fitted into the positioning concave portion 8a1a of the bottom 8a1 of the lower frame portion 8a of the lower frame, and positioning in the front-rear direction of the heat insulation wall body 50 is performed (refer to Figure 4 ).
[0084] In addition, as shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 9 , on the outer side surface in the width direction of the inner plate 52 (the surface facing the outer plate 51 with the heat insulation wall 54 therebetween), there is provided an inner plate reinforcing portion 52g. The inner plate reinforcing portion 52g is constituted by, for example, rib-shaped protrusions that protrude toward the outer plate 51 and extend along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.
[0085] The outer plate 51 is a flat plate-shaped member that has a top portion 51a, an inclined portion 51b, and an extended portion 51c that are opposed to the top portion 52a, the inclined portion 52b, and the extended portion 52c of the inner plate 52 in the left-right direction, and forms a shape substantially the same as that of the inner plate 52 in a side view. At the peripheral portion of the outer plate 51, there is provided an outer plate peripheral wall 51h that protrudes toward the inner plate 52 (toward the inside in the width direction).
[0086] The outer plate 51 is opposed to the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3, the lower frame side portion 8a2 of the frame member 8, and the rear frame side portion 8b2 of the frame member 8 in the left-right direction, and suppresses the outflow of the foam heat insulation material. In the present embodiment, the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the rear frame side portion 8b2 function as frame opposed portions opposed to the outer box 3.
[0087] As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, an outer ventilation port 51d and an outer connection portion 51e that constitute a ventilation portion 55 are provided on the outer plate 51. The outer ventilation port 51d is formed by a through hole that penetrates the outer plate 51 in the left - right direction. The outer ventilation port 51d is provided at a position where a through hole 3b4 provided in the right - hand side plate 3b of the outer case 3 is projected onto the outer plate 51. The outer connection portion 51e projects integrally around the periphery of the outer ventilation port 51d toward the inner plate 52 (toward the inner side in the width direction), and is hollow - formed on the inner side. The outer connection portion 51e is constituted by, for example, a cylindrical body having a trapezoidal cross - section.
[0088] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, an inner connection portion 52e is inserted into the hollow portion of the outer connection portion 51e. Thus, the outer ventilation port 51d of the outer plate 51 and the inner ventilation port 52d of the inner plate 52 are connected through the outer connection portion 51e and the inner connection portion 52e, and a ventilation portion 55 that communicates the inside of the machine room 30 with the outside of the refrigerator is formed in the cooling outer chamber heat - insulating space P2.
[0089] In addition, preferably, in a state where the inner connection portion 52e is inserted into the hollow portion of the outer connection portion 51e, the interval D1 between the outer connection portion 51e and the inner connection portion 52e is an interval that can suppress the outflow of the foam heat - insulating material filled in the cooling outer chamber heat - insulating space P2. For example, it is preferable that the above - mentioned interval D1 is smaller than the length L1 in which the outer connection portion 51e and the inner connection portion 52e overlap in the left - right direction. More preferably, it is smaller than the thicknesses t1 of the outer connection portion 51e and the inner connection portion 52e. In addition, it is preferable that the above - mentioned length L3 is larger than the thicknesses t1 of the outer connection portion 51e and the inner connection portion 52e.
[0090] Preferably, the ventilation portion 55 is provided at a position above the vertical center of the cooling outer chamber heat - insulating space P2. That is, preferably, the ventilation portion 55 is provided in the cooling outer chamber heat - insulating space P2 at a position above the vertical center so that, in the cooling outer chamber heat - insulating space P2, the vertical length of the space formed above the outer connection portion 51e that constitutes the ventilation portion 55 is smaller than the vertical length of the space formed below the outer connection portion 51e.
[0091] As Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 shown, on the inner side surface in the width direction of the outer plate 51 (the surface facing the inner plate 52 with the heat - insulating wall 54 interposed therebetween), an outer plate reinforcing portion 51g, a connection portion reinforcing portion 51i, and a peripheral wall reinforcing portion 51j project toward the inner plate 52.
[0092] The outer plate reinforcing portion 51g is constituted by, for example, a rib - shaped protrusion that projects toward the inner plate 52 and extends along the front - rear direction and the vertical direction. The protruding amount h1 of the outer plate reinforcing portion 51g from the outer plate 51 is larger than the protruding amount h2 of the inner plate reinforcing portion 52g from the inner plate 52 (refer toFigure 5 )。The connecting part reinforcing part 51i is a plate-shaped ridge provided on the outer side of the outer connecting part 51e in such a manner as to connect the outer connecting part 51e to the outer plate 51. The amount of protrusion from the outer connecting part 51e becomes smaller as it is farther from the outer plate 51 (closer to the inner plate 52). The peripheral wall reinforcing part 51j is a plate-shaped ridge provided so as to connect the outer plate peripheral wall 51h to the outer plate 51.
[0093] In addition, as Figure 5 and Figure 9 shown, on the outer side in the width direction of the outer plate 51 (the side facing the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3), a locking part 51k for locking the locking piece 81 of the vent covering body 80 is provided so as to open to the outer vent 51d.
[0094] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the inner connecting part 52e of the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52 is inserted into the hollow part of the outer connecting part 51e, and the outer plate peripheral wall 51h of the outer plate 51 is embedded inside the inner plate peripheral wall 52h of the inner plate 52 and fixed by screws or the like. Thus, the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction, and a cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 filled with a foamed heat insulating material is formed between the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52.
[0095] The periphery of the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 is closed by a peripheral wall 53 formed by the outer plate peripheral wall 51h and the inner plate peripheral wall 52h. Preferably, the interval E between the outer plate peripheral wall 51h and the inner plate peripheral wall 52h is an interval capable of suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material filled into the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2. For example, the above interval E is preferably smaller than the length M of the overlap of the outer plate peripheral wall 51h and the inner plate peripheral wall 52h in the left-right direction, and more preferably smaller than the thickness t2 of the outer plate peripheral wall 51h and the inner plate peripheral wall 52h. In addition, the length M is preferably larger than the thickness t2 of the outer plate peripheral wall 51h and the inner plate peripheral wall 52h (refer to Figure 5 ).
[0096] An opening 56 is provided in the peripheral wall 53. Preferably, the opening 56 is provided at a portion of the peripheral wall 53 facing the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 to communicate the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 with the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4.
[0097] For example, as Figure 4 and Figure 10 shown, the opening 56 is provided on the front side of the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 (the inclined portions 51b, 52b and the extended portions 51c, 52c of the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52), and is provided to open at the rear of the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 formed between the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 and the right side plate 4b of the inner box 4.
[0098] The opening 56 is preferably a narrow path portion that narrows the gap between the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52. That is, the width of the opening 56 (the length in the left-right direction) is preferably narrower than the width of the cooling outer chamber heat insulation space P2 (the gap between the portion of the inner side surface of the outer plate 51 in the width direction where the reinforcing portions 51g, 51i, 51j are not provided and the portion of the outer side surface of the inner plate 52 in the width direction where the reinforcing portion 52g is not provided). In addition, as Figure 7 shown, the width W of the opening 56 is preferably narrower than the gap between the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 and the right side plate 4b of the inner box 4.
[0099] In addition, when the opening 56 is provided on the front side of the cooling outer chamber heat insulation space P2, as Figure 10 shown, it is preferable that the upper end of the opening 56 is located above the upper end of the outer connecting portion 51e constituting the ventilation portion 55, and the lower end of the opening 56 is located below the lower end of the outer connecting portion 51e.
[0100] The heat insulation wall 54 is composed of a foam heat insulation material provided on the outer side of the outer connecting portion 51e of the cooling outer chamber heat insulation space P2. As Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 10 shown, in the present embodiment, foam heat insulation materials are provided on the upper side, lower side, front side, and rear side of the outer connecting portion 51e constituting the ventilation portion 55, and the heat insulation wall 54 is provided in the cooling outer chamber heat insulation space P2 so as to surround the entire outer peripheral portion of the outer connecting portion 51e.
[0101] The heat insulation wall 54 is connected to the storage chamber heat insulation wall composed of a foam heat insulation material provided in the storage chamber heat insulation space P1 via the opening 56 provided in the peripheral wall 53. In the present embodiment, since the upper end of the opening 56 is located above the upper end of the outer connecting portion 51e and the lower end of the opening 56 is located below the lower end of the outer connecting portion 51e, the upper portion (the upper side of the outer connecting portion 51e) and the lower portion (the lower side of the outer connecting portion 51e) of the heat insulation wall 54 are connected to the storage chamber heat insulation wall via the opening 56.
[0102] (5) Assembly method of the refrigerator main body 2
[0103] Next, the assembly method of the refrigerator main body 2 in the above refrigerator 1 will be described.
[0104] First, heat insulation materials 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e are adhesively formed on the inner surfaces of the left side plate 3a, right side plate 3b, top plate 3c, bottom plate 3d, and rear plate 3e of the outer box 3 by an adhesive such as a double-sided adhesive tape or hot melt.
[0105] Next, as Figure 3As shown, after the inner box 4 is disposed inside the left side plate 3a, top plate 3c, and right side plate 3b of the outer box 3, the flange portions 4a1, 4b1 of the left and right side plates 4a, 4b of the inner box 4 are inserted and engaged with the front engagement portions 3a1, 3b1 of the left and right side plates 3a, 3b of the outer box 3.
[0106] In addition, the inner connection portion 52e of the inner plate 52 is inserted into the hollow portion of the outer connection portion 51e of the outer plate 51, and the outer peripheral wall 51h of the outer plate 51 is embedded inside the inner peripheral wall 52h of the inner plate 52 to fabricate a heat-insulating assembly M that fixes the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52 with screws or the like (refer to Figure 4 ).
[0107] Then, as Figure 4 shown, the lower flange portions 3a3, 3b3 of the left and right side plates 3a, 3b of the outer box 3 and the bottom plate wide portion 3d1a of the outer box 3 are fixed to the lower frame bottom 8a1 of the frame member 8.
[0108] In addition, the heat-insulating assembly M is disposed in the gap formed between the rear convex edge portion 3d4b of the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 and the left and right side plates 3a, 3b, and the heat-insulating assembly M is fixed to the lower frame bottom 8a1 and the rear frame rear portion 8b1 of the frame member 8.
[0109] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, when the heat-insulating assembly M is disposed in the gap formed between the rear convex edge portion 3d4b of the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 and the left and right side plates 3a, 3b, the outer plate 51 faces the left and right side plates 3a, 3b of the outer box 3, and the inner plate 52 faces the rear convex edge portion 3d4b of the bottom plate 3d to block the above gap. In addition, the cooling outer chamber heat-insulating space P2 formed inside the heat-insulating assembly M communicates with the storage chamber heat-insulating space P1 via the opening 56.
[0110] Then, refrigerant pipes such as heat dissipation pipes that connect the components of the refrigeration cycle to each other and electrical wirings that connect the electrical components provided in the refrigerator main body 2 to each other are disposed in the storage chamber heat-insulating space P1 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4. At this time, the refrigerant pipes and the electrical wirings are led out from the storage chamber heat-insulating space P1 to the machine room 30 through the lead-out portion 52f provided in the inner plate 52 and are disposed in the machine room 30.
[0111] Then, as Figure 3 shown, the flange portion 3e1 of the back plate 3e provided on the outer box 3 is inserted and engaged with the rear engagement portions 3a2, 3b2 provided on the left and right side plates 3a, 3b, and the back plate 3e is mounted on the bottom plate 3d, thereby leaving the injection hole 3e2 and closing the back surface of the storage chamber heat-insulating space P1.
[0112] After that, the refrigerator main body 2 is laid down with the front side facing downward. With the injection hole 3e2 provided on the back plate 3e of the outer box 3 facing upward, an injection nozzle (not shown) is inserted into the injection hole 3e2, and the foaming stock solution of the foaming heat insulating material is injected into the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 from the injection nozzle.
[0113] The foaming stock solution injected from the injection nozzle flows between the left and right side plates 4a, 4b of the inner box 4 and the formed heat insulating materials 5a, 5b. The foaming stock solution flowing between the left and right side plates 4a, 4b of the inner box 4 and the formed heat insulating materials 5a, 5b is received by the flange portions 4a1, 4b1 provided at the front end of the inner box 4 and accumulates at the front end of the refrigerator main body 2. The foaming stock solution accumulated at the front end of the refrigerator main body 2 expands by foaming and rises inside the left side wall, right side wall, top wall, and bottom wall of the refrigerator main body 2 to be filled.
[0114] After that, the foaming stock solution is filled into the space formed between the formed heat insulating material 5e provided on the back wall of the refrigerator main body 2 and the back plate 4e of the inner box 4, thereby forming a storage chamber heat insulating wall in the storage chamber heat insulating space P1.
[0115] In addition, a part of the foaming stock solution moving upward in the left and right side walls of the refrigerator main body 2 flows into the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 through the opening 56 of the heat insulating assembly M. Thus, in the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2, a heat insulating wall 54 integrally foam-molded with the foaming heat insulating material 6 provided in the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 is formed around the ventilation portion 55.
[0116] (6) Effect
[0117] In the present embodiment, since the above-described heat insulating wall body 50 is provided in the machine room 30 which is a cooling outer chamber, the rigidity of the machine room 30 in the refrigerator main body 2 where the rigidity is likely to be reduced can be increased, and the strength of the refrigerator main body can be improved.
[0118] Generally, in a refrigerator, in addition to being arranged at the lower part of the refrigerator, the machine room for housing at least any one of the high-temperature side parts of the refrigeration cycle such as a compressor and a condenser may sometimes be arranged at the ceiling part. However, as in the present embodiment, especially when the present invention is applied to the configuration in which the machine room is provided at the lower part of the refrigerator, the increase in the rigidity of the machine room 30 contributes to the increase in the rigidity of the entire refrigerator, which is preferable. In other words, in the present invention, when the part provided outside the space to be cooled and having a refrigerating chamber or the like provided above is used as a cooling outer chamber, the effect of increasing the rigidity is increased, so it is preferable.
[0119] Since the heat-insulating wall body 50 is provided with a ventilation part 55 that connects the inside of the machine room 30 to the outside, it is possible to appropriately cool the inside of the machine room 30 and evaporate the defrosting water accumulated in the evaporation tray 32. Even if a heat-insulating wall is added to the side of the machine room 30, the refrigerator 1 can easily exhibit the desired performance.
[0120] In addition, the upper and lower parts of the heat-insulating wall 54 that constitutes the heat-insulating wall body 50 are connected to the foam heat-insulating material 6 provided in the storage room heat-insulating space P1. Therefore, the heat-insulating wall 54 is integrally provided with the storage room heat-insulating wall, which can improve the rigidity of the heat-insulating wall body 50, and the heat-insulating wall 54 and the storage room heat-insulating wall can be integrally formed at one time, reducing the manufacturing man-hours.
[0121] The connecting parts 51e and 52e that connect the inner ventilation port 52d provided on the inner plate 52 to the outer ventilation port 51d provided on the outer plate 51 form a flow path that connects the inside of the machine room 30 to the outside, and functions as a structure for strengthening the heat-insulating wall body 50. Therefore, the strength of the refrigerator main body 2 can be greatly improved.
[0122] Moreover, when the inner connecting part 52e is inserted into the hollow part of the outer connecting part 51e, by reducing the interval between the outer connecting part 51e and the inner connecting part 52e, when filling the foam heat-insulating material, the air in the cooling outer chamber heat-insulating space P2 can be discharged from between the outer connecting part 51e and the inner connecting part 52e, and the outflow of the foam heat-insulating material to the outside of the cooling outer chamber heat-insulating space P2 can be suppressed.
[0123] In addition, the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 is a component with a complex shape that includes the lower part 3d1 of the storage room, the upright part 3d3, and the ceiling part 3d2 of the machine room, and is a relatively large component that constitutes the bottom of the refrigerator main body 2. However, since the rear convex edge-shaped parts 3d4b are provided at the left and right ends of the bottom plate 3d, the rigidity of the bottom plate 3d becomes higher and it is easy to maintain the desired shape.
[0124] In addition, the rear convex edge-shaped part 3d4b of the bottom plate 3d protrudes along the inner plate 52 of the heat-insulating wall body 50. Therefore, even if the bottom plate 3d is deformed, the rear convex edge-shaped part 3d4b faces the inner plate 52 of the heat-insulating wall body 50, and the outflow of the foam heat-insulating material can be suppressed.
[0125] In addition, the rear convex edge-shaped part 3d4b is separately formed from the lower part 3d1 of the storage room, the ceiling part 3d2 of the machine room, and the upright part 3d3, and the rear convex edge-shaped part 3d4b can be formed with high precision relative to the upright part with a relatively large shape change.
[0126] In addition, when the inner plate 52 is provided with an extension portion 52c that extends forward from the erected portion 3d3 of the bottom plate 3d, the bottom plate wide-width portion 3d1a and the bottom plate narrow-width portion 3d1b having different lengths in the width direction of the bottom plate 3d can be provided in the lower portion 3d1 of the storage chamber, and the portion where the length in the width direction of the bottom plate 3d changes can be provided in the lower portion 3d1 of the storage chamber that is substantially constant in height in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the manufacturing of the bottom plate 3d is easy, and the manufacturing accuracy of the bottom plate 3d becomes high, and it is difficult for the foamed heat insulating material to leak from between the inner plate 52 and the bottom plate 3d.
[0127] In addition, when an inclined portion 52c1 is provided in the front side portion of the extension portion 52c of the inner plate 52, the length in the width direction of the bottom plate 3d gradually changes from the bottom plate wide-width portion 3d1a to the bottom plate narrow-width portion 3d1b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress defective molding of the bottom plate 3d.
[0128] In addition, in the heat insulating wall body 50, when the opening portion 56 that communicates the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 and the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 is a narrow path portion that narrows the interval between the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52, the filling pressure is suppressed at the opening portion 56 when the foamed heat insulating material is filled from the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 to the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2, and it is possible to suppress the foamed heat insulating material from leaking to the outside of the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 from between the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52.
[0129] In the present embodiment, since the outer plate 51 constituting the heat insulating wall body 50 faces the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the rear frame side portion 8b2 from the inside, it is possible to suppress the outer plate 51 from bulging and deforming outward (toward the outer box 3 side) due to the filling pressure of the foamed heat insulating material, and it is possible to suppress an undesired deformation of the side plates 3a and 3b of the outer box 3.
[0130] In the present embodiment, since a lead-out portion 52f is provided in the inner plate 52 of the heat insulating wall body 50, it is possible to route connection components such as refrigerant pipes and electrical wirings from the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 to the machine room 30. In addition, the inner plate 52 is formed of a resin molding. Thus, compared with the case of forming a lead-out portion for inserting connection components in the bottom plate 3d of the steel outer box 3, the lead-out portion 52f can be formed with high precision, and it is possible to suppress the foamed heat insulating material from leaking from the lead-out portion. It is difficult for the foamed heat insulating material to leak from the lead-out portion.
[0131] In the present embodiment, since the rear end of the molded heat insulating material 5d provided between the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 and the bottom plate 4d of the inner box 4 is provided at a position behind the front end of the extension portion 52c of the heat insulating wall body 50, it is possible to expand the area of the storage chamber covered by the molded heat insulating material 5d. In addition, since the molded heat insulating material 5d is provided at a position separated from the rear convex edge-shaped portion 3d4b in the left-right direction, it is possible to suppress the molded heat insulating material 5d from coming into contact with the rear convex edge-shaped portion 3d4b and being damaged during manufacturing.
[0132] In the present embodiment, since the positioning concave portion 8a1a for fitting the convex portion 52m provided on the inner plate 52 and positioning the inner plate 52 is provided at the bottom 8a1 of the lower frame of the frame member 8, the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52 can be fixed at the specified positions of the frame member 8 in the refrigerator main body 2 before filling the foam heat insulating material whose shape is difficult to be stable.
[0133] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the peripheral wall reinforcing portion 51j is provided on the outer plate peripheral wall 51h and the connecting portion reinforcing portion 51i is provided outside the outer connecting portion 51e, even if the outer plate 51 is subjected to the filling pressure of the foam heat insulating material, the deformation bulging outward (toward the outer case 3 side) can be suppressed, and the undesired deformation of the side plates 3a and 3b of the outer case 3 can be suppressed.
[0134] In addition, in the present embodiment, the protruding amount h1 of the outer plate reinforcing portion 51g of the outer plate 51 is made larger than the protruding amount h2 of the inner plate reinforcing portion 52g of the inner plate 52, or the peripheral wall reinforcing portion is not provided at the inner connecting portion 52e of the inner plate 52 and the peripheral wall reinforcing portion 51j is provided at the outer connecting portion 51e of the outer plate 51, and the rigidity of the inner plate 52 is set to be smaller than the rigidity of the outer plate 51. Thus, by making the rigidity of the inner plate 52 smaller than the rigidity of the outer plate 51, even if a relatively high foaming pressure acts on the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 when filling the foam heat insulating material, the inner plate 52 can be deformed preferentially compared to the outer plate 51, the deformation of the outer plate 51 bulging outward can be suppressed, and the undesired deformation of the side plates 3a and 3b of the outer case 3 can be suppressed.
[0135] In addition, in the present embodiment, the opening 56 that connects the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 and the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 in the heat insulating wall body 50 is provided on the front side of the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2, and is provided to open at the rear of the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 formed between the right side plate 3b of the outer case 3 and the right side plate 4b of the inner case 4. When filling the foam heat insulating material, the foam stock solution flowing on the left and right side walls of the refrigerator main body 2 easily flows into the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2. Therefore, even if the heat insulating wall body 50 forms a narrow path portion that narrows the interval between the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52 as the opening 56 and reduces the filling pressure of the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2, the foam heat insulating material of the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 can be easily filled. That is, the outflow of the foam heat insulating material to the outside of the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 can be suppressed, and the foam heat insulating material can be filled over a wide range of the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2.
[0136] 2. Second Embodiment
[0137] (1) Refrigerator 100 of the Second Embodiment
[0138] Hereinafter, the refrigerator 100 of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
[0139] In the above-described first embodiment, the heat-insulating wall body 50 is formed of an outer plate 51 provided separately from the side plates 3a and 3b of the outer box 3 to form the cooling outer chamber heat-insulating space P2. However, in the second embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that the portions of the side plates 3a and 3b of the outer box 3 on the side of the machine chamber 30 are used as the outer plates.
[0140] In addition, since the heat-insulating wall body 150 constituting the left side surface of the machine chamber 30 and the heat-insulating wall body 150 constituting the right side surface are symmetrically structured, the heat-insulating wall body 150 on the right side will be described here, and the detailed description of the heat-insulating wall body on the left side will be omitted.
[0141] As Figures 11 to 13 shown, the heat-insulating wall body 150 of the present embodiment includes: the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3, which is located on the side of the machine chamber 30 serving as the cooling outer chamber; the inner plate 152, which is provided on the side of the right side plate 3b closer to the machine chamber 30; the heat-insulating wall 154, which has a foamed heat-insulating material filled in the cooling outer chamber heat-insulating space P2 formed between the right side plate 3b and the inner plate 152 of the outer box 3; and the ventilation portion 155, which is provided to penetrate the heat-insulating wall 154.
[0142] The inner plate 152 includes: a top portion 152a, which is opposed to the machine chamber ceiling portion 3d2 of the bottom plate 3d of the outer box 3 in the left-right direction; an inclined portion 152b, which is opposed to the upright portion 3d3 of the bottom plate 3d in the left-right direction; and an extended portion 152c, which is opposed to the lower portion of the storage chamber 3d1 of the bottom plate 3d in the left-right direction. In addition, an inner plate peripheral wall 152h protruding toward the right side plate 3b (toward the outside in the width direction) of the outer box 3 is provided at the peripheral edge portion of the inner plate 152.
[0143] The top portion 152a, the inclined portion 152b, and the extended portion 152c of the inner plate 152 are opposed to the rear convex edge-shaped portion 3d4b provided at the width direction end portion of the bottom plate 3d in the left-right direction inside the width direction, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat-insulating material.
[0144] An inclined portion 152c1 is provided at the front side portion of the extended portion 152c, and the inclined portion 152c1 is inclined so as to tend toward the outside in the width direction (toward the side plate 3b of the outer box 3) as it approaches the front end. Thus, the front end portion of the extended portion 152c of the heat-insulating wall body 50 becomes narrower as it approaches the front end.
[0145] An inner ventilation port 152d and an inner connection portion 152e constituting the ventilation portion 155 are provided in the inner plate 152. The inner ventilation port 152d is formed by a through hole penetrating the inner plate 152 in the left-right direction. The inner ventilation port 152d is provided at a position where the through hole 3b4 provided in the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 is projected onto the inner plate 152.
[0146] The inner connecting portion 152e protrudes from the peripheral portion of the entire inner vent 152d toward the side plate 3b of the outer case 3 (toward the outside in the width direction), and is hollow on the inside. The inner connecting portion 152e is, for example, a frame-shaped protrusion in which the frame width t3 is set to be substantially constant in the protruding direction, and an outer flange-shaped portion 152e1 is provided at its front end. The outer flange-shaped portion 152e1 faces the peripheral portion of the outer vent (the through-hole 3b4 of the outer case 3 in the present embodiment) which is a part of the outer plate, and is a portion that suppresses the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material during manufacturing by narrowing the interval between the two. The outer flange-shaped portion 152e1 only needs to locally have a so-called flange shape (flange shape) that extends outward in the peripheral direction of the outer vent in such a way that the distance along the peripheral portion of the outer vent is greater than the normal plate thickness of the resin parts of the refrigerator, such as the plate thickness of the inner case 4 and the table plate 34. As shown in Figure 13 the example, it may also turn back at the outer peripheral portion of the flange shape and face the inner vent 152d side, etc., so as to be connected to other shapes. As shown in Figure 13 , it is preferable that the protruding amount of the inner connecting portion 152e from the inner plate 152 toward the outside in the width direction is greater than the protruding amount of the inner plate peripheral wall 152h.
[0147] The outer flange-shaped portion 152e1 faces the peripheral portion of the through-hole 3b4 of the outer case 3 in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material. Thus, the outer flange-shaped portion 152e1 is arranged to surround the through-hole 3b4 of the outer case 3 that functions as the outer vent provided in the outer plate, and the inner connecting portion 152e connects the through-hole 3b4 of the outer case 3 and the inner vent 152d.
[0148] As shown in Figure 13 , it is preferable that the frame width t3 of the outer flange-shaped portion 152e1 is a size that can suppress the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material filled in the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2. For example, it is preferable that the frame width t3 is greater than the thickness of the inner plate 152 and the thickness of the inner plate peripheral wall 152h.
[0149] In addition, a weight-reducing concave portion 152e2 that opens toward the inside in the width direction (the machine room side) may be provided in the inner connecting portion 152e.
[0150] On the outer side surface in the width direction of the inner plate 152 (the surface facing the right side plate 3b of the outer case 3 with the heat insulating wall 154 interposed therebetween), the inner plate reinforcing portion 152g and the peripheral wall reinforcing portion 152j protrude toward the outside in the width direction.
[0151] The inner plate reinforcing portion 152g is constituted by, for example, rib-shaped protrusions that protrude toward the right side plate 3b of the outer case 3 and extend along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.
[0152] The peripheral wall reinforcing portion 152j is a plate-shaped rib provided to connect the inner plate peripheral wall 152h and the inner plate 152. In the present embodiment, a plurality of peripheral wall reinforcing portions 152j are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction on the lower inner plate peripheral wall 152h1 provided along the lower edge portion of the inner plate 152, and a plurality of peripheral wall reinforcing portions 152j are arranged at intervals in the up-down direction on the rear inner plate peripheral wall 152h2 provided along the rear edge portion of the inner plate 152.
[0153] A flexible body 160 such as a soft band is provided on the outer side in the width direction (the right side plate 3b side of the outer case 3) of the plurality of peripheral wall reinforcing portions 152j, and is arranged to face the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the rear frame side portion 8b2 of the frame member 8 in the width direction with the flexible body 160 interposed therebetween. (Refer to Figure 13 ). In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of the flexible body 160 in the natural state where no load is applied to the flexible body 160 is smaller than the interval between the peripheral wall reinforcing portion 152j and the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the rear frame side portion 8b2 of the frame member 8.
[0154] In addition, as Figure 12 shown, a locking portion 152k for locking the locking piece 81 of the vent covering body 80 is provided on the outer convex edge-shaped portion 152e1 of the inner plate 152. The locking portion 152k is formed in a concave shape with one end opening to the inside of the outer convex edge-shaped portion 152e1 (the hollow side of the inner connecting portion 152e) and the other end terminating at the outer convex edge-shaped portion 152e1. Thus, the outer convex edge-shaped portion 152e1 is maintained in a shape connected so as to surround the through hole 3b4 of the outer case 3 serving as the outer vent, and the locking portion 152k is provided.
[0155] The vent covering body 80 includes: a plurality of small hole portions 80a that divide the through hole 3b4 into a plurality of regions and have an opening area smaller than that of the through hole 3b4 for each one; and a vent convex edge portion 80b provided around the plurality of small hole portions 80a and covering the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 3b4 from the outside of the left side plate 3a of the outer case 3. It is preferable that the vent convex edge portion 80b is arranged so as to be able to cover the entire shape and size of the outer convex edge-shaped portion 152e1 from the side.
[0156] The amount by which the inner plate peripheral wall 152h provided at the peripheral edge portion of the inner plate 152 protrudes from the inner plate 152 is smaller in the inclined portion 152b and the extended portion 152c than in the top portion 152a, the lower edge portion, and the rear edge portion of the inner plate 152.
[0157] As Figure 11 and Figure 13 shown, the inner plate 152 provided with the flexible body 160 on the peripheral wall reinforcing portion 152j is disposed in the gap formed between the rear convex edge-shaped portion 3d4b of the bottom plate 3d of the outer case 3 and the left and right side plates 3a, 3b, and the inner plate 152 is fixed to the lower frame bottom portion 8a1 and the rear frame rear portion 8b1 of the frame member 8.
[0158] Accordingly, a plurality of peripheral wall reinforcing portions 152j face the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the rear frame side portion 8b2 of the frame member 8 across the flexible body 160 in the width direction, and the outer convex edge portion 152e1 provided at the front end of the inner connecting portion 152e faces the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3 in the width direction, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0159] On the other hand, the inner plate peripheral wall 152h is separated from the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 at the top portion 152a, the inclined portion 152b, and the extended portion 152c. Accordingly, an opening 156 that communicates the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 and the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 is formed at the top portion 152a, the inclined portion 152b, and the extended portion 152c. The opening width of the opening 156 expands at the inclined portion 152b and the extended portion 152c.
[0160] Regarding the heat insulating wall 154, a part of the foaming stock solution injected into the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 flows into the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 from the opening 156, fills the periphery of the ventilation portion 55 provided in the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2, and is integrally foam-molded with the foamed heat insulating material 6 provided in the storage chamber heat insulating space P1.
[0161] (2) Effects of the Second Embodiment
[0162] In the present embodiment, since the outer box 3 functions as an outer plate that divides the outside of the heat insulating wall body 150, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed, and the heat insulating wall body 150 can be provided in the refrigerator main body 2.
[0163] In the present embodiment, since the outer convex edge portion 152e1 provided at the front end of the inner connecting portion 152e faces the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3, the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material from the through hole 3b4 can be suppressed. When the frame width t3 of the outer convex edge portion 152e1 is larger than the thickness of the inner plate 152 and the thickness of the inner plate peripheral wall 152h, a region where the outer convex edge portion 152e1 faces the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 can be ensured in the section from the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 to the through hole 3b4, effectively suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0164] In the present embodiment, since the ventilation port convex edge portion 80b that covers the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 3b4 from the outside is provided on the ventilation port covering body 80, even if an uneven shape is formed on the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 due to the outer convex edge portion 152e1 facing the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 3b4, the uneven shape can be hidden by the ventilation port covering body 80, improving the appearance of the refrigerator.
[0165] In addition, in the present embodiment, the outer convex edge portion 152e1 is maintained in a shape that is connected so as to surround the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3, and a locking portion 152k for locking the locking piece 81 of the ventilation port cover 80 is provided. Therefore, the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material can be suppressed by the outer convex edge portion 152e1, and the ventilation port cover 80 can be attached to the through hole 3b4.
[0166] 3. Modification Examples of the First Embodiment and the Second Embodiment
[0167] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.
[0168] Any one of the following-described multiple modification examples can be applied to the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, or any two or more of the following-described modification examples can be applied in combination. In addition, various changes can be made in addition to the following modification examples.
[0169] (1) Modification Example 1
[0170] The heat insulating wall 54 of the heat insulating wall body 50 only needs to be provided at least in part of the outer peripheral portion of the ventilation portion 55 in the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2, and may not be provided so as to surround the entire outer peripheral portion of the ventilation portion 55.
[0171] For example, as shown in (a) of Figure 14 , the heat insulating wall may not be provided on the front side of the ventilation portion 55, and the heat insulating wall 124a may be provided on the rear side of the ventilation portion 55. Thereby, the rigidity of the heat insulating wall body 50 can be improved and the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2 can be improved.
[0172] When the heat insulating wall 124a is provided on the rear side of the ventilation portion 55, it is preferable to provide the heat insulating wall 124a so as to support the lower side of the foamed heat insulating material 6 provided in the storage chamber heat insulating space P1. Thereby, the rear portion of the refrigerator main body 2 can be supported by the heat insulating wall 124a, and the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2 can be improved.
[0173] It is preferable that the heat insulating wall 124a and the foamed heat insulating material 6 provided in the storage chamber heat insulating space P1 are integrally filled with the foamed heat insulating material and are connected to the foamed heat insulating material 6 on the upper side of the heat insulating wall 124a. Thereby, the heat insulating wall 124a and the foamed heat insulating material 6 can be integrally formed at one time, and the heat insulating wall 124a and the foamed heat insulating material 6 can be firmly connected to improve the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2.
[0174] In addition, as shown in Figure 14 (b) thereof, the heat insulating wall may not be provided above the ventilation part 55, and the heat insulating wall 124b may be provided below the ventilation part 55. Thus, a large range of the bottom surface of the refrigerator main body 2 can bear a large load, and the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2 can be improved.
[0175] When the heat insulating wall 124b is provided below the ventilation part 55, it is preferable that the heat insulating wall 124b and the foam heat insulating material 6 provided in the storage room heat insulating space P1 are integrally filled with the foam heat insulating material and are connected to the foam heat insulating material 6 on the front side of the heat insulating wall 124b. Thus, the heat insulating wall 124b and the foam heat insulating material 6 can be integrally formed at one time, and the heat insulating wall 124b and the foam heat insulating material 6 can be firmly connected to improve the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2.
[0176] In addition, as shown in Figure 14 (c) thereof, the heat insulating wall may not be provided directly in front of and directly above the ventilation part 55, and the heat insulating wall 124c may be provided at the rear side and the lower side of the ventilation part 55. Thus, the rigidity of the heat insulating wall body 50 can be improved, and the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2 can be improved.
[0177] When the heat insulating wall 124c is provided at the rear side and the lower side of the ventilation part 55, it is preferable that the heat insulating wall 124c is provided in such a way as to support the lower side of the foam heat insulating material 6 provided in the storage room heat insulating space P1. Thus, the rear part of the refrigerator main body 2 can be supported by the heat insulating wall 124c, and the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2 can be improved.
[0178] It is preferable that the heat insulating wall 124c and the foam heat insulating material 6 provided in the storage room heat insulating space P1 are integrally filled with the foam heat insulating material and are connected to the foam heat insulating material 6 at least on one of the upper side and the front side of the heat insulating wall 154c. Thus, the heat insulating wall 124a and the foam heat insulating material 6 can be integrally formed at one time, and the heat insulating wall 154c and the foam heat insulating material 6 can be firmly connected to improve the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2.
[0179] In addition, as shown in Figure 14 (d) thereof, the heat insulating wall may not be provided directly above, directly below and at the rear side of the ventilation part 55, and the heat insulating wall 124d may be provided in the area from a position lower than the ventilation part 55 to an upper position on the front side of the ventilation part 55. Thus, the rigidity of the heat insulating wall body 50 can be improved, and the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2 can be improved.
[0180] When the heat insulating wall 124d is provided in the area from a position lower than the ventilation part 55 to an upper position on the front side of the ventilation part 55, it is preferable that the heat insulating wall 124d is provided in such a way as to support the lower side of the foam heat insulating material 6 provided in the storage room heat insulating space P1. Thus, the rear part of the refrigerator main body 2 can be supported by the heat insulating wall 124d, and the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2 can be improved.
[0181] Preferably, the heat insulation wall 124d and the foamed heat insulation material 6 provided in the heat insulation space P1 of the storage chamber are integrally filled with the foamed heat insulation material, and the heat insulation wall 124d is connected to the foamed heat insulation material 6 at at least one of the upper side and the front side. Thus, the heat insulation wall 124d and the foamed heat insulation material 6 can be integrally formed, and the heat insulation wall 154d and the foamed heat insulation material 6 can be firmly connected to improve the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2.
[0182] As described above, even if the foamed heat insulation material 6 is not filled in all areas of the side wall of the machine room 30 except the ventilation part 55, but only in a part, the present invention can be implemented. At this time, as shown in (a), (c), and (d) of Figure 14 , it is preferable to fill the foamed heat insulation material 6 from the lower part to the upper end of the side wall of the machine room. Thus, the load on the storage chamber side above can be borne by the part of the foamed heat insulation material 6 filled in the side wall of the machine room 30, which is particularly effective for ensuring the rigidity of the refrigerator main body 2.
[0183] (2) Modification Example 2
[0184] As shown in Figure 15 , it may also be that the lower rear part of the molded heat insulation material 5a provided between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 in the left side wall and the lower rear part of the molded heat insulation material 5b provided between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 in the right side wall are inserted into the cooling outer chamber heat insulation space P2 from the opening 56 provided in the peripheral wall of the heat insulation wall body 50 and are provided between the outer plate and the inner plate of the heat insulation wall body.
[0185] In this modification example, a large range of the storage chamber heat insulation space P1 can be covered by the molded heat insulation materials 5a and 5b without interfering with the heat insulation wall body, and the heat insulation performance can be improved.
[0186] (3) Modification Example 3
[0187] In the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, the heat insulation wall body 50 constituting the left side surface of the machine room 30 and the heat insulation wall body 50 constituting the right side surface are provided symmetrically left and right, and a ventilation part 55 is provided in each heat insulation wall body. However, a ventilation opening may be provided in one of the left and right heat insulation wall bodies, and no ventilation opening may be provided in the other heat insulation wall body 50.
[0188] In the case where a ventilation opening is provided only in one of the left and right heat insulation wall bodies, the thickness of the other heat insulation wall body without the ventilation opening may be thinner than the thickness of the heat insulation wall body with the ventilation opening, or the thickness of the other heat insulation wall body without the ventilation opening may be thicker than the thickness of the heat insulation wall body with the ventilation opening.
[0189] (4) Modification Example 4
[0190] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the case where the vent covering 80 is provided outside the outer box 3 has been described. However, a vent covering that vent-ably covers the inner vent may be provided on the inner plate, or a vent covering may be provided in the hollow portion of the connecting portion that connects the inner vent and the outer vent.
[0191] (5) Modification Example 5
[0192] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the case where the cooling outer chamber provided with the heat insulating wall is the machine chamber 30 has been described. However, a heat insulating wall may be provided in the substrate storage chamber 28 or the like provided on the upper back surface of the refrigerator main body 2.
[0193] (6) Modification Example 6
[0194] In the above-described first and second embodiments, heat insulating walls are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the cooling outer chamber. However, heat insulating walls can be provided at any part of the cooling outer chamber. For example, a heat insulating wall can be provided on the back surface of the cooling outer chamber, and so on.
[0195] (7) Modification Example 7
[0196] As Figure 16 shown, in this modification example, a planar peripheral wall reinforcing portion 252j that extends along the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the rear frame side portion 8b2 of the frame member 8 is provided on the inner plate 252. The planar peripheral wall reinforcing portion 252j faces the lower frame side portion 8a2 and the rear frame side portion 8b2 in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foam heat insulating material.
[0197] Even in such a modification example, they face each other in a manner that suppresses the outflow of the foam heat insulating material.
[0198] (8) Modification Example 8
[0199] In the second embodiment, the frame width on the inner plate 151 side of the inner connecting portion 152e is set to be substantially the same as the frame width of the outer convex edge-shaped portion 152e1. However, as Figure 17 shown, an outer convex edge-shaped portion 152e1 that extends outward away from the opening portion may be formed at the front end of the inner connecting portion 152e.
[0200] (9) Modification Example 9
[0201] In the second embodiment, the inner vent 152d of the inner plate 152 is connected to the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3 through the inner connecting portion 152e provided integrally with the inner plate 152. However, as Figure 18 shown, the inner vent 152d may be connected to the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3 through the connecting portion 182 of the vent covering 180 that covers the through hole 3b4 from the outside.
[0202] For example, the vent cover 180 includes: a plurality of small hole portions 180a that divide the through hole 3b4 into a plurality of regions, with each individual opening area being narrower than the through hole 3b4; a vent flange portion 180b that is provided around the plurality of small hole portions 180a and covers the peripheral portion of the through hole 3b4 from the outside of the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3; and a connecting portion 182 that protrudes between the small hole portion 180a and the vent flange portion 180b. The connecting portion 182 is a hollow frame-shaped protrusion with a substantially constant frame width t4 in the protruding direction, and an inner flange-shaped portion 182a is provided at the front end of the connecting portion 182.
[0203] The inner flange-shaped portion 182a faces the peripheral portion of the inner vent 152d, which is a part of the inner plate, and is a portion that inhibits the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material during manufacturing by narrowing the gap between the two. The inner flange-shaped portion 182a only needs to locally have a so-called flange shape (flange shape) that extends along the peripheral portion of the inner vent 152d with a distance greater than the normal plate thickness of the resin parts of the refrigerator, such as the plate thickness of the inner box 4 and the table plate 34, and protrudes in the outer peripheral direction of the inner vent 152d. As shown in the example of Figure 18 the inner flange-shaped portion 182a can also be formed as a part of the front end portion of a substantially thick-walled substantially cylindrical shape. The vent cover 180 is installed on the refrigerator main body 2 by inserting the connecting portion 182 into the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3 from the outside, and the connecting portion 182 is provided in the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner plate 152 to connect the through hole 3b4 and the inner vent 152d.
[0204] That is, when the connecting portion 182 is inserted into the through hole 3b4 from the outside, the inner flange-shaped portion 182a provided at its front end faces the peripheral portion of the inner vent 152d provided on the inner plate 151 in the left-right direction, inhibiting the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0205] In addition, the vent flange portion 180b faces the peripheral portion of the through hole 3b4 in the left-right direction, inhibiting the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0206] Preferably, the frame width t4 of the inner flange-shaped portion 182a is a size that can inhibit the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material filled in the cooling outer chamber heat insulating space P2. For example, it is preferable that the frame width t4 is greater than the thickness of the inner plate 152 and the thickness of the inner plate peripheral wall 152h.
[0207] In addition, the connecting portion 182 can also be provided in a weight-reducing concave portion 182b such as a hollow portion.
[0208] (10) Modification Example 10
[0209] In the second embodiment, the inner vent hole 152d of the inner plate 152 is connected to the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3 through the inner connecting portion 152e provided integrally with the inner plate 152. However, as shown in Figure 19 , the inner vent hole 152d can be connected to the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3 through the outer connecting portion 282 provided on the vent hole cover 280 and the inner connecting portion 252e provided on the inner plate 152.
[0210] For example, the vent hole cover 280 includes: a plurality of small hole portions 280a that cover the through hole 3b4 from the outside, divide the through hole 3b4 into a plurality of regions, and make the opening area of each one narrower than the through hole 3b4; a vent hole flange portion 280b provided around the plurality of small hole portions 280a and covering the peripheral portion of the through hole 3b4 from the outside of the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3; and an outer connecting portion 282 that protrudes between the small hole portion 280a and the vent hole flange portion 280b. The outer connecting portion 282 is a hollow frame-shaped protrusion formed on the inner side.
[0211] In addition, an inner vent hole 152d that penetrates the inner plate 152 and an inner connecting portion 152e that protrudes from the peripheral portion of the inner vent hole 152d toward the right side plate 3b of the outer box 3 (toward the outside in the width direction) are provided on the inner plate 152. The inner side of the inner connecting portion 152e is formed to be hollow.
[0212] The vent hole cover 280 is inserted into the hollow portion of the inner connecting portion 152e as the outer connecting portion 282 is inserted into the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3 from the outside. Thus, the vent hole cover 280 is installed on the refrigerator main body 2, and in the cooling outer chamber heat insulation space P2 formed between the outer box 3 and the inner plate 152, the inner connecting portion 152e and the outer connecting portion 282 connect the inner vent hole 152d to the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3.
[0213] That is, when the outer connecting portion 282 is inserted into the hollow portion of the inner connecting portion 152e, the outer connecting portion 282 faces the inner connecting portion 152e, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0214] In addition, the vent hole flange portion 180b faces the peripheral portion of the through hole 3b4 in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0215] In addition, preferably, the interval between the outer connection portion 282 and the inner connection portion 152e is an interval capable of suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material filled in the heat insulating space P2 of the cooling outer chamber. For example, the interval between the outer connection portion 282 and the inner connection portion 152e is preferably smaller than the length of the overlap of the outer connection portion 282 and the inner connection portion 152e in the left-right direction, and more preferably smaller than the thicknesses of the outer connection portion 282 and the inner connection portion 152e. In addition, the length of the overlap of the outer connection portion 282 and the inner connection portion 152e in the left-right direction is preferably greater than the thicknesses of the outer connection portion 282 and the inner connection portion 152e.
[0216] (11) Variant Example 11
[0217] In the second embodiment, the inner vent 152d of the inner plate 152 is connected to the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3 through the inner connection portion 152e provided integrally with the inner plate 152. However, as Figure 20 shown, a connection member 255 separately provided from the inner plate 151 and the outer box 3 may be provided in the heat insulating space P2 of the cooling outer chamber, thereby connecting the inner vent 152d to the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3.
[0218] For example, the connection member 255 includes: a frame-shaped main body portion 255a, which is formed hollow on the inside; an inner flange-shaped portion 255b, which extends outward away from one open end of the main body portion 255a; and an outer flange-shaped portion 255c, which extends outward away from the other open end of the main body portion 255a.
[0219] The connection member 255 is arranged in the heat insulating space P2 of the cooling outer chamber such that the inner flange-shaped portion 255b faces the peripheral portion of the inner vent 152d and the outer flange-shaped portion 255c faces the peripheral portion of the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3, thereby connecting the inner vent 152d to the through hole 3b4 of the outer box 3.
[0220] That is, the inner flange-shaped portion 255b and the peripheral portion of the inner vent 152d face each other in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0221] The outer flange-shaped portion 255c and the peripheral portion of the inner vent 152d face each other in the left-right direction, suppressing the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material.
[0222] In this variant example, it is preferable that the vent convex portion 80b of the vent cover 80 covers the entire outer flange-shaped portion 255c.
[0223] Even in such Variant Example 11, the outflow of the foamed heat insulating material can be suppressed and a vent portion can be formed in the heat insulating portion.
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: A refrigerator body having a storage chamber formed in an internal cooling target space; and The cooling outer chamber is arranged outside the cooling target space in the refrigerator body. The cooling outer chamber is provided with an outer plate arranged on the outside, an inner plate arranged on the inside, a heat insulating wall having a foam heat insulating material filled between the outer plate and the inner plate, and a partition wall separating the storage chamber side from the cooling outer chamber side. A flange-shaped portion is provided at an end portion of the partition wall, and the flange-shaped portion faces the inner panel.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The cooling outer chamber is arranged at the rear of the refrigerator body. The partition wall comprises: a storage room lower portion located below the lowermost storage room in front of the cooling outer room; a cooling outer room ceiling portion located on the ceiling of the cooling outer room; and a rising portion rising from the storage room lower portion toward the cooling outer room ceiling portion. The inner panel includes an extension portion extending forward from the rising portion.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The extension portion includes an inclined portion that is inclined toward the outside in the width direction of the refrigerator as it approaches the front end.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The storage room is insulated by a storage room insulation wall filled with the foam insulation material. The refrigerator includes a narrow path portion that narrows the interval between the outer plate and the inner plate. The storage chamber heat insulating wall is connected to the heat insulating wall via the narrow path portion.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The refrigerator includes a frame member, which is arranged at the rear lower part of the refrigerator body. The frame member includes a frame facing portion extending along an end side of the outer plate. The inner panel faces the frame facing portion.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein: The inner plate has a plurality of protrusions, and the plurality of protrusions are arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the end side of the outer plate. A flexible body is provided on the frame-opposing side of the plurality of protrusions. The inner plate and the frame facing portion face each other with the flexible body interposed therebetween.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The outer plate faces the frame facing portion from the inner side of the frame facing portion.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The storage room is insulated by a storage room insulation wall filled with the foam insulation material. The inner panel includes a lead-out portion that leads out a connection member that connects components of the refrigerator to each other from a space filled with the storage compartment insulation wall to the cooling outer compartment.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: A bottom-molded heat insulating material is provided between the partition wall and the storage chamber at the bottom, and the bottom-molded heat insulating material is pre-molded into a predetermined shape before the foamed heat insulating material is filled. The bottom surface molded heat insulating material is spaced apart from the flange-shaped portion of the partition wall, and a rear end of the bottom surface molded heat insulating material is disposed at a rearward position relative to a front end of the extended portion.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The refrigerator includes a storage compartment heat-insulating side wall, which constitutes the left and right side walls of the storage compartment and is filled with a foam insulation material. The storage room insulation side wall is provided with a side-molded insulation material, and the side-molded insulation material is pre-molded into a predetermined shape before being filled with the foam insulation material. The rear lower portion of the side-molded heat insulating material is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein: The frame member includes a positioning portion that engages with the inner panel to position the inner panel.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Refrigerator
JP2012007776A