Refrigerator

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator which can restrain retention of cold air in a vegetable storage part and prevent quality reduction of vegetables. The present invention is provided with: a vegetable chamber (51); the freezing chamber (61) is adjacent to the lower part of the vegetable chamber (51); a vegetable housing part (581) housed in the vegetable chamber (51); a small article storage container (583) capable of freely opening and closing an upper opening (5812) of the vegetable storage part (581); discharge ports (506, 507) for discharging cold air to the vegetable chamber (51); and a return port (510) for returning the cold air of the vegetable chamber (51) to the cooler (501). The vegetable storage part (581) is provided with a front side opening (586) and a rear side opening (586), wherein the front side opening (586) is arranged on the front side of the vegetable storage part (581); and a rear opening (587) disposed on the rear side of the vegetable storage part (581). The discharge ports (506, 507) and the return port (510) are configured such that cold air from the discharge ports (506, 507) flows from the front-side opening (586) to the rear-side opening (587).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] In refrigerators, various refrigerators having a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber, and a vegetable chamber have been proposed. For example, in the vegetable chamber, there are provided a vegetable storage section and a small item storage container provided so as to block an opening on the upper surface of the vegetable storage section (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-44872 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, the cold air introduced from the cold air supply port provided on the back surface passes through the cold air intake port formed at the rear side between the vegetable storage section and the small item storage container, and flows out from the front opening. However, in a type of refrigerator in which the vegetable chamber is sandwiched by the freezing chambers above and below, due to the influence of the freezing chamber disposed below the vegetable chamber, the bottom surface of the vegetable storage section is cooled, and the cold air stays on the bottom surface of the vegetable storage section. As a result, the quality of the vegetables stored in the vegetable storage section deteriorates.

[0008] Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The present invention includes: a refrigerating temperature zone chamber; a freezing temperature zone chamber adjacent to the lower side of the refrigerating temperature zone chamber; a storage container accommodated in the refrigerating temperature zone chamber; a lid portion for freely opening and closing an upper opening of the storage container; a discharge port for discharging cold air to the refrigerating temperature zone chamber; and a return port for returning the cold air in the refrigerating temperature zone chamber to the cooler. The storage container has: a front opening disposed on the front side of the storage container; and a rear opening disposed on the rear side of the storage container. The discharge port and the return port are arranged such that the cold air from the discharge port flows from the front opening to the rear opening. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Figure 1 is a front view of the refrigerator of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a sectional view taken along line A-A of

[0012] Figure 3 is a schematic view of an air passage structure through which the cold air generated by the second cooler flows.

[0013] Figure 4 Therefore Figure 2 View of the B-B line cut and observed from the front side.

[0014] Figure 5 Is Figure 4 Enlarged view of part C.

[0015] Figure 6 Cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the vegetable compartment.

[0016] Figure 7 Is Figure 6 Enlarged view of part D.

[0017] Figure 8 View of the vicinity of the vegetable compartment cut and observed from the front diagonal side.

[0018] Figure 9 Isometric view of the plate heater.

[0019] Figure 10 Top view of the vegetable compartment.

[0020] Figure 11 Block diagram showing the specific hardware structure of the control device.

[0021] Figure 12 View of the vegetable compartment with the container installed, observed from the front.

[0022] Figure 13 View of the vegetable compartment with the container removed, observed from the front.

[0023] Figure 14 View of the vegetable compartment with the rear cover and the container removed, observed from the front.

[0024] Figure 15 Cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the return port in the vegetable compartment, cut along the front-rear direction.

[0025] Figure 16 Is Figure 15 Enlarged view of part F.

[0026] Figure 17 Exploded isometric view showing the structure of the rear side of the vegetable compartment.

[0027] Figure 18 View showing the structure of the rear of the vegetable compartment extracted.

[0028] Figure 19 Is Figure 18 Enlarged view of part G.

[0029] Figure 20 Isometric view of the container inside the vegetable compartment.

[0030] Figure 21 It is a top view showing a container inside a vegetable compartment.

[0031] Figure 22 It is Figure 21 a sectional view taken along line H-H of

[0032] Figure 23 It is Figure 22 an enlarged view of portion I of

[0033] Figure 24 It is Figure 22 an enlarged view of portion J of

[0034] Figure 25 It is a perspective solid view showing the arrangement of a front opening and a rear opening.

[0035] Figure 26 It is a view showing the flow of cold air inside a vegetable compartment.

[0036] Figure 27 It is a sectional view showing the flow of cold air in a vegetable compartment during defrosting.

[0037] Figure 28 It is Figure 27 a sectional view taken along line K-K of

[0038] Figure 29 It is a schematic diagram showing the overall air duct of a refrigerator.

[0039] Figure 30 It is a schematic diagram showing the overall air duct of a refrigerator of other embodiments. Detailed Embodiments

[0040] Hereinafter, a mode for implementing the present disclosure (referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of one embodiment, descriptions of other embodiments applicable to one embodiment will also be appropriately given. The present disclosure is not limited to the following one embodiment, and different embodiments can be combined with each other, or arbitrarily modified within a range not significantly impairing the effects of the present disclosure. In addition, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Also, components having the same function are given the same name. The illustrated content is merely schematic, and for the convenience of illustration, sometimes changes are made from the actual structure within a range not significantly impairing the effects of the present disclosure, or the illustration of some components is omitted or deformed between the drawings. In addition, in the same embodiment, it is not necessary to have all the structures.

[0041] Figure 1This is the front view of the refrigerator 1 of the present disclosure. The refrigerator 1 includes doors 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The door 2 is a double-door that can rotate about the rotation axes (not shown) provided at both left and right ends of the refrigerator 1. The doors 3, 4, 5, and 6 are pull-out doors. Heat insulating materials are arranged inside the doors 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

[0042] Figure 2 This is Figure 1 a sectional view taken along line A-A. The refrigerator 1 includes: a refrigerating compartment 21, which is enclosed by the door 2; an ice-making compartment 31, which is enclosed by the door 3; a vegetable compartment 51, which is enclosed by the door 5; and a freezer compartment 61 (a large freezer compartment), which is enclosed by the door 6. Although not shown in Figure 2 it, the refrigerator 1 also includes a freezer compartment 41 (a small freezer compartment) enclosed by the door 4. Figure 3 ) The freezer compartment 41 is adjacent to the ice-making compartment 31 in the left-right direction (horizontal direction). The refrigerating compartment 21, the ice-making compartment 31, the freezer compartment 41, the vegetable compartment 51, and the freezer compartment 61 are formed in a heat-insulating cabinet 10. The heat-insulating cabinet 10 includes an inner cabinet 11, an outer cabinet 12, and a heat-insulating material 13. The refrigerating compartment 21, the ice-making compartment 31, the freezer compartment 41, the vegetable compartment 51, and the freezer compartment 61 are all formed inside, for example, an inner cabinet 11 made of resin. Between the inner cabinet 11 and an outer cabinet 12 made of, for example, metal that constitutes the outer contour of the refrigerator 1, a heat-insulating material 13 such as a vacuum heat-insulating material or a foamed polyurethane foam formed on-site is arranged.

[0043] The refrigerating compartment 21 is a storage compartment (a storage compartment in the refrigerating temperature range) fixed at a refrigerating temperature range (for example, 3°C to 8°C). The refrigerating compartment 21 is adjacent to the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 above them. Shelves 22 on which foods and the like can be placed are arranged inside the refrigerating compartment 21. And an ice fresh compartment 23 fixed at a temperature range of 0°C to 2°C is arranged inside the refrigerating compartment 21.

[0044] Both the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 are storage compartments (storage compartments in the freezing temperature range) fixed at a freezing temperature range (for example, -20°C to -18°C). The ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 are adjacent to the refrigerating compartment 21 and the vegetable compartment 51 below the refrigerating compartment 21 and above the vegetable compartment 51 (adjacent in the up-down direction). The sum of the capacities of the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41, that is, the capacity of the storage compartment in the freezing temperature range arranged above the vegetable compartment 51, is smaller than the capacity of the freezer compartment 61. That is, the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 are storage compartments in the freezing temperature range with a smaller capacity than the freezer compartment 61.

[0045] The vegetable compartment 51 is a storage compartment (a storage compartment in the refrigerated temperature range) fixed at a refrigerated temperature range (for example, 3°C to 8°C). The vegetable compartment 51 is located below the refrigerating compartment 21, the ice-making compartment 31, and the freezer compartment 41 and above the freezer compartment 61, and is arranged adjacent to the ice-making compartment 31, the freezer compartment 41, and the freezer compartment 61. Containers 52 capable of accommodating vegetables, beverages, etc. are stored in the vegetable compartment 51. By arranging the vegetable compartment 51 at a relatively high position at a certain distance from the ground, users can easily take out vegetables and the like.

[0046] The freezer compartment 61 is a storage compartment (a storage compartment in the freezing temperature range) fixed at a freezing temperature range (for example, -20°C to -18°C). The freezer compartment 61 is arranged adjacent to the vegetable compartment 51 below the refrigerating compartment 21 and the vegetable compartment 51. Containers 62 capable of accommodating frozen items such as frozen foods are stored in the freezer compartment 61.

[0047] The refrigerator 1 is provided with a cooler compartment 102 and a cooler compartment 509. The cooler compartment 102 (the first cooler compartment) houses a cooler 201 (the first cooler. Evaporator) that generates cold air supplied to the refrigerating compartment 21. The cooler 201 is provided in the refrigerator 1 and is a structure for cooling the refrigerating compartment 21. The cooler 201 is set to assume the temperature of a storage compartment in the refrigerated temperature range (for example, -15°C to 0°C). The cooler compartment 102 is arranged on the back surface of the refrigerating compartment 21.

[0048] The cooler compartment 509 (the second cooler compartment) houses a cooler 501 (the second cooler. Evaporator) that generates cold air supplied to the vegetable compartment 51 and the freezer compartment 61. The cooler 501 is relatively lower in temperature than the cooler 201 and is set to assume the temperature of a storage compartment in the freezing temperature range (for example, -28°C to -20°C). Therefore, the cooler 501 generates cold air that can be supplied to a storage compartment in the freezing temperature range. However, the cold air generated by the cooler 501 and capable of being supplied to a storage compartment in the freezing temperature range is also supplied to the vegetable compartment 51, and the details will be described later. The cooler 501 is provided in the refrigerator 1 and is a structure for cooling the vegetable compartment 51 and the freezer compartments 41 and 61. The cooler 501 and the cooler compartment 509 are arranged in a range including the back side (rear) of the vegetable compartment 51, and in this embodiment, they straddle the rear of the vegetable compartment 51 and the rear of the freezer compartment 61. It may also be arranged only on the back side (rear) of the vegetable compartment 51.

[0049] In the example of the present disclosure, the cooler 501 is arranged across the vegetable compartment 51 and the freezer compartment 61 on the back side of the vegetable compartment 51 and the freezer compartment 61. Thereby, cold air can be supplied to the freezer compartment 61, which requires a large amount of air due to its capacity being larger than the capacities of the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41, with a large air volume. Also, cold air from the cooler 501 can be supplied to the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 in the freezing temperature range without significantly reducing the air volume.

[0050] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the air duct structure of the cold air flow generated by the cooler 501. The refrigerator 1 includes an air duct 300, an air duct 511 (first air duct), and an air duct 602 (second air duct). In addition, the refrigerator 1 has outlets 32, 44, 506, 507, 611.

[0051] The outlet 32 is provided in the ice-making chamber 31. The outlet 44 is provided in the freezer compartment 41. The outlets 506, 507 are provided in the vegetable compartment 51. In Figure 3 order to simplify the illustration, the outlets 506, 507 are illustrated as an integrated opening, but actually they are independent openings. The outlet 611 is provided in the freezer compartment 61. The air duct 300 is an air duct that guides the cold air generated by the cooler 501 to the outlets 32, 44. The air duct 511 is an air duct that guides the cold air generated by the cooler 501 to the outlets 506, 507. The air duct 602 is an air duct that guides the cold air generated by the cooler 501 to the outlet 611. The discharge is performed by the rotation of the fan 505, and the cold air flows as shown by the solid arrows.

[0052] In the refrigerator 1 of the present disclosure, the cold air generated by the cooler 501 is directly discharged to the vegetable compartment 51. Thereby, dry cold air can be discharged to the vegetable compartment 51, and condensation in the vegetable compartment 51 can be suppressed. In addition, low-temperature cold air can be directly discharged to the vegetable compartment 51, and the cooling speed of the vegetable compartment 51 can be increased. Moreover, above and below the vegetable compartment 51, the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezer compartments 41, 61 in the freezing temperature zone are arranged adjacent to the vegetable compartment 51. Therefore, although separated by the heat insulation walls 302, 601, the vegetable compartment 51 is slightly cooled by the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezer compartments 41, 61. Therefore, the discharge amount of the cold air directly discharged to the vegetable compartment 51 can be reduced, and the energy efficiency can be improved.

[0053] The refrigerator 1 includes return ports 43, 510, 612. The return port 43 is provided in the freezer compartment 41. The cold air in the freezer compartment 41 returns to the cooler chamber 509 through the return port 43 as shown by the dotted arrow. The return port 510 is provided in the vegetable compartment 51. The cold air in the vegetable compartment 51 returns to the cooler chamber 509 through the return port 510 as shown by the dotted arrow. The return port 612 is provided in the freezer compartment 61. The cold air in the freezer compartment 61 returns to the cooler chamber 509 through the return port 612 as shown by the dotted arrow.

[0054] Return Figure 2, the refrigerator 1 is provided with heat insulation walls 301, 302, 601, and 503. The heat insulation wall 301 is a structure that vertically separates the refrigerating chamber 21 from the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezing chamber 41. The heat insulation wall 302 is a structure that vertically separates the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezing chamber 41 from the vegetable chamber 51. The heat insulation wall 601 (second heat insulation wall) is a structure that vertically separates the vegetable chamber 51 from the freezing chamber 61. The heat insulation wall 503 (first heat insulation wall) is a structure that separates the cooler chamber 509 from the vegetable chamber 51 in the front and back directions.

[0055] Figure 4 is cut along Figure 2 the B-B line in the figure and is a view observed from the front side. Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged view of part C in the figure. The heat insulation wall 302 includes a lid 303, a housing 304, and a plate-shaped vacuum heat insulation material 305. The vacuum heat insulation material 305 is accommodated in the bottomed housing 304, and the lid 303 is arranged to cover the vacuum heat insulation material 305. The heat insulation wall 302 that separates the vegetable chamber 51 and the freezing chamber 41 is a component (separate body) separated from the heat insulation box body 10, and the heat insulation wall 302 is fitted into a groove 111 formed on the inner surface of the inner box 11 that constitutes the heat insulation box body 10. Since the heat insulation wall 302 is a component separated from the heat insulation box body 10, it is possible to easily install a back lid 521 ( Figure 13 ) etc. arranged on the back surface of the heat insulation wall 302 to the heat insulation box body 10. At the fitting part, a sealing member (not shown), such as a gasket, is arranged between the heat insulation wall 302 and the inner surface of the inner box 11. In addition, although the description is omitted, the heat insulation wall 601 is also a component (separate body) separated from the heat insulation box body 10.

[0056] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the vegetable chamber 51. Figure 7 is Figure 6 an enlarged view of part D in the figure. Figure 8 is a view observed from the obliquely front side after cutting the vicinity of the vegetable chamber. Air discharge ports 506, 507 for discharging cold air to the vegetable chamber 51 are provided on the back wall 571. The back wall 571 is the surface on the side of the back lid 521 facing the vegetable chamber 51. The air discharge port 506 (first air discharge port) is arranged at a position above the upper end of the container 52 (draw-out container), and is an opening for discharging cold air in at least one of the horizontal direction or the obliquely upward direction. The air discharge port 506 preferably discharges cold air obliquely upward toward the lower surface of the heat insulation wall 302 (the top surface of the vegetable chamber 51).

[0057] The container 52 is provided in the refrigerator 1. The upper end of the container 52 is open. Above the vegetable compartment 51 and adjacent to the vegetable compartment 51, an ice-making compartment 31 and a freezer compartment 41 are arranged. Therefore, the heat insulation wall 302 separating the vegetable compartment 51 from the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 is easily cooled by the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41. In addition, as described above, the heat insulation wall 302 is separate from the heat insulation box body 10. Even if the sealing member is interposed, the cold air can flow from the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 into the vegetable compartment 51 through the gap formed between the heat insulation wall 302 and the heat insulation box body 10. Moreover, since there is high-humidity cold air in the vegetable compartment 51, dew condensation is likely to occur on the lower surface of the heat insulation wall 302 (the surface facing the vegetable compartment 51). In particular, dew condensation is likely to occur on the lower surface of the heat insulation wall 302 on the back side near the cooler 501.

[0058] Therefore, by configuring the discharge port 506 in this way, as Figures 6 - 8 shown by the thick solid line arrow in the figure, the cold air can be discharged in a manner passing through the lower surface of the heat insulation wall 302. That is, the cold air flows forward between the upper opening (upper end) of the container 52 and the top surface of the vegetable compartment 51 (the lower surface of the heat insulation wall 302). At this time, the cold air is discharged horizontally, preferably upward, so that the cold air does not enter the inside of the container 52 (especially the upper layer space 523). The cold air discharged from the discharge port 506 is dry cold air directly supplied from the cooler chamber 509. Therefore, the vicinity of the top surface of the vegetable compartment 51 can be dried, and dew condensation on the top surface of the vegetable compartment 51 can be suppressed.

[0059] In addition, the container 52 is divided into front and rear parts. The container 52 has a front space 561 and a rear space 562. In addition, the space 562 is further divided into an upper layer space 523 and a lower layer space 524. The cold air from the discharge port 506 flowing from the rear to the front between the container 52 and the heat insulation wall 302 collides with the inner surface of the door 5. As a result, the cold air flows into the inside of the space 561 adjacent to the inner surface of the door 5 from above the space 561. Thus, the inside of the space 561 located at the position farthest from the discharge port 506 can be cooled. And the space 561 and the lower layer space 524 communicate through the front opening 586 arranged at the rear side of the space 561. Therefore, the cold air flowing into the space 561 from above flows into the lower layer space 524 through the front opening 586. The cold air inside the lower layer space 524 is discharged to the outside of the container 52 through the rear opening 587 formed at the rear side of the lower layer space 524. By providing the discharge port 506, the dry cold air can also flow into the lower layer space 524 where it is difficult for the cold air to directly flow from the discharge ports 506 and 507 due to the rear wall of the container 52, and the dew condensation inside can be suppressed.

[0060] In another embodiment, the discharge port 506 is disposed near the upper end of the container 52, and discharges cold air obliquely upward. The vicinity of the upper end of the container 52 herein refers to a position close to the upper end of the container 52 (the same height as the upper end, above the upper end, or below the upper end) to such an extent that most of the cold air discharged from the discharge port 506 does not blow onto the container 52. More specifically, the position in the vicinity of the upper end is a position where the axis extending from the opening constituting the discharge port 506 (the axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the opening) does not overlap with the container 52. In this way, condensation on the lower surface of the heat insulation wall 302 can also be suppressed.

[0061] On the other hand, the discharge port 507 (second discharge port) provided on the lower side of the discharge port 506 is provided on the heat insulation wall 503 within the height range of the container 52. The discharge port 507 faces the heat insulation wall 601 (second heat insulation wall) and discharges cold air as shown by the dashed line in Figures 6 - 8 . That is, the discharge port 507 is disposed at a position lower than the upper end of the container 52 and discharges cold air in at least one of the horizontal direction or the obliquely downward direction. Since the specific gravity of the cold air is large, for example, the cold air discharged in the horizontal direction moves downward due to its own weight and towards the direction of the heat insulation wall 601. Therefore, as a result, the cold air is discharged towards the heat insulation wall 601.

[0062] Below the vegetable compartment 51, a freezer compartment 61 is provided adjacent to the vegetable compartment 51. Therefore, condensation may also occur on the upper surface of the heat insulation wall 601 (the bottom surface of the vegetable compartment 51) that separates the vegetable compartment 51 and the freezer compartment 61. Therefore, by discharging dry cold air towards the upper surface of the heat insulation wall 601, the vicinity of the upper surface of the heat insulation wall 601 can be dried, and condensation on the heat insulation wall 601 can be suppressed.

[0063] As described above, the discharge port 506 (first discharge port) and the discharge port 507 (second discharge port) are connected to the cooler chamber 509 that houses the cooler 501 for cooling the vegetable compartment 51. Therefore, a part of the cold air supplied to the storage compartments (ice making compartment 31, freezer compartments 41, 61) in the freezing temperature zone is supplied to the vegetable compartment 51. Since there is high humidity cold air in the vegetable compartment 51, condensation in the vegetable compartment 51 can be suppressed as described above by directly supplying dry cold air from the cooler chamber 509.

[0064] In addition, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a damper 508 for switching the presence or absence of cold air discharged through the discharge ports 506 and 507. By opening the damper 508, the discharge ports 506 and 507 communicate with the cooler chamber 509, and cold air is discharged from the discharge ports 506 and 507. On the other hand, by closing the damper 508, the communication between the discharge ports 506 and 507 and the cooler chamber 509 is released, and the discharge of cold air from the discharge ports 506 and 507 is stopped. The opening and closing of both the discharge ports 506 and 507 can be switched by one damper 508 as in the present embodiment, or the opening and closing of each of the discharge ports 506 and 507 can be switched by two dampers 508.

[0065] The cold air discharged from the discharge port 507 per unit time is more than the cold air discharged from the discharge port 506 per unit time. Thus, it is possible to sufficiently indirectly cool vegetables and the like accommodated in the container 52 in a state of being separated by the wall surface of the container 52. And it is possible to make the cold air flow along the lower surface of the heat insulating wall 301 through the discharge port 506 with a relatively small air volume, and suppress dew condensation on the lower surface.

[0066] The amount (air volume) of the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 506 and 507 can be adjusted, for example, by changing the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the air passage 526 connected to the discharge port 506 and the cross-sectional area of the air passage 527 connected to the discharge port 507. For example, when the cold air discharged from the discharge port 507 per unit time is more than the cold air discharged from the discharge port 506 per unit time, it is sufficient to make the cross-sectional area of the air passage 527 connected to the discharge port 507 larger than the cross-sectional area of the air passage 526 connected to the discharge port 506. In addition, when two dampers 508 are used, it is only necessary to open and close the dampers 508 in such a way that the opening time of the discharge port 507 is longer than the opening time of the discharge port 506 per unit time.

[0067] Figure 9 It is a perspective view of a heating mechanism 504 provided in a heat insulating wall 601 that separates the vegetable compartment 51 and the freezer compartment 61. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a heating mechanism 504 for heating the bottom surface of the vegetable compartment 51. The heating mechanism 504 is provided in the heat insulating wall 601 that separates the vegetable compartment 51 and the freezer compartment 61. In the example of the present disclosure, the heating mechanism 504 is a plate heater and is built in the heat insulating wall 601. Since the freezer compartment 61 is disposed below the vegetable compartment 51, the heat insulating wall 601 is easily cooled by the cold air of the freezer compartment 61. Therefore, due to the high-humidity cold air present in the vegetable compartment 51, dew condensation is likely to occur on the upper surface of the heat insulating wall 601. Therefore, by heating the heat insulating wall 601 using the heating mechanism 504, dew condensation on the upper surface of the heat insulating wall 601 can be suppressed. In addition, the heating mechanism 504 can also be used for heating the vegetable compartment 51 when the vegetable compartment 51 is supercooled.

[0068] The heating mechanism 504 includes a support member 541 and a heating wire 542 disposed on the upper surface of the support member 541. The heating wire 542 is connected to the power supply (not shown) of the refrigerator 1. Through the control device 500( Figure 2 ), power is supplied to the heating wire 542, and the heating wire 542 generates heat, capable of heating the upper surface of the heat insulation wall 531, i.e., the floor surface of the vegetable compartment 51. The heating mechanism 504 can always heat the vegetable compartment 51, or can be heated intermittently at any timing. In the case of intermittent heating, specifically, when cold air is discharged through the discharge port 507, the discharged cold air faces the floor surface of the vegetable compartment 51, so the floor surface is likely to condense. Therefore, for example, when cold air is discharged through the discharge port 507, the heating mechanism 504 can be used for heating. Thereby, supercooling near the floor surface can be suppressed.

[0069] Figure 10 is a plan view of the vegetable compartment 51. The discharge port 506 is disposed at a position deviated to either the left or right side from the center in the left-right direction of the vegetable compartment 51 when viewed from above. In the illustrated example, the discharge port 506 is disposed to be deviated to the left. The discharge port 506 also discharges cold air toward the side wall surface 622 opposite to the side wall surface 621 of the vegetable compartment 51 on the side closer to the discharge port 506. Thereby, cold air can also reach the side wall surface 622 which is relatively far from the discharge port 506 and where cold air is difficult to reach. In the example of the present disclosure, the discharge port 506 discharges cold air in at least two directions, i.e., the front direction of the refrigerator 1 and the direction of the side wall surface 622. Among them, the discharge port 506 mainly discharges cold air in the front direction of the refrigerator 1.

[0070] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the specific hardware structure of the control device 500. The control device 500 is a control device for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1. The control includes, for example, control of the refrigeration cycle (not shown) including the coolers 201 and 501, rotation control of the fan 505, opening / closing control of the damper 508, power supply control of the heating mechanism 504, etc.

[0071] The control device 500 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1002, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1003, an I / F (Inter Face) 1004, a bus 1005, etc. The CPU 1001, the RAM 1002, the ROM 1003, and the I / F 1004 are connected via the bus 1005, for example. The control device 500 is implemented by loading a predetermined program stored in the ROM 1003 into the RAM 1002 and executing the program by the CPU 1001. The transmission and reception of signals and information between the control device 500 and various devices (such as servers) and an external network are performed by the I / F 1004 in terms of hardware.

[0072] The control device 500 discharges cold air through the discharge port 506 according to the temperature of the vegetable compartment 51. At the same time, the control device 500 discharges cold air into the vegetable compartment 51 at predetermined intervals. As described above, the cold air generated by one cooler 501 is discharged into the ice-making compartment 31, the freezer compartments 41, 61, and the vegetable compartment 51. Therefore, when cold air is not discharged into the vegetable compartment 51 because the room temperature of the vegetable compartment 51 is within the set temperature range, but cold air is discharged into the freezer compartments 41, 61 because the room temperatures of the freezer compartments 41, 61 are not within the set temperature range, condensation may occur in the vegetable compartment 51. In addition, the relatively low-temperature and dry cold air discharged in the vegetable compartment 51 accumulates at the bottom, but the relatively high-temperature and high-humidity cold air rises and easily stays near the top surface of the vegetable compartment 51. Therefore, the control device 500 discharges cold air into the vegetable compartment 51 at predetermined intervals regardless of the temperature of the vegetable compartment 51. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the relatively high-temperature and high-humidity cold air from staying near the top surface of the vegetable compartment 51 and to suppress condensation in the vegetable compartment 51.

[0073] The temperature of the vegetable compartment 51 is measured by a temperature sensor 603 provided in the vegetable compartment 51 ( Figure 13 ). In addition, the timing of discharging cold air, that is, the predetermined time, may be constant or may be changed according to the environment where the refrigerator 1 is placed, such as the season and the room temperature. For example, it can be relatively shortened in winter with low air temperature and relatively lengthened in summer with high air temperature.

[0074] Figure 12 FIG. is a view of the vegetable compartment 51 when viewed from the front with the container 52 accommodated. As described above, the discharge port 506 is located at a position higher than the upper end of the container 52 or is disposed near the upper end of the container 52. Therefore, in the state showing the removal of the door 5 closing the vegetable compartment 51 Figure 12In most cases, the discharge port 506 can be observed from the front side. In the illustrated example, the discharge port 506 is disposed at a position higher than the upper end of the container 52, so the discharge port 506 can be observed from the front side.

[0075] Figure 13 FIG. is a view of the vegetable compartment 51 in a state where the container 52 is removed and observed from the front. By removing the container 52, the discharge port 507, the temperature sensor 603, and the return port 510 disposed on the back side of the container 52 are exposed on the front side. A heat insulating wall 503 is disposed on the back side of the vegetable compartment 51. As described above, the back wall 571 of the back cover 521 is disposed on the side of the heat insulating wall 503 facing the vegetable compartment 51. The back wall 571 has a rectangular shape in the front view of the vegetable compartment 51 and has four corners 552.

[0076] In the back wall 571 of the vegetable compartment 51, when the vegetable compartment 51 is observed from the front, the discharge port 506 and the return port 510 for returning the cold air of the vegetable compartment 51 are disposed on or near the diagonal line L1. The diagonal line L1 is a line segment connecting two diagonally opposite corners 552. In the example of the present disclosure, the discharge port 506 and the return port 510 are disposed near the diagonal line L1. Thereby, the discharge port 506 and the return port 510 can be made as far apart as possible, and the dew condensation suppression effect at the top surface of the vegetable compartment 51 can be improved. In addition, the vicinity of the diagonal line L1 means between the diagonal line L1 and an axis L2 extending in a direction intersecting at an angle θ of, for example, within ±20° with respect to the diagonal line L1.

[0077] In the illustrated example, the discharge port 506 is disposed near the corner 552. In addition, the return port 510 is disposed near the corner 552 opposite to the corner 552 where the discharge port 532 is disposed.

[0078] Figure 14 FIG. is a view of the vegetable compartment 51 in a state where the back cover 521 and the container 52 are removed and observed from the front. A vacuum heat insulating material, i.e., a heat insulating material 513, is provided immediately behind the back cover 521. The heat insulating material 513 has a shape that avoids the discharge ports 506 and 507, for example, a polygonal shape (a pentagonal shape in the illustrated example).

[0079] Figure 15 FIG. is a cross-sectional view taken along the front-rear direction and showing the vicinity of the return port 510 in the vegetable compartment 51. Figure 16 is Figure 15 An enlarged view of part F. The refrigerator 1 successively includes, from the rear to the front of the refrigerator 1, a cooler compartment 509 containing a cooler 501, a vacuum heat insulating material, i.e., a heat insulating material 513, a back cover 521 formed with a return port 510 for returning the cold air to the cooler compartment 509, and a vegetable compartment 51. As Figure 16As shown by the thick solid arrow, the high-humidity cold air in the vegetable compartment 51 flows into the return port 510 and flows in the air duct 522. Therefore, the high-humidity cold air is concentrated around the return port 510.

[0080] As described above, the cooler 501 in the freezing temperature zone is disposed across the vegetable compartment 51 and the freezer compartment 61 behind them. Therefore, although the heat insulation wall 503 disposed on the back side of the vegetable compartment 51 is provided with the heat insulation material 513, the return port 510 disposed directly in front of the cooler 501 is easily cooled by the cooler 501. In addition, as described above, the heat insulation material 513 (first heat insulation material) is a vacuum heat insulation material. The vacuum heat insulation material, for example, has a core material inside, and a foil made of a metal (for example, aluminum) is disposed so as to cover the core material. Therefore, the surface of the heat insulation material 513 is formed of a metal, and the return port 510 disposed on the front side of the heat insulation material 513 is easily cooled by the cooler 501 disposed on the back side of the heat insulation material 513. Moreover, if the return port 510 is cooled, dew condensation and frosting are likely to occur in the vicinity of the return port 510 and in the air duct 522 through which the high-humidity cold air flows.

[0081] Therefore, a heat insulation material 512 (second heat insulation material) having a lower thermal conductivity than the surface of the heat insulation material 513 is disposed between the air duct 522 connecting the return port 510 and the cooler chamber 509 and the heat insulation material 513 (first heat insulation material). Thereby, it is possible to suppress the high-humidity cold air from being cooled by the heat insulation material 513, and it is possible to suppress dew condensation and frosting at the return port 510, the surface of the heat insulation material 513, the air duct 522, and the like.

[0082] The heat insulation material 512 is, for example, polystyrene foam (expanded styrene), a resin member, rubber, or the like. The heat insulation material 512 may also be a heat insulation material that improves the heat insulation effect by including an air layer, for example.

[0083] The air duct 522 is formed at least directly in front of the vacuum heat insulation material, that is, the heat insulation material 513. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the high-humidity cold air passing through the air duct 522 from being cooled by the heat insulation material 512, and it is possible to suppress dew condensation and frosting.

[0084] The return port 510 is disposed at a position overlapping a portion of the heat insulation material 513 projected onto the front side of the refrigerator 1. That is, when the vegetable compartment 51 is viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 1, the return port 510 overlaps the heat insulation material 513. Therefore, the high-humidity cold air around the return port 510 is easily cooled by the heat insulation material 513. However, by disposing the heat insulation material 512 between the return port 510 and the heat insulation material 513, it is possible to suppress the high-humidity cold air around the return port 510 from being cooled, and it is possible to suppress dew condensation and frosting.

[0085] In an example of the present disclosure, the air passage 522 is further disposed at least below the heat insulating material 513 (first heat insulating material). Moreover, a heat insulating material 512 (second heat insulating material) is disposed between the air passage 522 and the heat insulating material 513. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the cooling of the high-humidity cold air flowing below the heat insulating material 513, and it is possible to suppress dew condensation and frost formation.

[0086] Figure 17 It is an exploded perspective view showing the structure on the back side of the vegetable compartment 51. However, in Figure 17 , the back cover 521 is removed, and the exploded perspective view of the structure shown above is illustrated. In the vegetable compartment 51, from the front side to the back side of the refrigerator 1, there are provided, for example, a resin back cover 521, a heat insulating material 512, a vacuum heat insulating material, that is, a heat insulating material 513, a heat insulating material 533 such as a foamed heat insulating material (styrofoam, etc.) having a portion where the heat insulating material 513 is embedded, and a resin back panel 514, for example. Among them, the heat insulating walls 503 ( Figure 14 ) are constituted by the heat insulating materials 512, 513, and 533. Figure 2 ) are formed.

[0087] A heat insulating material 533 is provided on the back side of the heat insulating material 513. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the heat of the heater 572 ( Figure 16 ) disposed on the side opposite to the heat insulating material 513 when viewed from the heat insulating material 533 from being transferred to the heat insulating material 513. The heater 572 is a structure for defrosting the cooler 501. The output (heat generation amount per unit time value) of the heater 572 is larger than the output (heat generation amount per unit time value) of the heating mechanism 504. In addition, a return port 612 is formed in the back panel 514. A groove 5031 for inserting the L-shaped heat insulating material 512 is formed in the heat insulating material 533.

[0088] Figure 18 It is a view showing the structure of the back of the vegetable compartment 51 extracted. Figure 19 It is Figure 18 An enlarged view of part G. The heat insulating material 512 is a pre-formed foamed heat insulating material. Thereby, the heat insulating material 512 can be arranged according to the structure of the air passage 522. The pre-formed foamed heat insulating material is not the so-called on-site foaming that foams inside the heat insulating box 10 (refrigerator 1), but a pre-formed foamed heat insulating material that can be installed in the heat insulating box 10 (refrigerator 1) as it is.

[0089] In addition, the heat insulating material 512 is exposed in the air passage 522. Thereby, the distance between the heat insulating material 513 and the air passage 522 can be shortened, and the heat insulating material 512 can be enlarged to improve the heat insulating effect.

[0090] The heat insulating material 512 has a bent structure on the front surface and the lower surface that supports the plate-shaped heat insulating material 513. With such a heat insulating material 512, the heat insulating material 513 can be fixed even without using additional components for fixing the heat insulating material 513. However, components for fixing the heat insulating material 513 (e.g., tape, etc.) can also be used assistively. In the example of the present disclosure, the heat insulating material 512 has an L shape and supports the heat insulating material 512 near the corner of the heat insulating material 512.

[0091] Figure 20 It is a perspective view showing a container in the vegetable chamber. Figure 21 It is a top view showing a container in the vegetable chamber. Figure 22 is Figure 21 A sectional view taken along the H-H line of. The container 52 is configured to include a vegetable storage section 581 (storage container) that forms a lower layer space 524 (refer to Figure 22 ), a front storage section 582 provided in front (near the front) of the vegetable storage section 581, and a small item storage container 583 (lid portion) that forms an upper layer space 523 provided above the vegetable storage section 581. In addition, a partition plate 584 is provided between the vegetable storage section 581 and the front storage section 582.

[0092] The small item storage container 583 is configured to freely open and close the upper side opening 5812 of the vegetable storage section 581 (refer to Figure 22 ). By arranging the small item storage container 583 to close the upper side opening 5812 of the vegetable storage section 581, the vegetable storage section 581 becomes a substantially airtight space. In addition, the small item storage container 583 can slide in the front-rear direction on the vegetable storage section 581. The vegetable storage section 581 and the front storage section 582 are integrally resin molded, and the partition plate 584 is installed between the vegetable storage section 581 and the front storage section 582. The front storage section 582 has slit-shaped openings 585 formed on the left and right side surfaces, communicating the inside and the outside of the front storage section 582.

[0093] In addition, the structure of the container 52 of the vegetable chamber 51 described above is an example and is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the front storage section 582 may not be provided, and the entire area from the near front side to the inside may be a vegetable storage section as the lower layer space 524. In addition, although the small item storage container 583 is illustrated as the lid portion, the upper side opening 5812 of the vegetable storage section 581 may also be closed by a lid portion formed in a plate shape to form a substantially airtight space.

[0094] The vegetable storage section 581 and the front storage section 582 move together with the door 5 (drawer door) of the vegetable compartment 51 according to the opening and closing of the door 5. In addition, the small item storage container 583 is pulled out according to the pulling-out operation of the vegetable storage section 581 and the front storage section 582. For example, when storing vegetables in the vegetable storage section 581, after pulling out the door 5, the small item storage container 583 is slid inward, so that the upper opening 5812 (refer to Figure 22 ) of the vegetable storage section 581 is opened.

[0095] Figure 23 is Figure 22 An enlarged view of part I. A front opening 586 is formed between the vegetable storage section 581 and the small item storage container 583. The front opening 586 is formed by the gap between the partition plate 584 (wall surface) and the bottom plate 5831 of the small item storage container 583. In other words, the front opening 586 is provided at the upper end of the vegetable storage section 581.

[0096] Figure 24 is Figure 22 An enlarged view of part J. A rear opening 587 is formed between the vegetable storage section 581 and the small item storage container 583. The rear opening 587 is formed by the gap between the rear plate 5811 (wall surface) located at the rear side of the vegetable storage section 581 and the bottom plate 5831 of the small item storage container 583. In other words, the rear opening 587 is provided at the upper end of the vegetable storage section 581.

[0097] Figure 25 is a perspective three-dimensional view showing the arrangement of the front opening and the rear opening. The front opening 586 is continuously formed from the left end to the right end of the vegetable storage section 581. In addition, the front opening 586 is not limited to the structure of being continuously formed from the left end to the right end, and may also be a structure formed discontinuously at multiple locations. For example, fin-shaped gaskets may be provided in such a way as to block the front opening 586 except near the left end and / or the right end.

[0098] The rear opening 587 is formed at two locations, the left end and the right end, of the vegetable storage section 581. In addition, the rear opening 587 is not limited to two locations on the left and right, and may be one location or three or more locations.

[0099] In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the front opening 586 and the rear opening 587 are formed by forming a gap (space) between the vegetable storage section 581 and the small item storage container 583 has been described as an example, but a hole may also be formed in the upper part of the partition plate 584 of the vegetable storage section 581 as the front opening. In addition, a hole may also be formed in the upper part of the rear plate 5811 (refer to Figure 24 ) of the vegetable storage section 581 as the rear opening.

[0100] Figure 26 This is a diagram showing the flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment. The cold air discharged from the outlet 506 flows forward along the top surface 5111 of the vegetable compartment 51 (the wall side of the refrigerated temperature zone compartment) above the small item storage container 583. However, in the vegetable storage section 581 which is substantially airtight for the purpose of high humidity, when a freezer compartment 61 (freezing temperature zone compartment) is provided below the vegetable compartment 51, the cold air easily stays at the bottom surface of the vegetable storage section 581, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the vegetables. In addition, the front side of the vegetable storage section 581 is located close to the door 5, so due to heat intrusion from the door 5, it becomes warmer compared to other spaces and is prone to generating warm air. As a result, an updraft is generated at the front side of the vegetable storage section 581. Thus, in Figure 26 the cross-sectional view, a natural convection in the clockwise direction is formed. In addition, the cold air flowing forward above the small item storage container 583 enters the vegetable storage section 581 through the front side opening 586, promoting the natural convection inside the vegetable storage section 581 and effectively stirring the cold air staying at the bottom of the vegetable storage section 581. In addition, the cold air entering through the front side opening 586 circulates while promoting natural convection inside the vegetable storage section 581 and is then discharged from the rear side opening 587. In addition, the cold air discharged from the rear side opening 587 is discharged from the vegetable compartment 51 through the return port 510 (refer to Figure 25 ) and returns to the cooler 501. In addition, the cold air discharged from the outlet 507 flows downward along the back surface 5112 of the vegetable compartment 51 (the wall side of the refrigerated temperature zone compartment). Moreover, the cold air flows forward below the vegetable storage section 581 and enters the front side storage section 582 through the openings 585 formed in the left and right side walls of the front side storage section 582. Moreover, the cold air rises inside the front side storage section 582 and, in the same manner as above, enters the vegetable storage section 581 through the front side opening 586, becomes a swirling flow and flows out from the rear side opening 587. In addition, the outlet for discharging cold air to the vegetable compartment 51 can be either of the outlets 506 and 507.

[0101] The refrigerator 1 configured in this way includes: a vegetable compartment 51 (refrigerated temperature zone compartment); a freezer compartment 61 (freezing temperature zone compartment) adjacent to the lower part of the vegetable compartment 51; a vegetable storage section 581 (storage container) accommodated in the vegetable compartment 51; a small item storage container 583 (lid part) for freely opening and closing the upper side opening 5812 of the vegetable storage section 581; outlets 506 and 507 for discharging cold air to the vegetable compartment 51; and a return port 510 for returning the cold air in the vegetable compartment 51 to the cooler 501. The vegetable storage section 581 has: a front side opening 586 disposed on the front side of the vegetable storage section 581; and a rear side opening 587 disposed on the rear side of the vegetable storage section 581. The outlets 506 and 507 and the return port 510 are arranged such that the cold air from the outlets 506 and 507 flows from the front side opening 586 to the rear side opening 587 (refer toFigure 26 ) Thus, in the vegetable storage section 581, a flow that is not opposite to the upward flow is used to promote natural convection and stir the cold air in the vegetable storage section 581. As a result, the stagnation of the cold air in the vegetable storage section 581 can be suppressed, temperature uniformity can be achieved, and the deterioration of the quality of vegetables (drying deterioration) can be prevented.

[0102] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the front opening 586 and the rear opening 587 are provided at the upper end of the vegetable storage section 581 (refer to Figure 22 ). Thus, the cold air does not directly contact the vegetables stored at the bottom side of the vegetable storage section 581, and natural convection in the vegetable storage section 581 can be promoted.

[0103] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the front opening 586 is formed by the gap between the partition plate 584 (wall surface) of the vegetable storage section 581 and the small item storage container 583 (lid portion) (refer to Figure 23 ). In addition, the rear opening 587 is formed by the gap between the rear plate 5811 (wall surface) of the vegetable storage section 581 and the small item storage container 583 (lid portion) (refer to Figure 24 ). Thus, there is no need to form new parts or new shapes to form the openings, so the structure can be simplified.

[0104] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the discharge port 506 discharges cold air in the direction along the top surface 5111 (wall edge) of the vegetable compartment 51 in a side view (refer to Figure 26 ). In addition, the discharge port 507 discharges cold air in the direction along the back surface 5112 (wall edge) of the vegetable compartment 51 in a side view (refer to Figure 26 ). Thus, cold air flows into the front side, and it is easy to form a flow from the front opening 586 to the rear opening 587.

[0105] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the heat insulation performance of the heat insulation material inside the door 5 (drawer door) of the vegetable compartment 51 is lower than that of the heat insulation material used in the freezer compartment 61 (freezing temperature zone compartment). For example, it can be configured by making the heat insulation material of the door 5 only a filled and foamed heat insulation material, and making the heat insulation material of the door 6 a combination of a vacuum heat insulation material and a filled and foamed heat insulation material. Thus, it is easy to form warm air on the front side of the vegetable storage section 581 and easy to generate an upward flow, and natural convection in the vegetable storage section 581 can be further promoted.

[0106] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the rear opening 587 is provided at both the left and right ends of the vegetable storage section 581 (refer to Figure 25 ). Thus, the cold air entering from the front opening 586 does not immediately flow out from the rear opening 587, and it is easy for the cold air to circulate in the vegetable storage section 581.

[0107] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the front opening 586 is continuously formed from the left end to the right end of the vegetable storage section 581 (see Figure 25 ), and the opening area of the front opening 586 is larger than the opening area of the rear opening 587. Thus, it is easy to take in from the front opening 586 the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 506 and 507 and routed to the front side of the vegetable storage section 581, and the retention of the cold air can be suppressed. When the fin-shaped gasket is provided so as to block a part of the front opening 586, it is also preferable to provide it in such a manner that the opening area of the front opening 586 is larger than the opening area of the rear opening 587.

[0108] Figure 27 FIG. is a cross-sectional view showing the cold air flow in the vegetable compartment during defrosting. An ice-making compartment 31 (upper freezing compartment, freezing compartment) and a freezing compartment 41 (upper freezing compartment, freezing compartment) are provided above the vegetable compartment 51. In addition, a freezing compartment 61 (lower freezing compartment, freezing compartment) is provided below the vegetable compartment 51. Further, a heat insulating wall 503 is provided on the back surface of the vegetable compartment 51. Discharge ports 506 and 507 (refrigerated temperature zone compartment discharge ports) and a return port 510 (refrigerated temperature zone compartment return port) are provided on the heat insulating wall 503. A discharge port 32 for discharging cold air is provided in the ice-making compartment 31 (see Figure 29 ). A discharge port 44 for discharging cold air is provided in the freezing compartment 41 (see Figure 29 ). A discharge port 611 for discharging cold air is provided in the freezing compartment 61 (see Figure 28 ). In addition, the discharge ports 506 and 507 are provided at a position above the return port 510.

[0109] A discharge pipe member 515 is provided on the rear surface of the heat insulating wall 503. The discharge pipe member 515 is made of synthetic resin, and an air passage 511 (refrigerated air passage) is formed inside. By opening the air damper 306, cold air is supplied to the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezing compartment 41, and by closing the air damper 306, the supply of cold air to the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezing compartment 41 is stopped. In addition, the discharge pipe member 515 communicates with the cooler compartment 509 via a fan 505. Further, by opening the air damper 508, cold air is supplied to the vegetable compartment 51, and by closing the air damper 508, the supply of cold air to the vegetable compartment 51 is stopped.

[0110] An air passage 522 (return air passage) is connected to the return port 510 formed in the vegetable compartment 51. This air passage 522 is a return air passage for returning the cold air from the return port 510 to the cooler compartment 509. A cooler 501 for generating the cold air supplied to the ice-making compartment 31, the freezing compartment 41, the vegetable compartment 51, and the freezing compartment 61 is provided in the cooler compartment 509. A heater 572 for heating the air in the cooler compartment 509 is provided below the cooler 501.

[0111] The return port 612 formed in the freezer compartment 61 communicates with the cooler compartment 509, allowing cold air to flow out below the cooler 501. In addition, Figure 27 illustrates the discharge port 611 of the freezer compartment 61 is omitted. In addition, the flow of cold air during defrosting will be described later.

[0112] Figure 28 is Figure 27 a sectional view taken along the K-K line. In addition, Figure 28 is a view schematically showing the cooler 501 when cut at the rear side of the cooler 501 and viewed from the rear side of the cooler 501. On the back surface (rear surface) of the heat insulation wall 503, a discharge duct member 515 is provided on the left side (right side in the figure). In addition, in the heat insulation wall 503, an air passage 307 (return air passage) is provided on the opposite side (right side, left side in the figure) in the left-right direction to the discharge duct member 515. The air passage 307 extends in the vertical direction and is connected to the return port 510 and the return port 43 (refer to Figure 3 ). In addition, the air passage 307 is formed to extend downward from the return port 510 and communicates with the cooler compartment 509. The return port 612 of the freezer compartment 61 extends downward below the cooler 501 via the air passage 623 (refer to Figure 29 ).

[0113] Figure 29 is a schematic diagram showing the overall air passage of the refrigerator. The refrigerator 1 is provided with an air passage 300 (upper freezer air supply passage) for supplying cold air from the cooler compartment 509 to the ice making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41. In addition, the refrigerator 1 is formed with an air passage 307 (upper freezer return air passage) for returning the cold air from the ice making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 to the cooler compartment 509. The air passage 307 is formed to extend downward from the ice making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41. An air damper 306 (upper freezer air damper) is provided in the air passage 300. In addition, the air damper 306 may also be provided in the air passage 307.

[0114] In addition, the refrigerator 1 is provided with an air passage 602 (lower freezer air supply passage) for supplying cold air from the cooler compartment 509 to the freezer compartment 61. The air passage 602 is formed to extend downward from the cooler compartment 509. In addition, the refrigerator 1 is provided with an air passage 623 (lower freezer return air passage) for returning the cold air from the freezer compartment 61 to the cooler compartment 509. In addition, in the present embodiment, no air damper is provided in the air passages 602 and 623.

[0115] However, in a refrigerator having a cooler chamber 509 that houses a cooler 501 at the back of a vegetable chamber 51 as in the present embodiment, there has been a problem that the moisture retention performance of the vegetable chamber 51 cannot be sufficiently improved by discarding the moisture of frost during defrosting. In addition, there is a requirement to keep the vegetable chamber 51 at a high humidity. During normal cooling, it becomes a path containing a large amount of moisture. Therefore, although the return port 510 has a structure that suppresses dew condensation and frosting as described above, it becomes a part where frost easily grows. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is configured such that during defrosting (when the heater 572 is operating), the fan 505 is stopped in a state where cold air can flow from the air duct 522 (return air duct) through the vegetable chamber 51 to the air duct 511 (refrigerated air duct). Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 27 - 29 the flow of cold air during defrosting will be described. In addition, in Figures 27 - 29 the flow of cold air during defrosting is illustrated by arrows.

[0116] As Figure 28 shown, when the defrost operation starts, the heater 572 is energized (operated), the air damper 508 is opened, and the fan 505 is stopped. As a result, a path is formed to enter the vegetable chamber 51 from the return port 510. When the air in the cooler chamber 509 is heated by the heater 572, the air becomes an upward flow and rises in the air duct 522 (refer to arrow A), and flows into the vegetable chamber 51 from the return port 510. At this time, the air flowing into the vegetable chamber 51 (refer to arrow B) becomes high-humidity air that does not pass through the cooler 501 (not dehumidified), so the moisture retention performance in the vegetable chamber 51 can be improved. Then, the air in the vegetable chamber 51 flows out from the discharge ports 506 and 507 and enters the air duct 511 of the discharge pipe member 515 (refer to arrow C). Moreover, the air flowing downward in the air duct 511 flows in the freezer chamber 61 from the discharge port 611 of the freezer chamber 61 (refer to arrow D). The air flowing through the freezer chamber 61 flows out from the return port 612 of the freezer chamber 61 and returns to the cooler 501. In this way, by generating an air flow that enters from the return port 510 and returns from the discharge ports 506 and 507, the moisture retention performance in the vegetable chamber 51 can be improved. And for the vicinity of the return port 510 (air duct 522) including the return port 510, the vicinity of the return port 510 can be heated by the relatively warm air that does not pass through the cooler 501 and whose temperature is not lowered, so the vicinity of the return port 510 can be reliably defrosted.

[0117] In addition, when the defrost operation starts, the air passing through the cooler 501 becomes an upward flow or a downward flow according to the state of the cooler 501. In the present embodiment, the energization amount of the heater 572 is set so as to generate an upward flow in the cooler 501. This setting is determined by prior experiments. By generating an upward flow in the cooler 501 (refer to arrow E), the air flows into the inside of the discharge duct member 515 through the fan 505 (refer to arrow F). Then, the air that has entered the discharge duct member 515 flows downward through the air passage 511 of the discharge duct member 515 (refer to arrow G). After that, the air flows in the freezer compartment 61 and returns to the cooler compartment 509 through the return port 612. In this way, by setting the energization amount of the heater 572 so as to form a natural convection rising in the cooler 501, the defrost efficiency of the cooler 501 can be improved.

[0118] In addition, as Figure 29 shown, during the defrost operation (when the heater 572 is energized), the damper 306 provided in the air passage 300 is closed. In addition, the damper 508 is open and the fan 505 stops. At this time, by closing the damper 306, the flow path resistance when the air heated by the heater 572 rises is easier to become smaller on the air passage 307 side where no resistance element enters the path compared to the air passage 300 side that reaches after flowing between the fins of the cooler 501 and between the blades of the fan 505. Therefore, the high-temperature air easily flows into the freezer compartment 41 (ice-making compartment 31) from the air passage 307. By closing the damper 306, it is possible to suppress the high-temperature air heated by the heater 572 from flowing into the freezer compartment 41 through the air passage 307 and heating the freezer compartment 41 (ice-making compartment 31).

[0119] In addition, during the defrost operation (when the heater 572 is energized), both the air passages 602 and 623 are in an open state. In addition, in the present embodiment, since no damper is provided in either the air passage 602 or the air passage 623, it is always in an open state. In addition, when a damper is provided in either the air passage 602 or the air passage 623, by opening the damper, the air passages 602 and 623 are in an open state. Thereby, by forming a downward natural convection in the air passage 602, it is easy to form an upward natural convection in the cooler 501 (the fin-intermediate flow path), and the defrost efficiency can be improved.

[0120] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 having the refrigerating compartment 21 (another refrigerating temperature zone compartment), the vegetable compartment 51, and the freezer compartments (the freezer compartments 41, 61, and the ice-making compartment 31), the cooler 201 for cooling the refrigerating compartment 21 and the cooler 501 for cooling the vegetable compartment 51 are separately configured (refer to Figure 27)。Generally, the door 2 of the refrigerating chamber 21 is opened and closed most frequently, so a large amount of moisture flows into the refrigerating chamber 21. Assuming that the cooler 201 for cooling the refrigerating chamber 21 and the cooler 501 for cooling the vegetable chamber 51 are shared coolers, due to the influence of the moisture flowing into the refrigerating chamber 21, the flow path between the fins of the cooler becomes narrower, and the flow path resistance becomes higher during defrosting, making it difficult to form a flow rising in the cooler (the defrosting efficiency decreases). Therefore, by separating the cooler 201 for cooling the refrigerating chamber 21 from the cooler 501 for cooling the vegetable chamber 51, the reduction in defrosting efficiency can be prevented.

[0121] The refrigerator 1 configured in this way includes: a vegetable chamber 51; a cooler 501 that generates cold air supplied to the vegetable chamber 51; a cooler chamber 509 that houses the cooler 501; discharge ports 506 and 507 that are arranged in the vegetable chamber 51 and discharge the cold air from the cooler 501; a return port 510 that is arranged in the vegetable chamber 51 and returns the cold air to the cooler chamber 509; an air duct 522 that returns the cold air in the vegetable chamber 51 from the return port 510 to the cooler chamber 509; an air duct 511 through which the cold air from the cooler chamber 509 to the vegetable chamber 51 passes; a fan 505 that circulates the cold air; and a heater 572 that heats the air in the cooler chamber 509. The return port 510 is arranged at a position above the heater 572, and when the heater 572 operates, the fan 505 is stopped in a state where the cold air can flow from the air duct 522 through the vegetable chamber 51 to the air duct 511 (refer to Figures 27 - 29 ). Thereby, the moisture retention performance of the vegetable chamber 51 can be improved, and defrosting of the vicinity of the return port 510 can be reliably performed.

[0122] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the discharge ports 506 and 507 are provided at positions above the return port 510 (refer to Figure 27 、 Figure 28 ). Thereby, it is easy to form an upward air flow generated by natural convection in the vegetable chamber 51, so that humidification of the vegetable chamber 51 and defrosting of the vicinity of the return port 510 of the vegetable chamber 51 can be reliably performed during defrosting.

[0123] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the cooler 501 is provided at a position above the heater 572, and the energization amount of the heater 572 is determined in such a way as to form natural convection rising in the cooler 501 (refer to Figure 28 ). Thereby, the defrosting efficiency of the cooler 501 can be improved.

[0124] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, there are provided: an ice-making chamber 31 and a freezing chamber 41, which are provided above the vegetable chamber 51; an air duct 300 that conveys cold air from the cooler chamber 509 to the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezing chamber 41; an air duct 307 that returns the cold air from the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezing chamber 41 and extends downward from the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezing chamber 41; and a damper 306 that is provided in the air duct 300. When the heater 572 operates, the damper 306 is closed (refer to Figure 29 ). Thereby, it is possible to suppress the high-temperature air heated by the heater 572 from flowing into the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezing chamber 41 through the air duct 307 and heating the ice-making chamber 31 and the freezing chamber 41.

[0125] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, there are provided: a freezing chamber 61, which is provided below the vegetable chamber 51; an air duct 602 that conveys cold air from the cooler chamber 509 to the freezing chamber 61 and extends downward from the cooler chamber 509; and an air duct 623 that returns the cold air from the freezing chamber 61. When the heater 572 operates, both the air duct 602 and the air duct 623 are in an open state. Thereby, by forming a natural convection that descends in the air duct 602, it is easy to form a natural convection that rises in the cooler 501, and the defrosting efficiency can be improved.

[0126] In addition, in the refrigerator 1, there are provided a vegetable chamber 51, an ice-making chamber 31 set to a freezing temperature zone, freezing chambers 41 and 61, and a refrigerating chamber 21. The cooler 201 that cools the refrigerating chamber 21 and the cooler 501 that cools the vegetable chamber 51 are made separate (refer to Figure 27 ). Thereby, it is easy to form a flow that rises in the cooler 501 during defrosting, and the defrosting efficiency can be improved.

[0127] Figure 30 It is a schematic diagram showing the overall air duct of a refrigerator of another embodiment. The refrigerator of this embodiment adds a damper 604 (lower freezing chamber damper) to the air duct 602 shown in Figure 29 . During defrosting operation (when the heater 572 is energized), the damper 508 (refrigerating damper) is opened, the dampers 306 and 604 are closed, and the fan 505 is reversed. In addition, reversing means rotating in a direction opposite to the case of sending cold air into the ice-making chamber 31, the freezing chambers 41 and 61, and the vegetable chamber 51. In this case, a flow is generated such that the air inside the discharge pipe member 515 is discharged from the fan 505 to the cooler chamber 509. Thereby, the air heated by the heater 572 enters the vegetable chamber 51 through the air duct 522 from the return port 510, passes through the inside of the vegetable chamber 51, and flows out from the discharge ports 506 and 507 to the discharge pipe member 515. In this way, by making the air that has not passed through the cooler 501 flow in from the return port 510 of the vegetable chamber 51, the moisture retention performance of the vegetable chamber 51 can be improved, and defrosting near the return port 510 can be performed.

[0128] The refrigerator 1 configured in this way includes: a vegetable compartment 51; an ice-making compartment 31 and a freezer compartment 41, which are provided above the vegetable compartment 51; a freezer compartment 61, which is provided below the vegetable compartment 51; a cooler 501 that generates cold air supplied to the vegetable compartment 51, the ice-making compartment 31, and the freezer compartments 41 and 61; a cooler chamber 509 that houses the cooler 501; outlets 506 and 507, which are arranged in the vegetable compartment 51 and discharge the cold air from the cooler 501; a return port 510, which is arranged in the vegetable compartment 51 and returns the cold air to the cooler chamber 509; an air duct 522 that returns the cold air in the vegetable compartment 51 from the return port 510 to the cooler chamber 509; an air duct 511 that allows the cold air to pass from the cooler chamber 509 to the vegetable compartment 51; an air duct 300 that conveys the cold air from the cooler 501 to the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41; an air duct 307 that returns the cold air in the ice-making compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 41 to the cooler chamber 509; an air duct 602 that conveys the cold air from the cooler 501 to the freezer compartment 61; an air duct 623 that returns the cold air in the freezer compartment 61 to the cooler chamber 509; an air damper 508, which is provided in the air duct 511; an air damper 306, which is provided in the air duct 300; an air damper 604, which is provided in the air duct 602; a fan 505 that circulates the cold air; and a heater 572 that heats the air in the cooler chamber 509. Close the air dampers 306 and 604, open the air damper 508, and reverse the fan 505 when the heater 572 is operating (see Figure 30 ). Thereby, humidification of the vegetable compartment 51 and defrosting near the return port 510 of the vegetable compartment 51 can be carried out.

[0129] This specification includes the following technical ideas.

[0130] In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2023-7618, a refrigerator is described in which at least one or more of a plurality of storage compartments cooled by an evaporator are set to a refrigerated temperature zone, and includes: a defrosting operation in which while driving a fan in a state where an air supply control unit (air damper) that controls the air supply to the storage compartment set to the refrigerated temperature zone is opened, power is supplied to a defrosting heater to heat the evaporator.

[0131] However, the refrigerator described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2023-7618 supplies the cold air that has passed through the evaporator to the refrigerated temperature zone compartment. Therefore, in a structure with freezer compartments above and below the vegetable compartment, during defrosting, the moisture of the frost is discarded, and the moisture retention performance of the vegetable compartment cannot be sufficiently improved. In addition, since the vegetable compartment becomes a path containing a large amount of moisture, frost is likely to form at the return port of the vegetable compartment. Therefore, there is a situation where the heating of the vicinity of the return port by the cold air passing through the evaporator is insufficient. Therefore, the technical idea of Supplementary Note 1 is provided.

[0132] [Supplementary Note 1]

[0133] A refrigerator, comprising:

[0134] A refrigerating temperature zone chamber;

[0135] A cooler that generates cold air supplied to the refrigerating temperature zone chamber;

[0136] A cooler chamber that houses the cooler;

[0137] An outlet that is disposed in the refrigerating temperature zone chamber and discharges the cold air from the cooler;

[0138] A return port that is disposed in the refrigerating temperature zone chamber and returns the cold air to the cooler chamber;

[0139] A return air passage that returns the cold air in the refrigerating temperature zone chamber from the return port to the cooler chamber;

[0140] A refrigerating air passage that allows the cold air to pass from the cooler chamber to the refrigerating temperature zone chamber;

[0141] A fan that circulates the cold air; and

[0142] A heater that heats the air in the cooler chamber,

[0143] The return port is disposed above the heater,

[0144] When the heater is operating, the fan is stopped in a state where the cold air can flow from the return air passage through the refrigerating temperature zone chamber to the refrigerating air passage.

[0145] Symbol Explanation

[0146] 1 - Refrigerator; 10 - Heat-insulating box body; 102 - Chiller compartment; 11 - Inner box; 111 - Groove; 12 - Outer box; 13 - Heat-insulating material; 2 - Door; 201 - Chiller; 21 - Refrigerating chamber (additional refrigerating temperature zone chamber); 22 - Shelf; 23 - Chilled food compartment; 3 - Door; 300 - Air duct (upper freezer compartment air supply duct); 301 - Heat-insulating wall; 302 - Heat-insulating wall; 303 - Cover; 304 - Housing; 305 - Vacuum heat-insulating material; 306 - Damper (upper freezer compartment damper); 307 - Air duct (upper freezer compartment return air duct); 31 - Ice-making chamber (upper freezer compartment, freezer compartment); 32 - Discharge port; 4 - Door; 41 - Freezer compartment (upper freezer compartment, freezer compartment); 42 - Container; 43 - Return port; 44 - Discharge port; 5 - Door (drawer door); 500 - Control device; 501 - Chiller; 503 - Heat-insulating wall; 5031 - Groove; 504 - Heating mechanism; 505 - Fan; 506 - Discharge port (refrigerating temperature zone chamber discharge port); 507 - Discharge port (refrigerating temperature zone chamber discharge port); 508 - Damper (refrigerating damper); 509 - Chiller compartment; 51 - Vegetable compartment (refrigerating temperature zone chamber); 510 - Return port (refrigerating temperature zone chamber return port); 511 - Air duct (refrigerating air duct); 5111 - Top surface (wall edge of refrigerating temperature zone chamber); 5112 - Rear surface (wall edge of refrigerating temperature zone chamber); 512 - Heat-insulating material; 513 - Heat-insulating material; 514 - Rear panel; 52 - Container; 521 - Rear cover; 522 - Air duct (return air duct); 523 - Upper space; 524 - Lower space; 526 - Air duct; 527 - Air duct; 531 - Heat-insulating wall; 532 - Discharge port; 533 - Heat-insulating material; 541 - Support member; 542 - Electric heating wire; 552 - Corner; 561 - Space; 562 - Space; 571 - Rear wall; 572 - Heater; 581 - Vegetable storage section (storage container); 5811 - Rear plate (wall surface); 5812 - Upper side opening; 582 - Front side storage section; 583 - Small item storage container (cover section); 584 - Partition board (wall surface); 585 - Opening; 586 - Front side opening; 587 - Rear side opening; 6 - Door; 601 - Heat-insulating wall; 602 - Air duct (lower freezer compartment air supply duct); 603 - Temperature sensor; 604 - Damper (lower freezer compartment damper); 61 - Freezer compartment (freezing temperature zone chamber, lower freezer compartment, freezer compartment); 611 - Discharge port; 612 - Return port; 62 - Container; 621 - Side wall surface; 622 - Side wall surface; 623 - Air duct (lower freezer compartment return air duct); L1 - Diagonal; L2 - Axis; θ - Angle.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, Comprising: A refrigerated temperature zone chamber; A frozen temperature zone chamber, which is adjacent to the lower side of the refrigerated temperature zone chamber; A storage container, which is accommodated in the refrigerated temperature zone chamber; A lid portion, which freely opens and closes the upper opening of the storage container; An outlet, which discharges cold air to the refrigerated temperature zone chamber; and A return port, which returns the cold air in the refrigerated temperature zone chamber to the cooler, The storage container has: A front opening, which is arranged on the front side of the storage container; And A rear opening, which is arranged on the rear side of the storage container, The outlet and the return port are arranged such that the cold air from the outlet flows from the front opening to the rear opening.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that The front opening and the rear opening are arranged at the upper end of the storage container.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that The front opening and the rear opening are formed by the gap between the wall surface of the storage container and the lid portion.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that When viewed from the side, the outlet discharges cold air in the direction along the wall of the refrigerated temperature zone chamber.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that The heat insulation performance of the heat insulation material in the sliding door of the refrigerated temperature zone chamber is lower than that of the heat insulation material for the frozen temperature zone chamber.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that The rear opening is arranged at the left and right ends of the storage container.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that The front opening is continuously formed from the left end to the right end of the storage container.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, Comprising: A cooler, which generates cold air supplied to the refrigerated temperature zone chamber; and A cooler chamber, which accommodates the cooler, The outlet is arranged in the refrigerated temperature zone chamber and discharges the cold air from the cooler, The return port is arranged in the refrigerated temperature zone chamber, Further comprising: A return air duct, which returns the cold air in the refrigerated temperature zone chamber from the return port to the cooler chamber; A refrigerated air duct, which allows the cold air to pass from the cooler chamber to the refrigerated temperature zone chamber; A fan, which circulates the cold air; And A heater, which heats the air in the cooler chamber, The return port is arranged above the heater, When the heater is operating, the fan is stopped in a state where the cold air can flow from the return air duct through the refrigerated temperature zone chamber to the refrigerated air duct.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that The outlet is arranged above the return port.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that The cooler is arranged above the heater, and the power supply amount of the heater is determined in such a way as to form a natural convection rising along the cooler.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, Comprising: An upper freezer, which is arranged above the refrigerated temperature zone chamber; An upper freezer air supply duct, which conveys the cold air from the cooler chamber to the upper freezer; An upper freezer return air duct, which returns the cold air from the upper freezer and extends downward from the upper freezer; And The upper freezer compartment air damper is provided in at least one of the upper freezer compartment air supply path and the upper freezer compartment return air path. When the heater is operating, the upper freezer compartment air damper is closed.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, It includes: A lower freezer compartment provided below the refrigerated temperature zone compartment; A lower freezer compartment air supply path that conveys cold air from the cooler compartment to the lower freezer compartment and extends downward from the cooler compartment; And A lower freezer compartment return air path that returns the cold air from the lower freezer compartment, When the heater is operating, both the lower freezer compartment air supply path and the lower freezer compartment return air path are in an open state.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that It includes the refrigerated temperature zone compartment, a freezer compartment set to the freezing temperature zone, and a refrigerated temperature zone compartment different from the refrigerated temperature zone compartment, The cooler for cooling the different refrigerated temperature zone compartment and the cooler for cooling the refrigerated temperature zone compartment are separated.

14. A refrigerator, characterized in that, It includes: A refrigerated temperature zone compartment; An upper freezer compartment provided above the refrigerated temperature zone compartment; A lower freezer compartment provided below the refrigerated temperature zone compartment; A cooler that generates cold air supplied to the refrigerated temperature zone compartment, the upper freezer compartment, and the lower freezer compartment; A cooler compartment that houses the cooler; A refrigerated temperature zone compartment outlet configured in the refrigerated temperature zone compartment to discharge the cold air from the cooler; A refrigerated temperature zone compartment return port configured in the refrigerated temperature zone compartment to return the cold air to the cooler compartment; A return air path that returns the cold air in the refrigerated temperature zone compartment from the refrigerated temperature zone compartment return port to the cooler compartment; A refrigerated air path that allows the cold air to pass from the cooler compartment to the refrigerated temperature zone compartment; An upper freezer compartment air supply path that conveys the cold air from the cooler to the upper freezer compartment; An upper freezer compartment return air path that returns the cold air in the upper freezer compartment to the cooler compartment; A lower freezer compartment air supply path that conveys the cold air from the cooler to the lower freezer compartment; A lower freezer compartment return air path that returns the cold air in the lower freezer compartment to the cooler compartment; A refrigerated air damper provided in the refrigerated air path; An upper freezer compartment air damper provided in at least one of the upper freezer compartment air supply path and the upper freezer compartment return air path; A lower freezer compartment air damper provided in at least one of the lower freezer compartment air supply path and the lower freezer compartment return air path; A fan that circulates the cold air; And A heater that heats the air in the cooler compartment, Close the upper freezer compartment air damper and the lower freezer compartment air damper, open the refrigerated air damper, and reverse the fan when the heater is operating.

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