Refrigerator

Abstract

To reduce risk of refrigerant leakage into inside of a storage chamber which is isolated from an external air in a refrigerator in which a machine room which is not isolated from the external air and a storage chamber which is isolated from the external air at the time of closing the door are separated from each other.SOLUTION: In a refrigerator 1, a machine room 10 which is not isolated from an external air and in which a compressor 11 for compressing a refrigerant and a condenser 12 for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the condenser 11 are provided, is separated from a storage chamber 20 which is isolated from the external air at the time of closing the door and in which an evaporator 21 for evaporating the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 12 is provided. In a refrigerant pipe 14 for flowing the refrigerant, a first welded part 151 formed on a first pipe 141 for connecting the compressor 11 and the evaporator 21 is provided in the machine room 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Among refrigerators used for cooling food, etc., which are divided into a machine room where a fan and a condenser are arranged and a storage room where food or other items to be cooled are placed, a technique is known that, in the event of a refrigerant leak, prevents the leaked refrigerant from accumulating in one place while suppressing an increase in the temperature inside the storage room (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a technique, the compressor in the machine room is stopped according to the temperature difference between the condenser in the machine room and the surroundings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-16912 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional refrigerator in which a machine room and a storage compartment are separated, a welded portion of a refrigerant pipe for passing a refrigerant is disposed on the storage compartment side for process reasons for connecting each member. Therefore, when a refrigerant leaks due to poor welding or the like at the welded portion, the leaked refrigerant accumulates inside the storage compartment, which is blocked from outside air. An object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of refrigerant leaking into a storage compartment that is blocked off from outside air in a refrigerator that has a separated arrangement of a machine compartment that is not blocked off from outside air and a storage compartment that is blocked off from outside air when the door is closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention, which was completed with respect to this object, is a refrigerator in which a machine room not blocked off from outside air, and in which a compressor that compresses a refrigerant and a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor are disposed, are separated from a storage room in which an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is disposed and in which outside air is blocked off when the door is closed, and in which a welded portion formed on a first pipe connecting the compressor and the evaporator, among refrigerant pipes through which the refrigerant passes, is disposed in the machine room. Here, the refrigerant pipe may have a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser into a liquid phase component and a gas phase component, and a welded portion formed on a second pipe among the refrigerant pipes that connects the condenser and the gas-liquid separator may be disposed in the machine room. Furthermore, a welded portion formed on a third pipe of the refrigerant pipes connecting the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator may be disposed in the machine room. Moreover, a welded portion formed on a fourth pipe of the refrigerant pipes that constitutes the evaporator may be disposed in the machine room. Also, the compressor may be configured with a first circuit including a first compressor whose rotation speed is constant, and a second circuit including a second compressor whose rotation speed is variable. Furthermore, a welded portion formed on a fifth pipe of the refrigerant pipes connecting the condenser and the evaporator may be disposed in the machine room. The present invention also relates to a refrigerator in which a machine room in which a compressor that compresses a refrigerant and a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor are disposed are isolated from a storage compartment in which an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is disposed, and a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser into a liquid phase component and a gas phase component is disposed in the machine room. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, in a refrigerator in which the machine compartment and the storage compartment are arranged separately, the risk of refrigerant leaking into the storage compartment from a welded portion of a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant passes can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a partial internal configuration of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing what can be seen when the refrigerator in FIG. 1 is viewed in the direction of the arrow. [Diagram 3] (A) is a perspective view showing a part of the internal configuration of a conventional refrigerator, and (B) is a diagram showing the state that can be seen when the conventional refrigerator of (A) is viewed in the direction of the arrow. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a partial internal configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing what can be seen when the refrigerator in FIG. 4 is viewed in the direction of the arrow. [Figure 6] (A) is a perspective view showing a part of the internal configuration of a conventional refrigerator, and (B) is a diagram showing the state that can be seen when the conventional refrigerator of (A) is viewed in the direction of the arrow. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First embodiment> (refrigerator) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a partial internal configuration of a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state that can be seen when the refrigerator 1 in FIG. 1 is viewed in the direction of the arrow. Refrigerator 1 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is a refrigerator having machine room 10 that is not blocked off from outside air by having a vent and a fan (not shown), and storage room 20 that is blocked off from outside air when the door is closed. A wall 50 is formed between machine room 10 and storage room 20, and machine room 10 is disposed on the top side of refrigerator 1 in the vertical direction, and storage room 20 is disposed on the bottom side. A top surface 51 of wall 50 in the vertical direction forms the floor surface of machine room 10, and a bottom surface 52 forms the ceiling surface of storage room 20. A communication hole 53 that communicates between machine room 10 and storage room 20 is formed near the right end of wall 50 in the horizontal direction.

[0009] A compressor 11, a condenser 12, and a gas-liquid separator 13 are arranged in the machine room 10. The compressor 11 is a device also called a "compressor" and compresses a refrigerant used to cool the inside of the storage facility 20. The condenser 12 is a device also called a "condenser" and condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11.

[0010] The gas-liquid separator 13 is a device also called an "accumulator" and separates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 12 into a liquid phase component and a gas phase component. An evaporator 21 is disposed in the storage tank 20. The evaporator 21 is a device also called an "evaporator" and evaporates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 12.

[0011] Refrigerant pipes 14 through which a refrigerant passes are arranged in the machine room 10 and the storage 20. The refrigerant pipes 14 are made of metal pipes made of copper, aluminum alloy, or the like. The refrigerant pipes 14 are arranged to connect between the compressor 11 and the condenser 12, between the compressor 11 and the evaporator 21, between the condenser 12 and the gas-liquid separator 13, and between the gas-liquid separator 13 and the evaporator 21.

[0012] Of the refrigerant pipes 14 arranged in the machine room 10 and the storage tank 20, the refrigerant pipes 14 arranged between the compressor 11 and the evaporator 21 and between the gas-liquid separator 13 and the evaporator 21 are arranged in the machine room 10 and the storage tank 20 while passing through the communication holes 53. Hereinafter, the refrigerant pipe 14 connecting the compressor 11 and the evaporator 21 will be referred to as the "first pipe 141," and the refrigerant pipe 14 connecting the condenser 12 and the gas-liquid separator 13 will be referred to as the "second pipe 142." In addition, the refrigerant pipe 14 connecting the gas-liquid separator 13 and the evaporator 21 will be referred to as the "third pipe 143."

[0013] Moreover, the refrigerant pipe 14 constitutes a part of each of the condenser 12 and the evaporator 21. In the condenser 12 and the evaporator 21, the refrigerant pipe 14 is bent a number of times while passing through a number of fins, forming a number of stages. Hereinafter, the refrigerant pipe 14 constituting the evaporator 21 is referred to as a "fourth pipe 144." With the above-mentioned configuration, in the refrigerator 1, the refrigerant is circulated among the compressor 11, the condenser 12, the gas-liquid separator 13, and the evaporator 21.

[0014] (Welded parts) 1, welded portions 15 are formed by argon welding or the like at the joints between refrigerant pipes 14. Specifically, for example, welded portions 15 are formed at the joints between aluminum alloy refrigerant pipes 14, the joints between copper refrigerant pipes 14, the joints between aluminum alloy refrigerant pipes 14 and copper refrigerant pipes 14, etc.

[0015] The welded portion 15 is also formed at the joint between the refrigerant pipe 14 and the gas-liquid separator 13. Specifically, for example, the welded portion 15 is formed at the joint between the refrigerant pipe 14 made of an aluminum alloy or copper and the gas-liquid separator 13, or at the joint between the refrigerant pipe 14 and the gas-liquid separator 13 which is formed by eutectic bonding of a copper pipe and an aluminum alloy pipe.

[0016] Here, refrigerator 1 is configured so that welded part 15 is disposed in machine room 10. That is, when refrigerator 1 is designed, the positions of compressor 11, condenser 12, gas-liquid separator 13, and evaporator 21, the length, position, and bending manner of refrigerant pipe 14, the position where refrigerant pipe 14 is joined to each other, the position where refrigerant pipe 14 is joined to gas-liquid separator 13, the position of communication hole 53, and the like are taken into consideration so that welded part 15 is disposed in machine room 10.

[0017] Furthermore, although not shown, a sealing member (e.g., putty or packing for filling the gap) for blocking or reducing the movement of air between the machine room 10 and the storage tank 20 is disposed in the communication hole 53. This prevents the leaked refrigerant from moving through the communication hole 53 to the storage tank 20 side and accumulating therein, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the welded portion 15 for some reason.

[0018] Refrigerant pipes 14 arranged in machine room 10 and storage room 20 of refrigerator 1 include a first pipe 141, a second pipe 142, a third pipe 143, and a fourth pipe 144, each of which has a welded portion 15 formed thereon, as shown in Fig. 1. Hereinafter, the welded portions 15 formed in each of first pipe 141, second pipe 142, third pipe 143, and fourth pipe 144 will be referred to as a first welded portion 151, a second welded portion 152, a third welded portion 153, and a fourth welded portion 154, respectively.

[0019] 1 and 2, the first pipe 141 constituting the refrigerant pipe 14 has a portion disposed in the machine room 10 and a portion disposed in the storage tank 20. Of these, a first welded portion 151 is formed on the top side of the communication hole 53 in the portion disposed in the machine room 10. Also, the second pipe 142 constituting the refrigerant pipe 14 is disposed in the machine room 10 as shown in Fig. 1. A second welded portion 152 is formed on the joint portion of the second pipe 142 with the gas-liquid separator 13 (the top side of the gas-liquid separator 13).

[0020] 1 and 2, the third pipe 143 constituting the refrigerant pipe 14 has a portion disposed in the machine room 10 and a portion disposed in the storage tank 20. Of these, a third welded portion 153 is formed at the joint between the portion disposed in the machine room 10 and the gas-liquid separator 13 (the ground side of the gas-liquid separator 13).

[0021] 1 and 2, fourth pipe 144 constituting refrigerant pipe 14 has a portion disposed in machine room 10 and a portion disposed in storage 20. Of fourth pipe 144, a fourth welded portion 154 is formed on the top side of communication hole 53 of the portion disposed in machine room 10. That is, evaporator 21 is a device disposed in storage 20, but of refrigerant pipe 14 constituting evaporator 21, fourth pipe 144 is extended and a part (a portion where fourth welded portion 154 is formed) is disposed in machine room 10 via communication hole 53. In this manner, refrigerator 1 is configured such that welded portion 15 is disposed in machine room 10.

[0022] (Conventional refrigerator) Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view showing a part of the internal configuration of a conventional refrigerator, and Fig. 3(B) is a diagram showing a state that can be seen when the conventional refrigerator in Fig. 3(A) is viewed in the direction of the arrow. The conventional refrigerator shown in Fig. 3(A) and (B) has a machine room and a storage room. A wall is formed between the machine room and the storage room, and the machine room is arranged on the top side in the vertical direction, and the storage room is arranged on the bottom side.

[0023] The wall between the machine room and the storage tank has a top surface forming the floor of the machine room and a bottom surface forming the ceiling of the storage tank. A communication hole is formed near the right end of this wall, connecting the machine room and the storage tank. A compressor and a condenser are arranged in the machine room, and a gas-liquid separator and an evaporator are arranged in the storage tank.

[0024] In the machine room and the storage tank, refrigerant pipes made of metal pipes are arranged between the compressor and the condenser, between the compressor and the evaporator, between the condenser and the gas-liquid separator, and between the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator. Of these, the refrigerant pipes arranged between the compressor and the evaporator and between the condenser and the gas-liquid separator are arranged in the machine room and the storage tank while passing through the communication holes.

[0025] The refrigerant pipe constitutes a part of each of the condenser and the evaporator. In the condenser and the evaporator, the refrigerant pipe is bent a number of times while passing through a number of fins to form a number of stages. With the above configuration, the refrigerant is circulated among the compressor, the condenser, the gas-liquid separator, and the evaporator in the conventional refrigerator shown in Figs. 3(A) and (B).

[0026] (Welded parts of conventional refrigerators) As shown in Fig. 3(A) and (B) , in the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage compartment of the conventional refrigerator, welded parts are formed by argon welding or the like at joints between the refrigerant pipes and at joints between the refrigerant pipes and the gas-liquid separator. Here, the conventional refrigerator shown in Fig. 3(A) and (B) is configured so that the gas-liquid separator and each welded part are arranged in the storage compartment for process reasons of joining each member together.

[0027] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and (B), among refrigerant pipes arranged in a machine room and a storage room of a conventional refrigerator, welded parts are formed in each of the refrigerant pipes connecting the compressor and the evaporator, the refrigerant pipes connecting the condenser and the gas-liquid separator, the refrigerant pipes connecting the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator, and the refrigerant pipe constituting a part of the evaporator.

[0028] Of the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage room of a conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor and the evaporator has a part arranged in the machine room and a part arranged in the storage room, as shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B). Of these, a welded part is formed near the right side of the evaporator in the left-right direction in the part arranged in the storage room.

[0029] Furthermore, among the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage room of the conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the gas-liquid separator has a part arranged in the machine room and a part arranged in the storage room, as shown in Fig. 3(A) and (B). Of these, a welded part is formed at a joint part with the gas-liquid separator in the part arranged in the storage room (on the rear side in the front-rear direction of the gas-liquid separator).

[0030] Furthermore, among refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage compartment of a conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant pipe connecting the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator is arranged in the storage compartment as shown in Figs. 3(A) and (B), and has welds formed at two locations: a joint with the gas-liquid separator (the front side of the gas-liquid separator in the front-rear direction) and near the right side of the evaporator in the left-right direction.

[0031] Furthermore, among the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage compartment of the conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant pipe constituting a part of the evaporator is arranged in the storage compartment as shown in Fig. 3(B), and a welded part is formed near the right side in the left-right direction of the evaporator. In this manner, the conventional refrigerator shown in Figs. 3(A) and (B) is configured so that the welded part is arranged in the storage compartment. As a result, for example, if refrigerant leakage occurs at the welded part due to some factor, the leaked refrigerant will accumulate in the storage compartment.

[0032] In summary, the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment shown in the above-mentioned Figs. 1 and 2 only needs to have the following configuration, and can take various different embodiments. That is, refrigerator 1 is a refrigerator in which compressor 11 that compresses a refrigerant and condenser 12 that condenses the refrigerant compressed by compressor 11 are disposed, and in which machine room 10 that is not blocked off from outside air is separated from storage room 20 in which evaporator 21 that evaporates the refrigerant condensed by condenser 12 is disposed, and in which outside air is blocked off when the door is closed, and which is characterized in that, of refrigerant pipes 14 for passing the refrigerant, first welded portion 151 formed on first pipe 141 connecting compressor 11 and evaporator 21 is disposed in machine room 10.

[0033] With this, the first welded portion 151 formed on the first pipe 141 connecting the compressor 11 and the evaporator 21 is disposed in the machine room 10 isolated from the storage tank 20. As a result, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the first welded portion 151, the refrigerant is discharged to the outside, so that the leaked refrigerant is prevented from moving to and accumulating in the storage tank 20.

[0034] Here, the refrigerator 1 may further include a gas-liquid separator 13 arranged in the machine room 10, which separates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 12 into a liquid phase component and a gas phase component. With this, the second welded portion 152 and the third welded portion 153 formed on both ends (the top and bottom sides in the top-to-bottom direction) of the gas-liquid separator 13 are disposed in the machine room 10 isolated from the storage tank 20. As a result, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the second welded portion 152 or the third welded portion 153, the refrigerant is discharged to the outside, so that the leaked refrigerant is prevented from moving to and accumulating in the storage tank 20.

[0035] In addition, among the refrigerant pipes 14, a second welded portion 152 formed on the second pipe 142 connecting the condenser 12 and the gas-liquid separator 13, and a third welded portion 153 formed on the third pipe 143 connecting the gas-liquid separator 13 and the evaporator 21 may be arranged in the machine room 10. With this, the second welded portion 152 formed on the second pipe 142 connecting the condenser 12 and the gas-liquid separator 13, and the third welded portion 153 formed on the third pipe 143 connecting the gas-liquid separator 13 and the evaporator 21 are disposed in the machine room 10 isolated from the storage tank 20. As a result, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the second welded portion 152 or the third welded portion 153, the refrigerant is discharged to the outside, so that the leaked refrigerant is prevented from moving to and accumulating in the storage tank 20.

[0036] In addition, in refrigerator 1, of refrigerant pipes 14, fourth welded portion 154 formed on fourth pipe 144 constituting evaporator 21 may be disposed in machine room 10. As a result, the fourth welded portion 154 formed on the fourth pipe 144 constituting the evaporator 21 arranged in the storage tank 20 is arranged in the machine room 10 isolated from the storage tank 20. As a result, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the fourth welded portion 154, the refrigerant is discharged to the outside, so that the leaked refrigerant is prevented from moving to and accumulating in the storage tank 20.

[0037] <Second embodiment> (refrigerator) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a partial internal configuration of a refrigerator 2 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state that can be seen when the refrigerator 2 in FIG. 4 is viewed in the direction of the arrow. The refrigerator 2 shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is a refrigerator having a machine room 30 and a storage room 40. A wall 60 is formed between the machine room 30 and the storage room 40, and the machine room 30 is disposed on the top side of the refrigerator 2 in the vertical direction, and the storage room 40 is disposed on the bottom side. A top surface 61 of the wall 60 in the vertical direction forms the floor surface of the machine room 30, and a bottom surface 62 of the wall 60 forms the ceiling surface of the storage room 40. A communication hole 63 that communicates between the machine room 30 and the storage room 40 is formed near the right end of the wall 60 in the horizontal direction.

[0038] In the machine room 30, a compressor 31, a condenser 32, and a gas-liquid separator 33 are arranged. The compressor 31 compresses a refrigerant used for cooling the inside of the storage 40. Here, the compressor 31 of the refrigerator 2 according to the second embodiment is composed of a first compressor 311 and a second compressor 312. The first compressor 311 is a so-called constant speed compressor whose rotation speed is constant, and the second compressor 312 is a so-called inverter compressor whose rotation speed is variable. The inverter compressor is a compressor having an inverter function that changes the cooling performance by changing the flow rate of the refrigerant. For example, during a time period when the door of the storage is opened and closed less, such as at night, the inverter function can reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant to save energy. The inverter compressor is arranged with a gas-liquid separator 33 for temporarily storing the refrigerant when changing the flow rate. The condenser 32 condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 31. The gas-liquid separator 33 separates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 32 into a liquid phase component and a gas phase component. An evaporator 41 is disposed in the storage tank 40. The evaporator 41 evaporates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 32.

[0039] Refrigerant pipes 34, through which a refrigerant passes, are arranged in the machine room 30 and the storage 40. The refrigerant pipes 34 are arranged to connect between the first compressor 311 and the condenser 32, between the second compressor 312 and the condenser 32, between the first compressor 311 and the evaporator 41, between the second compressor 312 and the evaporator 41, between the condenser 32 and the gas-liquid separator 33, and between the gas-liquid separator 33 and the evaporator 41.

[0040] Among the refrigerant pipes 34 arranged in the machine room 30 and the storage tank 40, the refrigerant pipes 34 arranged between the first compressor 311 and the evaporator 41, between the second compressor 312 and the evaporator 41, between the condenser 32 and the evaporator 41, and between the gas-liquid separator 33 and the evaporator 41 are arranged in the machine room 30 and the storage tank 40 while passing through the communication hole 63. Hereinafter, the refrigerant pipe 34 connecting the first compressor 311 and the evaporator 41 is referred to as the "first pipe 341," and the refrigerant pipe 34 connecting the second compressor 312 and the evaporator 41 is referred to as the "first pipe 342." In addition, the refrigerant pipe 34 connecting the condenser 32 and the gas-liquid separator 33 is referred to as the "second pipe 343," and the refrigerant pipe 34 connecting the gas-liquid separator 33 and the evaporator 41 is referred to as the "third pipe 344." Furthermore, each of the refrigerant pipes 34 connecting the condenser 32 and the evaporator 41 is referred to as a “fifth pipe 345”.

[0041] Further, the refrigerant pipe 34 constitutes a part of each of the condenser 32 and the evaporator 41. In the condenser 32 and the evaporator 41, the refrigerant pipe 34 is bent a number of times while passing through a number of fins to form a number of stages. With the above-mentioned configuration, in the refrigerator 2, the refrigerant is circulated in each of the first circuit including the first compressor 311, the condenser 32, and the evaporator 41, and the second circuit including the second compressor 312, the condenser 32, the gas-liquid separator 33, and the evaporator 41.

[0042] (Welded parts) 4, welded parts 35 are formed by argon welding or the like at joints between refrigerant pipes 34. Specifically, for example, welded parts 35 are formed at joints between aluminum alloy refrigerant pipes 34, joints between copper refrigerant pipes 34, joints between an aluminum alloy refrigerant pipe 34 and a copper refrigerant pipe 34, joints between a copper pipe and an aluminum alloy pipe eutectic-bonded refrigerant pipe 34 and an aluminum alloy or copper refrigerant pipe 34, etc.

[0043] The welded portion 35 is also formed at the joint between the refrigerant pipe 34 and the gas-liquid separator 33. Specifically, for example, the welded portion 35 is formed at the joint between the refrigerant pipe 34 made of an aluminum alloy or copper and the gas-liquid separator 33, or at the joint between the refrigerant pipe 34 made of a copper pipe and an aluminum alloy pipe joined by eutectic bonding and the gas-liquid separator 33.

[0044] Here, refrigerator 2 is configured such that welded portion 35 is disposed in machine room 30. That is, when refrigerator 2 is designed, the positions of first compressor 311, second compressor 312, condenser 32, gas-liquid separator 33, and evaporator 41, the length, position, and bending manner of refrigerant pipe 34, the position where refrigerant pipe 34 is joined to each other, the position where refrigerant pipe 34 is joined to gas-liquid separator 33, the position of communication hole 63, and the like are taken into consideration so that welded portion 35 is disposed in machine room 30.

[0045] Furthermore, although not shown, a sealing member (e.g., putty or packing for filling the gap) for blocking or reducing the movement of air between the machine room 30 and the storage tank 40 is disposed in the communication hole 63. This prevents the leaked refrigerant from moving to the storage tank 40 side through the communication hole 63 and accumulating in the storage tank 40, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the welded portion 35 for some reason.

[0046] 4, the refrigerant pipes 34 arranged in the machine room 30 and the storage room 40 of the refrigerator 2 include first pipes 341 and 342, second pipe 343, third pipe 344, and fifth pipe 345, and welded parts 35 are formed on each of them. Hereinafter, the welded parts 35 formed on each of the first pipe 341, the first pipe 342, the second pipe 343, the third pipe 344, and the fifth pipe 345 will be referred to as the first welded part 351, the first welded part 352, the second welded part 353, the third welded part 354, and the fifth welded part 355, respectively.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, first pipe 341 constituting refrigerant pipe 34 has a portion disposed in machine room 30 and a portion disposed in storage 40. Of these, a first welded portion 351 is formed on the top side of communication hole 63 in the portion disposed in machine room 30. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, first pipe 342 constituting refrigerant pipe 34 has a portion disposed in machine room 30 and a portion disposed in storage 40. Of these, a first welded portion 352 is formed on the top side of communication hole 63 in the portion disposed in machine room 30.

[0048] 4 and 5, second pipe 343 constituting refrigerant pipe 34 is disposed in machine room 30. A second welded portion 353 is formed in second pipe 343 at a joint portion with gas-liquid separator 33 (top side of gas-liquid separator 33). As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, third pipe 344 constituting refrigerant pipe 34 has a portion disposed in machine room 30 and a portion disposed in storage 40. A third welded portion 354 is formed in a joint portion with gas-liquid separator 33 of the portion disposed in machine room 30 (bottom side of gas-liquid separator 33).

[0049] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 , fifth pipe 345 constituting refrigerant pipe 34 has a portion disposed in machine room 30 and a portion disposed in storage 40. Of these, fifth welded part 355 is formed on the top side of communication hole 63 of the portion disposed in machine room 30. In this manner, refrigerator 2 is configured such that welded part 35 is disposed in machine room 30.

[0050] (Conventional refrigerator) Fig. 6(A) is a perspective view showing a part of the internal configuration of a conventional refrigerator, and Fig. 6(B) is a diagram showing a state that can be seen when the conventional refrigerator in Fig. 6(A) is viewed in the direction of the arrow. The conventional refrigerator shown in Fig. 6(A) and (B) has a machine room and a storage room. A wall is formed between the machine room and the storage room, and the machine room is arranged on the top side in the vertical direction, and the storage room is arranged on the bottom side.

[0051] The wall between the machine room and the storage facility has a top surface forming the floor of the machine room and a bottom surface forming the ceiling of the storage facility. A communication hole is formed near the right end of this wall in the left-right direction to communicate between the machine room and the storage facility. Two compressors and a condenser are arranged in the machine room. Of the two compressors arranged in the machine room, the compressor arranged on the left side in the left-right direction is a so-called constant speed compressor with a constant rotation speed. In addition, the compressor arranged on the right side in the left-right direction is a so-called inverter compressor with a variable rotation speed. In addition, a gas-liquid separator and an evaporator are arranged in the storage facility.

[0052] In the machine room and the storage, refrigerant pipes made of metal pipes are arranged between the compressor and the condenser arranged on the left side, between the compressor and the condenser arranged on the right side, between the compressor and the evaporator arranged on the left side, between the compressor and the evaporator arranged on the right side, between the condenser and the gas-liquid separator, between the condenser and the evaporator, and between the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator. Among these, the refrigerant pipes arranged between the compressor and the evaporator arranged on the left side, between the compressor and the evaporator arranged on the right side, between the condenser and the gas-liquid separator, and between the condenser and the evaporator are arranged in the machine room and the storage while passing through the communication holes.

[0053] The refrigerant pipe constitutes a part of each of the condenser and the evaporator. In the condenser and the evaporator, the refrigerant pipe is bent a number of times while passing through a number of fins to form a number of stages. With the above configuration, in the refrigerator shown in Fig. 6 (A) and (B), the refrigerant is circulated in each of the first circuit including the compressor, condenser, and evaporator arranged on the left side, and the second circuit including the compressor, condenser, gas-liquid separator, and evaporator arranged on the right side.

[0054] (Welded parts of conventional refrigerators) As shown in Fig. 6(A) and (B) , in the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage compartment of the conventional refrigerator, welded parts are formed by argon welding or the like at joints between the refrigerant pipes and at joints between the refrigerant pipes and the gas-liquid separator. Here, the conventional refrigerator shown in Fig. 6(A) and (B) is configured such that the gas-liquid separator and each welded part are arranged in the storage compartment for process reasons of connecting each member, similarly to the conventional refrigerator shown in Fig. 3(A) and (B) described above.

[0055] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 6(A) and (B) , among refrigerant pipes arranged in a machine room and a storage room of a conventional refrigerator, welds are formed in each of the refrigerant pipes connecting the compressor arranged on the left side and the evaporator, the refrigerant pipes connecting the compressor arranged on the right side and the evaporator, the refrigerant pipes connecting the condenser and the gas-liquid separator, the refrigerant pipes connecting the condenser and the evaporator, and the refrigerant pipes connecting the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator.

[0056] Of the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage room of a conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor arranged on the left side and the evaporator, and the refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor arranged on the right side and the evaporator, each have a part arranged in the machine room and a part arranged in the storage room, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B). Of these, a welded part is formed near the right side of the evaporator in the left-right direction in the part arranged in the storage room.

[0057] In addition, among the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage room of the conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the gas-liquid separator has a part arranged in the machine room and a part arranged in the storage room, as shown in Fig. 6(A) and (B). Of these, a welded part is formed at a joint part with the gas-liquid separator in the part arranged in the storage room (on the rear side in the front-rear direction of the gas-liquid separator).

[0058] In addition, among the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage room of the conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator has a part arranged in the machine room and a part arranged in the storage room, as shown in Fig. 6(A) and (B). Of these, a welded part is formed near the right side of the evaporator in the left-right direction in the part arranged in the storage room.

[0059] Among the refrigerant pipes arranged in the machine room and the storage compartment of the conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant pipe connecting the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator is arranged in the storage compartment as shown in Fig. 6(B), and welded parts are formed at the joint with the gas-liquid separator (at the front side in the front-rear direction of the gas-liquid separator) and near the right side in the left-right direction of the evaporator. In this way, the conventional refrigerator shown in Figs. 6(A) and (B) is configured so that the welded parts are arranged in the storage compartment. As a result, for example, if refrigerant leakage occurs at the welded parts due to some factor, the leaked refrigerant will accumulate in the storage compartment.

[0060] In summary, the refrigerator 2 according to the second embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 described above only needs to have the following configuration, and can take various forms. That is, refrigerator 2 is a refrigerator in which a machine room 30 in which a compressor 31 (first compressor 311, second compressor 312) that compresses a refrigerant and a condenser 32 that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 31 are arranged are isolated from a storage room 40 in which an evaporator 41 that evaporates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 32 is arranged, and which is characterized in that first welded parts 351 and 352 formed on each of first pipes 341 and 342 connecting the compressor 31 and the evaporator 41, among refrigerant pipes 34 for passing the refrigerant, are each arranged in the machine room 10. Here, the compressor 31 of the refrigerator 2 may be configured with a first circuit including a first compressor 311 having a constant rotation speed, and a second circuit including a second compressor 312 having a variable rotation speed.

[0061] Thus, even when refrigerator 2 is configured with a first circuit including first compressor 311 and a second circuit including second compressor 312, first welded parts 351 and 352 formed on first pipes 341 and 342 connecting the first circuit and the second circuit are disposed in machine room 30 isolated from storage 40. As a result, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at first welded part 351 or first welded part 352, the refrigerant is discharged to the outside, and therefore, the leaked refrigerant is prevented from moving to and accumulating in storage 40.

[0062] In addition, in the refrigerator 2, a fifth welded portion 355 formed on a fifth pipe 345 that connects the condenser 32 and the evaporator 41, among the refrigerant pipes , may be disposed in the machine room 30. With this, the fifth welded portion 355 formed on the fifth pipe 345 connecting the condenser 32 and the evaporator 41 is disposed in the machine room 30 isolated from the storage tank 40. As a result, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the fifth welded portion 355, the refrigerant is discharged to the outside, so that the leaked refrigerant is prevented from moving to and accumulating in the storage tank 40.

[0063] <Other embodiments> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and the configuration of the refrigerator 2 according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention, and are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0064] For example, the first pipe 141, the second pipe 142, the third pipe 143, and the fourth pipe 144 constituting the refrigerant pipe 14 according to the first embodiment described above each have one welded portion, but this is not limited thereto and multiple welded portions may be formed. Similarly, the first pipe 341, the first pipe 342, the second pipe 343, and the fifth pipe 345 constituting the refrigerant pipe 34 according to the second embodiment described above each have one welded portion, but this is not limited thereto and multiple welded portions may be formed.

[0065] In the above embodiment, all of the welds formed on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth refrigerant pipes are arranged in the machine room, but this is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that at least one of the welds formed on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pipes is arranged in the machine room. That is, by configuring at least one of the welds formed on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pipes to be arranged in the machine room, it is possible to reduce the risk of the refrigerant leaking from the welds into the storage tank compared to the case where all of the welds formed on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pipes are arranged in the storage tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] Reference Signs List 1, 2...refrigerator, 10, 30...machine room, 11, 31...compressor, 12, 32...condenser, 13, 33...gas-liquid separator, 21, 41...evaporator, 14, 34...refrigerant pipe, 15, 35...weld, 20, 40...storage chamber, 50, 60...wall, 53, 63...communication hole, 141, 341, 342...first pipe, 142, 343...second pipe, 143, 344...third pipe, 144...fourth pipe, 345...fifth pipe, 151, 351, 352...first weld, 152, 353...second weld, 153, 354...third weld, 154...fourth weld, 311...first compressor, 312...second compressor, 355...fifth weld

Claims

1. A refrigerator in which a machine room in which a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor are disposed and which is not blocked off from outside air, and a storage compartment in which an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is disposed and which is blocked off from outside air when a door is closed, are separated from each other; A welded portion formed on a first pipe connecting the compressor and the evaporator among the refrigerant pipes for passing the refrigerant is disposed in the machine room. refrigerator.

2. a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser into a liquid phase component and a gas phase component, and a welded portion formed on a second pipe among the refrigerant pipes that connects the condenser and the gas-liquid separator is disposed in the machine room.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. The present invention is characterized in that a welded portion formed on a third pipe connecting the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator among the refrigerant pipes is disposed in the machine room.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2.

4. A welded portion formed on a fourth pipe constituting the evaporator among the refrigerant pipes is disposed in the machine room.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

5. The present invention is characterized in that it is configured with a first circuit including a first compressor whose rotation speed is constant, and a second circuit including a second compressor whose rotation speed is variable.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

6. A welded portion formed on a fifth pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator among the refrigerant pipes is disposed in the machine room.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5.

7. A refrigerator in which a machine room in which a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor are disposed are separated from a storage room in which an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is disposed, A gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser into a liquid phase component and a gas phase component is disposed in the machine room. refrigerator.

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