Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a fixture in which a temperature detection part can be easily mounted on / removed from a refrigerant pipe, and to provide a refrigerator.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes: a cooler 21 which includes a cooler refrigerant pipe 21a and a heat radiation part for radiating the heat of the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a; a connection refrigerant pipe 33 connected to the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a; a temperature detection part 54 which detects a temperature of the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a or the connection refrigerant pipe 33; and a fixture 70 for fixing the temperature detection part 54 to the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a or the connection refrigerant pipe 33. The fixture 70 includes: a detection holding part 71 for holding the temperature detection part 54; and a refrigerant pipe mounting part 72 which can be mounted on the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a or the connection refrigerant pipe 33. The refrigerant pipe mounting part 72 is mounted on the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a or the connection refrigerant pipe 33 by a movement different from a vertically downward movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] In a refrigerator, a temperature detector is provided in a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows in order to control the operation of the refrigerator, such as starting and ending a defrosting operation. The temperature detector is fixed to the refrigerant pipe via a fixture so that the temperature detector can be attached at a precise position and distance relative to the refrigerant pipe (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2011-58738 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In line with the recent trend towards higher volumetric capacity, the cooler chamber that houses the cooler is also being made more compact. However, if the cooler chamber is narrow, it becomes difficult to attach and remove the fixture that secures the temperature detection unit to the refrigerant pipe.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can be easily attached to and detached from a refrigerant pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the fixing device is a fixing device for fixing a temperature detection unit to a cooler refrigerant pipe provided in the cooler or a connecting refrigerant pipe connected to the cooler refrigerant pipe, and includes a detection holding portion that holds the temperature detection unit, and a refrigerant pipe mounting portion that is attached to the cooler refrigerant pipe or the connecting refrigerant pipe, and the refrigerant pipe mounting portion is attached to the cooler refrigerant pipe or the connecting refrigerant pipe by a movement other than a vertical downward movement.

[0007] In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes a cooler including a cooler refrigerant tube and a heat dissipation unit that dissipates heat from the cooler refrigerant tube, a connection refrigerant tube connected to the cooler refrigerant tube, a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the cooler refrigerant tube or the connection refrigerant tube, and a fixing device that fixes the temperature detection unit to the cooler refrigerant tube or the connection refrigerant tube, wherein the fixing device includes a detection holding unit that holds the temperature detection unit and a refrigerant tube mounting unit that is mounted to the cooler refrigerant tube or the connection refrigerant tube, and the refrigerant tube mounting unit is mounted to the cooler refrigerant tube or the connection refrigerant tube by a movement different from a vertical downward movement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cooling compartment of the refrigerator of FIG. [Diagram 3] Enlarged view of the main part of Figure 2 [Figure 4] Cross section AA of Figure 3 [Diagram 5] Cross section B-B of Figure 4 [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a method for attaching a fixing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an enlarged front view of a main part showing a method of attaching a fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a cooler to which a fixing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached; [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a method for attaching a fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a cooler to which a fixing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is attached; [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a method of attaching a fastener according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a method for attaching a fastener according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The following embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The following embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The following embodiments and their modifications are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

[0010] In the following description, the left-right direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction refer to the directions when the refrigerator is viewed from the front, and the left-right direction corresponds to the width direction of the refrigerator. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms right, left, top, bottom, front, rear, back, back, and front refer to the positions and sides of the refrigerator when viewed from the front, and for the refrigerator doors, refer to the positions and sides of the refrigerator when viewed from the front with the doors closed. 1. First embodiment (1) Configuration of Refrigerator 1 The configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator body 2 that opens at the front. The refrigerator body 2 includes an outer box 3 made of a steel plate and an inner box 4 made of a synthetic resin, and an insulating space 5 for storing an insulating material such as a foam insulating material or a vacuum insulating panel is formed between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4. The refrigerator body 2 includes a plurality of storage compartments inside the inner box 4. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, a refrigerator compartment 6 and a vegetable compartment 7 are provided in this order from the top, and a freezer compartment 10 is provided below them.

[0011] The refrigerator compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 7 are storage compartments that are cooled to a refrigeration temperature range (for example, 1 to 4°C) based on the temperature detected by a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 36 provided on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 6. The refrigerator compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 7 are separated from each other by a partition plate 11 made of synthetic resin, and air from the refrigerator compartment 6 flows into the vegetable compartment 7 through a communication hole 17 provided at the rear end of the partition plate 11. A pivotable heat-insulating door 6a pivoted by a hinge is provided at the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 6.

[0012] The rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 6 is defined by a rear wall member 40 provided in front of the inner box rear surface 4a with a gap therebetween. The rear wall member 40 forms a refrigerator compartment flow path 24a through which cold air to be supplied to the refrigerator compartment 6 flows between the rear wall member 40 and the inner box rear surface 4a.

[0013] A plurality of shelves 12 are provided at intervals vertically in the internal space of the refrigerator compartment 6. A water tank, a water supply device, and a pull-out container 14 are stored in the space partitioned vertically by the partition plate 11 and the lowest shelf 12.

[0014] A drawer-type heat-insulating door 7a is provided at the front opening of the vegetable compartment 7. A storage container 15 constituting a storage container is connected to the rear part of the heat-insulating door 7a, and the storage container 15 is configured to be pulled out to the outside when the door is opened. The rear side of the vegetable compartment 7 is partitioned by a rear wall member 41 provided in front of the inner box rear face 4a with a gap therebetween. The rear wall member 41 forms a vegetable compartment flow path 24b, through which cold air to be supplied to the refrigerator compartment 6 flows, between the inner box rear face 4a and the rear wall member 41. The upper end of the vegetable compartment flow path 24b is connected to the lower end of the refrigerator compartment flow path 24a, and the refrigerator compartment flow path 24a and the vegetable compartment flow path 24b form the refrigerator-side duct 24.

[0015] The freezer compartment 10 is a storage compartment that is cooled to a freezing temperature range (for example, -10 to -20°C) based on the temperature detected by a freezer compartment temperature sensor 37 provided on the rear surface of the freezer compartment 10. The vegetable compartment 7 and the freezer compartment 10 are separated from each other by a heat-insulating partition wall 16 having a heat insulating material provided therein. A drawer-type heat-insulating door 10a is provided at the front opening of the freezer compartment 10.

[0016] In the freezer compartment 10, three storage containers consisting of a lower container 100, a middle container 101, and an upper container 102 are arranged vertically. A container support 120 that supports the lower container 100 is connected to the back surface of the insulating door 10a, and the lower container 100 and the middle container 101, which is supported on the upper surface of the lower container 100, are configured to be pulled out to the outside when the door is opened.

[0017] An ice-making device 105 including an ice-making tray and an ice-releasing mechanism is provided above upper container 102. Ice made by ice-making device 105 drops into upper container 102 and is stored there. Ice-making device 105, together with a water supply tank and a water supply device provided in refrigerator compartment 6, constitutes an automatic ice-making device, and water in the water supply tank is sucked up by the water supply device and supplied to the ice-making tray.

[0018] At the back of the freezer compartment 10, a cooler compartment 23 is provided, which houses a cooler 21 that generates cold air to cool the refrigerator compartment 6, the vegetable compartment 7, and the freezer compartment 10, and a cooler fan 22 that blows the generated cold air. The cooler compartment 23 is connected to a refrigerator-side duct 24 provided with a refrigerator damper 25, a freezer-side duct 26 provided with a freezer damper (not shown), a return duct 19 (see FIG. 2) that returns the air that has flowed through the vegetable compartment 7 to the cooler compartment 23, and a return duct 20 that returns the air that has flowed through the freezer compartment 10 to the cooler compartment 23.

[0019] The cooler 21 provided in the cooler chamber 23 constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with a compressor 29 and a condenser 31 provided in the machine chamber 28. The cooler 21 is cooled by the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 29, and cools the air in the cooler chamber 23. The air in the cooler chamber 23 cooled by the cooler 21 is selectively supplied to the refrigerator chamber 6 and the freezer chamber 10 by controlling the opening and closing of the refrigerator damper 25 and the freezer damper while driving the cooler fan 22.

[0020] In addition to the cooler 21 and the cooler fan 22, the cooler chamber 23 is also provided with a defrost heater 52 for defrosting the cooler 21, a water receiving portion 53 for receiving defrosted water, a temperature detection portion 54 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows, and a housing case 55.

[0021] The cooler fan 22, the defrost heater 52 and the temperature detection unit 54 are connected to lead wires extending from a control board 62 inside a housing case 55 provided at a position toward the other side of the refrigerator width direction (the left side in FIG. 2), and receive driving power from the control board 62 and send and receive control signals and detection signals to and from the control board 62.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a board storage section 60 that recesses forward is provided at the upper rear portion of the refrigerator body 2, and a control board 62 that controls the refrigerator 1 is provided inside the board storage section 60.

[0023] Based on detection signals input from sensors 36, 37, etc. and a control program previously stored in memory, the control board 62 controls the opening and closing of the refrigeration damper 25 and the freezing damper, the rotation speed of the cooler fan 22, the operating frequency of the compressor 29, etc., thereby cooling each of the storage chambers 6, 7, 10 so that the temperatures detected by the refrigerator chamber temperature sensor 36 and the freezer chamber temperature sensor 37 satisfy predetermined temperature conditions. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as performing a cooling operation of the storage chambers 6, 7, 10 for a predetermined time, the defrost heater 52 is energized to start a defrost operation of the cooler 21, and the defrost operation is terminated when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 54 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature.

[0024] (2) Configuration of Cooler 21 In this example, the cooler 21 is a fin-tube type cooler including a serpentine cooler refrigerant pipe 21a having U-shaped bent portions 21a2 at both widthwise ends of a straight portion 21a1 extending in the refrigerator width direction, a number of fins 21b attached to the straight portion 21a1 of the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a, and end plates 21c connecting both left and right ends of the straight portion 21a1 of the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a to each other. In this embodiment, the fins 21b and the end plates 21c constitute a number of heat dissipation plates arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction. In addition, the straight portions 21a1 of the serpentine cooler refrigerant pipe 21a are arranged in parallel to each other at intervals in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and penetrate the fins 21b and the end plates 21c at a number of points.

[0025] An upstream end of cooler refrigerant pipe 21a is connected to a connection refrigerant pipe 33. Connection refrigerant pipe 33 protrudes from an upper end of end plate 21c of cooler 21 to one side in the refrigerator width direction (to the right in FIG. 3 ) and then bends back upward in a U shape, extends above cooler 21 in the refrigerator width direction, and is connected to capillary tube 34 above cooler 21.

[0026] The capillary tube 34 passes through an introduction hole 4b provided in the inner box 4, enters the heat-insulating space 5 of the refrigerator body 2 into the cooler chamber 23, and is connected to a connection refrigerant pipe 33 of the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a.

[0027] In this embodiment, two straight line portions 21a11, 21a12 are disposed at the top of the straight line portion 21a1 connected to the end plate 21c. These two straight line portions 21a11, 21a12 are upper straight line portions. Of the two upper straight line portions 21a11, 21a12, the front one is the first straight line portion 21a11 and the rear one is the second straight line portion 21a12. The first straight line portion 21a11 and the second straight line portion 21a12 are disposed parallel to each other with a gap in the front-rear direction.

[0028] The first straight portion 21a11 is connected to the connecting refrigerant pipe 33, and the refrigerant that flows from the capillary tube 34 through the connecting refrigerant pipe 33 into the cooler 21 first flows into the first straight portion 21a11.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature detection unit 54 is attached to the first straight portion 21a11 via a fastener 70 at a position vertically overlapping with the refrigeration damper 25. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the temperature detection unit 54 includes a cylindrical detection body 54a disposed adjacent to the first straight portion 21a11, and an electric wire 54c connected to a connection surface 54b of the detection body 54a. The tip of the electric wire 54c is connected to a lead wire extending from the control board 62 inside the housing case 55 (see FIG. 2). The temperature detection unit 54 transmits the temperature of the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a detected by the detection body 54a to the control board 62 via the electric wire 54c and the lead wire.

[0030] A refrigerant pipe 51 is connected to the downstream side of cooler refrigerant pipe 21a, and a suction pipe 35 is connected to the further downstream side of refrigerant pipe 51. Refrigerant pipe 51 protrudes from a lower end of end plate 21c of cooler 21 in one direction in the refrigerator width direction, and then bends upward and is provided along one side of cooler 21 in the refrigerator width direction in the upward direction. This refrigerant pipe 51 is provided with a gas-liquid separator 30 with an expanded outer diameter between cooler 21 and return duct 19. The gas-liquid separator 30 separates the refrigerant after flowing through cooler 21 into liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant.

[0031] (3) Fixture 70 Next, the fixing device 70 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0032] The fixing device 70 is made of a resin molded product and includes a detection holding portion 71 that holds the detection main body portion 54a of the temperature detection portion 54, a refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 to which the first straight portion 21a11 of the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a is attached, an electric wire holding portion 74 that holds the electric wire 54c of the temperature detection portion 54, an engagement portion 75 that engages with the cooler 21, and a fixing portion 76 provided below the engagement portion 75.

[0033] 4 and 5, the detection holder 71 is cylindrical with an insertion portion 71a that opens downward, and is provided with an engagement claw 71b that protrudes into the insertion portion 71a. The detection holder 71 holds the detection main body 54a such that the electric wire 54c protrudes rightward from the connection surface 54b of the detection main body 54a by the engagement of the engagement claw 71b with the circumferential surface of the cylindrical detection main body 54a, and a part of the circumferential surface of the detection main body 54a faces the insertion portion 71a.

[0034] Further, the detection holding portion 71 is provided with a restricting portion 77 so as to face the end plate 21c of the cooler 21 with a gap to the right from the connection surface 54b of the detection main body portion 54a held by the engagement claws 71b. The restricting portion 77 is provided with an elongated hole 77a that opens downward, and the electric wire 54c extending rightward from the connection surface 54b of the detection main body portion 54a is inserted into the elongated hole 77a and led out to the outside of the detection holding portion 71. The restricting portion 77 restricts the position of the electric wire 54c between the connection surface 54b and the restricting portion 77 so that the electric wire 54c does not extend rightward.

[0035] A pair of refrigerant pipe mounting parts 72 are provided at a distance in the axial direction (longitudinal direction of detection and holding part 71) on the lower side of cylindrical detection and holding part 71. The distance between the pair of refrigerant pipe mounting parts 72 may be, for example, about 30 to 50 mm. In this embodiment, the pair of refrigerant pipe mounting parts 72 are provided at both ends of detection and holding part 71 in the longitudinal direction.

[0036] The refrigerant pipe attachment portion 72 has a pair of clamping portions 72a that protrude downward from the lower surface of the detection and holding portion 71 at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction so as to clamp the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a from the radially outer side. A holding space 72b that opens downward is formed between the pair of clamping portions 72a. The pair of clamping portions 72a are provided with engagement claws 72c that protrude into the holding space 72b.

[0037] In the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72, when the first straight portion 21a11 is inserted into the holding space 72b from below over the engaging claws 72c, the engaging claws 72c engage with the circumferential surface of the lower side of the cylindrical first straight portion 21a11. As a result, the pair of clamping portions 72a are disposed to straddle the first straight portion 21a11, and the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 holds the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a in contact with the detection main body portion 54a of the temperature detection unit 54 held in the detection holding portion 71 or with a predetermined gap therebetween.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the electric wire holding portion 74 has a slit 74a that opens downward, and holds the electric wire 54c drawn out from the elongated hole 77a of the restricting portion 77 in the slit 74a.

[0039] The engagement portion 75 consists of a hook-shaped protrusion having a protruding portion 75a that protrudes from the regulating portion 77 of the detection and holding portion 71 toward the end plate 21c side of the cooler 21 (right side in Figures 3 and 5) and a bent portion 75b that bends upward at the tip side of the protruding portion 75a.

[0040] 3 and 5, the engaging portion 75 is inserted into an engaging hole 21c1 provided in the end plate 21c of the cooler 21. When the engaging portion 75 is inserted into the engaging hole 21c1, the first straight portion 21a11 is inserted into and held in the holding space 72b of the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72. In this state, the engaging portion 75 is engaged with the engaging hole 21c1, so that the movement of the fixing device 70 in the left-right direction is restricted while leaving a space S between the restricting portion 77 and the end plate 21c. The electric wire 54c drawn out from the long hole 77a of the restricting portion 77 is wired in the space S formed between the restricting portion 77 and the end plate 21c and led to the notch portion 74a.

[0041] In this embodiment, the engagement hole 21c1 provided in the end plate 21c is a continuous hole that is connected to an insertion hole 21c3 provided in the end plate 21c for inserting the first straight portion 21a11 therethrough.

[0042] The fixing portion 76 is provided below the engaging portion 75 and is fixed to the end plate 21c of the cooler 21. Specifically, it is composed of a protrusion that protrudes toward the end plate 21c from the lower ends of the pair of clamping portions 72a that constitute the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72. When the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 holds the first straight portion 21a11, the fixing portion 76 gets caught on the peripheral portion of the mounting hole 21c2 provided in the end plate 21c, and is fixed to the end plate 21c.

[0043] (4) How to install the fixture 70 Next, a method for attaching the fixture 70 to the cooler 21 will be described.

[0044] First, before fixing the fixture 70 to the first straight portion 21a11, the temperature detection unit 54 is attached to the fixture 70 in advance. That is, the detection main body portion 54a of the temperature detection unit 54 is press-fitted into the insertion portion 71a of the detection-holding portion 71 to hold the detection main body portion 54a in the detection-holding portion 71. In addition, the electric wire 54c is pulled out to the outside of the detection-holding portion 71 from the elongated hole 77a of the restriction portion 77, and the electric wire 54c is inserted into the notch portion 74a of the electric wire-holding portion 74 to be held by the electric wire-holding portion 74.

[0045] After attaching the temperature detection unit 54 to the fixture 70, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the engagement portion 75 is inserted into the engagement hole 21c1 provided in the end plate 21c of the cooler 21. Since the engagement portion 75 has a hook shape, first, the end plate 21c side of the fixture 70 is tilted downward to insert the bent portion 75b into the engagement hole 21c1.

[0046] Then, the bent portion 75b and the protruding portion 75a are inserted into the engagement hole 21c1 along the hook shape of the engagement portion 75, and the fastener 70 is rotated about an axis parallel to the end plate 21c, as shown by the arrow M1 in Fig. 8. This causes the first straight portion 21a11 to be inserted from below into the holding space 72b of the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72. During this rotational movement, the engagement hole 21c1 restricts the movement of the fastener 70 in the front-to-rear direction, so that the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 moves so as to overlap with the first straight portion 21a11 when viewed from above.

[0047] Furthermore, when the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 is mounted on the first straight portion 21a11, the fixing portion 76 is caught on the peripheral edge of a mounting hole 21c2 provided in the end plate 21c, and is fixed to the end plate 21c.

[0048] As a result, the refrigerant pipe attachment portion 72 holds the first straight portion 21a11, and the fixture 70 is attached to the cooler 21, as shown in FIGS.

[0049] When removing the fixing device 70 from the cooler 21, the fixing device 70 is rotated around the contact point between the engaging portion 75 and the periphery of the engaging hole 21c1 in the opposite direction to that when the fixing device 70 was attached. This causes the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 to release the first straight portion 21a11 from the engaging portion 75, and removes the fixing device 70 from the cooler 21.

[0050] (5) Effects In this embodiment, the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 is attached to the first straight portion 21a11 by rotating the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 while inserting the bent portion 75b and the protruding portion 75a into the engagement hole 21c1 along the hook shape of the engagement portion 75. Therefore, the fixing device 70 can be easily attached to the cooler 21 even if the space above the cooler 21 is narrow, compared to the case where the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 is attached to the first straight portion 21a11 by moving it vertically downward.

[0051] In addition, the engagement hole 21c1 that engages with the engagement portion 75 guides the rotational movement of the fixing device 70 so that the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 overlaps with the first straight portion 21a11 when viewed from above, making it easy to attach the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 to the first straight portion 21a11.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 is rotated and moved to attach the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 to the first straight portion 21a11, the fixing portion 76 also gets caught on the peripheral portion of the mounting hole 21c2, and fixing to the end plate 21c is also completed, so that the fixing device 70 can be easily fixed to the cooler 21.

[0053] 2. Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0054] (1) Fixture 270 In the first embodiment, the engagement portion 75 provided on the fixture 70 engages with the end plate 21c of the cooler 21, but in the fixture 270 of the second embodiment, the engagement portion 275 engages with the second straight portion 21a12.

[0055] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the fixing device 270 is made of a resin molded product and includes a detection holding portion 271 that holds the detection main body portion 54a of the temperature detection portion 54, a refrigerant pipe mounting portion 272 to which the first straight portion 21a11 of the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a is attached, an electric wire holding portion 274 that holds the electric wire 54c of the temperature detection portion 54, an engagement portion 275 that engages with the second straight portion 21a12, and a connecting portion 276 that connects the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 272 and the engagement portion 275.

[0056] The detection and holding portion 271 and the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 272 have the same structures as the detection and holding portion 71 and the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 of the fixture 70 of the first embodiment.

[0057] 9 to 11, the detection holding portion 271 is cylindrical with an insertion portion 271a that opens downward, and is provided with an engagement claw 271b that protrudes from the insertion portion 271a. The detection holding portion 271 holds the detection main body 54a such that a part of the peripheral surface of the detection main body 54a faces the insertion portion 271a by the engagement claw 271b engaging with the peripheral surface of the cylindrical detection main body 54a.

[0058] The refrigerant pipe attachment portions 272 are provided as a pair below the detection-holding portion 271 with a gap therebetween in the axial direction (the longitudinal direction of the detection-holding portion 271).

[0059] The refrigerant pipe attachment portion 272 includes a pair of clamping portions 272a that protrude downward from the lower surface of the detection and holding portion 71 at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction so as to clamp the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a from the radially outer side. A holding space 272b that opens downward is formed between the pair of clamping portions 272a. The pair of clamping portions 272a are provided with engagement claws 272c that protrude into the holding space 272b.

[0060] In the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 272, when the first straight portion 21a11 is inserted into the holding space 272b from below over the engaging claws 272c, the engaging claws 272c engage with the lower peripheral surface of the cylindrical first straight portion 21a11. As a result, the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 272 holds the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a in a state of contact with the detection main body portion 54a of the temperature detection unit 54 held in the detection holding portion 271, or with a predetermined gap therebetween.

[0061] A connecting portion 276 that protrudes rearward is provided on the rear side of the refrigerant pipe attachment portion 272. A pair of engagement portions 275 are provided on the rear end portion of the connecting portion 276 with a gap therebetween in the axial direction of the detection and holding portion 71.

[0062] The engaging portion 275 includes a pair of clamping portions 275a spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction so as to clamp the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a from the radially outer side. A holding space 275b that opens rearward is formed between the pair of clamping portions 275a. The pair of clamping portions 275a are provided with engaging claws 275c that protrude into the holding space 275b.

[0063] In the engagement portion 275, the second straight portion 21a12 is inserted into the retaining space 275b from behind, climbing over the engagement claws 275c. With the second straight portion 21a12 inserted into the retaining space 275b, the engagement portion 275 holds the peripheral surface of the second straight portion 21a12 slidably in the circumferential direction, thereby engaging with the second straight portion 21a12.

[0064] (2) How to install fixture 270 Next, a method for attaching the fixture 270 to the cooler 21 will be described.

[0065] First, before fixing the fixing device 270 to the cooler 21, the detection main body portion 54a of the temperature detection unit 54 is pressed in to hold the detection main body portion 54a in the detection holding portion 271 from the insertion portion 271a, and the electric wire 54c is held in the electric wire holding portion 274.

[0066] After attaching the temperature detection unit 54 to the fixing device 270, as shown in FIG. 11, the fixing device 270 is tilted so that the front side of the fixing device 270 is higher than the rear side, and the fixing device 270 is moved toward the rear side along the inclination of the fixing device 270 to insert the second straight portion 21a12 into the retaining space 275b of the engaging portion 275, and the engaging portion 275 is engaged with the second straight portion 21a12.

[0067] Then, the engaging portion 275 is slid circumferentially along the peripheral surface of the second straight portion 21a12, and the fixing device 270 is rotationally moved around the second straight portion 21a12, as indicated by an arrow M2 in Fig. 11. As a result, the first straight portion 21a11 is inserted from below into the holding space 272b of the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 272, and the fixing device 270 is attached to the cooler 21.

[0068] Furthermore, when removing the fixing device 270 from the cooler 21, it is rotated about the second straight portion 21a12 in the opposite direction to the direction in which the fixing device 270 was attached. This releases the first straight portion 21a11 from being held by the refrigerant pipe attachment portion 272. Thereafter, the fixing device 270 is moved forward to release the second straight portion 21a12 from being held by the engagement portion 275, whereby the fixing device 270 is removed from the cooler 21.

[0069] (3) Effects In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the fixing device 70 can be easily attached to the cooler 21 even if the space above the cooler 21 is narrow, compared to the case where the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 272 is moved vertically downward and attached to the first straight portion 21a11.

[0070] In this embodiment, the engaging portion 275 slides on the circumferential surface of the second straight portion 21a12 to guide the rotational movement of the fixing device 270, so that the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 272 can be easily mounted to the first straight portion 21a11.

[0071] In this embodiment, the fixture 270 is attached so as to hold the first straight portion 21a11 and the second straight portion 21a12 fixed to the end plate 21c. Therefore, the attachment position of the fixture 270 is easily stabilized.

[0072] 3. Third embodiment The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0073] (1) Fixture 370 In the first embodiment, the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 is provided below the detection and holding portion 71, and the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72 is attached to the first straight portion 21a11 so that the temperature detection portion 58 held in the detection and holding portion 71 detects the temperature of the first straight portion 21a11 attached to the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 72. In the present embodiment, mounting engagement portions 375, 377 provided below the detection and holding portion 71 and the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 are attached to a pair of refrigerant pipes (an upper refrigerant pipe and a lower refrigerant pipe) adjacent to each other in the vertical direction among the multiple straight portions 21a1 and the connection refrigerant pipes 33, and the temperature detection portion 58 detects the temperature of the connection refrigerant pipe 33.

[0074] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, fixing device 370 is made of a resin molded product and includes a detection holding portion 371 that holds detection main body portion 54a of temperature detection portion 54, a refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 to which first straight portion 21a11 is attached, an electric wire holding portion 374 that holds electric wire 54c of temperature detection portion 54, mounting engagement portions 375, 377 that engage with connecting refrigerant pipe 33, and a connecting portion 376 that connects refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 and mounting engagement portion 375.

[0075] The detection and holding portion 371 has a structure similar to that of the detection and holding portion 71 of the fixture 70 of the first embodiment.

[0076] 13, the detection holding portion 371 has a cylindrical shape with an insertion portion 371a that opens downward, and is provided with an engagement claw 371b that protrudes from the insertion portion 371a. The detection holding portion 371 holds the detection main body 54a such that a part of the peripheral surface of the detection main body 54a faces the insertion portion 371a by the engagement claw 371b engaging with the peripheral surface of the cylindrical detection main body 54a.

[0077] A pair of attachment engagement portions 375, 377 are provided at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the detection and holding portion 371 on the lower side of the detection and holding portion 371. In this embodiment, the pair of attachment engagement portions 375, 377 are provided at both ends of the detection and holding portion 371 in the longitudinal direction.

[0078] The pair of mounting engagement parts 375, 377 are plate-shaped and protrude downward from the lower surface of the detection holding part 371. The pair of mounting engagement parts 375, 377 are provided with through holes 375a, 377a that hold the peripheral surface of the connection refrigerant pipe 33, and openings 375b, 377b that communicate with the through holes 375a, 377a.

[0079] The through holes 375a, 377a are provided with an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the connection refrigerant pipe 33 so that the mounting engagement parts 375, 377 can slidably hold the peripheral surface of the connection refrigerant pipe 33 in the circumferential direction. The widths of the openings 375b, 377b are provided smaller than the inner diameters of the through holes 375a, 377a so as to prevent the cooler refrigerant pipe 21a fitted in the through holes 375a, 377a from easily falling off.

[0080] An opening 375b of one mounting engagement portion 375 and an opening 377b of the other mounting engagement portion 377 are opened in opposite directions across the connection refrigerant pipe 33. In this embodiment, the opening 375b of one mounting engagement portion 375 opens rearward, and the opening 377b of the other mounting engagement portion 377 opens forward.

[0081] The pair of mounting engagement portions 375, 377 hold the connecting refrigerant pipe 33 in contact with the detection main body portion 54a of the temperature detection unit 54 held in the detection holding portion 371, or with a predetermined gap therebetween, by fitting the connecting refrigerant pipe 33 from the openings 375b, 377b into the through holes 375a, 377a.

[0082] A connecting portion 376 that protrudes downward is provided on the lower side (the side away from the detection and holding portion 371) of one of the mounting engagement portions 375. A refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 that holds the first straight portion 21a11 is provided on the lower end of the connecting portion 376.

[0083] The refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 is provided with a through hole 372a that holds the peripheral surface of the first straight portion 21a11 and an opening 372b that is connected to the through hole 372a, and the first straight portion 21a11 is attached to the first straight portion 21a11 by fitting the first straight portion 21a11 into the through hole 372a. In this embodiment, the opening 372b is provided to open rearward, and opens in the same direction as the opening 375b of the mounting engagement portion 375 provided on the upper side of the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372.

[0084] The through hole 372a has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first straight portion 21a11 in order to hold the circumferential surface of the first straight portion 21a11 so that the refrigerant pipe attachment portion 372 does not easily move around the circumferential surface of the first straight portion 21a11. The width of the opening 372b is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 372a in order to prevent the first straight portion 21a11 fitted into the through hole 372a from easily falling off.

[0085] (2) How to install fixture 370 Next, a method for attaching the fixture 370 to the cooler 21 will be described.

[0086] First, before fixing the fixing device 370 to the cooler 21, the detection main body portion 54a of the temperature detection unit 54 is pressed in to hold the detection main body portion 54a in the detection holding portion 371 from the insertion portion 371a, and the electric wire 54c is held in the electric wire holding portion 374.

[0087] After attaching the temperature detection unit 54 to the fixing device 370, as shown in FIG. 14, the longitudinal direction of the detection holding unit 371 is inclined with respect to the connecting refrigerant pipe 33, so that the opening 375b of one mounting engagement unit 375 faces the upper side of the connecting refrigerant pipe 33, and the opening 377b of the other mounting engagement unit 377 faces the lower side of the connecting refrigerant pipe 33.

[0088] Then, the fixing device 370 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow T in Figure 14 so that the longitudinal direction of the detection holding portion 371 is parallel to the connecting refrigerant pipe 33, and the connecting refrigerant pipe 33 is fitted into the through holes 375a, 377a from the openings 375b, 377b, and the mounting engagement portions 375, 377 are engaged with the connecting refrigerant pipe 33 (see Figure 15).

[0089] After the mounting engagement portions 375, 377 are engaged with the connection refrigerant pipe 33, the mounting engagement portions 375, 377 are slid circumferentially along the peripheral surface of the connection refrigerant pipe 33 to rotate the fixture 370 around the connection refrigerant pipe 33, as shown by arrow M3 in Fig. 15. As a result, the first straight portion 22a11 is fitted from the opening 372b of the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 into the through hole 372a, and the fixture 370 is attached to the cooler 21.

[0090] That is, in this embodiment, the connection refrigerant pipe 33 and the first straight portion 21a11 are the upper refrigerant pipe and the lower refrigerant pipe that are adjacent to each other vertically among the multiple straight portions 21a1 and the connection refrigerant pipes 33 provided in the cooler 21. When the fixing device 370 is removed from the cooler 21, the fixing device 370 is rotated around the connection refrigerant pipe 33 in a direction opposite to that when the fixing device 370 is attached. This releases the holding of the first straight portion 21a11 by the refrigerant pipe attachment portion 372. Thereafter, the fixing device 370 is rotated in a direction opposite to that when the attachment engagement portions 375, 377 are engaged with the connection refrigerant pipe 33, and the attachment engagement portions 375, 377 are disengaged from the connection refrigerant pipe 33, whereby the fixing device 370 is removed from the cooler 21.

[0091] (3) Effects In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the fixing device 70 can be easily attached to the cooler 21 even if the space above the cooler 21 is narrow, compared to the case where the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 is moved vertically downward and attached to the first straight portion 21a11.

[0092] In this embodiment, the mounting engagement portions 375, 377 slide along the circumferential surface of the connection refrigerant pipe 33 to guide the rotational movement of the fixing device 270, so that the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 can be easily mounted to the first straight portion 21a11.

[0093] Since the connecting refrigerant pipe 33 is connected via a refrigerant pipe that is bent relative to the first straight portion 21a11 fixed to the end plate 21c of the cooler 21, it is difficult to determine its position relative to the cooler 21. However, in this embodiment, the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 of the fixing device 370 is attached to the first straight portion 21a11 fixed to the end plate 21c, so that the position of the connecting refrigerant pipe 33 relative to the cooler 21 can be kept constant by the fixing device 370.

[0094] (4) Modification of the Third Embodiment In the embodiment described above, the mounting engagement portions 375, 377 of the fixing device 370 are engaged with the connecting refrigerant pipe 33, and the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 is attached to the first straight portion 21a11. However, for example, the mounting engagement portions 375, 377 may be engaged with the first straight portion 21a11, and the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 may be attached to the connecting refrigerant pipe 33.

[0095] Alternatively, the fastener 370 may be attached by engaging the mounting engagement portions 375, 377 of the fastener 370 with one of a pair of vertically adjacent straight portions 21a1 and engaging the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372 with the other of the pair of straight portions 21a1. In the above-described embodiment, the detection and holding portion 371 is provided above the mounting engagement portions 375, 377, and the temperature detection portion 58 is arranged so as to face the refrigerant pipe with which the mounting engagement portions 375, 377 engage. However, the detection and holding portion 371 may be provided above the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372, and the temperature detection portion 58 may be arranged so as to face the refrigerant pipe attached to the refrigerant pipe mounting portion 372.

[0096] 4. Other embodiments In the above-mentioned first, second and third embodiments, the case where the fastener is attached to a fin tube type cooler has been described, but the fastener of the present invention can be applied to various coolers having refrigerant pipes through which a refrigerant flows, such as a multi-float type cooler. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1...refrigerator, 2...refrigerator body, 6...refrigerating compartment, 7...vegetable compartment, 10...freezer, 21...cooler, 21a...cooler refrigerant pipe, 21a11...first straight section, 21a12...second straight section, 21b...fin, 21c...end plate, 21c1...engagement hole, 21c2...mounting hole, 29...compressor, 30...gas-liquid separator, 33...connecting refrigerant pipe, 34...capillary tube, 35...suction pipe, 54...temperature detection section, 54a...detection body, 54 b...connection surface, 54c...electrical wire, 70...fixing device, 71...detection and holding portion, 71a...insertion portion, 71b...engagement claw, 72...refrigerant pipe mounting portion, 74...electrical wire holding portion, 75...engagement portion, 76...fixing portion, 77...regulating portion, 270...fixing device, 271...detection and holding portion, 272...refrigerant pipe mounting portion, 274...electrical wire holding portion, 275...engagement portion, 276...connecting portion, 370...engagement portion, 371...detection and holding portion, 375...mounting engagement portion, 377...mounting engagement portion

Claims

1. A cooler including a cooler refrigerant pipe bent so that a plurality of straight portions are arranged at intervals above and below, and a heat dissipation portion that dissipates heat from the cooler refrigerant pipe; a connecting refrigerant pipe located above the cooler and connected to the cooler refrigerant pipe; a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of an upper straight portion or the connection refrigerant pipe, the upper straight portion being disposed at the top of the plurality of straight portions; a fixture for fixing the temperature detection unit to the upper straight portion or the connection refrigerant pipe, The fixing device is A detection holding unit that holds the temperature detection unit; a refrigerant pipe attachment portion attached to the upper straight portion or the connection refrigerant pipe, A refrigerator, wherein the refrigerant pipe attachment portion is attached to the cooler refrigerant pipe or the connection refrigerant pipe by a movement other than a vertical downward movement.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant pipe attachment portion is attached to the upper straight portion or the connection refrigerant pipe by rotating and moving.

3. The cooler includes an end plate for fixing the cooler refrigerant pipe, and an engagement hole provided in the end plate, The fastener includes an engagement portion that is inserted into the engagement hole, the engaging portion has a protruding portion protruding in an axial direction of the upper straight portion or the connecting refrigerant pipe from the detection and holding portion side when the fixing device is attached to the upper straight portion or the connecting refrigerant pipe, and a bent portion bent upward at a tip end side of the protruding portion, 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerant pipe attachment portion has a pair of clamping portions that extend downward from the detection and holding portion side and clamp the upper straight portion or the connection refrigerant pipe when the fixing device is attached to the upper straight portion or the connection refrigerant pipe.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3 , further comprising a fixing portion fixed to the end plate below the engagement portion.

5. The straight portion includes a first straight portion and a second straight portion provided along a width direction of the refrigerator with a gap therebetween, the fixing device includes an engagement portion that holds a circumferential surface of the second straight portion so as to be slidable in a circumferential direction, The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the engaging portion slides circumferentially on a peripheral surface of the second straight portion to rotate the refrigerant pipe mounting portion and mount it to the first straight portion.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5 , wherein the detection and holding portion is provided at the refrigerant pipe attachment portion so that the temperature detection portion detects the temperature of the first straight portion.

7. A pair of mounting engagement portions are provided at a distance from each other on the detection and holding portion, the plurality of straight portions and the connection refrigerant pipes each include an upper refrigerant pipe and a lower refrigerant pipe adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the pair of mounting engagement portions have openings that open in opposite directions, one of the upper refrigerant tube and the lower refrigerant tube is fitted into the openings to circumferentially hold a peripheral surface of one of the refrigerant tubes, and the peripheral surface of one of the refrigerant tubes is slid in the circumferential direction to rotate and move the refrigerant tube mounting portion, thereby mounting the refrigerant tube mounting portion to the other of the upper refrigerant tube and the lower refrigerant tube.

8. The refrigerant pipe mounting portion has a mounting opening that opens rearward, 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the pair of mounting engagement portions are slid along a peripheral surface of the one of the refrigerant pipes so that the refrigerant pipe mounting portion moves rearward, and the other refrigerant pipe is fitted into the refrigerant pipe mounting portion from the mounting opening.

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