Evaporator and refrigerator

Abstract

To provide an evaporator capable of suppressing deterioration of cooling efficiency, and a refrigerator.SOLUTION: An evaporator comprises a plurality of fins, and a refrigerant pipe. The plurality of fins are spaced apart from one another along a width direction. The refrigerant pipe contacts the fins. Out of the plurality of fins, at least one of a first fin located at one end in the width direction, and a second fin located at the other end in the width direction, includes a notch part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an evaporator and a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] The refrigerator in Patent Document 1 includes an accumulator disposed at a position offset to the left or right above an evaporator including a refrigerant pipe and an end plate supporting the refrigerant pipe, and a pipe heater in contact with the end plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-085669 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An evaporator such as that provided in the refrigerator of Patent Document 1 may become covered with frost formed by condensation of moisture in the air, which may reduce the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an evaporator and a refrigerator capable of suppressing a decrease in cooling efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an evaporator includes a plurality of fins and a refrigerant tube. The fins are spaced apart from one another along a width direction. The refrigerant tube contacts the fins. At least one of a first fin located at an end on one side in the width direction and a second fin located at an end on the other side in the width direction includes a notch. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in cooling efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a cooler of the cooling device. [Diagram 5] 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of a cross section of the cooling device taken along a front-rear direction. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of a cross section of the cooling device along a width direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a view of the evaporator and the cover as seen from the rear side. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a view of the evaporator from the right side. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a view of the evaporator from the left side. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a view of the first fin from the right side. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a view of the second fin from the left side. [Figure 12] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a first fin according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a first fin according to Modification 2 of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] A cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 and the like. In the present disclosure, the cooling device 1 is a general term for devices that cool objects such as foodstuffs. The cooling device 1 includes, for example, a freezer having only a freezing compartment, and a refrigerator having a freezing compartment and a refrigeration compartment. The freezing compartment is a general term for a compartment that cools the temperature inside the compartment to 0°C or lower. The freezing compartment is preferably a compartment to which cold air having a temperature of -18°C or lower is supplied. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the cooling device 1 has a refrigeration compartment in addition to a freezing compartment. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the cooling device 1 may be a freezer having only a freezing compartment.

[0011] (Overview of cooling device 1) FIG. 1 shows a cooling device 1 according to this embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooling device 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the cooling device 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a cooler 2 of the cooling device 1. In the following description, the direction corresponding to the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 is the width direction of the refrigerator. The direction corresponding to the perpendicular direction to the paper surface of FIG. 1 is the depth direction of the refrigerator. The direction corresponding to the vertical direction in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the height direction or up-down direction of the refrigerator. In the height direction, the lower side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 may be referred to as the "lower side", and the upper side of the paper surface may be referred to as the "upper side". In the depth direction, the back side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 may be referred to as the "rear side" or "rear side", and the front side of the paper surface may be referred to as the "front side".

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling device 1 includes a housing 5. The housing 5 has thermal insulation properties. A first refrigerator chamber 50, a second refrigerator chamber 40, a first freezer chamber 10, a second freezer chamber 20, and a third freezer chamber 30 are formed in the housing 5. The first freezer chamber 10 corresponds to an example of a "cooling chamber". The first refrigerator chamber 50, the second refrigerator chamber 40, the first freezer chamber 10, the second freezer chamber 20, and the third freezer chamber 30 are each isolated from each other by the housing 5.

[0013] The first refrigerator compartment 50 and the second refrigerator compartment 40 are spaces for refrigerating foodstuffs and the like. Note that "refrigerating" refers to cooling below room temperature in a temperature range higher than 0°C. At least one of the first refrigerator compartment 50 and the second refrigerator compartment 40 may be a so-called vegetable compartment suitable for storing vegetables.

[0014] The first freezer chamber 10, the second freezer chamber 20, and the third freezer chamber 30 are each a space for freezing food ingredients. In this embodiment, the first freezer chamber 10 located at the bottom has the largest capacity. The second freezer chamber 20 and the third freezer chamber 30 located above the first freezer chamber 10 each have a smaller capacity than the first freezer chamber 10. At least one of the second freezer chamber 20 and the third freezer chamber 30 may be an ice-making chamber. In this embodiment, specifically, the third freezer chamber 30 is an ice-making chamber, and the second freezer chamber 20 and the first freezer chamber 10 are spaces for freezing and storing food and the like.

[0015] (cooler 2, cold air passage 25, air outlets 23a, 23b, 24) 2, the cooler 2 is disposed on the rear side within the housing 5. The cooler 2 generates cold air. The cold air generated by the cooler 2 is supplied to each of the chambers 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50, thereby cooling the insides of each of the chambers 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50.

[0016] The cooler 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply cold air, and can be configured, for example, by a compressor, a condenser, an expander, an evaporator 21 (FIG. 6, etc.), and a refrigeration cycle including the refrigerant flowing therethrough, via a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows. The cooler 2 may further include a fan F1 that blows the cold air generated by the cooler 2, a defrost heater that melts frost adhering to the evaporator 21, and a damper that opens and closes the cold air passage 25.

[0017] 3 and 4, the housing 5 is provided with a cold air passage 25 as an air guide path for guiding cold air from the cooler 2. The cold air passage 25 is provided on the rear side of the freezer compartments 10, 20, and 30. Specifically, the evaporator 21 and a cover 21C that covers the evaporator 21 are arranged on the rear side inside the housing 5. The rear side inside the housing 5 and the cover 21C form the cold air passage 25.

[0018] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of a cross section along the front-rear direction of the cooling device 1. Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of a cross section along line VV in Fig. 3, viewed from the left side. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of a cross section along the width direction of the cooling device 1. Fig. 6 is a view of a portion of a cross section along line VI-VI in Fig. 3, viewed from the front side. Fig. 7 is a view of the evaporator 21 and the cover 21C, viewed from the rear side.

[0019] 4 to 7, the cover 21C is formed with a first outlet 23a, a second outlet 23b, a third outlet 24, a first outlet 26, and a second outlet 27, which open into the cooling chamber. The first outlet 23a, the second outlet 23b, the third outlet 24, the first outlet 26, and the second outlet 27 are each connected to a cold air passage 25. The cold air from the cooler 2 is supplied to the first outlet 23a, the second outlet 23b, and the third outlet 24 through the cold air passage 25.

[0020] The first air outlet 23a is located on the rear side of the first freezing chamber 10. The first air outlet 23a opens into the first freezing chamber 10. The first air outlet 23a blows out the cold air supplied from the cooler 2 via the cold air passage 25 toward the first freezing chamber 10 (see arrow A1). The second air outlet 23b is provided at a higher position than the first air outlet 23a. The second air outlet 23b opens into the third freezing chamber 30. The second air outlet 23b blows out the cold air supplied from the cooler 2 via the cold air passage 25 toward the second freezing chamber 20 and the third freezing chamber 30 (see arrow A1).

[0021] The third air outlet 24 is located on the rear side of the second refrigerator compartment 40 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The third air outlet 24 opens to the second refrigerator compartment 40. The third air outlet 24 blows out the cool air supplied from the cooler 2 via the cool air passage 25 toward the second refrigerator compartment 40 and the first refrigerator compartment 50 (see arrow A2). Therefore, the cool air from the cooler 2 is supplied to the first air outlet 23a, the second air outlet 23b, and the third air outlet 24 all via the common cool air passage 25.

[0022] The opening area of ​​the third air outlet 24 is smaller than that of the first air outlet 23a. The opening area of ​​the third air outlet 24 is preferably 30% to 90%, and more preferably 40% to 80%, of the opening area of ​​the first air outlet 23a.

[0023] Generally, the flow rate of the cold air blown out from the air outlet depends on the opening area of ​​the air outlet. Therefore, in the cooling device 1 in which the opening area of ​​the first air outlet 23a is larger than the opening area of ​​the third air outlet 24, the flow rate of the cold air blown out from the first air outlet 23a to the first freezer compartment 10 is larger than the flow rate of the cold air blown out from the third air outlet 24 to the second refrigerator compartment 40 and the first refrigerator compartment 50.

[0024] Similarly, the second air outlet 23b is smaller than the first air outlet 23a. The opening area of ​​the second air outlet 23b is preferably 30% to 90% of the opening area of ​​the first air outlet 23a, and more preferably 40% to 80%. The flow rate of the cold air blown out from the first air outlet 23a to the first freezing chamber 10 is greater than the flow rate of the cold air blown out from the second air outlet 23b to the second freezing chamber 20 and the third freezing chamber 30.

[0025] When the damper is open, the cold air passage 25 is open. Therefore, when the damper is open, the air blown by the fan F1 is supplied to each cooling chamber, specifically, the first freezer chamber 10, the second freezer chamber 20, the third freezer chamber 30, the first refrigerator chamber 50, and the second refrigerator chamber 40, via the cold air passage 25. On the other hand, when the damper is closed, the cold air passage 25 is closed. Therefore, when the damper is closed, the cold air passage 25 is not opened, and cold air is not substantially supplied to each cooling chamber.

[0026] The cold air blown out from the first air outlet 23a passes through the first freezer compartment 10, and the cold air blown out from the second air outlet 23b passes through the first freezer compartment 10 and returns to the cold air passage 25. The cold air blown out from the second air outlet 23b passes through the second freezer compartment 20 and the third freezer compartment 30 and returns to the cold air passage 25. The first air inlet 26 blows the cold air that has passed through the first freezer compartment 10, the second freezer compartment 20 and the third freezer compartment 30 into the cold air passage 25 (see arrow B1). The cold air blown out from the third air outlet 24 passes through the second refrigerator compartment 40 and the first refrigerator compartment 50 and returns to the cold air passage 25. The second air inlet 27 blows the cold air that has passed through the second refrigerator compartment 40 and the first refrigerator compartment 50 into the cold air passage 25 (see arrow B2).

[0027] A cold air passage 25 is formed in the cover 21C. The cold air passage 25 includes an arrangement section 25A in which the evaporator 21 is arranged, and a flow path section 25B connected to the arrangement section 25A. The arrangement section 25A is formed with a first air outlet 23a, a second air outlet 23b, a third air outlet 24, and a first air inlet 26 (FIGS. 5 and 6, etc.). The flow path section 25B is formed on the right side of the arrangement section 25A. The flow path section 25B extends in the up-down direction. The flow path section 25B has the first air inlet 26 formed at its upper end and an air outlet 25C formed at its lower end. The air outlet 25C blows the cold air that is blown in from the first air inlet 26 and has passed through the flow path section 25B toward the arrangement section 25A.

[0028] In the arrangement section 25A, the cold air blown in from the first air inlet 26 and the cold air blown out from the air outlet 25C are guided from below to above by the fan F1. A part of the cold air guided to the arrangement section 25A passes through the space R1 between the evaporator 21 and the flow path section 25B on the right side of the evaporator 21 (see arrow C1). Another part of the cold air guided to the arrangement section 25A passes through the space R2 on the left side of the evaporator 21 (see arrow C2). The remaining part of the cold air guided to the arrangement section 25A passes through the evaporator 21 (see arrow C3).

[0029] [Evaporator] Fig. 8 is a view of the evaporator 21 as seen from the right side, and Fig. 9 is a view of the evaporator 21 as seen from the left side.

[0030] The evaporator 21 includes a plurality of fins 211 and a refrigerant pipe 212. A refrigerant flows inside the refrigerant pipe 212. The fins 211 are arranged at intervals from each other along the width direction. Each of the fins 211 is, for example, a substantially flat thin plate. The fins 211 contact the refrigerant pipe 212. Note that in Figs. 7 to 9, only one fin is given the reference symbol "211". Specifically, the refrigerant pipe 212 penetrates the fins 211 in the width direction and meanders in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. A first fin 211A is located at an end of one side of the fins 211 in the width direction. A second fin 211B is located at an end of the other side of the fins 211 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the one side of the width direction is the right side. The other side of the width direction is the left side.

[0031] In general, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 212 is at a lower temperature than the cold air guided through the arrangement section 25A. Therefore, when the cold air passes through the refrigerant pipe 212, the refrigerant removes heat from the cold air and evaporates. As a result, the cold air is further cooled. The cold air guided through the arrangement section 25A contains moisture due to passing through each of the chambers 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50. Therefore, as the cold air is cooled by the refrigerant, the moisture contained in the cold air condenses and adheres to the evaporator 21 as water droplets or ice particles. In the evaporator 21, the surface side of the evaporator 21, which has a large surface area that comes into contact with the cold air, is more likely to condense. Specifically, among the multiple fins 211, the right side of the first fin 211A and the left side of the second fin 211B are more likely to condense. When ice particles adhere to the right surface of first fin 211A or the left surface of second fin 211B, the passage of the cold air in space R1 or space R2 becomes narrow, and the cold air is less likely to reach refrigerant pipes 212 located in space R1 or space R2. As a result, the cold air is less likely to cool, and the cooling efficiency of cooling device 1 decreases.

[0032] At least one of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B includes a notch 230. In this embodiment, each of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B includes the notch 230.

[0033] When the cutout 230 is provided in at least one of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B, moisture contained in the cold air passing through the space R1 or the space R2 is likely to condense in the portion other than the cutout 230. As a result, the amount of moisture contained in the cold air passing through the space R1 or the space R2 decreases and the cold air becomes dry, and condensation is less likely to occur in the portion corresponding to the cutout 230. Therefore, a passage for the cold air is secured in the space R1 or the space R2, and the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 1 can be maintained.

[0034] Fig. 10 is a right-side view of first fin 211A. Fig. 11 is a left-side view of second fin 211B. In each of first fin 211A and second fin 211B, notch 230 extends along the height direction.

[0035] In this way, by providing cutout portion 230 across a portion of each of first fin 211A and second fin 211B in the front-to-rear direction, a region where condensation is less likely to occur is formed in a portion of each of first fin 211A and second fin 211B in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, a path for cool air to pass through can be secured in the front-to-rear direction.

[0036] The first fin 211A includes a portion A11 located on one side of the cutout 230 in the front-rear direction and a portion B11 located on the other side. In this embodiment, the one side in the front-rear direction is the front side. The other side in the front-rear direction is the rear side. The first fin 211A includes a connection portion 220A that connects the portion A11 and the portion B11. The connection portion 220A extends across the front-rear direction. As an example, the connection portion 220A has a dimension LVA along the front-rear direction. The dimension LVA is, for example, such that the portion A11 and the portion B11 extend upward from the connection portion 220A. As an example, the portion A11 has a dimension LV11 along the front-rear direction. The portion B11 has a dimension LV12 along the front-rear direction. The cutout 230 has a dimension LV13 along the front-rear direction. In other words, the total dimension of portion A11 and portion B11 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the dimension of first fin 211A in the front-rear direction.

[0037] The second fin 211B includes a portion A21 located on one side of the cutout 230 in the front-rear direction and a portion B21 located on the other side. The second fin 211B includes a connection portion 220B connecting the portion A21 and the portion B21. The connection portion 220B extends across the front-rear direction. As an example, the connection portion 220B has a dimension LVB along the front-rear direction. The portion A21 and the portion B21 extend upward from the connection portion 220B. As an example, the portion A21 has a dimension LV21 along the front-rear direction. The portion B21 has a dimension LV22 along the front-rear direction. The cutout 230 has a dimension LV23 along the front-rear direction. In other words, the total dimension of the portion A21 and the portion B21 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the dimension of the second fin 211B in the front-rear direction.

[0038] In the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B, the portion A21 and the portion B21 are provided on either side of the cutout 230, so that moisture is less likely to condense in the portions of the connection portion 200A and the connection portion 200B that correspond to the cutout 230 and are located between the portions A21 and B21.

[0039] This makes it easier for ice particles formed by condensation to adhere to parts A21 and B21, while they are less likely to adhere to the inside of both ends in the width direction between parts A21 and B21, making it easier to ensure a passage for cold air inside both ends in the width direction. As a result, cold air is more likely to reach the refrigerant pipes 212 located inside both ends in the width direction, making it possible to suppress a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 1.

[0040] The area of ​​the portion of the first fin 211A where the notch 230 is provided in the height direction is different from the area of ​​the portion of the second fin 211B where the notch 230 is provided in the height direction. This makes it easier for ice particles formed by condensation to adhere to the fin with the larger area of ​​the portion of the notch 230 of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B. As a result, the cold air guided to the fin with the smaller area of ​​the portion of the notch 230 of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B is dried, and ice particles formed by condensation are less likely to adhere to the fin with the smaller area of ​​the portion of the notch 230 of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B. This makes it easier for the cold air to reach the refrigerant pipe 212 located on the fin with the smaller area of ​​the portion of the notch 230 of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 1.

[0041] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first fin 211A has a front end E11 and a rear end E12. The area of ​​the portion A11 of the first fin 211A is calculated by multiplying the dimension LV11 along the front-rear direction by the dimension LH11 of the front end E11, which is the height dimension of the portion of the first fin 211A where the notch 230 is provided. The area of ​​the portion B11 of the first fin 211A is calculated by multiplying the dimension LV12 along the front-rear direction by the dimension LH12 of the rear end E12, which is the height dimension of the portion of the first fin 211A where the notch 230 is provided. Therefore, the area of ​​the portion of the first fin 211A where the notch 230 is provided is calculated as the sum of the area of ​​the portion A11 and the area of ​​the portion B11.

[0042] 11, the area of ​​portion A21 of second fin 211B is calculated by multiplying dimension LV21 along the front-rear direction by dimension LH21 which is the height dimension of the portion of second fin 211B where notch 230 is provided. The area of ​​portion B21 of second fin 211B is calculated by multiplying dimension LV22 along the front-rear direction by dimension LH22 which is the height dimension of the portion of second fin 211B where notch 230 is provided. Therefore, the area of ​​the portion of second fin 211B where notch 230 is provided is calculated as the sum of the area of ​​portion A21 and the area of ​​portion B21.

[0043] As an example, dimension LH21, which is the height dimension of a portion of first fin 211A where notch 230 is provided, and dimension LH22, which is the height dimension of a portion of second fin 211B where notch 230 is provided, are different from each other. This makes it possible to make the areas of the portions where notch 230 is provided different between first fin 211A and second fin 211B. Specifically, when the dimension LV11 of the first fin 211A and the dimension LV21 of the second fin 211B are the same, and the dimension LV12 of the first fin 211A and the dimension LV22 of the second fin 211B are the same, if the dimensions LH11 and LH21, and the dimensions LH12 and LH22 are made different from each other, the area of ​​the portion of the first fin 211A where the cutout 230 is provided will differ in the height direction from the area of ​​the portion of the second fin 211B where the cutout 230 is provided.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first fin 211A is located closer to the outlet 25C of the cold air from each cooling chamber than the second fin 211B. The area of ​​the first fin 211A is larger than that of the second fin 211B. By making the area of ​​the first fin 211A located on the outlet 25C side where the cold air containing more moisture is blown out through each cooling chamber larger than that of the second fin 211B, ice particles formed by condensation of moisture are easily attached to the first fin 211A. As a result, the cold air guided to the second fin 211B side of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B is dried, and ice particles formed by condensation of moisture are less likely to adhere to the second fin 211B. Therefore, the cold air is more likely to hit the refrigerant pipe 212 located on the second fin 211B side, and the decrease in the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 1 can be suppressed.

[0045] In addition, second fin 211B may be located closer to air outlet 25C than first fin 211A, and the area of ​​the fin located closer to air outlet 25C of first fin 211A and second fin 211B may be smaller than the area of ​​the other fin.

[0046] 10, the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B each have a holding portion 241A and a holding portion 241B. The holding portion 241A and the holding portion 241B hold a heater 240 that generates heat to warm the inside of the arrangement portion 25A. When the inside of the arrangement portion 25A is heated by the heater 240, the cold air guided through the arrangement portion 25A is also heated. As a result, the ice particles attached to the evaporator 21 are more likely to melt.

[0047] By providing the holding portions 241A and 241B on the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B, the evaporator 21 can be configured compactly.

[0048] The heater 240 has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction. The holder 241A holds one end of the heater 240, and the holder 241B holds the other end of the heater 240.

[0049] 11, in first fin 211A, dimension LV14 in the front-rear direction of holding portion 241A is larger than the dimension in the front-rear direction of the portion provided with notch 230. Specifically, dimension LV14 is larger than the sum of dimension LV11, which is the total dimension in the front-rear direction of portion A11 and portion B11, and dimension LV12.

[0050] This allows the holding portion 241A and the holding portion 241B to hold the heater 240 in a more stable position.

[0051] 6 and 8, a center J1 in the width direction between the holding portion 241A and the holding portion 241B is located at a position different from a center J2 in the width direction of the entire evaporator 21. Therefore, the heater 240 mainly heats a position shifted to the right or left of the center J2. As a result, the outer side of the first fin 211A or the outer side of the second fin 211B of the evaporator 21 is efficiently heated, and ice particles attached to the outer surfaces of the first fin 211A and the second fin 211B are easily melted.

[0052] Specifically, holding portion 241A is provided at a position bent to the right in the width direction with respect to connecting portion 220A. Holding portion 241B is provided at a position bent to the right in the width direction with respect to connecting portion 220B. The distance in the width direction of holding portion 241A from connecting portion 220A and the distance in the width direction of holding portion 241B from connecting portion 220B may be the same or different.

[0053] Modifications of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions as those described in the present embodiment will be referred to by the same reference numerals, and the description of the present embodiment will be used. In the modification, only the parts different from the present embodiment will be described, and the description of the present embodiment will be used for the other parts.

[0054] [Variation 1] 12 is a diagram showing a first fin 211C according to Modification 1 of this embodiment. The first fin 211C according to Modification 1 includes portions A31 and B31, respectively, instead of portions A11 and B11 of the first fin 211A according to this embodiment, and has a front end E31 and a rear end E32, respectively, instead of the front end E11 and the rear end E12 of the first fin 211A according to this embodiment.

[0055] The length of the front end E31 in the up-down direction is longer than the length of the rear end E32 in the up-down direction. As a result, ice particles formed by condensation are more likely to adhere to the portion A31 including the front end E31 than to the portion B31 including the rear end E32. As a result, the cool air guided to the rear end E32 side is drier than the front end E31, and ice particles formed by condensation are less likely to adhere to the rear end E32.

[0056] Specifically, the portion A31 has a dimension LV31 along the front-rear direction. The dimension LV31 is the same as the dimension LV11 along the front-rear direction of the portion A11 of the first fin 211A according to this embodiment. Similarly, the portion B31 has a dimension LV32 that is the same as the dimension LV22 of the portion B21. The cutout portion 230 has a dimension LV33 along the front-rear direction. In addition, the front end portion E31 has a dimension LH31 that is a height dimension. The dimension LH31 may be the same as or different from the dimension LH11. The rear end portion E32 has a dimension LH32 that is shorter than the dimension LH31.

[0057] In variant 1 of this embodiment, the shape of the first fin 211C of the evaporator 21 is different from the first fin 211A of this embodiment, but the shape of the second fin of the evaporator 21 is different from the shape of the second fin 211B of this embodiment and may have a similar shape to the first fin 211A.

[0058] [Variation 2] 13 is a diagram showing a first fin 211D according to Modification 2 of the present embodiment. The first fin 211D according to Modification 2 includes portions A41 instead of portions A11 and B11 of the first fin 211A according to the present embodiment.

[0059] First fin 211D includes, as cutout portion 230, cutout portion 230A located on one side of portion A41 in the front-rear direction, and cutout portion 230B located on the other side.

[0060] Specifically, portion A41 has a dimension LV41 along the front-rear direction and a dimension LH41 which is a height dimension. Cutout portion 230A has a dimension LV23A along the front-rear direction. Cutout portion 230B has a dimension LV23B along the front-rear direction. The sum of dimension LV41, dimension LV23A, and dimension LV23B is the same as the dimension of first fin 211D along the front-rear direction.

[0061] By providing the notch 230A on one side of the portion A41 in the front-rear direction and the notch 230B on the other side of the portion A41 in the front-rear direction, ice particles formed by condensation of water are more likely to adhere to the portion A41 located between the notch 230A and the notch 230B. As a result, the cold air guided to the notch 230A side and the notch 230B side is drier than the portion A41, and ice particles formed by condensation of water are less likely to adhere to the notch 230A and the notch 230B. Therefore, a passage for the cold air can be secured on both sides of the portion A41 in the front-rear direction, and the passage for the cold air outside the first fin 211D is less likely to become narrow.

[0062] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, various disclosures can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in each of the above modifications. For example, some components may be deleted from all components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, components across different modifications may be appropriately combined. The drawings are mainly shown schematically for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. In addition, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1: Cooling device 21: Evaporator 25C: Air outlet 211: Finn 211A: 1st fin 211B: 2nd fin 211C: 1st fin 211D: 1st fin 212: Refrigerant pipe 230: Notch 230A: Notch 230B: Notch 240: Heater 241A: Holding part 241B: Holding part A11: Part A21 :partial A31: Partial B11 :part B21 :part B31 :part E11: Front end E12: Rear end E31: Front end E32: Rear end J1: Center J2: Center LH11: Dimensions LH12: Dimensions LH21: Dimensions LH22: Dimensions LH31: Dimensions LH32: Dimensions LH41: Dimensions LV11: Dimensions LV12: Dimensions LV13: Dimensions LV14: Dimensions LV21: Dimensions LV22: Dimensions LV23: Dimensions LV23A: Dimensions LV23B: Dimensions LV31: Dimensions LV32: Dimensions LV33: Dimensions LV41: Dimensions LVA: Dimensions LVB: Dimensions

Claims

1. A plurality of fins spaced apart from one another along a width direction; a refrigerant pipe contacting the plurality of fins; Equipped with an evaporator, wherein at least one of a first fin located at an end on one side in the width direction and a second fin located at an end on the other side in the width direction, among the plurality of fins, includes a notch portion.

2. The evaporator according to claim 1 , wherein the notch of at least one of the first fin and the second fin extends along a height direction.

3. The evaporator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fin and the second fin includes a portion located on one side of the notch and a portion located on the other side in the front-rear direction.

4. At least one of the first fin and the second fin has a front end and a rear end, The evaporator according to claim 3 , wherein a length of the front end portion along the vertical direction is longer than a length of the rear end portion along the vertical direction.

5. The evaporator according to claim 2 , wherein an area of ​​a portion of the first fin where the notch is provided in the height direction is different from an area of ​​a portion of the second fin where the notch is provided in the height direction.

6. 6. The evaporator according to claim 2, wherein a height dimension of a portion of the first fin where the notch is provided is different from a height dimension of a portion of the second fin where the notch is provided.

7. the first fin is located closer to an outlet for cold air from the cooling chamber than the second fin is, The evaporator of claim 5 , wherein an area of ​​the first fin is greater than an area of ​​the second fin.

8. The evaporator according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first fin and the second fin has a holder for holding a heater.

9. The evaporator according to claim 8 , wherein in at least one of the first fin and the second fin, a dimension in the front-rear direction of the holding portion is greater than a dimension in the front-rear direction of a portion where the notch is provided.

10. The evaporator according to claim 8 , wherein a center in a width direction of the holding portion of the first fin and a center in a width direction of the holding portion of the second fin are positioned at a position different from a center in the width direction of the entire evaporator.

11. A refrigerator comprising the evaporator according to claim 1.

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