Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that suppresses a temperature difference between an internal air temperature of a refrigeration chamber container and a food surface temperature to a low level to suppress freezer burn due to the drying of the food.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes: a cold air blowout port for blowing cool air into a refrigeration chamber; a first refrigeration chamber container having an open top face in the refrigeration chamber; and a cold air guide member formed in the first refrigeration chamber container. The cold air guide member is disposed in positions corresponding to a back surface part and a bottom surface part of the first refrigeration chamber container via an interval. A cool air guide passage through which the cool air circulates from the back surface part to the bottom surface part through the interval is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which cool air sent by a blower fan flows through a guide passage and is blown out to the inside of a storage container through a plurality of holes provided inside the storage container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-232879 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a refrigerator that can suppress freezer burn caused by drying food by minimizing the temperature difference between the air temperature inside a freezer compartment container and the surface temperature of food. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The refrigerator of the present disclosure comprises a cold air outlet for blowing cold air into a freezer compartment, a first freezer compartment container whose top is open to the freezer compartment, and a cold air guide member formed on the first freezer compartment container, wherein the cold air guide member is arranged at a position corresponding to the back and bottom of the first freezer compartment container via a gap, and the cold air passes through the gap to form a cold air guide passageway that flows from the back to the bottom. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The refrigerator disclosed herein cools the inside of the freezer compartment container by circulating the cold air coming out of the cold air outlet through a cold air guide passage, thereby minimizing the temperature difference between the air temperature and the surface temperature of the food, thereby preventing frost from forming on the food inside the freezer compartment container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the periphery of a freezing chamber and a cooling chamber in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of the freezer compartment container and the cool air guide passage in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front vertical cross-sectional view of a freezer compartment container according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a freezer container according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of the freezer compartment and the cool air flow around the cooler in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Comparison of cold air flow analysis [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of a fluid analysis of cold air around a freezer container in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a freezer compartment container according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cool air guide member according to a second embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of a cool air guide member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of a fluid analysis of cold air around a freezer container according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a plan view of a main part of a freezer compartment container according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] Another plan view of the main part of the freezer compartment container of the second embodiment [Figure 15] Schematic diagram of the freezer compartment and the cold air flow around the cooler in the second embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0009] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Refrigerator configuration] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

[0012] In the description of this specification, when referring to the front, back, left and right of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator 1 in FIG. 1 is used as a reference. That is, the left and right sides of FIG. 1 will be described as corresponding to the front and back of the refrigerator 1. The front side of FIG. 1 will be described as corresponding to the right side of the refrigerator 1, and the back side of FIG. 1 will be described as corresponding to the left side of the refrigerator 1. Note that the term "front" may be used to refer to the front side of the refrigerator 1. The term "rear" may be used to refer to the rear side of the refrigerator 1.

[0013] In Fig. 1, refrigerator 1 has a heat-insulating box body 2. Heat-insulating box body 2 is made up of an outer box 3 mainly made of steel plate, an inner box 4 molded from a resin such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), and a foam insulation material 5 such as rigid foamed urethane that is filled and foamed into the space between outer box 3 and inner box 4.

[0014] The heat-insulating box 2 is insulated from the surroundings and is divided into a plurality of storage compartments.

[0015] A refrigerator compartment 6 is provided at the top of the insulated box 2. Below the refrigerator compartment 6, a switchable compartment 7 and an ice-making compartment (not shown) are provided side by side, separated by an insulated wall. A freezer compartment 9 is provided below the switchable compartment 7 and the ice-making compartment. Below the freezer compartment 9, i.e., at the bottom of the insulated box 2, a vegetable compartment 10 is provided.

[0016] The temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 6 is usually set to 1°C to 5°C.

[0017] The temperature of the selectable compartment 7 is set to between -18°C and 5°C, and can be switched from a freezing temperature range to a refrigerating temperature range.

[0018] The temperature of the freezer compartment 9 is usually set to -22°C to -15°C, but may be set to a lower temperature such as -30°C or -25°C to improve the frozen storage condition.

[0019] The temperature of the vegetable compartment 10 is set to 2°C to 7°C, which is the same as or slightly higher than that of the refrigerator compartment 6.

[0020] A hinged refrigerator compartment door 11 is provided at the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 6 so as to be able to open and close freely, and a gasket (not shown) seals the gap between the refrigerator compartment door 11 and the front opening.

[0021] Additionally, a drawer-type switchable compartment door 12 and a drawer-type ice-making compartment door (not shown) are provided at the front openings between switchable compartment 7 and ice-making compartment 8, and are sealed with a gasket (not shown). When switchable compartment door 12 is pulled forward, switchable compartment container 13, which has an open top, is also pulled out at the same time.

[0022] A drawer-type freezer compartment door 14 is provided at the front opening of freezer compartment 9, and a gasket (not shown) of freezer compartment door 14 seals the front opening.

[0023] The freezer compartment 9 is provided with two tiers, an upper freezer compartment container 15 (second freezer compartment container) and a lower freezer compartment container 16 (first freezer compartment container), each with an open top. The upper freezer compartment container 15 is placed on the periphery of the top opening of the lower freezer compartment container 16, and the upper freezer compartment container 15 and the lower freezer compartment container 16 are pulled out in conjunction with the forward pulling action of the freezer compartment door 14.

[0024] A drawer-type vegetable compartment door 17 is provided at the front opening of the lowest vegetable compartment 10, and a gasket (not shown) of the vegetable compartment door 17 seals the gap with the front opening.

[0025] The vegetable compartment 10 is provided with a vegetable compartment container 18 with an open top, and the vegetable compartment container 18 is configured to be pulled out in conjunction with the pulling-out operation of the vegetable compartment door 17.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the periphery of freezing compartment 9 and cooling compartment 19 in the first embodiment.

[0027] A cooling chamber 19 that generates cold air is provided behind the freezing chamber 9. A cooler (evaporator) 20 that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is disposed within the cooling chamber 19. A compressor 23 (see FIG. 1) that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is disposed at the upper rear of the refrigerator chamber 6. The compressor 23, a condenser (not shown), an expansion mechanism, and the cooler 20 are connected by refrigerant piping to constitute a refrigeration cycle.

[0028] The refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 23 and circulated through the refrigeration cycle, whereby the refrigerant is cooled to a predetermined temperature and heat is exchanged between the cooler 20 and the air inside the cooling chamber 19, generating cold air inside the cooling chamber 19.

[0029] A blower fan 21 (see Figure 1) is provided in the space above cooler 20. By operating blower fan 21, the air that has undergone heat exchange in cooler 20 is blown into refrigerator compartment 6, selectable compartment 7, ice-making compartment 8, freezer compartment 9, and vegetable compartment 10, and the amount of cold air blown in is adjusted and controlled to cool each compartment to a predetermined temperature.

[0030] [1-1-2. Freezer compartment and its surroundings] 2, a partition wall 25 is provided on the rear side of the freezing compartment 9 to separate it from the cooling compartment 19. An upper cool air outlet 25a and a lower cool air outlet 25b are formed in the partition wall 25 to connect the cooling compartment 19 and the freezing compartment 9. In this embodiment, the upper cool air outlet 25a and the lower cool air outlet 25b are formed as a pair, one above the other.

[0031] The upper freezer compartment container 15 is supported on the upper opening peripheral edge 16a of the lower freezer compartment container portion 16 so as to be able to be pulled out forward.

[0032] The upper cold air outlet 25a is located above the upper freezer compartment container 15. The upper cold air outlet 25a is configured to blow cold air B1 substantially horizontally forward. The upper cold air outlet 25a is also configured to blow air slightly downward. The upper opening periphery 15a of the upper freezer compartment container 15 is covered with an upper cover 40, and the cold air B1 blown out from the upper cold air outlet 25a circulates as an upper cold air current B2 in a direction along the upper surface 40a of the upper cover 40.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the lower freezer compartment container 16 and the lower cool air outlet 25b in FIG.

[0034] The lower freezer container 16 in Figure 3 has a back portion 16b that forms the back surface and a bottom portion 16c that forms the bottom surface, and a gap (space) is provided between the back portion 16b and the bottom portion 16c, and a cold air guide member 50 is formed inside the lower freezer container 16 approximately parallel to the back portion 16b and the bottom portion 16c.

[0035] The cool air guide member 50 is arranged so that the gap is approximately 5 to 15 mm, and is bent to have a substantially L-shape when viewed in cross section as shown in FIG.

[0036] The cold air guide member 50 is composed of a single part consisting of a bent back part 50f of the cold air guide member and a bottom part 50g of the cold air guide member, but the back part 50f of the cold air guide member and the bottom part 50g of the cold air guide member may be composed of separate parts and connected together.

[0037] With the above configuration, a cold air guide passage 60 formed by the cold air guide member 50, the back surface 16b, and the bottom surface 16c is formed inside the lower freezer container 16, communicating from the back surface to the bottom surface, and a portion of the cold air blown out from the lower cold air outlet 25b flows through the cold air guide passage 60 from the upstream back surface to the downstream bottom surface, and an opening 50d is formed at the lower end 50e of the cold air guide member 50 where the cold air is released into the lower freezer container 16, and is located near the front surface 16e of the lower freezer container 16.

[0038] The upper edge of the back surface portion 16b of the lower freezer compartment container 16 is formed with a rear peripheral edge portion 16d that constitutes part of the upper surface opening peripheral edge portion 16a.

[0039] An upper end 50a of the cool air guide member 50 protrudes above the rear peripheral edge 16d and is formed below the bottom surface 15c of the upper freezer compartment container 15.

[0040] Furthermore, an upper region including the upper end portion 50a of the cool air guide member 50 forms a protruding portion 50b that serves as a bent surface. In Fig. 3, the entire protruding portion 50b is configured to be located above the rear peripheral edge portion 16d, but a portion of the protruding portion 50b may be located below the rear peripheral edge portion 16d.

[0041] The protrusion 50b is formed as a bent portion that is bent from the upstream end of the cold air guide member back portion 50f of the cold air guide member 50 facing the back portion 16b toward the inside (front direction) of the lower freezer compartment container 16, i.e., toward the freezer compartment door 14.

[0042] Further, the lower cool air outlet 25b is disposed at the rear of the lower freezer compartment container 16, above the rear peripheral edge 16d, and is disposed rearwardly and substantially opposite the protrusion 50b.

[0043] Below the lower cool air outlet 25b, a cool air return port 25c is formed which communicates with the cooling chamber 19. The cool air return port 25c is provided corresponding to the lower rear surface of the lower freezer chamber container 16.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a front vertical cross-sectional view of the freezing compartment 9.

[0045] As shown in the figure, a rib 50c is formed on the cold air guide member 50 facing the bottom surface portion 16c, and a rib 50c is also formed on the cold air guide member 50 facing the back surface portion 16b (not shown), ensuring a gap of a predetermined dimension and forming a cold air guide passage 60.

[0046] The height of the rib 50c may be changed so that the gap between the rib 50c and the back surface 16b is larger than the gap between the rib 50c and the bottom surface 16c. This is because when the cold air from the lower cold air outlet 25b is branched into the upper cold air flow A2 and the lower cold air flow A3, by increasing the gap between the rib 50c and the back surface 16b on the upstream side where the lower cold air flow A3 flows into the cold air guide passage 60, disturbance of the cold air flow near the branch point can be suppressed, and the cold air can flow smoothly into the cold air guide passage 60.

[0047] Furthermore, by reducing the gap dimension with the bottom surface portion 16c, the internal volume of the lower freezer compartment container 16 can be increased, and the storage capacity can be increased.

[0048] 5 is a perspective view of the lower freezer container 16 equipped with a cool air guide member 50. The front surface 16e of the lower freezer container 16 is provided with a plurality of front openings 30, and the left and right side surfaces 16f are provided with a plurality of side openings 31.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the freezer compartment container and the overall flow of blown-out cold air when the lower freezer compartment container 16 of FIG. 5 is installed in the freezer compartment 9 and the drawer door 14 is closed.

[0050] The downward cold air flow A3 and the upward cold air flow A2 that have flowed through the cold air guide passage 60 are discharged from the inside of the lower freezer container 16 to the outside through the front opening 30 that communicates with the outside of the lower freezer container 16, and the cold air inside the lower freezer container 16 is discharged to the outside through the side opening 31 and circulates as return cold air A4 to the cold air return port 25c.

[0051] [1-2. Operation, etc.] Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0052] In this embodiment, compressor 23 is driven to circulate refrigerant through the refrigeration cycle, and cooler 20 exchanges heat with the air inside cooling compartment 19 to generate cool air. Then, blower fan 21 is driven to blow the air that has exchanged heat in cooler 20 into refrigerator compartment 6, switchable compartment 7, ice-making compartment 8, freezer compartment 9, and vegetable compartment 10, and the amount of cool air blown in is adjusted and controlled to cool each compartment to a predetermined temperature.

[0053] At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, in the freezer compartment 9, cool air is blown out from the upper cool air outlet 25a along the upper surface of the top cover 40 as indicated by the arrow A0.

[0054] Further, the outlet cold air A1 is blown out from the lower cold air outlet 25b toward the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0055] 7 shows a comparative example, which is an analysis result of the cold air flow when the cold air guide member 50 is not formed. Because the cold air guide member 50 is not formed, the cold air flow is not a steady flow like the upper cold air flow A2 and the lower cold air flow A3, but a turbulent flow with many irregular fluctuations. In addition, there is a state in which a large amount of cold air flows into the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0056] In contrast, the example in Fig. 8 shows the analysis results of the cold air flow when the cold air guide member 50 is formed. Compared to Fig. 7, the cold air A1 blown out from the protruding portion 50b of the cold air guide member 50 is divided into an upward cold air flow A2 and a downward cold air flow A3, which are steady flows with little irregular fluctuation.

[0057] 8, the upward cold air flow A2 leaves the cold air guide member 50 from the upper end portion 50a, hits the bottom surface 15c of the upper freezer compartment container 15, flows along the bottom surface 15c toward the front of the refrigerator (toward the freezer compartment door 14), and flows to the outside of the lower freezer compartment container 16 from the top opening 16a near the freezer compartment door 14 side of the lower freezer compartment container 16, or flows to the outside of the container from the front opening 30. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a portion of the cold air entering the lower freezer compartment container 16 hits the front surface 16e and becomes vortex cold air, which circulates inside the container.

[0058] The upper cold air flow A2 then exits the container through the front opening 30, or merges with the upper cold air flow B2 as shown in Figure 6, passes through the cold air return port 25c, undergoes heat exchange in the cooler 20 in the cooling chamber 19, and is again circulated to each storage chamber by operating the blower fan 21.

[0059] In addition, the downward cold air flow A3 hits the protrusion 50b and branches downward, passes through the cold air guide passage 60 by the cold air guide member 50, flows along the back portion 16b, and further flows along the bottom portion 16c to the vicinity of the front portion 16e of the lower freezer compartment container 16, is released into the lower freezer compartment container 16 at the lower end portion 50e of the cold air guide member 50, exits the lower freezer compartment container 16 through the front opening hole 30, passes through the cold air return port 25c as return cold air A4, is heat exchanged in the cooler 20 in the cooling compartment 19, and is again circulated to each storage compartment by operating the blower fan 21.

[0060] In this way, the upward cold air flow A2 flowing along the bottom surface 15c of the upper freezer container 15 circulates near the top opening 16a of the lower freezer container 16 as cold air flowing approximately horizontally from the rear to the front of the lower freezer container 16, and the downward cold air flow A3 flows through the cold air guide passage 60 formed from the back surface 16b to the bottom surface 16c of the lower freezer container 16, allowing most of the cold air from the blown-out cold air A1 to be divided into the upward cold air flow A2 and the downward cold air flow A3 and circulated.

[0061] The upward cold air current A2 flows along the bottom surface 15c of the upper freezer container 15 without penetrating deep into the lower freezer container 16, and the downward cold air current A3 flows through the cold air guide passage 60, which suppresses temperature fluctuations within the lower freezer container 16 and prevents food from drying out due to the cold air. Furthermore, although some cold air does enter the lower freezer container 16, as shown in Figure 8, the steady flow of the upward cold air current A2 is greater than the irregular cold air flow that flows into the container, so even if the cold air enters the interior, it rarely penetrates deep into the bottom of the container 16, forming a vortex flow that either joins the upward cold air current A2 or flows out to the outside through the side openings 31, etc.

[0062] Furthermore, even if moisture gets into the lower freezer container 16 when storing food in the lower freezer container 16 or when the freezer door 14 is open, the moisture flows out of the lower freezer container 16 together with the cold air due to the upward cold air flow A2, thereby enabling dehumidification.

[0063] The downward cold air current A3 flows through the back surface 16b and bottom surface 16c of the lower freezer compartment container 16, thereby indirectly cooling the food.

[0064] With this configuration, rather than actively introducing the downward cold air flow A3 into the lower freezer container 16 and cooling the stored food by blowing the cold air directly on it, the technical idea is to prevent the temperature difference between the lower side temperature inside the lower freezer container 16 and the upper side temperature inside the container from becoming too large due to the temperature of the vegetable compartment 10 formed below the freezer compartment 9 in the refrigerated temperature range, a heater (not shown) embedded in the partition wall 70, or external heat loads such as the space outside the freezer, thereby reducing frosting on the food due to the temperature difference, and since the cold air is not blown directly on the food, drying due to sublimation is also reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, by forming an upward cold air flow A2, the cold air entering the lower freezer container 16 from above is suppressed, thereby reducing the temperature difference within the lower freezer container 16 and suppressing the cold air being discharged directly into the lower freezer container 16, thereby reducing frosting on the food and container surfaces and drying due to sublimation of the food, thereby maintaining the quality and deliciousness of the food.

[0066] In addition, by making the protrusion 50b of the cold air guide member 50 that forms the cold air guide passage 60 into a folded shape and positioning the upper end 50a below the bottom surface 15c of the upper freezer container 15, most of the blown-out cold air flow A1 can be diverted into an upward cold air flow A2 and a downward cold air flow A3, reducing the cold air flow that is discharged directly into the lower freezer container 16, thereby preventing food from drying out.In addition, the upward cold air flow A2 and downward cold air flow A3 prevent heat from entering from the top, bottom, and back sides of the lower freezer container 16, thereby reducing the difference between the air temperature inside the container and the surface temperature of the food.

[0067] Furthermore, the cool air guide member 50 can be removed from the rear surface 16b and the bottom surface 16c of the lower freezer compartment container 16, which improves cleaning ease.

[0068] Furthermore, since the ribs 50c are formed on the cool air guide member 50, gaps that become the cool air guide passages 60 can be formed between the cool air guide member 50 and the back surface portion 16b and the bottom surface portion 16c.

[0069] As described above, the freezer compartment 9 is provided with the lower cold air outlet 25b for blowing cold air into the freezer compartment 9, the lower freezer compartment container 16 in the freezer compartment 9, and the cold air guide member 50 in the lower freezer compartment container 16, and the cold air guide member 50 is configured to divide the cold air coming out of the lower cold air outlet 25b into an upward cold air flow A2 that flows above the lower freezer compartment container 16 and a downward cold air flow A3 that flows from the back surface 16b to the bottom surface 16c of the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0070] With this configuration, an upward cold air current A2 and a downward cold air current A3 are formed for the lower freezer compartment container 16, reducing the cold air flow discharged into the container 16 and freezing the food inside. This reduces the temperature difference between the cold air temperature inside the container and the surface temperature of the food, suppressing drying and frosting due to sublimation of the food and maintaining its deliciousness. As in this embodiment, a cool air guide passage 60 through which the downward cool air current A3 flows is formed in the gap (space) formed between the cool air guide member 50 and the back surface portion 16b and the bottom surface portion 16c.

[0071] This configuration allows the flow of downward cold air flow A3 to be controlled, reducing the temperature difference of food inside the container due to external heat influence from the bottom of the freezer compartment container, and reducing drying and frosting.

[0072] 9, uneven portions 16g are formed on bottom surface 16c of lower freezer compartment container 16 in particular as a reinforcing structure to suppress bending of the container itself. By forming uneven portions 16g extending in the front-to-rear direction of lower freezer compartment container 16, the convex portions support cold air guide member bottom surface 50g of cold air guide member 50, and the concave portions can serve as passage spaces for cold air guide passage 60.

[0073] Therefore, by providing the ribs 50c at positions corresponding to the convex portions, it is possible to form the cold air guide passage 60. It is also possible to make the ribs 50c smaller or to eliminate them and form the cold air guide passage 60 only by the height of the concave portions, in which case the effective internal volume of the lower freezer compartment container 16 can be secured.

[0074] Further, a lower end portion 50e of the cool air guide member 50 downstream of the downward cool air current A3 has an opening portion 50d that opens to face the front surface 16e of the container 16.

[0075] This can promote the flow of the downward cool air current A3 in the cool air guide passage 60.

[0076] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the refrigerator is provided with lower cold air outlet 25b that blows cold air into freezer compartment 9, lower freezer container 16 whose upper surface opens into freezer compartment 9, and cold air guide member 50 formed on lower freezer container 16, and cold air guide member 50 is arranged via a gap at a position corresponding to back surface 16b and bottom surface 16c of lower freezer container 16, and cold air passes through the gap to form cold air guide passage 60 that flows from back surface 16b to bottom surface 16c.

[0077] With this configuration, the cold air flow discharged into the lower freezer compartment container 16 is reduced, and the cold air flow circulating around the outer periphery of the container 16 reduces the thermal influence from outside, and the temperature difference between the cold air temperature inside the container and the surface temperature of the food is reduced, thereby freezing and preserving food. This suppresses drying due to sublimation of food that occurs when cold air is introduced into the freezer to cool the food, and frosting that tends to occur when there is a large temperature difference, thereby maintaining the food's flavor.

[0078] The cold air guide passage 60 is not formed between the left and right side surfaces and the front surface of the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0079] This configuration ensures that the internal storage volume of the lower freezer compartment container 16 is sufficient, and prevents the internal volume from being reduced.

[0080] As in this embodiment, the cold air guide member 50 is formed inside the lower freezer compartment container 16, and the upper end portion 50a of the cold air guide member 50 is configured to protrude above the rear peripheral portion 16d that forms part of the upper opening peripheral portion 16a of the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0081] With this configuration, the blown-out cool air can be guided and led into the cool air guide passage.

[0082] As in this embodiment, the cool air guide member 50 is configured such that the upper end portion 50a is formed at a position where it is bent forward.

[0083] With this configuration, the flow of cold air can be divided into a downward cold air flow A3 flowing through the cold air guide passage 60 and an upward cold air flow A2 flowing above the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0084] As in this embodiment, the upper freezer container 15 is provided above the lower freezer container 16, and the upper end portion 50a is configured to be located below the upper freezer container 15.

[0085] With this configuration, the upper cold air flow A2 can be further controlled as a cold air flow that flows along the lower surface of the upper freezer compartment container 15.

[0086] Therefore, the upward cold air flow A2 reduces the amount of cold air that enters the lower freezer container 16, and as shown in Figure 8, it circulates as a horizontal air flow, and the cold air that enters the inside of the container reduces drying due to sublimation of food and frosting.In addition, since the upward cold air flow A2 circulates on the outside of the underside of the upper freezer container 15, it is possible to reduce the temperature difference between the cold air temperature inside the upper freezer container 15 and the surface temperature of the food, thereby preventing the food inside the upper freezer container 15 from drying out and preventing frosting, which is likely to occur when the temperature difference is large.

[0087] As in this embodiment, the cold air guide member 50 is detachable from the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0088] This configuration allows the cool air guide member 50 to be removed and washed.

[0089] As in this embodiment, a plurality of concave and convex portions 16g are formed on the bottom surface 16c in the front-rear direction of the lower freezer compartment container 16, and the concave portions form the cool air guide passage 60. With this configuration, the gap that serves as the cold air guide passage 60 can be formed using the uneven portion 16g formed for the purpose of reinforcing the lower freezer compartment container 16, thereby preventing a reduction in the effective internal volume within the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the cold air guide member 50 is formed inside the lower freezer compartment container 16, but it may also be formed on the outside of the lower freezer compartment container 16 so as to be detachable from the container, thereby forming a downward cold air flow A3.

[0091] In other words, the parts corresponding to the back surface 16b and bottom surface 16c of the lower freezer container 16 are made double-layered using the cold air guide member 50, and the left and right side surfaces and front surface of the lower freezer container 16 are not made double-layered, thereby preventing the amount of food stored in the container from becoming smaller.

[0092] This configuration reduces the temperature difference between the cold air temperature inside the lower freezer compartment container 16 and the surface temperature of the food, suppressing frost formation on the food and container, and also suppressing drying of the food due to sublimation.

[0093] Also, a slit hole (not shown) may be formed in part of the cold air guide member back surface 50f of the cold air guide member 50 to allow some of the cold air to enter the lower freezer compartment container 16. By forming a slit hole in part of the cold air guide member back surface 50f, the innermost part of the lower freezer compartment container 16 can be cooled, and the cooling speed inside the container can be improved.

[0094] (Embodiment 2) Note that the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[0095] In the first embodiment, the configuration of the cool air guide member 50 has been described, but is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 10, a plurality of cool air introduction holes 50h may be formed in the protruding portion 50b of the cool air guide member 50.

[0096] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the main part around the protrusion 50b in Fig. 10. The cool air introduction hole 50h is positioned relative to the lower cool air outlet 25b so that the blown cool air A1 hits the lower edge 50j of the cool air introduction hole 50h.

[0097] Figure 12 shows the analysis results of the cold air flow, showing that the cold air flows in the direction of the arrow. As shown in Figure 12, the blown-out cold air A1 is divided into a downward cold air flow A3 that is guided by the protrusion 50b into the cold air guide passage 60 and flows downward, and an upward cold air flow A2 that is the cold air that hits the lower edge 50j of the cold air inlet hole 50h and enters the cold air inlet hole 50h.

[0098] In addition, some of the remaining cold air circulates into the lower freezer container 16 through the cold air inlet hole 50h, but the cold air flowing inside the container in the direction of discharge is small, and as shown in Figure 12, the cold air circulates slowly in a vortex as it flows upward and merges with the upward cold air flow A2. Therefore, by forming the cold air inlet hole 50h, the variation in each cold air flow is reduced, and by introducing a small amount of cold air that generates an upward vortex rather than a large cold air flow into the lower freezer container 16, food is cooled quickly while preventing it from drying out. In addition, the upward cold air flow A2 and downward cold air flow A3 reduce the temperature difference between the cold air temperature inside the lower freezer container 16 and the surface temperature of the food, preventing frost from forming on the food and the container, and maintaining the quality and deliciousness of the food.

[0099] 13 is a plan view of the lower freezer compartment container 16 seen from above, and by forming a step portion that protrudes forward on the front surface portion 16e of the lower freezer compartment container 16, a space is formed between the front surface portion 16e of the lower freezer compartment container 16 and the lower end portion 50e of the cold air guide member 50, so that the bottom surface portion 50g of the cold air guide member can be formed over the entire bottom surface portion 16c, and the downward cold air flow A3 that has circulated through the cold air guide passage 60 is released in the space portion, forming a circulation path that circulates from the front surface portion 16e to the outside.

[0100] Also, as shown in Figure 14, a plurality of bottom outlet holes 50k that are partially connected to the interior of the lower freezer container 16 may be uniformly formed on the bottom surface 50g of the cold air guide member from upstream to downstream of the downward cold air flow A3, from approximately halfway along the front-to-back direction of the lower freezer container 16 to the lower end 50e.

[0101] The term "uniform" is used to mean that the bottom surface blowing holes 50k having the same shape are repeatedly formed in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0102] This reduces the flow resistance in the cool air guide passage 60, and promotes the flow of the downward cool air current A3.

[0103] This reduces the flow resistance in the cold air guide passage 60 and increases the flow speed of the downward cold air flow A3, thereby reducing and maintaining the temperature difference between the cold air temperature inside the lower freezer compartment container 16 and the food surface temperature.

[0104] 15, a protrusion 50b is formed from the back surface 50f of the cold air guide member 50 toward the freezer compartment door 14, and an upper surface 50m is formed extending horizontally toward the freezer compartment door 14. The upper surface 50m extends to a position approximately halfway in the front-to-rear direction of the lower freezer compartment container 16, and can guide the horizontal flow of the upward cold air current A2, thereby reducing the amount of cold air entering the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0105] In addition, by extending the upper surface 50m to approximately halfway in the front-to-back direction of the lower freezer compartment container 16, it is possible to maintain ease of use for users in putting food in and taking food out of the upper opening of the lower freezer compartment container 16.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the cold air guide member 50 is formed inside the lower freezer container 16, but it may also be formed detachably on the outside of the lower freezer container 16 to form the downward cold air flow A3. This configuration reduces the temperature difference between the cold air temperature inside the lower freezer container 16 and the surface temperature of the food, suppressing frost formation on the food and the container and preventing the food from drying out due to sublimation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0107] As described above, the refrigerator according to the present disclosure can be suitably used in a refrigerator having a freezer compartment container formed in multiple vertical tiers and having cold air guide passages in the back and bottom parts of the freezer compartment container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 refrigerator 9 Freezer 15 Upper freezer compartment container (second freezer compartment container) 16 Lower freezer compartment container (first freezer compartment container) 16a Upper opening periphery 16b Back part 16c Bottom part 16d Posterior periphery 25a Upper cold air outlet 25b Lower cool air outlet 50 Cold air guide member 50a Upper end 50b Protrusion 60 Cool Air Guide Passage A2 Upper cold air flow A3 Downward cold air flow

Claims

1. A cold air outlet for blowing cold air into the freezer compartment; a first freezer compartment container having an upper surface open to the freezer compartment; a cold air guide member formed in the first freezer compartment container, The cold air guide member is arranged at a position corresponding to the rear and bottom surfaces of the first freezer compartment container via a gap, and the cold air passes through the gap to form a cold air guide passageway that circulates from the rear surface to the bottom surface.

2. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said cool air guide passage is not formed between the left and right side surfaces and the front surface of said first freezer compartment container.

3. The cold air guide member is formed inside the first freezing compartment container, 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of said cool air guide member projects above a rear peripheral edge portion that constitutes a part of a peripheral edge portion of the top opening of said first freezing compartment container.

4. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the upper end portion is bent toward the inside of the first freezing compartment container.

5. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, further comprising a second freezer compartment container above the first freezer compartment container, the upper end portion of the second freezer compartment container being located lower than the second freezer compartment container.

6. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cool air guide member is detachable from the first freezer compartment container.

7. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of recesses and protrusions are formed on the bottom surface in the front-rear direction of the first freezing compartment container, and the recesses constitute the cool air guide passage.

Images