Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of accurately positioning and fixing a frame pipe to an inner box and an outer box.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 10 includes a heat insulation box body 11 in which a storage chamber having an opening 18 is formed, and a refrigerant pipe 40 through which a refrigerant of a refrigeration cycle 37 flows. The thermal insulation box 11 includes an outer box 19 forming an outer surface of the thermal insulation box 11, an inner box 20 disposed inside the outer box 19, and a thermal insulation material 25 disposed between the outer box 19 and the inner box 20. The inner case 20 includes a first inner case and a second inner case disposed below the first inner case. The refrigerant pipe 40 includes a frame pipe 41 disposed along the periphery of the opening 18, and a connection pipe 42 continuous with the frame pipe 41 and extending rearward. In the vertical direction, the connection pipe 42 is disposed between the first inner box and the second inner box.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator having a frame pipe that heats the periphery of an opening of an insulated box. [Background technology]

[0002] In a typical refrigerator, a storage compartment is formed inside an insulated box, and the front opening of this storage compartment is closed by an insulated door that can be opened and closed. The insulated box consists of an outer box made of steel plate, an inner box made of synthetic resin plate placed inside the outer box, and a thermal insulating material filled between the outer box and the inner box.

[0003] Furthermore, in order to prevent condensation from occurring around the opening of the insulated box, a refrigerant pipe through which a high-temperature refrigerant flows is arranged at the opening of the insulated box. The refrigerant pipe arranged at the opening of the insulated box is called a frame pipe. By providing the frame pipe, the temperature around the opening of the insulated box is increased, thereby preventing condensation from occurring in that area. Such a configuration is described, for example, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-70202 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-167282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is room for improvement in the structure of the frame pipes described above.

[0006] Specifically, frame pipes made of metals such as iron or copper vary in shape and size. Therefore, depending on the shape of the frame pipe, the frame pipe may come close to the inner box. If the frame pipe and the inner box come too close to each other, heat exchange may occur unintentionally between the air in the storage compartment formed inside the inner box and the refrigerant flowing through the frame pipe during operation of the refrigerator. This may result in a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the storage compartment and overcooling of the refrigerant inside the frame pipe. This is contrary to energy conservation and may result in poor cooling performance in the manufactured refrigerator.

[0007] In addition, in order to prevent condensation from forming around the opening of the storage chamber, it is necessary to arrange multiple frame pipes in that area. Furthermore, in order to effectively heat the area around the opening of the insulated box, it is preferable to form the frame pipes in a shape that allows them to be drawn in one stroke without crossing each other, so that they can be tightly attached to the back surface of the insulated box. Arranging the frame pipes to satisfy these constraints was not easy.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which frame pipes can be accurately positioned and fixed to the inner box and the outer box. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment will be described below together with its effects.

[0010] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an insulated box having a storage compartment with an opening and a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant for a refrigeration cycle flows. The insulated box includes an outer box forming the outer surface of the insulated box, an inner box disposed inside the outer box, and a thermal insulating material disposed between the outer box and the inner box. The inner box includes a first inner box and a second inner box disposed below the first inner box. The refrigerant pipe includes a frame pipe disposed along the periphery of the opening and a connecting pipe extending rearward, continuous with the frame pipe. The connecting pipe is disposed between the first inner box and the second inner box in the vertical direction. According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the connecting pipe is disposed between the first inner box and the second inner box, thereby separating the first inner box and the second inner box from the connecting pipe. Therefore, during operation of the refrigerator, the refrigerant flowing through the connecting pipe can be well insulated from the storage compartment formed inside the first inner box and the second inner box. Therefore, the storage chambers formed inside the first inner box and the second inner box can be prevented from rising in temperature, and furthermore, the refrigerant flowing inside the connecting pipe can be prevented from becoming supercooled.

[0011] The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a fixing portion disposed between the first inner box and the second inner box in the up-down direction, and the fixing portion is configured to support the connecting pipe. According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the fixing portion supports the connecting pipe, deformation of the connecting pipe due to its own weight or the like during manufacture of the refrigerator can be suppressed.

[0012] In the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the connecting pipe is fixed to a widthwise outer surface of the fixing part. According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the connecting pipe can be disposed at a position away from the inner box. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing through the connecting pipe can be more suitably insulated from the storage chamber formed inside the inner box.

[0013] In the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion has a fixing surface to which the connecting pipe is fixed and a protruding portion protruding outward in the width direction from the fixing surface. According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the connecting pipe can be locked by the protruding portion. Furthermore, a gap corresponding to the protruding amount of the protruding portion can be secured between the fixing surface and the outer casing, and the connecting pipe can be disposed in this gap.

[0014] The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a plate-shaped partition member disposed between the first inner box and the second inner box, and the fixing portion is continuous with the partition member. According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion is continuous with the partition member, so that the position of the fixing portion can be firmly fixed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which the frame pipes can be accurately positioned and fixed relative to the inner box and the outer box. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an insulating box of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerant pipe of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inner box and a refrigerant pipe according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a refrigerant pipe and a partition member according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the refrigerant pipe and the partition member according to the embodiment of the present invention from another angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the up-down direction refers to the height direction of the refrigerator 10, the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the refrigerator 10, and the front-rear direction refers to the depth direction of the refrigerator 10. In addition, when describing this embodiment, the same reference numerals are generally used for the same components, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0018] The first inner box described in the claims is, for example, the freezer compartment box 22 described in the embodiment. The second inner box described in the claims is, for example, the vegetable compartment box 23 described in the embodiment.

[0019] The external configuration of the refrigerator 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the refrigerator 10.

[0020] Refrigerator 10 is a device that stores food, drinking water, etc., by cooling them to a refrigeration temperature range or a freezing temperature range. Refrigerator 10 mainly comprises an insulated box body 11 and an insulated door 15. Inside insulated box body 11, storage compartments are formed, from top to bottom, as a refrigerator compartment 12, a freezer compartment 13, and a vegetable compartment 14.

[0021] The insulating door 15 includes a first insulating door 151, a second insulating door 152, a third insulating door 153, and a fourth insulating door 154. The first insulating door 151 closes the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12. The second insulating door 152 and the third insulating door 153 close the front opening of the freezer compartment 13. The fourth insulating door 154 closes the front opening of the vegetable compartment 14. The right end of the first insulating door 151 is rotatably connected to the insulating box body 11. The second insulating door 152, the third insulating door 153, and the fourth insulating door 154 are provided so as to be retractable relative to the insulating box body 11. Here, the first insulating door 151 to the fourth insulating door 154 may be rotating doors or retractable doors.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the refrigerator 10. Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken along the AA cross-section line in Fig. 1. The AA cross-section is a cross-section including the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

[0023] The insulated box body 11 of the refrigerator 10 is composed of an outer box 19 made of steel plate that forms the exterior shape of the refrigerator 10, an inner box 20 made of a box-shaped synthetic resin plate formed inside the outer box 19, and a heat insulating material 25 filled between the outer box 19 and the inner box 20. As the heat insulating material 25, either urethane foam or vacuum heat insulating material or a combination of both is used.

[0024] The inner box 20 has, from above, a refrigerator compartment box 21, a freezer compartment box 22, and a vegetable compartment box 23. The refrigerator compartment 12 is formed inside the refrigerator compartment box 21. The freezer compartment 13 is formed inside the freezer compartment box 22. The vegetable compartment 14 is formed inside the vegetable compartment box 23.

[0025] The first compartment wall 33 is a wall-like portion disposed between the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13. The first compartment wall 33 has a heat insulating material 25 filled between the bottom surface of the refrigerator compartment inner box 21 and the top surface of the freezer compartment inner box 22. With this configuration, the first compartment wall 33 insulates the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13 from each other.

[0026] The second partition wall 34 is a wall-like portion disposed between the freezer compartment 13 and the vegetable compartment 14. The second partition wall 34 has a partition member 50 disposed between the lower surface of the freezer compartment inner box 22 and the upper surface of the vegetable compartment inner box 23. With this configuration, the second partition wall 34 insulates the freezer compartment 13 from the vegetable compartment 14. The configuration of the partition member 50 will be described later.

[0027] The partition 35 is disposed inside the freezer compartment 13. The partition 35 is configured so that the second insulating door 152 and the third insulating door 153 abut against it. Specifically, the lower end portion of the second insulating door 152 and the upper end portion of the third insulating door 153 abut against the partition 35. The partition 35 is disposed at the front end portion inside the freezer compartment 13. The partition 35 is also disposed in approximately the center in the up-down direction inside the freezer compartment 13. The partition 35 is a generally rod-shaped member that extends from the left end to the right end portion of the freezer compartment inner box 22.

[0028] A cooling chamber 27 is defined behind the freezing chamber 13, and an evaporator 26 is housed in the cooling chamber 27. A machine chamber 16 is defined behind the bottom of the insulating box 11, and a compressor 29 and other components are housed in the machine chamber 16.

[0029] The evaporator 26 and the compressor 29 are connected to an expansion means and a condenser (not shown) via a refrigerant pipe 40 (described later) to form a refrigeration cycle 37. The compressor 29 compresses low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant vapor to a high-temperature, high-pressure state. The condenser (not shown) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside atmosphere, thereby removing heat from the refrigerant and condensing it. The expansion means (not shown) throttles and expands the refrigerant. The evaporator 26 exchanges heat between the air inside the cooling chamber 27 and the refrigerant, thereby cooling the air inside the cooling chamber 27. The refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle 37 is, for example, isobutane (R600a). The refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle 37 flows so as to circulate inside the refrigerant pipe 40 (described later).

[0030] A blower 28 is disposed above the cooling compartment 27. The blower 28 blows the air from the cooling compartment 27 cooled by the evaporator 26 into the refrigerator compartment 12, the freezer compartment 13, and the vegetable compartment 14. A damper 31 is disposed in the air path to the refrigerator compartment 12. A control device (not shown) controls the opening and closing of the damper 31 based on the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 12. This adjusts the flow rate of cold air into the refrigerator compartment 12, maintaining a constant temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 12. In addition, a portion of the air cooled by the evaporator 26 is blown into the freezer compartment 13. Therefore, the refrigerator compartment 12 is cooled to the refrigerator temperature range, and the freezer compartment 13 is cooled to the freezing temperature range. In addition, the air that cooled the refrigerator compartment 12 returns to the cooling compartment 27 via the vegetable compartment 14, so that the vegetable compartment 14 is cooled to the refrigerator temperature range. Furthermore, a defrosting heater 30 for melting frost formed on the evaporator 26 is disposed below the evaporator 26 .

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the heat insulating box 11 of the refrigerator 10. As shown in FIG.

[0032] An opening 18 is formed on the front surface of the insulated box body 11. The opening 18 has a first opening 181 to a fourth opening 184. The first opening 181 is a front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 and is closed by the first insulated door 151 described above. The second opening 182 is a front opening of the upper part of the freezer compartment 13 and is closed by the second insulated door 152 described above. The third opening 183 is a front opening of the lower part of the freezer compartment 13 and is closed by the third insulated door 153 described above. The fourth opening 184 is a front opening of the vegetable compartment 14 and is closed by the fourth insulated door 154 described above.

[0033] An abutment plate portion 17 is disposed on the front surface of each partition wall. The abutment plate portion 17 has first abutment plate portions 171, 272 and a third abutment plate portion 173. The first abutment plate portion 171 to the third abutment plate portion 173 are generally plate-shaped members made of metal such as iron. The first abutment plate portion 171 is disposed so as to cover the front surface of the first partition wall 33. The second abutment plate portion 172 is disposed so as to cover the front surface of the partition portion 35. The third abutment plate portion 173 is disposed so as to cover the front surface of the second partition wall 34.

[0034] 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the refrigerator 10. Here, the inner box 20, the side heat dissipation pipe 43, and the outer box 19 are shown exploded in the front-rear direction.

[0035] As described above, in the refrigeration cycle 37 provided in the refrigerator 10, a refrigerant flows through the inside of the refrigerant pipe 40. The refrigerant pipe 40 has a frame pipe 41 (see FIG. 5), a connection pipe 42, and a side heat radiation pipe 43. The refrigerant pipe 40 is a pipe made of a metal such as iron or copper.

[0036] The outer box 19 has outer box side surfaces 191 at its left and right ends. The side heat dissipation pipes 43 are tightly attached to the widthwise inner surfaces of the outer box side surfaces 191. The side heat dissipation pipes 43 are arranged in a serpentine manner on the widthwise inner surfaces of the outer box side surfaces 191.

[0037] The configurations of frame pipe 41 and connection pipe 42, which are parts of refrigerant pipe 40, will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing refrigerant pipe 40 of refrigerator 10.

[0038] The frame pipes 41 are arranged along the periphery of the aforementioned opening 18. Specifically, the frame pipes 41 include a first frame pipe 411 to an eleventh frame pipe 4111 from the upstream side in the flow of the refrigerant.

[0039] The first frame pipe 411 is continuous with the upper end of a third connecting pipe 423 (described later) and extends in a substantially straight line to the left. The second frame pipe 412 is continuous with the left end of the first frame pipe 411 and extends in a substantially straight line to the right. A bent portion for turning back approximately 180 degrees is formed between the first frame pipe 411 and the second frame pipe 412. The third frame pipe 413 is continuous with the right end of the second frame pipe 412 and extends downward in a substantially straight line. The fourth frame pipe 414 is continuous with the lower end of the third frame pipe 413 and extends in a substantially straight line to the left. The fifth frame pipe 415 is continuous with the left end of the fourth frame pipe 414 and extends in a substantially straight line to the right. A bent portion for turning back approximately 180 degrees is formed at the connection between the fourth frame pipe 414 and the fifth frame pipe 415. The sixth frame pipe 416 extends downward in a substantially straight line from the right end of the fifth frame pipe 415. The seventh frame pipe 417 extends leftward in a substantially straight line from the lower end of the sixth frame pipe 416. The eighth frame pipe 418 extends rightward in a substantially straight line from the left end of the seventh frame pipe 417. A bent portion is formed between the seventh frame pipe 417 and the eighth frame pipe 418, folding back approximately 180 degrees. The ninth frame pipe 419 extends downward in a substantially straight line from the right end of the eighth frame pipe 418. The tenth frame pipe 4110 extends leftward in a substantially straight line from the lower end of the ninth frame pipe 419. The eleventh frame pipe 4111 extends upward in a substantially straight line from the left end of the tenth frame pipe 4110.

[0040] The connecting pipe 42 is configured to extend rearward continuously with the frame pipe 41. The connecting pipe 42 includes a first connecting pipe 421 to a seventh connecting pipe 427.

[0041] The first connecting pipe 421 extends upward in a substantially straight line. The second connecting pipe 422 is continuous with the upper end of the second connecting pipe 422 and extends forward in a substantially straight line. The third connecting pipe 423 is continuous with the front end of the second connecting pipe 422 and extends upward in a substantially straight line. The upper end of the third connecting pipe 423 is continuous with the first frame pipe 411. The fourth connecting pipe 424 is continuous with the upper end of the eleventh frame pipe 4111 and extends downward in a substantially straight line. The fifth connecting pipe 425 is continuous with the lower end of the fourth connecting pipe 424 and extends rearward in a substantially straight line. The sixth connecting pipe 426 is continuous with the rear end of the fifth connecting pipe 425 and extends rightward in a substantially straight line. The seventh connecting pipe 427 is continuous with the right end of the sixth connecting pipe 426 and extends downward in a substantially straight line. Here, the first connecting pipe 421 is connected to a dryer (not shown). The lower end of seventh connecting pipe 427 is connected to the above-mentioned side heat dissipation pipe 43. When refrigerator 10 is operating, high-temperature refrigerant flows in from first connecting pipe 421, passes through frame pipe 41, and flows out from seventh connecting pipe 427.

[0042] As will be described later, in the vertical direction, the second connecting pipe 422 and the fifth connecting pipe 425 are arranged between the freezer compartment box 22 and the vegetable compartment box 23. The second connecting pipe 422 and the fifth connecting pipe 425 extend substantially horizontally.

[0043] This configuration allows the refrigerant pipes 40 to be configured in a single stroke. Specifically, the first frame pipe 411 and the second frame pipe 412 do not intersect. The fourth frame pipe 414 and the fifth frame pipe 415 do not intersect. The seventh frame pipe 417 and the eighth frame pipe 418 do not intersect. Therefore, the first frame pipe 411 and the second frame pipe 412 are in good contact with the rear surface of the first contact plate portion 171 shown in FIG. 4 . The fourth frame pipe 414 and the fifth frame pipe 415 are in good contact with the rear surface of the second contact plate portion 172. The seventh frame pipe 417 and the eighth frame pipe 418 are in good contact with the rear surface of the third contact plate portion 173. By doing this, the first abutment plate portion 171, the second abutment plate portion 172, and the third abutment plate portion 173 shown in Figure 4 can be effectively heated, thereby preventing condensation from occurring on the surfaces of these parts.

[0044] The relative configuration between the inner box 20 and the refrigerant pipes 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the inner box 20 and the refrigerant pipes 40.

[0045] As described above, inner box 20 has, from above, refrigerator compartment box 21, freezer compartment box 22, and vegetable compartment box 23. A first opening 181 is formed at the front end side of refrigerator compartment box 21, a second opening 182 and a third opening 183 are formed at the front end of freezer compartment box 22, and a fourth opening 184 is formed at the front end of vegetable compartment box 23.

[0046] The refrigerant pipes 40 are arranged along each side edge of the second opening 182. Specifically, the second frame pipe 412 is arranged along the upper side edge of the second opening 182. The upper portion of the eleventh frame pipe 4111 is arranged along the left side edge of the second opening 182. The fourth frame pipe 414 is arranged along the lower side edge of the second opening 182. The third frame pipe 413 is arranged along the right side edge of the second opening 182. With this configuration, the refrigerant pipes 40 can effectively raise the temperature of the periphery of the second opening 182, which is the upper opening of the freezing compartment 13, and the occurrence of condensation in this periphery can be suppressed.

[0047] The refrigerant pipes 40 are arranged along each side surface of the third opening 183. Specifically, the fifth frame pipe 415 is arranged along the upper side of the third opening 183. The upper portion of the eleventh frame pipe 4111 is arranged along the left side of the third opening 183. The seventh frame pipe 417 is arranged along the lower side of the third opening 183. The sixth frame pipe 416 is arranged along the right side of the third opening 183. With this configuration, the refrigerant pipes 40 can effectively raise the temperature of the periphery of the third opening 183, which is the lower opening of the freezing compartment 13, and the occurrence of condensation in this periphery can be suppressed.

[0048] The refrigerant pipes 40 are arranged along each side edge of the fourth opening 184. Specifically, the eighth frame pipe 418 is arranged along the upper side edge of the fourth opening 184. The lower portion of the eleventh frame pipe 4111 is arranged along the left side edge of the fourth opening 184. The tenth frame pipe 4110 is arranged along the lower side edge of the fourth opening 184. Furthermore, the ninth frame pipe 419 is arranged along the right side edge of the fourth opening 184. With this configuration, the temperature can be effectively raised around the fourth opening 184, which is the front opening of the vegetable compartment 14, and condensation can be prevented from occurring in this surrounding area.

[0049] Furthermore, a portion of the second connecting pipe 422 is disposed between the freezer compartment box 22 and the crisper box 23 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the second connecting pipe 422 is disposed below the bottom surface of the freezer compartment box 22 and above the top surface of the crisper box 23. This configuration allows the second connecting pipe 422 to be spaced apart from the freezer compartment box 22 and the crisper box 23. Therefore, during operation of the refrigerator 10, the freezer compartment 13 and the crisper 14 can be spaced apart from the second connecting pipe 422, preventing unintended heat exchange therebetween. This allows the freezer compartment 13 and the crisper 14 to be effectively cooled. Furthermore, the refrigerant circulating inside the second connecting pipe 422 can be prevented from becoming supercooled. The second connecting pipe 422 is disposed on the right side, which is outward in the width direction, of the right side surfaces of the freezer compartment box 22 and the crisper box 23.

[0050] The same applies to the fifth connecting pipe 425 arranged on the left side of the refrigerator 10. That is, in the vertical direction, the fifth connecting pipe 425 is arranged between the bottom surface of the freezer compartment box 22 and the top surface of the vegetable compartment box 23. In addition, in the left-right direction, the fifth connecting pipe 425 is arranged on the left side, which is outside in the width direction, of the left side surfaces of the freezer compartment box 22 and the vegetable compartment box 23.

[0051] In addition, parts of the frame pipes 41 are also disposed on the front surfaces of the first partition wall 33 and the second partition wall 34. Specifically, a first frame pipe 411 and a second frame pipe 412 are disposed on a first front surface portion 331, which is the front surface of the first partition wall 33. In addition, a fourth frame pipe 414 and a fifth frame pipe 415 are disposed on a compartment front surface portion 351, which is the front surface of the partition 35. In addition, a seventh frame pipe 417 and an eighth frame pipe 418 are disposed on a second front surface portion 341, which is the front surface of the second partition wall 34.

[0052] 7 and 8, a configuration for supporting the refrigerant pipes 40 by the partition member 50 will be described. Here, the middle portions of the refrigerant pipes 40 are supported by the fixing surfaces 48 and protruding portions 49 provided on the partition member 50.

[0053] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the refrigerant pipes 40 and the partition member 50. In Fig. 7, the refrigerant pipes 40 and the partition member 50 are shown as a whole at the top, the first fixing part 471 is shown at the bottom left, and the second fixing part 472 is shown at the bottom right.

[0054] The partitioning member 50 is a plate-like member disposed between the freezer compartment inner box 22 and the vegetable compartment box 23 described above. A material with excellent heat insulating properties and light weight, such as polystyrene foam, is used as the material for the partitioning member 50. The partitioning member 50 has a substantially plate-like partitioning member main body 501. When viewed from above, the size of the partitioning member main body 501 is the same as that of the freezer compartment inner box 22 and the vegetable compartment box 23. With this configuration, the partitioning member 50 can effectively insulate the freezer compartment 13 and the vegetable compartment 14. A cavity (not shown) is formed inside the partitioning member 50 to allow air to return from the freezer compartment 13 to the cooling compartment 27 (FIG. 2).

[0055] The fixing portion 47 is a portion for fixing an intermediate portion of the connecting pipe 42. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 47 is formed as a portion continuous with the partition member 50. That is, the fixing portion 47 is formed as a portion that protrudes from the partition member main body 501 toward the periphery. The fixing portion 47 has a first fixing portion 471 to a fourth fixing portion 474. The first fixing portion 471 is disposed on the front right side of the partition member main body 501. The second fixing portion 472 is disposed on the rear right side of the partition member main body 501. The third fixing portion 473 is disposed on the front left side of the partition member main body 501. The fourth fixing portion 474 is disposed on the rear left side of the partition member main body 501.

[0056] The first fixing portion 471 is a portion that fixes the vicinity of the front end of the second connecting pipe 422. The first fixing portion 471 is a portion that protrudes to the right from the right side surface of the partitioning member main body 501. The first fixing portion 471 has a first fixing surface 481 and a first protruding portion 491. The first fixing surface 481 is a substantially rectangular surface that partially protrudes to the right from the right side surface of the partitioning member main body 501. The first protruding portion 491 is a portion that protrudes further to the right from the upper rear portion of the first fixing surface 481. The same configuration applies to the other second fixing portions 472 to fourth fixing portions 474.

[0057] A portion of the connecting pipe 42 is fixed to the first fixing surface 481. Specifically, the front end portion of the second connecting pipe 422, the lower end portion of the third connecting pipe 423, and the first bent portion 428 are fixed to the first fixing surface 481. The first bent portion 428 is a portion where the second connecting pipe 422 and the third connecting pipe 423 are connected together at a substantially right angle. The second connecting pipe 422, the third connecting pipe 423, and the first bent portion 428 are fixed to the first fixing surface 481 with adhesive tape or the like.

[0058] The first protrusion 491 is disposed above the first bent portion 428 and its vicinity. The first protrusion 491 abuts against the first bent portion 428 and its vicinity, thereby preventing the connecting pipe 42 from moving upward. The length L10 of the first protrusion 491 protruding rightward from the first fixing surface 481 is longer than the diameter L11 of the second connecting pipe 422. This prevents the second connecting pipe 422 from moving upward over the first protrusion 491 during the assembly process of the refrigerator 10. This allows the second connecting pipe 422 to be separated from the freezer compartment box 22, preventing unnecessary heat exchange between them. The same applies to the second fixing portion 472, which will be described later.

[0059] The first protrusion 491 is disposed on the first fixing surface 481 on the side of the storage compartment where the internal temperature is lower. Specifically, referring to FIG. 6 , the first fixing portion 471 is disposed between the freezer compartment box 22 disposed on the upper level and the crisper compartment box 23 disposed on the lower level. Here, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment box 22 is in the freezer temperature range, while the internal temperature of the crisper compartment box 23 is in the refrigerated temperature range. Therefore, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment box 22 is lower than the internal temperature of the crisper compartment box 23. By forming the first protrusion 491 on the upper side, i.e., on the side of the freezer compartment box 22, it is possible to prevent the second connecting pipe 422 from moving toward the freezer compartment box 22. In other words, the first protrusion 491 separates the second connecting pipe 422 from the freezer compartment box 22, thereby preventing unintended heat exchange between them. The same applies to second protrusion 492, third protrusion 493, and fourth protrusion 494, which will be described later.

[0060] The second fixing portion 472 is a portion that fixes the vicinity of the rear end of the second connecting pipe 422. The second fixing portion 472 has a second fixing surface 482 and a second protruding portion 492. The second fixing surface 482 is a rectangular surface that protrudes rightward from the right side surface of the partition member main body 501. The second protruding portion 492 is a portion that protrudes further rightward from the front upper end of the second fixing portion 472.

[0061] The rear end of the second connecting pipe 422, the first connecting pipe 421, and the second bent portion 429 are disposed near the second fixing surface 482. The second bent portion 429 is a portion that connects the second connecting pipe 422 and the first connecting pipe 421 at a substantially right angle. Here, the rear end of the second connecting pipe 422 is fixed to the second fixing surface 482 using adhesive tape or the like (not shown). The second protrusion 492 is disposed above the second connecting pipe 422, thereby preventing the second connecting pipe 422 and the surrounding area from moving upward.

[0062] As described above, the first fixing portion 471 fixes the vicinity of the front end of the second connecting pipe 422. Meanwhile, the second fixing portion 472 fixes the vicinity of the rear end of the second connecting pipe 422. As a result, the position of the second connecting pipe 422 can be firmly fixed by the first fixing portion 471 and the second fixing portion 472 in the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction.

[0063] Furthermore, the second connecting pipe 422 contacts the first fixing surface 481 and the second fixing surface 482, but does not contact the right side surface of the partitioning member main body 501. Therefore, a heat insulating material 25 (see FIG. 2) made of urethane foam resin is filled between the right side surface of the partitioning member main body 501 and the second connecting pipe 422. In this way, unnecessary heat transfer from the second connecting pipe 422 to the outside can be suppressed. The same applies to the fifth connecting pipe 425, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0064] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the refrigerant pipes 40 and the partition member 50 from a different angle. In Figure 8, the refrigerant pipes 40 and the partition member 50 are shown as a whole at the top, the fourth fixing part 474 is shown at the bottom left, and the third fixing part 473 is shown at the bottom right.

[0065] On the left side surface of the partition member main body 501, a third fixing portion 473 is disposed at the front end portion, and a fourth fixing portion 474 is disposed at the rear end portion.

[0066] The third fixing portion 473 is a portion that fixes the vicinity of the front end of the fifth connecting pipe 425. The third fixing portion 473 has a third fixing surface 483 and a third protruding portion 493. The third fixing surface 483 is a surface that partially protrudes leftward in a rectangular shape from the left side surface of the partition member main body 501. The third protruding portion 493 is a portion that protrudes further leftward from the rear upper portion of the third fixing surface 483. The front end of the fifth connecting pipe 425, the lower end of the fourth connecting pipe 424, and the third bent portion 4210 abut against the third fixing surface 483. The third bent portion 4210 is a portion that connects the fifth connecting pipe 425 and the fourth connecting pipe 424 at a substantially right angle. The third bent portion 4210 and its surrounding portion are adhered to the third fixing surface 483 using adhesive tape or the like. By providing third protruding portion 493 in the vicinity of third bent portion 4210, the portion in the vicinity of third bent portion 4210 is prevented from inadvertently moving upward and backward.

[0067] The fourth fixing portion 474 is a portion that fixes the rear end portion of the fifth connecting pipe 425. The fourth fixing portion 474 has a fourth fixing surface 484 and a second protrusion 492. The fourth fixing surface 484 is a surface that partially protrudes leftward in a rectangular shape from the left side surface of the partition member main body 501. The fourth protrusion 494 is a portion that further protrudes leftward in a rectangular shape from the front upper portion of the fourth fixing surface 484. The rear end portion of the fifth connecting pipe 425 is fixed to the fourth fixing surface 484 using fixing tape or the like (not shown). In addition, the rear end portion of the fifth connecting pipe 425 connects to the sixth connecting pipe 426 via a fourth bent portion 4211. The fourth bent portion 4211 connects the rear end portion of the fifth connecting pipe 425 and the left end portion of the sixth connecting pipe 426 at a substantially right angle.

[0068] The fifth connection pipe 425 and its vicinity can be fixed to the partition member 50 by the fourth fixing portion 474 and the third fixing portion 473.

[0069] Therefore, the fifth connecting pipe 425 is fixed to the partitioning member 50 together with the second connecting pipe 422 shown in FIG. 7. The partitioning member 50 is fixed between the freezer compartment box 22 and the vegetable compartment box 23, as shown in FIG. 6. As a result, the relative positions of the inner box 20 and the connecting pipe 42 can be fixed by the first fixing portion 471 to the fourth fixing portion 474. This prevents the connecting pipe 42 from coming too close to the inner box 20, thereby preventing the high-temperature refrigerant flowing inside the connecting pipe 42 from increasing in temperature in the storage compartment formed inside the inner box 20. This also prevents the high-temperature refrigerant flowing inside the connecting pipe 42 from being accidentally supercooled.

[0070] Furthermore, in the manufacturing process of refrigerator 10, connecting pipe 42 can be prepared in a state where it is integrated with inner box 20, as shown in Fig. 6. Referring to Fig. 4, inner box 20 is assembled into outer box 19 together with connecting pipe 42, and insulating material 25 (Fig. 2) is enclosed between inner box 20 and compressor 29, whereby insulated box body 11 shown in Fig. 2 can be manufactured.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0072] For example, referring to Figure 7 etc., the first fixing portion 471 to the fourth fixing portion 474 are members that are continuous with the partition member 50. Here, the first fixing portion 471 to the fourth fixing portion 474 may be separate members that are not continuous with the partition member 50. That is, the first fixing portion 471 to the fourth fixing portion 474 may be formed separately using a heat insulating member such as polystyrene foam. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10. Refrigerator 11 Insulated box 12 Refrigerator 13 Freezer 14 Vegetable compartment 15 Insulated Door 151 First Insulated Door 152 Second Insulated Door 153 Third Insulated Door 154 4th Insulated Door 16 Machine room 17 Contact plate part 171 1st contact plate part 172 Second contact plate part 173 Third contact plate part 18 Opening 181 First Opening 182 Second Opening 183 Third Opening 184 4th Opening 19 Outer box 191 Side of outer box 20 Inner box 21 Refrigerated Indoor Box 22 Freezer Indoor Box 23 Vegetable storage box 25 Insulation 26 Evaporator 27 Cooling room 28 Blower 29 Compressor 30 Defrost heater 31 Damper 33 First Compartment Wall 331 1st front section 34 Second Compartment Wall 341 2nd front section 35 Compartment 37 Refrigeration Cycle 40 Refrigerant pipe 41 Frame pipe 411 First Frame Pipe 412 Second frame pipe 413 Third Frame Pipe 414 4th frame pipe 415 5th frame pipe 416 No. 6 Frame Pipe 417 7th Frame Pipe 418 No. 8 Frame Pipe 419 No. 9 Frame Pipe 4110 No. 10 Frame Pipe 4111 11th Frame Pipe 42 Connecting pipe 421 First connecting pipe 422 Second connecting pipe 423 Third connecting pipe 424 4th connecting pipe 425 5th connecting pipe 426 No. 6 Connecting Pipe 427 7th connecting pipe 428 First Bend 429 Second Bend 4210 Third bend 4211 4th bend 43 Side heat dissipation pipe 47 Fixed part 471 1st fixed part 472 Second fixed part 473 Third fixed part 474 4th fixed part 48 Fixed surface 481 1st fixed surface 482 2nd fixed surface 483 3rd fixed surface 484 4th fixed surface 49 Protrusion 491 1st protrusion 492 Second protrusion 493 Third protrusion 494 4th protrusion 50 Compartment members 501 Compartment member body

Claims

1. The storage compartment includes a heat-insulating box body having an opening, and a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant for a refrigeration cycle flows. The insulating box includes an outer box that forms an outer surface of the insulating box, an inner box that is disposed inside the outer box, and an insulating material that is disposed between the outer box and the inner box, The inner box includes a first inner box and a second inner box disposed below the first inner box, the refrigerant pipe includes a frame pipe disposed along the periphery of the opening, and a connecting pipe extending rearward and continuous with the frame pipe, The refrigerator, wherein the connecting pipe is arranged between the first inner box and the second inner box in the vertical direction.

2. a fixing portion disposed between the first inner box and the second inner box in the vertical direction, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing portion is configured to support the connecting pipe.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the connecting pipe is fixed to an outer surface of the fixing part in the width direction.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the fixing portion has a fixing surface to which the connection pipe is fixed, and a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the width direction from the fixing surface.

5. a plate-shaped partition member disposed between the first inner box and the second inner box, The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the fixing portion is continuous with the partition member.

Images