Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of suppressing unnecessary temperature rise of a member around a defrosting heater due to light emission of the defrosting heater in a defrosting process.SOLUTION: Refrigerator 10 includes refrigerating compartment 12 and the like as a storage compartment, cooling compartment 27 in which air blown into the storage compartment is cooled by evaporator 26, defrosting heater 30 disposed below evaporator 26 inside cooling compartment 27, return air passage 24 through which air returning from the storage compartment to cooling compartment 27 is blown, and light shielding portion 43 disposed between air outlet 42 of return air passage 24 and defrosting heater 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator in which a return air passage is formed near a defrost heater. [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] A cooling chamber is defined at the rear of the storage chamber for cooling the air sent to the storage chamber. An evaporator, a blower, and a defrost heater are disposed inside the cooling chamber. The evaporator cools the air inside the cooling chamber. The blower sends the cooled air toward each storage chamber. The defrost heater is disposed below the evaporator inside the cooling chamber and generates heat when energized to melt frost on the evaporator.

[0004] A return air duct is formed near the cooling chamber, connecting the storage chamber and the cooling chamber. Air that cools the storage chamber and then returns to the cooling chamber is blown through the return air duct. An example of such a return air duct is described in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-100798 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in a refrigerator equipped with the above-described defrost heater and return air duct, problems may arise due to heat generated by the defrost heater during defrosting.

[0007] Specifically, when the defrost heater is energized during defrosting, the defrost heater generates heat and emits light to the surrounding area. The heat and light increase the temperature of the air inside the cooling chamber, melting the frost on the evaporator.

[0008] On the other hand, the light emitted from the defrost heater may unnecessarily heat the surrounding components. For example, if the aforementioned return air duct is formed near the defrost heater, some of the light emitted from the defrost heater may enter the return air duct, causing the components constituting the return air duct to unnecessarily heat up. If the components constituting the return air duct are unnecessarily heated up, this may result in deformation of the components.

[0009] To prevent the temperature of the return air passage from rising, it is conceivable to cover the inner surface of the return air passage with a highly reflective metal film. However, if the metal film peels off during the manufacturing process or while the refrigerator is in use, there is a concern that the peeled metal film may block the air passage. If this happens, the air passage may be blocked, preventing sufficient air from being blown into the storage compartment, making it difficult to sufficiently cool the storage compartment.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a refrigerator that can prevent unnecessary temperature increases in components around the defrost heater due to light emission from the defrost heater during the defrosting process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a storage compartment, a cooling compartment in which air blown into the storage compartment is cooled by an evaporator, a defrost heater disposed below the evaporator within the cooling compartment, a return air duct through which air returning from the storage compartment to the cooling compartment is blown, and a light-shielding portion disposed between an outlet of the return air duct and the defrost heater. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the return air duct can be protected in a defrosting process for removing frost from the evaporator by operating the defrost heater. Specifically, the defrost heater emits light during the defrosting process. Therefore, if light emitted from the defrost heater accidentally enters the return air duct, the return air duct may be overheated. In the present invention, a light-shielding portion is disposed between the outlet of the return air duct and the defrost heater. This prevents light emitted from the defrost heater from entering the return air duct, thereby preventing the return air duct from being overheated by the light.

[0012] In the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the light blocking part is located below an imaginary line that is a straight line connecting the center of the defrost heater and the lower end of the air outlet of the return air duct. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the light blocking part blocks most of the light rays that are directed from the defrost heater toward the air outlet, thereby more effectively suppressing overheating of the return air duct.

[0013] In addition, in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the return air duct is inclined downward toward the cooling compartment. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the return air duct is inclined downward, so that the return air can be effectively returned to below the evaporator. Meanwhile, although the return air duct having such a shape is susceptible to light from the defrost heater, the light is blocked by the light-blocking portion, so that the return air duct is prevented from overheating.

[0014] In the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the return air passage is a cavity formed inside a thermal insulator. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the thermal insulator constituting the return air passage is a member having a relatively low heat resistance temperature. Therefore, by shading the return air passage with a shading part, it is possible to prevent the thermal insulator constituting the return air passage from becoming overheated.

[0015] In addition, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention has a dew receiving member disposed in a lower portion of the cooling compartment, the dew receiving member having a dew receiving main body portion forming the dew receiving portion below the evaporator, and the light blocking portion formed as a wall portion continuous with the dew receiving main body portion. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, since the light blocking portion is a member continuous with the dew receiving member, the position of the light blocking portion can be accurately determined.

[0016] In the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the dew receiving body and the light blocking portion are made of a resin material that is continuous with each other via a thin continuous portion. According to the refrigerator according to the embodiment, the relative positions of the dew receiving body and the light blocking portion can be more accurately determined. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the refrigerator of the present invention, it is possible to prevent unnecessary temperature rise of components around the defrost heater, such as the return air duct, due to light emitted from the defrost heater during the defrosting process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [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 side cross-sectional view showing a defrost heater and its vicinity of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the size relationship between an air outlet, a light blocking part, and a defrost heater in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a defrost heater, a partition member, and a crisper in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view showing a defrost heater, a partition member, and a crisper in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a defrost heater, a dew receiving member, a partition member, and a crisper in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view showing a partition member in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view showing a partition member at a different angle in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a dew receiving member in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view showing a dew receiving member in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a dew receiving member in the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a dew-receiving member in a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a dew-receiving member in a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a dew-receiving member in a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a dew-receiving member in a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing 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-back direction. In Fig. 2, dotted arrows indicate the air flow in each storage compartment.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 40 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 40 will be described later.

[0028] A return air duct 24 is formed inside the second partition wall 34. The return air duct 24 is an air tunnel connecting the vegetable compartment 14 and the cooling compartment 27. The front end of the return air duct 24 opens toward the vegetable compartment 14, and the rear end of the return air duct 24 opens toward the cooling compartment 27. Air returning from the vegetable compartment 14 to the cooling compartment 27 flows through the return air duct 24. A shading section 43 is disposed near the opening of the return air duct 24 in the cooling compartment 27. The configuration of the shading section 43 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 etc.

[0029] The partition 35 is configured so that the second insulating door 152 and the third insulating door 153 come into contact with each other. Specifically, the lower end portion of the second insulating door 152 and the upper end portion of the third insulating door 153 come into contact with the partition 35. The partition 35 is disposed at the front end portion inside the freezer compartment 13. The partition 35 is also disposed at approximately the center in the up-down direction inside the freezer compartment 13. The partition 35 is a substantially rod-shaped member that extends from the left end to the right end portion of the freezer compartment inner box 22.

[0030] The cooling compartment 27 is a space formed behind the freezer compartment 13. The cooling compartment 27 and the freezer compartment 13 are separated by a partition plate 17 made of a resin plate. In the cooling compartment 27, from above, a blower 28, an evaporator 26, and a defrost heater 30 are arranged. The blower 28 blows air cooled inside the cooling compartment 27 to the refrigerator compartment 12, the freezer compartment 13, and the vegetable compartment 14. The defrost heater 30 is a defrosting means arranged below the evaporator 26 inside the cooling compartment 27. The defrost heater 30 is, for example, an electric heater that generates heat when electricity is applied.

[0031] A dew receiving member 45 is disposed at the bottom of the cooling chamber 27. The dew receiving member 45 is a portion that collects defrost water that is generated when the frost is melted. The configuration of the dew receiving member 45 will be described later with reference to Fig. 9 etc.

[0032] A machine room 16 is defined at the rear of the bottom of the insulated box 11, and the machine room 16 houses a compressor 29 and other components. Inside the machine room 16, an evaporation tray 18 is located adjacent to an upper portion of the compressor 29. The evaporation tray 18 is connected to a dew receiving member 45 via a pipe (not shown). Therefore, defrosted water generated by melting frost on the evaporator 26 is transferred to the evaporation tray 18 via the dew receiving member 45 and the pipe (not shown).

[0033] The evaporator 26 and the compressor 29 are connected to an expansion means and a condenser (not shown) via refrigerant pipes (not shown) 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).

[0034] The air duct 111 is an air duct that extends upward from the cooling compartment 27. The air duct 111 is an air duct formed on the rear side of the refrigerator compartment 12, and has multiple air outlets formed therein for blowing air into the refrigerator compartment 12. A damper 31 is installed in the middle of the air duct 111. 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 air into the refrigerator compartment 12, and keeps the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 12 constant. The connecting air duct 112 is an air duct that connects the rear end of the bottom surface of the refrigerator compartment 12 with the vegetable compartment 14. The connecting air duct 112 is a duct that is embedded in the insulation 25 on the rear side of the inner box 20.

[0035] The following describes the air flow when cooling each storage compartment in refrigerator 10. First, the air inside cooling compartment 27 blown by blower 28 is sent to refrigerator compartment 12 via air flow path 111. Here, if a chilled compartment is formed inside refrigerator compartment 12, air is supplied to the chilled compartment from air flow path 111. As a result, refrigerator compartment 12 is cooled to a refrigeration temperature range.

[0036] The air that has cooled the refrigerator compartment 12 is sent to the vegetable compartment 14 via the connecting air duct 112. The air that has cooled the vegetable compartment 14 is returned to the cooling compartment 27 via the return air duct 24. This allows the vegetable compartment 14 to be cooled to the refrigeration temperature range.

[0037] A portion of the air blown by blower 28 is also supplied to freezing compartment 13. The air that has cooled freezing compartment 13 returns to cooling compartment 27 via a return port (not shown) formed at the rear end of the bottom surface of freezing compartment 13. This causes freezing compartment 13 to be cooled to the freezing temperature range.

[0038] The defrosting process using the defrost heater 30 will now be described. As the evaporator 26 cools the air, frost forms on the surface of the evaporator 26. Thick frost impedes heat transfer between the evaporator 26 and the air and further impedes airflow within the cooling chamber 27. Therefore, a calculation control unit (not shown), such as a CPU, executes a defrosting process to melt the frost on the evaporator 26 after a certain period of time has passed or when the cooling efficiency falls below a certain level. In the defrosting process, the calculation control unit stops the compressor 29 and the blower 28 and energizes the defrost heater 30. The defrost heater 30 then generates heat and light, raising the temperature inside the cooling chamber 27 and melting the frost on the evaporator 26. The defrost water generated by the melting of the frost travels through the dew receiving member 45 and accumulates in the evaporator pan 18. It evaporates in the evaporator pan 18 due to the heat generated by the operation of the compressor 29.

[0039] Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the defrost heater 30 and its vicinity of the refrigerator 10. In Fig. 3, the air flow is indicated by dotted arrows.

[0040] As described above, the evaporator 26, the defrost heater 30, the light blocking portion 43, and the dew receiving member 45 are arranged inside the cooling chamber 27 from above.

[0041] The defrost heater 30 is a device that generates heat during defrosting. The defrost heater 30 is configured with an electric heating wire disposed inside a glass tube. When the defrost heater 30 is in operation, electricity is passed through the electric heating wire, causing the defrost heater 30 to generate heat and emit light. When in operation, the defrost heater 30 emits light from its center toward the periphery. In addition, a plate-shaped cover (not shown) is disposed between the evaporator 26 and the defrost heater 30.

[0042] The shading portion 43 is a plate-like member disposed between the air outlet 42 of the return air passage 24 and the defrost heater 30. The upper portion of the shading portion 43 is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear. The upper end of the shading portion 43 is fixed to the front upper end of the dew receiving member 45. Because the upper portion of the shading portion 43 is an inclined surface, defrost water generated during the defrosting process can smoothly move downward along the inclined surface. The lower portion of the shading portion 43 is a vertical surface that extends approximately vertically. Because the lower portion of the shading portion 43 is a vertical surface, light rays traveling from the defrost heater 30 toward the air outlet 42 can be effectively blocked.

[0043] As described above, return air duct 24 is an air duct that connects the upper end of vegetable compartment 14 and the lower end of cooling compartment 27. Return air duct 24 is also an air tunnel formed inside partition member 40. Partition member 40 is a substantially plate-shaped insulating member disposed between freezer compartment 13 and vegetable compartment 14. As a material for partition member 40, for example, a material with excellent insulating properties and mechanical strength, such as polystyrene foam, can be used.

[0044] When refrigerator 10 is operating, vegetable compartment 14 is cooled to the refrigeration temperature range by blowing air that has cooled refrigeration compartment 12 into vegetable compartment 14. The air that has cooled vegetable compartment 14 returns to cooling compartment 27 via return air duct 24. Air outlet 42 is an end opening on the cooling compartment 27 side of return air duct 24, and the air that has passed through return air duct 24 is blown out from air outlet 42 toward cooling compartment 27.

[0045] Return air passage 24 is formed with an upper air passage portion 241 and a lower air passage portion 242. Upper air passage portion 241 is the upper surface of return air passage 24 and is the portion that approaches cooling chamber 27. Upper air passage portion 241 is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear, which is the side that approaches cooling chamber 27. Lower air passage portion 242 is the lower surface of return air passage 24 and is the portion that approaches cooling chamber 27. Lower air passage portion 242 is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the lower surface, which is the side that approaches cooling chamber 27.

[0046] The air passage upper surface 241 and the air passage lower surface 242 of the return air passage 24 are inclined downward toward the rear, thereby allowing the air in the cooling chamber 27 to be effectively cooled. Specifically, as described above, air from the vegetable compartment 14 returns to the cooling chamber 27 via the return air passage 24. At this time, because the air passage upper surface 241 and the air passage lower surface 242 are inclined downward toward the rear, the air blown out from the air outlet 42 into the cooling chamber 27 travels at a downward incline toward the rear. Furthermore, the air blown out from the air outlet 42 travels downward by hitting the light-shielding portion 43. Thereafter, the air blown out from the air outlet 42 into the cooling chamber 27 travels along the lower and rear side surfaces of the dew-receiving member 45 and then travels upward inside the cooling chamber 27. The air then further rises inside the cooling chamber 27 while being effectively cooled by heat exchange with the evaporator 26.

[0047] The light-shielding portion 43 is configured so that light emitted from the defrost heater 30 is not directly irradiated onto the return air passage 24. Specifically, first, an imaginary line 44 is defined so as to connect the center of the defrost heater 30 and the lower end of the air outlet 42 of the return air passage 24. The lower end of the light-shielding portion 43 is positioned below the imaginary line 44.

[0048] In this way, during the defrosting process, the return air passage 24 can be protected as the defrost heater 30 operates. Specifically, during the defrosting process, the defrost heater 30 emits light. The defrost heater 30 emits light radially outward from the center of the defrost heater 30. Therefore, part of the light emitted from the defrost heater 30 also travels toward the air outlet 42 of the return air passage 24.

[0049] When light emitted from the defrost heater 30 enters the return air duct 24, the return air duct 24 is heated. As described above, the return air duct 24 is a cavity formed in the partition member 40 made of, for example, foamed resin. The polystyrene foam that makes up the partition member 40 is a more flammable material than polypropylene or the like that makes up the dew-receiving member 45, the freezer inner box 22, etc. Furthermore, since polystyrene foam has many air bubbles inside, it is a material that easily heats up.

[0050] Taking these factors into consideration, in this embodiment, the lower end of the light-shielding portion 43 extends below the imaginary line 44. In other words, the light-shielding portion 43 is configured to cover the air outlet 42 from above and to prevent direct light from the defrost heater 30 from entering the return air passage 24 through the air outlet 42. That is, the light-shielding portion 43 entirely shields the air outlet 42 of the air passage lower surface 242 from the defrost heater 30. This prevents the inner surface of the return air passage 24, such as the air passage lower surface 242, from being directly exposed to light emitted from the defrost heater 30. This prevents the inner surface of the return air passage 24 from overheating during the defrosting process. Furthermore, this configuration eliminates the need to cover the inner surface of the return air passage 24 with a reflective metal film. This simplifies the configuration around the return air passage 24. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent blockage of the air passage caused by peeling of the metal film.

[0051] Furthermore, the lower end of the light blocking portion 43 is disposed above the lower end of the air outlet 42. With this configuration, the air blown out from the air outlet 42 into the cooling chamber 27 is not blocked excessively by the light blocking portion 43.

[0052] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the size relationship between the air outlet 42, the light blocking portion 43, and the defrost heater 30. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the air outlet 42, the light blocking portion 43, and the defrost heater 30 in the direction indicated by line BB in Fig. 2.

[0053] Here, assuming that the length of the defrost heater 30 is L10, the length of the light-shielding portion 43 is L11, and the length of the air outlet 42 is L12 in the left-right direction, L10 is the longest, L11 is the shortest, and L12 is the shortest. Furthermore, the left end of the light-shielding portion 43 is located to the left of the left end of the air outlet 42. Furthermore, the right end of the light-shielding portion 43 is located to the right of the right end of the air outlet 42.

[0054] With this configuration, the return air passage 24 can be reliably shielded from light by the shading portion 43. Specifically, as described above, the shading portion 43 is disposed between the defrost heater 30 and the air outlet 42. The entire width of the air outlet 42 is also shielded from light by the shading portion 43. Therefore, during defrosting, light emitted from the defrost heater 30 does not directly enter the air outlet 42 over the entire width. Therefore, the return air passage 24 does not directly enter the defrost heater 30 over the entire width, preventing overheating during the defrosting process.

[0055] Furthermore, the length L11 of the light-shielding portion 43 is shorter than the width L10 of the defrost heater 30. This allows the air blown out from the air outlet 42 to easily flow into the cooling chamber 27 via the outer portions in the left-right direction of the light-shielding portion 43. In other words, the effect of the light-shielding portion 43 on ventilation can be reduced.

[0056] The relative configuration of the crisper box 23, the partition member 40, and the dew receiving member 45 will be described with reference to Figures 5A, 5B, and 6. Figure 5A is a perspective view showing the defrost heater 30, the partition member 40, and the crisper box 23. Figure 5B is a cutaway perspective view showing the defrost heater 30, the partition member 40, and the crisper box 23. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the defrost heater 30, the dew receiving member 45, the partition member 40, and the crisper box 23 in the refrigerator 10.

[0057] 5A and 5B, a partition member 40 is disposed above crisper box 23, and the rear end portion of partition member 40 forms the lowest portion of cooling chamber 27.

[0058] 6, the partition member 40 has a dew receiving storage section 401 formed at its rear end. The dew receiving storage section 401 is a section formed by recessing the partition member 40 from the top surface, and has substantially the same shape and size as the dew receiving member 45. The dew receiving member 45 is stored in the dew receiving storage section 401. As described above, the partition member 40 has the return air passage 24 formed therein. Therefore, the partition member 40 is a member that constitutes the air passage, and also a member that forms the lowest part of the cooling chamber 27 described above.

[0059] Air outlet openings 47 are formed on the top surface of crisper box 23. Air outlet openings 47 are openings on the ceiling surface of crisper box 23. A plurality of air outlet openings 47 are formed at approximately equal intervals along the left-right direction at the front end of crisper box 23. Air outlet openings 47 are return ports through which air that has cooled crisper box 23 is blown toward return air duct 24.

[0060] The configuration of the partition member 40 will be described with reference to Figures 7A and 7B. Figure 7A is a cutaway perspective view showing the partition member 40. Figure 7B is a cutaway perspective view showing the partition member 40 from a different angle.

[0061] 7A and 7B, as described above, return air passage 24 is formed inside partition member 40. The rear portion of return air passage 24 is an air tunnel formed inside partition member 40, and the rear end forms air outlet 42. Meanwhile, the front portion of return air passage 24 is a recessed portion 41 formed by recessing the lower surface of partition member 40 upward. The front end of recessed portion 41 overlaps with air outlet opening 47 shown in FIG. 6.

[0062] 7B, a through-hole 402 is formed in the rear end portion of the partitioning member 40. The through-hole 402 is formed by vertically penetrating the partitioning member 40 at a portion where the dew receiving storage portion 401 is formed. A dew receiving pipe 452 is disposed in the through-hole 402. The dew receiving pipe 452 is a part of the dew receiving member 45. The configuration of the dew receiving member 45 including the dew receiving pipe 452 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0063] The configuration of the dew receiving member 45 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 8A, 8B, and 9. Figure 8A is a perspective view showing the dew receiving member 45. Figure 8B is a cutaway perspective view showing the dew receiving member 45. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the dew receiving member 45.

[0064] 8A, 8B and 9, the dew receiving member 45 mainly includes a dew receiving main body 451, a dew receiving pipe 452, a dew receiving opening 453, an internal plate member 454, and a light blocking portion 43.

[0065] 8A and 8B, the dew receiving member 45 has a funnel shape as a whole in order to collect defrost water generated in the defrosting process described above into the dew receiving pipe 452. That is, the upper end of the dew receiving pipe 452 is open. The bottom surface of the dew receiving main body 451 is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the dew receiving pipe 452.

[0066] An internal plate member 454 is disposed inside the dew receiving main body 451. The configuration of the internal plate member 454 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0067] The dew receiving openings 453 are openings on the front surface of the dew receiving main body 451. Here, two dew receiving openings 453 are formed along the left-right direction. The dew receiving openings 453 are disposed immediately adjacent to the air outlet 42 shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the air that has passed through the return airflow path 24 is blown out into the cooling chamber 27 via the air outlet 42 and the dew receiving openings 453 shown in FIG. 3.

[0068] The light blocking portion 43 is fixed to the upper end of the front side surface of the dew receiving main body portion 451. The configuration of the light blocking portion 43 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0069] 9, the dew receiving member 45 has a dew receiving main body 451, an internal plate member 454, and a light blocking portion 43. Each member constituting the dew receiving member 45 is made of, for example, a resin such as polypropylene, or a metal plate such as aluminum.

[0070] The dew receiving main body 451 is a resin member that forms a dew receiving portion on the lower side of the evaporator 26. As described above, the dew receiving main body 451 is generally funnel-shaped. A dew receiving pipe 452 is formed at the lower end of the dew receiving main body 451. A dew receiving opening 453 of generally rectangular shape is formed on the front surface of the dew receiving main body 451. A third insertion portion 457 is formed on the front surface of the dew receiving main body 451. The third insertion portion 457 is a hole that penetrates the front surface of the dew receiving main body 451 in a generally circular shape.

[0071] The internal plate member 454 is a generally plate-shaped member disposed inside the dew receiving main body 451. The internal plate member 454 has front and rear surfaces shaped to correspond to the inner surface of the dew receiving main body 451. An internal opening 455 is formed by opening the front surface of the internal plate member 454. The position and shape of the internal opening 455 correspond to the dew receiving opening 453 of the dew receiving main body 451. The returning air passes through the dew receiving opening 453 and the internal opening 455. The internal plate member 454 is a plate-shaped member made of a metal such as aluminum. Because the internal plate member 454 is made of metal, the internal plate member 454 can reflect heat and light generated from the defrost heater 30. This allows the resin dew receiving main body 451 to be protected from the heat generated by the defrost heater 30.

[0072] The second insertion portion 456 is formed by opening the front surface of the internal plate member 454 in a substantially circular shape. The position and shape of the second insertion portion 456 correspond to the third insertion portion 457 of the dew receiving main body 451. Therefore, when the internal plate member 454 is assembled into the dew receiving main body 451, the third insertion portion 457 of the dew receiving main body 451 and the second insertion portion 456 of the internal plate member 454 overlap when viewed from the front.

[0073] The light-shielding portion 43 is a member formed as a wall-like portion continuing from the dew-receiving main body portion 451. The cross-sectional shape and the like of the light-shielding portion 43 are as described with reference to Fig. 3. The light-shielding portion 43 has a first insertion portion 431. The first insertion portion 431 is a substantially cylindrical portion and is disposed at both ends of the light-shielding portion 43 in the left-right direction.

[0074] When the internal plate member 454 and the light blocking portion 43 are assembled to the dew receiving main body 451, the third insertion portion 457 of the dew receiving main body 451, the second insertion portion 456 of the internal plate member 454, and the first insertion portion 431 of the light blocking portion 43 are positioned in the same position. Therefore, the dew receiving main body 451, the internal plate member 454, and the light blocking portion 43 can be fastened together by screws or bolts that pass through the third insertion portion 457, the second insertion portion 456, and the first insertion portion 431.

[0075] Therefore, the light-shielding portion 43, the internal plate member 454, and the light-shielding portion 43 are fastened together to form an integrated member. As shown in Fig. 3, the relative position of the light-shielding portion 43 and the air outlet 42 can be accurately determined. As a result, the light emitted from the defrost heater 30 during the defrosting process is blocked by the light-shielding portion 43, and irradiation of the light through the air outlet 42 onto the return air duct 24 can be prevented.

[0076] The main effects of this embodiment will now be described.

[0077] First, referring to FIG. 3, when the defrost heater 30 is energized during the defrosting process, the defrost heater 30 generates heat and emits light. Light rays emitted from the defrost heater 30 are irradiated toward the inner surface of the dew receiving member 45. Referring to FIG. 9, the dew receiving member 45 has a dew receiving main body 451, and an internal plate member 454, which is a metal plate, is disposed inside the dew receiving main body 451. In other words, the internal surface of the dew receiving main body 451 is protected by the internal plate member 454. Therefore, the light rays emitted from the defrost heater 30 are not directly irradiated onto the internal surface of the dew receiving main body 451. Meanwhile, a dew receiving opening 453 for blowing out return air is formed in the dew receiving main body 451. Similarly, an internal opening 455 is also formed in the internal plate member 454. The dew receiving opening 453 and the internal opening 455 form the air outlet 42 shown in FIG. 3.

[0078] Therefore, the internal plate member 454 shown in Fig. 9 does not protect the air outlet 42 shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, unless some measures are taken, there is a risk that light rays emitted from the defrost heater 30 will pass through the air outlet 42 and be irradiated onto the return air passage 24. Furthermore, since the inner surface of the return air passage 24 is made of polystyrene foam, no measures are necessarily taken to protect against irradiation of light rays.

[0079] In this embodiment, a shading portion 43 is disposed near the air outlet 42. As described above, the shading portion 43 is configured to prevent direct irradiation from the defrost heater 30 from reaching the air outlet 42. Therefore, during the defrosting process, the inside of the return air passage 24 is not overheated by the defrost heater 30, and deformation of the return air passage 24 can be suppressed.

[0080] 10A to 11B, the configuration of a dew receiving member 45 according to another embodiment will be described. In the dew receiving member 45 shown in FIG. 9, the dew receiving main body 451 and the light blocking portion 43 are prepared as separate parts and are integrated by a fastening means or the like. On the other hand, in the dew receiving member 45 shown in FIGS. 10A to 11B, the dew receiving main body 451 and the light blocking portion 43 are an injection-molded, integrated resin member. This makes it possible to accurately position the dew receiving main body 451 and the light blocking portion 43 relative to each other. Furthermore, this improves workability in the manufacturing process and simplifies parts management.

[0081] Figures 10A and 10B show the dew-receiving main body 451 and the light-shielding part 43 immediately after injection molding. Figure 10A is a perspective view showing the dew-receiving main body 451 and the light-shielding part 43. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC cut plane line in Figure 10A. The CC cut plane is a plane that includes the up-down direction and the front-back direction.

[0082] The configurations of the dew receiving main body 451 and the light blocking portion 43 are substantially the same as those described with reference to Fig. 9 and other figures. Here, the dew receiving main body 451 and the light blocking portion 43 are integrally continuous via a thin continuous portion 458. The dew receiving main body 451 and the light blocking portion 43 are integrally molded using an injection molding die. The thin continuous portion 458 is a portion formed between the upper end of the front surface of the dew receiving main body 451 and the lower side of the light blocking portion 43. The thin continuous portion 458 is thinner than the dew receiving main body 451 and the light blocking portion 43. The thickness of the thin continuous portion 458 is set to a thickness that maintains continuity between the dew receiving main body 451 and the light blocking portion 43 and that allows the thin continuous portion 458 to serve as a starting point for bending.

[0083] Ribs 432 are formed on the surface of the light-shielding portion 43 facing diagonally upward. The ribs 432 are plate-shaped portions that protrude upward. A plurality of ribs 432 are arranged in the left-right direction. As will be described later, the ribs 432 are portions that abut against the inner surface of the dew-receiving main body portion 451, thereby determining the angle of the light-shielding portion 43.

[0084] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the state in which the light blocking part 43 is assembled to the dew receiving main body part 451. Fig. 11A is a perspective view showing the light blocking part 43 and the dew receiving main body part 451 in the assembled state. Fig. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD cutting plane line in Fig. 11A. The DD cutting plane is a cross section including the up-down direction and the front-back direction.

[0085] 11A and 11B, the light-shielding portion 43 is rotated clockwise starting from the thin-walled continuous portion 458. As a result, the rib 432 comes into contact with the inside of the front surface of the dew-receiving main body portion 451, as shown in FIG. 11B. Furthermore, in this state, fastening is performed using screws or the like that penetrate the first insertion portion 431 and the third insertion portion 457, as shown in FIG. 10A. This determines the position of the light-shielding portion 43 in the rotational direction. In this state, the relative positions of the light-shielding portion 43 and the dew-receiving main body portion 451 are accurately determined.

[0086] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0087] For example, referring to FIG. 9, the dew receiving body portion 451, the internal plate member 454 and the light blocking portion 43 that constitute the dew receiving member 45 can be integrated by a method other than fastening, for example, by adhesion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10. Refrigerator 11 Insulated box 111 Air duct 112 Connection air duct 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 Partition board 18 Evaporating dish 19 Outer box 20 Inner box 21 Refrigerated Indoor Box 22 Freezer Indoor Box 23 Vegetable storage box 24 Return Air Path 241 Wind top section 242 Lower part of air passage 25 Insulation 26 Evaporator 27 Cooling room 28 Blower 29 Compressor 30 Defrost heater 31 Damper 33 First Compartment Wall 34 Second Compartment Wall 35 Compartment 37 Refrigeration Cycle 40 Compartment members 401 Dew tray storage section 402 Through hole 41 Concave part 42 Air outlet 43 Light blocking section 431 First Insertion Part 432 Ribs 44 Virtual Line 45 Dew receiving member 451 Dew receiving body 452 Dew receiving pipe 453 Reception opening 454 Internal plate members 455 Internal Opening 456 Second Insertion Section 457 Third Insertion Section 458 Thin-walled continuous section 47 Air outlet opening

Claims

1. A storage room and a cooling chamber in which the air blown into the storage chamber is cooled by an evaporator; a defrosting heater disposed below the evaporator inside the cooling chamber; a return air passage through which the air returning from the storage chamber to the cooling chamber is blown; a light-shielding portion disposed between the air outlet of the return air duct and the defrost heater.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the light-shielding portion is disposed below an imaginary line that is a straight line defined to connect a center of the defrost heater and a lower end of the air outlet of the return air duct.

3. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the return air passage is inclined downward toward the cooling compartment.

4. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the return air passage is a cavity formed inside the heat insulating material.

5. a dew receiving member disposed at a lower portion of the cooling chamber; The dew receiving member is a dew receiving body portion forming a dew receiving portion below the evaporator; The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: the light-shielding portion formed as a wall-like portion continuous with the dew-receiving main body portion.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the dew receiving body and the light blocking portion are made of a resin member that is continuous with each other via a thin continuous portion.

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