Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of suppressing pressure loss of cold air, performing efficient air blowing, and saving energy.SOLUTION: A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a storage chamber having at least two storage spaces inside a housing, and a blower fan that sends cooled cold air to each of the storage spaces, wherein a flow dividing mechanism that divides the cold air sent by the blower fan into each of the storage spaces is provided between the blower fan and the storage chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator that is arranged on the rear side of a storage compartment, has a blower fan that blows out cold air cooled by a cooler, and has a duct and a damper device that changes the direction of the cold air blown out from the blower fan to the front side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-118336 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a refrigerator that can suppress pressure loss of cold air, blow air efficiently, and achieve energy savings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The refrigerator of the present disclosure comprises a storage compartment having at least two storage spaces inside the housing, and a blower fan that sends cooled cold air to each of the storage spaces, and a diversion mechanism is provided between the blower fan and the storage compartment to divert the cold air sent by the blower fan to each of the storage spaces.

[0006] In addition, the refrigerator of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of storage compartments provided inside the housing, and a blower fan attached to a fan support member that sends cooled cold air to each of the storage compartments, the fan support member having a connecting passage that directs a portion of the cold air sent from the blower fan downward, and the fan support member having a storage compartment duct that sends the cold air sent from the connecting passage to a second storage compartment provided below the blower fan. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the flow dividing mechanism divides the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment or the partial compartment, and the flow rate of the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment and the partial compartment can be adjusted. This reduces the flow resistance of the cold air flow, allowing air to be sent with less pressure loss, and improving energy efficiency. Furthermore, according to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the cold air from the blower fan is sent to the storage compartment duct through a communication passage, so that the cold air can be sent to the storage compartment via the shortest flow path without detouring the flow path of the cold air. This reduces flow path resistance of the cold air, enabling efficient cooling of the storage compartment with little pressure loss, and improving energy efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of a fan unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fan unit according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the front side; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fan unit according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the rear side; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a part of a fan unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with a portion in section, showing a lower portion of a fan unit according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a second freezer compartment and a vegetable compartment in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the flow diverter flap of the fan unit is swung toward the partial-room flow diverter duct in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the airflow diverter flap of the fan unit is swung toward the refrigerator compartment airflow diverter duct in the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors came up with the idea for the present disclosure, there was a technique in which a duct and a damper device were provided to change the direction of cool air blown from a blower fan toward the front side. However, with conventional technology, when a damper device is used to switch the flow path to multiple storage chambers, air from the blower fan also enters the duct that is closed by the damper device, which increases the flow path resistance and increases the pressure loss of the cold air flow, resulting in a problem of reduced energy efficiency. Furthermore, in general, when cold air is sent to a storage compartment (e.g., a vegetable compartment) located below a refrigerator, the cold air from the blower fan must be blown toward a storage compartment (e.g., a refrigerator compartment) located above the refrigerator and then sent to the vegetable compartment via a duct. As a result, the cold air flow path is formed to take a large detour, which increases the flow resistance of the cold air and causes a large pressure loss, preventing efficient cooling of the vegetable compartment. The inventors discovered this problem, and in order to solve this problem, they came up with the subject matter of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides a refrigerator that can suppress pressure loss of cold air, blow air efficiently, and achieve energy savings.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Refrigerator configuration] Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. In the description of this specification, when referring to the front, back, left and right of refrigerator 1, reference is made to Figs. 1 and 2. That is, the left and right of Fig. 1 will be described as corresponding to the front and back of refrigerator 1. Also, the left and right of Fig. 2 will be described as corresponding to the left and right of refrigerator 1. Note that the front side of refrigerator 1 may also be referred to as the front. Also, the rear side of refrigerator 1 may also be referred to as the back.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the refrigerator 1 has a box-shaped housing 10 with an open front. A compressor 5 is mounted on the rear top surface of the housing 10. A refrigerating compartment 11 with a temperature of about 2°C to 4°C is formed in the upper part of the housing 10 as a storage compartment, and a first freezing compartment 12 and a second freezing compartment 13 with a temperature of about -18°C are formed in the lower part of the housing 10. Below the second freezer compartment 13 of the housing 10, a vegetable compartment 14 is formed as a second storage compartment of the present disclosure. Heat insulating partition walls 15 are provided between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the first freezer compartment 12, between the first freezer compartment 12 and the second freezer compartment 13, and between the second freezer compartment 13 and the vegetable compartment 14. The first freezing compartment 12 may be configured to be usable as a freezing compartment, a partial compartment, or a refrigerating compartment by switching a switch.

[0013] A partial compartment 16 serving as a storage compartment is provided at the bottom inside the refrigerator compartment 11. In the refrigerator 1, a revolving door 17 is provided at the opening on the front side of the refrigerating compartment 11 so as to be able to be opened and closed freely.

[0014] A first freezer compartment drawer door 18 is provided at the opening on the front surface of the first freezer compartment 12 so as to be able to open and close freely, and a first freezer compartment drawer case 19 for storing food therein is provided. A second freezer compartment drawer door 20 is provided at the opening on the front of the second freezer compartment 13 so as to be able to open and close freely, and a second freezer compartment drawer case 21 with multiple stages for storing food is provided inside. A vegetable compartment drawer door 22 is provided at the opening on the front of the vegetable compartment 14 so as to be able to be opened and closed freely, and a vegetable compartment drawer case 23 is provided which is linked to the opening and closing of the vegetable compartment drawer door 22.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, a refrigeration duct 24 is provided on the rear side of the refrigeration compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1. The refrigeration compartment 11 and the refrigeration duct 24 are separated by a first partition plate 31. The refrigeration duct 24 extends from below to above the refrigeration compartment 11 and communicates with a refrigeration compartment air outlet 25 formed in the upper part of the refrigeration compartment 11.

[0016] A cooling compartment 26 is provided on the rear side of the first freezing compartment 12 and the second freezing compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1. The cooling chamber 26 accommodates a cooler 27 . The cooler 27 is, for example, a fin-tube type cooler 27. A fin-tube type cooler is, for example, a cooler configured with a circular pipe and flat fins. A fan unit 30 is provided above the cooler 27 to send the cold air cooled by the cooler 27 to the refrigerator compartment 11, the partial compartment, the first freezer compartment 12, the second freezer compartment 13, and the vegetable compartment 14.

[0017] [1-1-2. Fan unit configuration] Next, the configuration of the fan unit 30 will be described. Fig. 3 is a front view of the fan unit in embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the fan unit in embodiment 1 as seen from the front side. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the fan unit in embodiment 1 as seen from the back side. Fig. 6 is a front view showing a part of the fan unit in embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is a perspective view with a part cut away showing a lower part of the fan unit in embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the second freezer compartment and vegetable compartment part in embodiment 1.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the fan unit 30 includes a blower fan 31, a front fan support member 32, and a rear fan support member 33. For example, a centrifugal fan is used as the blower fan 31. However, the blower fan 31 may also be, for example, an axial flow fan.

[0019] A substantially circular fan opening 34 is formed above the rear fan support member 33. A fan guide 35 located on the outer periphery of the blower fan 31 protrudes from the rear surface of the front fan support member 32 at a position corresponding to the fan opening 34. A communication passage 45 that communicates with the lower part of the front fan support member 32 is formed in the lower part of the fan guide 35 .

[0020] A blower fan 31 is attached to the fan opening 34. A fan cover 36 that covers the blower fan 31 from behind is provided on the rear side of the rear fan support member 33. The blower fan 31 is configured to draw in cool air from the direction of the rotation axis and blow it out in the radial direction. The fan cover 36 is formed in a spiral shape that gradually widens from the center of rotation of the blower fan 31. In this embodiment, the fan cover 36 is formed in a shape that gradually widens, with the upper part closest to the blower fan 31. The upper end of the fan cover 36, that is, the downstream side of the flow of cool air by the blower fan 31, is formed as a fan outlet 37.

[0021] A plurality of arc-shaped freezer compartment air outlets 38 are formed above the front fan support member 32, and the arc-shaped air outlets 38 follow the contour of the blower fan 31. The freezer compartment air outlets 38 blow cool air into the first freezer compartment 12. A second freezer compartment outlet 39 is provided below the freezer compartment outlet 38 of the front fan support member 32. The second freezer compartment outlet 39 blows cool air into the second freezer compartment 13.

[0022] Below the second freezer compartment air outlet 39, a freezer compartment inlet 40 is provided for drawing in cool air from the second freezer compartment 13. By operating the blower fan 31, cool air can be blown out from the freezer compartment outlet 38 into the first freezer compartment 12. In addition, by operating the blower fan 31, part of the cool air from the blower fan 31 is sent below the front fan support member 32 through the communication passage 45 of the fan guide 35, and the cool air can be blown out from the second freezer compartment outlet 39 into the second freezer compartment 13.

[0023] 4 to 6, a vegetable compartment duct 41 is provided on the side between the front fan support member 32 and the rear fan support member 33. The vegetable compartment duct 41 is formed by joining the front duct 42 and the rear duct 43. A vegetable compartment inlet opening 46 is provided below the blower fan 31 in the front duct 42, through which cool air sent from below the blower fan 31 through a communication passage 45 is sent to the vegetable compartment duct 41.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, below the duct 41 for the crisper, an air outlet 47 for the crisper is provided. A damper 48 for the crisper is provided near the outlet 47 for the crisper. The cool air from blower fan 31 flows through crisper inlet opening 46 into crisper duct 41 and is sent to crisper 14. That is, in this embodiment, the cool air generated by the rotation of the rotary fan is sent to crisper duct 41 over the shortest distance, and is sent to crisper 14 with little pressure loss. This contributes to energy savings.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, flow dividing members 51 constituting a flow dividing mechanism 50 are attached to the upper portions of the front fan support member 32 and the rear fan support member 33 of the blower fan 31. The flow dividing member 51 is provided with a refrigerator compartment flow dividing duct 52 for sending the cool air from the blower fan 31 to the refrigerator compartment 11 and a partial compartment flow dividing duct 53 for sending the cool air to the partial compartment 16. A flow dividing partition wall 54 is provided between the refrigerator compartment flow dividing duct 52 and the partial compartment flow dividing duct 53.

[0026] A refrigerator compartment air outlet 55 is provided at an upper portion of the refrigerator compartment diversion duct 52. A partial compartment air outlet 56 is provided at an upper portion of the partial compartment diversion duct 53. A refrigerator compartment damper 57 is provided at the refrigerator compartment outlet 55 portion of the flow dividing member 51 so as to be able to open and close freely. By opening the refrigerator compartment damper 57, the cool air sent by the blower fan 31 can be blown out from the refrigerator compartment outlet 55. In addition, a partial room damper 58 is provided at the partial room air outlet 56 so as to be able to open and close freely. By opening the partial room damper 58, the cool air sent by the blower fan 31 can be blown out from the partial room air outlet 56.

[0027] A flow diverting flap 60 is provided at the lower end of the partition wall so as to be able to swing freely. The flow diverting flap 60 is attached to a drive shaft 62 that is driven to rotate by a flap motor 61, and by driving the flap motor 61, the flow diverting flap 60 can be made to swing freely. In this embodiment, by swinging the air diversion flap 60 to a predetermined position, the amount of cold air flowing from the blower fan 31 to the refrigerator compartment outlet 55 or the partial compartment outlet 56 can be varied as desired.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the inner surface of the fan cover 36 on the most downstream side is provided with a flow straightening portion 70 that bulges inward. When the blower fan 31 is operated, cold air flows along the inside of the fan cover 36, but if the flow straightening section 70 is not provided, there is a risk that the cold air will be concentrated on the partial room air outlet 56 side due to centrifugal force. However, in this embodiment, by providing the rectifying portion 70, it is possible to direct the flow of cool air near the outlet of the fan cover 36 toward the refrigerator compartment outlet 55 side. Therefore, it is possible to send the cool air blown out from the fan cover 36 to the refrigerator compartment outlet 55 and the partial compartment outlet 56 almost evenly.

[0029] [1-2. Operation, etc.] Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 in the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the compressor 5 is driven to send the refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit, and the refrigerant is circulated through the cooler 27, thereby cooling the cooler 27. Then, by driving the blower fan 31, the cool air cooled by the cooler 27 is sucked in through the fan cover 36 and blown out in the circumferential direction, guided along the inner surface of the fan cover 36, and blown out from the fan outlet 37.

[0030] In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, when the refrigerator compartment damper 57 and the partial compartment damper 58 are both open, the flow dividing flap 60 is positioned in a substantially vertical direction. In this state, the cool air blown out from the fan outlet 37 is divided by the flow dividing flap 60 and sent to the refrigerator compartment flow dividing duct 52 and the partial compartment flow dividing duct 53, respectively. The cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment diversion duct 52 is blown out from the refrigerator compartment outlet 55 and the refrigerator compartment outlet 25 into the refrigerator compartment 11, thereby cooling the refrigerator compartment 11. The cold air sent to the partial compartment diversion duct 53 is sent from the partial compartment outlet 56 to the partial compartment 16, thereby cooling the partial compartment 16.

[0031] At this time, by changing the position of the diverting flap 60, the flow rate of the cool air flowing into the refrigerating compartment diverting duct or the partial compartment diverting duct 53 can be adjusted. That is, when the flow diverting flap 60 is swung toward the partial room flow diverting duct 53, the flow rate of the cool air flowing into the refrigerating room flow diverting duct increases, and the flow rate flowing into the partial room flow diverting duct 53 decreases. Conversely, if the flow diverting flap 60 is swung toward the refrigerating branch duct, the flow rate of the cool air flowing into the partial room branch duct 53 increases, and the flow rate flowing into the refrigerating branch duct decreases. By changing the swing amount of the flow diverter flap 60, it is possible to control the flow rate of the cool air flowing into the refrigerating compartment flow diverter duct or the partial compartment flow diverter duct 53.

[0032] Fig. 9 is a front view showing a state in which the flow diverter flap of the fan unit in embodiment 1 has been swung toward the partial compartment flow diverter duct side, and Fig. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the flow diverter flap of the fan unit in embodiment 1 has been swung toward the refrigerator compartment flow diverter duct side.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 9, when the partial compartment damper 58 is closed and only the refrigerator compartment damper 57 is opened, the flow diverter flap 60 is swung toward the partial compartment diversion duct 53 to close the partial compartment diversion duct 53. As a result, the cool air blown out from the fan outlet 37 flows toward the refrigeration branch duct. At this time, a small amount of cold air may flow to the partial room branch duct 53 side, but no large flow resistance of the cold air occurs, and a flow of cold air without pressure loss can be achieved.

[0034] Also, as shown in Figure 10, when the refrigerator compartment damper 57 is closed and only the partial compartment damper 58 is opened, the diverter flap 60 is swung toward the refrigerator compartment diverter duct 52 to block the refrigerator compartment diverter duct 52. As a result, the cool air blown out from the fan outlet 37 flows toward the partial room branch duct 53 side. In this case, too, no large flow resistance of the cold air occurs, and a flow of the cold air without pressure loss can be achieved.

[0035] On the other hand, part of the cool air from the fan cover 36 flows through the communication passage 45 from below the blower fan 31 to between the front fan support member 32 and the rear fan support member 33 . The cold air that flows between the front fan support member 32 and the rear fan support member 33 flows into the vegetable compartment duct 41 through the vegetable compartment inlet opening 46 and is sent to the vegetable compartment 14, thereby cooling the vegetable compartment 14.

[0036] At this time, the cold air from blower fan 31 is sent to vegetable compartment duct 41 via communication passage 45, so the cold air can be sent via the shortest possible flow path without detouring the flow path of the cold air sent to vegetable compartment 14. This reduces the flow path resistance of the cold air, allowing for efficient cooling of vegetable compartment 14 with little pressure loss.

[0037] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment comprises a storage compartment (refrigerator compartment 11) having a refrigerator compartment 11 and a partial compartment 16 (two storage spaces) inside the housing 10, and a blower fan 31 that sends cooled cold air to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the partial compartment 16. Between the blower fan 31 and the refrigerator compartment 11 and the partial compartment 16, a diversion mechanism 50 is provided that diverts the cold air sent by the blower fan 31 to the refrigerator compartment 11 or the partial compartment 16. As a result, the flow dividing mechanism 50 divides the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 or the partial compartment 16, and adjusts the flow rate of the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the partial compartment 16. This reduces the flow resistance of the cold air flow, allowing for air to be blown with less pressure loss, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0038] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the diverting mechanism 50 is provided with a diverting duct for the refrigerator compartment 52 and a diverting duct for the partial compartment 53 (diverting ducts) that send the cold air from the blower fan 31 to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the partial compartment 16 (storage space), respectively, and a diverting flap 60 is provided between the blower fan 31 and the diverting duct for the refrigerator compartment 52 and the diverting duct for the partial compartment 53 to distribute the flow rate of the cold air sent from the blower fan 31 to the diverting duct for the refrigerator compartment 52 or the diverting duct for the partial compartment 53. As a result, by operating the flow diverting flap 60 of the flow diverting mechanism 50, the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 or the partial compartment 16 can be diverted, and the flow rate of the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the partial compartment 16 can be adjusted. This reduces the flow resistance of the cold air flow, allowing for air to be blown with less pressure loss, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0039] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the refrigerator compartment diversion duct 52 and the partial compartment diversion duct 53 (diversion ducts) are provided with a refrigerator compartment damper 57 and a partial compartment damper 58 (dampers), respectively. As a result, by operating the flow diverting flap 60 of the flow diverting mechanism 50 and opening and closing the refrigerator compartment damper 57 or the partial compartment damper 58, it is possible to adjust the flow rate of the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the partial compartment 16. This reduces the flow resistance of the cold air flow and allows for air to be blown with less pressure loss, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0040] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the blower fan 31 is a centrifugal fan, and the blower fan 31 is attached to a front fan support member 32 and a rear fan support member 33 (fan support member), and the outer periphery of the blower fan 31 is covered with a fan cover 36 attached to the rear fan support member 33, and the fan cover 36 is formed in a spiral shape that gradually widens with the center of rotation of the blower fan 31 as the base. This allows the cool air blown out in the radial direction from the blower fan 31, which is a centrifugal fan, to be efficiently guided to the flow dividing mechanism 50 side by the fan cover .

[0041] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, an airflow straightening portion 70 that bulges inward is provided on the inner surface of the fan cover 36 on the most downwind side. As a result, the cool air from the blower fan 31 is rectified by the rectifying section 70, so that the cool air can be sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the partial compartment 16 approximately evenly.

[0042] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the front fan support member 32 and the rear fan support member 33 (fan support members) are provided with a connecting passage 45 that guides a portion of the cold air sent from the blower fan 31 downward, and the fan support member is provided with a second storage compartment duct that sends the cold air sent from the connecting passage 45 to the vegetable compartment 14 (second storage compartment) located below the blower fan 31. As a result, the cold air from blower fan 31 is sent to vegetable compartment duct 41 via communication passage 45, so that the cold air can be sent via the shortest possible flow path without detouring the flow path of the cold air sent to vegetable compartment 14. This reduces the flow path resistance of the cold air, enabling efficient cooling of vegetable compartment 14 with little pressure loss.

[0043] (Other embodiments) Note that the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[0044] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0045] (Technology 1) A refrigerator comprising a storage compartment having at least two storage spaces inside a housing, and a blower fan that sends cooled, cool air to each of the storage spaces, and a flow-diverting mechanism that diverts the cool air sent by the blower fan to each of the storage spaces is provided between the blower fan and the storage compartment. With this configuration, the flow dividing mechanism divides the cold air sent to each storage space, and the flow rate of the cold air sent to each storage space can be adjusted. This reduces the flow resistance of the cold air, allowing for air to be sent with less pressure loss, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0046] (Technology 2) The refrigerator according to Technology 1, wherein the diverting mechanism includes a diverting duct that sends the cool air from the blower fan to each of the storage spaces, and a diverting flap is provided between the blower fan and each of the diverting ducts to distribute the flow rate of the cool air sent from the blower fan to one of the diverting ducts. With this configuration, by operating the diversion flap of the diversion mechanism, the flow of cold air sent to each storage space can be diverted and the flow rate of the cold air sent to the storage space can be adjusted, thereby reducing the flow resistance of the cold air flow and allowing for air to be sent with less pressure loss, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0047] (Technical Aspect 3) The refrigerator according to Technical Aspect 2, wherein each of the branch ducts is provided with a damper. With this configuration, the flow rate of the cold air sent to each storage space can be adjusted by operating the flow diversion flap of the flow diversion mechanism and opening and closing the damper, thereby reducing the flow resistance of the cold air flow and enabling air to be sent with less pressure loss, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0048] (Technology 4) The refrigerator according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the blower fan is a centrifugal fan, the blower fan is attached to a fan support member, an outer circumferential side of the blower fan is covered with a fan cover attached to the fan support member, and the fan cover is formed in a spiral shape that gradually widens from the center of rotation of the blower fan. According to this configuration, the cool air blown out in the radial direction from the blower fan, which is a centrifugal fan, can be efficiently guided by the fan cover toward the airflow dividing mechanism.

[0049] (Technical Aspect 5) The refrigerator according to Technical Aspect 4, wherein an airflow straightening portion that bulges inward is provided on the inner surface of the fan cover on the most downwind side. According to this configuration, the cool air from the blower fan is rectified by the rectifying section, so that the cool air can be sent to each storage space approximately evenly.

[0050] (Technology 6) The refrigerator according to Technology 4, wherein the fan support member has a communication passage that guides a portion of the cold air sent from the blower fan downward, and the fan support member has a second storage chamber duct that sends the cold air sent from the communication passage to a second storage chamber provided below the blower fan. With this configuration, the cool air from the blower fan is sent to the second storage chamber duct via the communication passage, so the cool air can be sent to the second storage chamber via the shortest possible flow path without detouring the flow path of the cool air. This reduces the flow path resistance of the cool air, allowing for efficient cooling of the second storage chamber with little pressure loss.

[0051] (Technology 7) The refrigerator according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 6, wherein the storage compartment is a refrigerator compartment and a partial storage compartment provided above the housing, and the second storage compartment is a vegetable compartment provided below the housing. According to this configuration, the flow dividing mechanism divides the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment or the partial compartment, allowing the flow rate of the cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment and the partial compartment to be adjusted. This reduces the flow resistance of the cold air, allowing for airflow with minimal pressure loss and improved energy efficiency. Furthermore, by sending the cold air from the blower fan to the vegetable compartment duct via a connecting passage, the cold air can be sent via the shortest possible flow path without detouring the flow path of the cold air sent to the vegetable compartment. This reduces the flow resistance of the cold air, allowing for efficient cooling of the vegetable compartment with minimal pressure loss.

[0052] (Technology 8) A refrigerator comprising: a plurality of storage compartments provided inside a housing; and a blower fan attached to a fan support member that sends cooled cold air to each of the storage compartments; the fan support member having a communication passage that directs a portion of the cold air sent from the blower fan downward; and the fan support member having a storage compartment duct that sends the cold air sent from the communication passage to a second storage compartment provided below the blower fan. With this configuration, the cool air from the blower fan is sent to the storage chamber duct through the communication passage, so the cool air can be sent to the storage chamber via the shortest possible flow path without detouring the flow path of the cool air. This reduces the flow path resistance of the cool air, allowing for efficient cooling of the storage chamber with little pressure loss. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] As described above, the refrigerator according to the present disclosure can be suitably used as a refrigerator that can suppress pressure loss of cool air, blow air efficiently, and achieve energy savings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 refrigerator 5 Compressor 10. Cabinet 11 Refrigerator 12 First freezer 12 Freezer 13 Second freezer 13 Switch Room 14 Vegetable compartment 15 Insulated partition wall 16 Partial Room 17 Doors 18 Drawer door for freezer compartment 19 Freezer drawer case 20 Drawer door for second freezer compartment 21 Drawer case for second freezer 22 Drawer door for vegetable compartment 23 Vegetable drawer case 24 Refrigeration duct 25 Refrigerator compartment air outlet 26 Cooling room 27 Cooler 30 fan units 30 Refrigerated cooling room 31 Blower fan 32 Front fan support member 33 Rear fan support member 34 Fan opening 35 Fan Guide 36 Fan cover 37 Fan outlet 38 Freezer outlet 39 2nd freezer compartment air outlet 40 Freezer intake port 41 Vegetable compartment duct 42 Front duct 43 Rear duct 45 Communication path 46 Vegetable compartment inlet opening 47 Vegetable compartment outlet 48 Vegetable compartment damper 50 Diversion mechanism 51 Diversion member 52 Diversion duct for refrigerator compartment 53 Partial room branch duct 54 Dividing wall 55 Refrigerator compartment air outlet 56 Partial room air outlet 57 Refrigerator damper 58 Partial chamber damper 60 Diversion flap 61 Flap motor 62 Drive shaft 70 Rectifier

Claims

1. a storage chamber having at least two storage spaces inside the housing; a blower fan for sending cooled air to each of the storage spaces, A flow dividing mechanism is provided between the blower fan and the storage chamber to divide the cool air sent by the blower fan into each of the storage spaces. refrigerator.

2. the flow dividing mechanism includes a flow dividing duct that sends the cool air from the blower fan to each of the storage spaces, A flow-diverting flap is provided between the blower fan and each of the diversion ducts to distribute the flow rate of the cool air sent from the blower fan to one of the diversion ducts. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. Each of the diversion ducts is provided with a damper. The refrigerator according to claim 2.

4. The blower fan is a centrifugal fan, The blower fan is attached to a fan support member, The outer periphery of the blower fan is covered with a fan cover attached to the fan support member, and the fan cover is formed in a spiral shape that gradually widens from the rotation center of the blower fan. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

5. A flow straightening portion that bulges inward is provided on the inner surface of the fan cover on the most downstream side. The refrigerator according to claim 4.

6. the fan support member includes a communication passage that guides a portion of the cool air sent from the blower fan downward; The fan support member includes a second storage chamber duct that sends the cool air sent from the communication passage to a second storage chamber provided below the blower fan. The refrigerator according to claim 4.

7. The storage compartment is a refrigerator compartment and a partial compartment provided in the upper part of the housing, and the second storage compartment is a vegetable compartment provided in the lower part of the housing. The refrigerator according to claim 6.

8. a plurality of storage chambers provided inside the housing; a blower fan attached to a fan support member for sending cooled air to each of the storage compartments; the fan support member includes a communication passage that guides a portion of the cool air sent from the blower fan downward; The fan support member includes a storage chamber duct that sends the cool air sent from the communication passage to a second storage chamber provided below the blower fan. refrigerator.

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