Refrigerator

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator capable of increasing the capacity of a storage compartment while improving the thermal insulation of the storage compartment adjacent to a machine compartment.SOLUTION: A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes an outer box, an inner box disposed inside the outer box and having a storage compartment inside, and a heat insulating material provided between the outer box and the inner box, wherein the inner box includes a top surface portion extending in a front-rear direction, a standing wall portion extending downward from a rear end of the top surface portion, and a step portion extending rearward from a lower end of the standing wall portion, and a machine chamber having a compressor constituting a refrigeration cycle is formed in the step portion, wherein the heat insulating material includes a vacuum heat insulating material bonded to an outer surface of the inner box, the vacuum heat insulator includes a heat insulating top surface portion extending along the top surface portion, a heat insulating standing wall portion extending along the standing wall portion, and a heat insulating step portion extending along the step portion, and a rear end of the vacuum heat insulator is located rearward of the compressor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator having an inner box in which a storage compartment is formed, an outer box surrounding the inner box, and a thermal insulator disposed between the inner box and the outer box. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a flat vacuum thermal insulator is provided on the top panel of the outer box and urethane is filled in a predetermined area to reduce the amount of urethane used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-124119 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a refrigerator that can increase the capacity of a storage compartment adjacent to a machine compartment while improving the thermal insulation of the storage compartment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The refrigerator disclosed herein comprises an outer box, an inner box disposed inside the outer box and having a storage compartment therein, and an insulating material disposed between the outer box and the inner box, wherein the inner box comprises a top surface extending in the front-to-rear direction, a vertical wall portion extending downward from the rear end of the top surface, and a step portion extending rearward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion, and a machine compartment having a compressor that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is formed in the step portion, and the insulating material comprises vacuum insulating material adhered to the outer surface of the inner box, and the vacuum insulating material has an insulated top surface extending along the top surface, an insulated vertical wall portion extending along the vertical wall portion, and an insulated step portion extending along the step portion, and the rear end of the vacuum insulating material is located rearward of the compressor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The refrigerator of the present disclosure can increase the capacity of the storage compartment while improving the thermal insulation of the storage compartment adjacent to the machine compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment, seen from the front side; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment, seen from the rear side; [Figure 3] 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the upper periphery of the inner box of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment, as viewed from above and rear on the right side. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] A diagram in which the top cover and foam insulation material are omitted from FIG. 5. [Figure 7] Cross section of Figure 5 along line VII-VII [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum insulation material attached to a stepped top surface portion of an inner box according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grommet snap-in according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10] A perspective view of the grommet snap-in from a different direction than in Figure 9 [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement structure of the vacuum insulation material in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived the present disclosure, a technology for insulating a refrigerator using a flat vacuum insulation material attached to an outer box or an inner box and a foam insulation material filled between the outer box and the inner box was already known. The refrigerator has a mechanical compartment and a storage compartment. Because the mechanical compartment tends to be hotter than the storage compartment, the storage compartment needs to be insulated from the mechanical compartment. However, because refrigerators generally have a rectangular parallelepiped exterior, the inner box tends to have a stepped shape near the mechanical compartment. Therefore, insulation between the mechanical compartment and the storage compartment was achieved by using a foam insulation material, which is easy to arrange even when there is a stepped shape. However, the inventors discovered a problem with a configuration using foam insulation: it is necessary to ensure space for filling and the thickness of the foam insulation material, making it difficult to increase the capacity of the storage compartment. To solve this problem, the inventors conceived the subject matter of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator that can increase the capacity of a storage compartment adjacent to a machine compartment while improving the thermal insulation of the storage compartment.

[0009] 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.

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

[0011] [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Refrigerator configuration] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1 as seen from the front side. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1 as seen from the back side. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1. In the description of this specification, when referring to refrigerator 1, front, back, left and right are used relative to the user who takes out stored items from refrigerator 1. In other words, the front side from the user's perspective corresponds to the front side of refrigerator 1, and the back side from the user's perspective corresponds to the rear side of refrigerator 1. Also, the right side from the user's perspective corresponds to the right side of refrigerator 1, and the left side from the user's perspective corresponds to the left side of refrigerator 1. Note that the term "front" may be used to refer to the front side of refrigerator 1. Also, the term "rear" may be used to refer to the rear side of refrigerator 1. In the drawings, the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the refrigerator 1 are indicated by arrows FR, RE, LE, RI, UP, and DO, respectively.

[0012] 1 to 3, refrigerator 1 has a heat-insulating box body 2. As shown in Fig. 3, heat-insulating box body 2 is made up of an outer box (housing) 3 mainly made of steel plate, an inner box 4 molded from a resin such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), and a foamed heat insulating material 5 such as rigid foamed urethane that is filled and foamed into the space between outer box 3 and inner box 4.

[0013] The heat-insulating box 2 is insulated from the surroundings and is divided into a plurality of storage compartments. A refrigerator compartment 6 is provided at the top of the insulated box 2. Below the refrigerator compartment 6, a switchable compartment 7 and an ice-making compartment (not shown) are provided side by side. The switchable compartment 7 and the ice-making compartment are separated left and right by an insulated wall. A freezer compartment 9 is provided below the switchable compartment 7 and the ice-making compartment. Below the freezer compartment 9, i.e., at the bottom of the insulated box 2, a vegetable compartment 10 is provided.

[0014] The temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 6 is usually set to 1°C to 5°C. The temperature of the selectable compartment 7 is set to between -18°C and 5°C, and can be switched from a freezing temperature range to a refrigerating temperature range. The temperature of the freezer compartment 9 is usually set to -22°C to -15°C, but may be set to a lower temperature such as -30°C or -25°C to improve the frozen storage condition. The temperature of the vegetable compartment 10 is set to 2°C to 7°C, which is the same as or slightly higher than that of the refrigerator compartment 6.

[0015] A pair of left and right hinged refrigerator compartment doors 11, 12 (see Figure 1) are provided at the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 6 so as to be able to open and close freely. The left end of the left refrigerator compartment door 11 is supported so as to be able to rotate freely by a hinge 11a (see Figure 1) that extends in the vertical direction. The right end of the right refrigerator compartment door 12 (see Figure 1) is supported so as to be able to rotate freely by a hinge 12a (see Figure 1) that extends in the vertical direction. When the refrigerator compartment doors 11, 12 are closed, a gasket seals the gap between the refrigerator compartment doors 11, 12 and the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 6.

[0016] A drawer-type switchable compartment door 13 and a drawer-type ice-making compartment door 14 (see Figure 1) are provided at the front openings between the switchable compartment 7 and the ice-making compartment. When the switchable compartment door 13 is closed, a gasket seals the gap between the switchable compartment door 13 and the front opening of the switchable compartment 7. When the ice-making compartment door 14 is closed, a gasket seals the gap between the ice-making compartment door 14 and the front opening of the ice-making compartment. When the switchable compartment door 13 is pulled out forward, the switchable compartment container 15 (see Figure 3), which is housed in the switchable compartment 7 and has an open top, is pulled out together with the switchable compartment door 13.

[0017] A drawer-type freezer compartment door 16 is provided at the front opening of the freezer compartment 9. When the freezer compartment door 16 is closed, a gasket seals the gap between the freezer compartment door 16 and the front opening of the freezer compartment 9. The freezer compartment 9 is provided with two tiers, an upper freezer compartment container section 17 and a lower freezer compartment container section 18, which are open at the top. The upper freezer compartment container section 17 is placed on the periphery of the top opening of the lower freezer compartment container section 18. The upper freezer compartment container section 17 and the lower freezer compartment container section 18 are configured to be pulled out in conjunction with the forward pulling operation of the freezer compartment door 16.

[0018] A drawer-type vegetable compartment door 19 is provided at the front opening of the lowest vegetable compartment 10. When vegetable compartment door 19 is closed, a gasket seals the gap between vegetable compartment door 19 and the front opening of vegetable compartment 10. A vegetable compartment container 20 having an open top is provided inside vegetable compartment 10. Vegetable compartment container 20 is configured to be drawn out in conjunction with the drawing operation of vegetable compartment door 19.

[0019] A cooling chamber 23 that generates cold air is provided behind the freezing chamber 9. A cooler (evaporator) 24 that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is disposed within the cooling chamber 23. A compressor 25 that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is disposed at the upper rear of the refrigerator chamber 6. The compressor 25, the condenser, the expansion mechanism, and the cooler 24 are connected by refrigerant piping to constitute a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 25 and circulated through the refrigeration cycle, whereby the refrigerant is cooled to a predetermined temperature and heat is exchanged between the cooler 24 and the air inside the cooling chamber 23, generating cold air inside the cooling chamber 23.

[0020] A blower fan 26 is provided in the space above the cooler 24. When the blower fan 26 is operated, the air that has undergone heat exchange in the cooler 24 is blown into the refrigerator compartment 6, the selectable compartment 7, the ice-making compartment, the freezer compartment 9, and the vegetable compartment 10. At this time, the amount of cold air blown is adjusted and controlled to cool each compartment to a predetermined temperature.

[0021] [1-1-2. Composition of the inner box] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the upper periphery of inner box 4 of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1 as viewed from the upper rear right. As shown in Fig. 3, the inner box 4 is formed in the shape of a container that is recessed toward the rear. An opening 4a is formed in the front of the inner box 4 to allow storage items to be put in and taken out. That is, the inner box 4 has a substantially rectangular back surface portion 41, and a stepped top surface portion 42, a bottom surface portion 43, a left side surface portion 44, and a right side surface portion 45 (see Fig. 4) that extend forward from the upper end, lower end, left end, and right end of the back surface portion 41, respectively. The opening 4a is formed by the surrounding shapes of the stepped top surface portion 42, the bottom surface portion 43, the left side surface portion 44, and the right side surface portion 45.

[0022] Partition members 48 and 49 are appropriately arranged inside the inner box 4. As a result, inside the inner box 4, a refrigerator compartment 6 as a storage compartment, a switchable compartment 7, a freezer compartment 9, a vegetable compartment 10, and the like are formed.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, a stepped recessed machine compartment 42d is provided in the rear of the stepped top surface 42 of the inner box 4. In detail, the stepped top surface 42 has a top surface 42a extending in the front-to-rear direction, a standing wall surface (standing wall portion) 42b extending downward from the rear end of the top surface 42a, and a stepped surface (step portion) 42c extending rearward from the lower end of the standing wall surface 42b. The recessed shapes of the standing wall surface 42b and the stepped surface 42c and the space surrounded by the outer box 3 form the machine compartment 42d in which the compressor 25 and the like are disposed (see Fig. 3).

[0024] The left side surface portion 44 and the right side surface portion 45 of the inner box 4 have an L-shaped cutout at the upper rear end in accordance with the shape of the stepped top surface portion 42. In addition, the rear surface portion 41 (see FIG. 3) is shorter in the vertical direction than the left side surface portion 44 and the right side surface portion 45.

[0025] A guide portion 47 is formed at the connection between the upper rear end of the right side surface portion 45, the rear end of the stepped surface portion 42c, and the upper end of the back surface portion 41, i.e., at a location where a corner can be formed by these three surfaces. The guide portion 47 has a shape in which the corner is cut off with a flat surface. Similarly, a guide portion 46 is formed at the connection between the upper rear end of the left side surface portion 44, the rear end of the stepped surface portion 42c, and the upper end of the back surface portion 41. The left and right guide portions 46, 47 are flat, triangular surfaces. The normal to the outer surfaces of the guide portions 46, 47 faces outward in the left-right direction and upward and rearward.

[0026] [1-1-3. Outer box composition] As shown in Fig. 3, the inner box 4 is covered by the outer box 3. The outer box 3 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped appearance with an open front. The outer box 3 has a back panel 31, a top cover 32, a bottom panel 33, a left side panel 34 (see Fig. 5), and a right side panel 35 (see Figs. 2 and 5) at positions facing the back part 41, the stepped top part 42, the bottom part 43, the left side part 44, and the right side part 45 of the inner box 4, respectively.

[0027] More specifically, the outer box 3 has a bottom panel 33 disposed below the inner box 4. A rectangular left side panel 34 extending upward is connected to the left side of the bottom panel 33. A rectangular right side panel 35 extending upward is connected to the right side of the bottom panel 33. The side panels 34, 35 have, for example, flange-shaped connecting edges folded inward in the left-right direction on the outer periphery. Fasteners such as bolts are passed through these connecting edges to secure and connect the side panels 34, 35 to surrounding panels, etc.

[0028] A rectangular rear panel 31 (see FIG. 2) extending in the vertical direction is supported between the rear end of the left side panel 34 and the rear end of the right side panel 35. The rear panel 31 extends downward from a position above the stepped surface portion 42c of the inner box 4 to a position at the vertical center of the vegetable compartment 10 (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, injection ports (foam insulation material injection ports) 31a are formed at the four corners of the rear panel 31, penetrating the panel in the thickness direction. The injection ports 31a are circular holes. The pair of upper injection ports 31a, one on each side, face the guide portions 46 and 47 (see FIG. 4) of the inner box 4. Specifically, the center position 31a1 (see FIG. 7) of the injection ports 31a is located above the lower ends 47b of the guide portions 46 and 47 (see FIG. 4, but the lower end of the guide portion 46 is not shown) and below the upper ends 47a of the guide portions 46 and 47 (see FIG. 4, but the upper end of the guide portion 46 is not shown). Thus, in this embodiment, the injection ports 31a are formed in the rear panel 31 so that their vertical positions are equal to or lower than the height of the upper surface of the stepped surface portion 42c.

[0030] A rectangular rear lower panel 37 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) extending in the left-right direction is supported below the rear panel 31. The rear lower panel 37 covers the inner box 4 from the rear at a position corresponding to the height of the bottom of the vegetable compartment 10. The rear lower panel 37 is connected to the left side panel 34 and the right side panel 35. A top cover 32 is supported above the rear panel 31, the left side panel 34, and the right side panel 35.

[0031] [1-1-4.Detailed configuration of the top cover] Fig. 5 is a plan view of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a view in which top cover 32 and foam insulation material 5 are omitted from Fig. 5. In Fig. 6, some members are given a dotted pattern for ease of understanding. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 5. The top cover 32 is composed of multiple cover parts. In detail, the top cover 32 has a top plate 51, a board cover 52 that covers the center of the top plate 51, a machine chamber cover 53 that covers the machine chamber 42d behind the board cover 52, and a pair of left and right hinge covers 54 and 55 that are arranged on the front side of the top plate 51.

[0032] The top plate 51 is disposed with a predetermined foam insulation space provided relative to the inner box 4. The top plate 51 has a flat top surface 51a extending along the top surface 42a of the inner box 4. The top panel 51 is connected to the left and right side panels 34, 35 at its left and right ends.

[0033] A pair of left and right hinge openings 51a1 and 51a2 (see FIG. 5), each of which is cut out in an L-shape in plan view, are formed at the front end of the top surface portion 51a. A hinge mechanism (not shown) including hinges 11a and 12a is disposed inside the hinge openings 51a1 and 51a2 in plan view. As shown in FIG. 6, this hinge mechanism is supported by hinge stays 56 and 57 extending along the left and right side panels 34 and 35. The hinge stays 56 and 57 are fixed to the left and right side panels 34 and 35, respectively. The hinge openings 51a1 and 51a2 are covered by hinge covers 54 and 55.

[0034] A rectangular board case attachment opening 51a3 (see FIG. 7) that penetrates vertically is formed in the center of the top surface 51a in the left-right direction. A board case 61 is attached to the board case attachment opening 51a3.

[0035] The board case 61 is made of, for example, resin. The board case 61 is in the shape of a container that is recessed downward. The board case 61 has a case main body 61a that houses the control board 60 and a flange portion 61b provided at the upper end of the case main body 61a. The board case 61 is arranged with the case main body 61a passing through the board case attachment opening 51a3 and the flange portion 61b being secured to the top surface 51a of the top plate 51. The board case 61 is supported in a state where it is suspended from the top surface 51a, so to speak. The case main body 61a of the board case 61 is located below the top surface 51a of the top plate 51. The bottom, front-rear, and left-right directions of the board case 61 are covered with sheet metal to prevent the spread of fire.

[0036] The board case 61 is covered from above with a rectangular board cover 52 that extends in the left-right direction. The board cover 52 is fixed to the top surface portion 51a. A control board 60 is housed inside board case 61 covered with board cover 52. Control board 60 controls the rotation speed of compressor 25, the rotation speed of blower fan 26, etc., to control the temperature inside refrigerator 1.

[0037] The machine chamber 42d at the rear of the circuit board case 61 supports components that make up the refrigeration cycle, such as the compressor 25 and a radiator (condenser) 62 (see Figures 4 and 6), as well as components related to the refrigeration cycle, such as a radiator fan 63 (see Figures 4 and 6).

[0038] The machine chamber 42d is covered from above by a machine chamber cover 53. The machine chamber cover 53 has a top surface 53a extending in the front-to-rear direction and a back surface 53b extending downward from the rear end of the top surface 53a. The top surface 53a of the machine chamber cover 53 overlaps the rear end of the board cover 52 from above. The top surface 53a of the machine chamber cover 53 is fixed to the top plate 51 together with the board cover 52. The back surface 53b is connected to the upper end of the rear panel 31.

[0039] [1-1-5. Composition of insulation material] [1-1-5-1. Vacuum insulation on the ceiling] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of vacuum heat insulating material 70 attached to stepped top surface portion 42 of inner box 4 in the first embodiment. A vacuum insulation material 70, an example of a heat insulating material, is arranged on the outer surface of the stepped top surface 42 of the inner box 4. The vacuum insulation material 70 is composed of a core material in the form of a plate of glass wool or the like, and a pair of metal sheets that encase the core material on both sides. The metal sheets are, for example, aluminum. The portion of the core material wrapped in the metal sheets is evacuated to form the vacuum insulation material 70. The vacuum insulation material 70 has a main body portion 71 that has thermal insulation properties due to the core material, and a fin portion 72 to which a metal sheet is joined around the periphery of the main body portion 71.

[0040] In this embodiment, grooves 71a and 71b are formed in advance in the portion that will become main body 71. Then, by drawing a vacuum, a flat vacuum insulation material 70 is formed. Furthermore, by bending at the portions of grooves 71a and 71b, the vacuum insulation material 70 is formed to be bent in a substantially Z-shape in side view. That is, the vacuum insulation material 70 has an insulating top surface portion 70a extending in the front-to-rear direction, an insulating standing wall portion 70b extending downward from the rear end of the insulating top surface portion 70a, and an insulating step portion 70c extending rearward from the rear end of the insulating standing wall portion 70b.

[0041] The vacuum heat insulating material 70 is attached to the outer surface of the stepped top surface portion 42 of the inner box 4 with hot melt, which is an example of an adhesive. As the adhesive, double-sided tape or an adhesive such as glue may be used instead of hot melt.

[0042] The vacuum insulation material 70 is attached such that its front end 70a1 is rearward of the LED (Light Emitting Diode) light 64 that is provided on the top surface 42a of the stepped top surface 42 and illuminates the interior of the refrigerator. Specifically, the vacuum insulation material 70 has its insulating top surface 70a attached to the outer surface of the top surface 42a of the inner box 4. The vacuum insulation material 70 also has its insulating standing wall portion 70b attached to the outer surface of the standing wall surface 42b of the inner box 4. The vacuum insulation material 70 also has its insulating stepped portion 70c attached to the outer surface of the stepped surface 42c of the inner box 4. Therefore, the vacuum insulation material 70 is located above the center position 31a1 of the injection port 31a (see FIG. 7).

[0043] At this time, the vacuum insulation material 70 is arranged with a predetermined foam insulation space between it and the top plate 51, the circuit board case 61, etc. That is, the insulating top surface portion 70a of the vacuum insulation material 70 faces the top surface portion 51a of the top plate 51 and the case main body portion 61a of the circuit board case 61 with a predetermined foam insulation space between them. Also, the insulating standing wall portion 70b of the vacuum insulation material 70 faces the wall surface of the machine chamber 42d with a predetermined foam insulation space between them. Furthermore, the insulating step portion 70c of the vacuum insulation material 70 faces the wall surface of the machine chamber 42d with a predetermined foam insulation space between them.

[0044] In addition, in this embodiment, the vacuum insulation material 70 has a larger front-to-rear and left-to-right width in a plan view (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 7, the rear end 70c1 of the vacuum insulation material 70 is located rearward of the vertical projection line of the compressor 25. This allows heat from the compressor 25 to be insulated. In FIG. 6, the vacuum insulation material 70 is given a dot pattern for ease of understanding. In addition, in FIG. 7, the front end line L1 is the vertical projection line of the front end of the compressor 25. The rear end line L2 is the vertical projection line of the rear end of the compressor 25.

[0045] In this embodiment, the vacuum heat insulating material 70 has a larger left-right width than the case main body 61a in a plan view (see FIG. 6). Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the front end 70a1 of the vacuum heat insulating material 70 is located forward of the case main body 61a. This makes it easier to increase the creeping distance λ from the refrigerator compartment 6 to the case main body 61a of the board case 61, with respect to the creeping distance λ along the surface of the vacuum heat insulating material 70. This makes it easier to prevent condensation inside the board case 61.

[0046] In this embodiment, the rear end 70c1 of the vacuum insulation material 70, which is the end of the portion close to the rear panel 31, is located inside the left-right direction (inside the refrigerator) of the injection port 31a in a plan view (see FIG. 6). This makes it easy to keep the rear end 70c1 of the vacuum insulation material 70 separated from the injection port 31a.

[0047] Furthermore, a notch 70c2 is formed in the vacuum insulation material 70 in a portion facing the injection port 31a. Specifically, the vacuum insulation material 70 is cut out along the upper ends 47a (see FIG. 4) of the guide portions 46, 47. This allows the vacuum insulation material 70 to be attached without protruding from the stepped surface portion 42c. Because the vacuum insulation material 70 does not protrude, the urethane can flow upwards of the vacuum insulation material 70 while suppressing the force acting in a curling direction on the vacuum insulation material 70 when urethane is injected. Note that if the force acting in a curling direction on the vacuum insulation material 70 when urethane is injected is not acting on the vacuum insulation material 70 or if the fluidity of the urethane filling is not affected, there is no need to provide the notch 70c2.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the grommet snap-in 80 according to the embodiment 1. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the grommet snap-in 80 as seen from a different direction than that shown in Fig. 9. As shown in FIG. 7, the vacuum heat insulating material 70 is adhered to the vertical wall surface portion 42b of the stepped top surface portion 42 of the inner box 4 via a grommet snap-in (fixing member) 80.

[0049] A fixed storage portion 42b1 is formed in the center of the vertical wall portion 42b in the left-right direction, recessed in the thickness direction. The fixed storage portion 42b1 is a rectangular recess that is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. A through-hole 42b2 is formed in the center of the fixed storage portion 42b1, penetrating in the thickness direction.

[0050] A grommet snap-in 80 is inserted into the through-hole 42b2 of the fixed housing portion 42b1. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the grommet snap-in 80 has a rectangular plate-shaped portion 81 that is housed in the fixed housing portion 42b1, and an insertion portion 82 that protrudes from the center of the plate-shaped portion 81.

[0051] The plate-like portion 81 has a pair of surfaces 81a, 81b on both sides in the thickness direction. One surface (inner surface) 81a is formed flat. A cylindrical insertion portion 82 is formed in the center of the one surface 81a. An engagement groove (engagement portion) 82a is formed in the insertion portion 82 so as to penetrate in the radial direction. The other surface (outer surface) 81b has a plurality of ribs 83 formed in a lattice pattern. That is, the other surface 81b has an uneven shape formed by the ribs 83 extending lengthwise and widthwise.

[0052] Hot melt, which is an example of an adhesive, is applied to the other surface 81b, and the insulating vertical wall portion 70b of the vacuum insulating material 70 is adhered and fixed to the other surface 81b via the hot melt.

[0053] The insertion portion 82 of this grommet snap-in 80 is inserted into and passes through the through-hole 42b2 of the fixed housing portion 42b1. That is, the insertion portion 82 protrudes into the interior of the inner box 4. The plate-shaped portion 81 of the grommet snap-in 80 is then housed in the fixed housing portion 42b1. A flat surface 81a of the plate-shaped portion 81 is attached to the upright wall portion 42b of the inner box 4 via double-sided tape, which is an example of an adhesive.

[0054] An engaging portion 91 of a duct cover (internal part) 90 engages with an insertion portion 82 that protrudes into the interior of the inner box 4. That is, an engaging claw of the engaging portion 91 of the duct cover 90 engages with an engaging groove 82a of the insertion portion 82. A cold air duct 92 through which cold air passes is formed by the enclosed shape of the duct cover 90 and the inner surface of the inner box 4. Cold air blown by the blower fan 26 passes through the cold air duct 92.

[0055] [1-1-5-2. Vacuum insulation on the back] A rectangular vacuum insulation material (rear vacuum insulation material) 75 is attached to the inner surface of the rear panel 31. The vacuum insulation material 75 is arranged with a predetermined foam insulation space away from the rear part 41 of the inner box 4.

[0056] [1-1-5-3. Foam insulation] The space between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 is filled with foam insulation material 5 (see FIGS. 3 and 7). In this embodiment, the foam insulation material 5 is urethane. A nozzle (not shown) for filling urethane is inserted through the injection port 31a, and urethane is injected between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4 from the nozzle.

[0057] Here, the upper injection port 31a faces the guide portions 46, 47. Therefore, when the urethane injected from the nozzle hits the guide portions 46, 47, it flows along the guide portions 46, 47 in the radial direction from the tip of the nozzle.

[0058] Therefore, some of the urethane flows upward, flows along the upper surface of the vacuum insulation material 70 of the stepped top surface portion 42, and fills the foam insulation space between the top plate 51 and the case main body portion 61a and the vacuum insulation material 70 of the stepped top surface portion 42. In addition, some of the urethane flows downward, flows along the front surface of the vacuum insulation material 75 on the back panel 31, and fills the foam insulation space between the back portion 41 of the inner box 4 and the vacuum insulation material 75 on the back panel 31.

[0059] In this embodiment, vacuum insulation materials 70, 75, which have better insulation properties than foam insulation material 5, are arranged around stepped top surface 42 and back surface 41 of inner box 4. Therefore, it is easier to reduce the gap between outer box 3 and inner box 4 compared to when insulation is ensured solely or primarily by foam insulation material 5. In other words, because it is easy to bring inner box 4 closer to outer box 3, it is easier to increase the capacity of inner box 4, and it is easier to increase the capacity of a storage compartment, for example, refrigerator compartment 6.

[0060] [1-2. Operation, etc.] Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 in the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, compressor 25 is driven to circulate refrigerant through the refrigeration cycle, and cooler 24 exchanges heat with the air inside cooling compartment 23 to generate cold air. Then, blower fan 26 is driven to blow the air that has exchanged heat in cooler 24 through cold air duct 92 to refrigerator compartment 6, switchable compartment 7, ice maker compartment, freezer compartment 9, and vegetable compartment 10. At this time, refrigerator 1 adjusts and controls the amount of cold air to be blown, cooling each compartment to a predetermined temperature.

[0061] Since the stepped top surface portion 42 of the inner box 4 can be easily brought close to the top plate 51 of the top cover 32 of the outer box 3 and the case main body portion 61a, the capacity of the refrigerator compartment 6 is large, making it easy to store a large amount of items in the refrigerator compartment 6.

[0062] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is a refrigerator 1 including an outer box 3, an inner box 4 arranged inside the outer box 3 and having a storage chamber 6 therein, and a heat insulating material such as foam heat insulating material 5 provided between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4, and the inner box 4 includes a top surface portion 42a extending in the front-rear direction, a standing wall surface portion 42b extending downward from the rear end of the top surface portion 42a, and a step surface portion 42c extending rearward from the lower end of the standing wall surface portion 42b. In a refrigerator 1 in which a machine chamber 42d having a compressor 25 that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is formed in 2c, the insulation material comprises a vacuum insulation material 70 adhered to the outer surface of the inner box 4, and the vacuum insulation material 70 has an insulated top surface portion 70a extending along the top surface portion 42a, an insulated standing wall portion 70b extending along the standing wall surface portion 42b, and an insulated step portion 70c extending along the step surface portion 42c, and a rear end 70c1 of the vacuum insulation material 70 is located rearward of the compressor 25. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a refrigerator 1 that can increase the capacity of the storage compartment 6 while improving the thermal insulation of the storage compartment 6 adjacent to the machine compartment 42d.

[0063] As in this embodiment, the insulation material has foam insulation material 5 filled between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4, and the outer box 3 has an injection port 31a formed in it so that its position in the vertical direction is below the step surface portion 42c, and the vacuum insulation material 70 may have, in a planar view, the rear end (edge) 70c1 of the surface of the outer box 3 on which the injection port 31a is formed, i.e., the portion close to the back panel 31, positioned inside the cabinet interior more than the injection port 31a. With this configuration, it is easy to keep the rear end 70c1 of the vacuum insulation material 70 separated from the injection port 31a, thereby preventing poor injection of the foam insulation material 5, which is urethane, due to interference between the foam insulation material 5 and the vacuum insulation material 70 when injecting the foam insulation material 5.

[0064] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the vacuum heat insulating material 70 may have a notch 70c2 formed in a portion facing the injection port 31a. With this configuration, it is easy to keep the rear end 70c1 of the vacuum insulation material 70 separated from the injection port 31a, thereby preventing poor injection of the foam insulation material 5 due to interference between the foam insulation material 5 and the vacuum insulation material 70 when injecting the foam insulation material 5.

[0065] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the vacuum heat insulating material 70 may be located above the center position 31a1 of the injection port 31a. This configuration makes it easier for the foam insulation material 5 to flow below the vacuum insulation material 70, while also allowing the foam insulation material 5 to flow above the vacuum insulation material 70.

[0066] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the outer box 3 may include a rear panel 31 that covers the rear surface of the inner box 4, and the heat insulating material may include a vacuum heat insulating material 75 that is adhered to the inner surface of the rear panel 31. According to this configuration, the heat insulation of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

[0067] Further, as in this embodiment, the circuit board case 61 is provided on the top surface portion 42a, and the case main body portion 61a of the circuit board case 61 in which the control board 60 is housed may have a width smaller than that of the vacuum insulation material 70 in a plan view, and the front end may be located rearward of the vacuum insulation material 70. According to this configuration, the creepage distance λ along the surface of the vacuum insulation material 70 from the storage chamber 6 to the case main body 61a of the substrate case 61 can be easily increased, making it easier to prevent condensation inside the substrate case 61.

[0068] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the foam insulation material 5 may be urethane, and the foam insulation material 5 made of urethane may be disposed between the board case 61 and the vacuum insulation material 70. This configuration can improve the heat insulation compared to when no urethane is placed between the board case 61 and the vacuum heat insulating material 70.

[0069] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the vertical wall surface portion 42b has a through hole 42b2 formed therein that penetrates in the thickness direction, and is provided with a grommet snap-in 80 that is inserted into the through hole 42b2 and supported by the inner box 4, fixing the vacuum insulation material 70 to the outer surface of the inner box 4, and the grommet snap-in 80 has an insertion portion 82 that is inserted into the through hole 42b2 and a plate-shaped portion 81 supported by the insertion portion 82, and the plate-shaped portion 81 may have one surface 81a adhered to the vertical wall surface portion 42b, while the vacuum insulation material 70 is adhered to the other surface 81b. This configuration makes it easier to firmly fix the portion of the vacuum insulation material 70 that extends in the vertical direction so that it does not come off the inner box 4, and when fixing it, it is possible to prevent the vacuum insulation material 70 from breaking.

[0070] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the insertion portion 82 may be provided with an engagement groove 82a with which the duct cover 90 arranged inside the inner box 4 can be engaged. According to this configuration, the duct cover 90 can be easily attached to the inner box 4.

[0071] (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0072] [2-1. Overall composition] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the arrangement structure of the vacuum heat insulating material 270 in the second embodiment. Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 7 in the first embodiment. Refrigerator 201 of embodiment 2 has vacuum insulation material 270 of a divided structure instead of vacuum insulation material 70 of embodiment 1 of an integrated structure. That is, vacuum insulation material 270 of embodiment 2 has first vacuum insulation material 271 of a flat plate shape and second vacuum insulation material 272 of a generally L-shape arranged behind first vacuum insulation material 271.

[0073] The first vacuum insulation material 271 has an insulating top surface 270a having a shape corresponding to the insulating top surface 70a of the first embodiment. The insulating top surface 270a is attached to the top surface 42a of the inner box 4. At this time, a front end 270a1 of the insulating top surface 270a is located rearward of the LED lights 64. A rear end 270a2 of the insulating top surface 270a is located at a position above the top surface 42a such that it does not protrude beyond the standing wall surface 42b of the inner box 4.

[0074] The second vacuum insulation material 272 has an insulating standing wall portion 270b having a shape corresponding to the insulating standing wall portion 70b of the first embodiment, and an insulating step portion 270c having a shape corresponding to the insulating step portion 70c of the first embodiment. The insulating standing wall portion 270b can be attached to the standing wall surface portion 42b of the inner box 4, as in the first embodiment. That is, the insulating standing wall portion 270b can be attached to the standing wall surface portion 42b via a grommet snap-in 80. The insulating step portion 270c is attached to the outer surface of the step surface portion 42c of the inner box 4, as in the first embodiment. The rear end 270c1 of the insulating step portion 270c is located in the same position as the rear end 70c1 of the vacuum insulation material 70 of the first embodiment.

[0075] Here, the insulating standing wall portion 270b of the second vacuum insulation material 272 extends above the top surface 42a of the inner box 4. In other words, the upper end 270b1 of the insulating standing wall portion 270b is located above the extension line L3 of the top surface 42a. In this case, the insulating standing wall portion 270b is arranged so as to cover the rear end 270a2 of the first vacuum insulation material 271 from behind. Here, for example, by attaching the second vacuum insulation material 272 so that it abuts against the rear end 270a2 of the first vacuum insulation material 271, it is easy to prevent misalignment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the attachment work of the vacuum insulation material 270 is easy.

[0076] [2-2. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, vacuum insulation materials 270, 75, which have higher insulating properties than foam insulation material 5, are arranged around stepped top surface 42 and back surface 41 of inner box 4. Therefore, compared to when foam insulation material 5 alone or mainly is used to ensure insulation, it is easier to reduce the gap between outer box 3 and inner box 4 and increase the capacity of inner box 4.

[0077] As in this embodiment, the vacuum insulation material 270 has a first vacuum insulation material 271 formed only by an insulating top surface portion 270a extending along the top surface portion 42a, and a second vacuum insulation material 272 formed by an insulating standing wall portion 270b extending along the standing wall surface portion 42b, and an insulating step portion 270c extending along the step surface portion 42c, and the upper end 270b1 of the insulating standing wall portion 270b of the second vacuum insulation material 272 may be formed so as to cover at least a portion of the rear end 270a2 of the first vacuum insulation material 271. According to this configuration, the vacuum heat insulating material 270 has a divided structure, so that the vacuum heat insulating material 270 is easy to handle, and the installation work such as the work of attaching the vacuum heat insulating material 270 can be easily performed.

[0078] (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.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the configuration of the refrigerator 1 is described as being equipped with a refrigerator compartment 6, a vegetable compartment 10, etc., but the refrigerator may also be one in which the refrigerator compartment 6, vegetable compartment 10, etc. are omitted and only the freezer compartment 9 is provided as a storage compartment.

[0080] In embodiments 1 and 2, a configuration has been described in which a foam insulation material 5 made of urethane is filled and arranged between the substrate case 61 and the vacuum insulation material 70, 270, but it is also possible to arrange a non-urethane sheet member 100 (see Figures 7 and 11) between the substrate case 61 and the vacuum insulation material 70, 270 without filling the foam insulation material 5. With this configuration, no urethane is placed between the board case 61 and the vacuum insulation materials 70, 270, so no flow space is required for filling the urethane, making it easier to reduce the gap between the inner box 4 and the outer box 3. This makes it easier to increase the size of the storage chamber 6 of the inner box 4. Furthermore, by providing the sheet member 100, even if the board case 61 is placed close to the vacuum insulation materials 70, 270, the vacuum insulation materials 70, 270 can be protected from the board case 61, specifically, from the edges of the board case 61.

[0081] In the first and second embodiments, the stepped top surface portion 42 has a top surface portion 42a extending in the front-to-rear direction, a vertical wall surface portion (vertical wall portion) 42b extending downward from the rear end of the top surface portion 42a, and a stepped surface portion (step portion) 42c extending rearward from the lower end of the vertical wall surface portion 42b. The top surface portion 42a, the vertical wall surface portion 42b, and the stepped surface portion 42c are each flat. However, the top surface portion 42a, the vertical wall surface portion 42b, and the stepped surface portion 42c do not have to be flat. For example, as long as the vacuum insulation material 70, 270 can be attached using a spacer member such as a grommet snap-in 80, the top surface portion 42a, the vertical wall surface portion 42b, and the stepped surface portion 42c may each have some unevenness or a stepped shape.

[0082] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0083] (Technology 1) A refrigerator comprising an outer box, an inner box disposed inside the outer box and having a storage chamber therein, and a thermal insulator disposed between the outer box and the inner box, wherein the inner box comprises a top surface extending in the front-to-rear direction, a standing wall portion extending downward from the rear end of the top surface, and a step portion extending rearward from the lower end of the standing wall portion, and a machine compartment having a compressor that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is formed in the step portion, the thermal insulator comprising a vacuum thermal insulator bonded to the outer surface of the inner box, and the vacuum thermal insulator comprising an insulated top surface extending along the top surface, an insulated standing wall portion extending along the standing wall portion, and an insulated step portion extending along the step portion, and the rear end of the vacuum thermal insulator is located rearward of the compressor. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can increase the capacity of the storage compartment while improving the thermal insulation of the storage compartment adjacent to the machine compartment.

[0084] (Technology 2) The insulation material has foam insulation material filled between the outer box and the inner box, and the outer box has a foam insulation material injection port formed in it so that its position in the vertical direction is below the step portion, and the vacuum insulation material has an end of a portion close to the surface of the outer box where the foam insulation material injection port is formed that is located inside the refrigerator interior more than the foam insulation material injection port in a plan view. With this configuration, it is easy to keep the end of the vacuum insulation material away from the foam insulation material injection port, thereby preventing poor injection of the foam insulation material due to interference between the foam insulation material and the vacuum insulation material when injecting the foam insulation material.

[0085] (Technical Aspect 3) The refrigerator according to Technical Aspect 2, wherein the vacuum insulation material has a notch formed in a portion facing the foam insulation material injection port. With this configuration, it is easy to keep the end of the vacuum insulation material away from the foam insulation material injection port, thereby preventing poor injection of the foam insulation material due to interference between the foam insulation material and the vacuum insulation material when injecting the foam insulation material.

[0086] (Technical Technique 4) The refrigerator according to Technical Technique 2 or 3, wherein the vacuum insulation material is positioned above the center of the foam insulation material injection port. This configuration makes it easier for the foam insulation material to flow below the vacuum insulation material, while also allowing the foam insulation material to flow above the vacuum insulation material.

[0087] (Technology 5) A refrigerator described in any one of Technologies 1 to 4, wherein the vacuum insulation material has a first vacuum insulation material formed only by the insulating top surface portion extending along the top surface portion, and a second vacuum insulation material formed by the insulating standing wall portion extending along the standing wall portion and the insulating step portion extending along the step portion, and the tip of the insulating standing wall portion of the second vacuum insulation material is formed so as to cover at least a portion of the rear end of the first vacuum insulation material. According to this configuration, the vacuum insulation material has a divided structure, which makes it easy to handle the vacuum insulation material and facilitates the installation work of the vacuum insulation material.

[0088] (Technology 6) A refrigerator according to any one of Technologies 1 to 5, wherein the outer box has a rear panel that covers the rear of the inner box, and the insulation material has a rear vacuum insulation material that is adhered to the inner surface of the rear panel. This configuration improves the heat insulation of the refrigerator.

[0089] (Technology 7) A refrigerator according to any one of technologies 1 to 6, which includes a circuit board case provided on the top surface, wherein the case main body portion of the circuit board case in which a control board is housed has a width smaller than that of the vacuum insulation material in a plan view, and the front end is located behind the vacuum insulation material. With this configuration, it is possible to easily increase the creepage distance along the surface of the vacuum insulation material from the storage chamber to the case body of the board case, making it easier to prevent condensation inside the board case.

[0090] (Technology 8) The refrigerator according to Technology 7, wherein the insulation material has a foam insulation material, the foam insulation material being urethane, and the foam insulation material made of urethane is arranged between the substrate case and the vacuum insulation material. This configuration improves the thermal insulation compared to when no urethane is placed between the board case and the vacuum insulation material.

[0091] (Technical Aspect 9) The refrigerator according to Technical Aspect 7, wherein a non-urethane sheet member is disposed between the circuit board case and the vacuum heat insulating material. With this configuration, since no urethane is placed between the board case and the vacuum insulation material, no flow space is required for filling the urethane, making it easier to reduce the gap between the inner box and the outer box. This makes it easier to enlarge the storage compartment of the inner box. In addition, by providing a sheet member, the vacuum insulation material can be protected from the board case.

[0092] (Technology 10) A refrigerator according to any one of technologies 1 to 9, wherein the vertical wall portion has a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction, and a fixing member is inserted into the through hole and supported by the inner box, fixing the vacuum insulation material to the outer surface of the inner box, the fixing member having an insertion portion inserted into the through hole and a plate-shaped portion supported by the insertion portion, the plate-shaped portion having the vacuum insulation material adhered to its outer surface and having its inner surface adhered to the vertical wall portion. This configuration makes it easier to firmly fix the vacuum insulation material in the vertically extending portion so that it does not come off the inner box, and when fixing it, it is possible to prevent the vacuum insulation material from breaking.

[0093] (Technical Aspect 11) The refrigerator according to Technical Aspect 10, wherein the insertion portion is provided with an engaging portion with which an internal component disposed inside the inner box can engage. With this configuration, the internal components can be easily attached to the inner box. [Industrial Applicability]

[0094] As described above, the refrigerator according to the present disclosure can be suitably used as a refrigerator having a machine compartment and a storage compartment adjacent to the machine compartment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 refrigerator 2. Insulated box 3 Outer box 4 Inner box 4a aperture 5. Foam insulation (insulation material) 6 Refrigerator (storage room) 7. Switch Room 9 Freezer 10 Vegetable compartment 11 Refrigerator door 11a Hinge 12 Refrigerator door 12a Hinge 13. Switch compartment door 14 Ice maker door 15. Switchable chamber container 16 Freezer door 17 Upper freezer compartment container section 18 Lower freezer compartment container section 19 Vegetable compartment door 20 Vegetable compartment container 23 Cooling room 24 Cooler 25 Compressor 26 Blower fan 31 Rear panel (surface) 31a Inlet (foam insulation inlet) 31a1 Center position 32 Top cover 33 Bottom Panel 34 Side Panel 35 Side Panel 37 Lower rear panel 41 Back part 42 Step top section 42a Top section 42b Standing wall surface section (standing wall section) 42b1 Fixed storage section 42b2 Through hole 42c Step surface part (step part) 42d Machine room 43 Bottom part 44 Left side side 45 Right side section 46 Guide part 47 Guide section 47a top end 47b Bottom end 48 Partition member 49 Partition material 51 Top plate 51a Top section 51a1 Hinge opening 51a2 Hinge opening 51a3 PCB case mounting port 52 Circuit board cover 53 Machine room cover 53a Top section 53b Back part 54 Hinge cover 55 Hinge cover 56 Hinge stay 57 Hinge stay 60 Control board 61 Circuit board case 61a Case body 61b Flange part 62 Heat sink 63 Radiator fan 64 LED lights 70 Vacuum insulation material (insulation material) 70a Insulated top section 70a1 front end 70b Insulated vertical wall 70c Insulated step 70c1 Rear end (end) 71 Main body 71a Groove 71b Groove 72 Fin 75 Vacuum insulation material (rear vacuum insulation material, insulation material) 80 Grommet snap-in (fixing member) 81 Plate-shaped part 81a surface (inside) 81b surface (outer surface) 82 Insertion part 82a Engagement groove (engagement part) 83 Ribs 90 Duct cover (internal parts) 91 Engagement part 92 Cold air duct 100 Sheet member 201 Refrigerator 270 Vacuum insulation material (insulation material) 270a Insulated top section 270a1 front end 270a2 rear end 270b Insulated vertical wall 270b1 Upper end (tip) 270c Insulated step 270c1 rear end 271 First vacuum insulation material (insulation material) 272 Second vacuum insulation material (insulation material) L1 front end line L2 rear end line L3 extension line λ Creepage distance

Claims

1. The outer box and an inner box disposed inside the outer box and having a storage chamber therein; A refrigerator including a heat insulating material provided between the outer box and the inner box, the inner box includes a top surface portion extending in a front-rear direction, a standing wall portion extending downward from a rear end of the top surface portion, and a step portion extending rearward from a lower end of the standing wall portion, and a machine chamber having a compressor constituting a refrigeration cycle is formed in the step portion; The heat insulating material includes a vacuum heat insulating material adhered to the outer surface of the inner box, The vacuum insulation material has an insulating top surface portion extending along the top surface portion, an insulating standing wall portion extending along the standing wall portion, and an insulating step portion extending along the step portion, The rear end of the vacuum heat insulating material is located rearward of the compressor. refrigerator.

2. The heat insulating material includes a foam heat insulating material filled between the outer box and the inner box, The outer box is formed with a foam insulation material injection port whose vertical position is equal to or lower than the step portion, In a plan view, an end of the vacuum insulation material in the vicinity of the surface of the outer box where the foam insulation material injection port is formed is located inside the refrigerator interior more than the foam insulation material injection port. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. The vacuum insulation material has a notch formed in a portion facing the foam insulation material injection port. The refrigerator according to claim 2.

4. The vacuum insulation material is positioned above the center position of the foam insulation material injection port. The refrigerator according to claim 3.

5. The vacuum insulation material includes a first vacuum insulation material formed only by the insulating top surface portion extending along the top surface portion, and a second vacuum insulation material formed by the insulating standing wall portion extending along the standing wall portion and the insulating step portion extending along the step portion, The leading end of the insulating vertical wall portion of the second vacuum insulating material is formed so as to cover at least a part of the rear end of the first vacuum insulating material. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

6. The outer box includes a rear panel that covers the rear surface of the inner box, The insulation comprises a rear vacuum insulation adhered to the inner surface of the rear panel.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

7. a substrate case provided on the top surface portion, The board case has a case body in which a control board is housed, the case body having a width smaller than that of the vacuum heat insulating material in a plan view, and a front end located rearward of the vacuum heat insulating material.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

8. the insulation comprises foam insulation; The foam insulation material is urethane, The foam insulation material made of urethane is disposed between the substrate case and the vacuum insulation material. The refrigerator according to claim 7.

9. A non-urethane sheet member is disposed between the substrate case and the vacuum heat insulating material. The refrigerator according to claim 7.

10. The upright wall portion is formed with a through hole penetrating in a thickness direction, a fixing member that is inserted into the through hole and supported by the inner box, and fixes the vacuum insulation material to an outer surface of the inner box; the fixing member includes an insertion portion inserted into the through hole and a plate-like portion supported by the insertion portion, The plate-shaped portion has the vacuum heat insulating material adhered to its outer surface and the inner surface adhered to the vertical wall portion.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

11. The insertion portion is provided with an engagement portion that can engage with an internal component disposed inside the inner box. The refrigerator according to claim 10.

Images