refrigerator

Abstract

This invention provides a piping structure that can improve the convenience of connection work when connecting pipes that are connected by a crimping method inside the machine room of a refrigerator. [Solution] The refrigerator 1 comprises an insulated box 50, a machine room 30, and refrigerant piping arranged inside the insulated box 50 and the machine room 30. The refrigerant piping 25d arranged inside the machine room 30 includes a first metal pipe 41, a second metal pipe 42 which is thicker than the first metal pipe 41, and a third metal pipe 43 which connects the first metal pipe 41 and the second metal pipe 42. At the connection between the second metal pipe 42 and the third metal pipe 43, the expanded end of the third metal pipe 43 covers the end of the second metal pipe 42, and a connecting member 45 for crimping the third metal pipe 43 is provided. The third metal pipe 43 is thicker than the first metal pipe 41.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having refrigerant pipes passing through a machine room.

Background Art

[0002] In a refrigerator, in order to prevent dew condensation from occurring near the front width portion of the storage chamber due to the influence of the cooled interior temperature, a structure for heating this portion is provided at the front width portion of the front surface. As such a heating structure, for example, a configuration is adopted in which a part of a heat radiation pipe provided on the heat radiation side of a refrigeration cycle provided in the refrigerator is wound around the front width portion of the front surface of the refrigerator (the peripheral edge of the opening of the refrigerator and the front portion of the partition wall partitioning the storage chamber) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A part of this heat radiation pipe (also referred to as a refrigerant pipe) is disposed on the back side of the refrigerator and is also disposed in a machine room where a compressor or the like is disposed. Each heat radiation pipe wound around the inside of the heat insulation box body (for example, the back surface portion and the side surface portion, etc.) is exposed to the outside in the machine room. In the assembly process of the heat insulation box body, the ends of each heat radiation pipe extending into the machine room are connected to each other.

[0005] Generally, brazing using copper or silver solder is used to connect pipes such as heat dissipation pipes. However, since the quality of brazing connections depends on the skill of the worker, in recent years there has been an increase in the adoption of crimping methods using lock rings (see, for example, Patent Document 2), which can provide more stable quality.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a piping structure that can improve the convenience of connection work when connecting pipes that are connected by a crimping method inside the machine room of a refrigerator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an insulated box, a machine room provided on the rear side of the insulated box, and piping disposed inside the insulated box and the machine room, through which a refrigerant passes. The piping disposed inside the machine room includes a first metal pipe, a second metal pipe thicker than the first metal pipe, and a third metal pipe connecting the first and second metal pipes. At the connection between the second and third metal pipes, the expanded end of the third metal pipe covers the end of the second metal pipe, and a connecting member is provided for crimping the third metal pipe. The third metal pipe is thicker than the first metal pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator can improve the convenience of connecting pipes that are connected by a crimping method inside the machine room. Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator can suppress the increase in cost of the refrigerant piping. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a refrigerator according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of refrigerant piping provided in an insulated box according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a magnified perspective view of the machine interior of the insulated box shown. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the machine interior of the insulated box. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing a portion of the heat dissipation pipes located inside the machine room. [Figure 6] This is a plan view showing a portion of the heat dissipation pipes located inside the machine room. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing a portion of the heat dissipation pipes located inside the machine room. [Figure 8] This figure shows how to attach a locking ring to the heat dissipation pipe shown in Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the heat dissipation pipe with a locking ring attached. [Figure 10] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the heat dissipation pipe, specifically the portion indicated by line AA. [Figure 11] This is a plan view showing a portion of the heat dissipation pipes located inside the machine room of a refrigerator according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0011] <First Embodiment> (Overall configuration of the refrigerator) First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 shows the internal configuration of the refrigerator 1.

[0012] The refrigerator 1 is provided with a heat insulation box body 50 as a heat insulation structure for insulating each storage space from the surroundings. The heat insulation box body 50 mainly includes an outer box 60, an inner box 70, a vacuum heat insulation material 51, a foam heat insulation material 52, and at least one partition part (for example, a first partition part 54 and a second partition part 55).

[0013] The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerating chamber 11 in the upper stage, a vegetable chamber 12 in the middle stage, a freezing chamber 13 in the lower stage, etc. A refrigerating chamber door 11a is provided in the refrigerating chamber 11. A vegetable chamber door 12a is provided in the vegetable chamber 12. A freezing chamber door 13a is provided in the freezing chamber 13.

[0014] A space for arranging the machine room 30 is formed on the back side of the bottom of the heat insulation box body 50. The machine room 30 is arranged outside the heat insulation box body 50. A compressor 31 etc. are arranged in the machine room 30. The machine room 30 is mainly partitioned by a bottom plate 62 that constitutes the bottom surface part of the outer box 60.

[0015] As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is divided into an upper stage part, a middle stage part, and a lower stage part, and each storage space is provided. A partition part is provided between each storage space. More specifically, a first partition part 54 is provided between the upper refrigerating chamber 11 and the middle vegetable chamber 12. Also, a second partition part (partition) 55 is provided between the middle vegetable chamber 12 and the lower freezing chamber 13. Note that the arrangement positions of each storage space are not limited to this.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the surface where the door is provided is called the front or the front surface of the refrigerator. And, based on the position that exists when the refrigerator 1 is installed in a normal state with the front surface as a reference, each surface of the refrigerator 1 is defined as the upper surface, the side surface, the back surface, and the bottom surface. Also, in the state where the refrigerator 1 is placed on the installation surface, the up and down direction of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as the up and down direction or the Y direction (see FIG. 4) of the refrigerator 1 (or the heat insulation box body 50 etc.). Also, in the state where the refrigerator 1 is placed on the installation surface, the front and back direction when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front is referred to as the front and back direction or the Z direction (see FIG. 4) of the refrigerator 1 (or the heat insulation box body 50 etc.).

[0017] Inside the refrigerator 1, a refrigeration cycle is provided. The refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting a compressor 31, a condenser (for example, a heat radiating pipe 25, etc.), an expansion device (not shown), and a cooler 32 via a refrigerant pipe 20 through which the refrigerant circulates. The compressor 31 is disposed in a machine room 30 provided on the back side of the bottom of the refrigerator 1. The cooler 32 is disposed in a cooling chamber 35 provided on the back side of the refrigerator 1. In the cooling chamber 35, in addition to the cooler 32, a cooling fan 33, etc. are provided.

[0018] (Configuration of Refrigerant Pipe) Next, the configuration of the refrigerant pipe 20 forming the refrigerant flow path of the refrigeration cycle will be described. FIG. 2 shows a part of the configuration of the refrigerant pipe 20 laid inside the heat insulation box body 50 and in the machine room 30, etc. In FIG. 2, mainly, a part called a heat radiating pipe of the refrigerant pipe 20 of the refrigeration cycle is illustrated.

[0019] The heat radiating pipe 25 forms a flow path as a condenser in the refrigerant flow path of the refrigeration cycle. The heat radiating pipe 25 is formed of a metal material having relatively high thermal conductivity, such as copper, aluminum, iron, etc. Relatively high-temperature refrigerant flows into the heat radiating pipe 25 from the compressor 31. And, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat radiating pipe 25 is laid around the outer periphery of the heat insulation box body 50. By arranging the heat radiating pipe 25 through which relatively high-temperature refrigerant flows on the outer periphery of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerant flowing through the heat radiating pipe 25 can be cooled and condensed by the outside air.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the heat radiating pipe 25 includes a frontage heat radiating pipe 25a, side surface heat radiating pipes 25b, a back surface heat radiating pipe 25c, etc. The frontage heat radiating pipe 25a is disposed at the frontage of the heat insulation box body 50. The side surface heat radiating pipes 25b are disposed on the left and right side surfaces of the heat insulation box body 50 respectively. In FIG. 2, only the side surface heat radiating pipe 25b disposed on one side surface is illustrated. The back surface heat radiating pipe 25c is disposed at the back surface of the heat insulation box body 50.

[0021] Furthermore, a portion of the refrigerant piping 20 is also installed inside the machine room 30. For example, a portion of the refrigerant piping 20 (the refrigerant piping 20 shown in Figure 2) is connected to the compressor 31. The refrigerant piping 20 inside the machine room 30 also includes heat dissipation pipes 25d and 25e, which form a portion of the heat dissipation pipe 25. Heat dissipation pipes 25d and 25e are connected to, for example, the opening heat dissipation pipe 25a, the side heat dissipation pipe 25b, and the rear heat dissipation pipe 25c.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a more detailed configuration of the area around the compressor 31 in the machine room 30. As shown in Figure 3, each heat dissipation pipe 25, which is routed inside the insulated box 50 (e.g., the rear and sides), is exposed to the outside within the machine room 30. During the assembly process of the insulated box 50, the ends of each heat dissipation pipe 25 extending into the machine room 30 are connected to each other. After all the refrigerant piping 20, including each heat dissipation pipe 25, is connected, refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant piping 20.

[0023] In this embodiment, a crimping method using a lock ring (connecting member) 45 is employed as one method for connecting the ends of each heat dissipation pipe 25.

[0024] For example, in the heat dissipation pipe 25d, a lock ring 45 is positioned between the end 42a of the iron pipe (second metal pipe) 42 and the end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe (third metal pipe) 43. Similarly, in the heat dissipation pipe 25e, a lock ring 45 is positioned between the end of the iron pipe 47 and the end of the iron pipe 48.

[0025] In the heat dissipation pipe 25d, the end 46b of the copper pipe (first metal pipe) 41 and the end 46a of the intermediate copper pipe (third metal pipe) 43 are connected by brazing. That is, a brazed joint 46 is provided between the end of the copper pipe (first metal pipe) 41 and the end of the intermediate copper pipe (third metal pipe) 43.

[0026] (Configuration of heat dissipation pipes) The heat dissipation pipe 25 is preferably made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity in order to further enhance the condensation suppression effect. In addition to high thermal conductivity, the heat dissipation pipe 25 is also preferably made of a relatively soft metal material in terms of ease of processing. Copper is an example of such a metal material. However, since copper is relatively expensive, it is preferable to use iron, which is cheaper than copper, from a cost perspective.

[0027] Therefore, it is preferable to use iron pipes for the heat dissipation pipes 25 in parts where the shape is not complex or where the shape does not change (for example, parts that extend inside the insulated box 50, side heat dissipation pipes 25b, rear heat dissipation pipes 25c, etc.), and copper pipes for parts with more complex shapes such as three-dimensional bends, or parts where deformation may occur during pipe processing or assembly (for example, heat dissipation pipes 25d inside the machine room 30, etc.).

[0028] When the heat dissipation pipe 25 is formed from multiple types of metal pipes, there will be points where different types of metal pipes are connected. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation pipe 25 (for example, heat dissipation pipe 25d) installed in the machine room 30 includes a point where a copper pipe and an iron pipe are connected. The following describes a more specific configuration of the heat dissipation pipe 25 including such points.

[0029] Figure 4 shows a side view of the machine room 30 on the side where the compressor 31 is located. Figures 5 to 7 show a portion of the heat dissipation pipe 25d located inside the machine room 30.

[0030] The heat dissipation pipe 25d includes a first metal pipe (e.g., a copper pipe 41), a second metal pipe (e.g., an iron pipe 42), and a third metal pipe (e.g., a connecting copper pipe 43) that connects the first metal pipe and the second metal pipe.

[0031] The first metal tube forms, for example, the connection portion between the opening heat dissipation pipe 25a and the heat dissipation pipe 25d. In this embodiment, the first metal tube is a copper tube 41 to enhance heat transfer to the opening. In one example, the wall thickness t1 of the copper tube 41 is 0.35 mm or more and 0.45 mm or less (preferably 0.35 mm). Generally, copper tubes tend to have thinner walls because copper, the material used, is relatively expensive.

[0032] The second metal pipe forms, for example, a connection portion between the heat dissipation pipe 25d and the side heat dissipation pipe 25b. In this embodiment, the second metal pipe is an iron pipe 42. The second metal pipe has a thicker wall than the first metal pipe. That is, the iron pipe 42 has a thicker wall than the copper pipe 41. In one example, the wall thickness t2 of the iron pipe 42 is 0.5 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less (preferably 0.5 mm).

[0033] The third metal pipe is a relatively short pipe connecting the first and second metal pipes. In this embodiment, the third metal pipe is a connecting copper pipe 43. The third metal pipe (e.g., the connecting copper pipe 43) is preferably used, for example, when connecting different types of metal pipes (e.g., copper pipe 41 and iron pipe 42).

[0034] The third metal tube has a thicker wall than the first metal tube. In this embodiment, the intermediate copper tube 43 has a thicker wall than the copper tube 41. In one example, the wall thickness t3 of the intermediate copper tube 43 is 0.5 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less (preferably 0.5 mm).

[0035] The first metal pipe (specifically, the copper pipe 41) and the third metal pipe (specifically, the intermediate copper pipe 43) may be connected by brazing. For example, the end 46a (see Figure 6) of the expanded third metal pipe (specifically, the intermediate copper pipe 43) is connected to the end 46b of the first metal pipe (specifically, the copper pipe 41) so as to cover it, and copper solder or silver solder is injected between the contact surfaces of the two ends to braze them together. The brazed portion in this manner is called the brazed portion 46.

[0036] At the connection between the second metal pipe (specifically, the iron pipe 42) and the third metal pipe (specifically, the intermediate copper pipe 43), the expanded end 43b of the third metal pipe (see Figure 6) covers the end 42a of the second metal pipe, and a connecting member (lock ring 45) for crimping the third metal pipe is provided.

[0037] The third metal tube (specifically, the intermediate copper tube 43) may have at least one bend. For example, the intermediate copper tube 43 has a bend 43a that bends at approximately 90 degrees. With the heat dissipation pipe 25d attached to the refrigerator 1, the copper tube on the end 43b side of the intermediate copper tube 43 extends in the vertical direction (Y direction), and the copper tube on the end 46a side of the intermediate copper tube 43 extends in the front-back direction (Z direction).

[0038] As described above, in this embodiment, the first metal pipe (specifically, the copper pipe 41) and the third metal pipe (specifically, the intermediate copper pipe 43) are made of copper material, and the second metal pipe (specifically, the iron pipe 42) is made of iron material. Copper material has the property of being softer than other metal materials. Therefore, the first metal pipe (e.g., the copper pipe 41) and the third metal pipe (e.g., the intermediate copper pipe 43) can be processed into more complex shapes and their bends can be deformed relatively easily compared to the second metal pipe (e.g., the iron pipe 42).

[0039] Each heat dissipation pipe 25, which is laid out inside the insulated box 50 (for example, the back and sides), has its extended ends connected to each other within the machine room 30. The brazed joints 46, which are brazed together, may be pre-connected before the various surfaces (sides, back, etc.) of the insulated box 50 are assembled into a box shape. Subsequently, during the refrigerant piping connection stage of the assembly process of the insulated box 50, the end 42a of the iron pipe 42 and the end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe 43 are connected in the heat dissipation pipe 25d that extends into the machine room 30.

[0040] (Method for crimping and connecting heat dissipation pipes) Next, the connection methods for each pipe in the heat dissipation pipe 25 will be explained. Examples of methods for sealing the ends of the pipes together include brazing and crimping.

[0041] Crimping is a method of sealing pipe connections by press-fitting connecting components, such as lock rings, into the pipe connection points and tightening them. Crimping is usually performed using specialized jigs, and therefore does not require the same level of skill as brazing. As a result, it allows for consistent quality of pipe connections regardless of the worker's skill level.

[0042] Figures 8 to 10 show the crimped connection portion of the heat dissipation pipe 25d by the lock ring 45. Figure 8 shows the process of attaching the lock ring 45 to the heat dissipation pipe 25d. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the portion of the heat dissipation pipe shown by line AA in Figure 8, showing the state in which the lock ring 45 is attached to the heat dissipation pipe 25d. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the portion of the heat dissipation pipe shown by line AA in Figure 8.

[0043] When crimping a connection using the lock ring 45, the softer end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe 43 is expanded and placed over the outside of the end 42a of the iron pipe 42. In this state, as shown by the arrow in Figure 10, the lock ring 45 is lowered and pressed into the connection, and the connection is crimped. This causes the outer end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe 43 to collapse and tightly adhere to the outside of the end 42a of the iron pipe 42. As a result, the connection between the iron pipe 42 and the intermediate copper pipe 43 is sealed.

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferable that the crimped connection point in the heat dissipation pipe 25d (i.e., the connection point between the second metal pipe and the third metal pipe) extends along the opening of the machine room 30. This makes it easier for the worker performing the connection to insert a jig into the crimped connection point from the opening of the machine room 30.

[0045] In this embodiment, the portion of the heat dissipation pipe 25d that is crimped extends along the vertical direction (Y direction) along the opening surface S of the machine room 30 (see Figure 4). This makes it easier for the worker to use the jig and further improves the work efficiency of the connection work.

[0046] Furthermore, at the crimped connection point of the heat dissipation pipe 25d (i.e., the connection point between the second metal pipe and the third metal pipe), it is preferable that the iron pipe 42 is positioned on the upper side and the intermediate copper pipe 43 is positioned on the lower side. In this way, by positioning the intermediate copper pipe 43 (i.e., the third metal pipe) with the expanded end 43b on the lower side, the adhesive used during crimping can be easily spread to the inside of the expanded end 43b (third metal pipe) of the intermediate copper pipe 43.

[0047] In another embodiment, the extension direction of the heat dissipation pipe 25d at the crimped connection point is not limited to the vertical direction (Y direction), but may be slightly inclined along the opening surface S. In yet another embodiment, the extension direction of the heat dissipation pipe 25d at the crimped connection point may be inclined to some extent (for example, at an angle of 45 degrees or less) in the front-to-back direction (Z direction) with respect to the opening surface S.

[0048] Furthermore, it is preferable that the brazed connection point of the heat dissipation pipe 25d (i.e., the brazed portion 46) extends in a direction intersecting the opening surface S of the machine room 30. For example, in a configuration as in this embodiment, where the machine room 30 is provided to open on the rear side of the insulated box 50, the direction intersecting the opening surface S of the machine room 30 is the front-to-back direction (Z direction) of the insulated box 50 (see Figure 4).

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the brazed portion 46, which includes the end 46b of the copper pipe 41 and the end 46a of the intermediate copper pipe 43, extends in the front-to-back direction (Z direction) of the heat-insulating box 50.

[0050] When performing the piping connection work between the iron pipe 42 and the intermediate copper pipe 43, first, the end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe 43, which is brazed to the copper pipe 41, and the end 42a of the iron pipe 42 are pulled out toward the opening S of the machine room 30, and a lock ring 45 is inserted into the end 42a of the iron pipe 42. Next, the end 42a of the iron pipe 42 is inserted inside the end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe 43 to connect them. Then, adhesive is spread on the inner surface of the expanded end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe 43. After that, the lock ring 45 is moved using a jig to the lower connection part (the part where the end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe 43 and the end 42a of the iron pipe 42 overlap), the connection part of the pipes is crimped with the lock ring 45, and then the pipes are returned to their designated place in the machine room 30. Therefore, during the piping connection work between the iron pipe 42 and the intermediate copper pipe 43, stress is applied to the heat dissipation pipe 25d in the direction of pulling out each pipe and in the direction of returning it to its predetermined position. In other words, stress is applied in the direction intersecting the opening surface S of the machine room 30 (for example, the Z direction).

[0051] Because the brazed joint 46 extends in a direction intersecting the opening surface S of the machine room 30 (for example, the Z direction), the brazed joint extends in a direction approximately coaxial with the stress applied to the heat dissipation pipe 25d during the piping connection work between the iron pipe 42 and the intermediate copper pipe 43. This reduces the stress applied to the brazed joint 46 during the piping connection work between the iron pipe 42 and the intermediate copper pipe 43. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the brazed joint 46 can be reduced.

[0052] (Summary of the first embodiment) As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment comprises an insulated box 50, a machine room 30, and refrigerant piping (specifically, refrigerant piping 20 and heat dissipation pipe 25, etc.) arranged inside the insulated box 50 and inside the machine room 30. A portion of the refrigerant piping arranged inside the machine room 30 (for example, heat dissipation pipe 25d) includes a first metal pipe (for example, copper pipe 41), a second metal pipe (for example, iron pipe 42) which is thicker than the first metal pipe, and a third metal pipe (for example, intermediate copper pipe 43) which connects the first metal pipe and the second metal pipe. At the connection between the second metal pipe and the third metal pipe, the expanded end of the third metal pipe (for example, end 43b) covers the end of the second metal pipe (for example, end 42a), and a connecting member (for example, lock ring 45) for crimping the third metal pipe is provided. The wall thickness of the third metal tube (e.g., wall thickness t3) is greater than the wall thickness of the first metal tube (e.g., t1).

[0053] When connecting pipe ends using connecting components such as lock rings, the outer (expanded) pipe is deformed by the press-fitting of the lock ring, so it is recommended that the expanded pipe have a certain wall thickness.

[0054] In the heat dissipation pipe 25d of this embodiment, when connecting the iron pipe 42 and the intermediate copper pipe 43, the copper material of the intermediate copper pipe 43, which is positioned on the outside at the connection point, has the property of being softer than the iron material of the iron pipe 42, which is positioned on the inside at the connection point.

[0055] Furthermore, the end 43b of the intermediate copper pipe 43, which is on the expanded side, is crimped by the lock ring 45 and press-fitted into the pipe connection, so it is desirable that it has a wall thickness of a certain amount or more (for example, 0.5 mm or more). However, since copper is more expensive than other metal materials such as iron, there is a problem that using thick-walled copper pipes for all of the expanded pipe piping will increase costs.

[0056] Therefore, in this embodiment, a connecting copper pipe 43 is used at the connection point with the iron pipe 42, and the other end of the connecting copper pipe 43 is connected to the copper pipe 41, thereby connecting the iron pipe and the copper pipe, which are made of different metal materials. Furthermore, the wall thickness t3 of the connecting copper pipe is made thicker than the wall thickness of the copper pipe 41.

[0057] In a heat dissipation pipe 25d with this configuration, shortening the length of the thicker-walled intermediate copper pipe 43 reduces the amount of more expensive copper material used, thereby lowering costs. This allows for pipe connections to be made using crimp connections, which have higher work efficiency compared to brazing or welding, while suppressing increases in costs such as metal material costs.

[0058] By adopting the piping connection structure described in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of connection work when connecting pipes that are connected by a crimping method inside the machine room. Furthermore, with the refrigerator according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the increase in the cost of the refrigerant piping.

[0059] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the brazing connection between the first metal pipe and the third metal pipe differs from that of the first embodiment. For other components, the same configuration as in the first embodiment can be applied.

[0060] Figure 11 shows the configuration of a heat dissipation pipe 25d installed in the machine room 30 of a refrigerator 1 according to a second embodiment. The heat dissipation pipe 25d includes a first metal pipe (e.g., a copper pipe 141), a second metal pipe (e.g., an iron pipe 42), and a third metal pipe (e.g., a connecting copper pipe 143) that connects the first metal pipe and the second metal pipe.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first metal pipe is a copper pipe 141, the second metal pipe is an iron pipe 42, and the third metal pipe is a connecting copper pipe 143. The iron pipe 42 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[0062] The copper pipe 141 has a configuration that is generally similar to that of the copper pipe 41 in the first embodiment, but the side connected to the intermediate copper pipe 143 is shorter than that of the copper pipe 41. The intermediate copper pipe 143 has a configuration that is generally similar to that of the intermediate copper pipe 43 in the first embodiment, but the side connected to the copper pipe 141 is longer than that of the intermediate copper pipe 43. In addition, the intermediate copper pipe 143 has another bend (i.e., a second bend 143c) in addition to the bend 43a.

[0063] The iron pipe 42 and the intermediate copper pipe 143 are crimped together using a lock ring 45, similar to the first embodiment.

[0064] The copper pipe 141 and the intermediate copper pipe 143 are connected by brazing. As shown in Figure 11, the brazed joint 146, which is the connection point between the copper pipe 141 and the intermediate copper pipe 143, is located at a position extending upward from the second bend 143c of the intermediate copper pipe 143.

[0065] According to the above configuration, the brazed joint 146 can be positioned at a location beyond the point where the connection is crimped using the lock ring 45, passing through multiple bends (specifically, bend 43a and the second bend 143c). This reduces the stress on the brazed joint 146 during the pipe connection work between the iron pipe 42 and the intermediate copper pipe 143. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the brazed joint 146 can be reduced.

[0066] In another example, the brazed section 246 may be positioned at a location that passes through three bends (specifically, bend 43a, second bend 143c, and third bend 243d) from the point where the lock ring 45 is used for crimping (see Figure 11).

[0067] (summary) A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention (for example, refrigerator 1) comprises an insulated box (for example, an insulated box 50), a machine room (for example, a machine room 30) provided on the rear side of the insulated box, and piping (for example, refrigerant piping 20, heat dissipation pipe 25) arranged inside the insulated box and inside the machine room through which a refrigerant passes. The piping arranged inside the machine room (for example, heat dissipation pipe 25d) includes a first metal pipe (for example, copper pipes 41, 141), a second metal pipe (for example, iron pipe 42) which is thicker than the first metal pipe, and a third metal pipe (for example, intermediate copper pipes 43, 143) which connects the first metal pipe and the second metal pipe. At the connection between the second metal pipe and the third metal pipe, the expanded end of the third metal pipe (e.g., end 43b) covers the end of the second metal pipe (e.g., end 42a), and a connecting member (e.g., a lock ring 45) for crimping the third metal pipe is provided. The third metal pipe has a thicker wall than the first metal pipe.

[0068] In a refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention described above (for example, refrigerator 1), the third metal tube (for example, intermediate copper tube 43) may have at least one bent portion (for example, bent portion 43a, second bent portion 143c, third bent portion 243d).

[0069] In a refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention described above (for example, refrigerator 1), the first metal pipe (for example, copper pipes 41, 141) and the third metal pipe (for example, intermediate copper pipes 43, 143) may be connected by brazing, for example, by a brazed joint 46.

[0070] In a refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention described above (for example, refrigerator 1), the connection between the second metal pipe (for example, iron pipe 42) and the third metal pipe (for example, intermediate copper pipes 43, 143) may extend along the opening surface of the machine room (for example, opening surface S).

[0071] In a refrigerator (for example, refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the connection between the second metal pipe (for example, iron pipe 42) and the third metal pipe (for example, intermediate copper pipes 43, 143) extends along the vertical direction (for example, the Y direction), and the second metal pipe may be located on the upper side and the third metal pipe on the lower side.

[0072] In a refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention described above (for example, refrigerator 1), the connection portion (for example, brazed portion 46) between the first metal pipe (for example, copper pipe 41) and the third metal pipe (for example, intermediate copper pipe 43) may extend in a direction (for example, the Z direction) that intersects with the opening surface of the machine room (for example, opening surface S).

[0073] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1: Refrigerator 20: Refrigerant piping (piping) 25: Heat dissipation pipe (piping) 25d: Heat dissipation pipe (piping) 30: Machine room 41: Copper pipe (first metal pipe) 42: Iron pipe (second type of metal pipe) 42a: End of the iron pipe (end of the second metal pipe) 43: Intermediate copper pipe (third metal pipe) 43a: Bent section 43b: End of the intermediate copper pipe (end of the expanded third metal pipe) 45: Lock ring (connecting component) 46: Brazing part 50: Insulated box 141: Copper pipe (first metal pipe) 143: Intermediate copper pipe (third metal pipe) 146: Brazing part 246: Brazing part S: Opening surface of the machine room

Claims

1. Insulated box body, The machine room is located on the rear side of the aforementioned insulated box, The piping is arranged inside the insulated box and the machine room, and through which the refrigerant passes. Equipped with, The piping located in the machine room is It includes a first metal tube, a second metal tube having a thicker wall than the first metal tube, and a third metal tube connecting the first metal tube and the second metal tube. At the connection between the second metal pipe and the third metal pipe, the expanded end of the third metal pipe covers the end of the second metal pipe, and a connecting member for crimping the third metal pipe is provided. The third metal tube has a thicker wall than the first metal tube. refrigerator.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the third metal tube has at least one bend.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the first metal pipe and the third metal pipe are brazed together.

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection between the second metal pipe and the third metal pipe extends along the opening surface of the machine room.

5. The connection between the second metal pipe and the third metal pipe extends along the vertical direction. The second metal pipe is located on the upper side, and the third metal pipe is located on the lower side. The refrigerator according to claim 4.

6. The connection between the first metal pipe and the third metal pipe extends in a direction intersecting the opening surface of the machine room. The refrigerator according to claim 4.

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